Centerbacks - Mbiwa and Saylor

Whilst partly true, you're also forgetting that the catalyst for Perch's upturn in form/ability was having to spend the whole of pre season two years ago with the reserves/youth team whilst the first team was on tour abroad. It wasn't as if Pardew just kept persisting with him saying "he'll come good" etc, he bombed out of the first team and tried to ship him out. So therefore sometimes a good old fashioned kick up the backside can also be just as effective.

It depends on the player, if unconditional support from the manager doesn't work there then comes a time when he has to be dropped (no that I'm saying that time has arrive for Debuchy yet).

 

Perch was awful at RB, yet became dependable at CB or CM. I think it was more of us using him in a position that suited his abilities more.

As for Taylor, he was great when he was younger, captaining U21's and being a real "heart on the sleeve" type player. But he's not developed past that, is that the fault of the club or the player or a combination of both?

As a club we don't have the best track record of developing players.

 

Exactly. It certainly has an element of being down to Debuchy as he can't be left wanting for more support from Pards and he's hardly being played out of position. I mean, look at Fergie, we barely saw him criticise his players. As much as we take the piss out of Pards for his Wenger-blaming (and it is fair embaressing) you can see the method in his madness: to deflect attention from his players. If Pards come out and says "Debuchy was god awful" will that make him play better next week? i reckon he would only get worse
You back your player in the press and then it's down to him really, will he appreciate it or ignore it?
My personal opinion is he won't improve.
I notice someone later mentioned Perch being left with the reserves and i do see the point there but if he was being moved on it's questionable whether Pards had any say in that, and i don't remember him coming out in the press to highlight the fact. I feel Perch knows more than most at Newcastle that the manager can want you as much as he likes, but if the heirarchy want the doe it's tough ****

 

There will come a time where Pards will have to take him out (not in an assassin type way). Like he did with Perch. Now is not that time though as we have no right backs

I still fully believe in defending in your players in the press. Of course the fans don't want to hear excuses, but you have to seperate what is said to players privately from what is said about them publically. You just create a fractious camp if you start hanging people out to dry. Unfortunately these guys have monster egos too, so they don't take kindly to being bombed out to the fans. To us you think "over senstive pricks" or "spineless manager" but that is the reality of modern footballers, they are molly coddled.

The only thing Pardew needs to do is temper it a little as he gets carried away and at times says things that just blatantly not true. He has to realise that some fans are upset by that, others can take it with a pinch of salt and view it for what it is, a press interview. But in times where you are maybe not the most popular, you maybe have to choose your words more carefully. Just say less, get your head down and move on. You can give an interview where you are angry but still protect your players. Basically he needs to learn to be more of **** to the interviewer, give him **** all and do the bare minimum. At present he tries to please everyone by being open, put putting a positive spin on.

 

You have to remember that Saylor has had a lot of bad long term injuries over the years all usually coming at a time when he was just starting to look good so he probably is a bit behind some for experience despite his age. Lets stop this early season scapegoat hunting and for a change actually attempt to be "the loyallest supporters" and get behind the lads playing for the team. Its nowt to do with them that we have signed no bugger all summer. As for centre defence yes i agree Mbiwa looks class and should be great with Collo but that partnership lacks height and some teams will make mincemeat of them in the air, so Saylor will be badly needed at times.