We signed him for almost nothing, expected almost nothing from him and for the first year he was here he looked terrible. Then he kept trying, and improving. His attitude both on and off the pitch were exemplary and he was a key part in the season we over-achieved. We've been relegated by far more gifted players than him who simply didn't seem to give a ****. Utterly loved Perchino, not least because he shows that hard work and will-power do still get you places in the modern game and that fans respect that. I respect him more than most players we've had in the last 20 years and would be effusive in telling him that if I ever met him, I'd like to think most fans would.
Yep. I feel Hayden hasn't achieved similar status despite a similar scenario. I'd say Hayden was more naturally gifted than Perch, so maybe that's why he hasn't earned that cult status. Despite him wanting to leave for family issues, no club wanted him, so he stuck it out and has given 100%. It may not have always resulted in a good performance, but at least he met the minimum requirement of effort. Perch was similar, lacked ability but never gave anything less than 100%. We've had a few through the years. Warren Barton. Had a horrific start here and became a figure of fun for some. He turned it round and ended up well loved by the fans. Our fans are good eggs generally I think. They are demanding. They demand you respect our club and put everything you have into it. I don't think that's too much to ask. Generally if they see you do that they'll show you love. I'm heartened that there are still professionals like Hayden and Perch out there. If only some of their more talented colleagues could see fit to behave with the same professionalism.
Hayden has really turned it around in the past few months. Prior to that he was a very limited grafter who it was hard to feel much positive or negative for and yet some fans did indeed relish having a pop at him. When he said he wanted to leave there was no major response but his performances since then have shown that, contrary to prior understanding, we will actually be missing something if/when he goes. A decent 5-7 out of 10 player who is unlikely to win a game on his own but may well drag a few others performances up a notch or two by the way he goes about his business. Ki and Shelvey are probably better players overall but when we had Longstaff and Hayden in the middle they seemed to make sure those in front of them were on their toes at all times!
I think it is damning of Shelvey and Ki that he has outstripped them in performance given his very obvious limitations. I do think Longstaff carried Hayden somewhat, and I said on another thread I still don't think he's good enough. But when he leaves in the summer we will need to go and get a midfielder of that ilk. Diame for me gives you 5-10 good games a season. I think Hayden is similar and has had his limitations exposed once again over the last couple of games. Shelvey is a good example - he has loads more ability than just about every midfielder bar young Longstaff and yet he has never managed to drag it out of himself consistently while here. I am less convinced than ever that Shelvey is the right man for Newcastle. Certainly Ki looks of a similar type, plenty of ability but its when he feels like it. I'd hope we are going to commit to Longstaff next season and put a proper more defensively minded midfielder alongside him. After that I'd keep Ki as back up and shift the others. Shelvey I think will just become unsettled playing second fiddle to a youngster so I'd take the decision out of his hands. Its got to be about progression and to me midfield is a particularly weak area. Diame, Shelvey and Hayden will not help us progress. I don't know where you go, I mentioned that Maia who we've been linked with before and Ascaibar at Stuttgart. They may be pie in the sky though as Lille are doing well and its not like either is unknown. We'll need two if we shift the other three. It should be a big summer for Newcastle. We need two midfielders, a left wing back and a right wing back. We need a striker (two if we are not keeping Rondon) and possibly another forward player to compete in the deeper roles with Perez and Almiron. I do think Muto will be interesting next year and Aarons is doing well on loan but can we really rely on the latter? That is 7 players alone and is without going into the trouble of getting rid of a fair few (Diame, Hayden, Shelvey, Saivet, Murphy, Gayle, Joselu, Manquillo, Atsu, Lazaar). We've got a big task and I suspect we will drift like we normally do and that is what is frustrating Rafa.
