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Reluctant To Fall In Love With On Loan Remy

10 years ago
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Another enforced break without proper football, as international matches take centre stage, we have asked a few writers to give their assessment of the fourteen players on show at White Hart Lane, followed by what they think of each of them overall.

Today it is the turn of Jamie Hardesty, giving his player by player verdict.

Krul

Last game: Krul saved us in the Spurs game, having put in a performance worthy of his top three greatest. As we all know it was phenomenal and all credit must go to him.

Contribution and Future Plans: I’d happily have Krul as our number one for the next ten years, he’s a great keeper and still has much to develop. He will only get better. As a long standing club servant and a popular figure I hope to always see him between the sticks! His recent performance reminded us just how good and valuable he is!

Debuchy

Last game: I thought Mathieu did well, keeping his recent form at a steady increase. His ability to provide another option high up on the right, when Ben Arfa isn’t in the team, is very useful.

Contribution and Future Plans: Debuchy has failed to impress me since coming to Newcastle, however his performances this season have started to change my perception of him. He is adapting to the Premier League and, like anything, he is improving with practice and experience. He has the qualities to be our first choice RB for years to come; he has showed this season that he’s a good player.

Williamson

Last game: Willo justified his inclusion with another no nonsense performance. His height defensively is a big asset and he seemed to have added some composure to his game which he’s desperately lacked at times in his Newcastle career.

Contribution and Future Plans: Mike is a decent squad player. When the team is playing well and is confident, he can fit in with little bother. The danger is when we are in a bad patch and are forced to play him, that’s when the errors are magnified. I’m happy to see him doing well at present but I’d be surprised to see him get a new contract. I’d expect a younger recruit to eventually take his place in the squad.

Mapou

Last game: Mapou was simply brilliant. He is looking settled at present and I found that there was an air of maturity about his performance at White Hart Lane. His rapport with Krul and his goal line heroics showed a lot of pleasing team spirit and determination.

Contribution and Future Plans: Mapou has been like many players this season in the sense that he’s blown hot and cold. He was awful against Liverpool and his ‘performance’ at Everton was abhorrent. However, he is an international and a former captain of a league winning side. He has strong attributes and hopefully his performances of late can be maintained as he is definitely a player on paper that looks great. I want him to stay at the club for many years and realise his potential. Believe me he is not a Boumsong as many have said!

Santon

Last game: Davide played well against Spurs, though his performance was outshone by others. His energy and bursts along the left are a joy to behold; hopefully he can build more of an understanding with Gouffran to create more chances offensively.

Contribution and Future Plans: Santon looked great this time last year, he then fell short defensively at the worst possible times. However, his potential is huge and his talents are obvious. I’d like him to stay here for as long as possible, although I can see him eventually being touted by Italy’s finest sides.

SIssoko

Last game: Moussa’s first half of football was tremendous. Nobody knows what he seems to be, where do we play him? But his sheer pace and power can frighten opposition and force them to make mistakes. Recently his work rate and protection of the back four has been a marked improvement. He’s had two very good games recently.

Contribution and Future Plans: Sissoko was anonymous for many games this season until his last two tireless performances. Much depends on how he is used by Pardew. Despite some abject performances he is another talented player in this squad and hopefully he can emulate Mapou and show desire for this club. There is a real player in there and we are close to finding him.

Tiote

Last game: The old Tiote is back! Frightening, committed and warrior-like! Tiote pressed well in midfield and it was good to clearly see this as we’d desperately lacked it against Chelsea, especially in the first half.

Contribution and Future Plans: Cheick has been a better player this season in comparison to last. At one point we debated whether we’d sell him for £20 million and then suddenly it seemed we couldn’t give him away for £5 million. He has a future here for sure because there is a good player there. He has taken the armband recently now and he has cut out his stupid yellow cards, I think big things are just around the corner for him once again.

Cabaye

Last game: Although not his best or most outstanding he was still very much Yohan Cabaye, seeking to get forward and giving us doggedness in the middle of the park.

Contribution and Future Plans: Yohan is playing well and he is a big favourite of mine. With him we are a much better team. He can simply do things that our other midfielders can’t. Despite his want away attitude, he’d probably be the first name on my team sheet. He transforms us. I really hope he stays in January.

Gouffran

Last game:Tireless as well as creative – this lad has been a revelation for me! He put in another good show and it was good to see how well he linked with Remy. He has a lot to his game, against Spurs he continued to please.

Contribution and Future Plans: I’d argue that after Remy, Goofy has been out best player this season. I want him to stay for a good few years yet and continue to improve. He is possibly our most improved player.

Shola

Last game: Shola was great in the first half in my opinion, he did exactly what he was there for! Unfortunately, he cannot do everything you want from a forward. However, he was used wisely and put in a good squad player performance.

Contribution and Future Plans: Shola Ameobi is a popular figure and it’s nice to see him do a good job when he plays. However he isn’t a first team player and the reality is we cannot always rely on him. He is in the latter stages of his career here but at present he remains an ok squad player. I must admit, I have a soft spot for him.

Remy

Last game: Great composure and a great finish. What more can you say, he once again showed us how clinical he is and how much we now rely on him.

Contribution and Future Plans: He has been great for us this season; I think lethal would be the best word to describe him in fact. However, I doubt he will stay and I’m not buying into the usual ‘I love it here at Newcastle’. I’m enjoying his goals but still very wary of allowing myself to have a player/fan affinity with him whilst he is on loan.

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Cisse

Last game: Another substitute appearance and another chance squandered. He didn’t do much. Perhaps if that chance had fallen to him in his inaugural season we’d have seen a spectacular goal.

Contribution and Future Plans: Cisse’s fall from grace upsets me because he is a great character. Although it seems like hope is lost with the player at present. What I would say is that we only have to look at the improvement of other players to remind us that changes are possible. Hope is waning thin mind; he needs a goal more than Kinnear needs a dose of common sense!

Anita

Last game :It was questionable having him there in the second half but he didn’t let himself down. He is a good, honest and hardworking professional. He contributed to the win.

Contribution and Future Plans: I really rate Anita and hope he stays for a long time. He is versatile and has a good footballing brain. He is still adapting to the Premier League and he never seems to get a fair run of games in the team. I’d like to see him emerge and realise his talent here. He’s a good player and we are lucky to have him, I’ve been impressed with him this season when he’s played.

Obertan

Last game: He is brought on to carry the ball and relieve pressure from the defence. However, despite his potential attributes, he is next to useless on the pitch. I can see Pardew’s thinking but in reality he never does anything to justify an inclusion. Give me Ben Arfa any day!!

Contribution and Future Plans: He hasn’t really done anything this season, I know he’s young but I’d still cut our losses and move him on. I’m all for giving players repeated chances but he just doesn’t seem good enough unfortunately.

You can follow Jamie on Twitter @jamiehardesty

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