Instead we have a central defender who stands over 6ft 4 but in no way would you describe him as ‘commanding’ and as for scoring goals…while we have a right-back who can defend a bit but as for creating…

Danny Simpson has been making the headlines on the front pages recently but as well as my wife’s interest in the whole ‘Tulisa’ angle, there was also an interesting NUFC insight generated by Simpson’s off the pitch manoeuvres.

Simpson is a good honest trier but as the manager made clear in the summer, Newcastle had to add goals and assists from all parts of the team.

The club failed miserably in the summer on that front and we are all seeing the consequences of that now.

Danny Simpson makes an appearance on the front pages today as the Daily Mirror report that he is dating the X Factor judge, Tulisa.

When Jonas went to left back and Santon went to right back in place of the hopefully soon to be exiting Simpson, Davide never cut inside once. He didn’t need to.

The problem comes when you expect players like Simpson to play first team football every week but not pay him as a first teamer.

Bob Moncur, “I’m privileged to be involved with Toon Times as it allows me and many Newcastle United supporters with the opportunity to share stories and memories of such a great club”.

Whatever he offers going forward, a defender’s job is to defend first and foremost and with Hatem Ben Arfa in front of you, thank God we’ve got a proper defender in that role.

On the left it has to be a weakness in terms of crossing when both Jonas and Santon are primarily right-footed, the tendency will always be to cut inside.

The only real specialist right-back at the club, Simpson has maybe showed more in his absence in terms of what he gives to the team.