22Feb

Return of midfield duo is key to Toon’s European hopes

by nathanhildred

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Next weekend, Wolverhampton Wanderers visit St. James’ Park and that fixture will likely see the return of the names Cheik Tiote and Yohan Cabaye to the Newcastle United teamsheet. With the club looking to push for a European qualification spot as the season enters its’ final third, such a selection bonus for boss Alan Pardew should be exactly the shot in the arm the Magpies need.

United’s form as of late has been inconsistent, with narrow victories over the likes of QPR and Aston Villa going hand in hand with five goal thumpings in the capital from Fulham and Tottenham, and that topsy-turvy run has coincided with the absence of Cabaye through both injury and suspension, and Tiote through his commitments with Ivory Coast in the recent African Cup of Nations.

The tough-tackling Ivorian has been a hit on Tyneside since his arrival in the summer of 2010 for a paltry £3.5million from FC Twente, and his ability to link up quickly with the equally low-cost Frenchman Cabaye was one of the reasons United were able to make an unbeaten start to their season. Cabaye, who joined from Lille for £4.3million this summer, has been impressive with his creativity and work rate in the middle of the pitch, chipping in with some delightful goals as well, and the two combined well before the Christmas break in a settled Newcastle midfield.

Since then, however, Pardew’s hand has been forced in terms of selection in the middle, with Danny Guthrie and utility man James Perch forming a somewhat makeshift partnership in the absence of United’s two key midfield men. Dan Gosling, Ryan Taylor and even Jonas Gutierrez have also deputised in central positions, and the result has been a less imposing United side that have lacked the control and creativity that Tiote and Cabaye bring to the side.

Though Guthrie has looked good at times in his role as the creative presence in midfield, he lacks the composure on the ball that his French colleague possesses, and that was in evidence at White Hart Lane as Tottenham overran United. Perch, not a natural central midfielder, looked overwhelmed alongside him, and consequently the Toon, against Spurs in particular, have failed to establish an effective amount of possession. Tiote’s tenaciousness in the centre of midfield often sees United win the ball back after an attack breaks down, helping the team to sustain pressure on the opposition.

That will hopefully be the case once more with his return, and Newcastle fans will hope the Ivorian can get over the heartbreak of being on the losing side in the African Cup of Nations Final. If that happens, and Cabaye returns to form as well, then Newcastle’s European dreams could become a reality come the end of the season.

Posted by Newcastle United fan Nathan Hildred

Follow Nathan on Twitter @hills90