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One area in which Newcastle are number one

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The Premier League, for as far back as I can remember, appears to be going through a real dearth in terms of the overall quality and standard of the league. Now, more than ever before, games are won by the collective as opposed to individual moments of brilliance. But, who can lay claim to having the best central midfield partnership in the Premier League?

Newcastle have begun the season in excellent form and not enough credit can go to manager Alan Pardew for the superb job he’s done under difficult circumstances. Step forward our first major contender – Cheik Tiote and Yohan Cabaye. The pairing have dovetailed excellently despite their ‘partnership’ being in its’ relative infancy.

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For the first time in a long while, the Newcastle defence is not the joke that keeps on giving. A lot of credit must go to Tiote for the job he’s done patrolling the space just in front of the back four. His ferocious tackling ability, while it may over step the mark at times leading to the Ivory Coast international currently in possession of a terrible disciplinary record, is exactly what the side needs.

Cabaye has adjusted to the English league fantastically well. Many were surprised that Newcastle were able to lure Cabaye away from current Lique 1 champions Lille, in what many saw as a sideways move at best for the French international, with Cabaye missing out on Lille’s Champions League adventure. However, he offers them real drive from the centre of midfield and excellent delivery from dead balls. Joey Barton who, I hear you cry? They’re certainly my nomination for best midfield partnership.

Much in the same way as there appears to be a lack of genuine out and out strike partnerships in the league at the moment, the lack of central midfield partnerships is notable. Newcastle’s Tiote and Cabaye, for the time being, hold the mantle for me, although Parker and Modric look to have more potential going forward. It’ll be interesting to see whether Newcastle can continue their rich vein of form throughout the campaign, because if they can, a lot of it will be down to their dynamic duo Tiote and Cabaye.

Written by James McManus

NothingButNewcastle.com is looking for writers. If you love the Toon get in touch at nothingbutnewcastle@snack-media.com

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1 comment

  • Archie Brand says:

    And I thought I could write comedy…..

    Our defence may not be the joke it used to be but it is still pretty awful. Our goals against figure has more to do with good fortune than good defending. We are where we are because we had a good start on the fixture list.
    Wolves could have had a hatful if not for lady luck.

    I notice you start off praising our defence then write an article about our midfield.

    Just wait until we play a team with a decent fron t line. We will get ripped to pieces.

    The good news is that there are not too many teams that will do that to us, so we still have a shot at the top 7 or 6, but lets not get carried away with all this jingoistic talk of solid defences and rich veins of form.

    I woud also argue the fact that we were “surprised” that we were able to prise Cabaye away from Lille. The majority of Newcastle fans didn’t say “Wow!” The said “Who?”
    Hence the reason we are surprised at how well he’s doing.

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