All Change At Newcastle!

13 September 2012 10:45
Vurnon Anita is ready to continue as Newcastle's emergency right-back ... and Jonas Gutierrez says he would operate more effectively in the heart of Newcastle's midfield.

The 23-year-old Holland midfielder was asked to drop into the Magpies' defence after Danny Simpson limped off during the first half of the club's 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.

With Ryan Taylor facing months on the sidelines with knee ligament damage and James Perch having missed the Villa game with a neck problem, Pardew's options are limited.

Vurnon Anita: "We have got two injuries on that side, so if the manager needs me on that side, I will do my best for the team.

"It went well against Aston Villa. As a right-back you can come forward a lot, so I did that also and yes, I think it was a good performance.

"Central midfield is my position, so the main focus is on the midfield, but if the manager needs me on the right side, I can also play there.

"I saw the highlights and Everton were very aggressive in their last game. They played very well, so we must be prepared.

"I know two players who play there. I played with Steven Pienaar at Ajax - he was there when I made my debut - and Johnny Heitinga, also from Ajax and the national team.

"They are very good players, so I know they have a good team and a very strong team.

"It's a good opponent to play against and we are playing away, so we must be prepared."

Jonas Gutierrez says he is working hard to improve his game so that he can operate more effectively in the heart of Newcastle's midfield.  

Jonas Gutierrez: "I have never played in the centre of midfield before, or maybe I did a long time ago, but not recently.

"It is something all players may have to do this season with the extra games.

"My attitude is that I try to play at least 7/10. I try to do the job the manager wants me to do. Maybe I won't be spectacular in that role, but I know that I will do a good job.

"I try to improve, when I have been given this role I try to watch other players who have played this position.

"It is the most important thing in football - you need to understand where you need to be at certain moments in the game.

"When I play left-back, central midfield, in the No.10 role, I always try to find the best position to be in.

"The biggest thing is that you need to know exactly where you should be because when you are in your normal position you do it naturally.

"So I watch the best players in the world who play in central midfield and look to them.

"I watch a lot of left-backs and central midfielders to learn about them."

 

Source: FOOTYMAD