Source: Northern_Echo
Defender Coloccini must play in the World Cup
MIKE WILLIAMSON has claimed Newcastle team-mate Fabricio Coloccini is a worldclass player plying his trade at Championship level.[LNB] Coloccini claimed the man-of-the-match honours as the Magpies won 2-1 at Watford on Saturday to pull six points clear at the top of the Championship table.[LNB] The Argentinian has been one of the stars of Newcastle's season, with his imposing displays helping eradicate the memory of a difficult first season in the English game.[LNB] Williamson was aware of Coloccini's international credentials when he moved to Tyneside during the January transfer window, and after playing alongside the South American in United's last three matches, the 26-year-old has been impressed by his partner's abilities.[LNB] Everyone around the world knows about Fabricio and what he has to offer, said Williamson, who has moved ahead of Fitz Hall in Newcastle's central-defensive pecking order. He is a top, top player and has helped me enormously.[LNB] He's made it easy for me.[LNB] For a player like me, to come in and play alongside a player that is world-class, which he is, has been absolutely ideal. I watch him, learn off him and hope he will help me develop my own game.[LNB] He doesn't speak that much, but he knows the simple things. I hear his cries of the simple things, like Man on' or Left shoulder' and there is an understanding there.[LNB] But to be honest, I don't need him to talk because I know where he is going to be, he is that consistent. You know he will be there if the ball goes over my head and vice-versa.[LNB] The pair will continue to develop their relationship on the training ground this week, even though Coloccini had hoped to be unavailable ahead of Saturday's home game with Barnsley.[LNB] The former Deportivo La Coruna centre-half was extremely disappointed to be omitted from Diego Maradona's Argentina squad for this week's international friendly in Germany.[LNB] His exclusion has placed a major question mark over his involvement in this summer's World Cup finals. Despite Maradona recalling Inter Milan defender Walter Samuel for his first cap since the 2006 World Cup for their final overseas warm-up game, Williamson feels Coloccini deserves to be involved in South Africa.[LNB] Without a doubt, he should be going to the World Cup, he said. He should also have been in the Argentina squad this week. In training, in a match, he is outstanding.[LNB] Some of the touches he shows on the ball, he is laid back, comfortable and is a joy to play alongside. It's hard not to stand there and admire it.[LNB] It can be hard to settle into the English game when you have come from abroad, particularly in the Championship, but he has adapted.[LNB] There's not one part of his game that is lacking.[LNB] Yesterday's reserve game between Newcastle and Grimsby Town was postponed[LNB]
