What amazed the majority of Toon fans at Goodison Park that evening was that it took Pardew 45 minutes before he understood we were in for a hiding.
He changed it at half-time - Perch was put into his best position where he can kick a few people and upset the apple cart - and Anita made some telling runs down the flank.
Come Norwich City at St James Park, and once again Pardew has Perch right-back and Anita in the middle, but the penny dropped a lot quicker.
He made changes on 18 minutes, after the Canaries had ran us ragged!
Then we have the trip to Reading, Anita is dropped ... and Perch plays right-back (AGAIN!).
And the Toon boss says afterwards: "I don't know what the problem is. The back-line isn't as confident as it should be and we lost the ball too often in the middle of the park.
He had an 18-year old BALL WINNER for God's sake! What about Perch?
Anita could return to the starting XI on Thursday night, when Newcastle take on Bordeaux at St James’s Park in the Europa League ... but perhaps his midfield roll is more suited to play the French.
Another player pushing for a start is Shane Ferguson, who twice came off the bench last week and set up a goal on each occasion.
The 21-year-old delivered the cross for Demba Ba’s second equaliser against Reading.
Alan Pardew: “He’s pushing, Fergie.
“I kept saying he’d have an impact with that left foot of his, and my goodness he’s made an impact this week.
“Sammy (Ameobi) didn’t get on because we had a couple of injuries, but I’ve said all along those two will be big players for us this year.”
Source: FOOTYMAD
