Source: PA
Hughton hails Coloccini improvement
Defender Fabricio Coloccini is rapidly becoming a cult hero at Newcastle after emerging from the misery of his early days on Tyneside.
The 28-year-old Argentina international arrived at St James' Park from Deportivo la Coruna during the summer of 2008 with a big reputation and a £10.3million price-tag.
However, his first season in English football proved disastrous both personally and collectively as he struggled to prove his worth with the Magpies slipping ignominiously out of the Barclays Premier League.
But now in his third season with the club, he has rebuilt his reputation to the extent that he was handed the captain's armband for last weekend's 2-2 draw with Wigan and rewarded manager Chris Hughton with a priceless injury-time equaliser.
The new-found regard in which Coloccini is held by Newcastle fans has been cemented by his own song and his contribution on the pitch has been hailed by Hughton.
"He is having a wonderful season so far," Hughton said. "Last season, he was certainly one of our better players in a good season and what he has been able to do is take that form into this season and it has been important. He has been arguably our most consistent player this season."
