Source: Northern_Echo
Perch not worried about ban threat
NEWCASTLE defender James Perch will not hold back against Everton on Saturday, despite being a yellow card away from a one-match ban.[LNB] The 24-year-old has received four cautions in his first four Premier League games, becoming only the second player to do so in the league's history.[LNB] Perch was booked early in the second half of the home defeat to Ian Holloway's Blackpool for a crunching tackle on Charlie Adam but the former Nottingham Forest trainee insists he won't change the way he plays.[LNB] I like to throw myself about a little bit and sometimes I get booked by it but it's not something I'm going to stop soon, it's just something in my game, Perch said.[LNB] I think there's a couple I didn't think were yellow cards, the one on Saturday was, but it's just something about me I don't know what it is.[LNB] So far in the Premiership this season, 140 yellow cards have been dished out and Perch believes it could be an indication of teams becoming a lot more physical.[LNB] There seems to be a lot every game, sometimes six or seven people getting booked.[LNB] I don't know if it's just the way the referees are or the attitudes of the teams, chucking themselves about and putting the boot in a little bit more this season.[LNB] I think we get stuck in more and if you get booked, you get booked and you just try not to get sent off.'' Newcastle travel to Goodison Park on Saturday and although a ban lingers, Perch reveals boss Hughton hasn't spoken to his players about discipline and maintains he won't be afraid to get stuck in.[LNB] It's not been a big talking point with the gaffer, you just get on with your game and if you get booked, that's just football,'' he insisted.[LNB] If I'm looking at it now, I'm thinking I'll try not to get booked but during the game If there's a tackle there to be won I'll go for it and if I lose it and if I get booked, I can't do anything about it.[LNB] Perch has made the step up from Championship to Premier League and despite some questioning his ability to adapt to a higher level, the Mansfield-born player believes he is getting used to playing in England's top flight.[LNB] I feel fine, obviously it's a step up from the Championship which I'm used to,'' he said.[LNB] It's a bit quicker but I think I've got used to it, I've got a few yellow cards, but I think I've stared well and hopefully I can stay in the team for as long as possible.[LNB] After becoming Hughton's first signing of the summer, Perch has since been joined at the club by Hatem Ben Arfa and Cheick Tiote and the defender believes both will do well in black and white shirts.[LNB] They look really good. I've seen more of Ben Arfa, because Cheick only came in a couple of days ago so I haven't seen too much of him but he comes with a reputation of being a good player,'' said Perch.[LNB] So does Ben Arfa, he's an international so everyone can see the quality he's got.[LNB] He's showed it in training and in the match when he came on. I think he's raring to go and hopefully we can let him get on Saturday.[LNB] Avram Grant and Tal Ben Haim are set to be given permission to miss West Ham's Premier League game at Stoke so they can observe Yom Kippur. Manager Grant and on-loan Portsmouth defender Ben Haim are expected to be absent at the Britannia Stadium for Saturday's game while they celebrate the Jewish holy day.[LNB]
