Source: Northern_Echo
Perch stakes claim for right-back spot
JAMES PERCH sees his Newcastle United future at rightback, not as a utility player capable of filling a variety of different roles in the side.[LNB] Perch took part in his first full session at Newcastle's Darsley Park training ground yesterday, having signed a four-year contract with the Magpies on Monday morning.[LNB] The 24-year-old played in a number of different defensive and midfield positions for his former club, Nottingham Forest, and his versatility was seen as one the major factors behind Chris Hughton's willingness to spend a seven-figure sum in order to acquire his services.[LNB] Perch spent a large section of last season at centre-half, but with the Newcastle squad poised to step up their pre-season preparations when they travel to a training camp in Ireland tomorrow, the Midlander is determined to establish himself as an out-and-out right-back.[LNB] I'm definitely a right-back now, said Perch, who is likely to start Newcastle's pre-season programme in that position given Danny Simpson's continued absence with an ankle injury. I moved around a bit at the start of my career, but this is my position and that's where I want to play for Newcastle.[LNB] I was a centre-back at the start of my career at Forest, but as my career progressed I moved over to the right. I'm not the biggest or the widest defender. I like getting forward as well, or at least I do once I've got a full pre-season under my belt.[LNB] Perch would have been a Newcastle player in the second half of last season had Forest accepted the Magpies' initial offer in January.[LNB] The defender asked to leave the City Ground in order to assist with Newcastle's promotion push, but was told he would not be sold while Forest also had a chance of reaching the Premier League.[LNB] That chance disappeared at the semi-final stage of the play-offs, and Perch spent the early part of the summer desperately hoping that Newcastle would renew their attempts to sign him.[LNB] I've been thinking about this move since January, he said. It didn't go through and I wanted to go back then, but it didn't suit both parties.[LNB] I actually asked to leave in January, but Forest wanted me to stay and I did. I think that has helped the move happen this summer though.[LNB] The situation wasn't right then, Forest were still trying to get promoted to the Premier League and were competing with Newcastle at the time so I just got on with it and did my best for Nottingham.[LNB] It has been an amicable split which doesn't always happen in football. To be fair, I've given a lot of years to Nottingham Forest and I think they recognised that and have let me go at the right time.[LNB] Perch was part of the Forest side that lost 2-0 at St James' Park on Easter Monday in a game that effectively sealed Newcastle's promotion to the top-flight.[LNB] While the defeat made a major dent in Forest's own promotion ambitions, Perch was widely praised for his performance against Jonas Gutierrez, and the occasion left a lasting impression on Newcastle's first summer signing.[LNB] I had a good game against Jonas, who was probably one of the best players in the Championship last season, that sticks in my memory.[LNB]
