Newcastle must eye defender to keep top-four aspirations alive
Published:No team have conceded fewer Premier League goals than Newcastle this season and this is arguably the chief reason why they are the surprise package towards the top of the Premier League standings at present.
However, they have benefited from having an unchanged defence and a lack of central cover could prove their undoing as they bid to remain in the top four.
It is commendable how they have shuffled the pack in midfield and adapted to a host of injury troubles, but it is fortunate that these problems have not ventured backwards into their defence.
Steven Taylor and Fabricio Coloccini have done a fine job up until now, but with Mike Williamson injured, the only real cover they theoretically have at present is James Perch.
And Perch has not accumulated the greatest amount of Premier League experience and the games that he has played have not been in a position with the importance as that of central defence.
Therefore, playing Perch would be a big risk and could undo all of the good work that Newcastle have done to sit third in the standings at present.
Newcastle’s odds remain 25/1 to finish in the top four come the end of the season and signing some defensive reinforcements in January look imperative in all positions.
Nathaniel Clyne has been one named linked from Crystal Palace and although the England under-21 international looks to have a bright future, someone with more experience must be a bigger target given the demands of the games in the closing stages of the campaign.
James Tomkins from West Ham is one potential option, although someone in the mould of Alex from Chelsea would be a major coup for the club.
Other options may be Nedum Onouha from Manchester City or Carlos Cuellar from Aston Villa.
