TIME FOR SIMPSON TO PICK IT UP

Statistically speaking, Newcastle United has the best defense in the English football pyramid at the moment.

Yet Newcastle's biggest liability may well involve its backline. That's got nothing to do with Fabricio Coloccini or Steven Taylor, who look like the best center back pairing that United has had in some time. It's not a knock on Ryan Taylor, either, despite the fact that he's had a few wobbly moments while filling in out of position at left back.

Danny Simpson is the worrisome link in the defensive chain. While he's a likeable guy and his efforts to interact with fans on Twitter are greatly appreciated, his performances at right back have been one of the few concerns during Newcastle's uplifting start to the season.

Simpson doesn't seem to have progressed much - if any - over the past two seasons. Case in point: Simpson had two assists in his first season at Newcastle; he hasn't had any since United returned to the Premier League. Stats don't come close to telling the whole story in soccer, but that one is indicative of the quality of crosses Simpson is delivering.

That wouldn't be as big of a deal if Simpson was locking down the opposition's left flank. But that's not happening either. A week ago, Simpson struggled badly to deal with Blackburn's Martin Olsson, a player who, while underrated, isn't overly tricky and certainly isn't one of the Premier League's top wingers. Olsson set up Blackburn's lone goal, then hit the crossbar with a shot that could have greatly changed the complexion of the game. Almost all of Blackburn's dangerous play came down the left before Olsson was sent off in the 69th minute.

Considering Wolves left winger Matt Jarvis is a step above Olsson, Simpson's performance could go a long way toward determining United's fate today at Molineux. And if it's not better than last week's showing, then win or lose, it might be time to rework the backline (hello, Davide Santon) - even if it is still the best in England.

Comments

[Nad]

Can someone explain to me why Simpson is riding very high in the Premier League Stats then? I think he is rated as one of the best defenders in the league on the basis of the first 6 games. In fact the 20th best player in the league

http://www.premierleague.com/page/PlayerPerformanceIndex

I've watched all the games and he has been fairly impressive. He has made some important goal line clearances and saved us conceding. Going forward he has been fairly decent as well.

Not sure I understand the criticism he is coming in for from some quarters, does not seem to be based on fact.

[Cheik & Bake]

Stats shmats. You could feed me with all the statistical analysis you like but it won't convince me that Simpson is anything other than a below-average Premier League defender. The stats show he has done alright this season because he has got lucky that Tayls, Colo & Krul have bailed him out. He has played alright in the games where no-one has been running at him (QPR, Villa) but you only need to look at where Wolves goal in last season's 4-1 victory came from to see how Simpson is our defensive weak link. And, as the article says, he has had NO assists going forward. He has scored 2 goals for NUFC, both from mishit crosses. That says everything about his crossing ability. He is ok at defending when he's not up against someone who wants to take him on, but otherwise he's poor. He backs off in our defensive 3rd, jumps into tackles in the middle 3rd (Fulham goal in the 2-1 and Forest's 3rd in the Cup game) and does nothing but hinder attacks in the final 3rd.

[weezy]

I've been critical of Simpson for a looong time now... But so far this season he hasn't been too bad. But he definately need some competition. His best traits are his aggression and interceptions, which fits in to the hard working style NUFC are showing now in the league. But like I said... competition is needed.

[M]

If the stats say Simpson is 20th best player in the league... then the stats are flawed. Either fundamentally so or simply through an insufficient sample size.

He's dodgy in defence and offers very little going forward. Needs replacing in the first XI.... and I think the management know it - he was being offered to clubs in the last window (QPR and Villa come to mind).
Also.... the day after the window closed, the local media were briefed as to the clubs recruitment priorities up to and including the Jan window - striker, centreback and rightback (focusing on players nearing the end of contracts)

We've also got young Tavernier apparently doing well at League One Carlisle United. From what little we've seen of him he seems to be a genuine 2-way player with pace and ability in possession. Let's hope he continues to progress and is ready to oust Simpson some time soon.....