10 Talented Newcastle Players Who Were Well And Truly Pardewed

7. Vurnon Anita

What do you get if you cross a technical European footballer who isn't traditionally English in type, but is hugely gifted with the ball at his feet, and a manager whose idea of cultured football is swapping Yoan Gouffran and Moussa Sissoko's wings once or twice a game? You get the situation that Dutch wonder Vurnon Anita currently faces at Newcastle. Prized by Ajax as one of their most important midfield assets, Anita moved from left-back in Holland to a defensive midfield role that relied on his vision and passing ability rather than brute strength and sweat, and it worked marvellously, drawing the attention of Graham Carr amid comparisons to Clarence Seedorf. That comparison was nailed on - he was so key for Ajax that they dropped no points when he played in midfield: he might not be the bruiser that Cheick Tiote is, but he's strong, he passes wonderfully and he is hugely intelligent, the latter two aspects being the reason Pardew, and some brainless fans think he's too "lightweight" for the Premier League. As if kicking someone is better than passing progressively and turning possession into attack. As long as Pardew stays, I weep for Anita, who is the most misunderstood talent Newcastle currently have.