Newcastle: Alan Pardew's 8 Biggest Head Aches Right Now

2. Is It Time To Get Rid Of Anita?

Vurnon Anita ia an enigma: he's very talented, hugely thought of in Holland, and was a brilliant prospect when we signed him (likened, in fact to Clarence Seedorf), but he's not the enforcer type that Cheick Tiote is, and he's a progressive defensive midfielder, rather than a reductive one. Newcastle fans have never really understood that, and neither has Alan Pardew, and he's now faced with the prospect of simply not giving him any game time, or getting rid and freeing up some funds. The Answer Unfortunately, yes. The minute Alan Pardew came out in the press and said he still hadn't settled (inspiring the Chronicle to allegedly make up a quote from the player about being unhappy) was the minute his fate was sealed, especially with Mehdi Abeid's progress. We've simply never got the best out of Anita because he's not suited to the style of defensive midfielder we play. He'd probably thrive in a footballing side, rather than one that absorbs pressure, throws bodies in the line of fire and breaks, but that's not what he's going to get at Newcastle. So selling him is best for all parties.