Fabricio Coloccini and Chancel Mbemba's relationship is still blossoming and it's the Argentine's job to hurry up the process. They have both introduced themselves, been out for dinner and maintained a textual exchange throughout the week but now it's time to up the chemistry. As club captain, the 33-year-old needs to re-discover his commanding leadership skills and nurture the former Anderlecht central-defender. Against Southampton, it was the opposite, Mbemba seemed to be delegating jobs, passing the ball out from defence and bringing the defence forward. Coloccini looked unfit, sluggish and unable to challenge for anything in the air. Against Swansea this needs to change, the pair will be faced with the physical presence of Bafetimbi Gomis, who will play as a the central-striker, and Andre Ayew, who will be given a free role from the right-hand-side.
Perhaps I was a little harsh with Chancel Mbemba's rating against Southampton but, despite some tidy interceptions, I felt the defender lacked composure and was at fault for Graziano Pelle's opening goal. He certainly demonstrated flashes of his talent against the Saints and made a number of high-quality tackles and passes from the back and it will be interesting to see how he fares against Bafetimbi Gomis' physical presence.
NCTJ-accredited football writer with an MA in Sports Journalism. What Culture football editor. Write for the official Newcastle United programme. Former video reporter at North News. Featured and published in the Sunderland Echo, Shields Gazette, Mail Online, The Mirror, The Sun and others.
