Should Yohan Cabaye walk straight back in the Newcastle team?
Yohan Cabaye of Newcastle in the dugouts as a substitute during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Fulham at St. James Park
Ever since the Newcastle vice-captain rocked the boat against Manchester City on 19th August, the team has gradually picked itself up and has delivered two performances that have given hope to the Geordie faithful.
The prime reason for the same has been due to the influence of Moussa Sissoko and Vurnon Anita pairing up in the heart of midfield. The question that now should now be asked of the Newcastle manager Alan Pardew is; should he restore the original first choice midfielders back in the first team?
There are two ways one can look at the situation. One, Pardew should stick with the squad he started against Fulham and should not tinker too much with a winning formula. Having said that; the team enjoyed its best spell of the game while Yohan Cabaye was on the field. Not to mention that the goal was scored in that time as well. Whether the goal scored was because of his efforts, or despite his efforts, is a different question altogether.
The other way to look at it is that he has been one of the club’s better players over the last two years. And he has been a real leader on and off the pitch of the club’s ever burgeoning French contingent. The fact is, if Cabaye’s head is in the right place then he can be a real asset to the team on the pitch.
Pardew needs to find a middle ground to make sure that he puts out a team that in his mind is the best combination against the opposition. That may involve changing the personnel or changing the formation. In the past, Pardew has shown a penchant towards sticking with the players that he trusts and believes in. So it would not surprise me if Cabaye is straightaway back in the team. In a way, that might be good as the player himself may be motivated even more to do well after letting the club down.
My personal opinion is that Pardew should not put him in the starting lineup straightaway; it will show everyone that no one is bigger than the club and you cannot treat the club that way. Other high profile Premier League players were also looking to move on, but none of them went on strike or refused to play. In addition, has Cabaye even apologised to the club, who paid his wages during that time, and its fans?