DANNY Simpson has saluted the Newcastle understudies who have come in from the cold to take centre-stage – while promising the club will fight “every step of the way” to retain their top-five status.
United’s hard-fought midweek win was a testament to their battling qualities and came courtesy of lion-hearted performances from Yohan Cabaye’s replacement Ryan Taylor and half-time substitute James Perch.
The victory was sealed by a goal by Gabriel Obertan, a man who has battled through the boos in his first season as a Newcastle player.
Perch is in the process of rehabilitating his reputation at St James’ Park following a difficult baptism of fire in black and white and his grafting display at Blackburn came after a similarly strong performance at centre-half against Brighton.
It follows a theme of United fringe men stepping in from the sidelines to post fine performances and Simpson – an ever-present this season – believes that is typical of a Newcastle team with impressive fighting qualities.
“I thought Gabby was excellent when he came on and Perchy was brilliant. That is what we’re all about,” he said.
“We only found out at lunchtime that Yohan wasn’t going to play but it shows the character of the team that we battled through it and it shows the character of the individual that they played so well. Gabby and James probably haven’t got the minutes that they’d like this season but they’ve kept their heads down, they’ve worked away on the training ground and when their chance comes they have taken it.
“The squad believes in each other, we trust that if anyone goes down or gets injured the next man to come in will be able to do a really good job.
“Gabby is new to the club so the goal was a major boost for him. It will take time for us to see the best of him but he’ll be a top player for us – and James was brilliant again. He just gives 100% wherever he plays. He was at centre-back on Saturday and then he gets asked to play in midfield on Wednesday but it doesn’t faze him – he was weighing in with tackles, shots and headers all over the place.”
United take on Aston Villa with the possible prize of soaring into fourth up for grabs. Simpson sees a unique opportunity for the class of 2012 to make their mark.
“The fans will be buzzing because we’re fifth,” he said. “We know the rewards of possibly winning the game on Sunday – we could be fourth. We have a massive opportunity and you can see from the way we’ve bounced back from Brighton that we’re desperate to keep it going.”
In his 100th appearance, Simpson’s goal-line clearance – his third of the season – typified the fight on show at Ewood Park from United’s European challengers. Although a skill in its own right, the defender says he does not practice being the last line of defence.
“You can’t knock us for our determination and effort and the blocks on the line and goal-line saves are just part of that,” he said.
“I don’t practice these goal-line saves. I don’t know whether it is just instinct or whether it is about putting your body on the line. I will always try to do that, and if it hits me it hits me. It seems to be working pretty well this season.”
