Sol can teach me so much says Mike Williamson

Aug 3 2010 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

MIKE Williamson reckons the signing of Sol Campbell will further his footballing education.

The Newcastle United defender will be in direct competition with the former England international when the latter regains full match sharpness in a month or so, but he is not concerned about the potential threat to his place.

Rather, the 26-year-old is concentrating on the opportunity it gives him to learn from a player he rates as one of the best defenders of his generation.

Williamson said: “It is going to be great to be playing and training alongside a player of Sol’s ability every day.

“Look at the number of appearances he has made, the teams he has played for and the international caps he has – it is an amazing record.

“He is up there with Tony Adams as one of the best English defenders of the last decade or so.

“I am buzzing to be playing alongside him and it is fantastic to have that opportunity. First of all it was Colo (Fabricio Coloccini) who I was picking up little bits off, now it is somebody else.

“I intend to pick up on everything from Sol – his movement, his positional play, his talking and his leadership.

“I am really pleased he is here because it just gives me an opportunity to kick on now.

“I know some people might look at it and say the more defenders we have the less chance I have of playing but, honestly, every top Premier League side needs that kind of competition for places.”

Campbell was one of the few senior squad members not in Spain ahead of tonight’s friendly with Deportivo La Coruna.

Pre-season form has been indifferent so far, confirming in the minds of some that United will be one of this season’s strugglers.

Williamson, though, thinks expectations may change if Newcastle get off to a flying start.

He added: “First and foremost we need Premier League safety.

“However, if we can win a few in the first few weeks, we can start looking up towards the higher end of the division.”