Defender James Perch: Every point counts
Aug 7 2010 by Nick Purewal, The Journal
Nobody at St James’ Park expects to cakewalk back to Premier League stability. James Perch told Nick Purewal it is what Newcastle do when they don’t win that counts.
AMBITION can be a dangerous commodity, especially in the hearts and minds of Premier League debutants.
Luckily for Newcastle United, composed new defender James Perch has no Icarian tendencies, and will approach the top-flight with a sensible dose of realism.
Shunning sticking his head in the clouds for a stint in the freezer, the smart-thinking former Nottingham Forest stopper told The Journal United will not stand or fall by virtue of their big or showy wins.
While the usual laudatory noises will surround the first few landmark victories, Perch said Chris Hughton and his squad will be setting their stall by draws dredged up under duress.
United boss Hughton always carries an air of sensibility about him and, given Perch’s calm appraisal of what lies in wait, the former Spurs coach might just have found a like-minded youngster to mould into a dependable Premier League performer.
Perch might have been satisfied with his showing in Newcastle’s midweek 0-0 draw in Deportivo which led to United scooping the 65-year-old pre-season Trofeo Teresa Herrera on penalties, but he is far from content he has found the required level.
Hughton will charge his troops with reproducing their solid shape and pressing tactics on show in Galicia when they hit the road in the Premier League.
The former Republic of Ireland left-back will ask his battlers to press all out for the ball, then hit hard on the break – provided those chances present themselves.
Otherwise it will be a case of time biding, and considered approach work, like the neat move on Tuesday night where Andy Carroll’s clever chested lay-off set Wayne Routledge en route to a fine cross for Leon Best.
The former Coventry striker could not hit the target when sneaking round the far-post with his glancing header, but the impetus and incision offered precipitous portent. Granted the Premier League will prove a completely apposite proposition, but Perch believes United can produce the requisite resolve to make a success of their top-flight return.
He said: “It is not going to come down to the games we win, it will all be based around the games which we do not lose.
“The gritty draws where we hang in there, get a bit of luck at times, hopefully that we merit, and then really stick it out to drive those points home.
“Every point is going to be precious, because that is just how the Premier League is.
“It is that tough that everyone is scrapping for every inch, and that is what makes it the most exciting league in the world, and that is why every player wants to play in it.”
