HONESTY is the best policy for James Perch as he looks to resurrect his Newcastle career. Mark Douglas reports.
JAMES Perch approaches the challenge of shoring up Newcastle United’s leaky defence with the same approach he takes to silencing his “nagging missus” – brutal honesty.
For while others might hide behind platitudes and cliches, the Nottingham-born defender is candid in his assessment of a difficult first season in black and white.
Honest enough to admit, for that matter, he did not expect to have a second chance to resurrect his St James’ Park career.
A likeable lad who is happy enough to address the elephant in the room – whether he has proved himself as a Premier League performer – Perch has quickly developed a thick skin.
He admits he is aware of the voices in the crowd doubting him and he has been told the phone-ins are not exactly glowing with praise for him.
However, Alan Pardew has invested his faith in Perch and he is rising above the barbs. Self-belief is the name of the game as he tackles the challenge of top-flight football head on.
That sturdy attitude is good news for Newcastle as they turn to Perch to try and help them sink the Swans this afternoon – but probably bad news for his girlfriend of two years Olivia.
Perch said: “I know I can play. eople always say do you listen to the fans and listen to the phone-ins, and all the rest of it? To be honest, I don't.
“Someone asked me the other day, did you look back on the second half of the Chelsea game, did you watch it, because you played well. No I did not.
“You cannot take the good without taking the bad, so I would rather leave the good so I can leave the bad as well.
“What would I rather listen to than the phone-ins? I would rather listen to my missus' nagging voice to be honest.
“We have been together two-and-a-half years but if she reads this that might be it now!"
Asked whether he wants that last comment to stay in, he laughs and says he does not mind.
Clearly he is a man prepared to sail through the sea of criticism.
Perch added: “To be honest people criticising me are people outside the football club and I haven't listened to it or heard it.
“Here inside the club, I am the centre-half for the next two weeks maybe, depending on what the gaffer does.
“If he wants to bring people in when they get back, that is fine, it is just me playing now because I am here.”
