Pardew: Coloccini just like Bobby Moore

Pardew’s side drew 1-1 in their Wear-Tyne derby grudge match at the Stadium of Light against North-East rivals Sunderland. Pardew singled out the Argentinian in his post-match interview, and took the opportunity to praise the defender for his impressive performance.

Coloccini was the driving force behind the Magpies who scored early on as Yohan Cabaye’s strike found the bottom left corner of the Sunderland goal.

But their advantage was scuppered somewhat when Cheick Tiote fouled Steven Fletcher the referee deemed the challenge worth of a straight red card. The depleted Newcastle for over an hour before cruelly being denied a win by an own goal from Demba Ba in the 86^th minute.

Coloccini had been dominant in defence of his side’s early lead and Sunderland’s equalizer in fact came after he had been substituted in the 79^th minute after complaining of cramp.

His manager conceded that had Coloccini had have been able to see out the final ten minutes of the game, his side might have clung on to all three points.

"Maybe if Coloccini had stayed on, he would have seen that out. He was absolutely phenomenal.”

The 30-year-old has become a solid and reliable part of the Newcastle backbone in his four years at the club. He learned his trade as a youngster coming through Argentina’s Boca Juniors youth ranks before senior spells in Italy and Spain.

But it was an Englishman that Pardew felt Coloccini most resembled in his defiant performance at the helm of his 10-man team.

"I come from a famous football club, West Ham, and that was like watching Bobby Moore. He was terrific," said his manager – glowing praise for the player who has made 158 appearances for the Magpies.

He qualified his praise by giving a detailed description of the likeness, which, in fairness, was kind. But no one could be inclined to doubt that Coloccini was magnificent for his team on Sunday.

“If you want an example of a centre-half playing where you have got to head it, kick it, cover people, get in the right position and then have the calmness to play, that was your example.”

Coloccini has indeed justified his £10.3million price tag over the four years since he signed for the team and stuck by them when the club fell on hard times, showing his loyalty to the club.

His determination and commitment this weekend earned him his managers’ praise and likely accolades to follow. But it was his spirit and defiance that struck me as most resembling the England legend. That is something that eclipses the technical class and physicality of a 'good' centre half and, in that respect Pardew apt in his comparison.