RUMOUR - Danny Simpson

[JS28ZoD]

I think Cummings has improved since he has joined us but I still saw him as a weak link for us when he played in the Championship, granted he had a couple of good performances, other teams were targeting him too quite blatently at times.

I think realistically we should be looking for a first choice right back which Cummings can be the back up for.

Simpson would be a fantastic acquisition. Not a spectacular player but a solid one at a good age with a good pedigree, exactly what we need in my opinion.

[USA_Loyal_Royal]

this will probably be one of the most important signings we make if we do sign him. quality rb with prem experience who played for a incredible side last year. if newcastle are looking for another rb then simpson might want to leave anyway.

[Extended-Phenotype]

I seem to remember taking a look at the Opta stats for picking the best 11 for the national side - Simpson was our top RB. Not really sure how Opta stats are calculated, but it's still a wee nod to his quality. Honestly, this would be a cracking signing.

[andrew1957]

I seem to remember taking a look at the Opta stats for picking the best 11 for the national side - Simpson was our top RB. Not really sure how Opta stats are calculated, but it's still a wee nod to his quality. Honestly, this would be a cracking signing.

Astounding - a whole post by written by EP without any unpleasantness or abuse in it. There is hope.

[Extended-Phenotype]

I seem to remember taking a look at the Opta stats for picking the best 11 for the national side - Simpson was our top RB. Not really sure how Opta stats are calculated, but it's still a wee nod to his quality. Honestly, this would be a cracking signing.

Astounding - a whole post by written by EP without any unpleasantness or abuse in it. There is hope.

You are an old, balding, terracotta sag-fanny.

[RobRoyal]

I seem to remember taking a look at the Opta stats for picking the best 11 for the national side - Simpson was our top RB. Not really sure how Opta stats are calculated, but it's still a wee nod to his quality. Honestly, this would be a cracking signing.

Astounding - a whole post by written by EP without any unpleasantness or abuse in it. There is hope.

You are an old, balding, terracotta sag-fanny.

THAILAND!

[RoyalBlue]

I think Cummings has improved since he has joined us but I still saw him as a weak link for us when he played in the Championship, granted he had a couple of good performances, other teams were targeting him too quite blatently at times.

.

Not in recent times they weren't. He has turned into a very solid and dependable right back, no longer afraid to cross the half way line and with sufficient pace to present a significant threat going forward and an ability to recover situations when defending.

[Extended-Phenotype]

Cummings is very undervalued at this club. Has Premier performances in him.

[JS28ZoD]

I think Cummings has improved since he has joined us but I still saw him as a weak link for us when he played in the Championship, granted he had a couple of good performances, other teams were targeting him too quite blatently at times.

.

Not in recent times they weren't. He has turned into a very solid and dependable right back, no longer afraid to cross the half way line and with sufficient pace to present a significant threat going forward and an ability to recover situations when defending.

In a number of the games I watched him play RB last season (11/12), the opposition teams were constantly testing him with long diagonal balls, a lot of the time he was losing out, and the opposition would switch play to get at him frequently. When it comes to a winger running at him with the ball he utilises his pace well and has improved massively in this respect.

However, in my opinion he still has a long way to go to cement a RB spot at a premier league club that will be competitive in the league. If he continues to work hard he has the potential to do it, my concern is that right now, if he starts this season, he would be an easy target for opposition teams.

[MouldyRoyal]

Cummings is very undervalued at this club. Has Premier performances in him.

Agreed.

Never taken with the "He is afraid to get forward" line either. McDermott played him on RW against Cardiff in the playoffs last season and he got forward well. It's obvious that he stays back to keep the shape as directed by McDermott and Gibbs. Gibbs who, as an ex-fb himself, makes no secret that a FB should be a defender first and foremost.

Don't remember him being a target much this season. Was dependable all season long. Not perfect (who is at that level?) but hardly a weak link. Played very well against Soton away for example.

That said, I'd be happy for Simpson to come as a first choice RB as he is quality. If not, I reckon Cummings has it in him to do fine at this level. We still need cover at that position though.

[Wuzzy87]

Cummings is very undervalued at this club. Has Premier performances in him.

Agreed.

Never taken with the "He is afraid to get forward" line either. McDermott played him on RW against Cardiff in the playoffs last season and he got forward well. It's obvious that he stays back to keep the shape as directed by McDermott and Gibbs. Gibbs who, as an ex-fb himself, makes no secret that a FB should be a defender first and foremost.

Don't remember him being a target much this season. Was dependable all season long. Not perfect (who is at that level?) but hardly a weak link. Played very well against Soton away for example.

That said, I'd be happy for Simpson to come as a first choice RB as he is quality. If not, I reckon Cummings has it in him to do fine at this level. We still need cover at that position though.

The only thing that irritates me about cummings is how narrow he plays. I understand that he may well of been told to play like this, but when i think of the teams which like to switch the ball and use the wingers in this league scares me a little.

[Niko]

Cummings is very undervalued at this club. Has Premier performances in him.

Say that is true, what's the harm in getting an experienced Premier League right back in as well, and have Cummings play an understudy-type role? Bertrand has been in that role recently at Chelsea (at LB) and ended up playing there in the Champion's League final.

[Ian Royal]

Cummings and Simpson would be brilz. It would make us much stronger at RB than LB.

Cummings is a good player who needs a bit more defensive experience and a bit more nouce about when to go forward and when to hold back. He's got Prem potential, although he could probably have done with another full season in the Chump first.

[Blakey's Right Peg]

Very little middle ground with regard to Cummings. When he is poor people jump on his back and make him out to be much worse than he actually is but I find when he does an adequate job people begin to get far too excited about his potential.

[RockheadRumple]

I think Cummings is a player that is fairly decent in all respects but not particularly outstanding at anything.

[Dare to Dr£am]

I think Cummings is a player that is fairly decent in all respects but not particularly outstanding at anything.

Yeah, we have a quite a few of them though.

[Norfolk Royal]

Several tweeters in Geordieland saying we are in talks with Simpson.

[RoyalX]

The only thing that irritates me about cummings is how narrow he plays. I understand that he may well of been told to play like this, but when i think of the teams which like to switch the ball and use the wingers in this league scares me a little.

I seem to remember that narrower = better in full-back terms.

[Diddyroyal]

Narrow in defending and wide when attacking is normal FB practise

[MouldyRoyal]

Narrow in defending and wide when attacking is normal FB practise

Indeed, and it's exactly what Cummings does.