Take it for granted Scot is capable of being solid deputy
CIARAN Clark has been excellent for the Magpies since joining from Aston Villa last summer and the central-defensive partnership he has forged alongside captain Jamaal Lascelles has been the very foundation of Newcastle United’s away form.
But, at St Andrew’s, Rafa Benitez was denied the services of the Republic of Ireland international, who suffered damage to his medial ligament the previous weekend.
Benitez – and United fans – will hope that it is not too serious and that this two-week break will allow Clark time to recover.
In Grant Hanley, though, Newcastle appear to have an able deputy – even if the former Blackburn Rovers man has barely featured in the league this term.
United have conceded just 12 goals in 20 away games all season – and have not been breached in open play on the road for seven hours now.
That is despite Benitez having to reshuffle his back four against Birmingham City, with Paul Dummett retaining his position at left-back and Hanley shifting into central-defence alongside Lascelles.
Vurnon Anita continued at rightback and, although he had another difficult afternoon in that position, his defensive team-mates were able to help Newcastle keep another clean sheet.
Praise must also be given to Mo Diame and Jack Colback in holding midfield, who worked tirelessly all afternoon and largely managed to nullify Birmingham’s attacking threat.
Colback in particular impressed, breaking up play in an industrious performance.
Yet it was Hanley’s display which really caught the attention given that he was deputising for arguably Newcastle’s most consistent performer all season in Clark.
It was crucial that United retained their solidity defensively in order to continue their impressive away form and, although the Magpies could not find a winner, the back four gave them the opportunity from which to try to do so with another shutout.
Hanley’s lack of football this term has been curious given that he was signed for £5.5m and even touted as a potential captain when he arrived from Blackburn last summer.
Yet his nervy display at Craven Cottage on the opening day cost the 25-year-old his starting place and, once Clark established himself at centreback, Hanley has barely had an opportunity.
This was just his third league start for Newcastle and only his 17th appearance in all.
Now the Scotland international was hardly spectacular at St Andrew’s, but he kept things simple in defence and ensured he got the basics right; he was quite willing to clear the ball off the park if he felt it necessary.
Interestingly, he almost provided a Jonjo Shelvey-esque 60-yard assist too. Hanley pinged a long throughball forward in the 38th minute which dropped just behind the Birmingham defence, Matt Ritchie ghosted in behind and flicked it around the goalkeeper, only to be denied by an excellent last-ditch challenge from Ryan Shotton.
But Benitez will focus on Hanley’s defensive contributions when he assesses the Scot’s performance in the Second City, and the Spaniard will have been more than content with what he saw.
The fact remains that Benitez’s 4-2-3-1 formation continues to serve Newcastle well on their travels – no matter who United play in defence.