Pardew impressed by Coloccini

Coloccini: Pardew has been impressed with his captain fantastic after taking over the armband

Alan Pardew has hailed the leadership qualities of Fabricio Coloccini for Newcastle since being given the captain's armband.

The Argentinian defender took over as skipper following the sale of club captain Kevin Nolan to West Ham and the Magpies boss could not be happier with his decision to promote the 29-year-old.

Despite several happenings off the field at St James' Park, Pardew has been delighted with Coloccini's determination to turn around Newcastle's fortunes on the pitch.

"You have to be very impressed with him as a person," he said.

"He's taken it almost as a mission in terms of coming to talk to me and understanding what I am trying to achieve, understanding what the club is trying to achieve.

"I have been very impressed with him, and not only his leadership, but his playing as well, which has been of the highest order so far."

Dependable

Coloccini, who signed from Deportivo La Coruna back in 2008, has been one of United's most dependable players and become a cult hero on Tyneside.

And asked if the captaincy had helped bolster Coloccini's performances, Pardew answered: "I think that's fair to say.

"He has taken on a responsibility for the team, for the club, I have certainly felt that in conversations with him.

"Some players, you sense, will grow with the captaincy, and he is certainly one of those."