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Tyne-Wear Derby: Ex-Sunderland midfielder Jack Colback is now a Newcastle favourite following his summer move

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Former Sunderland midfielder Jack Colback has quickly won over the Newcastle fans and could be a key figure in the Tyne-Wear derby, writes Adam Bate...

When Newcastle players scour the memory banks ahead of Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby, the recent history isn’t good. There are those back-to-back 3-0 home defeats, while the only men to score for Newcastle in the St James’ Park fixture this decade, Shola Ameobi and Kevin Nolan, are now long gone.

But within the home dressing room at the weekend, there is Jack Colback – the last player to score a goal between these sides back in February. It was a beauty too, winning the ball in the centre circle before driving forwards to receive the return pass and arrowing a shot high into the net.

The decision to shush the home crowd at the Gallowgate End might now seem ill-advised given subsequent events but the boyhood Newcastle fan has since won over those same supporters following his summer switch from Sunderland. He’s getting standing ovations there these days.

Jack Colback shoots the ball beyond Tim Krul for Sunderland at Newcastle in the February 2014 Premier League game at St James' Park
Image: Colback scored for Sunderland in their 3-0 win against Newcastle in February

For his part, Colback felt the decision to put himself in the firing line was a straightforward one. “It was an opportunity I couldn’t let slip,” he explained upon signing the contract in June. “If you asked fans around the world the one thing they’d like to do before they die, it would be to play for the team they support and I’ve got the chance to do that.”

Of course, there was no fanfare comparable to the day Alan Shearer returned home, while the Sunderland hierarchy’s offer of a new contract was believed to be some way short of the deals on offer from the likes of West Ham and Newcastle.

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But the two North East clubs wouldn’t be alone in underestimating Colback. Most notably, there was the playful suggestion from England boss Roy Hodgson that a third party had once described the midfielder as ‘the ginger Pirlo’. Cue a social media frenzy served up with a dollop of derision.

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That’s harsh on an unassuming character whose quiet efficiency has won him the respect of every coach he’s worked with. Roy Keane described his attitude as “spot on” before Paolo di Canio credited him as a “real solider for the club” but it was the words of Martin O’Neill that are perhaps most revealing. “I have more belief in Jack than he has in himself,” said the then Sunderland boss.

Sometimes that belief is more easily reinforced when arriving at a club as a key new signing rather than emerging through the ranks. That’s certainly how it’s proved for Colback at Newcastle where he’s impressed from the outset with manager Alan Pardew praising his “energy and power” on debut against Manchester City.

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Image: Colback's energy and stamina have been a feature of his game in the Newcastle midfield

The effort that was always going to be essential to win over the Newcastle fans was never going to be a problem for Colback. And yet, the numbers remain impressive. The Premier League tracking data shows that he has covered an average of 11.75 kilometres per 90 minutes as a Newcastle player – outrunning all his team-mates in 11 of his 15 appearances this season.

That ability to get around the pitch has helped make him one of the Premier League’s most combative midfielders – among the top six in the country when it comes to interceptions. But Colback is more than a stopper. As exemplified by that derby goal against his current club, he brings defensive awareness coupled with a desire to join the attack.

“Jack's position is the one ahead of the central midfielder,” said Sunderland boss Gus Poyet earlier this year. “He's got the legs, he presses and he passes the ball. He cares a lot about the ball which people don't always see.” That quality was in evidence with his cross for Ayoze Perez’s goal at Arsenal last weekend and his use of the ball is something Newcastle have come to rely upon.

Colback v Cattermole

PL 2014/15 Comparison Pass accuracy (final third) Key passes (open play) Tackles Interceptions
Jack Colback 86.0% 11 31 35
Lee Cattermole 75.1% 6 41 37

Colback has the best passing accuracy of any Newcastle player and he was badly missed at Burnley earlier this month where the team’s fluency suffered due to his absence through suspension. Although in part due to his delivery from set-pieces, the fact that only Remy Cabella has created more opportunities for Newcastle this season is indicative of his significance.

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It’s that ability to create and destroy that could make Colback such an important figure on Sunday. The 25-year-old will have to mix it with his old team-mate Lee Cattermole, but – perhaps unlike his fellow England hopeful – he will also know that he’s equally capable of providing the moment of quality to rise above the midfield melee and pick out that incisive pass that makes the difference.

It’s a gift that might continue to be overlooked, but for once Colback can be sure he’ll be the centre of attention on Sunday with a hot reception waiting for him from the travelling Sunderland fans. He’ll be hoping to star again, with one significant twist. If there’s another stunning Colback goal to ignite the big day, there’ll be no keeping the Gallowgate End quiet this time.

Watch Newcastle v Sunderland live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 12.30pm on Sunday

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