Do We Have The Time To 'Nurse Maid' Cacapa?

Last updated : 14 November 2008 By Footy Mad - Editor

But Bob Moncur insists the Brazilian should not have been on the pitch, and Joe Kinnear was wrong to snub young defender Sebastien Bassong.

The once-capped Brazilian international has clearly not lived up to the billing Sam Allardyce gave him when he signed him from Lyon in the summer of 2007, asking the question - is he REALLY that bad, or does he need time to settle?

Being in the relegation zone, we haven't the time to nurse-maid a defender who is not producing the goods.

Steven Taylor still has a lot to learn, Jose Enrique blows hot and cold, and Nicky Butt is prone to 'putting the boot in' when he's in (or around) the penalty area ... so we don't need a (supposed) international-class player like Cacapa looking as though he's ready to shit his pants.

Moncur (talking to the Chronicle): "Before the game with Fulham, when I was asked who I thought should replace Steven Taylor, I opted for Bassong.

"But it was easy for me to say this because I don't work with the players all week in training.

"But Cacapa seemed unsettled right from the off, and I have to say he found Bobby Zamora a real handful.

"And we have seen Cacapa struggle before, haven't we?

"Cacapa wasn't the only reason Newcastle lost, but he was partly to blame for both goals and he is not going to get any better.

"On the other hand, Bassong is young, strong and he is the future.

"And he does not seem to get as ruffled under pressure as Cacapa does."