But getting him out of the back-line, where he can be a liability, has been a step forward.
James Perch: "It was a tough start, a tough first year, maybe, but the gaffer has put his faith in me and put me in the side, and all I can do is try to pay him back by playing well on a Saturday afternoon.
"It's going well. I have only played the last three games or whatever, but it's going well at the minute, touch wood.
"When Cheick went to the African Nations Cup and Yohan was suspended, people maybe feared the worst, 'Who's going to go in there?', and 'Can we still win the games?'.
"Even though they are a massive loss and great, great players, international players and we do miss them, it just shows that we have got the depth in the squad to handle it.
"Spurs are going to try to win the championship. They have got that in their heads and they have got great players.
"I think they have the squad to do it. They have performed well all season. I do like Tottenham.
"I like the way they play the game and I hope they push on, get near the top and challenge for that championship - after Saturday, of course, after our dent."
Alan Pardew: "If you speak to him (James Perch), he would probably say he is playing in his natural position, so that helps.
"Bless him, he has had to play at centre-half, right-back, left-back, everywhere for me.
"Centre-midfield is probably his best position. He puts a tackle in, he keeps the ball and has good energy, so he has been important without Cheick in the last couple of games."