It’s fair to say that Jack Colback isn’t the most popular player in the Newcastle squad at the moment.
Many criticised him during our recent defeat to Blackburn Rovers. He was disappointing in possession and conceded the free kick that led to the winning goal. It was a foul that could have been avoided and showed the frustration that often shrouds the midfielder’s game.
Although I think the criticism that he received was over-the-top, he wasn’t the reason that we lost the match, the debate about Colback’s recent form is one that is needed. He’s struggled to stand out at this level and, in turn, there have to be question marks about his long-term future at the club.
During his first season at the club, Colback was one of our better players and stood out despite a disappointing season for the club collectively.
He finished the year with four goals and six assists, an impressive tally considering he isn’t renowned for his attacking ability. Colback had a knack of making late runs into the box and arriving at the right time. As well as his attacking contribution, Colback worked tirelessly off the ball, completing an average of 4.8 ball retrievals per game. As a box-to-box midfielder, Colback was good and there was no reason to believe that he wouldn’t play a big part in our future.
Last season, he struggled to repeat those figures, as he ended the year with just one goal and one assist, in addition to 4.9 ball retrievals per game.
His tenacity off the ball remained equally as impressive, but he was having less of an impact on it. This is emphasised by the drop off in his chances created. During the 2014/15 season, Colback managed to create an average of 1.27 chances per 90 mins, while last season, he created just 0.6 chances per 90 mins.
Although there was a personal decline, there were a plethora of other reasons for our inevitable relegation. The midfielder was one of the few that always put 100% in on the pitch and there was genuine reason to believe he had a role to play as we rebuilt under Rafa Benitez. However, when we look at his contribution on the pitch this season, it is extremely disappointing.
Supporters would have expected Colback to stand out at this level. The former Sunderland man has his limits in the Premier League, but at Championship level, he should have been able to produce numbers similar, if not better, than those he amassed during the 2014/15 season.
The midfielder has played 14 times in the league this season and has yet to contribute a goal or an assist. Furthermore, he is making only three ball retrievals per game. The ball retrieval reduction can be attributed to us being one of the strong teams in the division rather than one of the weakest meaning that it’s normal for us to have more possession.
That said, Colback’s attacking contribution are hugely disappointing, compounded by his current rate of creating only 0.4 chances per game. This is less than he managed in both Premier League seasons.
The reasons for his decline are interesting, as you would have expected him to improve under Benitez. It is a difficult transition to go from playing in a side fighting relegation, to one trying to win the league, but you would expect to see some improvement in performance over time and that hasn’t happened.
Colback’s tenacity and ability to win the ball back remains impressive, as witnessed in the Bristol City away match, where the flame-haired midfielder finished the match with eight successful tackles and two interceptions. He dominated the midfield areas on that afternoon, but there have been few other displays of a similar ilk.
Despite his glaring limitations offensively, Colback’s contribution to date has still been hugely disappointing. We are now dominating matches and he has more opportunities to express himself on the ball, but he is influencing matches less than he did in the Premier League.
Against Blackburn, he lacked confidence every time he had the chance to express himself. His shots were tame and his passing lacked invention. There is something affecting Colback, as we know that he can be much better than this.
It could be something as serious as a personal issue, which is why I’m trying not to criticise him too much. We never know what is going on behind the scenes and that needs to be remembered.
After analysing Colback’s form over the last two-and-a-half seasons it is obvious that there has been a consistent drop off year-by-year. There is plenty of work for Benitez to do with the boyhood Magpies’ fan, however, in my opinion, it would be foolish to give up with the midfielder.
This is a player that we know can compete well in the Premier League and he has proven that he suits Benitez’s system when played alongside the correct midfield partner.
He can be a good squad player for the next few seasons at least, but, for him to be that, there needs to be huge improvement in his output.
Benitez will be ruthless in terms of squad building if we do go on to achieve promotion. Colback is now 27 and it is crucial that he proves his worth over the next few months. If he doesn’t, he could be one that departs in the not too distant future.