Mike Williamson includes 8 (or is it 9?) Newcastle United players in best ever team


 
 
 
 
 
 

Interesting times for Mike Williamson.

A great servant to Newcastle United, he’s now showing he could well be a young manager to watch out for, as he focuses the kind of hard work and dedication he showed at NUFC, into coaching / management.

Taking over a terrible situation at Gateshead, he got them promoted and then competitive in the National League, against all odds.

Snapped up by MK Dons in October 2023, Mike Williamson doing an astonishing job.

The League Two side had picked up only four points in their last eight games, MK Dons have now already ensured a play-off spot for a chance of a potential trip to Wembley and promotion to League One.

Whilst on top of that, what Williamson built at Gateshead has been carried on by former NUFC keeper Rob Elliot, they could also be getting promoted, as they are in the play-offs to potentially climb into League Two.

Earlier this year, Mike Williamson talked (see below) about his time at Newcastle United.

The former NUFC defender says he loved every moment of his time at the club.

Mike Williamson declaring ‘I tried to take it in, every time I walked out at St James’ Park.’

Now Mike Williamson has been asked to name his best team of players he played alongside in his career.

The defender turning out for Torquay, Wycombe, Portmouth, Newcastle United, Watford, Oxford, Gateshead and Wolves.

Mike Williamson interviewed by All Things Business, with eight Newcastle United players (nine if you include Williamson himself) making his best ever team:

David James (Portsmouth)

Mike Williamson

Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle United)

Russell Martin (Wycombe)

Jose Enrique (Newcastle United)

Nicky Butt (Newcastle United)

Cheick Tiote (Newcastle United)

Mike Williamson on Cheick Tiote:

“What a guy.

“You were desperate to have him on your team in training because he would just eat you! His warm-ups were more intense than most people’s training sessions. He was a machine.”

Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United)

Mike Williamson on Yohan Cabaye:

“His passing range… and he had an edge about him too.

“He kept everything ticking and made everything look easy.”

Gini Wijnaldum (Newcastle United)

Hatem Ben Arfa (Newcastle United)

Shola Ameobi  (Newcastle United)

Mike Williamson on Shola Ameobi:

“In training he was a joke.

“He’s a unit, powerful, but he loved to chop onto either foot and put it in the top corner.

“When he got going, you couldn’t stop him.

“He’d be the focal point.”

Mike Williamson talking to Sky Sports about his Newcastle United days – 18 January 2024:

“Just kept my head down, kept working as hard as I possibly could.

“I was fortunate enough to make my Premier League debut against Wayne Rooney at Old Trafford.

“A by-product of what I am doing here (at MK Dons), just wanting to coach that, from somebody who didn’t have a great deal of self-belief, but did have an endeavour to work hard and stay with it… and did manage to make a few appearances for Newcastle off the back of it, which I am proud of.

“It was incredible (at Newcastle United), loved every moment and tried to take it in, every time I walked out at St James’ Park.

“Again, I love the highs, having to win games, last game of the season to stay in the Premier League, derbies, games at Old Trafford and Anfield.

“Some fantastic challenges.

“Also, I have enjoyed the tough times, because there is high expectation there and when you are not doing well you can hear it, so you have to develop that thick skin.

“Channel Tunnel kind of mindset, get your head down and just have that belief in yourself.”