Willo wanted to be reunited with old pal (From The Northern Echo)

Willo wanted to be reunited with old pal

8:00am Saturday 4th February 2012 in Newcastle United News By Paul Fraser, Chief Football Writer

MIKE WILLIAMSON has told of the frustration Adrian Mariappa felt after watching his big deadline day move to Newcastle United disappear before his eyes.

After a month of trying to broker a deal for the Watford centre- back, the Magpies' refusal to match his £2.5m valuation prevented a deal from going ahead.

It meant Mariappa, who turned in a positive performance on the night the transfer window closed at Millwall, had to accept he will see out the remainder of the season at Vicarage Road.

The 25-year-old had already rejected a deal to Wigan in the hope Newcastle and Watford would reach an agreement in the final stages of the window.

And Williamson, who used to play with Mariappa at Watford, has admitted the pair had been hoping to be reunited at St James' Park.

The Newcastle defender said: "Adrian Mariappa is one of my closest friends. I was disappointed for him more than anything when it did not materialise. He really wanted to come here.

"He turned down the move to Wigan. I spoke to him a few times on deadline day to see what was happening. But he did not know what was going on.

"I was just disappointed for him on a personal level because I knew how much he wanted to come. But I know Watford are in a position where they are still battling to stay in the Championship.

"I think they were more concerned about their own survival. Adrian is a very good player, very similar to Colo in that he is quick and good on the ball. I have got the jersey at the minute and that is how I see it. I have just got to train and play hard."

Rather than focus on those that could have been at Newcastle for the rest of the season, Williamson thinks more should be made of those already at the club.

Newcastle are sitting in a healthy fifth position in the Premier League ahead of tomorrow's visit from Aston Villa and Williamson feels many of his team-mates should be rewarded.

"We vote next month for the PFA awards and I would have thought there are quite a few contenders from this club," said Williamson, who is performing well alongside Fabricio Coloccini after recovering from injury.

"The team has been playing well but individually, some players have been getting a lot of coverage. Colo without a shadow of doubt has been one of the best centre-halves this year."Tim Krul has to be a contender too and then you've got Yohan Cabaye, Cheik Tiote and Demba Ba. I really hope one of them gets it, they deserve the recognition for the work they put in, day in day out. I will have to have a think about it but if I could vote for a Newcastle player, it would be Colo."

But Williamson also thinks the whole team deserves recognition, if it was possible. "We have definitely utilised the squad this season," he said.

"People have been playing in different positions and at the same time you need individuals to score the goals and make the team tick. It is a good group of lads that the manager has built the season around and we will see where it takes us."