Rolando Aarons has been speaking to the Guardian about his career, and his attitude is the complete opposite to Toon teammate Jack Colback.
Aarons surprised many fans with his decision to drop down to League One in his quest for first-team football, when he made the temporary move to Wycombe Wanderers.
(Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)
But it is refreshing to see a player just want to play football, and not concerned with where he has to go to do so. Remember, Aarons had loan spells in Italy and the Czech Republic, as well as the Championship, in the last couple of years.
He told the Guardian: “I’m not afraid to take a risk. I could think: ‘Do you know what, I can’t be bothered with this, I’ll stay with the under-23s, just chill and earn money’.
“But that’s not the sort of person I am. I’m not in this for money; I want to actually be a top player.”
Aarons’ attitude is the polar opposite of Colback
Contrast his attitude with that of Newcastle colleague Colback, who was left out of the squad, and did not seem to consider opting for a deal at a lower league side.
(Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
I am sure that had he made it known he was willing, many Scottish or League One sides would have wanted Colback at their club.
The former Sunderland player is certainly one of those types of player Aarons mentioned, who just hangs around and picks up his wages week upon week.
It is also why fans would love to see Aarons come good after the effort he is putting in to be noticed, while they begrudge Colback taking up a peg at the Newcastle training ground changing rooms.
(Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
If January comes and goes, and Colback is still at the club afterwards, he will be seen as our equivalent to Sunderland’s former midfielder Jack Rodwell.
I have said it before, and I will say it again, Newcastle should simply cut their losses with Colback, pay him up, and tear up his contract, just to oust him from the club.