Alan Pardew chose to hand Gael Bigirimana his full Premier League debut against Reading ahead of the more experienced Vurnon Anita, due to his extra experience of English football.
Bigirimana partnered Cheick Tiote in United’s midfield in the absence of Yohan Cabaye, and was a bright spark for the North East club who continue to toil and struggle to find last season’s form, struggling to a 2-2 draw at the Madjeski Stadium.
Pardew told the Shields Gazette, “I thought this game might suit him more than Anita. I knew the intensity of the game –it was going to be like a Championship game. It would have that type of energy.
“I didn’t want Vurnon to get caught out by that. I knew Bigi, being at Coventry last year, would know what it was all about. I thought he played well he can be very proud of his performance.”
Summer signing from Ajax, Anita will be keen to impress and prove Alan Pardew wrong in the Toon Army’s Thursday night Europa League clash with Bordeaux.