For a player who has played on the biggest stage for Man United, it is refreshing to hear such hunger and enthusiasm for the black-and-white cause. And it would seem that in Simpson and new boys Mike Williamson, Fitz Hall, Leon Best and Wayne Routledge, United have finally recruited a clutch of players who were desperate to come to St James’ Park. Simpson says: “Everyone knows I wanted to stay. I didn’t just want to do half a job. “I want to play a full part this season. “I was just glad we sorted it out, and I’m now here permanently for the next three and a half years.” Simpson is facing a straight fight for the right-back slot in the final 18 games with Ryan Taylor. He said: “Competition helps – we all want the same thing at the end of the day. “Everyone’s got a big part to play, whether one plays one week, and another the next. “The new faces are exciting. It freshens things up, and gives everyone a lift.” The trip to Derby is the first of two crunch away games this week which culminates at Swansea’s Liberty Stadium at lunchtime on Saturday. Simpson said: “We’ve got that many games in a short period of time, the main thing is to do our jobs and recover well. “In this league you can’t take anything for granted. “Everyone thinks Cardiff are a better team than Derby, but we know what it’s like when we go to these away games. “It’s their biggest game of the season, and they always seem to play better against us. “We know that, but if we can play like we did on Friday night, I don’t think there’ll be a problem.” | 
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