Habib Beye is thankfully back from Ghana, having played for Senegal in the African Cup of Nations, along with his team mate Abdoulaye Faye, two of our best performers this season.
Habib Beye – looking forward to Newcastle run of form
Habib was disappointed at Senegal’s exit in the group round of play from the African Cup of Nations. Senegal certainly have some good players, including our own Faye and Beye, and they were tipped as even potential winners of the tournament.
However, we have to be honest and say we are really pleased to have both Beye and Abdoulaye Faye back at Newcastle. Both will be available (and hopefully play) in Saturday’s tough game at Aston Villa.
Habib told Newcastle World TV today.
“The Africa Nations was disappointing because Senegal had a lot of individuals but we didn’t play together as a team and that’s the reason we were knocked out,”
“Now it’s back to Newcastle and Aston Villa on Saturday.†“I believe we can still aim for the top half of the table and hopefully the return of myself, Abdoulaye and Oba can help spark things off.â€
“Aston Villa are a big side and are doing well in the league.†“But it’s important to get the win because after that it’s Man Utd at home and for that game we will need a lot of confidence.â€
“There’s no reason why we can’t get the victory and that would be great for morale.”
A top half finish last August was almost a certainty and we were talking more of a top 6 or top 8 finish. However, West Ham are now in 10th place and have 36 points from their 24 games while Newcastle are in 12th place with just 28 points from our 25 games.
So we may be 11 points off 10th place right now and West Hams’ goal difference is +7 to our -15, so maybe that’s 12 points off 10th place (the lowest position in the top half of the table) with just 13 games to play. And our fixture list for the remaining league games isn’t a particularly easy one.
A tough order, in what has been a very disappointing season for us, and that’s quite an under-statement.
Comments welcome.
13 comments so far
Leo*
Feb 7, 2008 at 1:05 PM
Comment #1as i have said on other article beye is quality, cant wait for his composure back into our defence.
as for faye, cant wait for his composure in the dmf position because he will hopefully oust butt and allow us to play good football and yet not leave the defence vounrable
Big Gaz
Feb 7, 2008 at 1:25 PM
Comment #2Realy pleased to see the two of them back (and Oba on his way) Prefer to see Beye at right back as he is solid, yet I dont believe Carr has done a bad job over the past couple of months. Just think Beye is a stronger condidate for the role. The whole team will be better and stonger with all our lads back from ANC and will hpoefully start a push for the top half and fingers crossed, getting points and an Inter toto place, which is the best we can ask for at this present time. making up 11 points to get into the top half is a lot to ask. Keep plugging away lads and lets look forward to some top quality signings in the summer(lots on show with Euro championships) and have a better season in August.
Jimmie
Feb 7, 2008 at 1:33 PM
Comment #3Cant help it, just have to list my prefered starting line-up for the Villa game:
Given
Beye – Taylor – Faye – Enrique
Milner – Barton – Emre – Duff
Owen – Viduka
With Emre having a free roll supporting the strikers. Bench: Harper, Cacapa, Zoggy, Butty and Caroll
Bill F
Feb 7, 2008 at 1:33 PM
Comment #4We have really missed these two, just hope they don’t need time to readjust to the EPL. I don’t think they will but you never know the Africa cup is quite different.
Jimmie
Feb 7, 2008 at 1:34 PM
Comment #5Oh, had to leave Martins out because of injury…
Griff
Feb 7, 2008 at 1:50 PM
Comment #6Ill be there against Villa, being a NUFC fan in Birmingham and all 😀
God i hope we win, wipe the smugness off O’Neils face again 😀
I have actually forgotten how it feels for Toon to win 🙁
James
Feb 7, 2008 at 2:20 PM
Comment #7We’ve missed you Beye and its good to have you back. You are truly an adopted Geordie
CJ
Feb 7, 2008 at 3:27 PM
Comment #8I think Beye in a team with KK as manager will be even better than he has been he is a top quality attacking full back what type of player Keegan loves.
thelongshanks
Feb 7, 2008 at 4:05 PM
Comment #9Beye is top drawer and as good as ne right back in the premiership.These are the type of players we need to build our team around.
Jammy
Feb 7, 2008 at 4:45 PM
Comment #10A top half finish last august was almost a certainty?
You what? Why?
toon4lyf
Feb 7, 2008 at 7:24 PM
Comment #11a really hope we can get in the top half its still not impossible to get into europe….team for weekend
given
beye
faye
taylor
enrique
milner
emre in a free role
barton
nzogbia
owen
viduka
hanzemre
Feb 7, 2008 at 7:32 PM
Comment #12Some players are meant to KK’s attacking style, 1 is Beye. Feeling so good to have both Beye & Faye back into 1st 11 as they’re arguably our better players so far this season & atm.will make our team stronger & capable 2improve game by game,collecting as many points between now & d end of the season.We’d snatch a victory against Villa (2-1)
Graeme
Feb 8, 2008 at 8:56 AM
Comment #13Its great to have the players b ack, but glib statements, based on anything but reality, are worthless.
Our only hope now, is not to get dragged into a relegation battle, which means the players have to start giving their all by fighting for every single point. Nothing else is acceptable; they must be made to realise they are playing for their future carreer at NUFC.
I still think we wont be relegated, but Keegan is too fragile to cope with the extra pressure it would bring. We dont want him doing another runner before he gets started.