With another injury to Ben Arfa, this time to his left ankle, Alan Pardew was naturally keen to look at the positives from last night’s 0-0 draw at Sporting Kansas.
Mehdi Abeid – has a lot to learn
The unfortunate thing last night was that Ben Arfa was looking very good for Newcastle in those first 30 minutes, and if we can ever keep this boy fit, he will become a great player for the Magpies.
And it was great to see Sylvain Marveaux making his debut, and playing his first game since last October, and he also looked classy, and almost scored in that first half with an excellent shot.
Pardew talked about Sylvain:
“Marveaux hasn’t played for 10 months, but he showed good quality.” “He was unlucky not to score.”
Also making his first start for Newcastle was Senegal striker Demba Ba, but he didn’t show too much in the game, and Alan had this to say about the Newcastle striker:
“Demba looked a bit ring-rusty, but he is a big guy and his sharpness will come later.”
“He is a diligent worker, but the quality he has he didn’t show last night. We’ve seen him before so it will come.”
18 year-old Mehdi Abeid also made his second appearance in pre-season, and he looked good in the second half, but as may be expected, the young Frenchman also still has a lot to learn.
Alan pointed out some of the areas where the French U18 International needs to improve his game:
“Mehdi has a lot to learn and is in the process of learning the Premier League.”
“He got caught in possession, but he has quality there. He will get more chances.”
This is what you would expect from one so young, that he still has much to learn, but on the positive side, this lad looks to have great ability and we think Alan Pardew could well fast track this lad next season.
That would be especially true if his big pal, Ben Arfa, remains on the sidelines through injury.
Newcastle still have a paper-thin squad, so the hope is that some of out top youngsters can step up to the plate for Newcastle next season, to further bolster the squad.
Comments welcome.
152 comments so far
GeordieGerman “allez les gars!”
Jul 21, 2011 at 6:07 PM
Comment #121eplforecast // Jul 21, 2011 at 5:44 PM
“ITS CONFIRMED
Sky is reporting HBA has broken his leg again”.
Andy
Jul 21, 2011 at 6:08 PM
Comment #122think the local journos would be over it by now. Chances are HBA is on a plane right now coming back. Do planes have x-rays on ’em?
P.I.
Jul 21, 2011 at 6:09 PM
Comment #123@Stuart
Haha, unfortunately mate i dont have the capability to come up with insults like that. It’s another one from Red Dwarf. Rimmer creates another hologram of himself and they fight tooth and nail.
One Rimmer screams to the other “Stop your foul whining you disgusting piece of distended rectum”
Haha, class!
But aye, that EPLForcast blokey is talking out of his badly damaged arse.
Stuart
Jul 21, 2011 at 6:09 PM
Comment #124Magic planes from the land of twitter and cwarro do Andy!
GeordieGerman “allez les gars!”
Jul 21, 2011 at 6:09 PM
Comment #125Andy, Forces planes do. HBA joined up then?
P.I.
Jul 21, 2011 at 6:12 PM
Comment #126You see what happens eplforecast?
You see what happens eplforecast?
THIS is what happens eplforecast…
THIS is what happens when you F(_)CK A STRANGER IN THE ASS!!!
eaststandgeordie1982
Jul 21, 2011 at 6:13 PM
Comment #127All it has on ssn is ben arfa to miss the rest of tour
WWJBD
Jul 21, 2011 at 6:13 PM
Comment #128Nothing on sky
Nothing on NewsNow
And even more telling nothing on TWITTER the source of all bull crap grow up and move on son
Stuart
Jul 21, 2011 at 6:13 PM
Comment #129Funny how we ask for a link and eplforcast shuts up.
I think I smell a mackem!
Andy
Jul 21, 2011 at 6:13 PM
Comment #130Ah that must be it GG!
Andy
Jul 21, 2011 at 6:14 PM
Comment #131It isn’t nappa under a different name is it?
Stuart
Jul 21, 2011 at 6:16 PM
Comment #132You see what you get eplforcast?
YOU SEE WHAT YOU GET WHEN YOU MESS WITH THE nufcblog bloggers! HAHA!
toonchip
Jul 21, 2011 at 6:16 PM
Comment #133right ive joined the fantasy league my name is the same as my username lol 🙂 im asking early but does any1 no what time the next game is for us? is it another late one?
pizzicatochan
Jul 21, 2011 at 6:16 PM
Comment #134Guys, proven by logic… his injury is not even re-assessed yet.
But watch out, eplforcast may go break Benny’s leg!
WWJBD
Jul 21, 2011 at 6:17 PM
Comment #135haha no nappa got suspended from play round these parts so I doubt he was able to just chance his name to get back on
eaststandgeordie1982
Jul 21, 2011 at 6:17 PM
Comment #136Andy how many are in the league??
Andy
Jul 21, 2011 at 6:17 PM
Comment #137sat half 12 at night i think. Also think it’s on that clubs official website for nufc fans to watch. That is what i got quoted on twatter so no more live text rubbish!
GeordieToon89
Jul 21, 2011 at 6:20 PM
Comment #138hope it is on like.. boxing first then toon game then boxing again
Andy
Jul 21, 2011 at 6:20 PM
Comment #139and about 60 i think
sox
Jul 21, 2011 at 6:21 PM
Comment #140on newsnow reports say a bloke staying in the same hotel as the team spoke to ben arfa himself, apparently he says he’s out for 3 weeks. don’t no if its true or not lyk lads.
P.I.
Jul 21, 2011 at 6:22 PM
Comment #141@GeordieToon89
Aye its the Khan fight isnt it. What time’s that expected to be on 3am or something?
eaststandgeordie1982
Jul 21, 2011 at 6:25 PM
Comment #142F@cking hell and still counting gona be some league
DarloGeordie
Jul 21, 2011 at 6:30 PM
Comment #143Played 5-6 games 1 serious injury, 1 that sets his come back another 3 weeks hmmm the lads made of matchsticks… with all this hype and everyone bigging him up over you tube videos im yet to be convinced on the lad.
Also after watching the highlights (lowlights) from yesterday is anybody else worried about this next season coming. Lets face it Pardew is sh it the man doesn’t even have a proper contract he has a pay per performance deal, which shows how much confidence the board has towards him….
And banning none season ticket holders for away games AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH what an absolute tool Mike Ashley is…. punish the majority for the few di.ck heads in our ranks..
sorry rant over just had a bad day lol
GeordieToon89
Jul 21, 2011 at 6:30 PM
Comment #144Chisora vrs Fury first channel 5 at 10pm then obv toon game then Khan fight will be around 3 or 4 yeah mate
P.I.
Jul 21, 2011 at 6:35 PM
Comment #145Ch5 for the heavyweight bout?
NICE LITTLE DEAL!
TemuriKetsbaia
Jul 21, 2011 at 6:35 PM
Comment #146@ Darlo
Everyone’s pay should be performance related in football imo. Would put pay to the Luque, Xisco, Owens of this world.
JAMSHA
Jul 21, 2011 at 6:35 PM
Comment #147Can I join the league later? Iv signd up bt yet to make my team.
DarloGeordie
Jul 21, 2011 at 6:36 PM
Comment #148Temuri
In the ideal world yes that would be perfect
GeordieTwo
Jul 21, 2011 at 6:40 PM
Comment #149Have to hope for the best with Ben Arfa. The argument about our depth goes on. I agree with others that we have no quality in depth, usually 1 Prem league at each starting position. This won’t work for us. Injuries are already adding up. Unbelievable! The owner won’t spend enough to make us competitive. I predicted a 9th place finish but I am already wondering. I think we have goals in the side but only if Ba, Marveaux, Ben Arfa, and Ameobi (hate to say it) stay fit. Is that likely to happen? We need a minimum of 4 or 5 more quality players, a frontline striker, a quality AM, a left back, a back-up right back and a centre back to be really competitive. Then get rid of Smith, Xisco, Peter. Routledge and Jose will leave. Bringing in the 4 or 5 we need is not going to happen. Pardew is an Ashley and Llambias flunkey who will take us into the bottom half of the table.
GeordieToon89
Jul 21, 2011 at 6:42 PM
Comment #150Andy – it wont let me join the league mate
GeordieToon89
Jul 21, 2011 at 6:43 PM
Comment #151yeah channel 5 mate 10pm start
JIMMYBOB33
Jul 21, 2011 at 8:20 PM
Comment #152Just a thought but do u think HBA could do with beefing up he,s really skinny needs put some weight on i fear for him when the season starts games like wolves stoke in fact every team no player likes to be skined and HBA is master of it the tackles will be flying in i wonder how he copes when we play man city and hes up that bastard de jong it will intresting