We have to say we’ve been impressed with the personality of Demba Ba since he arrived on Tyneside.
Demba Ba and Leon Best – Newcastle strike force
Call him Mr. Humble or whatever, but when he gives an interview, he talks in simple terms and is only interested in working hard at Newcastle and doing as much on the field as he can for Newcastle United.
And Demba is in great form at the moment, with 4 goals in his last couple of games, and we have an idea he may be a key man for Newcastle in the game on Sunday against Tottenham.
We were worried a couple of days ago with the news that Ba may have re-injured his knee, but that turned out to be a false story, and Ba is just fine and he will start training tomorrow with the rest of the Newcastle squad, as Alan Pardew prepares the side for the tough game on Sunday afternoon.
Be has heard all about the famous strikers the club has had in the past, but that doens’t bother the Senegal striker one little bit, as he told the local Newcastle press today:
“I knew about the history here and the names of the past.” “It does not daunt me. I am a striker so I want to score goals anyway.”
“I’m the type of striker who likes to play and help out in other areas on the field.”
“It is about all-round performances, not just goals.” “And I want to contribute more in that way.”
“I have been happy with my last two Premier League appearances, but the start of the season was not that good from me.
“I am just working and will continue to improve every week in training.”
Since joining West Ham last January, Demba Ba has a fine goal scoring record this year, and in his 20 appearances this year he has scored 11 goals – which is not too bad at all.
And Leon Best, his current strike partner at Newcastle, has a similar record and in Leon’s 19 appearances for the Newcastle first team this year he has scored 9 goals.
So both lads have shown they can score goals at the top level, and we think they will both get a start again on Sunday, with Peter Lovenkrands maybe getting a run out sometime in the second half.
And in the four seasons Demba Ba spent at 1899 Hoffenheim, he scored 40 goals in his 103 appearances there, so Demba has an excellent scoring record over the last five seasons with 51 goals in 123 appearances.
Demba Ba was disappointing in the summer, when he looked very sluggish indeed, but we’ll put that down to his fasting for Ramadan, and in the last few games he hasn’t just scored some good goals, but his all round game is excellent too.
Demba Ba could be one of many successes at Newcastle this season, and we still don’t think Newcastle are even fielding their best starting eleven, with the impressive Frenchman Ben Arfa and Italian Davide Santon still on the bench.
We expect both those players to become first teamers at Newcastle way before the end of the season.
But Alan Pardew is doing very well indeed as the manager, and he is rewarding the side that has fared so well so far this season, and we expect Alan to field an unchanged side against Spurs on Sunday.
Comments welcome.
34 comments so far
Toon_Tom
Oct 12, 2011 at 3:17 PM
Comment #1Bring in Santon for Raylor and throw HBA behind Ba for the Spuds game!!!!!
Toon_Tom
Oct 12, 2011 at 3:18 PM
Comment #2Apologies to Best and Ryan ofcourse!
G
Oct 12, 2011 at 3:20 PM
Comment #3Toon_Tom, I see your point, but I don’t think either player deserves to be dropped. It is a difficult game, and my first choice would be to put Santon in the way of Gareth Bale, however, given he has yet to make his debut, it could be a baptism of fire for the lad. Wouldn’t want to knack his confidence on his debut. Keep em both on the bench, as plan B.
applepine
Oct 12, 2011 at 3:23 PM
Comment #4@ Toon_Tom santon for raylor yeah, leaving raylor to deal with spurs’ wing play will be suiciude! let best have a few more games while hba builds up his fitness
Toon_Tom
Oct 12, 2011 at 3:24 PM
Comment #5understood G > however Simpson is our quickest player (#fact) so i am more than happy to have him chasing/catching Bale all afternoon and frustrating him into producing a poor display for the Spuds! Regarding your plan B, it proves to be a strong bench, so bringing on HBA on 61minutes after Ba completes his hat-trick will do me 😉
eaststandgeordie1982
Oct 12, 2011 at 3:29 PM
Comment #6toon-tom simpson is not our quickest player FACT
colwell
Oct 12, 2011 at 3:31 PM
Comment #7@Toon-Tom
wheres the fact that Simpson is our quickest player he never looked very fast at all and every time someone quick goes up against him he gets left for dead?
colwell
Oct 12, 2011 at 3:33 PM
Comment #8Obertan and Santon are the quickest players we have, Colo looks quicker than Simmo.
eaststandgeordie1982
Oct 12, 2011 at 3:35 PM
Comment #9tiote is faster than simmo best is aswell add jonas to that aswell i reckon harper aswell lol
applepine
Oct 12, 2011 at 3:35 PM
Comment #10Congrats to Shola on his 30th birthday today!
Reporter: Do you have a nickname?
Shola: No, not really
Reporter: So what does Bobby Robson call you?
Shola: Carl Cort
eaststandgeordie1982
Oct 12, 2011 at 3:39 PM
Comment #11loverboy is also faster
VanCanToonFan
Oct 12, 2011 at 3:42 PM
Comment #12As muchas I hate these fluff pieces, I am comforted by the fact that the absence of any actual news means the club is still crisis free this season.
Toon_Tom
Oct 12, 2011 at 3:44 PM
Comment #13According to Opta stats apparently chaps 😮
eaststandgeordie1982
Oct 12, 2011 at 3:46 PM
Comment #14hes fast at backing off
Thump
Oct 12, 2011 at 4:01 PM
Comment #15Tioté is actually the fastest player we have but as a result of his ballet training, he just keeps doing pirouettes on the ball.
Klatoon
Oct 12, 2011 at 4:07 PM
Comment #16Obertan,Jonas,Santon,Lovenkrands,Marveaux are all easily faster than Simmo. HBA was too,before the injury.
GarageFlower
Oct 12, 2011 at 4:10 PM
Comment #17Adebayor 50/50,will be pleased if he misses out.
G
Oct 12, 2011 at 4:15 PM
Comment #18@ GarageFlower. I actualy hope Adebayor starts, then has to be subbed 10 mins into the game. Mad as this sounds, Dirty Harry has a habbit of planning his entire match around 1 player. If that player goes off injured, then his game plan will collapse, and he has proved on many an occasion that he has limited capability to adapt. Good motivator, but bad tactician.
Toon_Jock
Oct 12, 2011 at 4:32 PM
Comment #1910 minutes and Adebayor could still get three goals, the form he is in just now, hope he gets no where near our pitch on Sunday!
Andy
Oct 12, 2011 at 4:59 PM
Comment #20Abeid scored 2 screamers for the reserves today. Great stuff! Looking forward to seeing him v blackburn in the cc (reckon he’ll start).
Team for Spurs i would also put Santon in for Raylor and maybe HBA. Depends on spurs formation i think. If Adebayor is fit i can see us going 4-4-2 like for like but if he is definitley out i hope we play hba just behind the striker. This game is our biggest test yet and our 2 cms will have to be on top of their game if we want to get anything from it. Can’t wait for it and it is only sunday haha!
Andy
Oct 12, 2011 at 5:15 PM
Comment #21Oh forgot to say good luck with your treatment Ed. Hope it works out for you. Keep up the good work
Patchty1
Oct 12, 2011 at 5:20 PM
Comment #22ToonTom, according to the opta stats, last season Obertan was the quickest player in the premier league, so where you got that information from I don’t know, but it was not opta
Thump
Oct 12, 2011 at 6:00 PM
Comment #23@Klatoon: “Before his injury”? I think you’ll find he’s still fairly fast mate.
Dannyo
Oct 12, 2011 at 6:08 PM
Comment #24Freddie Woodman played in the reserves today, 14 years old and he was tested aswell, despite only playing 16 mins.
It’s Woodmans son, our GK coach, indeed a future prospect there 🙂
2 AMEOBI'S
Oct 12, 2011 at 6:38 PM
Comment #25Krul has been immense this season and he will need to be in top form once again. He has been the main reason we are unbeaten and i would say he will be even more motivated after not getting a game for the dutch.
Cabaye and Tiote will also be vital if we can boss the middle of the park and control the game we might just get all 3 points.
Big day for the full-backs aswell and i would say stick with raylor and simmo, probably not the best time to introduce santon against very strong wingers. I would leave his debut for Wigan much better game to introduce him.
nufc_123
Oct 12, 2011 at 6:46 PM
Comment #26Krul
Simpson Colo Saylor Santon
Obertoon Cabaye Tiote Jonas
HBA
BA
possibly throw jonas over to the right and start Marveaux?
Scottishtoon95
Oct 12, 2011 at 6:51 PM
Comment #27Shola is faster than best lol
niffnoff
Oct 12, 2011 at 6:59 PM
Comment #28One thing I notice about Krul is when it comes to “Bigger games” For example, when we played man u at home last season, Krul plays better, I mean we were playing good, but to not concede and to make some excellent saves against man u is an achievement. Will be interesting when we play them again, not at old trafford though I can only pray for a draw when it comes to their home record.
Dannyo
Oct 12, 2011 at 7:00 PM
Comment #29@Scottishtoon95
Woodman is faster than Shola!
niffnoff
Oct 12, 2011 at 7:08 PM
Comment #30Achievement Unlocked – Faster than Shola – 1g
calvinzolamakongo
Oct 12, 2011 at 7:42 PM
Comment #31I’m goin to the game but in the away section will I be alright lol
Sav
Oct 13, 2011 at 1:36 AM
Comment #32Ben Arfa v Rafa FannyFart. – No contest.
Howay the Lads1
Sav
Oct 13, 2011 at 1:37 AM
Comment #33…anyhow its Bestie’s turn to get a hat-trick this time.
bambams
Oct 13, 2011 at 10:09 AM
Comment #34I just hope WE do our bit, you must admit its been a little quiet at the home games lately. Mind you thats not down to us lot- Ash has us punchdrunk with all the goings on!
Lets show the nation, neh “The World” that the geordie atmosphere is as good as ever and sing for the lads!
Spuds will shi@ themselves with the noise- I just have this feeling it will be a special occasion!