W were impressed with Ben Arfa On Saturday for a number of reasons.
Ben Arfa – wiggling through on Saturday – he hit the post!
The mercurial Frenchman made his first league start of the season against Manchester City, with the last start being in the same fixture last season, and we all know what happened there in the early minutes.
We were surprised how Ben Arfa worked his socks off on Saturday, and although he gave away a penalty in the second half, it showed how he was getting back to help out the defense.
And Ben Arfa rather easily won our Man of the Match poll with a good 44% of the vote, with over 750 votes in, and the Frenchman looked like he’s not lost much of his form or pace since his terrible broken leg over a year ago.
Alan Pardew showed his courage in selection, by handing Ben Arfa a start at the Eithad, although Alan talked with Ben Arfa to make sure he was okay with that, and of course he was, and played really well.
The lad deserves enormous credit for the way he’s come back into the side, and we expect him to keep his place for the tough game at Old Trafford on Saturday – and maybe we’ll even see a goal from him in that game.
Alan Pardew was just delighted with the way Ben Arfa played on Saturday, and that his work rate was so high:
“Hatem did some great stuff up front for us, but look at his work at the other end. There is no problem with that,” “He works really really hard.”
“Hopefully he can take us forward. Actually coming out of this game, and when we get everyone back, we could be a stronger side.”
“We were without four at City, but my squad is definitely deeper than last year, without a shadow of doubt,” “We are strong enough to cope with a strong season and that is what we hope to have.”
“We can take confidence that we were level for 40 minutes and then matched them in the second half.” “You could see in the dressing room there is genuine belief .”
“In the second half, we were hunting for that next goal, we knew it would be crucial and if we had got it, it could have been very different.”
The conventional wisdom seems to be hat Newcastle performed very well on Saturday, and if any one of four or five chances had been converted, it would have been a very different game.
At 2-0 Ben Arfa hit the post after a skillful run into the box, and young Danny Guthrie brought an England class save out of Joe Hart, so Newcastle were in no way over-awed in that second half, and were unlucky not to have scored more than one goal.
But the lads will now take that good performance at the Etihad into the Old Trafford game on Saturday, and with any luck, the lads could do a lot better than last week.
And Ben Arfa could be the player to unlock the Manchester United defense, as he seems to be returning to his best form, which is great news for Newcastle fans.
A draw would be an excellent result, and a win would be unbelievable.
Comments welcome.
50 comments so far
Stuart
Nov 22, 2011 at 10:42 AM
Comment #1He had a good game against city but he proved he isnt too clever in the tackle giving that penalty away like lol.
Stick up the top of the pitch where you’re dangerous lad! haha.
Rotonda heights
Nov 22, 2011 at 10:49 AM
Comment #2Stuart,
we had a man off the pitch, he was trying to cover and got unlucky.
There was one moment when he wriggled out of 3 people, it was unbelievable, could be our new beardo.
Long time since we had the quality of people like cabaye, ben Arfa, Tiote etc, but some people are only happy if we waste millions.
kevymartins
Nov 22, 2011 at 10:49 AM
Comment #3Is are reserves playing today @ 2?
kevymartins
Nov 22, 2011 at 10:51 AM
Comment #4@Rotonda true the commentater was even shocked with that we move
Just when people started to doubt his ability he shown what true quality he has…we got very very lucky signing him for 6.5 mil
magpiebop
Nov 22, 2011 at 10:53 AM
Comment #5Tiote will be back for Guthrie or Cabaye?
Stuart
Nov 22, 2011 at 10:54 AM
Comment #6Aye kevy.
kevymartins
Nov 22, 2011 at 10:54 AM
Comment #7@stuart no hard feelings about yesterday?
Stuart
Nov 22, 2011 at 10:57 AM
Comment #8Nah kevy. If I stopped talking to everyone I’d had an arguement with on this blog I’d be very lonely haha!
kevymartins
Nov 22, 2011 at 10:59 AM
Comment #9@stuart nah m8 i admitt that was on me sometimes when i get into a debate i have to win even if im wrong i talk some sh it like so sorry lad
Stuart
Nov 22, 2011 at 11:01 AM
Comment #10Haha no bother mate, I’m exactly the same. Should’ve seen some of the arguements ive had with angryman over the years lol!
magpiebop
Nov 22, 2011 at 11:02 AM
Comment #11Gosling gets into dangerous positions and got the goal. Would like to see him get a start soon in the attacking midfield/2nd striker role, would be good to see him in a full game!
Same wii Santon and Tavernier, need games. Time for squad rotation for the rest of the season wii exception of centre backs and keeper!
roshan MAGPIE
Nov 22, 2011 at 11:05 AM
Comment #12I think we should start GOSLING on right wing
PHOENIXNIGHTS
Nov 22, 2011 at 11:06 AM
Comment #13Stuart and Kevymartins – get a room please!!!!!!
The whole idea about the blog is for competitive debate.
When people get a tad agitated it shows they care passionately about the club- glad you two have kissed and made up.
Keep the Faith
kevymartins
Nov 22, 2011 at 11:06 AM
Comment #14I always got into it with toonruz .Duno were along the line i started picking on the veterans lol big mistake
roshan MAGPIE
Nov 22, 2011 at 11:08 AM
Comment #15my starting 11 against manure
KRUL
SIMPSON
SAYLOR
COLO
SANTON
GOSLING
TIOTE
CABAYE
GUTI
BEN ARFA
BA
SUBS
ELLIOT
RAYLOR
OBERTAN
GUTHRE
BEST
SAMMY
SHOLA
kevymartins
Nov 22, 2011 at 11:08 AM
Comment #16Gosling in a nolan role hmm could work il leave that 1 for pardrew
magpiebop
Nov 22, 2011 at 11:11 AM
Comment #17I think Gosling would be wasted on the wing, likes to play central and get on the end of things in the box wii good positioning a bit like Nolan did. We have SAMeobi and Obertan vying for the right wing position and should let them get on wii it!
roshan MAGPIE
Nov 22, 2011 at 11:13 AM
Comment #18GOSLING played in right wing in EVERTON squad infact i think his wonder goal against liverpool was from right wing i guess
G
Nov 22, 2011 at 11:16 AM
Comment #19kevy, regarding post number 9. Congratulations on being the first time ever ‘better man’ on the blog. Respect mate.
Toon Tang
Nov 22, 2011 at 11:20 AM
Comment #20My team for if i wanted to pull off some gang rapes…
________________Bramble________________
Bramble____Bramble_____Bramble____Bramble
Bramble____Bramble_____Bramble____Bramble
___________Bramble____Bramble___________
kevymartins
Nov 22, 2011 at 11:21 AM
Comment #21@G i would’nt say i was being the better man on the blog when i was the one picking the fights
kevymartins
Nov 22, 2011 at 11:24 AM
Comment #22I hate the way i bought all the dvd’s last year and now dont even want to watch them because of carroll, nolan,barton,…can resist the arsenal 1 tho
kevymartins
Nov 22, 2011 at 11:26 AM
Comment #231 thing i love is wipeing my arse on the scunderland toilet roll my girl got me 🙂
Dannyo
Nov 22, 2011 at 11:29 AM
Comment #24HBA and Sammy seems to both have immense abilities when it comes to dribbling. We’ve yet to see someone stop Sammy in his tracks. So energetic and immense control on those lanky legs.
HBA is a wizard at passing, this is where Sammy needs to improve. Also, not yet seen too much of Sammys crossing really, but at 19, i assume he still needs improving in that area.
magpiebop
Nov 22, 2011 at 11:29 AM
Comment #25@22 chill Kevy, it’s all history now!
Indian Magpie
Nov 22, 2011 at 11:32 AM
Comment #26http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20111122/santon-to-star-for-second-string_2281670_2523854
Audition May be, if he gets subsituted after an hour or so then i think he will play on saturday
AMEOBI
Nov 22, 2011 at 11:41 AM
Comment #27Kev sunderland toilet roll?!
Where you get that haha I want some
kevymartins
Nov 22, 2011 at 11:49 AM
Comment #28lol my girl got me it off ebay it says on it s**t on the mackams
DanToon
Nov 22, 2011 at 11:55 AM
Comment #29Off topic, I used to work at the Sports Direct HQ in Shirebrook (Mansfield) and I have heard from some former colleagues that this Nike Arena deal is pretty far along with them taking on the stadium name and making the shirts… Sports Direct will be the shirt sponsor, that’s the deal.
I think this is probably what’s going to happen to be honest coz Nike have a department at the Sports Direct HQ and the Nike Academy is there too (where Nike train all there staff).
And I also know from working there that Mike Ashley and Nike have a very strong relationship, I’m all for it to be honest!!
davybtoon
Nov 22, 2011 at 12:05 PM
Comment #30I’d b ok with Nike taking it n sports direct on the shirt
toonincheek
Nov 22, 2011 at 12:05 PM
Comment #31kevymartins –
I bet you choose the hottest curry – in anticipation !
t00ntime
Nov 22, 2011 at 12:07 PM
Comment #32I wudnt mind nike buying it, but Im not going to buy a shirt with sports direct as sponser.
And surely that wont happen because MA can sell on the shirt sponsership right?
ilovetoon8788
Nov 22, 2011 at 12:10 PM
Comment #33Its pretty much guaranteed that SportsDirect will be on our jersey from next season. I already mentioned this the moment our stadium was renamed.
DanToon
Nov 22, 2011 at 12:11 PM
Comment #34The whole reason MA bought Newcastle was to market Sports Direct on a global scale, what better place to do it than on the players… Now we looking a Europa League his plan is coming together slowly but surely.
Ollieh51
Nov 22, 2011 at 12:19 PM
Comment #35Well we all saw this coming really didn’t we?
Quick question, how much is Ashley paying for the Sports Direct logo on the shirts then?!
G
Nov 22, 2011 at 12:21 PM
Comment #36More to the point, is there any reason we should be upset about this? Does it really matter who sponsors our tops? I got upset years ago when we ended the brewery sponsorship deal, but to be honest, Sports Direct, or Northern Rock? Makes no difference to me whatsoever.
ballerfan2
Nov 22, 2011 at 12:24 PM
Comment #37Surely the point is that if the master plan was to get his company name on our team shirts in Europe then we all win don’t we?
geoff777
Nov 22, 2011 at 12:24 PM
Comment #38I don’t mind any of this as long as the club gets the money.
I can see a lot of people boycotting the shirts if SD is the sponsor.
The club need to tell us how much SD pays for it’s advertising. If it’s a decent amount of cash then less people would have a problem with this.
davybtoon
Nov 22, 2011 at 12:26 PM
Comment #39Makes no difference if it’s sports direct on the shirt really
davybtoon
Nov 22, 2011 at 12:28 PM
Comment #40Maybe for a bit but Nike will make ppl buy the shirt just as much