Newcastle are still in 4th place in the Premier League after the 1-1 draw at Manchester United on Saturday.
Ben Arfa in action at Old Trafford Saturday
And most Newcastle fans are wondering just how long we can stay in that high position in the league this season.
But not Hatem Ben Arfa, and the Frenchman today has come out and said the draw at Old Trafford can be a stepping stone to winning the Premier League title.
What?
Newcastle are now on 26 points from the first 13 games, and have but one defeat in the league, which happened just over a week ago at Manchester City.
Ben Arfa thinks the lads can build on the good result on Saturday, and he said this to The Sun today:
“I think if we gain in confidence, we can go and get the title,” “I think the only thing that makes a difference is the confidence.”
“We really have good footballers here. If we carry on like this, then we can do something.”
Maybe Newcastle fans would be talking like this if it was three years ago, but that relegation just over a couple of years ago brought some of us down to earth with a huge thud, and we’re just happy this season that the lads have been exceeding expectations.
But it’s a whole different thing to win the Premier League title.
But as we would expect, the Newcastle manager Alan Pardew is not getting carried away with things, even if Ben Arfa may be.
Pardew is down to earth and although it’s a bit of a cliche these days, he will continue to take one game at a time:
“We only think about the next game,” “We’re not dreaming or anything, we’re just thinking about beating Chelsea next week and we prepare from now for that.”
And since the next game is at St. James’ Park against Chelsea on Saturday afternoon, the immediate goal is to take all 3 points from that game, that’s all that matters at the moment.
Howay The Lads!!
90 comments so far
PHOENIXNIGHTS
Nov 28, 2011 at 9:58 AM
Comment #1It may seem silly talking about the title but I can see a top 6 finish. The only problem is we lose key men to the African cup of nations and also Ashley will sell if a silly offer comes in for one of our guys. Other than Speedo passing away this has been another great weekend – Bruce for the chop next week if mackums lose again.
Keep the Faith
geoff777
Nov 28, 2011 at 10:07 AM
Comment #2There is an outside chance.
So why not dream.
If we win all our games against the teams below us and the teams above us draw with each other and get beaten a few times …
We need to strengthen in January and avoid injuries.
I guess we’d be about 100/1.
Well done HBA!
Made me smile when the rest of the news is so depressing.
HWTL
Ibizatoon
Nov 28, 2011 at 10:08 AM
Comment #3I think agent Bruce is doing a great job at keeping the scum where they belong….please God don’t let him get fired…they may start winning.
As for Ben Arfa…you go lad…always shoot for the top…as fans we’ll try and be a little more realistic, I still can’t enjoy a glass of coca cola without getting slightly depressed.
Also, RIP Gary Speed. You will be missed
geoff777
Nov 28, 2011 at 10:11 AM
Comment #4I was a bit off with my guess at the odds.
You can get 500/1 on us winning the EPL with Coral.
http://www.oddschecker.com/football/english/premier-league/winner
joppadoni
Nov 28, 2011 at 10:14 AM
Comment #5my sentiments exactly Ibiza. i dont want bruce sacked either hes doing some sterling undercover work over in shi tville
Ibizatoon
Nov 28, 2011 at 10:16 AM
Comment #6Joppadoni…we should probably have an agent bruce statue put up somewhere…at the very least send him a fruit basket or something
supporter
Nov 28, 2011 at 10:18 AM
Comment #7Remember Ben Arfa already won 5 times the french league : 4 times with Lyon , 1 with Marseille. He also won the cup with Lyon and cup of the league with Marseille.
So he knows what winning means , even if he may be seen as really optimistic
ilovetoon8788
Nov 28, 2011 at 10:18 AM
Comment #8even though what arfa said is abit far-fetched but its to have someone who dares to dream. if only a couple or more players in our team has arfa’s drive. we can atleast drive for cleague spot.
arfa looks like he has never been out for 9 months. the way he played against city it seems like he can turn bottom 10 sides inside out on his own.
Geordiedoonsooth
Nov 28, 2011 at 10:27 AM
Comment #9Can I have some of what BenArfa is smoking please 🙂
Eastander
Nov 28, 2011 at 10:28 AM
Comment #10Still cant see us competing for the league come the end of the season but would much rather see players daring to dream and pushing ourselves rather than aim for a top 6 finish, which doesnt show much ambition given were fourth now!
You go Benny!
nden85
Nov 28, 2011 at 10:41 AM
Comment #11@ Ibizatoon, hahahahaha.
jayphoto
Nov 28, 2011 at 10:49 AM
Comment #12Brilliant! Exactly why I love Ben Arfa! Wish we had a few more with those kind of high standards! You know its a tough league but our side is no worse than the Everton 1 that finished 4th a few years back! If we strengthen with 2/3 players in January theres no reason we can’t be challenging Liverpool and Arsenal! Maiga and Peters would see us having a very decent side!
Indian Magpie
Nov 28, 2011 at 10:49 AM
Comment #13Ed next game is not at st. james park.
it is at sports direct Arena 😉
TS -77
Nov 28, 2011 at 10:52 AM
Comment #14Actually – We have had some tough games lately like City, United, draw against Spurs etc.. and got points agains them all but City. We cannot catch City but if continue gaining points then who knows were we will end up.
Go Benny, keep your dream alive!
Toon_Tom
Nov 28, 2011 at 10:52 AM
Comment #15You have to love his confidence / optimism tho!!!
Agree with Supporter @7 > HBA has a winning mentality which can only be a good thing imo.
I am not going as far as to say I agree with him and that we will actually win the title (no chance) however if ALL the team have his confidence, then i see no reason why we cant keep getting maximum points from the lesser oposition, grind out results against some of the BIG BOYS (spurs, man utd) and see how we can cope in the top half of the top half of the table and secure a place within the top 5/6 as the best of the rest!
HWTL
Indian Magpie
Nov 28, 2011 at 10:53 AM
Comment #16on a serious note, i hope UEFA officials saw what wayne rooney did on staurday and do not overturn his ban.
and i hope capello takes him and he gets sent off in quarterfinals.
some of you ver proud englishmen would be disappointed but there yo go.
Caisleann Nua
Nov 28, 2011 at 10:54 AM
Comment #17With Jonas out next week what do you think of moving taylor to left midfield and santon in behind probably a bit risky for the chelsea game and i reckon pards will stick in sammy but what you think
TS -77
Nov 28, 2011 at 10:55 AM
Comment #18Does Jonas get 1 or 3 match suspension after his sending of in the reds-game?
Indian Magpie
Nov 28, 2011 at 10:56 AM
Comment #19if city end up in europa and keep playing on thursdays then May be.
Caisleann Nua
Nov 28, 2011 at 10:56 AM
Comment #20TS-77 its only one game for second yellow
Stuart
Nov 28, 2011 at 10:57 AM
Comment #21You dont half know how to make friends Indian Magpie.
Wishing the worst on the england team on an english blog haha!
Indian Magpie
Nov 28, 2011 at 10:57 AM
Comment #221 match,
3 match bans are for violent conducts, or getting more than 1 redcard
jayphoto
Nov 28, 2011 at 10:58 AM
Comment #23Just a quick note on the African Nations this year! Even if Senegal or Ivory Coast get all the way to the final, it’ll only mean players missing 4 games! On the subject of Maiga, Mali aren’t even certain to get out of their group with games against Ghana and Guinea (who are seeded ahead of them) Chances are Maiga would only be unavailable for 2 games and if its true theres a deal to sign him on Jan 1st, thats 3 games for us he’d play before heading to the tournament!
Toon Tang
Nov 28, 2011 at 11:05 AM
Comment #24he who dares rodders, he who dares my son
jayphoto
Nov 28, 2011 at 11:06 AM
Comment #25Just wondered what you all are making of Danny Guthrie this season?? For me in the last 3 games he’s out performed Cabaye but not sure if this is because Cabaye has had to change his game due to no Tiote alongside him? Think Pards deserves some credit as he’s getting an extra 20% out of players like Ryan Taylor, Danny Simpson, Danny Guthrie and you could even say this season is the best we’ve seen from Collo and Steven Taylor as well as Jonas! Nice to have a team to be proud of! Most pundits gave us no hope in hell of staying up in August so its great to see them back tracking! Fairplay to le tissier and merson, they have! Just can’t wait to see Lawro crack and admit we;re a good side!
Ibizatoon
Nov 28, 2011 at 11:13 AM
Comment #26Jayphoto….I’d say cabaye is covering more, due to no tiote. Cabaye only really started to shine once tiote’s match sharpness improved, so i’d say guthrie is getting the chance to shine as Cabaye is holidng down the CDM role….although Guthire deserves credit…he’s done a great job…not enough to budge tiote or cabaye though
ilovetoon8788
Nov 28, 2011 at 11:15 AM
Comment #27@jayphoto // Nov 28, 2011 at 11:06 AM
agree with you. Guthrie played brilliantly against Manchester United. He cut out so many of their passes and his passing ability is quite sublime. As far as i’m concern, having in the team atleast will cut the depression if we indeed lose Tiote.
Guthrie is just as capable.
gorgonzola
Nov 28, 2011 at 11:15 AM
Comment #28Time for Santon to start playing. Yes its time to start him playing what better than Chelsea at home. I would be gutted and I think he would be too if he does not play, thats why he left Inter to play.
Ben Arfa Ba up front for chealsea? I am not too sold on Maiga must say…He is a mix bag when it comes to ability he can certainly score them would like to see what he can do. Do we get a RB too over Jan….Pieters and Santon would be great wouldn’t it?
BillBurch
Nov 28, 2011 at 11:19 AM
Comment #29It may not have been a penalty on Saturday but decisions like this happen every week so why is there almost a “board-of-enquiry” about ours? Of course! It was against Man U at Old Trafford and therefore shouldn’t be allowed!
SincerelySamuel
Nov 28, 2011 at 11:20 AM
Comment #30i honestly see what HBA is saying the great thing about the French league is that everyone has a go and tries to win the league and as such they have had several different winners in recent years i believe Marseille Lille and bordeaux and before them Lyon we have ben arfa Cabaye and Obertan who won those titles with those clubs so they know what mentality is required im not saying its not ott for this season but if we aim for the top we will finish in a CL spot and lord knows MrAshley would rather see the TV money than sell a player and miss out …wdnt he?
Brutooon
Nov 28, 2011 at 11:23 AM
Comment #31lets aim for the league title
if we got couple of slips then we will be around no 3-4 therefore EUROPE
“Aim for the stars and you will reach the mountain top”
jayphoto
Nov 28, 2011 at 11:23 AM
Comment #32gorgonzola – I think Maiga is a lot more suited to being our target man if we play Ben Arfa! His hold up play is better, he’s stronger and he’s more dominant aerially! If we sign Maiga I think he’ll be the constant in our side with Ba and Ben Arfa being rotated depending on the game!
Ibizatoon
Nov 28, 2011 at 11:24 AM
Comment #33SS…I don’t even think the Lord knows what Cashley would do / rather see. Do any of the online betting sites offer bets on future Ashley decisions?
jayphoto
Nov 28, 2011 at 11:25 AM
Comment #34http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUQYL2Yg-go
SincerelySamuel
Nov 28, 2011 at 11:27 AM
Comment #35@IndianMag
im English but i see no legitimate reason why Rooney should have his ban reduced as what he did was Violent Conduct and a standard 3 match ban followed, as for his reckless kicking on saturday any other player wouldve gotten a straight red for those 3lions and a red devil protecting that thug again FIFA will undoubtedly ban N’zonzi for his Elbows in the Blackburnn game but probably wont even look at the Roony stuff
R.I.P Gary Speed one of my childhood heroes 🙁
SincerelySamuel
Nov 28, 2011 at 11:29 AM
Comment #36@ibizatoon
3-1 he’ll change the clubs name to “look at me look at me world i want attention coz my Daddy didnt love me”
Ibizatoon
Nov 28, 2011 at 11:31 AM
Comment #372-1 odds he will implode by the new year due to consuming too many mince pies?
Thump
Nov 28, 2011 at 11:32 AM
Comment #38Tempted to put £200 on us winning the title and sending King Arfa the receipt.
Rotonda heights
Nov 28, 2011 at 11:35 AM
Comment #39I like his attitude, some times tomorrow never cmes and you have to go for it now.
Thump
Nov 28, 2011 at 11:35 AM
Comment #40@Ibiza: I’ll take that bet.