Alan Pardew has talked today to BBC Newcastle, and he says he hopes that Demba Ba will stay on Tyneside this summer.
Demba Ba and his secret of success – Strawberry Syrup!
But every day there seems to be another story about Ba, and it’s probably due to the many agents who are said to represent him, and of course agents will go far to get some publicity, in the hope it will help them close a deal for the well-liked Newcastle striker.
It all started a week or so ago, with a report that Tottenham were coming in for him, and then over the last few days he’s been linked with Turkish Champions Galatasaray, but there’s no deal there, according to the latest news from the Turkish club.
Pardew told BBC Newcastle that other clubs have been interested in the striker, ever since he arrived at Newcastle last summer:
“Ever since he signed with us we’ve had it, I don’t think it’s going to go away.” “We want him to stay, the fans do too, and we hope that will be the case.”
The Senegal striker arrived on a free transfer from West Ham, almost exactly a year ago, and he hit 16 goals last season, before his goal-scoring seemed to dry up, once his Senegal team-mate Papiss Cisse arrived at Newcastle, and Cisse hit an amazing 13 goals in 14 games.
And Newcastle have a tough start to the season, with 5 games in the first 15 days of the season, and two Europa League qualifying games are now in the mix for the second half of August.
Alan talked about the tough start Newcastle will have to make to the season:
“It’s significantly tougher, we had a softer start than most last season.” “This year we’re in at the deep end, pre-season it will be important we’re up to speed for the first game.”
“It shows the demands of the Premier League, with two tough games. But on the back of last year we’re hoping to get positive results in those two games.”
The International break come in the first two weeks of September, and it will be interesting at that time, to see how well Newcastle have done in their first five games of the season.
We have to hope at a minimum that we have qualified for the Europa League group stages, which will see Newcastle in a group of four, and there will be six games to play in Europe, before the end of the year.
Comments welcome.
382 comments so far
papiss_on_your_parade
Jun 18, 2012 at 1:40 PM
Comment #1Ba was vital to us in the first half of the season, and has done okay out on the left wing the second half of the season.
However, I believe we would be better to have him replace cisse as a sub in an out and out striking position. If he stays, he should really be prepared to sit on the bench until the last half hour of the 90 minutes, in my opinion.
If I had to let a class player go, it would be ba, as he seems to be the least loyal, if nothing else.
G
Jun 18, 2012 at 1:44 PM
Comment #2A no-brainer really. In the prem you need more that one top-notch striker. Whilst Cisse has hogged the limelight since the turn of the year, Ba didn’t exactly disgrace himself prior to that. Besides, formations adapt through the season, and I expect us to play with 2 out and out CF’s sooner rather than later. Put this another way, who would you rather have up front with Cisse, Ba or Shola? (And I’m not slagging Shola here, but Ba is the better player).
Tsunki
Jun 18, 2012 at 1:45 PM
Comment #3Demba hasn’t actually done anything yet, I can only assume some of his myriad lackeys are doing their best to advertise him and be first to get an agents fee
jesperfuglsang
Jun 18, 2012 at 1:48 PM
Comment #4G
I am no big fan of a conservative outdated 4-4-2. Just take a look at the Euros or any of the 4 major leagues.
If you want to go places 4-4-2 as we know it is dead.
I am hoping we will stick to 4-3-3; there are mana variations of this tactic and it could be very interesting 🙂
But you are right it is a long season and many matches so we are going to need both Ba and Papisto this season 🙂
G
Jun 18, 2012 at 1:53 PM
Comment #5@post 4 – I agree about the old-fashioned 4-4-2 formation, but then remember when Jose M took over at Chelski people had been saying that, until he started playing 4-4-2 albeit in the 4-4-2 diamond formation (or as I think of it 4-1-2-1-2). I would hate to see us revert to hoof-ball, as the 70’s were dull enough for me once before.
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Jun 18, 2012 at 1:56 PM
Comment #6Whose idea was this stupid release clause in his contract!
I think most people want him to stay and it will be sorted either way by the end of July anyway! This is when his release clause runs out apparantly!
Beardo
Jun 18, 2012 at 2:03 PM
Comment #7Ba simply won’t be content with playing second fiddle to Cisse and starting only in the ‘minor’ games, so I can’t see how him remaining here is tenable, unless we play the dated 4-4-2, which when we tried it with those 2, they were just treading on each others toes and were just not tuned in to one another at all.
Ba on the LW of a 3 is just a fat NO, he was abysmal out there.
Think he’ll be gone by the time Spurs visit.
jayphoto
Jun 18, 2012 at 2:06 PM
Comment #8think Ba will go aswell which is a shame, really rate him as a player! we’re looking at a 50 game season, with our best 2 players going to Africa for 6 weeks….. we definately need another striker bringing in whether Ba stays or goes!
No Plain Saylor
Jun 18, 2012 at 2:28 PM
Comment #9After such a brilliant season, if ever there was a time to push on and be bold with some transfer bids, but where are we? We haven’t even got preseason sorted! And the transfer that seems most likely is a player leaving, alobg with the players already gone and forster and best atill to go.. our small squad is somewhat smaller again, and the fixture list being released scared me stiff, we’ve a strong starting 11, but 5 games in 15 days? We DO NOT have the squad for that!! And I’m not a moany fan but I want players comin across that line over the next week.
Beattie25
Jun 18, 2012 at 2:37 PM
Comment #10No plain Saylor
Whilst I understand your fears I must say to you that the transfer window doesn’t open (players cannot move to clubs) until July 1st.
For all we know 5 players may ave signed already!!
I’m deserving judgement until after the 1st week of July. If nobody has signed by then I’m getting my pitchfork!
Beattie25
Jun 18, 2012 at 2:46 PM
Comment #11Affelay’s stock wil have gone down after a terrible Euro 2012.
I’d take him in a heartbeat!!
No Plain Saylor
Jun 18, 2012 at 2:50 PM
Comment #12Haha alright I’ll hold back with the pitchfork for now. Yeah I think afelley’d be a great deal. £5m is a bargin for him
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Jun 18, 2012 at 2:55 PM
Comment #13God I hope we don’t need to dust off the pitchforks again….dark days they were.
arctoa
Jun 18, 2012 at 2:59 PM
Comment #14I agree with Beattie25, wait until July is a week old before drawing too many conclusions. The fact that the window isn’t properly open along with a lot of players being away at Euro 2012 means that deals are difficult to close right now.
As for Demba Ba, nufc.com had a well thought out and balanced article a few weeks ago. It’s a shame they don’t archive their stuff.
No Plain Saylor
Jun 18, 2012 at 3:00 PM
Comment #15Beattie what do u think of lucuano narsignh? He got like 24 assists and8 goals last season, we gave scouted him, at 21 and versatile he fits the bill. Plus I think fulham plan to get gim for like 4/5 million so he’s pretty cheap considering his potential
Beattie25
Jun 18, 2012 at 3:00 PM
Comment #16Realistically if we are all about resale value then we should IMO look no further than Cissokho, Kjaer, Elm and Affellay.
Cissokho is younger than Debuchy and may cost a little less bit has massive potential and great ability at current and could come for £6 million or less.
Kjaer had a torrid time and Wolfsburg and Roma but his quality is there for all to see. Had a good Euros and with Wolfsburg ready to cut their losses a bid of 6 million may be enough.
Elm had an awful Euros but is a fantastic player. Due to his poor performances his stock may have fell and possible now 6 million again may be enough.
Affellay is a super player who has been hampered with injury and with too much competition at Barca. Could be a steal at 5 million.
All together these 4 would cost in the region of 20-25 million. Which I know is near impossible for our club to spend bit as Carr said there is money of the right players become available.
These 4 may double or triple in value over the next 2 years so why not??
No Plain Saylor
Jun 18, 2012 at 3:01 PM
Comment #17Jesus lads sorry about the spelling, stupid phone!
Derek Llambias
Jun 18, 2012 at 3:04 PM
Comment #18Hello minions, how’s things going?
Beattie25
Jun 18, 2012 at 3:04 PM
Comment #19I haven’t seen Narsingh to be honest but he’s a bit special apparently!
Munster Mag
Jun 18, 2012 at 3:06 PM
Comment #20I dont have any issue with 4-4-2 provided the right players are playing in the right places, and it gives us a great option to get two brilliant players terrorising teams. Mourinho loved it and nobody complained. 4-4-2 can become 4-5-1 very easily, but to me, its all about players and motivation, rather than 4-4-2 or whatever.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Jun 18, 2012 at 3:07 PM
Comment #21Beattie….Those 4 certainly look like players that could offer something for the team now and definitely fit the bill with regards to being young and offering an increased sale value down the line. Are you sure you’re not Graham Carr coming on here to mingle with the fans?
JAMSHA
Jun 18, 2012 at 3:09 PM
Comment #22Tough games , hope we get max 10 pts in our 1st 5 league fixtures.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Jun 18, 2012 at 3:09 PM
Comment #23On formations and tactics……Each formation and tactic has merit depending on the players available and the opposition. I know that’s a pretty obvious statement, but it seems to escape quite a few people.
4-4-2 has it’s time and place.
Beattie25
Jun 18, 2012 at 3:10 PM
Comment #24If I was Graham Carr we’d have quite possibly the worst team ever.
Plus the real Carr would never mingle with mere mortals like us.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Jun 18, 2012 at 3:11 PM
Comment #25Jamsha…You only want us to get a maximum of 10 points out of 15? 🙂
Do you mean you want a minimum of 10 points or you think we’ll get a maximum of 10?
G
Jun 18, 2012 at 3:12 PM
Comment #26@ Ibiza, post 22
‘4-4-2 has it’s time and place.’
That time and place was the 70’s and 80’s, when short tight shorts were played in! Seriously though, hit the nail on the head there mate. Even though I hate to see it, you sometimes need to revert to the long-ball game.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Jun 18, 2012 at 3:12 PM
Comment #27Beattie….Speak for yourself mate….”mere mortal”…chortle.
Ketsbaia9
Jun 18, 2012 at 3:12 PM
Comment #28That Affelay looks an extremely poor player. Hope we stay clear of him. Marvin Martin and Cissokho have to be signed though.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Jun 18, 2012 at 3:13 PM
Comment #29G….In a time where shorts were short….
It’s not attractive (most of the time) and the game has evolved somewhat since those glory days ( 🙂 ), but sometimes needs must and all that garbage
No Plain Saylor
Jun 18, 2012 at 3:15 PM
Comment #30four very good targets, especially afelley and kjaer. I mean even if we couldn’t afford the four of them, which shouldnt be a priblem but even the compromise would be good, tranquillo barnetta or diame or manuel fernandes? All free agents that would be good additions to our midfield trio, id probably still prefer debuchy to cissikho but id be delighted either way!
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Jun 18, 2012 at 3:15 PM
Comment #31K Hole…..Is this based on the Euros or have you watched him consistently?
DraperNUFC10
Jun 18, 2012 at 3:15 PM
Comment #32follow me on twitter @daniel_draper95, i’ll follow back 🙂 HWTL
Beattie25
Jun 18, 2012 at 3:15 PM
Comment #33The best formation is an evolving formation. That’s why we are buying versatile players.
During 90 minutes you need to continuously change the formation to counter threats and preset them to the opposition. A 4-4-2 needs to change to a 4-3-3 or a 4-5-1 at any given time. Maybe your chasing a game, protecting a lead or striken by an injury.
That’s our future and what we are building!
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Jun 18, 2012 at 3:18 PM
Comment #34Beattie….So true. If something isn’t working, we need to be able to change the game and keep the opposition guessing.
Beattie25
Jun 18, 2012 at 3:18 PM
Comment #35That was my point Ketsbia
Affellay did look a poor player but he is far from it!
No Plain Saylor
Jun 18, 2012 at 3:19 PM
Comment #36Yeah afelley had a poor euros but he is top class, he’s just baxk from injury and its not like he was the only one to underperform! The dutch were brutal, he’s quality and if we were to get him he’d change your mind!
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Jun 18, 2012 at 3:19 PM
Comment #37See QPR and West Ham are busy in the transfer market….anyone impressed with any of their buys to date?
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Jun 18, 2012 at 3:20 PM
Comment #38Draper…So if you follow me and I follow you, will we be going round in circles?
kevymartins
Jun 18, 2012 at 3:24 PM
Comment #39Good job we picked up a decent run of fixtures when the acon is on and we will be playing in the europa league..defo need to fill the squad up big time with half decent players
toonincheek
Jun 18, 2012 at 3:25 PM
Comment #40Maybe we should be looking at the guys who have a bad Euro.
For anyone we buy, Carr will have already done his stuff.
We will have already made up our minds as to the value of players we are scouting.
We won’t pay more for someone just because they have a good Euro . . .
and
We won’t be offering less just because someone has a bad Euro (well, maybe a little).
So, we should be thinking of players we have been scouting and who have a bad Euro as the most likely signings.