Once again Newcastle’s best player in yesterday’s game was the French International Hatem Ben Arfa, and he’s our Man of the Match with over 50% of the vote, and he produced bits of magic yesterday, including the sublime defense splitting through ball for Demba Ba’s goal – and what a fabulous player this lad is turning out to be for Newcastle United.
Hatem Ben Arfa – producing unbelievable stuff for Magpies
And we have to give the Frenchman great credit, after he came back from a terrible double fracture of his left leg, and it’s not an easy thing to do – but Ben Arfa has shown great courage and fortitude at Newcastle.
And he came in as a trouble-maker, when he was signed on loan by Chris Hughton from Marseilles back in August of 2010, but he’s been no trouble at all while at Newcastle, and he also seems to have been handled superbly by manager Alan Pardew, who made it clear to him last season that he would not start at the club, unless he was willing to work hard and track back when required.
Former manager Chris Hughton, who got a very warm reception back on Tyneside yesterday, had this to say about the French International after the game:
“I am just pleased to see him back playing and back playing at his best,” “He, of course, scored the wonder-goal at Everton and then he had the bad injury.”
“At this moment, irrespective of today, I am just delighted to see him back playing, and he is obviously showing what a class act he is, not only today.” “He can do some unbelievable things on the ball and he is having a wonderful season so far.”
And Alan Pardew was again full of praise for the 25 year-old 13 times capped French International, who is entertaining the crowd on Tyneside with a display of his sublime skills – and it’s what Geordie fans just love to see.
This is what Alan said about the lad after the game yesterday:
“Hatem did a couple of other things apart from the assist for the goal, which you could put in the 1970 World Cup or wherever.” “It’s unbelievable stuff and he really is playing well for us.”
Ben Arfa’s contract at Newcastle runs out in the summer of 2015, so there’s still just under three years to run on it, but if he keeps up this form for Newcastle, the club may consider offering him a new long term deal to stay at Newcastle.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
6 comments so far
Spellcheck
Sep 24, 2012 at 10:12 AM
Comment #1Class act is the MERCURIAL Ben Arfa,we’d struggle without our french genious!!! HWTL
jawballsaswallwell
Sep 24, 2012 at 10:13 AM
Comment #2He’s been playing well week in week out since about halfway through last season.
EPL player of the year?
gorgonzola ( former Pecorino former to gorgonzola)
Sep 24, 2012 at 10:23 AM
Comment #3been following the games ad Blog for a while just did not leave comment…
I was and am the backer of HBA from the beginning and its easy to see that we are kind of crippled without this man in our team….
What a player I will support him whenever and WHEREVER he is…
toonincheek
Sep 24, 2012 at 1:02 PM
Comment #4HBA – what a player.
Not only did I see him tracking back a long long way one time after losing possession (realising that there was a big gap) – but –
he is also learning to do the simple things most of the time, just passing back/sideways, and saving his special stuff for the odd occasion when he can open things up.
We never know what he’s going to do next – and neither does the opposition!
Ba can read him a bit – and that gives him the incentive to make runs. There were two or three occasions against Norwich. Beautifully seen by HBA and perfectly weighted passes – a shame only one came to anything. But that one did win us the game.
Cisse too, soon, I’m sure.
mot7
Sep 24, 2012 at 8:02 PM
Comment #5RIP up his current contract and give him a improved deal
widowmagandapoke
Sep 25, 2012 at 11:49 AM
Comment #6Who would believe now he was a troublemaker? Well done Parsds,helping to turn him into the player he is.