Hatem Ben Arfa had another good game at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, and has been in some sparkling form this season for the Magpies, and he added another assist to his record when he brilliantly set up his French team-mate Yohan Cabaye just before half-time, and Cabaye produced a wonderful finish to put Newcastle ahead – a goal made in France.
Ben Arfa in action at Anfield on Sunday
After having been pummelled in those first 30 minutes by Liverpool, when that goal went in we thought this is the day we would break that 18 year hoodoo of not winning a league game at Anfield – but it didn’t happen.
Ben Arfa is used to winning, and he has a winning mentality, having won the French League with his first two clubs Lyon and Marseilles, and he had this to say about Sunday’s game in the local press today:
“We have a big week ahead.” “First Brugge and then West Ham and we have to win both.” “If we win the next few games in the Premier League we will move up the table.” “There is West Ham first and then Swansea.”
“I think the next five games are very important.” “We did well but maybe we lost concentration in the second half and from it they scored a goal.” “I think we made it hard for them to score more, though – we defended very well in the second half.”
“I think it was a very good point.” “Sometimes it is hard to take points at Liverpool because there is a big atmosphere.” “We could have won the game.” “Even after the goal we had chances, two or three, but we also had to defend a lot.”
“By the end they could have won the game, but this is a good point.” “It was a very nice goal from Cabaye.” “He controlled the ball and shot an unstoppable effort.” “It was a nice cross. Every time I try to create situations like that.”
“If Yohan can keep doing the rest we will be OK.”
Certainly Ben Arfa and Yohan Cabaye are two fantastic players Newcastle have picked up over the last 30 months or so, and both of them together cost around £8M for Newcastle – another great deal by Newcastle.
And certainly they are worth a lot more than that now, having become better players on Tyneside under the tutelage of both Chris Hughton and Alan Pardew.
Next up for Newcastle is Club Brugge on Thursday night, and we need to win that game and qualify for the final 32 of the Europa League.
Comments welcome.
Note – yes – I just love that word mercurial to describe Hatem Ben Arfa – what a player this lad is now for Newcastle.
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91 responses so far ↓
1 rainrix // Nov 6, 2012 at 10:58 AM
Mercurial and waxing lyrical ed!
2 Munster Mag // Nov 6, 2012 at 11:05 AM
We could have, and we could have been beaten at home by Brom without complaint. I’ll take 10th on our form, and hope for a gradual transition towards more creative play. If we dont, dont expect cabaye to be hanging around in the summer.
3 Graeme // Nov 6, 2012 at 11:14 AM
rainrix – nice one lol
4 rainrix // Nov 6, 2012 at 11:16 AM
Considering that we haven’t been playing the greatest football in the world our position and points isn’t that bad, we are only 3 points off of 4th (disregarding GD) plus we’ve played spurs chelsea man u everton and liverpool, 5 hard games plus top of our europa group, we really aren’t doing to badly. We have some highly winnable games coming up, so hopefully we can gain a bit of rhythm and confidence.
5 NUfc4eve // Nov 6, 2012 at 11:25 AM
for west ham:
krul
simpson willi taylor santon
b.arfa anita cabaye fergi
ba cisse
sub:harper,tarvenier,bigi,jonas,shola,sammy,amalfitano
6 Transfer Sage // Nov 6, 2012 at 11:27 AM
The points tally is a good achievement considering our opponents and how poor our form is.
It is good we are getting points playing badly but we need to start dominating games and not relying on brilliance from one or two.
We have a team capable of playing as good as west brim and Everton. Hopefully it will click soon
7 rainrix // Nov 6, 2012 at 11:30 AM
Sage… We need it to click really, i have no doubt we could bundle our way to wins the way we have all season in our next 5 league games
, but after that things get serious December is a hard month for us, opponents wise as well as the inevitable fixture pile up. Hopefully by then we’ll be playing somewhere near our best.
8 Dannyo // Nov 6, 2012 at 11:36 AM
With the ammount of fringe players rested in the last reserve outing, expect something like this:
Harper
Tavernier – Collo – Willo – Fergy
Tiote – Biggie
Obertan
Marveux – Shola – Sammy
Subs: Elliott, Good, Abeid, Campbell, Jonas, Simmo, Amalfitano
Expecting… Hope maybe?
9 jesperfuglsang // Nov 6, 2012 at 11:39 AM
Our game against Brügge is that on Thursday? And what time?
…God I would really love for us to beat fat Sam and WHam
– you know like a big win! lol
10 rainrix // Nov 6, 2012 at 11:43 AM
Jesper… it kicks off at 6 here so whatever that is in denmark
11 jesperfuglsang // Nov 6, 2012 at 11:48 AM
Rainrix…thanks mate
(futuretime for Ibiza and I is +1 hour) lol
12 BigKirky // Nov 6, 2012 at 11:50 AM
Was a shame their goal came from such a slack pass, but our goal was the exact type of goal you get when you have as good a quality player as those two in the team. I’ve been saying it a while but if Cabaye is played as the almost attacking midfielder rather than defensive, he’ll get forward a bit more where he can play decisive passes and get some shots away. Like he did at Sunderland and Liverpool. Both came from very advanced positions.
13 Colo-Sus // Nov 6, 2012 at 11:56 AM
MERCURIAL MERCURIAL MERCURIAL MERCURIAL MERCURIAL MERCURIAL MERCURIAL MERCURIAL
MERCURIAL MERCURIAL MERCURIAL MERCURIAL MERCURIAL MERCURIAL MERCURIAL MERCURIAL
MERCURIAL MERCURIAL MERCURIAL MERCURIAL MERCURIAL MERCURIAL MERCURIAL MERCURIAL
MERCURIAL MERCURIAL MERCURIAL MERCURIAL MERCURIAL MERCURIAL MERCURIAL MERCURIAL
MERCURIAL MERCURIAL MERCURIAL MERCURIAL MERCURIAL MERCURIAL MERCURIAL MERCURIAL
MERCURIAL MERCURIAL MERCURIAL MERCURIAL MERCURIAL MERCURIAL MERCURIAL MERCURIAL
Ed do think Hatem Ben arfa is any of the above by any chance?
14 Quasi.modo // Nov 6, 2012 at 11:59 AM
Munster
While I agree that you’re right to be questioning things going on at the club, I don’t think anyone is in any doubt as to your thoughts.
You do come across as incredibly negative as nearly everything you say, while it has it’s basis in logic and reason, is laced with negativity.
@2 you make a pretty sound reasoning but immediately follow it up with speculation that Cabaye will leave if we don’t play more creative football. That’s an assertion that I don’t think any of us can make with any certainty yet you seem to do just that.
Not calling you a negger or anything as I don’t think you are, but you do lace reasoned comments with somewhat negative opinions.
15 Transfer Sage // Nov 6, 2012 at 12:42 PM
Quasi
Good comment, can’t really know what will happen with players.
No matter how well we are playing I have no doubt that all of our players would leave if a top team came in and double their pay.
Can anyone honestly say players like cabaye, Ben arfa, cisse would turn down barca, Madrid, man utd etc.
What we need to do is play good football and get a good league position again so we aren’t vulnerable to clubs like spurs, Liverpool, etc being a more tempting proposal that our club.
16 Tsunki // Nov 6, 2012 at 1:02 PM
To turn down offers from barca and madrid you need to be playing well enough for them to make an offer. No risk of a big move for any of our top players at this moment I feel. Check back with me in April on this.
17 Transfer Sage // Nov 6, 2012 at 1:14 PM
Tsunki
Obviously we aren’t playing that well but it was just a point.
No matter how good we are players always want to play for big clubs with a history r winning thins which still are winning thing regularly.
Look at Dortmund, dominated the last few years in Germany but still lose players to the elite clubs.
My point is we can’t worry about losing players I those typed of clubs, it happens if you have a good player. What we need to do is be competitive for European places to make sure we don’t lose our players or target players to immediate rivals like Everton, spurs etc
18 danuneek // Nov 6, 2012 at 1:54 PM
I would definitely stick with the 4-2-3-1 formation against West Ham. We need a bit of consistency with formation and tactics at the moment so we can find some rhythm and kick on with the season. I would not play 4-4-2 with two big men up front. With the players we have we don’t need to be playing long balls, particularly against the king of the long ball Fat Sam. I would have the ball on the floor and get it moving quickly. West ham aren’t the most mobile team. I also think Willo and Taylor will be able to handle Carroll in the air.
This has to be the team:
——————-Krul———————
Simmi—–Taylor—-Willo—–Santon
———–Anita———Jonas————
Benny———-Cabaye———–Sami
—————–Ba/Cisse—————–
19 jayphoto // Nov 6, 2012 at 2:04 PM
Asides from the assist, I didn’t think Ben arfa played that well against Liverpool! Tbh I think hes having a poor season by his standards! He’s playing well, don’t get me wrong but a player with his individual talent should have more goals and assists and should be taking every game by the scruff of the neck! Honestly can’t think of a more individual talent in the EPL, the fact that hes going under the radar as far as journalists and pundits and not being included in “teams of the season so far” suggests hes under performing! Someone with his talent should be the first name in everyones team
20 archaeomag // Nov 6, 2012 at 2:07 PM
Mercurial?
Hatem Ben Arfa is a Pices and is rules by the planet Neptune.
21 Transfer Sage // Nov 6, 2012 at 2:10 PM
Jay
Even in France Ben arfa never got the goals he should have.
On terms out agility and beating a man he is on par with hazard but in terms o consistently doing in during a game and over a season he is a mile behind.
Hazard got 20+ goal last year, obviously won’t get that in the EPL but Ben arfa didn’t ever achieve that in France.
Benny just needs to be left to do his own thing.
I think pardew needs to sit down with Ben arfa and cabaye and plan a formation and style that will not just get them scoring but running the midfield and setting up the forwards
22 bettyswallocks // Nov 6, 2012 at 2:15 PM
We really have to find a way of supplying Cisse with some quality passes when he is in the danger area.
He is not a creator of goals he is just a finisher, thats all.
We can hardly say he has missed a hatfull of good chances but he s either playing too deep or completely redundant up top waiting for a chance that never arrives.
Ba is a bit more creative and a better hold up player but Cisses first touch is piss poor for a 9 million striker su unless we can supply him with some decent ammo he s a waste of time.
We must also stop playing back to Krul so often who then hoofs it back to the opposition.
Liverpool were an example of a side very comfortable in possession and made very few backward passes.
Surely this self belief has to come from the coaches which does nt say much for ours.
23 Transfer Sage // Nov 6, 2012 at 2:49 PM
Betty
Liverpool do make a lot of backward passes, same as Swansea did under rogers.
The key is to be able to play from the back so you lure teams forward so when you do pass it out you catch people of out position.
Us going long just 8/9 times our of 10 loses us possession. We just need the players to keep the ball better.
Our movement even from te more technical players has been poor and often there is never a decent pass on
24 roshan MAGPIE // Nov 6, 2012 at 2:59 PM
nufc s europa league match will be shown live on ten sports in India match starts at 11-25 pm
25 Special K // Nov 6, 2012 at 3:22 PM
Quite satisfied with the start to the season, just 3 points off Champions League and on the verge of sealing a place in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup
One thing I’ll never understand is why Pardew even contemplated switching from the 433 that had us steamrolling teams for the last 3 months of the season.
I get that it that Ba didn’t score in the system but it wasn’t for want of trying, he was denied by wonder saves and the woodwork more times than I remember. This year Cisse hasn’t really had a chance to write home about except that penalty miss.
Also to be honest if hypothetically the reason we’re playing 442 is because Ba puts his goalscoring stats above the good of the team than I’d rather cash in now. I doubt he is but the minute these guys are looking at their own performance ahead of the teams there should be warning bells.
Next 5 games are huge for our season, realistically we could be sitting in the Top 5 with progress in the UEFA Cup banked.
26 Munster Mag // Nov 6, 2012 at 3:48 PM
Quasi, I think you have to distinguish between being critical and being overtly negative. I have openly criticised aspects of our play this season, and the lack of investment in the summer. I was poo pooed but I was totally correct on the lack of proper funding. I hope and expect this to be addressed in jan. If you call this negativity I dont really care. Similarly, I think Liverpool and Brom were noticeably better than us in terms of control and chances, but we did well points wise. I still think its fair to criticise those performances without being “negative” . People need to distinguish between fair criticism and negativity. I’ve been a Pardew fan since kick off. The thing I have been most consistently critical of was NUFC’s withholding of funds for players needed, given that prices quoted were not silly. I think that will be addressed in Jan, but we will have lost half a season by then.
27 Munster Mag // Nov 6, 2012 at 3:52 PM
Special K, Pards has a problem with Ba and Cisse and guys like me and Billson have said this since the summer. It makes most sense to get Ba in there as the main man, but in doing so he loses the predatory skills and brilliant finishing skills of Cisse. If he messes with Ba, ba will walk. But Ba is the more important of the two IMO. In a perfect world for pards, teams would have 12 players, allowing him to play a Cisse and Ba, with Ben Arfa in behind, and the extra player playing on the wing instead of Ben Arfa!
28 Munster Mag // Nov 6, 2012 at 3:54 PM
Incidentally Quasi, when I highlight the positives of Fergie, Ameobi and Anita excellent performance in midfield, is that negative too, or just not positive?
29 Ian Toon // Nov 6, 2012 at 3:58 PM
Jesper- You know, the usual whingers are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. They would love to have a real moan but are constraining themselves largely because:
- were picking up points
- flashes of how we can play
- clear signs of better days around the corner
- our defence even with injuries has not resembled a tramps shoe
- they can’t enunciate a compelling argument
- there bogged down with team selection and formations and lose sight of the fact that were hard to beat
- bringing in a few prospects is not a panacea
to all our so called problems.
The travelling and home fans are far more attuned to where we are as a football club than a number of regular but largely clueless posters. It might be ok for fantasy football but not in the PL. Can anybody say honestly that they’ve been impressed with Man U’s consistency of performance. Defensively they
have looked weak – sometimes you just have to dig in and hope for better performances whilst picking up the points. It’s a funny old game. To avoid the negativity I recommend
a strict reading list.
Munster- your still on my list but your tilting towards the out tray. You give the distinct impression of having had a row with your wife/g/f/ boss/ staff/b/f – delete which is not applicable.
Munster- hang on in there 4-2-3-1 or variations thereof are just around the corner.
Jesper- I also look forward to stuffing fat Sam’s mob.
30 jesperfuglsang // Nov 6, 2012 at 4:05 PM
Ian…sorry mate I know I haven’t given you a reply today and you been so kind to answer me back twice
…and with some very good posts as well!
I’ll get back to you tonight I promise
31 Munster Mag // Nov 6, 2012 at 4:14 PM
Ian me old mucker, you’re very perceptive!
At the meoment we have regressed – not just from top 5 etc, but from where we were this time last year. Sorry to sound negative – just a statement of fact/opinion. I’m not saying we wont improve, although if I had a free bet , i would guess that we are not going to achieve the same heights as last year. Everton will probably take that slot. The annoying this is that the prem league is no great shakes. i am fairly confident we will improve, but it really needs to start happening soon. The consistently poor first half performances would be a good starting point. Yes, work is crap!!!
32 nufc_eire // Nov 6, 2012 at 4:17 PM
I think we should cash in on Ba, Tiote and Simpson this window. We’d get around 25-30m all in for them. Ba is stifling cisse and his wage demands are insane, tiote is becoming more and more of a liability with every game and simpson is one of our more weaker links and he contract is almost up
We could bring in the likes of Sissoko for Tiote, Debuchy for Simpson and Guidetti as a back up striker to Cisse. That would leave us with around 15m in change to buy a really good winger/second striker and a really good centre half like Douglas or Alderweireld if we want to splash the cash (I’d defo spend the extra 5 or so million to get Alderweireld – he looks savage).
We could play our 4-2-3-1 formation and maybe, just maybe, look balanced as a team and manage to dominate in a few games. Also the sooner Gutierrez gets dropped the better, he’s a good squad player at this stage
33 fray bentos // Nov 6, 2012 at 4:29 PM
no lets not get rid of Ba, Tiote and Simpson
lets try to have some stablility in players, also you may not have noticed but we are not blessed with a big squad
please don’t confused your copy of football manager with real life
ffs
34 Ketsbaia9 // Nov 6, 2012 at 4:47 PM
Yeah, Alderewerield is the man for us. He is the closest to Vertonghen. We need a goalscoring defender. Sign:
Alderewield
Sissokho
Boudebouz
Remy
Debuchy
Mbiwa
Konate
35 Ketsbaia9 // Nov 6, 2012 at 4:52 PM
Sell:
Williamson
Simpson
Tavernier
Gosling
Simply not good enough.
36 BelfastMagpie // Nov 6, 2012 at 4:53 PM
I would sell Cisse,before I would sell Ba like.
I wouldnt want to lose any of them,but If I had to choose one to sell,It would be Cisse all day long.
37 toonarmydownsouth // Nov 6, 2012 at 4:54 PM
Nufc-eire
So you basically think were going to get £25 mil for tiote seeing as ba has a £7 mil clause which apparantly he gets half of if you believe what you read, which you clearly do seeing as no one his so called wage demands, and no one will pay for simmo when they can sign him on a free in the summer
Also this whole its ba’s fault cisse isnt sciring is b*llocks ba is bang in form and has every right to be starting up front cisse has shown no signs of form or even hard work this season abd what has ba done exactly to fall out of favour with the more fickle fans? Seem to overlook his huge contribution to our europa spot finsh last season not to mention iur league position this season nufc-eire
38 Ketsbaia9 // Nov 6, 2012 at 4:54 PM
We can afford to sell Tiote to fund the rest/
39 Ian Toon // Nov 6, 2012 at 4:59 PM
Jesper- promises promises. That’s what they all say-LOL
Munster- ” Me old mucker” Does that mean were friends! Does that mean I can be rude to you know-LOL
We don’t need to finish 5th to do as well as last season. Let me paint a picture. Let’s say that by season end we have say 4 of the so called prospects eg Campbell Fergi, Sami and. Bigi pushing for and appearing as regular members of PL team/ squad then as a team we will have progressed. Looking at the bigger picture the fine tuning through a few key signings over next two windows . This will enable Pardew to play a more fluid passing game. It’s evolution not revolution. I am sorry that work is difficult but always focus on that you just know will make you feel just great. Like picturing Fat Sam’s ugly face when he winces for the umpteenth time as we performat our seasons best. Do not entertain any feelings of negativity between now and the final whistle. See your feeling better already. Well me old mucker- I’ll have to google because I have this currently as a term of endearment but Munster ……………!!!m. Mm
40 nimo // Nov 6, 2012 at 4:59 PM
the one thing cisse isn’t in my opinion is a finisher … always though he’s struggled if given time t think.. still a quality player n more a scorer of wonder goals rather than good finishes
41 Ian Toon // Nov 6, 2012 at 5:14 PM
nimo- Cisse is an instinctive finisher. I read on here earlier a very good point by someone making a case for the inclusion of Fergi if only to improve early delivery to Ba/ Cisse. We’re on the right track with Cabaye playing a much higher line along with HBA although Ba/Cisse have a reputation for being clinical finishers it would be great to create a lot more in final third. Tiote when not trying to destroy all and sundry powers forward in a manner to energise the team going forward. I see Anita – who’s a highly intelligent player as the perfect counterbalance.
42 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Nov 6, 2012 at 5:24 PM
Hello Ian, How’s tricks?
You seem extremely upbeat about the West Ham game this weekend (good man). Should be an interesting game and it’s one I am looking forward to. I do think, if on form, they could cause our defense an issue or two, however, Steven Taylors performance re-assured me the other day as he seems to be showing that warrior spirit again that we saw at the beginning of last season.
With our midfield and attack you just know as and when they click the results will be devastating. It doesn’t really take much to win a game if you’re solid as a team, which I truly believe we are (2 losses so far whilst playing supposedly poor quality football), so one or two converted moments of brilliance will do….would love to smash them though….not that I would take any joy at seeing Fat Sam getting more and more wound up
43 Ketsbaia9 // Nov 6, 2012 at 5:27 PM
Check the goals scored by Cisse on Youtube. Most of them are scored from within the box. He’s a goal poacher. We need that extra striker to play with Ba and Cisse.
44 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Nov 6, 2012 at 5:39 PM
Kets…..Are you suggesting a new striker to partner Cisse and Ba separately or to play three strikers?
I am not going to claim to be an expert on the type of goals he scores, as I’ve only seen what he did for us and that amazing header for Senegal (Howay Cisse, you’re supposed to save the glory goals for the toon), but from what I have seen he seems to score a variety of goals, but most of them he doesn’t really create them himself (if that makes sense). Basically, he can put it away from almost anywhere, but doesn’t generally create the opportunity himself (other than getting in to the right position). That isn’t meant to sound as a criticism, as it is definitely not.
One thing I will say is, whilst his demeanor is positive and happy, his work rate has been fairly poor this season. Doesn’t seem to have any effective chase in him, almost half arsed.
Saying that, he has had a few decent enough opportunities, not just the penalty and if he was in the same form as last season, he could easily have 4 or 5 goals now.
Doubt there is any major issue behind it, another case of give it time imo.
As for selling Ba, if that is your opinion, please follow the following instructions.
1) Step outside
2) Take in a deep breath of fresh air
3) Re-think your opinion. If you’ve changed your mind, don’t read on. If not, please go to step 4.
4) Find a wall, bang your head off it.
5) Try step 3 again. Still not changed your mind? Go to step 6.
6) Stop thinking you know anything about football, Ba is a huge if not the most important factor in where we are now and where we finished last season. Football isn’t all about goals, but without his we would have been in the proverbial sh*tt*r. May I suggest a simpler sport, say bowling?
45 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Nov 6, 2012 at 5:40 PM
Kets…My apologies, didn’t really think that through. The Ba comment wasn’t at you, should have specified. You get enough stick without my latest outburst.
46 Ian Toon // Nov 6, 2012 at 5:41 PM
Ibiza- me old ….. I mean mucker. I am extremely buoyant I have been dipping in and out and sorely missed your cheery posts. I was beginning to believe the rumours of you running off with a Saudi millionairess. Enough of this tomfoolery!! I am afraid when it comes to Mr Allardyce I often let my heart rule my head. I once had the misfortune to be lectured by him along the lines of ” what do you college boys know about the real world of Premiership football” He was right at the time but it was done in a really patronising ignorant way. He was tetchy about criticism of his tactics against Stoke but I felt justified when he was sacked a few days later. He is not my type of manager or man. Delighted by your positivity I can feel it coursing through my veins. Good to engage with you and it’s always good to reinforce the view that were on the same page .
Jesper- where are you Jesper …..erer!!!!
47 Tsunki // Nov 6, 2012 at 5:43 PM
Ketsy – no, we dont need a goalscoring defender we need ones that stay put and do their job well. Santon and simmo are types that like to push on, which is why midfielders are pulled backwards and forwards all game, and also why we rarely play out from the back, because there is usually nobody there by the time tim has his hands on the ball.
I think Cabs being more forward was a positive development, and also HBA still not shy about taking men on, which is why he supplied the goal lets not forget. I agree that Pards needs to get Cabs and Hatem into a game plan together. HBA needs linkup and he’s getting none of it.
48 Ian Toon // Nov 6, 2012 at 5:46 PM
Ibiza- still working but great to have you back on board and to know the blogs in safe hands. Word has come through from Ed that yet again( for October) you were the most read blogger.
Jesper- your an absolute disgrace going off duty before being officially replaced.
49 Ketsbaia9 // Nov 6, 2012 at 5:49 PM
We don’t need to sell Ba or Cisse. We can get in a striker like Loic Remy to partner Ba and Cisse in a 4-3-3. Whoever’s performing the worst should not be selected for the starting 11.
Every team need 4 world class strikers. We only have 2. We need to sort the midfield out by signing Boudebouz and Sissokho for £5m. Cabaye and Gutierrez need to be dropped if they aren’t performing to their capabilities.
Debuchy will replace Simpson, however, we should have signed either Debuchy or Cissokho last summer.
Alderereweild is the player who we need the most. I’d splash out £8m on him.
50 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Nov 6, 2012 at 5:52 PM
Ian…I think you may have confused an m with an f there, but perhaps not?
Okay, okay, back to business….
On a personal note, I am getting slightly depressed by these assumptions being made in my absence, mainly as they are often far better than the reality of my life…oh well. I suppose it’s a small blessing, if I had a millionairess in tow I could be tempted in to getting her invested in Newcastle and seeing as how I struggle with Newcastle life within this blog, that would surely be the death of me.
Anyway, back to business (deja vu…)….I’ve never been a fan of Sam Allardyce. Has done reasonably well at a certain type of club, delighted that isn’t ours. A lot of people have been saying we’re the new stoke with our hoofball of late and maybe I’m being biased (god forbid), but I just don’t see it that way. Yes, we’ve smaked a lot of wondering balls this season (maybe the most in the PL if you believe the papers – think it was the daily mail), the difference is that isn’t our one and only route.
Still have lots of patience for Pardew and what he’s trying to do, would like to see less of these long balls however. If we were managing to put a few in the back of the net it would be one thing, but it seems purely a defensive reaction, which ultimately isn’t very positive.
51 hallelujah..john tudor john tudor // Nov 6, 2012 at 5:53 PM
kets is right, we do need a defender who can chip in with a few goals, in fact he is spot on
52 nufc_eire // Nov 6, 2012 at 5:56 PM
Fray bentos & TADS
The fact that we have a small squad means that eventually we are going to have to sell one or more of our big names so that we can replace them with 2-3 players and then increase the size of our squad, the same principle that Everton have been working under for the last few years. Out of all our big names Tiote seems like the most logical option (to me anyway) and should fetch anywhere between 15-18m. He is a very good player but out of all our stars he would be the easiest to replace (Sissoko) and still make a very good profit so we can buy another player for more problematic position (RB,CB, Winger).
Simpson will either be sold in January or leave for nothing in the summer so we should cash in now. Again he is a good player, we could get roughly 3m for him and we can replace him with little extra expense (Debuchy).
In regards Ba, I agree he is the in form striker at the minute and is playing at a far higher level than Cisse at the moment. But I don’t think many people would argue that trying to accommodate both into the first team is not working and with the finances we have we cant afford to carry players on high wages. So because of his wage demands and reported dodgy knee he gets the nod over Cisse for me
I’m all for trying to keep cohesion in the squad and selling the three at once could unsettle everyone else. But if we keep Simpson we will lose him for the summer, we’ll at least lose Tiote for january and prob more the way he has begun the season and Ba will prob engineer a move away due looking for one last payday. So it makes sense to sell all three now and snap up players for minimal fees in January instead of trying to compete with bigger clubs for free transfers of clubs offering much more wages (which we couldn’t do at all this summer, Hoillet to QPR is a good example of that)
Also I dont think we’ve played well this season simply because we our first team is unbalanced up front. Ba put in a far bigger shift on the left wing than Cisse does (which could be a good argument fro selling Cisse rather than Ba) which is prob why the 4-3-3 worked so well last season. If we bring in a good winger/second striker for the money we get from Ba then we will be a lot more balanced and I think we will start to control games a lot more. Add a young up and coming striker into the mix as back up to Cisse, even on loan till the summer, and we have far more depth than when we started the summer with. I think our league position will drop fairly rapidly if we dont at least drop one of Ba/Cisse and put a winger on in their stead
53 Toon Tang // Nov 6, 2012 at 5:57 PM
we could have won yesterday if we hadnt come out in the 2nd and just tried to defend the one goal lead like we always do. does pardew tell the players to just sit and defend or is that the team doing that ??? i would love to know
ps . the picture for mature dating site is putting me right off my sunday roast
54 9 // Nov 6, 2012 at 5:59 PM
I would say Ba is almost certain to go in January, but then I thought he was almost certain to go in the summer; but he wasn’t scoring, then, and is scoring, now. £7m!!! Of course he’ll go, and, sadly, NUFC get very little of that £7m. The only way we can keep him, our virtually sole goal scorer, is by giving him a contract which offers him so much money it’s worth his while to sign it. That’s what I assumed our owner had done in the summer, but this £7m clause is supposedly still in force, so he obviously didn’t bung him the £3m it would take to remove the incentive to keep that. I believe he’s on a (relatively!!) modest basic, plus appearance money, very sensible given the knee worry. I don’t think the knee worry is much of an issue now. Ba must be attractive to any Premier League team that want a goalscorer (just the 19 minus the two Mancs, then) and is prepared to offer bigger wages than we do.
As our current owner isn’t a moron, unlike the last one, we are vulnerable in this respect, and will be so until reality kicks in to the rest of the club owners – sooner than you might think, I believe. In the meanwhile, bing Ba £3m or lose him.
55 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Nov 6, 2012 at 6:00 PM
Tsunki….Simpson? Type to push on? Are you going for the opposite of your normal blog killing ways? I expect a tidal wave of posts coming your way soon….
Kets….Sorry, but you don’t appear to have answered my question. You seem to say that all three would spearhead a 4-3-3, but then say whoever isn’t performing shouldn’t make the starting 11, would that mean only two normally start or play all three, then when one doesn’t, bench them?
Overall, you are right. Better quality and competition will move us on. However, there is a small situation of cost and time. I believe we are heading in the right direction, albeit at Mikes pace. Would you agree?
I personally though Cabaye had a good game the other day and let’s be thankful he was playing on the day, he was pretty important for the final result.
On Guti, I can see the argument for him not playing LW, I really do, I don’t think he’s anywhere near as bad as some are making out though. If we had ready made and proved quality that could wipe the floor with most PL teams then fine, but we don’t yet, so his work rate is invaluable to us imo.
56 Ketsbaia9 // Nov 6, 2012 at 6:02 PM
If we sign Sissokho, we’ll no longer need Tiote as we have Anita and Abied who can do an equally competent job. Boudebouz will allow Ben Arfa to move to left wing, then we’ll have Marveaux, Gutierrez, Ferguson and Obertan fighting for places. Marveaux can also play as a playmaker.
57 9 // Nov 6, 2012 at 6:03 PM
And Tiote is losing transfer vakue with every yellow (never mind red) card, which he seems totally incapable of stopping getting. You can totally forget your £18-20m, totally.
58 eaststandgeordie1982 // Nov 6, 2012 at 6:05 PM
Alreet lads whats the crack then, who we buying, selling and whis in charge of the bloody blog??
59 eaststandgeordie1982 // Nov 6, 2012 at 6:06 PM
Alreet lads whats the crack then, who we buying, selling and whos in charge of the bloody blog??
60 archaeomag // Nov 6, 2012 at 6:09 PM
@Toon Tang
The hideous big blonde women who looks as if she is about to flash her pants?
How desperate do they think we are?
Don’t mind the buy yourself a foreign bride ads, quite tasteful.
61 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Nov 6, 2012 at 6:11 PM
nufc_eire….A couple of points.
Ba – He was sure to go in the summer as well remember? Sure he’s scoring more goals again which will perhaps make him more of an attractive purchase now, but I would say it’s far from a forgone conclusion.
Simpson – I would highly doubt we’ll get £3m for him in January. If he’s leaving he will know he can negotiate a better wages deal if he is on a free transfer in the summer, why would he accept the sale in January? I would imagine any deal in January will be for a reduced sum (guessing £1.5m, not sure why) which would allow more for the purchasing club to offer him personally to lure him away earlier.
Tiote – I find him really hare to value. Before this season, i would of happily said he’s somewhere between £15-25m. Now that the Carroll saga is long behind us, my valuations of our players has become shall we say somewhat more realistic. I still rate him extremely highly, I’m just not so sure on how other clubs value him these days. He does pick up silly cards and suspensions and that surely is a big factor when looking to spend £15m+ on a player? Not so bad for us, we picked him up for £3.5m, that was a no brainer really.
I’m also not sold on the fact we need to sell in order to buy. I know it has been loosely mentioned by the club, but I think that’s more to keep selling clubs in check. If they don’t think we have money we’re willing to spend, they in theory wont be so greedy (don’t read too much in to my use of the word greedy, perhaps we’re cheap and they’re realistic in their valuations, but you get my point I hope). I do believe we were looking to buy in the summer and it wasn’t a question of us not selling anyone. I expect new players in January and whilst there may be outgoing, I don’t think it’s on the cards so to speak.
Toon_Tang…It’s Tuesday, seems you have bigger issues mate.
62 toonarmydownsouth // Nov 6, 2012 at 6:13 PM
Nufc-eire
Dont buy into this we have to sell before we buy at all theres been no evidence of this
Simmo will no way go to a club for £3 mil when they can sign him on a pre contract no chance
The arguement of who’s better on the wing between ba and cisse is stupid neither shoukd be thats why we have wingers and we have enough games to rotate the pair
Ba is not on huge wages and if he was trying to hold the club to ransome you can bet your life he would of been turfed out in the summer but once again another window comes closer and all of a sudden he’s looking for one last pay day(@27!)
Theres no eveidence anywhere to back up this “mercenary” tag he’s picked up
Also tiote wont go weve turned down huge offers for him dont see why we’d accept one now
63 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Nov 6, 2012 at 6:13 PM
eaststand….I suggest you consult kets for answers to those questions.
64 wreker16 // Nov 6, 2012 at 6:14 PM
Kets
I agree sissoko would be a great signing but I don’t know if he is a break up the play (tiote style) player which is what we probably need. Also I’m sure Ben Arfa prefers the right side to the left, think I read that somewhere.
Finally as your list of players to sign is never gonna happen, I would like it to but lets be real, if you can only sign 3 players, who would you get?
Anyone else please feel free to suggest the three
65 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Nov 6, 2012 at 6:15 PM
tads….P*ss off with your opinions. You clearly don’t have a clue.
66 BelfastMagpie // Nov 6, 2012 at 6:16 PM
Ibiza go and play on the train tracks..
67 toonarmydownsouth // Nov 6, 2012 at 6:17 PM
Ibiza/ashton the 2nd
Im sorry i just wanted to be like you
68 archaeomag // Nov 6, 2012 at 6:19 PM
@Ibiza
Have to agree about valuations
A lot of shopping and buying goes on this blog; I think FIFA ‘s got a lot to answer for . .
69 9 // Nov 6, 2012 at 6:19 PM
tads: “Weve turned down huge offers” for Tiote??
Are you sure?………..
70 wreker16 // Nov 6, 2012 at 6:21 PM
Archaomag
Haha, talking about transfers is possibly the best thing to talk about though IMO
71 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Nov 6, 2012 at 6:22 PM
Wreker….I’m not really that clued in with prospects etc, so I’m sure my list is probably a little obvious and based on players we’ve been linked with in the past and could certainly find better options (Carr, this is where you come in). For me, it’s more about which three positions and at what level (Starter, bench or prospect). I’d say something along the lines of:
RB – Debuchy looks a ready made option.
ST – Young, but older and more PL ready than Campbell. Quick and tricky. Personally, I would have liked Shane Long, but that’s me and that boat has sailed.
Third one I’m stuck on. Probably a CB, but we do seem to need a winger than can efficiently perform that role. Guti is now a DM, Ferguson whilst looking a real talent and can deliver a wicked ball, for me, isn’t quite ready for week in, week out games. I had hoped Marveaux was that man, but something seems up at the minute, hopefully temporary, so i’ll go for a CB.
Not helpful with names there. So I guess I failed that one.
72 archaeomag // Nov 6, 2012 at 6:25 PM
@wreker16
Very true, not enough real football -We talk about stories made up by the media, and then get disappointed when they turn out not to be true – then we blame the club for letting us down.
73 toonarmydownsouth // Nov 6, 2012 at 6:25 PM
9
Theres been numerous reports that we turned down a couple of big bids from chelsea and pretty sure the club even said they recieved a deadline day bid for tiote from chelski and tiote said he wasn’t intrested
74 9 // Nov 6, 2012 at 6:25 PM
nb Debuchy is also a missed boat, now.
75 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Nov 6, 2012 at 6:27 PM
tads….Are you calling me the poor mans Ashton? Oh the shame.
Belfast…I will, but this time make sure a train hits me. Getting a bit boring like.
Archaeomag…..At the end of the day it’s a game and a pretty good one. I think the more realistic they try and make it, the more the gamers think they really know. I am happy to say that my gaming on Fifa hasn’t changed my opinions too much, I don’t for one second think that it’s realistic to have won two league titles and the CL within two season at Newcastle or maybe I just don’t realise my own potential?
76 9 // Nov 6, 2012 at 6:28 PM
tads: Thanks for that, if you’re right. I don’t believe the club have stated they received any firm offer at all
77 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Nov 6, 2012 at 6:29 PM
tads…I remember hearing about Tiote turning down a move to Chelsea too.
9…Regarding Debuchy, how come?
78 eaststandgeordie1982 // Nov 6, 2012 at 6:29 PM
Ibiza i should have know he was the one to ask, anyway ive just bought a nice shed for my pitch forks ready for jan should be a month full of fun.
79 jesperfuglsang // Nov 6, 2012 at 6:30 PM
So Ian…if you are out there what was it we were talking about earlieer today?
…I know I mentioned something about those who are not performing should be benched and that to some extend I do think Pardew have been a bit to kind on some andless towards others
I mentionen that with our current state of injuries and suspentions maybe something was about to change or should change
So did you encount some neggars today or was that last post directed at me somehow?
lol
Most people on here are not neggars I think – there are always some and there are those with rose tinted glases – but most here a well balanced.
Constructive criticism is healthy if you ask me and every once in a while everyone should stop up, take a step back and have another look at it all. Try to see things from another perspective
It is the ‘kill your darling’ approach we have talked about before
sometimes others ideas are just better and sometimes we cannot see the forrest because of the trees 
if you get my drift… lol
80 jesperfuglsang // Nov 6, 2012 at 6:31 PM
…okay I just said a whole lot of things there without making one point
Questions anyone? lol
81 archaeomag // Nov 6, 2012 at 6:31 PM
@Ibiza
Never played – so I’m in awe of skill – you can manage any virtual team that I may choose own.
82 toonarmydownsouth // Nov 6, 2012 at 6:31 PM
9
I know there were alot of reports about turning down bids and pretty sure pards said something about Chelsea enquring about tiote and tiote not bieng intrested either way the original point bieng he’s in no way a dead cert to go ppl have been sayying that for 3 bloody windows now!
83 9 // Nov 6, 2012 at 6:35 PM
Debuchy: Lille offered him a better contract and he signed it. This means we have to bid higher than before to get him. Plus, he’s now 27..the witching hour has passed. I believe he truly wanted to join us but the Lille president over priced him. It may be the Lille president will now accept a lower offer to avoid paying the extra wages – after all, he did sign a replacement when he thought he could count on us paying any amount he dreamed up -but I think we had our chance and it’s gone.
84 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Nov 6, 2012 at 6:36 PM
Jesper…I’ve contacted Guiness and they’re undertaking your smiley count….could be in for a world record mate!
Eaststand…You should have let me know. I could have got you quite the deal with my discount on fence panels these days. I think I’m going to skip January all together. Just look in February and see where we are with incomings / outgoings. Far too stressful otherwise.
85 archaeomag // Nov 6, 2012 at 6:38 PM
@jesperfuglsang
I think Pardew’s style is about continuity and team play; I think he prefers to field the same team – everybody know their job.
Injuries will give the fringe players a chance.
86 9 // Nov 6, 2012 at 6:38 PM
tads: I recall Pards talking about “interest” – completely not “turning down a huge bid” much less “turning down huge bids” in the plural. I think you may have over-egged it, mate.
87 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Nov 6, 2012 at 6:39 PM
archaeomag…Cheers. It’s nice to be appreciated.
9….I’m far from saying it’s a dead deal, you make some valid points, but far from conclusive. I guess we’ll see. Who would you chose if it is in fact a missed opportunity?
88 jesperfuglsang // Nov 6, 2012 at 6:40 PM
Ibiza…7 and they are not all identical
lol (what was her name again who use to get on your bag for your use of smiley’s? she would have had a field day with me)
89 toonarmydownsouth // Nov 6, 2012 at 6:41 PM
9
Never said pards said about the bid said the club did
Some reported it was said at one of these diner evenings never said it was gospel
Also when did debuchy sign a new contract? I know he was offered one but didnt think he sigbed it and ed put an article up earlier with an interview saying he was still looking to move
90 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Nov 6, 2012 at 6:46 PM
Jesper….BandB was the posters name and I imagine, if reading, BandB may be currently in the middle of a heart attack. I hope you’re proud.
P.S. We’ve moved on, come join us
91 9 // Nov 6, 2012 at 6:52 PM
re Debuchy:
tads, he has signed a 3 year contract. Rats.
Ibiza- I really wanted us to sign him, I don’t know enough to know who we will sign when Simmo leaves in the summer, but I can bet with some certainty it will not be a player as good as Debuchy. Boo hoo.
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