There’s a bit of a love fest that’s been going on between a certain French maestro – Hatem Ben Arfa at Newcastle – and the Geordie fans, and it seems the admiration goes both ways.
Hatem Ben Arfa against Liverpool
Ever since he first arrived at Newcastle from Marseilles, when he took a secret visit to Newcastle to try to push through a loan move, there’s been a mutual admiration society formed between the French wizard and the Newcastle fans.
And this is what the French international told the Independent today:
“I feel very happy in Newcastle, I feel welcome, I feel loved here. I love the city. I love it when the fans come to meet me,” “This is the most confident I have been given in my career and I want to do well for the club and the fans.”
“I have realized that it is 30 percent talent and the rest is hard work. Here in the Premier League you have to be very strong first. After that you can play.” “You’re in hospital and in pain, and you see football on the television – it is very difficult.”
“But I learned from it as well.” “I think there is a reason I had that experience, maybe to learn more. I am happy to have had that experience today – but not then. I can be philosophical about it now.”
“Against Liverpool, in the first 30 minutes, I lost every ball. When I was younger, if that had happened after 30 minutes, I would have lost confidence. Now, I keep going, it is my responsibility.”
And when Ben Arfa first arrived at Newcastle, he knew all about the club and it’s great history, and all about the Geordie fans, and he made it very clear he wanted to play in front of those fans at St. James’ Park.
And it seems one of the reasons the French international has been in such sparkling form for Newcastle since he arrived on the banks of the River Tyne, is that he is inspired by the fans – who just love the lad.
It’s a match made in heaven – and long may it continue.
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196 comments so far
Nufc-83
Dec 10, 2012 at 3:05 PM
Comment #81JFA we achieved the top status soon after as we made the changes to our system as soon as we did not get awarded it.
Rotonda heights
Dec 10, 2012 at 3:06 PM
Comment #8283
For all pardews patter I’m pretty sure that is exactly what it will be too. It has been all season and pardew is hardly the adventurous, progressive type. He’s hardly pro-active and sadly not even re-active, hence our league position.
It’s like he will keep doing it this way no matter what and then just blame injuries but he played exactly the same when cabs, Tiote and Benny were all in the team. I find it very difficult to believe anything Pardew says and it’s funny when he always says ”well to be honest” !
Blaydon-Toon
Dec 10, 2012 at 3:08 PM
Comment #83Would love this team tonight gk Krul RB Simmo CB Collo Perch lb Santon midfield HBA Mr t Anita Marv CF Ba Cisse
Jail for Ashley
Dec 10, 2012 at 3:09 PM
Comment #84Do you think
KRUL
Simpson Perch Collocini Santon
Anita Guti Tiote
HBA Ba Marv
Would work ?
Jail for Ashley
Dec 10, 2012 at 3:11 PM
Comment #85Rotonda,
Isn’t his saying and to be fair, not sure if he’s got the gall to use the word honest.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Dec 10, 2012 at 3:12 PM
Comment #86Jail. @84….100% yes. Maybe HBA and Marv slightly withdrawn. In fact, I think I posted the same earlier but with Willo instead of Perch, but I can be convinced either way on that one.
Mister Tuff
Dec 10, 2012 at 3:14 PM
Comment #87el comandante – that is not like you being convinced either way.
Jail for Ashley
Dec 10, 2012 at 3:15 PM
Comment #88Ibiza,
I’ve always stuck up for Willo but I think he needs to be brought out of the firing line his confidence seems shot to bits, but then again wasn’t it Perch and Collo who got tore to bits in the same fixture last year.
Nufc-83
Dec 10, 2012 at 3:17 PM
Comment #89This is totally off topic and nothing to do with newcastle just thought it may be interesting to football fans. This weekend i was in London for the Tingle creek meeting at sandown and i was with chelsea’s personal and lifestyle development coach. Basically he looks after the younger players and makes sure they are settling in ok etc. He said they have a young 15 or 16 year old french lad who he thinks will be one of the best players in the world he said they played Man u (think he was talking about u21s) and they were 3 0 down he come on and scored two and set up the 3rd. He said abramovich phoned him and said two questions: find out if his contract is watertight and when can we get him into the 1st team lol. He also said torres reckons Benitez is a good tachtician but a hates him as he has no man management skills. Apparently the place is terrible to work at with no atmosphere at all.
Anyway totally off topic i know.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Dec 10, 2012 at 3:18 PM
Comment #90Mister…You’ve caught me out 🙂 Can I change that to 90% then as I wouldn’t mind a 4-2-3-1 either?
Jail….Agree on Willo. Don’t have any bad feeling, he is what he is and tries. Perch at CB is hit and miss too, much prefer him in a CDM position that CB, but it’s not like we’re strong in that department.
toonarmydownsouth
Dec 10, 2012 at 3:18 PM
Comment #91JFA
Would lovd to see that team run out tonight!
Defo think fulham are there for the taking but we need to turn up from the off bit gutted hangelands back for them 🙁
HullMag6
Dec 10, 2012 at 3:19 PM
Comment #92How about a contraversial 5-2-3.
Krul
Santon
Willo
Collo
Perchinho
Fergie/Guru
Tiote
Anita
Ben 10
Marv
Ba
Blaydon-Toon
Dec 10, 2012 at 3:24 PM
Comment #93JFA I like that team also but very much doubt Pards will move away from 442 but if they have been working on a new system that would be great but to open for us away from home !
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Dec 10, 2012 at 3:25 PM
Comment #94Hull….Not sure we have enough of a complete squad to make that work well. I like the theory, just not sure what the result would be like with our personnel. A 5-2-3 takes a well drilled team imo, something we aren’t showing ourselves to be at the minute and I’d imagine it’d turn in to an ultra defensive line up with even less connecting our defense and attackers.
Nufc-83
Dec 10, 2012 at 3:27 PM
Comment #95I would agree ibiza. We dont have 2 decent cbs let alone having a formation where you need 3.
Transfer Sage
Dec 10, 2012 at 3:27 PM
Comment #96nufc83
any idea of that players name
looked at under 21 and under 18s for chelsea and they havent played man utd this season….could it be younger age or last season?
Nufc-83
Dec 10, 2012 at 3:29 PM
Comment #97Havnt got a clue but yes it could have been last season. He also taked about a dutch Cb that looks like ruud gullit who plays Cb and is about 18. Reckons he will be a top top player.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Dec 10, 2012 at 3:30 PM
Comment #9883….Yep, it seems a question of quality in the position, not sure adding more players to the mix solves it, it’d probably just work out worse. Not sure why, just a feeling. I imagine it would be like watching a monty python sketch.
jimiley
Dec 10, 2012 at 3:30 PM
Comment #99Jonas will show his true colours tonite. I fancy him to set up a couple of goals and score one himself. Three nil to the Toon. Simples.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Dec 10, 2012 at 3:33 PM
Comment #100Got to run. Catch you all later
Nufc-83
Dec 10, 2012 at 3:34 PM
Comment #101Lol sorry if that last post made little sense was distracted in work.
Big Pappa Cissé
Dec 10, 2012 at 3:39 PM
Comment #102Don’t know why but I have a good feeling about tonight for some reason
catchy in norway
Dec 10, 2012 at 3:51 PM
Comment #103it should be good tonight,,
his team will be
krul
ba, hba, jonas cisse
williamson simpson santon colo
jonas tiote
santon sitting deep, simpson play maker
mr T shooting on site
jonas blinded by his hair running in circles
to be fair on paper looks a good team
lmfao
HullMag6
Dec 10, 2012 at 3:56 PM
Comment #104Virgil van dijk ?
BelfastMagpie
Dec 10, 2012 at 4:04 PM
Comment #105Full bogey ground, If Berbatov turns up I dont see us getting anything.
I really hope Marveaux isn’t dropped for Jonas.
Nufc-83
Dec 10, 2012 at 4:17 PM
Comment #106Demba Ba to score in a 1-0 win @ 50/1
Decent bet that!!!
Mister Tuff
Dec 10, 2012 at 4:21 PM
Comment #107Transfer Sage -the name of the new Chelsea French schoolboy starlet is Jeremie Boga – game where he scored two was against Liverpool not Man U.
Nufc-83
Dec 10, 2012 at 4:23 PM
Comment #108Transfer ye that sounds like the one i had sank a few pints when i was chatting to him.
Novocastrian66
Dec 10, 2012 at 4:26 PM
Comment #109We owe Fulham after last season. Still find it hard to believe we lost never mind battered.
Magpies-till-d3ath
Dec 10, 2012 at 4:42 PM
Comment #110A win tonight would really lift the lads and get the confidence high going into Saturday’s game against a vulnerable City team! After what Young did to them yesterday, I really struggle to even imagine what HBA could do! 😉
Krul Blow
Dec 10, 2012 at 4:59 PM
Comment #111Can’t get vipbox.tv to work. Anyone got a link for tonight?
FatmanJoe
Dec 10, 2012 at 4:59 PM
Comment #112Just about to leave – for the first time ever I’m sitting in the neutral part of the ground at craven cottage. Does anyone know if that is predominantly toon fans I.e. Will I get attacked wearing my Newcastle top?
Krul Blow
Dec 10, 2012 at 5:00 PM
Comment #113vip box down. Anyone got a link for tonight?
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Dec 10, 2012 at 5:02 PM
Comment #114Krul…Take your pick
http://www.footballstreaming.info/streams/todays-links/
FatmanJoe
Dec 10, 2012 at 5:03 PM
Comment #115Actually while I’m here; same question for emirates on the 29th. Never been but heard it’s a better ground than ‘library’
Arsenal and fulham fans aren’t known to be viscous but probably best not to rule up the locals by cheering amongst them!
BelfastMagpie
Dec 10, 2012 at 5:06 PM
Comment #116It’s all so quiet…
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Dec 10, 2012 at 5:08 PM
Comment #117Fatman…Not a clue, but they’ll only be southern softies 😉
Belfast…Shhhh
Blaydon-Toon
Dec 10, 2012 at 5:08 PM
Comment #118Fat man let’s hope you have something to cheer 🙂 your safety is not my concern but hope you cheer the toon on to victory and survive to tells us all about it 🙂
BelfastMagpie
Dec 10, 2012 at 5:08 PM
Comment #119Stop posting illegal links ibiza, or I’ll report you to the blog police.
Graeme
Dec 10, 2012 at 5:09 PM
Comment #120Try http://www.thefirstrow.eu/
Usually pretty good, I have used it regularly