Hatem Ben Arfa has been interviewed in the local papers today – and he’s hoping the European adventure will still be alive when he makes his long awaited return to the Newcastle first team.
Ben Arfa – in action against Liverpool
Ben Arfa has had a serious hamstring injury, and he’s been out almost three months, and has been a huge loss to the side, but the Frenchman still hopes to play in Europe for Newcastle this season, when he does make his return.
This is what he said in the local press today:
“The Europa League is still very important for us.” “If we qualify, it will be a very good thing for the club. I think we can go far in this cup, but the most important thing is the Premier League – we have to finish higher.”
The Evening Chronicle are reporting that Ben Arfa may be held back until next month – but that wouldn’ t be the first time Alan Pardew has put out false information about the fitness of the mercurial winger – and we’d hazard a guess he could start the game on Sunday against Southampton – whatever is said about his availability before the game.
Ben Arfa’s initial hamstring injury was picked up in the Europa League group game with Maritimo on November 22nd at St. James’ Park, Thanksgiving Day here in the states, and we could only draw 1-1 in a game we were expected to win.
And then he came back two and a half weeks later at Craven Cottage, but he only further aggravated the injury and he’s been on the sidelines ever since.
Ben Arfa is now back in training and as long as he comes through this week in training okay – we’ve got to believe he will be given a starting place on Sunday – and then three French players will be fresh for the game – Mathieu Debuchy, Yoan Gouffran – back from his shin injury, and Ben Arfa.
And Newcastle have to repay their fans on Sunday for one of our worst performances of the season at St. Mary’s when we went down 2-0 – but it could have been a lot worse than that – and the Saints are coming off a 3-1 home victory against Premier League Champions Manchester City – so they will not be short of confidence.
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64 comments so far
Marty-Toon
Feb 20, 2013 at 2:52 PM
Comment #41Hope to see him in the team on Sunday,he’ll be buzzing with the new signings.
Looking forward to seein him line up with Gouffran,Cabaye,Tiote,Marveau,Sissoko and Cisse
That’s a decent midfield and attack
9
Feb 20, 2013 at 3:23 PM
Comment #42valle@11
Out of your many assumptions (fair enough to make them) just cant understand Colo @£7.5m.
I don’t believe there is anybody, anywhere in the world, who would pay half that. Look at his age and, unfortunately, his recent condition, and let me know where you think the rush would come from to pay above £3m.
9
Feb 20, 2013 at 3:25 PM
Comment #43……..and Jonas @ £3.5m????
Transfer Sage
Feb 20, 2013 at 3:27 PM
Comment #449
I think you might get around the 5mil mark for colo at his age…but with his desire to return home it limits our options as the seller so probably wouldn’t even get that.
Jonas is over priced at 3.5 mil given his form for the past 18months or so.
Nufc-83
Feb 20, 2013 at 3:32 PM
Comment #45valle // Feb 20, 2013 at 12:37 PM
I was just taking a walk thinking about our future when looking at players we are linked with, and if true it could look pretty d*** good.
Offloading
Simpson free
Colo 7,5 mil
Jonas 3,5 mil
Williamson 2,5 mil
Obertan 3 mil
That would give us 17 mil
Let me give you an accurate valuation:
Simpson free
Colo (tough one as if he wants to leave for home and we let him it wil be for 4M max i would guess- if its for another team then why is he leaving???)
Jonas 2M
Williamson 1M
Obertan 1.5M
That is the best we could get imo
9
Feb 20, 2013 at 3:39 PM
Comment #46The more interesting question raised on here is next year’s HGP personnel: clearly some hard decisions needed: if Krul Elliot Saylor Raylor Willo and Perch are given (clearly far in advance of the kids, every one of them) that just leaves 2, if I understand the rules corrctly, which means bad news for most of the others listed, not one of whom have adnaced their cause this year, even Fergie has been exposed; Ranger is of, course, a given to be excluded, after that………..?
9
Feb 20, 2013 at 3:43 PM
Comment #47NUFC-83: Willo we need and if he gets sold it will be more than double your estimate. I’m not saying he’s great, by any means, and he will be a weakness in the squad until we have enough better CHs to exclude him: we’re not yet in that position, and it would take 2 more class CH signings to make it so, which won’t happen (Colo I assume is history, despite his curly hair).
9
Feb 20, 2013 at 3:59 PM
Comment #48tequilamag@13: You’ve set me thinking about HGP, assuming your figure of 17 foreigners is accurate, but I’m not at all sure it will definitely be 17. I agree your assumption Colo leaves and is replacement is foreign, but other than that can only find 14 others (and that assumes Bigi is one of them), as I don’t need Obertan Amalfitano Vuckic or Abeid in my 25. So I would toss whichever of these (so far) losers into the pot with the other (so far) inadequate HGP you list, making it a wider choice. I was all for Vuckic, but his injury-proneness seems permanent to me, so bye-bye, sadly. Obertan case to go is self-evident, and I have no information either way to keep Amalfitano and Abeid: I’m not saying they have to go, I’m just saying their case needs making and, so far, has not been.
Ian Toon
Feb 20, 2013 at 4:04 PM
Comment #49JFA– Good afternoon. As I can’t envisage the need to ever have to wire a two gang intermediate light switch it doesn’t seem like a good deal. However, should I ever have the need then I will know whom to contact. Your reaction suggests that I can’t be of help so maybe we should leave matters as they are. Feel free to engage if you so wish.
tequilamag
Feb 20, 2013 at 4:12 PM
Comment #509. I was basing my assumptions on the fact we currently have 14 named foreign players. Santon is classed as underage this season but will not be next. I arrived at 17 players as we are still looking abroad to recruit. but it is not set in stone, we may not buy anyone. Colo is the most likely to leave and I agree Amalfitano looks suspect as to whether he is worth keeping. If he could not get a game this season with the amount of injuries the is he really good enough? Abeid and Vuckic we still be underage players next season so for the purpose of squad numbers do not come into the equation yet. This link names the 14 foreign players we currently have named.
http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20130201/united-name-premier-league-squad_2281670_3061877?
Ian Toon
Feb 20, 2013 at 4:18 PM
Comment #51Tequila- Post banked up. I bet Lola gets the run of the house. Whatever Lola wants Lola gets. I wasn’t familiar with Lucherrs but I now know what they look like. Are they very bouncy and tend to bound about taking the owner for a walk. Can’t see them as a Labrador type guide dog either.
On the question of HGP surely the declared intention of recruitment below the 21 age cut off will muddy the waters. The Swiss CB is just the start if I have understood the vibes with a ruthless culling being scheduled. I would need to look in more detail at the outstanding term on existing contracts. As I said Gosling’s runs until 7/2014.
tequilamag
Feb 20, 2013 at 4:19 PM
Comment #52Ian if you ever have the need to wire a two gang intermediate wire switch can I suggest you give JFA a shout he seems to know his onions. Not the job for an amateur.
Ian Toon
Feb 20, 2013 at 4:25 PM
Comment #53Tequila— He would give me a substantial discount as well !!
9
Feb 20, 2013 at 4:28 PM
Comment #54tequila: Many thanks for helpful clarification. I had already included haidara and Santon in next year’s foreign crop, as indeed they will be due to age then, but had also included Bigi who is underage, so your figure of 17 is, as you agree, not set in stone at all. There is also the rest of the season yet to pan out which may help us (Gosling, possibly?) come to some conclusion. If Shola is still included as essential to the squad, it does still tighten things up for the young’uns.
Ian Toon
Feb 20, 2013 at 4:29 PM
Comment #55Tequila –Lurchers I mean . See there is a retrial in Price/ Huhne.
tequilamag
Feb 20, 2013 at 4:30 PM
Comment #56Ian, Lurchers area type of dog rather than a breed. Normally cross with a Greyhound or Wippet with usually a Terrier or Collie. Lola is Bull//Greyhound crossed with a Whippet. Ideal for Hunting though this was not the reason I got Lola. Having said that she likes nothing better than chasing bunnies and has an obsession with Squirrels.
I was aware Gosling had only a year left on his contract which is one of the reasons I was OK with letting him go in the Summer rather than running his contract down. I will Keep an open mind on the subject though, the fact Pardew has taken him to the Ukraine gane suggests he does rate his abilities.
tequilamag
Feb 20, 2013 at 4:36 PM
Comment #57Ian. Huhne is arrogance personified will not be sorry to see him do 6 months.
9, the squad should be a hell of a lot stronger next year. Bigi Abeid Vuckic and Campbell as underage players gives us a hell of a lot of options. I agree with TS that we need to be organising some loan deals or the young players development will be seriously put back.
yo-yo
Feb 20, 2013 at 4:38 PM
Comment #58Ian
Do not underestimate your future needs in terms of electrical wiring. I never did any electrics till I did up my first house.
Intermediate light switches are slightly more complicated as you use a two way cable. It is a generous offer from JfA.
Ian Toon
Feb 20, 2013 at 4:45 PM
Comment #59Yo-Yo – Good advice . I wonder how long I would have to take up the offer !
9
Feb 20, 2013 at 4:46 PM
Comment #60Can anybody work out what has happened/not happened/is happening with the Academy Accreditisation issue? I was convinced we had failed to make the grade, then read that it wasn’t set in stone yet – or was that just b******t from some Club spinner? It is clearly of fundamental importance, long-term, we get top grade status. Any clues?
tequilamag
Feb 20, 2013 at 4:51 PM
Comment #619 no idea on that one mate.
Tsunki
Feb 20, 2013 at 4:55 PM
Comment #62Ian Toon @49 – you might not now, but when you do you will be sorry.
toonicle
Feb 20, 2013 at 4:56 PM
Comment #63Let’s hope so, Ben Arfa and Gouffran on either side of Cisse should see Southampton off pretty well. What a front line!
Corny74
Feb 20, 2013 at 7:59 PM
Comment #64If HBA is fit….he starts.