Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is lining up targets for the summer transfer market, in an attempt to improve a Liverpool side that has under-performed in the Premier League in recent seasons, and it looks like Newcastle’s Ben Arfa is on their radar screen.
Ben Arfa after scoring penalty against Spurs in first game of the season
The news is on the Spanish web site fichajes.net, and it’s that the Reds are looking to bid £20M for the French international winger.
But we wonder how much an attraction Liverpool would be for the Newcastle winger, as Newcastle seem to be putting together a top squad for an assault on the top four next season, after finishing 5th top last season and being decimated by injuries to star players this season.
But that seems to have been put right last month as owner Mike Ashley sanctioned £18M to be spent on bringing in Massadio Haidara, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Moussa Sissoko, Yoan Gouffran and Mathieu Debuchy and they already have played very well for the Newcastle first team – and there are several real bargains in there.
And that’s £2M less than Liverpool are reported to be ready to pay for just one of Newcastle’s players – so let it be said that Newcastle have made some tremendous buys in the last couple of years – fact.
Newcastle lost Demba Ba in January through his release clause of £7M, but with Sissoko and Gouffran coming in and already having a great understanding with Papiss Cisse, that hasn’t hurt the Newcastle attack too much – thankfully.
And in four league games since the French five arrived we have scored 10 goals - that’s’ an average of 2.5 goals per game – not too bad – and much better than our overall goals per game average of 38 goals in 27 league games – an average of only 1.4 goals scored per game.
PSG are also thought to be keen on the 25 year-old, and it seems certain that we’ll get bids in this summer for the mercurial winger and also for one of our other French Internationals – Yohan Cabaye – who have both proved they are top Premier League players at the Magpies.
But both these Frenchmen love it at Newcastle, and it will not have hurt things that Newcastle have bolstered their squad with another 5 Frenchmen last month – doubling the number of players from France now in the squad.
And don’t be surprised if Newcastle offer both Yohan Cabaye and Hatem Ben Arfa improved long term contracts to stay on Tyneside this summer – and don’t be surprised if both players are happy sign them.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook and +1 us on Google+:
You can also reach Ed at admin@nufcblog.com
=============================================
NUFC News 24/7
150 responses so far ↓
1 Toon Tang // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:46 PM
hahahahahahahahahahahahah
2 G // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:46 PM
They can’t afford him, we don’t need to sell him. Debate over.
3 Munster Mag // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:46 PM
Liverpool can officially go and kiss their own holes.
4 Munster Mag // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:48 PM
Incidentally, has anyone seen any Makems in Milan recently? Nope, didnt think so.
5 G // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:49 PM
Don’t think you ever will Munster, apparently you can’t get Cheesy Chips with Sunny Delight in Milan.
6 Toon Tang // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:49 PM
could you imagine our benni playing for them scouse shites. id sooner let glitter babysit me offspring
7 dannyboy // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:49 PM
on this article the only team ben arfa will leave for is PSG in the summer , but if Man U,chelsea or city came knocking and offered him triple salary and guaranteed trophys i think he would leave but NOT to liverpool !!
8 Dagwoodz // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:51 PM
Liverfools living up to the “bindipper” monniker…lovely. If we do sell HBA, it’ll be another lesson in good business, as much as I don’t want to lose him. But if another bid for 30+M comes in, I can’t see our club turning that down. Same thing with Cabs.
9 Dagwoodz // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:52 PM
Buy’em cheap, make others pay over the odds.
10 dannyboy // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:54 PM
lads i havent missed a game this season through the joys of illegal streaming
but im working this saturday and will miss it , i was going to do the old fashioned thing of turning of all media and mobiles to make sure i dont see any results and watch MOTD will intense excitement !
preferably id want to watch the full 90mins after the match is over as MOTD will only give us 5mins and even if we were featured in detail you dont get a true insight of the game.
can anyone help me and link me to websites that show you the full match once the game is over a few hours later??? cheers
11 Munster Mag // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:55 PM
G, whats Sunny Delight? A Makem delicacy ? Drink?
12 aidantoon // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:55 PM
Why would he leave us to go to Liverpool?
Yes they are a very famous club that has won loads but at this present time they are not a big attraction.
Wouldn’t sell him anyway as he is top class and not many better when he is in full flow.
13 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:55 PM
Ashley Out! Relegation Looms! Doom, gloom and disaster!
14 Dagwoodz // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:56 PM
@Ibiza,
Always the calm voice of reason on a whacky blog…
15 Munster Mag // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:56 PM
ToonTang, I’m laughing me arse off at that !
16 G // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:56 PM
Alledgedly it’s a fruit drink, made from oranges. A quick read of the ingredients and a quiet word with a chemist suggest it’s a bit like taking a swig from an ‘orange flavour’ car battery.
17 Munster Mag // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:58 PM
PSG might come in for him. I wouldnt begrudge him that if we gots plenty for him.
18 Jail for Ashley // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:58 PM
20M + AC might tempt the fatman.
19 check the toastie // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:58 PM
We could swap him for Suarez and and and and……… Oh no they only have one decent player, Suarez it is then…..
20 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:59 PM
Dag…I am here to serve
21 toonLYF // Feb 27, 2013 at 1:59 PM
hahahaha Liverpool are the most deluded team in the world. Followed by Sunderland and Southampton.
Must be a red and white thing.
22 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:01 PM
LYF…Indeed. You can add Stoke to that list as well.
23 jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:01 PM
Ibiza…I’ll probably have to watch my mouth then lol
How’s everything going in Ibiza?
24 Transfer Sage // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:01 PM
Rubbish Story.
If these papers cared to read anything they would know rodgers and the owners have specifically said they will follow a simialr model to us of buying younger players for a lower fee.
They splashed out 12mil for sturridge but for us to part with Ben Arfa would cost double that…he is highly valued at nufc.
25 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:03 PM
Jesper…Well it is a little cold, but still blue skies so I shall not complain. Apart from that I’m pretty busy, but still making some time to share my wisdom with the blog
Translation: wisdom = nonsense.
26 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:04 PM
TS…Are you sure it didn’t read that Liverpool will follow a similar model by buying our players from us at an inflated price?
27 DokToon // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:04 PM
being liverpool = being deluded and thinking you are actually relevant… horrid show…
28 Munster Mag // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:06 PM
20 mill plus carroll , so say about 30 mill. Thats not bad and miles above his real value. Wouldnt like to see it though.
29 G // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:08 PM
Can somebody remind me how many goals Andy Carroll has scored this season before we start discussing the merits of a swap deal?
30 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:08 PM
Dok…I can’t help but feel if they used paid actors for “being liverpool” it would be seen as a comedy show. Well, more of an obvious comedy show at the very least.
31 Transfer Sage // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:08 PM
Ibiza
No…definitely not. That was last years plan, they ran out of money so have given up with that.
32 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:09 PM
TS…Oh right, fair enough then. Shame really, it seemed to be working really well for us
33 toonLYF // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:09 PM
Ibiza…
yeah Stoke’s fans’ heads’ are in the clouds, just like the ball when their team tries to play football.
34 santonthenewmaldini // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:11 PM
Liverpool will end up losing Suarez in the summer which is going to send them into turmoil Guardiola wants him at Bayern and they will get him
I think Arfa will stay with us in the summer but if he had been 100% fit there may be lots of demand but because he is quite injury prone he is a high risk at 30 odd million
35 Transfer Sage // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:15 PM
santon new maldini
It helps that suarez’s agent is the brother of pep guardiola…..definitely off to Germany.
He will at the very least leave for champs league football to some club though, he couldn’t give a stuff about how full liverpool’s trophy cabinet is under the section ‘pre-premierleague’
36 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:16 PM
Anyone seen the article on SS about Ronaldo enjoying RMs success? If so, can you explain the toxic green spreading across his face?
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11833/8526728/Cristiano-Ronaldo-enjoying-Real-Madrid-s-successes-at-Barcelona
37 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:17 PM
LYF….Dangerous comment that one. Did you know that Newcastle have hit a larger amount of long ball…blah blah blah
38 jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:18 PM
Ibiza…I knew the translation
lol
Is you line of business busy all year long or is it seasonal?
39 ~ Phoenix Warrior Perch~ // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:20 PM
April Fool’s day is still just over a month away… this joke is a bit premature isn’t it?
40 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:22 PM
Jesper…It is deemed seasonal, but during the “off season” is when all the bookings and co-ordination takes place. The summer goes completely nuts, so it’s definitely the peak period for me. Been working on expanding this winter though, so I expect to be even busier from now, which is good (he says with an optimistic outlook).
41 WWYCD // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:24 PM
Not to pop any bubbles but this story keeps coming up because HBA mentioned Liverpool as a team he would leave us for not too long ago
42 Transfer Sage // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:24 PM
Ibiza
what do you do again? i forget
43 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:25 PM
he says whilst walking around with a pin and an evil look in his eye
“pop”
muhahaha
44 robin // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:26 PM
NUFC, tried to offload HBA, in january but he was injured so the move was put off until the summer. Do not delude yourselves that players will not be sold in the summer every player at the club has a price. My predictions are that Cabaye, Tiote and HBA, will be sold. Cabaye, would have gone last summer if Spurs had matched Ashleys valuation, the club has a plan that it will sell high and buy low and nothing will make Ashley deviate from that plan its made him a very wealthy man.
45 WWYCD // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:27 PM
“I am interested in Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool. Today, these clubs are above Newcastle,” Ben Arfa told BeIn Sport. “During the summer, there was contact with Chelsea. But I wanted to stay in Newcastle. When you’ve tasted England, it’s hard to go elsewhere. There is everything to make you happy here.” “Today, my goal is to stay in England,” he added. “Paris St. Germain, why not? This is the club of my dreams.”
This was in January
46 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:28 PM
TS…Spend my days discussing all things NUFC
Oh, you meant for work?
I own a high end property rental / management company in Ibiza which also offers a concierge service.
I do also have a company in the UK which deals with student rental properties, but that is outsourced now…thank god.
From time to time I also get involved in developments and refurbs etc.
47 jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:28 PM
Ibiza..yes I remember we agreed you would open an office in the Caribbean and me and my family would come and live with you
lol
48 WWYCD // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:29 PM
Ibiza
Haha ok ok my aim was to pop bubbles….I’m sorry
49 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:31 PM
“would have gone last summer if Spurs had matched Ashleys valuation”
No sh*t. You heard it from Robin first people, if a club matches our inflated valuations Ashley will sell.
50 Dagwoodz // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:33 PM
Robin, you make me smile with your mackem logic and negger attitude.
51 Ketsbaia9 // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:33 PM
We’re going to make a £30m double bid for Agger and Suarez in the summer.
52 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:33 PM
Jesper…Ah yes, to finally play out our pirates adventure
Yo…No you’re not sorry. But that’s okay, we all still love you anyway.
53 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:34 PM
Thats it Kets, show Robin how it’s done.
54 WWYCD // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:35 PM
Ibiza
Are u writing me a song there?
55 Dagwoodz // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:35 PM
I feel doubly blessed. Kets and Robin in the same discussion thread. Where’s Catchy when you need him?
56 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:36 PM
Yo…Well I wasn’t, but I can if you would like? It may get emotional and a bit embarrassing though.
57 brian kilclines pony tail // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:37 PM
i will use all of my dynamite on anfield if this happens
random but….
i have been thinking about llambias comments after signing the french players.
he stated that we accelerated plans by 6 months in order to bring the 5 players to st james park.
if these plans were accelerated what every happened to the money that was ear marked for last summers window?
the bloke makes money vanish better than a magician.
you see it?…..now its gone
58 WWYCD // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:40 PM
Ibiza
Aww shucks I wont embarrass u in public haha
59 Pardews Parsnip Bonce // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:40 PM
@robin nufc has not made ashley rich. you sir are not living in the real world. pull your head out of your arse to have a look around once in a while and you’ll see everything outside isn’t quite as covered in shit as the inside
60 Transfer Sage // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:40 PM
Ibiza
Oh yeh…top property tycoon…that rings a bell. Keep expanding and try to buy the club? haha
WWYCD
He also said he would only leave if his ambition couldn’t be met at newcastle then went on to say the signings we were making (only debuchy at the time) we matching ambition.
Can’t find that article now but it did exist haha.
61 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:40 PM
Yo…I’d never be embarrassed, I was thinking of you
62 Ketsbaia9 // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:41 PM
Can see Man Utd making a loan offer for Perch in the summer.
63 Transfer Sage // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:42 PM
ppb
you are forgetting Ashley sells all our players for big money like Caroll for 35mil and ….errrm…no just the one.
64 toonLYF // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:42 PM
Kets i love you!
65 Pushy Pardew // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:43 PM
TS
Hi matey. I have noted that your a
curious sort of fella. Always asking
what people do! Like Ian Toon who
clearly is a private cool dude just like
my recently acquired business
partner Ibiza. I think you should
judge on the quality of the input.
Ibiza is well educated and thinks on
his feet
66 Spreadthetoon // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:43 PM
Ed
Don’t believe this lazy journo rubbish! It only serves to feed the trolls and the mackems in their frenzy! But it does make me smile none the less with this nonsense. HBA ain’t going no where unless its for silly money and £40m barely scratches the barrel! This kid is better than Bale…..I’m tellin’ ya. I think its more likely for the board to be re-negotiating and extending his contract as we speak that this “hos” aka heap of ………
67 Ketsbaia9 // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:44 PM
They’re in dire need of midfielders, so I can see them going in for Perch. Perch wont be needed next season.
68 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:45 PM
TS…I would say I’m a long way off of that. I’ll check my sofa though and see if a few hundred million has fallen in there…you know, loose change
PPB….Not great advice there tbh. It could be argued that if you’re based in Sunderland it would be a lot less shitty with ones head up ones backside that out in the “real world”.
69 Pardews Parsnip Bonce // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:47 PM
@ibiza and ts good points! i wasn’t thinking
70 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:47 PM
Pushy….How the hell did you manage to get your post to come out like that?
Let me try.
ahjskjkskjldsk
sghklsjksdhkjd
jghhskjasisdioj
ygsklmsijdsde
Don’t worry if that makes no sense, just testing
Actually, I should say, it that makes sense, then worry.
71 WWYCD // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:48 PM
Sage
He did aye but who knows what he meant by that, he was opening the door whatever way u look at it imo come summer if he wants off he’ll go
Ibiza
Haha well I am easily embarrassed and I imagine ur sweet words would have me very red in the face
72 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:49 PM
Okay, well I’ve answered my own question so I’ll come up with a new one.
Pushy…Why did you format your post that way?
Rubbish aside, how’s things today? Have you made any contact with Ashley yet? I’ve started drawing pictures of flour and water soaked mackems to present to him…the project still feels like a winner.
73 Mister Tuff // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:49 PM
Santon – reference Suarez -I do not think he will be off to Bayern -he just signed an improved contract in August – to 2014. However he has been recently quoted as saying he would like further talks in June this year or next -to take him to 2018. He does appear to be sniffing about to get better wages but I think he’ll be staying.
74 WWYCD // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:50 PM
kets
Man Utd will never (and I mean ever) want James Perch…also Paul Scharner will never (and I mean ever) be wanted by NUFC sorry kidda time to join the adults table
75 dannyboy // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:50 PM
sorry repost
lads i havent missed a game this season through the joys of illegal streaming but im working this saturday and will miss it , i was going to do the old fashioned thing of turning of all media and mobiles to make sure i dont see any results and watch MOTD will intense excitement !
preferably id want to watch the full 90mins after the match is over as MOTD will only give us 5mins and even if we were featured in detail you dont get a true insight of the game.
can anyone help me and link me to websites that show you the full match once the game is over a few hours later??? cheers
76 jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:51 PM
Okay…I have to go and pick up junior
Talk to you guys later!
77 G // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:52 PM
dannyboy, I’d try the torrent download sites if I were you. I’ve done that before, but not for a while. Theyre’ usually there though.
78 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:53 PM
PPB…Me? Good point? Are you still not thinking?
Yo…Well I wouldn’t want to embarrass you, so I will shelf the song for now and perhaps work on an interpretive dance in your honour instead.
79 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:55 PM
Jesper..Take it easy mate.
Yo…Can he not stay at the kiddies table with me? On second thoughts, I’m pretty sure I don’t want to be someone associated with wanting to hang out with kiddies. Forget I said anything.
80 Transfer Sage // Feb 27, 2013 at 3:00 PM
wwycd
Oh yeh…I know he was touting himself a little. I don’t think liverpool would interest him greatly though…I think he would maybe wait another year to try and get a champs league club first anyway.
PPB
I am just curious…makes no difference to me what job people do. Just was curious about Ibiza…don’t know anyone who works there.
81 bzak12 // Feb 27, 2013 at 3:00 PM
Ibazatoon Talking of dances did you see Rebbeca doing the can can on Sunday. She certainly gets around!
82 WWYCD // Feb 27, 2013 at 3:00 PM
Ibiza
I am very excited for the dance not gonna lie! And no u ur influence on kets has clearly dragged him down
83 JAMSHA // Feb 27, 2013 at 3:02 PM
liverfool can have arfas shit for 21mil
84 WWYCD // Feb 27, 2013 at 3:03 PM
Sage
We’ll see mate hes got his own mind on how things should be though and no matter how much he says he has matured time is the biggest tell on that. I dont think its out of the question him going to Liverpool but Id be surprised if they had the money to match our price tag
85 winnynufc // Feb 27, 2013 at 3:03 PM
Now Fella’s,
I’m new to this site but ive been following it for ages!
As regard Benni going to Liverpool & Carroll coming the other way mmm dont think so!!!!! Why would he want to go they are a shadow off the team they where & living on past glories end of! I would rather have LUKAKU from Chelsea, if they sign another CF he is going to even more down the pecking order! Big, strong, quick knows where the goal is and only 19 or 20 & has experience of the PL no brainer for me HWTL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
86 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Feb 27, 2013 at 3:05 PM
bzak…Did I see it? Where do you think she learned those moves?
Yo…If I am being credited with Kets work all I have is an overwhelming feeling of pride!
Don’t get too excited about the dance, wouldn’t want you to build it up too much and be left disappointed. Funny, that’s similar to a chat up line of mine
87 sanchez // Feb 27, 2013 at 3:06 PM
I think he’ll stay if we can nick 10th position or higher. Without a shadow of a doubt.
If Spurs don’t implode again I can see them, not Liverpool, trying to lure him away from us should the rest of our season go tits up.
88 WWYCD // Feb 27, 2013 at 3:08 PM
Ibiza
So now ur using chat up lines on me? Think we are getting a little too comfortable here
89 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Feb 27, 2013 at 3:10 PM
Yo…I assure you there is nothing comfortable about my chat up lines or techniques. Anyway, I shall stop before Belfast accuses me of online grooming again.
Where is that tw@ these days?
90 Transfer Sage // Feb 27, 2013 at 3:13 PM
I’m not overly worried. I think Ben arfa is very talented but of you look at his ability which is surely equal to that of hazard and mata his assists and goal to game ratio is way below theirs and more importantly way below what he is capable of.
He should easily getting at least 10 of each a season.
He might now we have better players around him but isn’t the god some people paint him to be.
We’d struggle to find somebody as stylish and entertaining but we could easily find somebody to match how effectiveness.
Hate saying that as I love the guy, amazing to watch but a perennial under achiever
91 WWYCD // Feb 27, 2013 at 3:21 PM
Ibiza
Oh I can imagine u have stylish moves with the ladies of Ibiza. The only part of the ‘grooming’ comment that worries me is u said again :/
92 WWYCD // Feb 27, 2013 at 3:22 PM
Sage
Wow mate u just stuck ur head on the block?! Thats my trick haha ur gonna get some grief for that
93 check the toastie // Feb 27, 2013 at 3:27 PM
Lukaku is going to be one hell of a player, has everything the young lad, most of all the desire to be as good as he can be. Brilliant player for 19, why he hasnt been recalled to Chelski i will never know. Probaly dont want him poisoning by JT, Fat Frank and Cashley, Pricks.
94 Transfer Sage // Feb 27, 2013 at 3:29 PM
wwycd
Yeh I know I will but I think it’s a fair comment.
I think ben arfa is amazing in terms of his ability to beat people and his balance, agility, acceleration etc.
I just find it off that a player with that much ability somehow has never set the world on fire. He should be like hazard at least, if not mata or pushing up to messi really.
Hazard had a season of 20+ goals in france, benny never got near this in his time there.
I think if he can get everything to together and get a long run in the side (full season) then he is capable of something truly special….just yet to see it consistently from him.
95 BOOM BOOM THE 1ST // Feb 27, 2013 at 3:30 PM
Garbage story, who wouldnt want ben arfa if he were to leave us he will have far better offers than to go to that shower of clowns next story please.
96 santonthenewmaldini // Feb 27, 2013 at 3:36 PM
@Mister Tuff
We will see though as he has not really had a serious team come in for him if Bayern, Barcelona or Real Madrid come in for Suarez we will see how loyal he really is to the Rodgers project
On another note thought Carroll looked quite decent against Spurs caused them plenty of trouble and showed some good touches on the ground would be an upgrade on Shola!!!
I don’t think we will sign that many big name players in the summer might be a centre back if Colo leaves and a striker in terms of the Purple brigade it will mostly be youngsters who are of a better quality than what we have I worry about us going into the Dutch league because there are a lot more teams who cherry pick that league and we may get outbid or players may prefer to go elsewhere just hope we have alternatives unlike last season
We have got to watch as well as if we are not in Europe next season we can’t justify lots of players sitting on the bench the likes of Anita and Marveux will probably not be happy with a bit part role next season but its up to them to step it up
97 sanchez // Feb 27, 2013 at 3:37 PM
Transfer sage- sort of agree with you. I think that injuries haven’t helped his cause though and he himself is aware of that. Whenever he gets a run of games after injury he generally settles and performs with more consistency.
98 G // Feb 27, 2013 at 3:42 PM
@96, yet Shola has one more goal this season than Carroll. Haven’t counted their goals / games ratio here like so that might not be fair, just saying.
99 Cape_Toon // Feb 27, 2013 at 3:47 PM
Greetings from Cape Town, South Africa! another newcomer to this blog…
As for this article, I’m one of those rare NUFC supporters here in RSA surrounded by deluded Pool fans and bandwagon Man Utd fans. One big question I always ask Pool fans is why do they always label my beloved Newcastle United a “small club”? when their club just loves grabbing our players or looking at our targets?
100 Carryingcoals // Feb 27, 2013 at 3:49 PM
We will need Benny back for the Anzhi games, it’s going to be tough.
I can see us progressing however (as hard as it will be).
I have a feeling it won’t quite be the end of the road for Newcastle in Europe though… http://www.carryingcoals.com/?p=504
101 WWYCD // Feb 27, 2013 at 3:50 PM
Sage
I dont disagree with u, I think HBA is overrated by NUFC fans but he is a cracking player just not one of the best in the world… doesn’t mean others wont hammer u for that opinion
102 Mister Tuff // Feb 27, 2013 at 3:58 PM
santon @96 agree with your first paragraph re Suarez -will the big clubs/money tempt him in the summer – seems money or big clubs with money might be a factor in view of him just signing an improved contract and already wanting further talks in June. without doubt he’s a decent player -but a bit of a rat/cheater. His presence at Liverpool is a bit like Bale at Spurs – both teams would be further down the league without them.
103 dembademba // Feb 27, 2013 at 3:59 PM
He’s prob my favourite player and easily one of the most gifted lads around. However I think 25 mil is acceptable, maybe 20. I don’t think Liverpool would go that high though. I understand why they would want him and the idea of him n Suarez is pretty mental. But he’s young enough to give us a few more years, I think he wants to do that on the premise that we add just a bit more quality to the squad. Then we can push for top 6/top 4
104 Jail for Ashley // Feb 27, 2013 at 4:07 PM
Ian Toon is a private cool dude,did I read that correctly,do we need further proof that push and Ian Toon are one and the same.
105 G // Feb 27, 2013 at 4:13 PM
HBA is a strange one, people either over, or under rate him. TS’s comments are fair. I don’t think anybody who understands the game will give grief for them. I do think we will see more out of him with increased quality in the squad. I think it’s going to be make-or-break time in his career from this point on. Hopefully, the former.
106 Pardews Parsnip Bonce // Feb 27, 2013 at 4:14 PM
@ts i made no comment about peoples jobs. being a hermit millionaire i have no time for such trivial matters
107 89Norcal // Feb 27, 2013 at 4:14 PM
Kets,
I came in expecting you to say Hatem is better than Messi, have to say I’m disappointed.
108 Pardews Parsnip Bonce // Feb 27, 2013 at 4:20 PM
@jfa a private cool dude would insinuate that publicly he’s very much less than cool though. maybe that wasn’t a compliment after all?
109 santonthenewmaldini // Feb 27, 2013 at 4:21 PM
@G that is true Shola does have one more goal than Carroll that is all !!!But watching Carroll for West Ham that game they actually played it to him on the deck and he brought a lot of players into the game with neat lay offs and flick on’s he would certainly bring more effort to the table than Shola
I would not want him back but I think that Pardew will want to bring him back and maybe if we got him and a good winger who could cross we would have a lot more options as you would have Cisse, Gouffran, Carroll and Shola fighting for one striker slot which is quite decent depth
I personally would prefer us to get someone with serious pace up front like a PEA or Doumbia so teams could not play a high line for fear of getting caught out this would allow us to dominate teams
I do think us as Toon fans have overrated Arfa a little but lets see how he does with an improved team around him I think he will finally fulfill his potential with us especially if we can get through this round of the Europa he can be the difference if he is fit and on form just hope we dont rush him back and he gets injured again 2 sub appearances in the next 2 games and then starting against Anzhi at home
110 Super Magpie // Feb 27, 2013 at 4:23 PM
As if Ben Arfa will go there
111 Pardews Parsnip Bonce // Feb 27, 2013 at 4:25 PM
@108 he would certainly bring a different more physical dimension to the front line. plus imagine cisse playing off nice little lay offs…
112 saxonfenken // Feb 27, 2013 at 4:34 PM
Transfer Sage
I Agree with you about Benny, if he could use his undoubted ability to goal and assists instead of beating three players, before running into a dead ends. Mind he certainly is exciting to watch though
113 Mister Tuff // Feb 27, 2013 at 4:35 PM
Jail @103 -I spotted the offending post as well, I’ll copy it again for clarity:-
Pushy Pardew // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:43 PM
@65
TS
“Hi matey. I have noted that your a
curious sort of fella. Always asking
what people do! Like Ian Toon who
clearly is a private cool dude just like
my recently acquired business
partner Ibiza. I think you should
judge on the quality of the input.
Ibiza is well educated and thinks on
his feet.”
Ian -please stop posting under a different name . Your posts using your original name were fine, readable and informative (apart from your love in with Percy).
Seeking false support from your fake alter egos’ is
indicative of a great sense of insecurity -which could indeed be the initial indications that you may be suffering from Multiple Personality Disorder. This is a condition which is eminently treatable -under the NHS. via your GP. Please get help.
114 toonbrother // Feb 27, 2013 at 4:39 PM
I’ll take Carroll plus 20million to be honest
115 toonbrother // Feb 27, 2013 at 4:39 PM
Caroll + 20 Million = Ben arfa. Case closed
116 G // Feb 27, 2013 at 4:44 PM
toonbrother, I wouldn’t personnaly. I would hold out for cold hard cash, and at a much higher rate that we sold AC for, but that’s just me.
117 Magpies-till-d3ath // Feb 27, 2013 at 4:48 PM
Carroll plus £20million fir Ben Arfa!!!!! WHAT!!!!!!????? P*SS RIGHT OFF YOU PIECES OF SH*T! That’s like frigging £2.5 million in total!!!! If we sell Ben Arfa to them scumbags, I will officially be done with the club!!! He’s undoubtedly an amazing footballer, and one of the best technical players in the league! Had he have been mature when he was younger, he could have been world beater! (Yeah, I rate him that highly).
118 Joe Blog // Feb 27, 2013 at 4:49 PM
Is Ruddy still around, with his insurance small print style?
119 toonbrother // Feb 27, 2013 at 4:55 PM
@116
RE:Carroll plus £20million fir Ben Arfa!!!!! That’s like frigging £2.5 million ?
According to your math Carroll is worth
£minus 17.5. how does that make sense on your planet?
120 Novocastrian66 // Feb 27, 2013 at 4:56 PM
Both Carroll and Ben Arfa would have to prove their fitness over a prolonged period of time before a deal could be done. This would only be achieved by both players playing regularly between now and the end of the season. Not sure if this will happen.
I would also suggest that if Joe Allen is £15m, then Ben Arfa is worth £30m.
121 G // Feb 27, 2013 at 4:59 PM
Personnaly, I just would only accept an offer way over what HBA is worth to sell him. As I said earlier, we don’t need to sell, and Liverpool probably can’t afford to buy. Can I also just remind people how rarely swap deals ever actually happen?
122 Toon_Jock // Feb 27, 2013 at 5:00 PM
Would rather chew broken glass than see Benny in a Liverpool top!
But has to be said, him and Suarez would be a rite handful for any defence.
Short Story – We should buy Suarez ASAP
123 Joe Blog // Feb 27, 2013 at 5:01 PM
I would suggest if your using Joe Allen at 15m as your benchmark and forgoing anything else, then HBA is worth 1.5 trillion.
124 Tsunki // Feb 27, 2013 at 5:02 PM
Speaking of missing bloggers, where’s Belfast these days (go on say N.I. Ho ho)? I may have askesd this before.
I have come to the conclusion that Ketsy is actually the output from an old Basic chess program running on a spectrum or commodore 64 I imagine some 45 yo fat guy living with his old mother coughing battenburg crumbs onto his string vest in girlish laughter at how his program has been converted to spewing out random football – related statements and automatically posting them at random and alerting him so he can see our reaction.
125 G // Feb 27, 2013 at 5:03 PM
Joe Blog, he is only 3/4 of a trillion, as he isn’t British.
126 Ketsbaia9 // Feb 27, 2013 at 5:04 PM
Wouldn’t let Ben Arfa go for anything less than £90m. Got a terrible feeling that Paul Scharner will score against us.
127 Tsunki // Feb 27, 2013 at 5:06 PM
Any player with sense just has to look at our leavers catalogue to appreciate the odds of a successful move are pretty ominous. Anyone who goes does so for the money, especially silly money.
128 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Feb 27, 2013 at 5:06 PM
Tsunki…I asked the very same thing today. If you miss him I could always call you Skunki?
129 G // Feb 27, 2013 at 5:07 PM
Sunderland playing Wigan at the weekend are they?
130 Ketsbaia9 // Feb 27, 2013 at 5:08 PM
Hopefully Wigan will stay up again. Big fan of Martinez. They also have some talent in that squad. Caldwell needs to be replaced though as he is only slightly better than Willo.
131 Tsunki // Feb 27, 2013 at 5:11 PM
..And the ketsy spits it out again! £90m? You can buy the entire club for £160m!
And Paul Scharner will score a hat trick against us at least. Legend.
132 Munster Mag // Feb 27, 2013 at 5:13 PM
Yes Martinez is such a coveted bloke. My arse.
133 Dagwoodz // Feb 27, 2013 at 5:14 PM
Only 90M Kets? pennies…just pennies
134 santonthenewmaldini // Feb 27, 2013 at 5:14 PM
I would be absolutely gutted if any of our players went to Liverpool unless it was Williamson or Simpson!!Arsenal as well as we offer about the same in terms of football and wages
Thing is Liverpool are not that far ahead of us in the table and if we had not had injury problems and had properly invested in the summer we would be miles ahead of them again this season!!
Just hope we can smash them and Sunderland at home next in April just to confirm we are the top dogs!!
135 yo-yo // Feb 27, 2013 at 5:33 PM
So who’s running the asylum this afternoon ?
See Robin the Mackem and K9 wanting to sell Perch for £90m to Manure are at it again.
What’s all this Pushy Pardew being a doppelganger for Ian Toon. ? Have I missed something.
Bindippers in for HBA ? They can’t afford him.
136 bills-son // Feb 27, 2013 at 5:33 PM
The single biggest obsatacle that any club will have to shift before they get one of our top players is ….
ASHLEY.
He has tied our best players up on ultra-long contacts – up to 6 years – never sold a top player other than AC for a daft £35M (and he turned down £30M remember) – and he’s reportedly turned down offers for Tiote and Cabaye already.
This ‘every player has his price under Ashley at NUFC’ is the most widely misquoted/misunderstood phrase in the game. This idea that any half decent offer will make Ashley grin and trouser the profit is a nonsense. The club doesn’t need the money and Ashley doesn’t need the money + contrary to nearly every opinion Ashley IS massively ambitious for NUFC.
For Ashley ‘every player has his price’ really means ‘don’t waste your fkn time making offers unless they are so stupid I’d be daft not to think about it cos I don’t want or need to sell’. And I bet every manager and chairman in the Prem knows that.
137 Tsunki // Feb 27, 2013 at 5:34 PM
Ibiza @128 – Yeeeaahhh thanks… But it wouldn’t be the same. I really miss telling him to cram it, I really do.
138 Dagwoodz // Feb 27, 2013 at 5:36 PM
@Bills-son
Spot on…
139 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Feb 27, 2013 at 5:39 PM
Tsunki…No worries, it’s not an ambition of mine to play the poor mans Belfast, just trying to help out (feel free to tell me to cram my help).
140 Tsunki // Feb 27, 2013 at 5:42 PM
‘Hopefully Wigan will stay up?’
Why? Perennial scrapers whose only role is to make the rest of the league look good on Sky. I say they are overdue for the Hull/Bradford/Palace etc route. Together with villa and qpr that would be my dream drop list. But Reading will go down instead of the Elastics sorry to say.
141 Marty-Toon // Feb 27, 2013 at 5:43 PM
Why would he even consider going near that place ?
Top player when fit and with the new additions I think he’ll shine .
Can’t wait to see Sissoko,Ben Arfa and Gouffran going at defenders
142 ONLINE GUY // Feb 27, 2013 at 5:53 PM
ROBIN @44
Why bother ? your a fantasist and an Idiot .
ED !! Why bother repeating something that appeared in a Spanish Comic ?
The Danger of this kind of debate is that it becomes part of a stream of Consciousness amongst us, it then spreads nationally, and because it’s out there.. can become reality…! There are more news worthy “stories” to debate without stirring the crap at Newcastle.
I would not give these Stories house room on your damn good Site Ed.
143 ONLINE GUY // Feb 27, 2013 at 5:54 PM
Brendan Rodgers is to be Sacked at the end of this season.
144 ONLINE GUY // Feb 27, 2013 at 5:58 PM
Can we debate Brendan (Hard Case) Rodgers sacking at the end of the season ?
IF its out there it might become fact.
145 giimps // Feb 27, 2013 at 6:04 PM
Dannyboy.
Not a stream of the match but if you go to fullmatches.net you can normally download the full game as avi format within a few hours of the end of the match.
Thats what I do even if im at the game.
hope this helps.HWTL
146 MacToon // Feb 27, 2013 at 6:10 PM
Online, not only Rodgers getting sacked but I hear we’re certainly interested in the buck tooth one too and he’s defo leaving them this summer
147 numba9 // Feb 27, 2013 at 6:44 PM
not a chance benny is going , he will want a real good go with us now , sign a striker and a cb and we are going to challenge
148 DannyH10 // Feb 27, 2013 at 6:57 PM
We all know this is incredibly unlikely. Liverpool will have to offer at least £25million. He has two years left on his contract so there is no hurry to sell. Liverpool will also be incredibly wary of paying big bucks for our players as they got their fingers burnt pretty bad in the Carroll deal.
149 gazzaforever // Feb 27, 2013 at 8:20 PM
Hba is our best player , those who say , like toonbrother , that 20 millions +1 player would be a good deal are high on drug and know shit about football.
150 Sydney Toon // Feb 28, 2013 at 4:44 AM
Robin – go chew on some rotten dogs balls like the rest of your mackem tripe!!
previous post: Richard Branson – We Didn’t Get Chance To Match Wonga Bid
next post: No Link Between Ashley Stock Sale And Transfer Funds