Former Newcastle left back Olivier Bernard has talked about the new Frenchmen at Newcastle, and he has said that Newcastle made a mistake when they brought in an interpreter in late January to help with the language problem, since all five new Frenchmen couldn’t speak any English.
Olivier Bernard – while at Newcastle in Bobby Robson’s mercurial reign
But it was clear at the time the new French players had to make a running start with their Newcastle careers, since Newcastle were 5th bottom of the league, after that disastrous 2-1 Reading defeat, which was the last game before the four Frenchmen arrived in a matter of five days in the following week.
As it turned out we finished up 5th bottom of the league four months later, our second worst performance in the Premier League ever.
This is what Olivier said today in the Evening Chronicle:
“It’s vitally important that the French lads at Newcastle United speak and understand English.” “Getting an interpreter in was the wrong thing to do because it made the new French guys lazy.”
“They didn’t have to learn English and that is so wrong.” “I never understand why that happened.” “Yohan Cabaye speaks English and Gabriel Obertan is fluent. They could have helped.”
“They should have been at least trying to speak English 24 hours a day. Helping them with the interpreter was wrong.”
Alan Pardew was finally able to do without an interpreter, but that wasn’t until the last few weeks of the season, and two of the new Frenchmen – Sissoko and Haidara, were out injured.
But it’s clear that the new boys will need to learn English over the summer, and as a test maybe Alan should send them out to be interviewed in English, when they return for pre-season – or shortly thereafter.
But we cannot have our players giving interviews in French, and the sooner they learn English the better it will be for everybody.
We assume they are all busy – very busy – taking English lessons this summer.
Comments welcome.
Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook and +1 us on Google+:
You can also reach Ed at admin@nufcblog.com
=============================================
22 comments so far
Indian Magpie
May 27, 2013 at 9:41 AM
Comment #1Getting Pardew was wrong, Llambias is a crack getting him was wrong.
Hatem's better than Messi
May 27, 2013 at 9:48 AM
Comment #2Easier for some than others.
A Geordie gf will help and that shouldn’t be a problem, some of the best looking lasses on the planet right on their doorstep.
TorqToon
May 27, 2013 at 9:51 AM
Comment #3Indian – Somebody asked me that the other day. My honest opinion is its mot medical related. We have one of the best medical teams and facilities in Europe.
Personally I put it down to antiquated views towards training, poor time management on rehab (rushing players back) and over working injuries to try and speed up recovery time.
This wouldn’t have been helped due to our tiny squad and a relegation battle. The added pressure to survive has caused our injuries as we tried to rush everything. Hopefully we have learnt from this.
Indian Magpie
May 27, 2013 at 9:55 AM
Comment #4TorqToon
What about the original injury, we do get them a lot more to qualify them as just random.
toonarmydownsouth
May 27, 2013 at 9:57 AM
Comment #5@GFN_France: L’Equipe are claiming that Newcastle, Saint Etienne and Nice are battling for Auxerre’s Steeven Langil. #AJA #NUFC #OGCN #ASSE
Who??
toonarmydownsouth
May 27, 2013 at 9:59 AM
Comment #6Torq
Very glad to hear siem de Jong is still a target, if we got him and PEA we would be deadly on the attack next season
TorqToon
May 27, 2013 at 10:01 AM
Comment #7I think so. You know during a week, many many players feel twinges and pulled muscles, but how you treat them and recover from them has to be controlled. If they aren’t, then a more severe pull will result during a match day.
However, as much as people slate pardew for blaming injuries…we have had more than the norm with regards players being out. It’s not all down to poor management from the club, we have been extremely extremely unlucky.
However we would’ve coped much better had we strengthened last summer.
Black and White with an army lol
May 27, 2013 at 10:05 AM
Comment #8has Carlton Cole came through the door yet? why haven’t we gone for the targets?
TorqToon
May 27, 2013 at 10:05 AM
Comment #9Tads – It would be lethal….as long as we alter our style of play and coaching methods to match.
Steeven Langil is a non starter in my opinion. Spent most of the last few years on loan from Auxerre. Attacking midfielder but I reckon it’s his agent pushing for a move, and using NUFC’s French connection to do so.
toonarmydownsouth
May 27, 2013 at 10:08 AM
Comment #10Torq
I don’t think there would be much choice than to change the style of play tbh
Just our interest who’s in our wider targets for CF’s seeing as we could lose shola and cisse?
Toon1978
May 27, 2013 at 10:08 AM
Comment #11Torq Toon
I really hope we can get Sein De Jong to this club. All seems down to the ambition of the club to keep our best players as to whether he comes or not…..down to Mr Ashley. Unfortunately we all know if a good price comes in for any of our best players then they will be off in a shot. We have a cracking set of players at this club it’s just we need more luck with injuries. De Jong and Aubamayang would be to great players to sign but may prove to be difficult because of our final league position.
geordie157
May 27, 2013 at 10:13 AM
Comment #12A summer of Ince, Sakho, McCarthy, Sinclair and Siem De Jong would do very nicely. But we’ll probably end up with Heskey and Delap.
Oh and add Balde to that as a young replacement for Shola. I hope he goes more than the likes of Gosling and Obertan.
TorqToon
May 27, 2013 at 10:15 AM
Comment #13Toon1978 – I agree our last season was awful, however our season prior carries plenty of weight over here. Luckily for us!! 🙂
Expect to see more from st Etienne and PEA this week lads. Things will kick on from here. Yes there are other suitors, but we aren’t out of the running.
Black and White with an army lol
May 27, 2013 at 10:15 AM
Comment #14wow a lot of optimism today for transfers target, just one question though what makes you think PEA and De Jong would want to come to Newcastle?
Jamseyd24
May 27, 2013 at 10:24 AM
Comment #15Surely getting a decent French coach on board with prem league experince and can speak English would help. And maybe add a bit of flair in the process. Anyone got any ideas of someone who fits the bill???
corkypants85
May 27, 2013 at 10:27 AM
Comment #16torq whats the news on siem de jong hes a class player would love him at the club!
corkypants85
May 27, 2013 at 10:34 AM
Comment #17torq whats the news on siem de jong hes a class player would love him at the club!
also any further news on strikers would be great
corkypants85
May 27, 2013 at 10:38 AM
Comment #18—————krul————–
deb—m’biwa—collo—santon
————tiote/mousa——–
——-cabs———-de jong—–
ben arfa——————–ince
———–cisse/pea————–
toonincheek
May 27, 2013 at 10:40 AM
Comment #19Dont know what other clubs do, but I recall reading that Pardew (and coaches) expect 100% commitment during the week in practice games and that the team for the weekend reflects that commitment and performance.
Perhaps that is logical in some ways – but I can well understand how that could lead to more injuries.
Then again, if you are just trotting around, with a biting wind, you won’t get fully warmed up and that could lead to muscle pulls just as easily.
Owldman
May 27, 2013 at 11:21 AM
Comment #20As reported in the press this morning & not for the first time we are said to be interested in Jay Spearing , if this is the height of our ambitions then I think I will just jack it in why pay good money to watch other teams cost offs
Lynxie
May 28, 2013 at 7:35 AM
Comment #21……….like anyone should listen to a single word of what this tool Bernard says. A good footballer who really should have gone on to great things but for his stupidity in letting his agent ruin his career. Shut your face Olly, failed footballer.
Lynxie
May 28, 2013 at 7:40 AM
Comment #22Torq Toon hit the nail on the head. The injuries were caused this season by players HAVING to play, when not fully fit, owing to the mediocre thin squad. Then again, a manager who knew what he was doing might have had them doing less in the days before the games. On the other hand, perhaps he had them doing NOWT, as the fitness levels were abusmal, seeing teams run us to death in second halves of every match.