Alan Pardew has praised Ben Arfa for his play and application in his last two substitute appearances for the side, but the manager hasn’t yet decided whether to start him tomorrow at Southampton.
Ben Arfa challenges Ross Barkley on Tuesday night
Most fans want Ben Arfa to start the game tomorrow, and we had thought he could start as a withdrawn striker behind Papiss Cisse, which would mean Luuk de Jong making way, but Pardew may want to persevere with Luuk for a few games yet.
This is what the Newcastle manager has told the Shields Gazette today:
“Hatem’s had an influence,” “I’ve been pleased with his application, and the quality he’s brought on to the pitch.”
“I’ll be thinking about him, but in terms of whether he’ll start or not, I haven’t made that decision.” “Southampton is a big game for us,” “They’re right below us, and we want to try to get a win.
“I want to make sure we deliver the best we can. We can only be the best we can be. What we showed against Everton the other night was a discipline to our game.”
“In two thirds of the pitch we were good, but in the last third, we must improve. We must improve that against Southampton – the quality in that area.”
The problem we have tomorrow is just how Newcastle will score goals, but it seems they have at least been trying to improve that in training.
We again had chances against Everton – three in the first two minutes in fact – but we couldn’t put that ball into the back of the net.
We will have Loic Remy back for the next game at home to Manchester United in eight days time, but it shows just how short of decent strikers we are at the club.
We probably need three new strikers brought in over the summer, and we should also give Ben Arfa a new contract, because this lad is too creative to let go – and he can still be a match winner for Newcastle.
Maybe tomorrow?
Comments welcome.
Note: Andrew Todd is a passionate Geordie first, and a final year student at De Montfort University second, and he’s busy working on his dissertation. His questionnaire is only for people in the UK Retail Sector, and takes only a few minutes to complete here it is.
Note: Sean Borland is a student in Newcastle and will not be at either the Man United (5 April) or Swansea (19 April) games – and he has tickets – £30 for the ManU game and £20 for the Swansea game – you can contact him at sean4eva@hotmail.co.uk or sean4eva09 on twitter.
89 comments so far
Ibizatoon
Mar 28, 2014 at 9:08 AM
Comment #1Hmmm…You have to consider that we conceded 3 goals, so perhaps it’s not just the final third where we were lacking?
Then if you consider both our first and final third were lacking, you probably have to consider whether the middle third were offering the needed support.
Basically Alan mate, we need improvement all over the pitch. Busy Friday for you.
Probably our biggest game left this season, the forgotten teams mini league. Not meant to sound too negative, would rather this than the “excitement” of a relegation battle.
Ibizatoon
Mar 28, 2014 at 9:09 AM
Comment #2As for Benny, whilst I have been critical of his efforts in the past, I do think he needs to be starting games now.
Without Cabaye providing the creativity, we need someone who can make their mark on the game. It’s him or Marv and I know who I’d rather start from the two.
Ibizatoon
Mar 28, 2014 at 9:14 AM
Comment #3My team against Soton:
————–Elliot————–
Anita—Willo–Colo*–Dummett*
—Sissoko—-Tiote—Ermmm…Coffee?
—Benny—–Cisse—–Gouffran———
Set up here as a 4-3-3, but can easily act as a 4-5-1.
* This is who I think Pardew will pick in those positions, personally I’d be happy enough to see MBiwa and Haidara in those positions.
I can’t think who else to put in “coffees” place. Maybe M’Biwa?
Jail for Ashley
Mar 28, 2014 at 9:15 AM
Comment #4Icredible,
Am I reading that correctly, is this guy on the same planet as us, 0-3 and we were a disciplined side poor in the final third.
toon kk
Mar 28, 2014 at 9:19 AM
Comment #5We’ll be ripped apart tomorrow. Strange thing is people will pay to watch us knowing we’re going to get beat. We don’t have a chance until Remy is fit.
Poorly run club just relying on one striker capable of scoring.
Himanshu Dhingra
Mar 28, 2014 at 9:21 AM
Comment #6We will never get anywhere with Pardew!
Forget about Luuk De Jong and Cisse.
Ruud van Nistelroy would struggle under pardew.
Ibizatoon
Mar 28, 2014 at 9:23 AM
Comment #7Jail…Perhaps the club had this one down as a bigger loss before hand, so only losing 3-0 was considered disciplined?
Or perhaps it was disciplined in the sense that it keeps everyone in check and doesn’t give anyone any ideas of trying to catch Everton?
Spoof
Mar 28, 2014 at 9:25 AM
Comment #8Jail
Pardew is 100% correct, we were poor in the final 3rd, we were poor all over, but he was correct as we were poor in the final 3rd lol.
Mind on a serious note, many have said on numerous occasions that our squad is comparable to Everton’s, that is nonsense, apart from Tiote who on Tuesday could get into the Everton side, no one could, they are miles ahead of us.
Average_Contents
Mar 28, 2014 at 9:28 AM
Comment #9Pardspew is by far and without a shadow of a doubt the most deluded individual to ever be on planet earth! Disciplined? Final third? Fcuk me! They ripped through our defence like it was non existent the egotistical poor excuse of a manager!
Beggars can’t be chooses though aye lol the sooner fatty fcuks off the sooner dikhead will go with him, the cnut must think all of us are stevie wonder in disguise or has as much respect for us as fatty
Mister Tuff
Mar 28, 2014 at 9:29 AM
Comment #10I cannot see us getting a result against Southampton their forwards will have too much for us. So 3 -1 to them.
I think Southampton will have a better run in than us -they’ll finish 8th with us 9th. Cannot see us catching Man U or the chasing pack catching up.
I thought Percy was going to experiment a bit – have not seen any of that yet – why not give Armstrong a game. As Remy is clearly going to be away I would not play him again – what’s the point -we’ll just be showcasing him for somebody else. He’s done his job with his goals- so really what is the point.
Ibizatoon
Mar 28, 2014 at 9:32 AM
Comment #11Tuff…Hasn’t Armstrong been away on International duty the past couple of games?
I agree though, would be great to see Pardew experimenting ready for next season. I see no reason not to.
kimbo
Mar 28, 2014 at 9:32 AM
Comment #12Pretty simple to solve our team selection…..drop Anita and put him on the North Shields ferry back to Amsterdam, get the tea lady to take his place as she will be faster, stronger and taller. If she is not available then put Sissoko in his place and put Ben Arfa in his place. Without pace we will get stuffed tomorrow.
toon kk
Mar 28, 2014 at 9:37 AM
Comment #13Why do people keep saying we have a quality squad?
We have a below average squad with a handful of decent player’s, take them out and we’re shockingly poor.
Average_Contents
Mar 28, 2014 at 9:37 AM
Comment #14Mister Tuff
I agree, he clearly doesn’t want to be here or sign in the summer so fcuk him off and take a chance on a few youngsters. We have naff all to play for so why start remy when he’s back! Another pointless pardspew exercise highlighted by the fact the bullsh!there hasn’t got a clue
And by the way if anyone is in any doubt as to my feelings of the club
Fatty out
Bullsh!tter out
🙂
Mister Tuff
Mar 28, 2014 at 9:49 AM
Comment #15ibiza – yes I think you are right -Armstrong was away with England on Wednesday in the Czech Republic. Still I would give him a run out – if available.
Cannot see de Jong making the grade, Gomis too old/no resale value, Gignac -no thanks.
Going to be a lacklustre run in to the end of the season.
Ibizatoon
Mar 28, 2014 at 9:53 AM
Comment #16Tuff…I would definitely give him a run out.
As for Gomis and his re-sale value, I would guess that he will be seen as the perfect Shola replacement. Plus he’s free, I can imagine we will at least be “interested”.
Spoof
Mar 28, 2014 at 9:58 AM
Comment #17toon kk
I have been saying that all season m8 but it falls on deaf ears, too many ignore that fact to try and justify their pathetic rantings towards Pardew, we have been a 4 man side all season with Debuchy, Cabaye, Tiote and Remy, with Cabaye sold and Debs and Remy injured that only leaves Tiote, now Tiote may be good, very good in fact, but he isn’t super human, but amazingly people cannot see this and insist that it is poor coaching and poor tactics, it really does amaze me, the best tactician and coach in the entire world cannot make up for a lack of ability from the players, but still they rant on, and on, and on, pathetic they are, absolutely pathetic !
Ibizatoon
Mar 28, 2014 at 10:00 AM
Comment #18Spoof…I don’t view it quite as clear cut as that. An excellent manager can inspire average players to do extraordinary things.
Although, I would imagine the most inspirational person would struggle to keep up the momentum under Ashley. One could argue we had said momentum 2 years ago.
Whilst I don’t believe the squad is as great as some like to believe, I also accept that Pardew isn’t getting the best out of what he has.
beermonkey
Mar 28, 2014 at 10:02 AM
Comment #19Ibiza
cant see us signing gomis at 29 there is no resale value there and at 29 it will be gomis last big contract he will want 4 5 year deal and we wont do that to risky
look at the amount of injuries colo as had this season he has only played 3 times in 2014 so I cant see it
on the other hand I have no idea who the club are looking at that will the goals, it depends on how pardew wants to play his latest way of getting us to play aint working but I feel more of the same this weekend
Toon-Prodigy
Mar 28, 2014 at 10:05 AM
Comment #20Knowing the Toon we may well pick up a point or three. The 3-0 everton result may just make these mediocre players step it up a notch against Southampton. They will also be lifted with Pardew returning, I think that’s his ban over now.
This team will always perform up and down under this ownership and squad.
Fingers crossed for an above average performance.
Himanshu Dhingra
Mar 28, 2014 at 10:05 AM
Comment #21It was 2-0 last year, could have been 7 and that was an Adkins team.
Could be double figures this year.
Spoof
Mar 28, 2014 at 10:06 AM
Comment #22Mister Tuff
if we could get de Jong for £6m then I would take a chance and sign him, not for £8m though as that would be too much, I can’t deny that he has been poor, but in fairness too him he hasn’t played that many games in a strong side, Cabaye had gone and Debuchy and Remy have not played alongside him that much, without those 3 we are a poor side and I think it may be harsh to judge him when in such a poor team, I would like too see him have a pre-season and play with some decent players alongside, remember this time last year, Debuchy was a total waste of space, look at him now, de Jong has not had any service at all and when he has held the ball up there has not been any movement from his team mates who he could link up with, the fella has not had a fair chance !
Ibizatoon
Mar 28, 2014 at 10:06 AM
Comment #23beermonkey…Fair points, but I can’t shake that whole he’s free aspect…sounds right up Ashleys street. It’s not like he needs a re-sale value.
Wages may well be an issue though.
Himanshu Dhingra
Mar 28, 2014 at 10:09 AM
Comment #24Fans buying tickets for NUFC matches is like watching a Movie you know will flop.
Spoof
Mar 28, 2014 at 10:23 AM
Comment #25Ibiza
I must disagree with you, Krul got injured against Sunderland last season and he has been poor ever since, 1 good game at Spurs, Colo is now woeful, Willo is as he has always been, someone who gets in the way and nothing better than that, but in fairness to him at times thats all you want, Santon cannot defend and Dummett, well time will tell but he has got a lot to learn, but I wouldn’t rule him out after 1 nightmare game as some have, Gouffran is a workhorse who is slightly better than Jonas, but certainly not a good player, Anita is supposed to be a defensive midfielder but can you see that in his game because I certainly can’t, and don’t dare say that he is a good passer of the ball, he isn’t but in fairness to him apart from a few on this site no one has ever claimed that Anita is a good passer, Sissoko’s first touch is poor, but like Gouffran he works hard, nothing more than that, so where is this quality, you can’t turn a lump of coal into a diamond, for me the only error which annoys me about Pardew is this insistance of playing Sissoko as a winger, play Benny and if Benny is getting caught out then we have Sissoko who should be covering for him, apart from that I don’t see how Pardew could get any more from them, as I said, a 4 man team where 2 of them have been centre mid which has allowed us to boss teams and get the best out of Remy, but that has been sold and we are a poor, poor side.
jazzyp
Mar 28, 2014 at 10:24 AM
Comment #26Jfa
Sorry i didnt reply this morning mate about Gomis. At the end of the day bud its all speculation and rumour’s. You know as much as i do on the truth. But hey dont worry ive just sent them cold callers round to you as i bow down to your superior know how that is Nufc
toonarmydownsouth
Mar 28, 2014 at 10:24 AM
Comment #27Mister Tuff
The Under 17’s have Albainia tonight then Italy on Monday so he won’t be available this weekend but I’d certainly have him in the squad for the remaining fixtures
Spoof
Mar 28, 2014 at 10:28 AM
Comment #28Ibiza
by the way I have never described Pardew as being an excellent manager, I just don’t view him as being a poor manager, if we were serious about challenging at the top season in and season out, would I choose Pardew, very doubtful, but for what any manager has to work with as it stands, then Pardew would top that list as he has done well under difficult circumstances.
toonarmydownsouth
Mar 28, 2014 at 10:29 AM
Comment #29As for this interview what game was Pardew watching?!?
We were an absolute shambles at the back and got dragged all over the shop by there lively players acting out well planned tactics
Every time they broke our whole back 4 swarmed to the player on the ball, it was playground football
The final third? Please Alan we were sh1te all the way through the team
Sav
Mar 28, 2014 at 10:39 AM
Comment #30Time and again when an attacking situation develops, unless its a corner or a free when Colo and Williamson inevitably trot forward (for all the good it may do) but when it is from open play, we have scarcely anyone in the box save Cisse (or Remy) and maybe Gouffran or instead Sissoko. But its far too often 2 against 5. You watch against Everton or even Palace and surely against S/ton at the weekend and see how they flood our box creating panic at every opportunity. It boils down to hard work and trusting your teammate to cover for you when you make that run – and backing yourself to hit one if it falls to you.
Ibizatoon
Mar 28, 2014 at 10:39 AM
Comment #31Spoof…Sorry, was a bit of a sneaky inclusion of the word “excellent”, it wasn’t intentional and didn’t mean to imply you thought he was 🙂
My only real point was that this isn’t solely down to the fact of not having a good enough squad. It is a factor.
The margins of what could be achieved with a better manager but the same current set up is marginal in my view, except perhaps in the approach of style. Do we have a squad better than any of the teams above us? No. Is the squad better than the teams below us. Pretty much.
I would say we’re placed more or less where we should be. Not over achieving, not under achieving. Hence my point that we can’t just look at the squad and say they’re not good enough, pretty much every aspect of the club is about coasting through.
Ibizatoon
Mar 28, 2014 at 10:43 AM
Comment #32Martinez is making sounds about needing to invest this summer as and when they qualify for Europe.
Do people still think he would have firstly taken a job under Ashley and secondly stayed in a job?
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11671/9236170/transfer-news-everton-manager-roberto-martinez-set-to-splash-out-on-summer-wish-list
Ibizatoon
Mar 28, 2014 at 10:43 AM
Comment #33Mind you, this quote is right up Ashleys street 🙂
“We’ve got money but I didn’t want to spend it in January,” Martinez told reporters.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Mar 28, 2014 at 10:45 AM
Comment #34Armstrong is playing in a tournament in Czech Republic for England Under 17’s..
He and Woodman played in the 1-0 win over the Hosts.
They play Albania and Italy this week -weekend who are also in their group.
Team for Saturday:
Elliot
Santon, Mbiwa, Williamson, Hiadara
Anita, Sissoko, Tiote, Goufran
HBA and Cisse
I would drop Col – as he is not sure if he wants to stay and is looking slow. Dummett was found out against tricky quick attackers – basically slow.
Play Hiadara and Santon as attacking full backs and have a go at counter attacking.
HBA to play just off Cisse in a free role
Never mind – what do I know
Ibizatoon
Mar 28, 2014 at 10:46 AM
Comment #35Charlie…4-4-2? That’s suicide, you mackem 😉
Spoof
Mar 28, 2014 at 10:48 AM
Comment #36beermonkey
I tend to agree with you on Gomis, I can’t see us going back for him now, there are a few end of contract players who we could go after though, Mame Diouf, Aaron Hunt and Jeremy Menez, we need a striker (more than 1) and Diouf does seem ok, Hunt a straight replacement for Cabaye and Menez is a natural right winger which we could do with as Sissoko clearly isn’t and Ben Arfa may well be moving on, they are 3 players who we could need and all are free and are young enough to keep a sell on value for a few years yet.
Jail for Ashley
Mar 28, 2014 at 10:49 AM
Comment #37jazzyp,
I enjoy your posts, I hope I didn’t huff you with my cold caller dig.
mindshaft
Mar 28, 2014 at 10:50 AM
Comment #38Martinez almost sounds like Pards so am sure he could have worked under Tubby
“Having to sell players, reduce the wage bill and keep money from other areas to make a big pot is what I’ve been aiming for over the last 10 months.”
“We need to upgrade the training ground so money needs to be kept back for that”
Jail for Ashley
Mar 28, 2014 at 10:50 AM
Comment #39As you say it’s speculation, but I think it’s very naïve of you to think that we would pay 9M for a player we wouldn’t pay 3M for six months later.
Jail for Ashley
Mar 28, 2014 at 10:51 AM
Comment #40MS,
He’s too good friends with DW to have come here.