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Most fans want Ben Arfa to start the game tomorrow, and we had thought he could start as a withdrawn striker behind Papiss Cisse, which would mean Luuk de Jong making way, but Pardew may want to persevere with Luuk for a few games yet.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
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Mar 28, 2014 at 11:01 AM
Comment #41Ibiza
mackem – first time been called a SMB.
Na shit or bust I would go for it!!
I here see people go on about formations 4-4-2 4-3-3 4-5-1 etc.,
load a shit – to rigid should be a lot of mobility in the team – players slot in to pick up cover players inter-change
Might as well get beat 4-3 going for it as a boring 1-0 nothing to loose.
Ibizatoon
Mar 28, 2014 at 11:05 AM
Comment #42I think the main difference between Ashley and Kenwright is that the latter is really up front with his intentions.
Much like some of us were led to believe at the start of our, what was it 5 year plan, under Ashley. Since then all we get is lies and misdirections. Once again, I feel I should state I don’t object to the main ideals of Ashleys regime, it’s the execution or how genuine these ideals actually are.
Ibizatoon
Mar 28, 2014 at 11:06 AM
Comment #43Charlie…Glad I could be your first!
I hear you. I do think too much is made of formations, it’s the teams ability to adapt to the actual game and their movement / covering that is crucial. Sadly, I feel that is where we often fall short.
beermonkey
Mar 28, 2014 at 11:09 AM
Comment #44spoof
hunt for me defo
is menz free ? if we could get him you could move benny over to the left on his natural foot
as I can see benny sitting out and leaving for a free
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Mar 28, 2014 at 11:11 AM
Comment #45Ibiza
Agree we are not fluid enough and our movement off the ball is poor so we tend to go sideways or backwards which Everton found easy to close down.
Everton showed us how to pass and move and with speed and interchange positions.
I did not think we played bad but Everton looked a very good team.
Spoof
Mar 28, 2014 at 11:12 AM
Comment #46Ibiza
and what are Ashley’s main ideals, from what I can see it is solely for his own purposes, which is no good to you nor I, unless of course your Ashley’s secret love child, or he your’s as the case may be ???
guvnor
Mar 28, 2014 at 11:16 AM
Comment #47If we had a decent manager that could set the team out properly and knew when to make tactical substitutions before 80 minutes have elapsed maybe we would do a lot better.
Ibizatoon
Mar 28, 2014 at 11:16 AM
Comment #48Charlie..I wouldn’t say we were completely hopeless against Everton. There were times where we were attacking in numbers, but at the same time left ourselves woefully exposed. We hardly ever seem to get the balance right.
We will certainly need to show more urgency in out play tomorrow or we can expect a similar story imo.
Ibizatoon
Mar 28, 2014 at 11:19 AM
Comment #49Spoof…Ha ha, it’s been a while since I’ve had that sort of accusation leveled at me. Bit of a stretch from what I said, no?
What I meant was the whole living within your means principles. I applaud it. I do however question the execution of that under Ashley and believe it to be nothing other than eventual gain for himself, rather than the benefit of the club. Hence why I believe him to be different to Kenwright.
I’m pretty sure we’re on a similar side to this discussion.
guvnor
Mar 28, 2014 at 11:20 AM
Comment #50Pardew hasn’t got any idea how to win anything he never did as a player and he never has as manager, league one is his level.
Spoof
Mar 28, 2014 at 11:20 AM
Comment #51Yes, Menez is defo free, as is Sebastian Rode and Mateo Musacchio, however the problem is are we ambitious enough to get any of them, Rode and Musacchio, not a hope in hell, Menez, very doubtful, Hunt and Diouf are more likely, even Hunt would be a doubt as he will be 28 bye the time next season kicks off, but you just never no do you.
Himanshu Dhingra
Mar 28, 2014 at 11:21 AM
Comment #52Rode has signed with Bayern,
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Mar 28, 2014 at 11:22 AM
Comment #53Ibiza
Should be a good game tomorrow – as playing away seems to suit our style of counter attacking.
We seem to struggle when we have to take the game to the opposition as we have to do at home as the fans expect.
First ten minutes against Everton we were the better team and should of scored and had a good spell in the second half when Anita should of scored.
I know we got beat 3-0 nil but I quite enjoyed the game except for our abysmal defending.
Ibizatoon
Mar 28, 2014 at 11:25 AM
Comment #54Charlie…We may need to re-evaluate the term “counter attacking”. Maybe counter defending? 🙂
As a neutral, it wasn’t a terrible game I’d imagine. Was pretty painful to watch the same mistakes over and over. However, I’d be lying if I said some of our “attacks” didn’t get me off my arse…even if it did always result in me collapsing back on the sofa whilst shouting abuse at the offending player.
Levi
Mar 28, 2014 at 11:27 AM
Comment #55Guys for anyone going to the game tomorrow then go to yates before hand. I live in Southampton and they always have the best atmosphere on match days its always packed with away fans. I was speaking to the manager there the other day and they have ordered planty of Newcastle brown ale for you guys.
Himanshu Dhingra
Mar 28, 2014 at 11:28 AM
Comment #56Ibiza
Didn’t the everton game remind you of the Spurs game that we lost 4-0.
guvnor
Mar 28, 2014 at 11:28 AM
Comment #57Seeing the likes of Vurnon anita floating around Benton in a Bentley continental and Sammy in a Range rover football has gone completely crazy these two are average at best they’ve never won out like their manager yet they live like prince’s reward for failure.
Ibizatoon
Mar 28, 2014 at 11:29 AM
Comment #58HD…I think I may have obliterated that one from the memory banks. Self preservation and all that.
Was that game another case of us being disciplined except in the final 3rd? 🙂
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Mar 28, 2014 at 11:30 AM
Comment #59Ibiza
Like that when i’m at the game – Up and Doon, head in hands, joy pain, anger, delight frustration, expectation, arghhhhhhhhhhhhhh – go through all the emotions – but I wouldn’t miss it !!!!
Spoof
Mar 28, 2014 at 11:33 AM
Comment #60Ibaza
I’m sure we are on the same side on this, as I also feel that overspending is wrong and only creates problems for the future, I’ve always thought that spending within your means is the correct way to do it, as the German’s do, but the longer Ashley is at the helm the more I see a case where we are spending less than our mean’s, this alledged debt is his trump card, however it was in the region of £65m when he took over and what he will probably do is add it to the selling price when that time finally comes, as he doesn’t appear to be making any efforts to reduce it, the opposite actually as it has increased significantly since his tenure began, so if the alledged debt is not gaining interest nor reducing and we as a club are making operating profits then why are we bringing more cash in from transfers than what goes out ?, as you say we and most are on the same side, but what can we do about it,,,,,,, diddly squat !
Levi
Mar 28, 2014 at 11:33 AM
Comment #61I got a video of away fans at yates Southampton and this is what you can expect if you go there for pre drinks
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NnwsC18Ed8k
Ibizatoon
Mar 28, 2014 at 11:34 AM
Comment #62Charlie…It’s an instinct, deeply imbedded in all of us.
This isn’t meant to be a loaded question, more curious than anything. Are there any circumstances in which you would miss it? You hear a lot of people say they’re not going anymore due to the overall running of the club, which I appreciate is extremely difficult for a lot of locals. Just trying to get a gauge.
Spoof
Mar 28, 2014 at 11:34 AM
Comment #63Ibiza
it appears as if I have changed your name, sorry bonny lad.
guvnor
Mar 28, 2014 at 11:35 AM
Comment #64No wonder they aren’t bothered when they’re already millionaires in their early twenties what incentives do they have.
guvnor
Mar 28, 2014 at 11:38 AM
Comment #65Ibiza you must understand it having to wait tables for a few euros off the holiday trade.
Ibizatoon
Mar 28, 2014 at 11:41 AM
Comment #66Levi…Are you on commission? 🙂
Spoof…Not wanting to give credit to the cliche of “this summer we will see”, but this really is a huge summer as the margins of available funds simply cannot be in question.
Will money be put in to the squad? Will the “debt” remain the same? Or will we just get an increased bank balance? Perhaps a mixture of all 3.
As for what we can do about it? I wouldn’t say diddly squat, people do have power, but first we’d all need to put our heads together and embrace any ideas rather than the simple shooting down you often get on this here blog. The mentality of we can’t do anything just proves Ashley is winning. It’s extremely sad to see and has definitely made me have more respect to those who I viewed as somewhat radical in their thinking a short 2 years ago.
Ibizatoon
Mar 28, 2014 at 11:43 AM
Comment #67Spaaf…No worries, I’ve been called worse!
Spoof
Mar 28, 2014 at 11:50 AM
Comment #68Charlie/Ibiza
giving up your ticket and refusing to go is very tough, this is my 1st season in years that I have not had a season ticket and it is killing me, it’s not just the 90 minutes, it’s the whole day and the banter which goes with a match, somehow it doesn’t feel normal not to be there, I still watch on my laptop but it’s not the same, I’m desperate to go back but I won’t, it’s this telling us that top 10 without a cup run is the target, all hope has gone, I have many Mackum friends who feel that they will go down, but they are still more hopeful than I, Sunderland agreed a deal for Cattermole but Poyet wanted it blocked stating that they would have a better chance of staying up with him, the deal was scrapped, with that the Mackums feel that they have an owner who will help their manager as best he can, they have some hope, would Ashley do that for our manager, no he wouldn’t which has stripped me of any hope at all, even if relegation comes their way they still have something to cling onto which is the hope that they will return and be stronger for it, what do we have to cling onto, another fluke which gets us 5th, this is the first time that I have ever felt as if there was just blackness ahead, never have I ever felt that we don’t have any hope, but I do now and I feel compelled to never support the man who has done this too me, how could I support such a man.
Ibizatoon
Mar 28, 2014 at 11:56 AM
Comment #69Spoof…Bloody well said.
If Ashleys objective was to manage expectations of the Geordie nation, he’s well and truly surpassed that imo. Apart from the heart, I think many fans are at the point of almost not caring.
It’s apparent on the blog. Whilst easily sidetracked, this blog used to provide good debate. I just don’t think people know what to debate anymore. We know where the club is, we know where it’s going (not up or down – within reason of course).
The lack of care and passion throughout the club is soul destroying.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Mar 28, 2014 at 11:57 AM
Comment #70Ibiza
I am one of the few on here that support Ashley up to now because I think we have needed some stability and sort the finances out.
Since I first went 50 years ago – I have seen over 30 managers/player managers/stand in managers come and go. Spending money we don’t have.
Pardew – doing Ok but is it time to move on
Ashley – time this summer to loose the purse strings and buy in half a dozen decent players.
Fans around me
Most go to every game – one next to my son hardly – but all seats are full.
Fans around and mates I meet in the Bridge all old buggers in late 40’s and 50’s like me are quite happy but now is the time to move on.
I usually miss one game every two seasons due to taking family on ski-ing holiday. If have not tried it – brilliant Adrenalin rush.
Will miss Man Utd game as I am in Austria will see it in sport bar in Mayrhofen
Laurent Robert 32
Mar 28, 2014 at 11:58 AM
Comment #71Jail, in response to your other question… Don’t get me wrong, Ashley is the ultimate problem at Newcastle and I want him out. I’ve tried to help support the groups who are active in this. However, Pardew is the manifestation of his tightness and his football is mindnumbing and is what we have to put up with each week.
There were a selection of managers available in the summer. He doesn’t want to pay them the going rate nor does he want them speaking against him. Pardew is his perfect puppet. He knows he’s very lucky to be at the club and won’t walk to give that up.
Although more ambition is needed, we have shrewdly brought in some very capable players, albeit not enough.
Pardew’s incapable management can’t handle flair. I want to see my team play with positivity, enjoyment and flair, just as I tried to do when I played football. To enjoy the game, plain and simple.
Pardew is here to stay but I don’t have to accept it, I can’t. Just as I don’t accept Ashley being here and for him to think it is ok to firstly employ the pratt but then to keep him on under the dreadful and misleading guise of stability.
Even though we’ve had awful managers before, this pairing is suffocating my enjoyment of watching is play as they continue to be there. Other managers were sacked when they were shown up.
Pardew is shown up time and time again for what he is. A dinosaur slime ball of a football manager who has no clue of how to formulate competent attacks and relies on containing football and individual skill to nick points (see Cisse and Remy’s goals of late as an example of how he gets 6 points).
guvnor
Mar 28, 2014 at 12:04 PM
Comment #72Ibiza well said at last acknowledgement that most of the over optimistic numpties on here haven’t got a clue they debate about how things may change but never do as long as Pardews in charge and we have crap like Coloccini Williamson Shola Saylor anita at the club.
Ibizatoon
Mar 28, 2014 at 12:04 PM
Comment #73Charlie…I completely agree that the club needed a change in it’s approach. The previous regime was not sustainable, but that isn’t to say we were close to doing a Leeds or Pompey.
I think Ashley plays us, as most appreciated change was needed, helped along by these looming FFP rules, it kind of gives him free reign under the ideal of we’re working towards a better tomorrow.
I find that hard to believe given the apparent lack of care he has for the fans. I don’t expect him to chat to us, but some honesty and care from the club would go along way. Well, it would have, I feel at this point it’ll take a huge statement of intent to turn the feeling around.
Bottom line for me is I have no faith or trust in Ashley and his plans.
If you’re happy enough with Ashley, which isn’t meant as a criticism, we all have different criteria and breaking points, then fair enough. I have a little issue with those who are unhappy and constantly complain but still attend games. If people really want change they need to do their bit.
As always, easy for me to say on a blog and I don’t have the same issue of actually having to give anything up.
toon kk
Mar 28, 2014 at 12:06 PM
Comment #74Guvnor
its not just pardew thats the problem our squad simply isn’t good enough, we have a handful of decent player’s and when a couple are injured we just can’t cope.
Maybe a better manager could help a little but you have to accept we lack ability not just quality.
Or are you one of those fans who think we’re capable of winning the league with our squad?
guvnor
Mar 28, 2014 at 12:10 PM
Comment #75Obertan benny dummet Gosling De Jong Jonas Elliott Marveuax Amilfatano Vuckic all over payed crap along with the manager and his backroom staff and old Carr who brings most of the problems to the club.
Rotonda heights
Mar 28, 2014 at 12:15 PM
Comment #76http://www.themag.co.uk/the-mag-articles/alan-pardew-failing-newcastle-uniteds-technical-players/?
Quite an interesting read. he gets a couple of things wrong as Ba said he couldn’t stand Pardew’s tactics either.
It’s funny Soto are almost in the same position as us but they are a joy to watch with their flair and passing. football. No one could ever accuse us of being a joy to watch under Pardew.
As mentioned earlier it did me good to see West ham fans booing Allardyce over his crap football and then media whore Pardew piping up and saying they used to boo him too.
Sometimes it’s more than just about the result.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Mar 28, 2014 at 12:15 PM
Comment #77Ibiza
I am willing to give it the first couple of months next season as I have a funny feeling- hope I am write that there will be a lot of comings and goings in the transfer window World Cup wont help.
I would find it hard to boycott matches – enjoy the afternoon and the crack to much.
Mentioning Portsmouth see they have sacked their manager in a desperate bid to save them going out of the Football League.
I’ll say it and say it again some big/biggish team are going to go arse up overspending.
Could be the Mackems if they do not stop up as they are lost 9 million this year to many players on loan and no players with a sell on fee
guvnor
Mar 28, 2014 at 12:20 PM
Comment #78The way things have been allowed to stagnate under head butters management we’ll be lucky to survive relegation next season. Too many players have been allowed to stay when they aren’t contributing anything to the team.
Rotonda heights
Mar 28, 2014 at 12:21 PM
Comment #79guvnor
Not sure we can put it all on Carr. Tiote and Cabaye being 2 great examples of his finds. If carr has a super tight budget it’s not giving him much room for manouvre.
I’m pretty sure Cisse, Ben Arfa, Marveaux, MYM, Haidara, Anita etc were pretty decent players before being Pardewed, with flair being a dirty word in Pardew’s eyes.
Ibizatoon
Mar 28, 2014 at 12:22 PM
Comment #80Charlie…I don’t believe you are, but I hope you are right. I imagine the WC excuse will be utilised well by the club. Heaven forbid they would have anticipated these possible difficulties and done business earlier.
I really hope the FPP does make some impact. But seeing as clubs seem to be able to get these special sponsorship deals, I think the bigger clubs will be able to play the rules.