When Gael Bigirimana arrived at Newcastle two years ago from Coventry, and then played 25 times with one goal in his first season, which included playing 10 times in the Europa league, it looked like Newcastle had signed a gem for only £1M, and he would quickly go on to become a Newcastle regular in the side.
Gael Bigirimana – considers leaving Newcastle
But it shows just how fragile football careers can be – especially for youngsters – and last season Gael seemed to disappear – and a lot of the absence was caused by injury, and he ended up playing only one game for Newcastle and then last week he was left out of the squad that went to New Zealand.
However, its not the end of the world for Gael – and he should remember that James Perch was left out of the squad that flew to America three years ago, but in the following season James still played 28 times for Newcastle and made a significant contribution to Newcastle finishing 5th top of the Premier League.
This is what Gael has said today:
“I don’t know. It depends on how the manager sees you.” “Things were looking brighter, but things can change quickly.¨ “Sometimes you find yourself at the top of the world in football, and very soon you find yourself at the bottom of the world.¨
“If the manager doesn’t see you in his plans, then there’s nothing you can do but see if you can get some games and see what the future holds.¨
“I’m not a person that goes around and says this or that if the manager has changed his mind. If he has, that’s his decision.¨ “I’m not going to say ‘why this?’ and ‘why that?’.¨
“Football’s like that. You’ve got to be strong. You just have to go somewhere where you can get games.”
Gael will have to see how things go in pre-season, but if nothing much changes then maybe the best thing would be for Gael to go out on loan – even for the season – to get some regular first team games.
But there’s still a decent chance that Gael can make it at Newcastle, and after all last season, he couldn’t quite get going with (all) the injuries he picked up.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
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136 comments so far
Sliema
Jul 21, 2014 at 12:41 PM
Comment #41Pawl
I agree completely. I like Bigi, I think he has a lot of talent and it’s still early days!
I just disagree with people refusing to consider anything other than “he’s been pardewed” … Ugh, sometimes we must look like we are absolute morons to the rest of the footballing world.
pawl250
Jul 21, 2014 at 12:41 PM
Comment #42In regards to Carroll if we are willing to pay 10-12m for him, then why not pay 10-12m on Benteke. Or push the boat for PEA or even Lukaku.
Now I do not think we will ever get Lukaku it just wont happen, but if 17m buys you someone of his quality, then keep it in the bank instead of Carroll and get the extra 5m to invest in a better player, who is not always injured.
35m was a fluke for him, and it cleared the debts from the previous season in the Championship. People often ask where the money went but we made a 32-33m loss in the Championship relegation season, and Carroll balanced that loss.
It was never re invested in more talent. Clearly since then we have done so when players go out, we tend to bring them in. Just sometime takes longer than most clubs 😉
Spoof
Jul 21, 2014 at 12:42 PM
Comment #43RH
YAWN YAWN YAWN, so good players can’t get better can they not, YAWN YAWN YAWN.
Bentley, Molly, come on, WALKIES !!!!!!!!
Rotonda heights
Jul 21, 2014 at 12:44 PM
Comment #44spoof
balance it against all the ones he’s written off, ostracised or failed to develop, it’s a very long list my friend and not just here either.,
off the top of my head
B Arfa
Marveaux
MYM
Obertan,
Bigirimana
Abeid
Jonas
just for starters
Rotonda heights
Jul 21, 2014 at 12:46 PM
Comment #45spoof
sorry boring you, but hey don’t let the facts get in the way eh? S—e manager and you and the world knows it. No ifs, buts or excuses please.
pawl250
Jul 21, 2014 at 12:46 PM
Comment #46Silema
I totally agree, I have said many times Pardew is an average manager, abit of a fossil really.
And yet I do not always take the easy option to blame him for all negative news to come from the club.
I totally agree with his stance on Ben Arfa his attitude has been shocking most of last season, this is just one extra thing to add to the list. And that is why Pardew is doing whatever he feels is right regarding Ben Arfa.
In regards to Bigi, I think again he has handled it well. Just needs to maybe get abit more experience if he wont get many opportunities. I think Bigi is not looking to leave, just stating the above, wanting some game time.
dazzler
Jul 21, 2014 at 12:48 PM
Comment #47The whole debate about Pardew is boring. There are a few players he has improved. Williamson/Perch//Guthrie etc, but the players such as Ba, Cabaye et al only started to play their best football when they decided they wanted out. Cabaye was average for two seasons, people valued him way higher than he deserved to be, give me Rob Lee or Speed any day!!
I get the impression that Pardew is scared to player the youngsters. Maybe it’s a fear that if they do well, and earn the love of the fans then Ashley will sell them, and Pardew will be blamed. After Carroll you could probably say that would be a legitimate fear.
That doesn’t change the fact that Pardew is not good enough for this club and the style of players we have. Give him a Hull and I think he would have done as good as Bruce last season. Unless he changes the style of football, and addresses the mistakes of last season then he’s going to be the victim of a hell of a lot of abuse from the stands.
Rotonda heights
Jul 21, 2014 at 12:49 PM
Comment #48Sliema
but s–t happens more regularly under this goon
ethiotoon
Jul 21, 2014 at 12:50 PM
Comment #49pawl250
Didn’t get your point ?
Mister Tuff
Jul 21, 2014 at 12:53 PM
Comment #50Players Fergie signed – pop the scene or fall into the abyss -including Obertron.
So the abyss Obertron fell into was SJP.
Old red nose “pardewed” Percy Parsnip on the Obertron signing.
Sliema
Jul 21, 2014 at 12:53 PM
Comment #51RH
Benny? Possibly, but he’s his own worst enemy.
Marv – he’s a poor player. He’s shown nothing.
Mbiwa – still at the club, first season in the prem, he’s young, he won’t be sold.
Obertan – you’re clutching there mate, he was shocking under Fergue too. Not Pards fault.
Bigi – nothing has even happened! He’s still here, just disappointed to not play enough games. You can’t play more than 11 players at once mate. There’s a pecking order.
Abeid? We haven’t even seem him yet! He went on loan, now he’s back, we’ll see.
Jonas? What? I can’t even find a reply to that. He did a job for a while, then he got old.
Oh man. If you could have given some real examples then I’d have agreed and respected that. But now you look stupid!!! Hahaha!
What a pathetic few examples. You’ve proved Spoof right! 😀 hehehe.
pawl250
Jul 21, 2014 at 12:55 PM
Comment #52RH
Jonas hardly was Pardews fault, he in many ways got the best out of him. He has never had the ability to deliver a final ball, and instead his grit and determination on the left, were we are weaker defensively especially the season RTaylor was out on the left, and in the end it was a big reason we looked abit more solid.
Ben Arfa will never develop due to his attitude. He is basically a waste of talent. He could be a better player, but sometimes players are just not interested. He is like Ravel Morrison, gifted but near impossible to work with.
Marveaxu, because a FREE injury prone average player that no one else wanted is an amazing player that has been Pardewed? Mourinho could have had him at Chelsea and he would still be sh*te
Bigi is young, and still has time to develop.
Obertan played under Fergie and flourished so much he was let go on the cheap to eventually sit on our bench cos he is simply a poor player.
MYM is the only argument you have. And I think the only reason he has not been given a chance is because MYM and Colo lack height. If it had been the case Colo was the height of Williamson I think he would be in every week. I agree with you in MYM case though, he just needs a chance and time to show his worth.
Other than that I think you are wearing biased specs in you blind hatred towards Pardew. He is an average limited manager, but not every player you buy or look to progress ends up being the next big thing as Silema said. Sometimes players are not good enough. Wenger, Mourinho, Fergie basically any manager has flops. Pardew is no exception.
dazzler
Jul 21, 2014 at 12:57 PM
Comment #53The thing with Obertan is, if he could cross, and make a run whilst taking the ball with him, he would be lethal. The issue is his eagerness to show how fast he is makes him a really s*** winger. Someone should teach him how to finish and make him a striker. He’s tall, fast and has a massive heed so should beat everyone in the air!! 🙂
Sliema
Jul 21, 2014 at 12:57 PM
Comment #54RH
I thought you were a decent blogger mate. I thought your opinion was quite solid and well-backed up. Oh well.
Ancientcoptic
Jul 21, 2014 at 12:58 PM
Comment #55Pawl “I totally agree with his stance on Ben Arfa his attitude has been shocking most of last season.”
Unless
Ancientcoptic
Jul 21, 2014 at 12:59 PM
Comment #56Pawl “I totally agree with his stance on Ben Arfa his attitude has been shocking most of last season.”
Unless you have been taking training sessions, how do you know this? Do you have any evidence of Ben Arfa having a bad attitude?
Ancientcoptic
Jul 21, 2014 at 1:01 PM
Comment #57Let me guess, Ben Arfa didn’t track back enough for your liking in a few games; therefore the player has a bad attitude and must be sold. Or are we going on rumours from the Daily Mail etc here?
pawl250
Jul 21, 2014 at 1:05 PM
Comment #58Ancient
My colleague knows several of the younger players at Newcastle. I have stated this several times.
He still spends time with them after playing them at youth level. And yes I have seen him with them on the Town if you need further evidence of him actually playing with them.
Without going into too much detail his father is also good friends with Beardsley and the reason Streetes development stopped was because he was spending too much time with Ranger before he left. He thought the sun shined out of his a***. Anyway off point.
Based on what he told me they have said Ben Arfa and Marveaux have the worst attitude in the squad. They walk around like they are untouchable. They have no time for younger players and never put extra work into their game, always last to arrive and first to leave.
Choose whether you wish to believe this. But last year Benny was trying to cause a divide in the dressing room, and hence caused issues leading him to fall out with Pardew.
croftus5678
Jul 21, 2014 at 1:06 PM
Comment #59hmm so realistically before everyone jumps on the bandwagon my view of bigi is ;
the lad came in with real promise and he has not lost that ability and has got better while at our club.
the reason he wasnt played last season imo was he was absolute garbage for just over the first half of the season and was being outplayed by the likes of gosling and even mbabu ect who deserved to be ahead of him in the pecking order at the time.
he started to find form from then on steadily improving but at a slow but steady rate to the point where he ended the season one of the most improved all round players that deserves a chance in the 1st team again !
sadly due to such a late showing of his skills the seasons over though and time for everyone to jump on the fact that he should have been played ect when it really didnt work that way and us fans would have turned on bigi and his dismal performances if he had of played.
imo he’s a must keep as he’s my england hope and really is a very very good player if he can only learn off sissoko and give the lad some cup games this season.
expatmag
Jul 21, 2014 at 1:07 PM
Comment #60Tuff
No need for drugs here mate and as you well know, my favourite tipple back in Low Fell (the posh end of the heed) was a decent pint of exhibition.
When you are married to a young russian bombshell 22 years younger than yourself, there is absolutely no need for drugs to increase the libido. She has her own wonderous ways.
By the way. How is the gorgeous C these days? I heard a sainthood was coming her way for putting up with you all these years…….lol
Now…..get back to your decorating
pawl250
Jul 21, 2014 at 1:10 PM
Comment #61Me and Sliema
Pretty much on the same page.
I would prefer a new manager in all honesty, I think Pardew and his tactics are limited and we will not progress further under him. He has basically reach the heights of EL and I cannot see us even repeating that under him.
Thats not to say I think everything is his fault, I just think as a manager we could have a better one, that will play more towards the squad as a whole strengths.
No more hoof ball.
And certain players should play in their better positions. I can understand standing in if needed i.e. Sissoko on the right, or even MYM on right if desperate times require desperate measures, but we need to get the better players on the pitch in their preferred positions.
expatmag
Jul 21, 2014 at 1:11 PM
Comment #62Basically, if we keep loaning out our kids and ostracising our senior players, we are going to have no bugger left to fill in when injuries and suspensions kick in
Ancientcoptic
Jul 21, 2014 at 1:11 PM
Comment #63Fair enough, Pawl. Talented players can be known to be quite arrogant, it depends what way you view the game as to whether that is seen as a problem or not.
Some managers can work with players like that, others cannot be bothered.
Macas
Jul 21, 2014 at 1:13 PM
Comment #64Rotonda – So where did Cabaye play for France then at the World Cup? He also used to play a large number of games in a deeper role before he signed for us. Personally I preferred him playing higher up but Pardew used him no differently to other managers he has had.
Mister Tuff
Jul 21, 2014 at 1:16 PM
Comment #65I wonder why, if Obertron was shocking under ol red nose why Percy signed him.
Some folk deny the facts a bout this signing in order to bolster their pro Percy stance -or put it another way to re-invent history to suit their arguments.
This signing was just recently been discussed on the blog as it has been over the last couple of years. I recall posting a couple of years ago quotes from Carr distancing himself from theis signing -and just in the last couple of days one poster revaled how this transfer really happened -it was Percy who rang ol red nose up asking if Obertron was available. If members of the blind faith brigade want to deny history/the facts well there is not much we can do about that -apart from having a doubtful viewpoint about other things they post.
jimmysmith
Jul 21, 2014 at 1:17 PM
Comment #66You know, I tend to think Ashley does want success for Newcastle, just doesn’t want to go mental about it. Fair enough, don’t fancy Wonga all that much, or all the free advertising for SD particularly or the austerity we’ve been subjected to in the transfer market, but if that’s the nature of the beast, then we ark up when he steps out of line, as we did last season, to keep him honest, and maybe, just maybe, well get somewhere.
Let’s face it, what we’ve had in the past just plain didn’t cut it. Ashley is probably no dope, we just shouldn’t always take it lying down.
G
Jul 21, 2014 at 1:23 PM
Comment #67Always nice when you come onto the blog after a meeting and find a full scale bunfight where nobody leaves with their pride in place. Nice guys, nice.
Average_Contents
Jul 21, 2014 at 1:26 PM
Comment #68The pardspew argument? Again?
Regardless if people don’t want to blame him for everything but others do….at the the end of the day I don’t think anyone disagrees that he should not be at this club! (maybe the khet abuser?)
He’s shite! End of lol
LGFUAD21
Jul 21, 2014 at 1:26 PM
Comment #69I dont think it’s Bigi’s fault.
Our academy is hopeless.
We struggle to secure decent loans for our youngsters because we have failed to produce many noteworthy players at all.
I think we need to import foreign coaches to work on the game. I cant imagine the current staff do much more than a high school PE teacher. Everyone gets a gold star for effort regardless of whether you have shown an understanding of the game.
pawl250
Jul 21, 2014 at 1:28 PM
Comment #70Mister Tuff
So if its a decent signing its Carr and his amazing technicolor dreamcoat….
If its a bad signing its Pardews?!
Bottom line. The club signed him. I am not saying I know who pushed for it, because clearly you do not know also.
BUT Carr did not sign every gem and Pardew every flop.
If you think that then you are just as biased as the Pardew lovers who think he can do no wrong.
As I have said. He is a limited manager, I would like a new one. But I do not blame him for every negative thing relating to the club like some on here.
I think he does the best he can. Again its limited, but I do not feel he is sabotaging the club or wasting players potential.
Good players will get in the team. Every manager has their favorites you will question but bottom line is they do not sit and think “how will I lose this game” they want to win the game so think the complete opposite.
I am not saying what Pardew does is right, or in many respects its simply not I would do.
If I was manager I am sure some on here would question my decisions, as much as I could and would potentially question their own.
He does what he feels is best. As stated its not wrong, just we do not agree with it.
Average_Contents
Jul 21, 2014 at 1:32 PM
Comment #71Lgf
Totally agree mate….jobs for the boys springs to mind
The next Mike Williamson
Jul 21, 2014 at 1:33 PM
Comment #72Last season Dummettt was the only player under 21 to start a game. That was in a season where we had a very small squad, injuries, and a 10 plus game run with nothing to play for an nothing to lose by playing youths. Pardew opted to use Gosling & Shola.
He has no vision and does not think ahead to our future. All he looks at is trying to win or draw the next game. (Take one game at a time) He has never and will never risk playing inexperienced players. He fears they won’t follow out his dire defensive orders.
Average_Contents
Jul 21, 2014 at 1:39 PM
Comment #73Another thing to consider is “if” we did get these coaches in, who do they then take direction off regarding the way to progress them? My guess would be percy and if that’s the case then it’s a pointless exercise as he hasn’t a clue himself!
Good clubs and managers have an ethos of how they want the academy’s and under-21’s to play so they are ready for the first team!
ilovetoon8788
Jul 21, 2014 at 1:42 PM
Comment #74I have absolutely no confidence whatsoever in Pardew’s development of our youths.
He doesn’t give ANY games at all to our youths even during periods where we have plenty of games.
Or he brings them on for the last 3 minutes. He really should take a leaflet out of SAF booklet and see how he pushes players through.
There’s no excuse in bringing Brigimana through to the first in especially when he has scored a goal there.
Average_Contents
Jul 21, 2014 at 1:43 PM
Comment #75By “them” I meant the players to progress not the coaches lol
G
Jul 21, 2014 at 1:44 PM
Comment #76Our academy seems no better, or no worse than many prem teams at present to me. Recent academy products include Andy Carroll (Not great, but fantastic pricetag), SamiObi (Jury is still out if he stops diving), Dummett (Not sure about him if I’m honest). It looked like we had a really nice set up under Glenn Roeder until some idiot made him manager. I would happily take the man back to sort our academy, his track record working with kids is first class (Joe Cole, Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick, Jermaine Defoe). To be fair, not many academies knock out more than one first teamer a year.
LGFUAD21
Jul 21, 2014 at 1:44 PM
Comment #77Just read an article which seemed to criticise the fact we sell players on at a profit. Thought I’d share my response here.
This article almost seems critical of the policy?
Granted I dont rate the managerial or coaching set-up and I think there is a lot to be desired about how the club is run but the policy itself is not the problem.
I actually think it has been more conscious than people think.
Bring young players in, break them into the Prem. Sell for profit. Reinvest. Granted reinvestment has not been instant but without Oil Money how else are we going to progress.
3 years ago we rebuilt and finished 5th. Then we sold. Now we are rebuilding again but we have a better foundation to be building on than we had 3 years ago.
It wouldnt surprise me if we did little in the market for another 2 years and then did the same as we have this summer.
It makes no sense to bring in a constant stream of players and be selling for profit to stay in the same place. We’d still be 1 out 1 in. It’s better to buy, hold, watch the stocks increase, sell, then bring in a group of good players at once to take us to the next level. Granted it is a slow, frustrating policy. Almost like 9 steps backwards, 10 forward.
It’s a long game (Top 10 for 2 years, top 8 for two years, top 6 for two……) but it just might work.
ilovetoon8788
Jul 21, 2014 at 1:50 PM
Comment #78@G // Jul 21, 2014 at 1:44 PM
We need to be more confident in giving our kids a chance in the first team.
Pardew is way too afraid that they will cost him points. He brings them on for the last 3 minutes. He even came out and slated them after the defeat in the carling cup openly saying they’re not good enough which was a terrible thing to do.
It’s quite evident that his management of the youths is appaling really. Even through tough schedules he plays the same first team over and over and then comes on and says the players were tired during a prolonged run of games. He could have given the likes of Bigi a chance at least. He needs more guts.
BuckLuck
Jul 21, 2014 at 1:50 PM
Comment #79As long as Pardew is here there will be arguements, and it will be the same things we argue about because it is what it is. Pardew could do a “Alex Ferguson”. Appoint coaches that runs the training. That would do his job a lot easier and perhaps calm some on this blog down. Me included.
Until he does though he IS a big problem, THE bottleneck(as Ashley actually spend some cash this summer it seems) and he is holding our club back.
He will irritate me as long as he is our manager. I can not see how he can suddenly adapt a new philosophy. I’m glad to be proven wrong though!
Spoof
Jul 21, 2014 at 1:51 PM
Comment #80As I said originally some claim that those who do well under Pardew were fantastic and would have done great anyway, but those who have failed were just as exceptional but have failed due to being Pardewed, I did say first off that that would happen and rightly it did, every club in world football try to develope, or buy players who are just not good enough or not as good as they thought and ultimately they fail, but when it comes to some people that doesn’t happen at Newcastle as every player even Obertan and Marveaux have only failed due to being Pardewed, absolutely pathetic it really is, and now an all time low has emerged, Jonas ffs, his game was about work rate and getting up and down the pitch to support the left back, but he is now 31 and he hasn’t got the legs too do it any more, but apparently he has now been Pardewed, well I hope some are prepared for a long wait, because if your waiting for a manager who can never fail but to make world beaters out of every player who is a Newcastle player, whether senior or junior and can also offer eternal youth then I feel that you may struggle a bit as there doesn’t seem to be many of them around.
If these who insist on this “Pardewed” thought have read today’s post from 33 down, and then read them again with an open mind and if you do that then this sorry debate will be put to bed as this slaughter of Pardew is simply just as pathetically wrong as you can get, and that comes from a man who wants Pardew sacked as I just cannot see us succeeding with him, but I will only knock when it is justified, and this Pardewed label is pathetic and very ignorant, as I say from 33 down and you will see that you haven’t got a leg to stand on.