One strange thing that has happened this pre-season is that Ben Arfa and Jonas Gutierrez have been banished from training with the first team, and both are available for transfer.
The forgotten men at Newcastle – Ben Arfa and Jonas Gutierrez
Sylvain Marveaux essentially found himself in the same position, but he has managed to get himself a move to French club Guingamp on loan for the season.
The news on Jonas is even more bizarre, because he’s still in Argentina and training with a personal trainer as his representatives try to get him fixed up with a club.
One problem that Newcastle could have is that if the two players are not moved out in this transfer window – will they then be told to train with the Reserves for next season?
Alan Pardew was asked if it was important that players like Ben Arfa and Jonas, who are not in his plans for next season, are sold in this transfer window:
“Maybe, maybe not. It depends. I think the balance of the squad is always important – the spirit is crucial.” “I don’t want to comment on those players at the moment,”
“When you seen teams that win trophies, it’s obvious you need a group of players who not only have the quality and physical prowess, and more importantly have the spirit, because you can see great teams who fail when they don’t have that.”
“Look at Spain in their World Cup, and France after they won in ‘98, you need that spirit. I think we have a great spirit this summer.” “I will not allow anything to alter that spirit. I’ll ensure it remains as it is.”
“I can sense a really positive mood on the training ground,” said Pardew, who was the subject of protests from fans in the latter months of last season when the team’s challenge for a European place fell away alarmingly.
“I’m confident that will be replicated in the stands.”
Both Ben Arfa and Jonas Gutierrez may want to see out the last year of their contracts at Newcastle, and become free agents next summer, and they could resist any permanent moves before September.
The players could go out on loan, and it looks like we will have to wait until the last day or two of the transfer window before a club comes in for them, and we know their status.
If either one of them is still at Newcastle on September 2nd, it’s a very good question what happens then?
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184 comments so far
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Aug 16, 2014 at 10:00 AM
Comment #1Graeme…I expect the coach to use the whole extend of his squad this season and to use it wisely.
…no more nonsense about having one best starting eleven for each game and rewarding players who’s only contribution is work-rate.
Graeme
Aug 16, 2014 at 10:01 AM
Comment #2TADS – as common as rocking horse droppings mate!!!
toonincheek
Aug 16, 2014 at 10:01 AM
Comment #3I have the feeling that AP’s references to
the “spirit” of the team are aimed at HBA.
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Aug 16, 2014 at 10:03 AM
Comment #4toonincheek…and Jonas 😉 that is how I read it as well!
Graeme
Aug 16, 2014 at 10:04 AM
Comment #5Wow, Jesper – you’re even more expectant than me lol, we can but hope mate – or, once again, he is going to end up with egg on his face with no hiding place!!!
toonarmydownsouth
Aug 16, 2014 at 10:06 AM
Comment #6Graeme
Lol aye mate more chance of finding Ashley’s PIN number
beermonkey
Aug 16, 2014 at 10:06 AM
Comment #7jesper
do you think he will use the whole squad or stick to his favoured 11
add to throw Jonas in as a bad spirit
Graeme
Aug 16, 2014 at 10:07 AM
Comment #8TADS – he doesn’t need one – he owns the Bank!!
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Aug 16, 2014 at 10:07 AM
Comment #9Graeme…if he doesn’t live up to those expectation – and I’ll have to listen to any more excuses this season – I’ll be back on his arse like a horrible rash 😉 lol
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Aug 16, 2014 at 10:11 AM
Comment #10Beer…if I have to be sensible about it then of course he’ll stick to the usual suspects (Pardew’s Eleven) and when he needs to direct fire he’ll throw in a wild card to take the blame.
…last season is was the likes of Benny, Marv and Jonas
It will be interesting to see who it will be this season 🙂
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Aug 16, 2014 at 10:14 AM
Comment #11I have a few ideas, but we will have to see if any new players get on his bad side this season.
All I know is that from my perspective the slate is not clean. He starts were he left off (is it going to be tough on him hopefully)
Average_Contents
Aug 16, 2014 at 10:16 AM
Comment #12Well by saying the balance of the squad is important and the spirit crucial then contrary to you saying you don’t want to mention them you have haven’t you parsnip….snide little swipe but a swipe none the less isn’t it
If he didn’t want to comment just say “I’m not going to comment” and do just that, don’t imply anything as you did at the start of your answer!
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Aug 16, 2014 at 10:20 AM
Comment #13I,v a bad feeling that HBA will end up going somewhere like Swansea or Everton or even Southampton and then score a Hatrick against us everytime he comes back?
Hope my nightmare does,nt come true?
Slank
Aug 16, 2014 at 10:27 AM
Comment #14NEWEXPATMAGPIE
You said in an earlier post that you used to (or still do) live in Holland.
Do you see much of De Jong and Janmaat, and how did you rate them ?
Pardews Prolific Boys
Aug 16, 2014 at 10:32 AM
Comment #15Jesper, after watching g brokeback mountain last night I find your comments alarming!
damma99
Aug 16, 2014 at 10:33 AM
Comment #16Still think the squad is lightweight. Still need a strong defender and a quality striker. The forward line is crap.
Bunch of unknowns.
firebug666
Aug 16, 2014 at 10:39 AM
Comment #17damma99
How can the forward line be crap if they are a bunch of unknowns?
Given their relative form last season I would say the forward line has the potential to be great. Looking at them in pre season reinforces that view, as they looked pretty confident.
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Aug 16, 2014 at 10:45 AM
Comment #18ppB…watching Brokeback Mountain is a bit alarming I know 😀 (just kidding)
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Aug 16, 2014 at 10:45 AM
Comment #19…but do elaborate?
Ancientcoptic
Aug 16, 2014 at 10:48 AM
Comment #20“the spirit is crucial.” “I don’t want to comment on those players at the moment,”
Those players were not involved in the dire relegation form the club has been in for the last 21 games.
If we do not find some form soon, Pardew is going to be found out… if that happens, I just hope it isn’t too late to retain some players he has burned bridges with.
firebug666
Aug 16, 2014 at 10:54 AM
Comment #21Ancientcoptic
The man seems to be untouchable, even if we got relegated I think he would still be here.
Not that I think we will get relegated, I have a feeling we could have a good season this time around simply because P45DUE will have to produce the results he has promised to get us in the top 6 -8.
Hopefully we will see some good attacking football this season as the new signings will want to impress the masses.
Here’s hoping!
HWTL
damma99
Aug 16, 2014 at 11:15 AM
Comment #22Connor Wickham would be a great buy. Big strong showed what he could do at the end of last season. Lives in Newcastle would jump at the chance to come here. Go on Pardump buy him.
DokToon
Aug 16, 2014 at 11:17 AM
Comment #23gmorning all,
another saturday here at work, so i will require everyone to update me on scores today 🙂
toonarmydownsouth
Aug 16, 2014 at 11:18 AM
Comment #24Catchy from Norway – Village Idiot
“I’m not sure what the training complexes are like , but I’m pretty sure that in terms if space and how they are kitted out they will be pretty much the same , lots of hi tech equipment , food hmmm food is food, the only difference there can be there is staffing , better chef and coaches”
Mathieu Debuchy – Premier League Footballer
“This is another dimension. If you compare the training grounds for example, nothing at Lille or Newcastle can match the Arsenal one. It is another world.”
“Everything here is made to optimize your preparation and you as a player. So you can be in the best condition to play and win football games.”
Pardews Prolific Boys
Aug 16, 2014 at 11:23 AM
Comment #25Jesper, you’re gonna be on his a**e like a rash?
Sav
Aug 16, 2014 at 11:24 AM
Comment #26Clearly club are playing hardball to get Ben Arfa and Guti shifted off the books. But surely, when the transfer window closes there must be an olive branch offered to Ben Arfa to get him back earning his wages. It is a risky strategy because the longer this rumbles on, the worse any goodwill towards the club by the player will deteriorate. Right now we are making life as unpleasant as possible so Ben Arfa’s agent puts in some overtime. I hope Pardew is big enough for a volte face if Ben Arfa is still hanging around come September.
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Aug 16, 2014 at 11:24 AM
Comment #27Dok…do they make you work Saturdays? How rude 😀
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Aug 16, 2014 at 11:25 AM
Comment #28ppB…:D lol
…okay I get it !
Sav
Aug 16, 2014 at 11:28 AM
Comment #29“We can play with two wide players, we can play two narrow wide midfield players, two strikers, so we have options”
What is a narrow wide midfielder? Do we have two of them?
DokToon
Aug 16, 2014 at 11:36 AM
Comment #30jesper,
no kidding.. at least its time and a half though… but as i said, by coming in again today, i am ensured tomorrow off to watch the toon kick off…
Jail for Ashley
Aug 16, 2014 at 11:36 AM
Comment #31Graeme,
From previous,
Pardew making a bed for himself to lie with his comments, lie being the key word, when have cameras and recording devices stopped him, if he’s pulled up about it, he denies he said it, twists it or lets Wendy say he can’t answer that one, I think this year despite everyone wanting success, there won’t be too many tears shed if we start watching him squirm.
Bambams
Aug 16, 2014 at 11:38 AM
Comment #32Wonder…..What would happen if Sunderland came in for Benny on loan in the last few days of the window…..
Benny might be at odds to go or not but if he really wanted to rub Pardew the wrong way !
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Aug 16, 2014 at 11:40 AM
Comment #33@14:
Been living across here since i left the RAF in 91.
SDJ is a good player and rate him okay but he spent most of the last season injured at AJAX last year. When he,s fit and playing well then he can turn a game on his own.
The trick is keeping him fit and away from any Nigel De Jomg style tackles like HBA did a couple of years back?
One heavy tackle from some ideoot and SDJ could be out injured for months?
I did warn or try to warn everyone on here before we signed him but am hoping he will be okay?
With Janmaat, well i think we,ve signed a class player who is going to get better as time goes on?
I watched Janmaat playing as a kid in Youth Tournement which Feyenoord won a few years back and if he,s as good now as he was back then then we are on to a winner?
The only problem i see is that since Cabaye and Debuchy came and went a lot of players are looking at Newcastle and will be coming to use us as a stepping stone to other clubs in the Prem? You know who?
My local club NEC Nijmegen were relegated last year and are now playing in the Dutch Jupiter League, so th ticket price to watch them is a lot cheaper this year!
jazzyp
Aug 16, 2014 at 11:42 AM
Comment #34In just six weeks, the expectations of Newcastle fans have seen an absolutely massive shift.
We polled supporters in the first week of July and asked where they thought United would finish in the Premier League this coming season.
newcastle fansAt that point, Newcastle had obviously lost Cabaye in the January and there was no sign of Loic Remy returning as a permanent signing.
Debuchy had not yet left but he had made clear in quotes that he wanted Champions League football and was looking at his future after the World Cup.
So with De Jong the only signing and no others seemingly on the horizon, fans voted as below.
We then repeated the exercise yesterday and those results are below on the right.
Position 5 July 16 August
Top 4 1% 4%
Top 6 2% 17%
Top Half 17% 59%
Bottom Half 26% 15%
Bottom 6 29% 4%
Relegated 25% 1%
Only six weeks ago, 54% of fans thought Newcastle would be relegated or bottom six at best, now only 5% believe that to be the case.
That first week in July only one in five (20%) thought the team would end up top ten or better, now that has become four in five (80%).
Whatever the reality end up being, the transfer activity has convinced most fans that Alan Pardew has the players to at least get top half.
Starting 4pm on Sunday it is game on…
Jail for Ashley
Aug 16, 2014 at 11:45 AM
Comment #35I really don’t know how bullet proof Pardy is with Mikey but he is on last chance saloon with the fans, it’s only three months since the Cardiff game and last seasons debacle is fresh in the memory of most, a listless display against city will have him hiding in his dug out, a home defeat against mid table rivals won’t do him any good, and if he loses again against that shower from down the road his life at SJP won’t be worth living.
optimistic prime
Aug 16, 2014 at 11:48 AM
Comment #36Bambams
I friend of mine (a mackem) was saying that to me weeks ago. How he happily take Benny and Gus could sort him out.
It doesn’t bare thinking about, imagine the shit we’d have to listen to.
It would be like your wife leaving for your best mate who lives next door, couldn’t bare it even if I hated em 🙁
Mister Tuff
Aug 16, 2014 at 11:50 AM
Comment #37EXCLUSIVE IMAGES.
Revealing images have been received from the Isle of Man. They feature NUFC Blogger “Manxpie”. Manxpie is seen reading his morning paper – he denies being oblivious to dangerous events happening in the real world and refutes suggestions he is an ignoramus.
http://img.wikinut.com/img/168553k52kas43vw/jpeg/700×1000/An-Ignoramus-can-end-up-being-a-Fool.jpeg
optimistic prime
Aug 16, 2014 at 11:54 AM
Comment #38Jfa
I’d agree he’s lost any currency he had with the fans but still think fat mikes not arsed in the slightest.
He’d happily sit and watch that crap as long as we aren’t slipping out the league.
Can’t see him paying out for sacking pards and can’t see him paying compo for a new manager .
If anything another miserable year of under achieving and sack Pardew at end for not hitting targets.
I can see a full year of Pardew coming no early baths 🙁
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Aug 16, 2014 at 11:55 AM
Comment #39Just imagine HATEM going to the Mackems?
I read somewhere that Lyon were willing to take him on loan? Not sure just how true it was though but?
Bambams
Aug 16, 2014 at 11:56 AM
Comment #40Optimistic prime
I would have Benny leaving for Sunderland WORSE than my wife moving in next door….
Lets hope neither happen eh !