There was an article in the Chronicle yesterday from Mark Douglas that looked at five players whose contracts end at Newcastle next June.
Ben Arfa – we’ll not see this player in black and white again
The players were Ryan Taylor, Sammy Ameobi, Ben Arfa, Jak Alnwick and Jonas Gutierrez, and the Chronicle ran a poll on each of the players asking readers if their contracts should be renewed, and these were the results of the poll:
It’s not surprising that fans want to see Ryan Taylor and Sammy Ameobi get new deals, because both players have looked good when they have played in the first team.
There is a lot of sympathy and admiration for Ryan Taylor, the way the 30 year-old has fought back from two serious ACL knee injuries, and he was man of the Match of the Match at Manchester City in the Capital One Cup, his only full game for the first team so far this season..
Sammy Ameobi is finally showing the form we all knew he was capable of – but now the 22 year-old seems to be getting some consistency into his game.
The big surprise is Ben Arfa’s numbers, with almost four out of five fans not wanting him to get a new contract on Tyneside.
We bet that if that poll was taken on September 1st, it could have been the other way around – but his time at Hull has not been good.
At the moment he’s not in the Hull match-day squad, because he doesn’t work hard enough according to Hull City manager Steve Bruce.
It’s almost like Alan Pardew’s doubts about the Frenchman have been proven right at Hull, and it would be good if Ben Arfa can heed the warning and listen closely to what Bruce is telling him.
Otherwise, the 27 year-old French International is in danger of letting his career slip – and it would be a waste of some great ability he’s been blessed with.
Theres no doubting Ben Arfa’s ability – but as Steve Bruce has said – ability is not enough at the top level these days.
And this is what Steve Bruce has said today:
“Hatem Ben Arfa – it hasn’t worked just yet.” “The people that we brought in to give us that extra dimension – it hasn’t quite happened yet but we have to give it time.”
Jak Alnwick has a lot of backing, but we’ll know more about Jak once he’s played more games for Newcastle, but he made a great start against Chelsea.
And Jonas Gutierrez is almost certain to leave Newcastle next summer, and he may even go out on loan in January, once he has proved his fitness at Newcastle.
Here’s the article in the Chronicle if you want to read it.
Comments welcome.
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6 comments so far
geordie157
Dec 11, 2014 at 3:07 PM
Comment #1Think Sammy, jak and Raylor should get new deals.
Jonas I’d like to see make a farewell appearance as he’s been a good pro and servant to the club.
Ben arfa can leave, which is a shame as I was one who thought he’d go on to be a legend at the club.
Jail for Ashley
Dec 11, 2014 at 3:13 PM
Comment #2It is purely hyppothetical to say what may or may not have happened to his career had De jong not have assaulted him that day.
70TWO
Dec 11, 2014 at 3:14 PM
Comment #3HBA was a symbol of hope in an otherwise defunct team seemingly devoid of any ability to launch a creative attack. Now the wheels have turned and although not perfect, the team are more balanced and do not need his ‘one man can do it all’ routines.
Sazzer
Dec 11, 2014 at 3:22 PM
Comment #470TWO
Well said.
Essex Geordie Bill
Dec 11, 2014 at 4:21 PM
Comment #5As someone else already said it would be nice to see Guti come on as a sub in one o the Cup finals
pbandj
Dec 11, 2014 at 11:19 PM
Comment #6Seriously? Sammy Ameobi?… well he might be a local lad but Hesus he is not a good fotballer. He has got no special talent, not a good header, not a good dribbler, not a good passer and the list goes on. The man is mediocracy at its best.
He would be lucky to get a championship deal if we let him go.
He might string to passes together during 90 mins but so could my grandma and she’s 90…