We put a report out before the game yesterday that Ben Arfa was supposed to be in France, training with a personal trainer and looking for a new club – according to the French Daily L’Equipe.
Ben Arfa – in action for Hull earlier in the season
The 27-year-old is on loan for the season at Hull City, in a deal that was made at the last minute on the closing day of the transfer window, and Hull had to get permission from the authorities to complete the deal after the window had officially closed.
At the time it looked like a bit of coup for Hull, and a number of Newcastle fans were angry at Newcastle manager Alan Pardew, who had told Ben Arfa there was no future for him at Newcastle.
But it hasn’t turned out very well at Hull for Ben Arfa, who was replaced in the first half two weeks ago at Manchester United in the 3-0 defeat, and he hasn’t even made the squad for the last three games at Hull.
And it appears the Hull City manager doesn’t know if he is in France or not.
Steve Bruce had this to say after Hull’s 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge yesterday that has Hull in 2nd bottom place in the league table:
“To be honest, I don’t know if Hatem is in Paris.” “As for not playing again for Hull City, then at the moment he’s not in the squad and the transfer window opens in January.¨
“There are still conversations to be had with him, but at the moment he is not in the squad and he hasn’t earned the right to be in the squad at the moment. I don’t know if the report he is in France is true.”
It’s a real pity that Ben Arfa will not apply himself in training or in games, because there is simply no doubt he has massive talent and skills galore.
But that talent is going to waste, because the 27 year-old doesn’t seem to work hard enough in training or work hard enough during the games.
And Steve Bruce made it clear last week that pure skill is not enough in modern day football, and players have to be able to do things for the team – like tracking back and defending when required.
The situation of Ben Arfa now is not unlike what it was when he arrived at Newcastle in August of 2010, after falling out with then Marseilles manager Didier Deschamps, and the Frenchman arrived in Newcastle to try to force through a move to Tyneside.
He initially came to Newcastle on a one year loan deal, but then Alan Pardew made the move permanent the following January, when Ben Arfa was still recovering from a double fracture of his lower left leg he suffered at Manchester City in early October.
It’s likely that Newcastle will release him from his contract next month, and since it seems that Hull don’t want him, he may be with a new club before the end of January.
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102 comments so far
John Tudor
Dec 14, 2014 at 6:28 PM
Comment #1he is currently living in with welshie content to have his rarebit and eat it
optimistic prime
Dec 14, 2014 at 6:30 PM
Comment #2He’s probably playing hide and seek with Ferreya and Good.
They’d give Lord Lucan a run for his money.
Jail for Ashley
Dec 14, 2014 at 6:31 PM
Comment #3One person told Garry Monk that Angel Rangel was finished as a footballer and he needed to move him on, another moaned the ticket prices for the Rotherham game were too much and stadium expansion, as ever, cropped up about five times in one way or another.
It just shows you what an excellent job we’re doing if people have to literally clutch at straws to find something to enjoy their favourite hobby – moaning!
From Wales online
optimistic prime
Dec 14, 2014 at 6:36 PM
Comment #4Has Pardew been asked about any incomings in Jan?
welshgeordie9
Dec 14, 2014 at 6:39 PM
Comment #5Well Angel Rangel is still here, so you can cross that one off your list, ticket prices is that the best you can do reguarding swans fans moaning.
Ha ha ha
welshgeordie9
Dec 14, 2014 at 6:40 PM
Comment #6John Tudor
Actually it’s laverbread and cockles.
welshgeordie9
Dec 14, 2014 at 6:41 PM
Comment #7For those who are not the sharpest tool in the shed, laverbread is seaweed.
Jail for Ashley
Dec 14, 2014 at 6:42 PM
Comment #8It was an article not my opinion, and Huw Jenkins points out that Swanseas fans favourite hobby is moaning.
welshgeordie9
Dec 14, 2014 at 6:48 PM
Comment #9What article, and where did you get Huw Jenkins points out that Swanseas fans favourite hobby is moaning from.
Stop making things up.
Sazzer
Dec 14, 2014 at 6:51 PM
Comment #10optimistic prime
“The media are starting to pick up on the transfer window coming up. But we have a lot of games and managers will focus on them and let staff sort through transfers, and get down to realistic numbers in the market.”
“We are looking at a lot of players at the moment – lots of areas we feel might strengthen us”
cyprus
Dec 14, 2014 at 6:52 PM
Comment #11Hull are doing so well now without HBA.
Jail for Ashley
Dec 14, 2014 at 6:55 PM
Comment #12http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/swansea-city-fan-zone-swans-7918386
Jail for Ashley
Dec 14, 2014 at 6:56 PM
Comment #13Sharpest tool ha ha
optimistic prime
Dec 14, 2014 at 6:57 PM
Comment #14Sazzer
Was wondering if anyone pinned him down and asked if he planned or expected anyone in.
Seen a few we’ve been linked with, no one really excites or looks likely. Looks like we’re looking at kids rather than first team players.
It’s just over 2 weeks away, I thought there’d be more rumour or gossip.
croftus5678
Dec 14, 2014 at 6:59 PM
Comment #15we need to put woodman in goal not alnwick imo and play dummett in cb alongside colo if saylor isnt available.
also abied/sissoko/colback should be automatic starters before tiote gets a sniff at playing imo.
beermonkey
Dec 14, 2014 at 7:01 PM
Comment #16prime
are celtic out of Europe that would help if we were to make a move for dick van dyke
but I am not expecting any ins only if we can pick them up cheap
its not a bad plan picking them up in an as long as we don’t have to rely on them it gives them time to bed into the team
croftus5678
Dec 14, 2014 at 7:04 PM
Comment #17@14 op
gignac is the most likely “older” 1st team player we will get if the rumours are true !
dont think we will go for that young lad valued at 12mil but the young lad from birmingham would be great on a deal like lescales and darlow have and would be great for us.
my personal fave though would have to be danny ings as i think he would be awsome with perez and at the right price for us to be realistic.
welshgeordie9
Dec 14, 2014 at 7:07 PM
Comment #18Jail for Ashley
That’s just 3 comments, now compare that to what newcastle fans moan about, that’s nothing really to be honest, now if you can find another 5 to 10 comments then I will say we are just as bad, but for a fan to say get rid of Rangel or Moaning about tickets is nothing compared to stuff like get Ashley out, get pardew out, booing in matches, protests, it’s not like that at swans fans respect the chairman and the manager, and they have got their full support, so jail nice try.
optimistic prime
Dec 14, 2014 at 7:08 PM
Comment #19Beer
I doubt we’re looking at CB we have Streete Satka Good Lascalles plus Dumett, I’d expect 2 of them to be our eventual CB pairing.
To be honest I don’t think we’re really looking at anyone, unless we sell no one will be bought.
I’d like a decent CF who can hold ball up etc and a right winger.
Belfast
Dec 14, 2014 at 7:08 PM
Comment #20Just seen him in KFC sitting on his own with two bargain buckets.
optimistic prime
Dec 14, 2014 at 7:11 PM
Comment #21Croftus
I think Gignac is probably to old for our “blueprint”
I’d take ings no problem, think we’ll have to wait until summer and may struggle to sign him then if he keeps playing well.
Mister Tuff
Dec 14, 2014 at 7:15 PM
Comment #22jail – really no need to type “sharpest tool”.
Tool by itself would have been sufficient.
Slank
Dec 14, 2014 at 7:19 PM
Comment #23Good move by the club to loan Ben Arfa out for someone else to take responsibility.
Looks like Pardew was right after all.
Presumably whether AWOL player gets paid or not is Hull’s responsibility.
Sazzer
Dec 14, 2014 at 7:20 PM
Comment #24optimistic prime
He also said they have had no meetings yet and that they are only watching the market at the moment.
I think a lot depends on what happens until January and what type of opportunites we get in the market and what type of damages the big clubs will do to us.
A long-term injury might have to shift budget towards a different position than first planned.
Graeme
Dec 14, 2014 at 7:23 PM
Comment #25OP, to be honest, it wouldn’t shock me if we brought nobody in during the January window. We are exactly where FCB wants us to be – the upper mid portion of the table, not pushing Europa too hard.
I think if we beat Spuds and get to the semi-finals, he will sell a couple of players. He just doesn’t want us in Europe, it doesn’t do enough for the bottom line!!
mag92
Dec 14, 2014 at 7:26 PM
Comment #26Welshgeordie, jail, moonlights in a boozer called idles, as the Geordie dancer; he’ll be dancing tonight, because Spurs, won!
optimistic prime
Dec 14, 2014 at 7:28 PM
Comment #27So another bleak January ahead.
All I want for Xmas is to avoid a fourth loss in a row against the SMB
mag92
Dec 14, 2014 at 7:29 PM
Comment #28Tuff, talking about tools, its about time you were put back into your box.
welshgeordie9
Dec 14, 2014 at 7:29 PM
Comment #29mag92
No doubt that he will be supporting spurs on Wednesday as well, I’ve just noticed MIster Tuff aka beaker from the muppets is on.
optimistic prime
Dec 14, 2014 at 7:32 PM
Comment #30Mag
Would that be idols your referring to?
For someone who questions me about the geography of the area you seem to know sweet FA about Newcastle itself.
Bit like Jeffrey
mag92
Dec 14, 2014 at 7:32 PM
Comment #31Not sure about beaker, maybe berk!
mag92
Dec 14, 2014 at 7:33 PM
Comment #32No idles he does nothing!
mag92
Dec 14, 2014 at 7:40 PM
Comment #33Pessimism, I know when you stand inside the Rising sun country park, Asda, and a reclaimed pit heap block the views of the Training ground, also there’s a scrapyard, and a farm to contend with.
optimistic prime
Dec 14, 2014 at 7:45 PM
Comment #34Mag
Like I said you know nowt.
The slag heap is part of the rising sun country park walks, the scrap yard doesn’t obscure your view to the pitches.
If you’d ever been there you’d know the pitches are set back and are easily seen.
mag92
Dec 14, 2014 at 7:46 PM
Comment #35Rubbish!
wolfshead@toon
Dec 14, 2014 at 7:47 PM
Comment #36he told me he lives in whitley lodge
mag92
Dec 14, 2014 at 7:48 PM
Comment #37Very true!
wolfshead@toon
Dec 14, 2014 at 7:49 PM
Comment #38really mag so whats in the car park of the kittiwake then
optimistic prime
Dec 14, 2014 at 7:52 PM
Comment #39Mag
I’ll happily meet you at top of the slag heap and point it out to you if you wish!
Anytime you like
welshgeordie9
Dec 14, 2014 at 7:57 PM
Comment #40Romance on the blog.