The Newcastle United Blog

Written by Dr. Ed Harrison

1:34pm Friday, September 3rd, 2010

Commented 19 times

A very long interview this morning in the Evening Chronicle with our new signing from Marseilles, Ben Arfa, and it’s one terrific interview.

Ben Arfa – hired a personal trainer to keep himself super fit

The words from Ben Arfa show clearly how delighted the 23 year-old is at being able to come to the famous Newcastle United club.

Hopefully, he will be fit enough to play against Blackpool in 8 days time, when we are hoping there will be a sell-out crowd at St. James’ Park, to roar the lads on to victory.

It’s clear that Ben Arfa is into the Newcastle training, and he wants to let it be known he is fully fit and just raring to go, for the important game against Blackpool:

“It’s a relief that I am here.” “I am very disciplined in my training, despite what was said.” “I wasn’t training with Marseille but I hired a personal fitness trainer to make sure I didn’t fall behind.”
“I worked really, really hard to keep a level of fitness up.” “The coaches at Newcastle have all been impressed by my level of fitness and have had no questions about it.”
“I am excited by the prospect of running out in front of these fans – I want to give everything I can for them,” “I have a lot of confidence in the people I have seen on the training field so far.”
” After training and seeing the skills of the players in the last week or so, I feel even more confident that the team can achieve success, than I did before.”

It’s good that he hired a personal trainer, and from what he says there’s little doubt he will be fit for the Blackpool game, and the question then will be will he start that game – probably not.

But he’ll be brought on some time during the second half, and that should be a great occasion for the Newcastle crowd to witness, as we think this boy will get a great reception on Tyneside.

And the young lad seems determined to score a goal for the fans, and he has already visualized what that would be like – scoring a goal at St. James’ Park – just like Alan Shearer did all those time sin the past.

The youngster comntinued:

“When I knew I had signed, I imagined what it would be like to celebrate like Shearer.”
“I have an image in my head of when Shearer played for Newcastle and how the fans reacted to the goals that he scored for the club.”
“That’s what stood out for me when I heard I was going to sign.”

It’s a long long time since we heard one of our new players wax so lyrical about the Newcastle United club – and we have to be honest – we just love to hear it.

After being relegated last season, and the club in the dumps only a short 14 months ago, it’s just great to hear a youngster talk so lovingly about the Newcastle club.

We’re starting to like this lad – a lot. 😀

Comments welcome.

19 comments so far

Davies
Sep 3, 2010 at 1:50 PM
Comment #1
We weren’t relegated last season.
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Flop
Sep 3, 2010 at 1:53 PM
Comment #2
Can’t wait to see him play. Can’t wait to see him score HWTL
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Flood
Sep 3, 2010 at 1:54 PM
Comment #3
I’m really impressed by Ben Arfa so far. His knowledge of newcastle united and his dedication to play at his best! He seems to know a lot about the club fans and history. I’d really like him to succeed.
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MacToon
Sep 3, 2010 at 2:12 PM
Comment #4
If he does half aswell as Shearer it’ll be some achievement. I hope he becomes a fan’s favourite and wish him all the luck to do that.
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Marty-Toon
Sep 3, 2010 at 2:22 PM
Comment #5
I reckon this lad is gonna set the PL alight….
Would be great to see Man U cringing that they didn`t get a player of his sorts.
Never know,he could be another C.Ronaldo
Here`s hopin 🙂
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GvFalkirk
Sep 3, 2010 at 2:37 PM
Comment #6
Looking forward to the game against Blackpool. Luckily I can watch every game Newcastle play in the league this year on my tv-subscribsion. Couldnt be better 🙂
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sweendog
Sep 3, 2010 at 2:42 PM
Comment #7
great player .. if he can get going quickly we may do quite well this season .. could become one of our best french players .. al la Ginola/Robert ..
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Born Again Geordie
Sep 3, 2010 at 2:56 PM
Comment #8
Just what we have been longing for , for a few seasons now. really looking forward to the Blackpool game will be mint to see him in the flesh so to speak! 🙂
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balubas1
Sep 3, 2010 at 2:58 PM
Comment #9
to make him succeed, we have to remember to give him time. and also be careful what we say in these blogs, as the media picks up on it. (like sol campells weight issue)
lets not get lost in minor things, if he for instance has a couple of bad games or so. the lad is quality, but he is not lionel messi.
We have to do our part, so he can do his.
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Tom4Nufc
Sep 3, 2010 at 3:02 PM
Comment #10
^ true that, but this guy HAS the capability to be a world beater, I live in France for 4 months a year and have watched him over the last 5 years, he is an incredible player and will become world class if he can keep his head and take on the correct attitude. I wouldn’t be surprised if Real/United come calling in 2-3 seasons time with a £20m+ bid!
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toonie
Sep 3, 2010 at 3:06 PM
Comment #11
balubas1…I could not agree more 🙂
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G
Sep 3, 2010 at 3:49 PM
Comment #12
Tom4Nufc@post 10. Lets hope he doesn’t get too good then eh? Seriously though, delighted with the signing, so far the ‘attitude’ seems far more positive than problematic. I hope he is a great for us, as so far he has made the right noises.
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dave 1961
Sep 3, 2010 at 5:10 PM
Comment #13
this lad has the thing most needed to become world class and that’s desire to be the best, he has the touch of arrogance needed to be the best, when I do anything new I go into it thinking that I will be the best at it (although I never seem to reach the expected heights) this lad has the skill to take him where he wants to be, the same arrogance young Harris needs to develop, because it’s the arrogance, that makes a good player into a great one, but I’m sure Ben arfa has what’s needed. remember the most arrogant of Frenchman stole our title single handed.
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CT
Sep 3, 2010 at 5:52 PM
Comment #14
Dave 1961—-Seem to remember a certain whitehaired big nosed Dane had a couple of hands in us missing out!
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TOONTOONTOON
Sep 3, 2010 at 6:13 PM
Comment #15
balubas1 agree with you totaly and the same gos for the rest of the team.Players like andy carrol for instants,who will have some great games for us,but all players have an off day, and we the supporters need to be picking them up not knocking them down if they have a bad game.Some might think im crazy but i think the team is good enough to get a euro spot myself this season.Then maybe a push for the top 4 next season fingers crossed.
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cupiddstunt
Sep 3, 2010 at 6:37 PM
Comment #16
I don’t think you are crazy just impatient, wanting too much too quick.
I would be more than happy to be in with shout of a European spot in the next 4 – 5 seasons. Remember there are another 19 teams trying to do just the very same thing.
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cupiddstunt
Sep 3, 2010 at 6:39 PM
Comment #17
Remember this club suffered enormously over the last decade due to the impatience of the terraces.
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TOONTOONTOON
Sep 3, 2010 at 7:04 PM
Comment #18
cupid stunt maybe 2 years for a push on the top 4 maybe is impatient.But take the top 4 out leaves 15 teams.You take a look at the other 15 teams and tell me who will beat us out of that lot.On the day i feel the squad we have can gave the rest more than a game.We will def be in the top 10.
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baro
Sep 3, 2010 at 9:04 PM
Comment #19
I just can’t wait to see him play. Hatem Ben Arfa will terrorize the defenders of other teams. He has a bag of skills that will kill the opponents and will be very fun to watch.
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17 February, 2023

I have an update on what's happening with my treatment for prostate cancer.

Last week, my oncologist called me late in the day and said he thought it was best to terminate my treatment with radium 223 dichloride because it was having such a negative effect on my health - specifically my digestive system.

I had completed 3 of the planned 6 infusions.

They had looked at the bone scans and three CAT scans I had early last week, and they showed no signs of the cancer spread being slowed or stopped: in fact, it was continuing to spread and my PSA account continued to rise.

The only treatment left now is to go back and have another bout of chemotherapy with docetaxel being the medication used.

I understand this will be a 7-month job with 10 sessions 3 weeks apart - almost double my first chemo treatment in Apil 2017, when I has 6 treatmnts.

The problem I have is that I'm in a very poor physical state right now, due to my digestive system being basically torn apart by the radium 223.

The radium 223 has leaked into my digestive system and caused me to have severe diarrhea, nausea, and heartburn, and it was (is) very serious.

They said it was too dangerous to proceed with the radium 223 treatment, with little benefit being shown.

I am also suffering from severe exhaustion, basically, because I have zero testosterone, and all the treatments I've had for the cancer, have further lessened the energy available to me.

It reminds me of the saying that if cancer doesn’t kill you - the treatment will (laugh).

It will probably take up to 8 weeks to get back to a physical state where I can start chemotherapy, and that's where I am now, but the cancer continues to spread in the bones.

I've also been put in touch with the dietitian from UNC Healthcare, who will help me get back my health - she is very helpful.

So that's where it stands it's been quite a journey over 12 years and I think I've had almost every treatment available.

It has really taken a toll on my body and on my energy, but that's where it stands and obviously, I'll do the best I can in the upcoming months with chemo and hope I can get through it.

It is as it is - and another challenge in life.

Ed Harrison