After the game last night Alan Pardew essentially gave an injury update on Papiss Cisse, and it was good news, and he also said that he will probably use Ben Arfa again on Sunday, but we wonder if the Frenchman will start that game against Stoke City.
Ben Arfa in action last night
Alan made a point of saying that Ben Arfa still wasn’t 100% fit, and if he had been he would probably have taken that golden chance on 64 minutes which he hit straight at the goalkeeper.
When asked by Rob Scanlon of nufcTV how Papiss Cisse was doing this is what Alan said:
“The news I heard today was that Cisse may be able to train tomorrow and that’s good news because he needs to get some are air in his lungs.”
“Hatem isn’t 100% but I thought it was one area where he could cause problems with one of his little runs and he had a great moment just before he went off, when I fancy if he was fit he’d have scored that.”
He’ll play a part on Sunday for sure, if we need him. Hopefully we won’t and we’ve got no injuries tonight”.
And Alan Pardew had a few surprises in his selection last night, when he started James Perch at center-back in place of Steven Taylor who came on late in the game, but it paid off, and Yanga-Mbiwa and Perchinho played excellently together for Newcastle last night.
And that means that players like Papiss Cisse, Mathieu Debuchy, Davide Santon, Cheick Tiote, Jonas Gutierrez, Joan Gouffran and Shola Ameobi will all be fresh for the Stoke City game – which is a game we must win to get us away from the relegation zone.
And a win on Sunday will also help us get a sizable crowd for the return game against Anzhi Makhachkala next Thursday night, when a win in that game will see us in the last eight of the Europa League.
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12 comments so far
Spreadthetoon
Mar 8, 2013 at 9:50 AM
Comment #1good news…..bring on \sunday
Tsunki
Mar 8, 2013 at 9:59 AM
Comment #2It will be a cold one sunday afternoon.
Mbiwa looks like has already slotted into position, we might see Colo at the end of the Arsenal game in his suit to give us a wave goodbye.
Have a look at Mbiwas stats btw they were pretty good last night, he’s improving.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Mar 8, 2013 at 10:04 AM
Comment #3Would anyone start with Goufron and Benni up front Sunday????
I would be tempted if Cisse isn’t 100% fit
Pushy Pardew
Mar 8, 2013 at 10:08 AM
Comment #4Prior to yesterday’s game I read that we had allowed more shots from open play than any other team still in the Europa League. With this in mind and facing a counter- attacking team in the return leg we need to boss the midfield. For me Anita is a must start. Short passes build momentum as well as retaining possession. Movement off the ball and an ability to close players down and being quick to recover is part and parcel of Anita’s game. Allied to Cabaye and his range of passing and all we need is someone to slow the momentum of Anzhi by drawing a foul. Step up Jonas!
Sav
Mar 8, 2013 at 10:13 AM
Comment #5Ben Arfa looked like he is carrying a bit of timber alright. Too much French cuisine at Clairefontaine.
outsidethebox
Mar 8, 2013 at 10:14 AM
Comment #6liked the effort from the 8 squad players last night .hairdrier anita and perch staked a first team claim last night .as mentioned in previous posts love to see hairdrier come on for gutti ..santon moved to wing and goofy alongside cisse.
Pushy Pardew
Mar 8, 2013 at 10:18 AM
Comment #7Charlie
All the indications are that Cisse will be fit. I would not personally risk Hatem. He needs a week of training as he looked slow and cumbersome at times.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Mar 8, 2013 at 10:21 AM
Comment #8previous link
Pushy
I agreed he did not look fit – but is Cisse !!
Transfer Sage
Mar 8, 2013 at 10:23 AM
Comment #9I’d play ben arfa but only if he has no stiffness or soreness from last night.
If he is fit to play get him on as the only way to get match sharpness and your touch back is by playing. He wasn’t so far off the pace he was being carried so worth trying.
If he is struggling keep him on the bench and use only if needed.
Transfer Sage
Mar 8, 2013 at 10:24 AM
Comment #10charlie
I imagine cisse will only lay if recovered from his virus.
He shouldn’t have lost any match sharpness or fitness this week by not training, the only concern is if he has low energy and can’t make the runs.
rdb123
Mar 8, 2013 at 10:26 AM
Comment #11Random question…. did any one else think Ben Arfa looked overweight?
ArtyH
Mar 8, 2013 at 10:42 AM
Comment #12Could’nt help thinking that at 60 minutes Camble should have come on for Maga mind as he did nowt all game.