How do you think we'll do in the this transfer window?Well, it’s that time again, when thoughts turn from matters on the pitch, to gossip and speculation on who might be joining, and leaving, the club.
So far, there has been much speculation on whether major players such as Joey Barton and Jose Enrique will renew their vows for several more years, or even leave for pastures new. On the other hand, the club have already made one new signing in the shape of French-Tunisian youngster, Mehdi Abeid, and Shane Ferguson has just signed a new five year deal at the club. Meanwhile, manager, Alan Pardew, has claimed to have several irons in the fire regarding the aquisition of new players. On this subject, the usually reticent supremo said:
“We’ve given a player a deadline this week, so that’ll be interesting,”
“We are pitching for a striker that we bid for – that’s been reported. We’re hopeful on that but we’ll have to wait and see. There’s no real feedback from the club on that. And we’re pitching for another couple of players.(more…)
Will miss the close season.Newcastle United have been hit, once again, with injury woes, with both Mike Williamson and Hatem Ben Arfa both being ruled out of contention for the final three games.
Word has it that Mike Williamson, the centre back who has played most games for Newcastle this season, managed to break his arm in training.
As unfortunate as it may be for Mike Williamson, the world of football is never about one player and operates with a one door closing, another opening. This now gives Steven Taylor a chance over three games, as well as James Perch to show why they should be regulars in the Newcastle XI. It could also give some of the youngsters a chance to earn their stripes and potentially make a cameo or two once we are mathematically safe. (more…)
Pardew: “More than enough to see us through” Newcastle United manager, Alan Pardew has been speaking once again on the long awaited return of wonder wing man, Hatem Ben Arfa, along with the loss of in form striker, Leon Best, who will now be out for the rest of the season after being told he needed an ankle operation. Talking to The Shields Gazette, he also filled us in on the other injuries which have ravaged the squad recently.
Pardew, who previously said that he would like to say that he “would like to say we won’t need him before the end of the season”, then added that he may be looking to use him in the last three games, is now suggesting that the game against Liverpool (the fourth last game of the season) is when the French Tunisian will start to figure in his thoughts.
He started on the situation regarding Leon Best, saying:
“I had an inkling last week all was not well. It’s best to get him right and ready to rumble next season.” (more…)
Ben Arfa: Could have lost his leg?As the latter stages of his injury rehabilitation process continues, Newcastle United wonder winger, Hatem Ben Arfa, has been giving a series of interviews on the dreadful assault carried out upon his person by Manchester City hatchetman, Nigel DeJong, his long time out of the game because of it, to give his thanks to Newcastle United and it’s fans for the way he has been treated and more.
Firstly, on his return to Tyneside after recuperating at the Fédération Française de Football’s centre of excellence at Clairefontaine near Paris he commented:
“It is great to back in Newcastle and back with the lads.
“I joined in with the warm-up this morning and managed to do a bit of light training on my own, and it was good to see the rest of the players after such a long time.
He also had words of thanks for both the club and the fans for their support during such a difficult period, saying: (more…)
Ben Arfa: Ace in the hole?Newcastle United manager, Alan Pardew has been most forthcoming about how he will utilise crocked French-Tunisian wonderboy, Hatem Ben Arfa, when he finally returns from his long injury layoff.
Speaking in two interviews, one for the French publication, “L’Equipe”, and one for North East weekly, The Sunday Stun, Pardew revealed that he saw Ben Arfa playing as “a playmaker, a number 10, just behind one forward”. The manager also revealed his thinking on how he would be cautious about the final stages of Hatem’s rehabilitation, going slowly to make sure that he gets the best out of the player in the long term. This would be a refreshing change in the wake of several Newcastle United players returning from injury, only to return to the treatment table again after being rushed back too soon.
In the first interview, the one with L’Equipe, Pardew said of not rushing Ben Arfa:
“After such an injury you have to be patient. We don’t want to burn him out.(more…)
