Cheick Tiote - A pleasant surprise.The aftermath of the result against Everton yesterday is still rumbling on in the minds of many today. After all, it was a fantastic result, and far more than most of us has thought we could get from Goodison.
I’ve been out most of the day taking in some fresh air and walking the dog up and down some big hills, which has given me a fair bit of time to reflect on things.
Are we not getting just a little bit carried away?
As I said in the opening paragraph, there is no doubt beating Everton in their own back yard is a fantastic result. My concern now is that after the exceptional full debut performances of Hatem Ben Arfa and Cheik Tiote yesterday we get ourselves into the position where too much is expected of them. I mean they have started off pretty well in the black and white, but what if they don’t perform like that in every match? (more…)
Mags v Tangerines, this time it's Premiership!Welcome to the NUFC Blog match banter for today’s home encounter against Blackpool with your’s truly, Workyticket, standing in once again. As usual, for more in depth pre match stuff, you can always check out Toonsy’s excellent match preview, and the maiden article from new NUFC Blog recruit, Paul Reece, with his “Top Ten facts and stats to know about Blackpool F.C.”
Last time we faced the seasiders of Blackpool at home, promotion from the Championship was assured and there was something of a party atmosphere. However, it should not be forgotten that Blackpool were one of the few teams to beat us last term in the earlier fixture at their place, Bloomfield Road.
Seen by some as the Donkeys of the Premiership, it also shouldn’t be forgotten that the Seasiders have already won a resounding 0-4 away victory at Wigan, something United manager, Chris Hughton was quick to point out in a pre match interview as he warned against complacency. He said:(more…)
Ben Arfa - Ready to impress.Newcastle new boy Hatem Ben Arfa has been speaking to The Chronicle today, in quite some depth actually, about various things surrounding his move to Tyneside.
I’ll put links in for all the articles a bit later on, but having read them all it certainly seems like Ben Arfa is ready to kick-start his career with us on Tyneside.
Now whether or not this the usual new signing charm offensive or not remains to be seen, but it definately looks as though wor Benny has been doing his homework on Newcastle. One thing that has impressed me about him has been his desire to want to sign for us. In fairness he did claim all along that he wanted to move to Newcastle, but with things getting lost in translation plus the many twists and turns that the transfer saga ended up taking I personally took any claims like that with a pinch of salt. (more…)
The most impressive signing of the window.Well that is it for the summer transfer window, and all in all I have been pleasantly surprised with the business that Newcastle have conducted.
Newcastle have swelled their ranks with five senior players over the summer, and one of those in particular has been rather eye catching.
Hatem Ben Arfa is the signing which most fans want to see in action. The 23-year old Frenchman should be just what the doctor ordered and will add some gallic flair and creativity to the ranks. The lad has undoubted talent, although there will no doubt be question marks, as there is with most overseas players, whether or not he will be able to produce those moments of magic we know he is capable of in the Premier League. (more…)
Now that we officially have Hatem Ben Arfa at Newcastle I will allow myself to get a bit carried away, just a bit mind. Here are two videos of our new lad in action, and the boy certainly looks to have some skills.
