Laughing gas but no lauging matterNewcastle United midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa is reported to be suffering another delay in his recovery.
A few days ago Alan Pardew was hopeful that Ben Arfa would be back for the Wolves game on the 2nd April, but it’s now looking like it could be closer to the end of the season before he’s fit enough to play if indeed he plays again at all this season.
Pardew said:
“He has set himself a personal target, but he is still in the process of recovery
“To break both bones in his shin is tough, not just physically but mentally. He’s got a long road back. Whether he comes back into the first team at the level where we are at the moment, we’ll have to see.
“Certainly next year he will be a big player for us.
“But his recovery will take us into April, maybe May.”
Reading between the lines (“Certainly next year …” etc.), I think we’ll be lucky to see Ben Arfa on the pitch again this season. Still, who knows eh? He might be lucky and get a game or two in May. (more…)
Pardew on Arsenal ecstasy and "mood swings".In shock news, Newcastle United manager, Alan Pardew, has been talking once again about life at the club.
In an interview with local newspaper, “The Chronic”, he outlined how he thought it took “a certain type of player to join Newcastle United”. He also spoke on how the team must take advantage of what he described as a “mood swing” in the second half of the 4-4 draw against Arsenal, and how it established a momentum that was continued in the following games against Blackburn and Bimingham. He went on to say that the Magpies can’t lose that momentum as the season is now “in the balance”
Firstly, speaking on the qualities required to play at St James’s Park he said:
“You do have to be a certain type of player to join Newcastle United.(more…)
The realities hit homeAlan Pardew appears to accept that Newcastle United are a selling club at the moment and could struggle to hold on to the likes of Cheik Tiote if a good bid came in.
After insisting that Andy Carroll will not be sold and then having subsequently seen that happen anyway, Alan Pardew appears to have accepted the realities of Newcastle United a bit more now.
Speaking about his hopes to hang on to Cheik Tiote if a big bid should come in, he said:
“I am hoping there are no bids, otherwise we will have a problem.
“Tiote is a very important player, very talented and someone we want to be a big part of our future.”
Pardew then goes on to reveal more about the club philosopy as he understands it:
“When I became manager, Ashley and Llambias made me aware that they wanted to get the club on a financial footing, which gives them a chance to build it.(more…)
Pardew: New player on the horizon?Newcastle United manager, Alan Pardew, has admitted in an interview that there is still work to be done before Newcastle United were a “good team in the Premier League”, hinting that he will not be complacent or rest on his laurels in striving for further improvements in the side. He also said that he was “close” to securing a key player, and also bringing in a new one before the end of the current transfer window.
He began by looking back to the previous two games, against the Mackems and ‘Spurs respectively, where on both occaisions, the team surrendered leads to injry time goals from the opposition. Pardew said on this:
“When you are a nailed-on good team in the Premier League that wouldn’t have happened,”
“We aren’t that yet and still have to work towards that.
“If you’ve got a regular team who are winning every week and confident then you can see games out and probably be a bit more relaxed. (more…)
Pardew: More depth required.First it was the Arsenal model, then, briefly, the Aston Villa model. Now though, it’s the ‘Spurs model that Newcastle United should be aspiring to according to new manager, Alan Pardew.
Speaking to local rag, The Chronic, Pardew expressed his admiration of the North London side saying:
“Let’s be honest – They are a very, very good side.
“They had people who could really influence the game on the bench, and for us, we need to add that sort of quality.
“That’s what we hope to aspire to.”
Speaking on Newcastle’s previous defeat, to Manchester City, Pardew added:
“I thought we put a better effort in against Manchester City, if I’m honest in terms of threatening the goal, and that was because of our quality in that final third of the game. (more…)
