Debuchy: Rift? What rift?What is it with Newcastle? First there is the Cabaye debacle and then there are constant mutterings about a rift in the dressing room. One of the French contingent, Mathieu Debuchy denied any rift of course, saying:
“It’s true that in the dressing room we talk a lot in French. We have a big group of French players. But we avoid always staying together, and we aim to speak in English with the other foreign players and the English ones. But it’s good. There are no issues.
“We have a big group of French players. But we avoid always staying together, and we aim to speak in English with the other foreign players and the English ones. But it’s good. There are no issues.”
Besides thinking that Pardew had put a stop to that sort of thing, this strikes me as odd. It is normal to want to speak to people with whom you’re fluent. If I went to a party that consisted of 11 Mandarin-speakers and Alan Pardew, I’m afraid I’d have to speak to Pardew. I don’t think I’d enjoy that party very much.
This would not mean I had a rift with the Mandarin speakers, merely that I can’t get to the finer points of conversation with them. If fact, I couldn’t even get to “hello.” (more…)
Big Marlon: Enjoying life in the dressing room.In his most recent interview, on loan Toon assassin, Marlon Harewood, opened his heart on Aston Villa, getting back into form, new strike partner Andy Carroll and the spirit in the Newcastle dressing room under the ‘Chuckle Brothers’ dream team of Chris Hughton and Colin Calderwood.
Harewood, who has been under some pressure to perform after a lean spell where he hasn’t been getting much match practice, explained how he finally feels that the cobwebs have finally been blown away, and he is ready to perform for Newcastle United.
Harewood kicked off:
“I do feel as if I’m getting back into the groove.
“It’s nice to be back involved on a matchday again and I can feel myself getting stronger and sharper. I’ve had to get used to the players here but I feel it’s starting to come together. If I can get a few goals as well I think that will help me.”
Moving on to the spirit in the dressing room, and the chance to get in some much needed playing time, Harewood added:
“I couldn’t believe the spirit in the camp. It’s unbelievable. I didn’t expect to come into such a warm environment.
“When you read everything that was going on in the summer, I didn’t expect to find a team which pulls together so well.”
