Pardew can get the best from his players.

It looks like Hatem Ben Arfa will be fine to resume pre-season when it all kicks off again in July going by what Alan Pardew has said today.

Expectations were raised over an end of season return to match fitness for Ben Arfa but unfortunately that never materialised. In truth I never really expected it to materialise either and always preferred the idea of holding him back a bit and giving him the extra time to recover, but some people wanted to see him play right away and spat the dummy when he wasn’t returned, shiny and good as new on the date stated by Pardew.

It turns out that talk of that late season return was nothing more than a morale booster for Ben Arfa according to Pardew.

“I know we made noises that he might play in those last three games but realistically, I never gave him a chance,” Pardew told the Sunday Sun. “I was trying to keep the boy’s head up to be honest. I don’t want him to see negative press so I said he might play in those three games.”

“I thought I was doing the right thing for Hatem, so that he genuinely felt he had a chance because he was quite low about his training, his workrate and everything. Once he knew he wasn’t going to make the games he probably accepted that and now he is aiming to be ready for July 4.”

Now I don’t want this to turn into an article purely on Ben Arfa, but I like what Pardew did there with the Frenchman. He’s been out a long time and if there was no end in sight it would be easy to let your head drop, so Pardew gave him an end, something to aim for, and the result was that his spirits picked up. Some will say it was just Pardew lying again, but I would counter that and say that it is good man management.

It’s not the first time that Pardew has managed to talk a good game into a player either – just look at Steven Taylor as a prime example of that!

People laughed when Pards mentioned Taylor for England, in fact I think I cringed a little bit, but it’s hard to argue with the results that those kind words have gained. Taylor finished the season by scoring in the final three games and was the stand-out performer in two of them for me, and that is coming from someone who berates Taylor on a fairly frequent basis.

Leon Best is another player who Pardew instilled belief into. Granted Best probably wanted to prove a few doubters wrong himself, but it was the manager who gave him the nod instead of sticking with the tried and relatively tested Shola Ameobi. The result – six goals in ten league games.

I’ve said it before and I maintain my belief that Pardew is of a similar mould to Kevin Keegan in the sense that he knows what buttons to press to get the best out of certain players. He has the key to unlock hidden potential, and if he can keep doing that it’s fine by me as it will benefit Newcastle in the long run.

Keep it up Alan!

Tags

« Cabaye done! Gervinho on the brink.  |  No way back for Barton? »  
 

110 Comments

  1. 1
    DJG says:

    ‘But if you are to believe the Sunday Sun today Newcastle are after better players than Sebastian, and will not pursue their interest.

    That sounds like PR to us, and Seb was a good player and a great crosser of the ball.’

    Ed, holding back the tears. :lol:

  2. 2
    hitman says:

    Joey7Barton Joseph Barton
    Finished playing golf, 72 not bad. Came in to questions about joining Everton??? I don’t want to leave Newcastle but thanks anyways……..
    14 minutes ago

  3. 3
    TonyGreenSupreme says:

    We are delighted that Larsson will not be joing the famous Newcastle United Club :lol: :lol:
    Bet you Ed Isn’t ;-)

  4. 4
    Toby le Rhone says:

    I agree with TGS @3

  5. 5
    Newkie says:

    Wasn’t Best picked after Shola cracked his face in? Rather than Pards actually prefering him? can’t fault the end result though. With this, i’m not sure whether it was another excuse from the owners not to bring bodies in in January. When the injury happened initially february was touted as a return, then march, then april, then the last three games, I’m not sure whether it was man management or just excuses to be honest, and I don’t really care now. I like Pardew, and would still say he’s the better manager than hoots, but I get tired of this partisan pro-whoever stuff.

  6. 6
    jay jay says:

    Rumours of us going for Karl Henry, hope it’s bullshit

  7. 7
    Newkie says:

    Jay Jay agreed :???: Not only is he crap, he’s one of my most hated footballers alongside people like clattermole..

  8. 8
    icedog says:

    JAY JAY thats about as true as you going on the wagon :lol: :lol: :lol:

  9. 9
    DJG says:

    jay jay

    They may aswell make up that we are after Henry the striker again. But Karl Henry :???: who makes this stuff up, a 7 year old kid. :?:

  10. 10
    jay jay says:

    Feeling a bit hungover as it happens icedog :) got into trouble last night :twisted:

  11. 11
    icedog says:

    JAY JAY,whos picked on you for nowt now m8

  12. 12
    Toby le Rhone says:

    tell us more jay jay.

    It was on sky this morning that the bindippers are looking at paying 12 million for cattermole. are they really that stupid after having been raped for Judas

  13. 13
    Toby le Rhone says:

    Aye jay jay I bet you was the innocent party in all this.

  14. 14
    jay jay says:

    The barman told me to take it easy after buying 4 pints in 15 minutes and some man utd “fans” tried starting on me for singing keano he wanks his dog! And just calling them plastic tossers with no soul, standard stuff really :)

  15. 15
    Toby le Rhone says:

    That’s no getting into bother jay jay just a normal night oot on the lash for you

  16. 16
    Toby le Rhone says:

    Clarkey managing in league one again next season

  17. 17
    icedog says:

    water off a ducks back JAY JAY ;-)

  18. 18
    4411 says:

    My terriers mate reckons Clarke will be out of a job next season, picked wrong side and tactics apparently

  19. 19
    Boby says:

    Not happening

  20. 20
    jay jay says:

    Yeah I’m used to it, usually only get in trouble when I’m with toonsy though :)

  21. 21
    Boby says:

    Nop hes agreed a deal and after the match he will be close to being signed. How good is he? ;-) :twisted: :shock: :oops: :o :grin: :evil: :arrow:

  22. 22
    icedog says:

    AYE JAY JAY,toonsy known for getting people into bother like ;-)

  23. 23
    Newkie says:

    Jay jay-not on Geordie shore are ya? :lol:

  24. 24
    batty says:

    joey has just sed i cant sign a contract if they havent offerd me 1 :cry:

  25. 25
    batty says:

    i hope fat ash chokes in his sleep

  26. 26
    Shearers Receeding Hairline says:

    Not convinced it’s the real Joey Barton. Can’t imagine him bitching in such a juvenile fashion on Twitter.

  27. 27
    DevonMag says:

    THIS JUST IN FROM BARTON:

    I will tell all when the time is right, basically they want a younger, better, cheaper player…………cant blame Mike and Derek can you?

    Is he walking a thin line discussing the situation? Fair enough getting a younger better cheaper player but why can’t we have both FFS? That’s how teams improve, a decent squad with more than one quality player for every position!

  28. 28
    batty says:

    Joey7Barton Joseph Barton
    I will tell all when the time is right, basically they want a younger, better, cheaper player…………cant blame Mike and Derek can you?
    3 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

  29. 29
    DevonMag says:

    shearer’s receding hairline it is without question the real Joey, been confirmed by various sources and he’s uploaded pics of him with his horses and stuff. If you’ve actually followed him he’s conducted himself with a lot of dignity, been gracious and not risen to any of the vast amounts of provocation he’s received. Top bloke, seems to have really turned a corner. Want him to finish his career with us :sad:

  30. 30
    batty says:

    SRH itse defo him

  31. 31
    davidtoon4life says:

    this is what barton has just said on twitter
    Joey7Barton Joseph Barton
    I will tell all when the time is right, basically they want a younger, better, cheaper player…………cant blame Mike and Derek can you?

  32. 32
    batty says:

    spot on devon ;-)

  33. 33
    DevonMag says:

    “…….slight problem is, they dont want to spend any money or pay any wages. Its genius really ha ha”

    If the last comment wasn’t controversial this one certainly was. He’ll be sold this summer for sure :evil:

  34. 34
    Alan Pardew says:

    hey im going to watch lennes play today

  35. 35
    Alan Pardew says:

    hopefully cabaye and gervinho are playing

  36. 36
    batty says:

    oey7Barton Joseph Barton
    I am an employee so have to be careful here. Everyone knows i’d love to stay, i get on with Pardew fine and are dressing room is 1st class..
    2 minutes ago

  37. 37
    DevonMag says:

    rectifying it a little here:

    “I am an employee so have to be careful here. Everyone knows i’d love to stay, i get on with Pardew fine and are dressing room is 1st class..”

  38. 38
    icedog says:

    cant sell anyone if they dont want to gan,contract till next year,joey might just be the guy to say,get lost not ganning anywhere ;-)

  39. 39
    batty says:

    go fck yaself alan

  40. 40
    batty says:

    Joey7Barton Joseph Barton
    if am not offered a new contract, my hands are tied. I will continue to do everything in my power to bring a trophy to St James next season
    1 minute ago Favorite Retweet Reply

  41. 41
    DevonMag says:

    bloody hell Batts are you keeping up with this mate? He’s going for it is wor joey!

    “if am not offered a new contract, my hands are tied. I will continue to do everything in my power to bring a trophy to St James next season”

  42. 42
    batty says:

    looks like he will be here next season

  43. 43
    DevonMag says:

    reckon he’ll tell the board to f*ck off and run down his contract. It is his right, the contract is mutually binding. Reckon the board will give in next year and offer him one to stop him leaving for free. The power really is entirely with the players these days.

  44. 44
    4411 says:

    Basically it looks like JB will refuse to sign for anyone else and just run his contract down and leave for nowt in a year
    He obviously gets on ok with pardew and everyone else, shame fat ash / llambias think otherwise but 4 year contract is prob to long given his age, we’ll just have to wait till JB tells all

  45. 45
    Susan says:

    Only one Joey Barton.. :grin:

  46. 46
    hitman says:

    thats it for joey now like..

  47. 47
    jay jay says:

    Sir joey barton :)

  48. 48
    Axel says:

    See Pboro have beaten Huddersfield in the play off final , Shame i would have liked to see Clarkie get promotion and see what he could do in the fizzy pop league . He is a possible future Toon manager .

  49. 49
    toonfan101 says:

    looks like there plenty of link for the “Lille OSC vs.Stade Rennes” match tonight:
    http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=116544&part=sports

    hopefully Yohan Cabaye and Gervinho dont get injured, that would be just our luck.

    Kevin Gameiro playing also:
    http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=116545&part=sports

  50. 50
    icedog says:

    AXEL thing that i hate aboot that result is its red noses son is not who is p/boro manager :evil: :evil:

  51. 51
    toonsy says:

    See ya later Joey :???:

  52. 52
    DevonMag says:

    I dunno Toons, reckon he’ll do everything in his power to run down the contract. He’s got great craic though mind, absolutely first class banter!

  53. 53
    Stuart79 says:

    Joey’s causing some ructions isn’t he?

    I suppose there’s two sides of every story, but when one side constantly refuse to make any comment you end up only believing the loudest side.

    Might watch the Lille game tonight, what times it start?

  54. 54
    batty says:

    toonsy see some 1 has been on aboot ya agen :evil:

  55. 55
    Army69 says:

    8 i think stuart

  56. 56
    DJG says:

    Whether he’s standing on the moral high ground, for once, or not…

    Very unprofessional of Barton. You don’t talk in public about your employers like that. Is it any wonder they don’t want to offer him a new contract.

    Someone made a good point the other day…if you slag your superiors off in public you will cop it at some point, in any business or organisation in the world.

  57. 57
    hitman says:

    workyticket says:
    May 29, 2011 at 4:48 pm
    TARTAN TOON says:
    May 29, 2011 at 9:32 am

    “BORING. Seriously, why do u even bother putting up last weeks news for the second time”

    TARTAN TOON, how come you are using the same IP number as Toonsy and Army69?

    Do you all live together?

  58. 58
    DJG says:

    Pedro has always defended and had confidence in Ashley when talking to the media. Is it any wonder he’s got a nice little job at the academy.

  59. 59
  60. 60
    toonsy says:

    Batty/Hitman – It would be impressive as I was at work until half ten this morning. Last time I checked I had a steering wheel in front of me and not a computer :shock:

    Let the little fella crack on. If a little bitch makes him happy then it’s fine by me :)

  61. 61
    hitman says:

    :lol:

  62. 62
    batty says:

    toonsy aye hes defo after hits ,thats why i didnt reply by calling him a ladyboy :smile:

  63. 63
    DJG says:

    “I am an employee so have to be careful here.” :shock:

    :???:

  64. 64
    toonsy says:

    Batty – That’s the best way to deal with it bud. Just ignore it. I’ve been on and clarified that I was at work. In fact I drove the 5:50 M16 from Leeds to Plymouth via Manchester and Birmingham where I got off and got the train home.

    I can’t imagine the punters would be happy with me being on a phone whilst driving. Besides, it’s got CCTV all over it so there is no way you can get on a phon/computer when your’e driving without being spotted.

    I do find it funny however that whenever something gets said I always go on there as Toonsy yet apparently I’m all these weird and wonderful people….

  65. 65
    AndrewNUFC says:

    Love Joey, love how he talks the truth but he’s talked himself out of getting a new contract now… :sad:

    If he wanted to stay he would have kept his mouth shut, everyone knows you cant call your own boss. I’ll wish him luck where ever he ends up, because he wont be here much longer- you dont take Mike on and win.

  66. 66
    Moreno says:

    toonsy,

    The funniest thing is, as you run a blog you know it takes about 3 seconds to do a check on that, as if you’d actually be daft enough.

  67. 67
    JerseyGeordie says:

    Took a nice little nap in the cool quiet comfort of this sand my heed’s burried in. What did I miss? :razz:

  68. 68
    toonsy says:

    I’ve never seen the point in multiple names. If other ise them then fair enough to a point as it’s their call. The only time I’ve used them is when I got banned from there :lol:

  69. 69
    dan4toon says:

    Jersey, nothing much!

    Looking forward to the Lille game tonight though ;-)

  70. 70
    DJG says:

    ‘you dont take Mike on and win.’

    I think the club were unwilling to give out another big payday to McKay aswell. If I was Barton the first thing I would have done was ditch that sleazy rat agent and represented myself; the second thing I would have done is keep my mouth shut. Then if the club point blank refuse to negotiated, run down the contract and look for another club in Jan.

  71. 71
  72. 72
    dan4toon says:

    Cabaye is probably Bartons replacement as well….

  73. 73
    DJG says:

    To be brutally honest.

    If he’s younger, cheaper and indeed better.. that’ll do me Tommy. :grin:

    :lol:

  74. 74
    hitman says:

    toonsy the little pr1ck is just looking for hits coz his blog is dead

  75. 75
    Munich Mag says:

    wehey…the gloves are off…at least Joeys are…..and as usual …..queue tumbleweed from the club….nowt…

    I’m looking forward to Pardew’s take on this all on Monday !….

    Shit…can’t seem to get that sand out of my lugs…terrible stuff.. :lol:

  76. 76
    JerseyGeordie says:

    I had a terrible wake up. Went to get coffee and dropped my fav toon mug shattering it too peices. Then I was frozen still wondering if it was a sign… :shock: :cry:

  77. 77
    DJG says:

    Plus I don’t think Barton speaks french like Cabbage, or whatever he’s called…. :lol: …. so he won’t be able to understand where to aim the corner kick. :smile:

  78. 78
    JerseyGeordie says:

    MM I’m old pro at it and have learned to use a straw for air ;-)
    Still coughing up sand from the late nineties tho :sad:

  79. 79
    AndrewNUFC says:

    DJG

    Maybe Cabaye speaks English ;-)

  80. 80
    JerseyGeordie says:

    Andrew that might be rendered useless if we get all the targets we’re linked with :mrgreen:

  81. 81
    Stuart79 says:

    Whats Quirky Ticket on about now?

  82. 82
    Moreno says:

    wow, the media have pounced on joeys comments….

  83. 83
    Stardust says:

    Yep Toonsy he’s turned to you and accusing you of nonsense instead of me – have you noticed how all the accusations that were levelled at me now have transferred to you and now I have none.

    I did the same as you a few times when he banned me – used another name just to post a point or two – Wanky Tissue is a seriously mentally ill freak! (On that note I apologise to any freaks that are offended for being compared to Wanky Tissue)

  84. 84
    toonsy says:

    stardust – It’s sorted now :)

  85. 85
    JerseyGeordie says:

    Toonsy, I think the floating ip thing was him saying it was you at work….
    He is really a sad lad… Not to mention completely obsessed with you!!!

  86. 86
    JerseyGeordie says:

    You must have the magic stick :shock: :lol:

  87. 87
    dan4toon says:

    Magic stick :shock:

  88. 88
    icedog says:

    JG @85 aye ive heard some go wild for men in uniform ;-)

  89. 89
    Newkie says:

    Hmm…glad Barton won’t be going in the summer, but I guess he’s gone for good after that…unless mike sells up? Not sure if I want him to sell now..

  90. 90
    Jobey07 says:

    toonsy is always bragging about his magic stick :lol: :lol:

  91. 91
    sean says:

    can i recomend that people watch the lille game tonight to see cabaye and gervinho. ill post a link if you want.

  92. 92
    JerseyGeordie says:

    Ice :lol:

    I heard rumours he has trouble finding it tho :oops: :razz:

  93. 93
    DJG says:

    sean

    What time is KO?

  94. 94
    toonsy says:

    DJG – I’m sure I read that it’s 8pm our time

  95. 95
    DJG says:

    Lille v Rennes, 20:00

    Yep, We are on the same time as them I think.

  96. 96
    toonsy says:

    DJG – Or if you’re French, it’s on at their time ;)

  97. 97
    DJG says:

    Actually they may be 1 hour ahead. :???:

  98. 98
    Bobby Shinton number 9 says:

    @stardust

    God you are obsessed with Worky. You’re like a little girl in the playground.

    Get over it and move on like a man.

    You horrible little pug nose gonk.

  99. 99
    Newkie says:

    france is gmt+1 so yeah they’re an hour ahead, it starts at 9 there i think..so its still 8 for us :grin:

  100. 100
    DJG says:

    What happens when our clocks go forward in spring. Oh this is all very confusing my brain is gonna explode in a min. :mrgreen:

  101. 101
    Moreno says:

    :lol: @ bobby

    ‘pug nose gonk’

  102. 102
    richietoon says:

    It starts at 9 my time :grin:

  103. 103
    sean says:

    9pm our time- ill post a link at the time

  104. 104
    DJG says:

    they eat smelly cheese and raw things out of the shell. :grin:

  105. 105
    sean says:

    oops its 8!! :razz:

  106. 106
    Jobey07 says:

    Cabaye and Gervinho both start

  107. 107
    JerseyGeordie says:

    Stardy to worky = Bobby to AShley? ;-)

  108. 108
    toonfan101 says:

    Lille v Rennes
    http://extremegoalx.weebly.com/
    8pm kick off, looks like its in english too :)

  109. 109
    DJG says:

    Known our luck Cabbage will break his leg or summit. :sad:

  110. 110
    Jamie Vincente says:

    J_Enrique3:

    “not want to talk to much but contract is out of my hand and down to the club. much love everyone!”

    Comments on what that means guys?

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