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


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‘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.
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
We are delighted that Larsson will not be joing the famous Newcastle United Club

Bet you Ed Isn’t
I agree with TGS @3
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.
Rumours of us going for Karl Henry, hope it’s bullshit
Jay Jay agreed
Not only is he crap, he’s one of my most hated footballers alongside people like clattermole..
JAY JAY thats about as true as you going on the wagon
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.
Feeling a bit hungover as it happens icedog
got into trouble last night
JAY JAY,whos picked on you for nowt now m8
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
Aye jay jay I bet you was the innocent party in all this.
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
That’s no getting into bother jay jay just a normal night oot on the lash for you
Clarkey managing in league one again next season
water off a ducks back JAY JAY
My terriers mate reckons Clarke will be out of a job next season, picked wrong side and tactics apparently
Not happening
Yeah I’m used to it, usually only get in trouble when I’m with toonsy though
Nop hes agreed a deal and after the match he will be close to being signed. How good is he?
AYE JAY JAY,toonsy known for getting people into bother like
Jay jay-not on Geordie shore are ya?
joey has just sed i cant sign a contract if they havent offerd me 1
i hope fat ash chokes in his sleep
Not convinced it’s the real Joey Barton. Can’t imagine him bitching in such a juvenile fashion on Twitter.
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!
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
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
SRH itse defo him
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?
spot on devon
“…….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
hey im going to watch lennes play today
hopefully cabaye and gervinho are playing
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
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..”
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
go fck yaself alan
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
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”
looks like he will be here next season
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.
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
Only one Joey Barton..
thats it for joey now like..
Sir joey barton
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 .
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
AXEL thing that i hate aboot that result is its red noses son is not who is p/boro manager
See ya later Joey
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!
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?
toonsy see some 1 has been on aboot ya agen
8 i think stuart
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.
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?
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.
well that was quick
http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/7896/4/barton-hits-out-newcastle-transfer-policy
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
Let the little fella crack on. If a little bitch makes him happy then it’s fine by me
toonsy aye hes defo after hits ,thats why i didnt reply by calling him a ladyboy
“I am an employee so have to be careful here.”
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….
Love Joey, love how he talks the truth but he’s talked himself out of getting a new contract now…
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.
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.
Took a nice little nap in the cool quiet comfort of this sand my heed’s burried in. What did I miss?
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
Jersey, nothing much!
Looking forward to the Lille game tonight though
‘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.
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/11/05/29/manual_183527.html&BID=165
new JB crack…
Cabaye is probably Bartons replacement as well….
To be brutally honest.
If he’s younger, cheaper and indeed better.. that’ll do me Tommy.
toonsy the little pr1ck is just looking for hits coz his blog is dead
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..
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…
Plus I don’t think Barton speaks french like Cabbage, or whatever he’s called….
…. so he won’t be able to understand where to aim the corner kick.
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
DJG
Maybe Cabaye speaks English
Andrew that might be rendered useless if we get all the targets we’re linked with
Whats Quirky Ticket on about now?
wow, the media have pounced on joeys comments….
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)
stardust – It’s sorted now
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!!!
You must have the magic stick
Magic stick
JG @85 aye ive heard some go wild for men in uniform
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..
toonsy is always bragging about his magic stick
can i recomend that people watch the lille game tonight to see cabaye and gervinho. ill post a link if you want.
Ice
I heard rumours he has trouble finding it tho
sean
What time is KO?
DJG – I’m sure I read that it’s 8pm our time
Lille v Rennes, 20:00
Yep, We are on the same time as them I think.
DJG – Or if you’re French, it’s on at their time
Actually they may be 1 hour ahead.
@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.
france is gmt+1 so yeah they’re an hour ahead, it starts at 9 there i think..so its still 8 for us
What happens when our clocks go forward in spring. Oh this is all very confusing my brain is gonna explode in a min.
‘pug nose gonk’
It starts at 9 my time
9pm our time- ill post a link at the time
they eat smelly cheese and raw things out of the shell.
oops its 8!!
Cabaye and Gervinho both start
Stardy to worky = Bobby to AShley?
Lille v Rennes
http://extremegoalx.weebly.com/
8pm kick off, looks like its in english too
Known our luck Cabbage will break his leg or summit.
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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