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!
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… 😯 😥
JerseyGeordie(Quote)
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. 🙂
DJG(Quote)
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 🙁
JerseyGeordie(Quote)
DJG
Maybe Cabaye speaks English 😉
AndrewNUFC(Quote)
Andrew that might be rendered useless if we get all the targets we’re linked with
JerseyGeordie(Quote)
Whats Quirky Ticket on about now?
Stuart79(Quote)
wow, the media have pounced on joeys comments….
Moreno(Quote)
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(Quote)
stardust – It’s sorted now 🙂
toonsy(Quote)
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!!!
JerseyGeordie(Quote)
You must have the magic stick 😯 😆
JerseyGeordie(Quote)
Magic stick 😯
dan4toon(Quote)
JG @85 aye ive heard some go wild for men in uniform 😉
icedog(Quote)
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..
Newkie(Quote)
toonsy is always bragging about his magic stick 😆 😆
Jobey07(Quote)
can i recomend that people watch the lille game tonight to see cabaye and gervinho. ill post a link if you want.
sean(Quote)
Ice 😆
I heard rumours he has trouble finding it tho 😳 😛
JerseyGeordie(Quote)
sean
What time is KO?
DJG(Quote)
DJG – I’m sure I read that it’s 8pm our time
toonsy(Quote)
Lille v Rennes, 20:00
Yep, We are on the same time as them I think.
DJG(Quote)
DJG – Or if you’re French, it’s on at their time 😉
toonsy(Quote)
Actually they may be 1 hour ahead. 😕
DJG(Quote)
@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.
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
france is gmt+1 so yeah they’re an hour ahead, it starts at 9 there i think..so its still 8 for us 😀
Newkie(Quote)
What happens when our clocks go forward in spring. Oh this is all very confusing my brain is gonna explode in a min.
DJG(Quote)
😆 @ bobby
‘pug nose gonk’
Moreno(Quote)
It starts at 9 my time 😀
richietoon(Quote)
9pm our time- ill post a link at the time
sean(Quote)
they eat smelly cheese and raw things out of the shell. 😀
DJG(Quote)
oops its 8!! 😛
sean(Quote)
Cabaye and Gervinho both start
Jobey07(Quote)
Stardy to worky = Bobby to AShley? 😉
JerseyGeordie(Quote)
Lille v Rennes
http://extremegoalx.weebly.com/
8pm kick off, looks like its in english too 🙂
toonfan101(Quote)
Known our luck Cabbage will break his leg or summit. 🙁
DJG(Quote)
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?
Jamie Vincente(Quote)