Great friends at NUFC
That unfortunately died down due to my holiday. Then the start of the season came along which meant that I had other things to write about, but now I’m back with my latest instalment in player interviews, and this one is the most high profile one yet.
For those who haven’t seen my other articles, I have interviewed Stephen Folan, Adam Campbell and Ben Sayer. These were all great lads to interview and you should give the interviews a look if you haven’t already.
My latest interview is with Newcastle’s summer signing Mehdi Abeid. I contacted Mehdi via Facebook where he accepts and talks to Newcastle fans which is really good of him. When I asked him if he could take part in a short interview he was very happy to do so. It was very very good of Mehdi, It’s not the easiest for him as English isn’t his first language but he gave it a real good go, and provided some good in depth answers and for that I thank him.
What Team do you support?
I support my team Newcastle United and Real Madrid.
Who’s your best mate at NUFC?
Haris Vuckic, I spend a lot of time with him.
Who’s the funniest player at NUFC?
I think the funniest player is Leon Best, very funny.
Who’s always last of the training pitch?
It depends really, everybody is happy to stay if they need to practice.
Who’s your favourite player in the first team to watch, and in world football?
At Newcastle it is Fabricio Coloccini. Every time he plays he has a very very good game. In world football it has to be Xavi, he never loses the ball and he’s always moving. Sometimes I watch videos of him to try and replicate his movement and pass like him, it’s very interesting.
Most memorable game you’ve played in?
The most memorable game I’ve played is for the French National team against England in a tournament in France, it was a very strong game which was good to play.
Most memorable game you’ve watched?
The best game that I’ve watched is France v Brazil in 1998 which France won 3-0, it was crazy, everyone was out in the street. It was a really good day.
What player do you model yourself on?
I want to learn a lot about Xavi, because he’s the best midfielder in the world at the moment.
What is your favourite goal you’ve scored?
My favourite goal was at Lens, I shot from about 30m against Lyon, very beautiful goal.
What do you want to achieve in your career?
I want to have a lot of great seasons with Newcastle and show the players and the fans what I can do. I really want to play in the first team and I will work hard to do that, and of course I want to have a good career and be a good player.
What are your aims for this season?
I’m really trying hard to push into the first team. It’s what I really want and I’m trying hard. I will continue to work hard and if I get my chance try and play a good game and impress, that’s what I hope.
I’ve noticed you have a good relationship with Haris Vuckic, has he helped you settle in at the club?
Yes, Haris has helped me a lot. He was really good with me and I’d like to thank him for all the things he’s done for me.
What do you think of the Newcastle weather, is it a bit cold?
The weather is ok. It was the same weather in Lens, so I’m used to it.
Are you enjoying playing for Newcastle since your move from Lens?
Yes I am really enjoying it here in Newcastle. I really think that I made the right choice when I chose to come here, and it’s good for my career. Newcastle is a very good club and I hope to do well here.
Did you speak to Hatem Ben Arfa before signing for Newcastle? If so, what did he tell you?
Yes, I spoke with Ben Arfa before coming here. He said to me that Newcastle is a really good club and I will enjoy it here and will improve and get a lot of game time.
I thought the interview with Mehdi was my most interesting thus far. For someone who’s just learning English he did very well to answer my questions in English. I touched up some of his word order, but for someone who was only been living in the country for around 3 months his English is coming along very well. He takes time out of his day and communicates with the fans better than Mike Ashley does, and English is his first language! It’s a shame his second language is ignorance.
Mehdi’s friendship with Haris Vuckic is something which I’ve noticed in time he’s spent at Newcastle. They have pictures round each other’s houses on Facebook and when Vuckic scored his goal in America himself and Mehdi did a little bit of a dance and a high five. Nice to see them Haris helping another young mover. Haris did the same when he was young, he moved to Newcastle and it’s nice to see that he’s taken Mehdi under his wing and helped him out, as he knows how difficult it is.
Unlike my other articles we’re touching more on the first team with answers to the funniest player and best mate at Newcastle. This is because I’m led to believe that Mehdi trains with the first team, unlike the other players I’ve interviewed. He finds Leon Best very funny, I do too, but I’ve never spoken to him, he’s just got one of them gormless faces I think.
Mehdi models himself on Xavi and if you’re going to pick a player as a central midfielder you may as well go for someone who is almost perfect. I’m not sure if I see Xavi in Abeid, but I do see something special, a little bit of spark and creativity and calmness on the ball. Something I did find very interesting was that Mehdi said that he sometimes watches videos of Xavi and tries to replicate how he plays, that shows he’s very keen to learn, and that can only be a good thing.
He seems like he has a real determination to get into the first team in the next season. He’s currently on the fringes and if he’s training with the first team lads he may get chances in cup games in the near future. Whenever I’ve seen him he’s impressed me so I wouldn’t be upset to see him on the team sheet, I’d pick him before Alan Smith certainly.
Mehdi seems very excited about his move from Lens and he kept mentioning how good Newcastle is as a club. He seems like a very good lad and the sort of player I like to see at the club. Someone determined, talented but down to earth at the same time.
Over the summer there was a lot made of Ben Arfa trying to persuade players to come to Newcastle from the French league. Mehdi confirmed that he did speak to Ben Arfa who told him how good Newcastle are to play for, and that he’d enjoy it. So a goes big thanks to Hatem Ben Arfa who’s been pulling his weight in other areas of the club even though he’s been unable to do his primary job on the pitch. Ben Arfa must really like the club because although he’s had a torrid time at Newcastle with injuries he’s still singing the clubs praises.
Mehdi Abeid recently picked up an injury playing for the Newcastle reserves against Sunderland where clumsy ex-magpie Titus Bramble injured him. Mehdi told me that he was trying to return before the Nottingham Forest game, but it could be a three week injury.
Many thanks to Mehdi Abeid for taking part in this article, it’s something he didn’t have to do, and it’d have been easier for him not too, but he was kind enough to do it, so thanks for that. You can contact Mehdi through Facebook here, and if he’s not busy he usually replies to you.
Mehdi’s one to watch over the coming seasons, hopefully we hear a lot more about him!
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104 Comments
We certainly have a lot of midfielders. Batty tryed to kid that Cabaye was injured the other day, although I was very sceptical
it did make me think; if Cabaye was injured we have Gosling and now Guthrie coming back as back up to him. I also think if Tiote is suspended Cabaye could play as a DM and then Vuckic, Gosling, Guthrie, Abeid take your pick. There should be no need for Alan Smith at all now to be honest.
smith should never need to be used, we concede every time he`s on the pitch, gives senseless free kicks away in dangerous areas, cant tackle, cant run, cant shoot and cant read the game anymore……a bit like Shola just shorter, lighter and closer to our goals …unfortunately!!
Jobey07 another cracking insight into the world of our younger players, and hopfully future 1st team players.
I was surprised you fell for it
Again one of our younguns took the time to give you the interview so good on them, and I really hope they make it.
DJG Batty had you with that one
JOBEY top show mate great interview,for your next one can you get jabba
Great interview
Big Dave
Ice @ 4 and when he gets Jabba give him a good old fashioned punishment beating, I have a baseball bat with nails in it that would be handy
Nice to see he’s settling in and enjoying the football club. Seems like a good lad as well.
Ashley’s second language is ignorance – priceless!
I spoke to him on Facebook, he said I’m his hero
JAY JAY whey he raises his heed we were wondering where you and richie had got to last night
Good interview – hope the lad does well. Any chance of interviewing Sammy or has he gone all unapproachable now he’s sometimes in the 1st?
Jay jay where have you been mate ? we not good enough for you anymore
DAVE from last thread aye he spoke to redknapp and he couldnt find the exit door quick enough,wouldnt class him as top class manager like
Just been working a lot, but I’m always about…somewhere
Big Dave you’re not good enough but everybody else is sound
Ice I think sloppy chops is a good manager, and Jostoon didn’t say world glass he said a manager that was sought after or in Work
Jay so hows you mate whats the craic
Ice in saying that I think he likes to be able to spend big
wham that was below the belt
dead on big dave, hows yourself?
Ice @ 19 yeah that was low but then again he is very small
Jay I was ok until I seen 16
Jay is there any truth in the rumour that you have been posting under leonbestismint
Good read Jobey. Well done
I notice jay Jay and Rich have returned at the same time. I’m not one to speculate but I reckon they’ve been away for a mucky holiday together
You know I’m slagging Big Dave, not me icedog, I’m jay jay only since the passing away of morale officer
TOONSY aye richie took him as hand luggage
only the sick of mind could think such a thing toonsy. Are you going to villa or wolves mate?
Jay – Depends on work mate. In short I don’t know yet bud.Now I know having to work when the football is on makes me an armchair fan blah blah but there isn’t much I can do about it.
Yeah mate, gotta get your graft in.
Jay
you dont think of Toonsy as an armchair fan do ye 
Ice @ 25 now that was a good one mate
Definetely not big dave, I know he’d go every match if he could, shame if he can’t relive his wolves antics though
“Antics”
This would be where you and Mark left me to scrap the Wolves hooligans all by myself, yes?
No need for this bullying, thought I had friends on here
That’s the way you tell it but you’re full of shite
dont like anyone haveing a go at my mate dave
I’ve never ran from anyone, not even Jamie Pollock
think its a wise move pardew saying hes not starting with santon he will be on bench
Ice I always said that Batty should hire you as a minder, as I think that is you are best suited to, just like an A/Bulldog
Ice @ 36 where is that from mate? the rags were saying during the week that he would start but I think it might be wrong to throw him straight in
DAVE found it hear m8,not the best but sounds right
http://www.eatsleepsport.com/newcastle-united/magpies-put-new-boys-debut-on-hold-1280382.html
I say put Santon in. At the end of the day Raylor has done ok, but I don’t much fancy him against Wright-Phillips
Ice I hope he doesn’t start mate as I wouldn’t like to throw him in to early and maybe having a mare, it would then take even longer for him to settle.
On Santon I have high hopes for him and I really do think he will be a real good LB or RB and I have liked what little I have seen and read on him.
DAVE talking a/bulldog other ngt was out in field/woods with bitch on the lead like, a dobaman came flyin out of nowhere she nailed it in 5sec felt real bad,got it to vets with mates help,owner still hasnt shown up,theres some right dicks aboot
Toonsy I dont think he has had long enough to get to know the players mate, and more than that could you imagine the shit he would get from some if he made a balls up on his 1st game
Jobey,what do you mean “It’s a shame his second language is ignorance.”
Ice your spot on mate there is some right dicks about, that has happened to me a couple of times, I hate when your walking your dog on a lead and someone is letting theres run free and the next thing their dog is running over to mine and the owner says oh its ok it wont fight with other dogs, even though mine is pulling like fuk with foam coming out of its mouth, fuking does my head in
I think he should start, with maybe Raylor moving to RB. Think he’s played quite well out of position.
JAY i would switch raylor too,would put young fergie in at at l/b if only to try and stop swp pace a bit
Jay Jay – Raylor can’t defend.
@ B&B People choose to overlook that for some reason due to his freekicks.
SWP is hopeless. I keep saying to the kids “watch this” “watch” “bet he cocks it up” whenever he gets the ball. He rarely lets me down, and we always have a right laugh.
Dimpleboy – It can only be that.
BB/DIMP,yous saying simpson can defend admit he can run faster backwards than forwards will need to against swp
swp will swap wings in this game from time to time imo
Icedog – Simpo is not great but if he’s not a defender, he’s nothing. Raylor is a very average midfielder, who frightens me to death when he plays at the back.
It isn’t Wright-Phillips’ skill that I worry.about. Its his pace.
B&B – I think jobey meant that Mike Ashleys second language is ignorance.
Icedog – you saying SWP worries you? Any more than any other winger against our fullbacks? Get the new lad in. Never seen him myself, but he should have no problem at all to hear people on here who have been raving about him.
BB your right he is nothing struggled badly in ccc when up against a decent winger deffo not PL player
Toonsy – Makes sense.
well ime off dog says its time and i havent got wor lass to take it
am I not right in thinking that Santon was away for international ? if so I really dont think he has had time to bed in and get use to playing with his team mates.
I also worry that the lad has had confidence issues and if he was to be threw in at the start and had a badish game it would set him back even longer, but thats just my opinion
Big Dave – You worry too much. Are you one of those big Dave’s who dithers at the end of the six foot diving board?
B+B what big dave is that ? . the main reason I worry is because im 99% sure if he has a bad game he will get fuking hammered by some of our supporters.
IMO we have done ok in the 1st 3 games so I dont see what harm it would do to give Santon another week instead of rushing him in
enjoyed reading it jobe well done.
Excellent work Jobey, best scoop yet
well done.
Dave- No need to worry. Our fans are level headed and don’t write players off after minutes on the pitch. Best supporters in the lads you know
I’m sure if Santon did play and play badly people would understand given that it’s a new country/league etc. They wouldn’t call him shit or anything at all
Big Dave – You could say that about whenever he plays. Another week with his psychologist aint going to make a difference. You’ve got to be a big boy when you come here. However, the geordies always give a player plenty of time and forgive a lot of early mistakes. There’s not many that get the Warren Barton treatment. Besides, if he’s as good as everyone makes out, he shouldn’t have a problem. Do you think he might be suspect or something?
B+B > Do you think he might be suspect or something?
Thats pointless answering that as I have gave my reasons why I think we should wait, and its got nowt to do with a psychologist
Dave – Given the impression that some of our “fantastic” season ticket holders have given in the last few days do you not think it would be better for the lad to make his debut away from home?
toonsy i think your right there
You seem to think he has confidence issues. If he’s as good as I’m being led to believe, he should be raring to go. I f*ckin would be. I wouldn’t be saying, don’t play me Alan, I need to get to know my team mates in case I make a c*ck of myself.
Toonsy that could be a point there
here’s a Pards interview from about 8 mins on http://soundcloud.com/metroradionews/black-white-and-red-all-over
Cheers for the kind words Lads.
And aye, I was on about Ashley with the ignorance comment
It was interesting that he started to worry about the striker after the Fulham result
Toonsy/Batty – The kid will get a warm welcome from everybody, including us hard-to-please season ticket holders. Everybody wants to see every player in black and white do well. I’m surprised you think otherwise. Of course, there’s going to be groans and moans when there’s a cock up, but if you’re not big enough for that, you shouldn’t have come to a big club.
dave ive sent you a lorry load of nescafe m8 and a bit of wizz
Anyone know how the Forest tickets are going? Want to try to get two tickets if theer’s still likely to be any left after season ticket holder sales
Toonsy sorry about some of the lingo on the last thread
but bloggers like him and Leonbestismint really do my head in, they seem to think that their opinions are the only valid one and any that are different are void and then then start the name calling abuse
Batty I could do with a bit of something mate
Can season ticket holders and members just get 1 away ticket these days?
Batts meant to ask hows Shan doing
Loving these interviews Jobey. Well in!
This site is now the go to place for anything NUFC. I don’t think anybody can deny that.
Wow!
B&B is certainly putting Big Dave under the spotlight yet he has failed to answer my question on Pards on the previous thread.
You can’t have it both ways. It hasn’t taken long for the crew to find out that if you get a hard question you turn into a politician which I’ve been saying for years.
What should Pards have said following the window closing?
It looks like B&B is on the Alan Hansen website on how to answer difficult football questions without giving an answer. Genius.
The Kid just out of interest were you the same ET that went on TOTT
yeah your bro likes to ask questions but isn’t as quick at answering
Troy
@the Kid
You related to Toonsy?
I’m on .25p a post. I hope hes not paying more than that as I’m contracted to be the best paid blogger.
troy 25p lol i know dave is on at least a fiver
Troy – Pardew done the right thing, he pissed off somewhere gathered his thoughs calmed down and returned, he’s not our first manager under the big lad to have his fingers well and truly jammed in the transfer window. Looking forward to the 14 answers from the club tomorrow. Then again don’t think it we be a surprise to hear more spin.
night lads nite troy xxxxxx
Big Dave
I comment on many different blogs. Can’t remember if I commented on TOTT though. If the picture was Enrique/Santon, yes; if otherwise,no.
Batts take it easy lad, im just warming up
Good read jobey … Quick question for you? Does anyone know how long abeid out for after he was carried off against mackems in reserve game?
The Kid no it was a regular on tott just wondered tis all
Hey guys, been quite a while since i posted last, don’t know if this has been mentioned before and i hope i’m wrong but has anyone else noticed that we haven’t had a captain last for more than a season since Shearer? i may be wrong and i certainly hope Captain Colo doesn’t leave! but still food for thought
Elfy I never really thought about it but now you have said yeah it is a bit strange, but hopfully Colo will start a newtrend
Jobey – good interview mate well done.
I hope this lad pushes the 1st teamers for a place, thats the best way to keep them on their toes. I’m sure his time will come when he is good enough.
Respect to Haris too.
Yep Jobey – enjoyed the interview. Respect to the Mehdi for giving the interview and you for getting it! The blogs very own George Caulkin
Jay I’m pretty sure it’s just one ticket each. Have to make my daughter a member to try and get a ticket for her as well,
Great article Jobey, thanks! And good on Mehdi for giving us his time, sounds like a good lad and I think he’ll do well. Ditto Haris
Well done once again Jobey lad!
We’ll start calling you ‘Mr Exclusive’ from now on!
Still no sign of B&B to answer the question I posed several threads back.
To be fair, he did answer without answering several times .
So B&B, as you know I don’t believe in letting people off the hook when they don’t want to answer a question, I therefore pose it again;
What do you think Pards should have said post transfer window?
Moreno – Just stick with calling him cock. It’s easier
Jobey, really good interview mate, it’s really good to see the younger players are making time to do things like this and not acting like big time charlies… Haris would be good next interview for you to do.
It’s also good to see a good team spirit and friendships forming with the younger lads as hopefully they will breaking into the first team together
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