Has Ben Arfa spat the dummy?

Benny back in Tunisia
Hatem Ben Arfa was scheduled to appear for the reserves at Bolton last night but his appearance was pulled at the 11th hour and he was instead given a leave of absence to go and visit an ill family member in Tunisia.

Maybe it’s my overactive imagination? Maybe the previous of the player is making me question it?

One thing is for certain though, and that is that it’s all very, well, it’s all very convenient isn’t it? Could you really see Hatem making an appearance for the reserves? I must admit that I raised an eyebrow when I heard that was supposed to be the case.

No doubt I will be accused of rumour mongering or some such rubbish, but I’m not. Even if everything is tickety boo and Hatem is indeed fine and well it does kind of highlight the fact having Hatem Ben Arfa at the club is akin to trying to walk on eggs without breaking them.

Hopefully all is well and I hope Ben Arfa’s relative makes a speedy recovery, but let’s face it, he doesn’t have a sparkling record when it comes to sticking around somewhere where he doesn’t feel wanted does he? Ask Marseille and Lyon. Or is it OK because he spat the dummy to move to us?

Sooner or later Hatem is going to need to come into the first team. I read a few comments on here from The Kid last night which kind of mirrored that sentiment. In short Hatem is the type who wants a place in the first team all the time.

It’s been hard for him in all honesty and it’s been a long road back to fitness after such a horrific injury, but his time is coming. He’s managed about 90 minutes over two games and spent the third one sat on the bench for 90 minutes. After a year out I fully back that call against what is a very “robust” Wolves team.

However we are heading towards a couple of games that are made for Ben Arfa. Tottenham are an impressive side these days so will be looking to attack rather than defend at St James’ Park in a little under two weeks, and following that we have Wigan who, quite frankly, should be no match for Ben Arfa’s skill and vision.

I just hope that everything is all well and good and that my overactive imagination is just a sign of too much caffeine, quiet roads, and plenty of thinking time!

About toonsy

A lifelong Newcastle fan and current webmaster of this very 'blog who has the sole aim of creating a place by Newcastle United fans, for Newcastle United fans.

153 thoughts on “Has Ben Arfa spat the dummy?

  1. Well there you go then… he needs as much play experience as possible at the minute and I’m sure he would of snapped Pards’ hand off! 🙂 So I think I believe him!

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  2. not sure whats worse, her camel-toe or that xmas jumper. which one would you rather wear around your neck… 😯

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  3. Toonsy

    You know I love the blog, I do feel that you let yourself down a little with this article – but we all do that from time to time – we’re human after all.

    If HBA has been allowed compassionate leave as stated, the article is distasteful in the extreme. To be fair you’re not in a position to form a rational informed view.

    So the article comes across poorly.

    We all know the mong fans with IQs of -100 live and breath the negative **** – feeding them ‘mind food’ does nothing to help NUFC – which I know for a fact is the last thing you’d want. Especially at a time when things are going well. Without proof, at these times, I don’t see a place for this article.

    I know you won’t – but I think an honourable deletion of the article may be in order.

    Again – to be fair to you, and to inform blog recent readers, your articles are 99.999 percent brilliant.

    Over to you – though Keep it up fella – its tough at the top!

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  4. I don’t see why I should delete an article containing my thoughts on the matter….

    Sorry if people don’t like it, but I’m not refraining from pisting my thoughts on the basis that it may upset some people.

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  5. @We all know the mong fans with IQs of -100 live and breath the negative ****

    so all mongs are negative?? the yellow bus that passes mine in the morning is full of mongs with toon tops on and they always seem extremely happy, never negative.. probably happy coz I missed the bus…again..

    😆

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  6. Good article. yes it is fair for toonsy to question club statements (based upon past, historical fabrications), however I think the conclusion is incorrect.

    It would appear from some news sources that HBA got called yesterday from tunis, he then asked for time off.

    just bad luck I think, given he has been out for a year he would hardly be miffed not be playing again. Lets hope the lad flies back soon and all is Ok.

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  7. I have never liked you “Toonsy”. Since I caught you going into an opposing teams board that we had just hammered whereby you completely played Newcastle down and praised the opposition, even though it was a sh*t club/side. There was absolutely no sportsmanship in it, just brown nosing rubbish. And thats what you are and have always been, a brown nosey jockey. And everytime I see your article pop up, my plss boils. I have seen over the years so many of these articles that you do on defeated opposing boards, you seriously get off on it because for that one moment, you placate opposing teams’s fans by playing Newcastle Uniteds competence down. You also like to swim against the tide, contradict the majorities feelings on subject matter, like for example Mike Ashley. I honest can say your a complete and utter t9sser. I have shown the lads so many examples of it, you now have yourself a nice little cult status as a human Colon cleanser.

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  8. Toonsy – this is definitely a valid question to put out there.

    For starters – why not put him in the reserve team to play Bolton? It’s not like he’ll be playing with stiffs and furthermore he surely needs pitchtime to top-up his fitness. It’s also another chance to force Pardew to find a way to put him in the first XI – seems Marveaux may have done just that

    I’m also quietly concerned about the co-incidental timing of his ‘compassionate leave’ – not making a judgement either way on the lad but still… it’s perfectly valid to put a question mark next to the official version of events A. because of his previous and B. the last-minute nature of him pulling out (morning – reported as being in the squad, afternoon – out)

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  9. @M

    For starters – why not put him in the reserve team to play Bolton?

    I’m also quietly concerned about the co-incidental timing of his ‘compassionate leave’ ..

    I think someone is ill in Tunisia, a family member

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  10. This not like a Daily Mail article at all. This is obviously a personal thought – it says so often enough. The Daily Mail etc presents these same sorts of articles as fact. Therein lies the difference.

    This site is not a newspaper. this is a blog; blogs are about opinions. Are those who comment the only people allowed an opinion? One of the most endearing parts of this blog is the way the writers put their personalities into the writing. That should never be given up, otherwise it becomes just another bland football blog.

    As for the article … who knows? Can’t trust club communications, don’t know the personal life of the player involved. He might be in a huff, he might be off to see his relative. Either way, it’s best that he has a few days away.

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  11. @BW4EVA

    “And everytime I see your article pop up, my plss boils”

    thats gratitude for u..

    Toonsy! stop posting articles on your site that you own.. how dare u..

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  12. Wow Beaver, you take this stuff far too seriously! I’s only football at the end of the day. A great passion and hobby, but it should not dictate your life. If you are that insulted by another football fan’s opinion on his own site relating to a club other than your own than you must find personal misfortune a real *****. Why are you even here? If not a Newcastle fan you obviously dont care about the content of this site…You just wanted an argument over a keyboard? Lol. Go ask your doctor to take you off your valium, go out and get some fresh air. By the sound of your own post, Toonsy has nevereven spoken directly to you. Don’t you think your deep seated hatred towards him is a little bit over the top, obsessive and weird? Try to enjoy life, you are only here once!

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  13. @Shamrock

    Try to enjoy life, you are only here once!..

    unless you believe in reincarnation..

    I hope I’m born again as a genital wart of Cheryl coles fanny 👿

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  14. “I have never liked you, Toonsy”

    Love the brutal simplicity of that opening line. Beautiful.

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  15. As far as i know, he’s in Tunisia visiting an ill family member. I don’t think that Hatem Ben Arfa can expect first squad apperance after 1 year on the sideline, no way.

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  16. Ouch Toonsy, hahahaha 😆 :mrgreen:

    …got it in the neck a bit there mate, don’t think a lot of people got it. Very funny post!

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  17. Can someone tell me why Pardew let Løvenkrands play the last 20 minutes and not Ben Arfa? Altough Ben is a winger/attacking midfielder, he could be used behind Best in the game against Wolves.

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  18. Loverman has a bit of height and can help out with defence.

    It was not the best of circumstances to bring Benny on, it was all about grit.

    Benny is not sharp enough to sidestep a bunch of desperate man mountains trying to bulldoze him off the ball.

    I think if we were winning comfortably at that point then Benny would have been a good option, but we were backs to the wall and Benny is not that kind of player imo…

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  19. Toonsy pal, I’ve been on this blog since the first day .info went up, and have been pleasantly surprised by the quality of the stuff that you and the others roll out on a daily basis, although I tend to hold back from commenting much because no-one really cares what I think. That said…

    Granted, this article is just a wee bit speculative, and probably the product of a slow news day, but it is definitely no more baseless than the 100s of transfer rumours that we trawl through in a season, and none of these plebs flip a sh*t when they’re drooling over the thought of the players they’ve only ever seen on Football Manager.

    Some of these retards have touched a nerve today though, they made the choice to come and read the blog that you’ve put days and weeks of your time into, and run their mouths off like that. There’s a little red x in the top corner, click, and the article that is oh so offensive will go away, and they can get back to kicking their dogs and reading the transfer gossip section of the Daily Sport.

    Twats.

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  20. @41 I love the idea of playing 4-5-2 against Spurs as long as we can have a goalie too. Can we get away with it?

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  21. Haha I’m suprised it took another 60 odd posts before somebody had a dig at me for it! 😉

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  22. Mate, we have the southern press to unsettle and upset our players and team like that; we don’t need a NUFC fan starting this kind of **** and feeding them ammunition!

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  23. FFs toonies you have the audacity to appoint yourselves judge and jury !!! How much effort does Toonsy put in to these things and the thanks he gets is personal attack.
    Hang your heads in shame, it’s his blog and he is just expressing a thought. Accuse it of conspiracy by all means but personal attack after such excellent blogging says more about you lot. We are all on the same side, seriously, is there any need!

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  24. It looks like a few others have spat the dummy out 😆
    Can I sense some other blogs bloggers with an axe to grind, or has the other blog went offline for a bit 😀
    Toonsy I think if he simply didn’t want to play for the ressies he would have told Pards straight away, and wouldn’t leave it to the last minute. 😉

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  25. Dave – What are you suggesting? 😯

    I bet we’re thinking the same thing 😉

    Toonroo – Cheers mate. I don’t mind stick. I love it in fact as it’s all banter, but some people have really shown themselves up on this with their foul mouthed tirades 🙂

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  26. I couldn’t agree more with toonroos comments. You do a great job toonsy mate, don’t lower yourself getting into a slanging match with these turkeys that are being abusive. You were quite within your rights to speculate about HBA given his record of throwing his toys out of the pram, the same possibility crossed my mind . It’s good to play Devils Advocate sometimes it can make for an interesting discussion as long as it’s on a civilized level. Keep up the good work toonsy, more power to you Pal

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  27. Well that was entertaining peeps. 👿

    Well I have to admit, that when the news was posted that he was away to Tunisia, and not playing for the ressies, my initial instinct was to smell a rat. And I dont think its unreasonable to air your doubts/fears that all may not be well between HBA and Pardew. Like you say he has previous.

    Some serious over reaction by some numpties like.
    Read the title, its a fucking question, not a statement of fact.

    Arseholes 👿

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  28. What a ridiculous article!

    Toonsy, how dare you post your opinion or speculations on your blog!

    From now on please ensure you only reflect on other peoples opinions! Really FFS… 😛

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  29. Toonsy….A bit dull this thread, why don’t you think of something that will provoke a bit of reaction?….just a bit of helpful advice like 😉 😆

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  30. Woah, just caught this furore.

    Firstly, I would think that it is a genuine reason he has left for Tunisia. Otherwise he is a total Arsehole which would contradict his attitude since he joined.

    However….

    He does have a previous reputation of being a huffy **** and a leopard doesn’t change it’s spots.

    I think we can be right in feeling slight concern over HBA due to Pards recent comments about him being high maintenance and he knows they will argue at times. Why would the manager say it otherwise? He has a better insight into the player than any on here (believe it or not 🙄 )

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  31. Rich – There is some crackers on here like. Im just glad we’ve met each other a few times. At least you can hate me based on that and not on the strength of internet comments 😀

    You owe me a pint by the way 😉

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  32. Toonsy….aye true……… for those of you out there who havn’t met him, he really is a c@nt 😆

    Aye get yersel over for the Spain v Jocks game, I’ll buy ya one there 😉

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  33. 😈 toonsy says:
    October 5, 2011 at 08:16
    “I tell you what. I’ll not fucking bother posting my thoughts on something. For ***** sake” 👿
    Toonsy this is not really needed your articles are good sometimes contreversal and always interesting why spoil you articles with bad language ❓
    I normally enjoy most of your articles even if they are at times tongue in cheek, if you say something that fans do not agree with you can expect to get shot down, you are entitled to your opinions valid or not but you must have known you would get a reaction to the article

    My kids enjoy this blog to but I am not impressed by your old english phrases remember when commenting younger impressionable people also read your comments.

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  34. posted on http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/newcastle-united/nufc-news/2011/10/04/hatem-ben-arfa-granted-leave-of-absence-72703-29537700/

    amacdee
    7:20 PM on October 4, 2011

    Is this HBA’s way of saying “Up Yours” to Pardwho for not getting him involved against Wolves ? Could be a genuine case of family illness but then again it might not !

    this article appeared about the same time as Toonsy’ and did not get all the bad reaction he got, it shows though he was not alone in his thinking and was justified in writing it, my apologies mate 😳

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  35. Everyone’s entitled to an opinion. Simple as that no matter how daft it is.

    For the record Toonsy I think you’re way too paranoid about Benny this time but I can see why you might think that.

    Can’t understand why your so pissed off at everyone saying you’re paranoid -either because this article is a controversial one what did you expect?

    I barely bother even posting on your blogs to be honest because the last few comments I’ve made in your direction you haven’t even bother replying anyway.

    Pull the high and mighty attitude with the 🙄 all the time is starting get tiresome. “Can I not have an opinion on my site” sounds a lot like “its my ball and I’m taking it home to me!

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  36. Toonsy wasn’t the only one with these thoughts see:-
    amacdee
    7:20 PM on October 4, 2011

    This comment is hidden because you have chosen to ignore amacdee. Show DetailsHide Details

    Is this HBA’s way of saying “Up Yours” to Pardwho for not getting him involved against Wolves ? Could be a genuine case of family illness but then again it might not !

    Read More http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/newcastle-united/nufc-news/2011/10/04/hatem-ben-arfa-granted-leave-of-absence-72703-29537700/#ixzz1ZvP7euBH

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  37. Toonsy is not alone see also by :-
    amacdee
    7:20 PM on October 4, 2011

    This comment is hidden because you have chosen to ignore amacdee. Show DetailsHide Details

    Is this HBA’s way of saying “Up Yours” to Pardwho for not getting him involved against Wolves ? Could be a genuine case of family illness but then again it might not !

    Read More http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/newcastle-united/nufc-news/2011/10/04/hatem-ben-arfa-granted-leave-of-absence-72703-29537700/#ixzz1ZvP7euBH

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  38. In the words of Hawksbee and Jacobs…..What a waste of ink.

    Your no better than the tabloids, just trying to sell some space on a website with some trouble making and a bit of doom and gloom.

    Get a life mate!

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  39. Stop scaremingering and agitating. Wait until you have some grounds before going off on one. I see no indication that the club don`t want him nor any sign other than they are doing their best to get him back to fitness after a long injury. Leave well alone until you know something different

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  40. Aye. I have to admit I don’t like this one Toonsy. I read this blog quite a lot, but don’t often post.

    The sensationalist headline supported by what I feel are quite paranoid opinions make it seem like this is an article designed to drum up hits for the site (just the way it comes across) and I could understand if some readers questioned their loyalty. Benefit of the doubt though, as this sites articles are usually pretty good.

    Some of the behaviour can’t be excused though including yours Toonsy. Seems a little hypocritical to ban people for abuse when you’ve given as good as you’ve got. Why not just ban the abusers and be the better person and ban the abuser (removing the offending post) without the *** for tat. As one poster said some kids might read this and we don’t want to encourage lunacy in the young Mags now do we.

    Finally someone above justified the article as being no worse than the baseless drivel that the southern hacks concoct. Firstly ‘two wrongs’? Do we really need any more vicious rumours started, that can only serve to unsettle both fans and even players? Secondly do you really want to be branded in the same shower as the rags? Point taken this isn’t a newspaper but do people really differentiate?

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  41. Geordie Dan – If I don’t reply to something that is directed at me then tge chances are that I’m busy. I drive for a living and while the vehicles are smart they don’t yet have computers with internet access for the driver to use. Like today for example. This is the first time I’ve had a chance to look at my phone since about 3 o’clock, nigh on six hours ago aside from one brief comment. Nothing against you and I’m not deliberately ignoring you, but you must realise that I’m not always on the site. Even when an article is published its usually written in advance and scheduled to get published automatically at a specified time. The two latest articles, marks and funkness’ , were published in this way.

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  42. TOONSY, ye’re a plonker alright…you really think NUFC would reveal he was granted leave of absence to visit ill family, if this was not the case?! Get real…nothing but doubters still for Toon Army, Pardew & Ashley – what more must they all do to please some of you sceptics? Look on the bright side, if this spell doesn’t last, enjoy it while it does, rather than looking on the dark side, speculating rubbish!

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  43. Aye I mean because the club have never intentionally misled fans before….

    Toonsy I don’t agree with the article and believe that its genuine although past history tells us that some point Benny will fall out with us. I mean he has done it all of his previous clubs. Even so I don’t think it would have happened yet, if it ever happens at all.

    One thing I won’t do is take this article as fact. You say often enough that its your opinion so I’m unsure what else you can do to clear it up for people. Some of the language is colourful, but with so many people making personal jibes and assumptions I can understand why you did it.

    Chin up 🙂

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  44. Why the hell are you trying to rock a boat that Pardew has got sailing along quite nicely at the moment????
    Perhaps the fact that he has been given permission to leave shows him that the club support him and give a ****!!
    Let’s be honest, if he has an ill relative and we refuse him to visit, instead making him travel to Bolton for a reserve game… is he not more likely to spit the dummy?!
    He has said himself that he’s been on a long road to recovery and views his career in a different light now, he said that he gets he has to wait his turn, and as yet I haven’t seen any evidence of him being unhappy… quite the opposite… when he’s came on he looked to be enjoying every minute.
    My concern was that when he came on he would bottle it a bit, frightened of being injured again but not likely… he looks a top class player showing his worth and enjoying his football.
    He’s going to have to wait because Pardews philosophy is bang on and working at the mo, YOU DON’T CHANGE A WINNING TEAM!!
    but there is loads of football left to play this season and I’m sure it won’t be long before he plays his way into the first team.

    Stop looking for divides, theres a togetherness about this group of players and we should ALL be behind them… including you

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  45. Wow, people went bat-**** crazy over this one, Toonsy.

    Is there any actual evidence that it’s not what the club have said? Are there photos of HBA sunbathing in Aruba or anything?

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  46. Think the reaction to Toonsy’s remarks have been a little over the top but maybe it’s because of the contentious headline.
    At the moment everything in the Toon garden is totally rosy and I think it is that fact that makes some people worry about the possibility it is all going to crash down round our ears.
    And don’t say we haven’t got previous for that.
    Because of that a little paranoia can creep in and makes you question something you wouldn’t ordinarily do.
    For what it’s worth I do think, however, that if Pardew doesn’t play Bennyboy soon we may, just MAY, start to see some tantrums in the camp.

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  47. You’re spot on mate. Ben Arfa has spat his dummy out. He refused to play for the reserves! It’s a fact!

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  48. Everyone knows how important a fit and happy Ben Arfa is to the club, I think it’s more down to good management than any tantrum.
    Why after all the club has done for him, would anyone think there is a rabbit off?

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  49. Christ on a bike.
    Do people actually read thru the article before flippin their lids.
    OK its a bit of an “Edd” line, but there’s nowt wrong with the content.
    ffs get a life. Sad sad people. 😈 😈 😈

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  50. Jostoon – Ben Arfa wasn’t Pardews player in the first place and he also has a history of havving a tantrum. Therefore you cant just dismiss the possibility out of hand.
    Time will tell tho.

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  51. Tut, tut, tut… Sy fella, I’ve only read the first 50 posts & it seems you got a few peeps backs up with this article, yeah I know it was only your personaly thoughts but tbh mate, after you read it back to yourself, didn’t you think it sounded a bit like Ed’s blog fella, you know, speculation, guessing etc 😕

    Personally I don’t think anything is wrong in the camp right now & thats HBA has been given permission to leave for compasionate reasons but when the news hounds read blog stories like this, it just send them scurring into overdrive, making up even more BS about our club & you for one have said in the past that you hate that sort of thing, so why feed them the ammunition to do it 😕

    I don’t agree with some of the comments on here & you’re quite within your right to ban anyone you want too, as in the end, it is your blog/site, so no one can tell you how to run it but also in the end, its down to us the members to contribute & if we don’t, then you’ll lose the site, I know all too well how that works 🙁

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  52. I can’t believe all the people kicking off on here. I in no way believe HBA is lying but when I read your blog i thought ‘nah, i don’t agree with this’… i didn’t think 😈 ‘TOONSY DIE, YOU MUTHATFECKIN FECKIN FECKER!!!!! DIE!!! DIE!!! DIE!!!… BEHOLD THE WRATH OF NOBBY AND DIIIIIIIIEEE!!!… I WILL NUKE YOUR HOME THEN P1SS ON IT!!!!!’ 😈

    To quote Americans everywhere… Gee whizz!

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  53. I find it hilarious at how wet some fans are.

    Just because we are doing well in the league doesn’t take away the fact this board have a HISTORY OF DECEIT!

    Ben Arfa also has a history of spitting the dummy out. He went on fooking strike to come here! He actually left his club whilst under contract and forced a move through. It’s fine though as he was joining us rather than leaving us….

    Feeling like it’s taboo to mention the fact that we signed a petulant kid who will no doubt blow up at some point

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  54. Bats, aye that’s what I thought.

    taken4mugs, you’ve hit the nail on the head there mate. Most people have just seen the headline on newsnow and exploded their load in a gush of fury without even bothering to read the article. In hindsight Toonsy could’ve given the story a different title, but having said that it’s created a cracking thread – most entertaining.

    Moreno, exactly mate. Toonsy’s piece was pure speculation, and indicated as such from the off, with …..”Maybe it’s my overactive imagination? Maybe the previous of the player is making me question it?….” ……….however this IS speculation based on fact, and it’s also a fan blog open to opinion. I think most of the radgie dimwits on here have just read the headline.

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