A blossoming partnership?
From player form, to results, league placing and even football finances, there are may things that have brought us positive press throughout the season and which give us at least a cautious glimmer of hope for the future.
The latest person to attract the plaudits is Hatem Ben Arfa after a sequence of stunning performances which have seen the former “enfant terrible” hit form at just the right time of the season. How much of that can be attributed to the player though? And how much credit can Alan Pardew take for his treatment of the player as he battled his way back to what we see now?
Ben Arfa has always had the raw ingredients to become a fantastic player. His skill and vision are immense and he can do almost anything with a football at his feet, which is why a lot of fans have been quick to jump up and down with joy about him.
However there have been deficiencies in his game that can cause problems, especially in a team where “team” is the vital word. Admittedly these deficiencies are heightened by a lack of quality in the squad. For instance Danny Simpson has an alarming habit of bombing forward past the attacker in support, only to be found wanting if possession is lost.
To counter that it means that the right-winger has to be able to track back and work with the team, which has been an achilles heel of Ben Arfa’s. Not anymore though, and now we are seeing Hatem Ben Arfa producing magic where it counts in attack combined with a steely determination to track back and help out when the team needs it.
That can play into our hands of course. You only have to look at his goal against West Brom to see that. That goal came from him dropping back to defend and being able to break forward quickly when we won the ball back. A few passes and we were soon up the other end celebrating a goal formed from his willingness to work for the side.
For me a lot of the credit has to go to Alan Pardew. He got a bit of stick from some fans for failing to include Ben Arfa in every game, but now we are starting to reap the rewards of his approach and, to be fair, the players willingness to listen, and long may that continue.
It’s just my opinion of course, but how much credit do you give Alan Pardew for Ben Arfa’s sensational recent form?
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any defensive cover on bench? article in chronicle tavernier on stand -by to be recalled.any one else available?
Ben Arfa has bags of quality, would love him to really terrorise Jose tomorrow
I think Pards has to take credit as most would have threw him in from the start, maybe through fear of Benny throwing the toys outta the pram concidering the reputation he had. I also think it has maybe saved Benny from some stick because if he had of been played before he was really ready im sure a lot more fans would have been on his back. I noted that Pards has also had words with him to tell him he doesn’t need to comeback and defend as much as he did in the Norwich came, because he said that Benny was that keen to impress that he was coming back to defend that much that it took part of his attacking away, so that will show to Pards how hard he is trying to impress
Anyone got a live stream for the Chelsea match?
Villa playing a really weak team so not very hopeful of them doing us a favour
@toonsy
Good subject.
He definitely deserves to be praised for the way he’s handled the Barfa situation.
We all know of his temperamental character and that has surfaced on a few occasions since he’s arrived but particularly when he has not been getting his game or just playing a cameo role.
For me, he’s brought him in gradually and withdrawn him when he’s been exposed. This despite the growing pressure from impatient fans calling to play him every game.
We are now seeing the benefits of Pardews tactics and Pardew seems to have identified that Barfa is better when given a free role to wander in midfield instead of being stifled out wide.
It definitely worked last week and hopefully it will continue. He tracked back, got out wide and created chances from midfield and attack.
Ive said along that this season should be wrote off for Barfa and it was all about getting his strength and fitness back and prepare him for next season.
Not like many who wrote him off and some suggested that we get rid in the summer. Step forward JJ.
Well done Pardew, you’ve played a blinder, firstly for securing his services a couple of seasons ago and secondly providing him with support all last season when our in the wilderness and thirdly, bringing him along gradually this season and starting to get the best out of him.
Good article, I am noticing Hatem tracking back more which is good, what needs to be drilled into him then is what to do after tracking back. He is constantly just standing there watching Simpson trying to hold off the winger and fullback, when he should run back to help him out or actually tackle the on coming player instead of just watching him run past. Teach him what to do in a defencive position and he will have the makings of a world-class player(also when to pass).
Chelsea 1-0 up then, looks like we’ll have to win to keep the pace
On topic-I think its pretty clear Pards does deserve credit, although it would be interesting that if Benny hadn’t suffered that injury during pre-season and hadn’t been picked he may have well caused a shit storm. Or we may have found a role for him sooner…hard to say.
However- imo he doesn’t deserve all the credit, there were some games (in which I thought) we were crying out for someone to mix it up a bit and instead of Benny we got Sammeobi for instance. Plus it seems to show that what Pards thought benny’s best position was-no.10, is not actually his best position. His best position is what was expected and his preferred role I believe, out wide in an attacking front three..
But anyway Barfas workrate is brilliant-matching Jonas almost for hassling, tracking back and the like, difference being he’s got that extra quality for counter attacking and taking a team apart. When it all comes together its beautiful, and Pardew obviously had a hand in it.
Yes i think Pards deserves credit tbh. He would of been acutely awear of the impact such a bad injury has on recovery time and self confidence. Allthough Benny was chomping at the bit to play I think Pards rightly did things bit by bit as he could so easily of broken down if doing too much too soon. Also I think he wanted to see us mathmaticly safe befor fully employing Benny’s services as he is a luxury player .The team player talk he did about him was a bit of bulls**t to disguise the fact he needed results first and entertainment second ,otherwise why is he now saying he needs to stay forward more!. Ithink next season once we have new defenders and we are tighter at the back we will see more of Benny from the off.
Good article Toonsy
agree with Troy
Newkie, he may not have got it all right, but he obviously deserves lots of credit.
IF we can just keep our front 6 together for next season.
@Kimtoon
Who’s tbh ? I thought it was hba?
Makems 1-0 away at Citeh
Feckin Scum 1 up on Citeh aargh .
T give Pardew any credit concerning HBA’s ability to play football is absurd.
He kept him on yhe bench, as he did, the two Argentinos @ West ham, should we also give him credit for their present form.
It was only during a perod where, due to injuries he was forced to play HBA, that it became obvious to the fans what a talent he was, therefore forcinng our genius manager to play him.
The result being people like you, print such nonsense and Pardew takes credit for being a genius.
So much for , kna nowts !
TROY@10 tbh ,to be honest . But you know that ,your’e just messing yeh ?
Chuck,
Pards has openly said this is what he was going to do with Benny since the day he mentioned him of I recall. He has stuck true to his word on it and we are starting to reap the benefits
@KT
Premandup- Yeah basically what I was getting at, I think he may have got a bit of luck with the timing of Ben Arfa’s pre season injury and the like, but his man management has been great, aided hopefully by Benny growing up a bit..
Chelsea winning
Arsenal losing
Mackems winning
Fucking typical with the Mackems, why are city gifting them points this season
Newkie@19 you would think they would want revenge for that flukey win they got at the stadium of s***e
City goal
Karma at play at the scum v citeh game 1.1 a non penalty ha ha ha
Kimtoon-exactly! Credit to Sunderland for that 1-0 they got even if it was completely undeserved, but to grab 3 points off city like that when we go out of our way to completely outplay Man United and thrash em 3-0 well, it just silly that its worth the same points!
Sunderland 2-1
Sunderland scored again jesus
FFS ,come on Citeh get your act together scum 2.1 up now
@Troy 5
Agree
Ha. Yeah I think Pards has handled the situation brilliantly, flinging him in too soon, whilst we were already doing well and he was a bit rusty, would have damaged team spirit and seen fans getting on his back if he didn’t find form immediately.
I like how, despite him clearly being the most technically gifted player we have, that Pardew is refusing to molly coddle him, like against Blackburn, he wasn’t playing too great, hauled him off for Perch, he would’ve been roasted if that hadn’t worked, but fair play he sticks by only his own decisions.
Kimtoon @ 14
Am I the only one that wants the mackems to finish above liverpool?
liverpool down to 9th and with another 5 teams within 3 pts of them. Could finish the season in 14th
whoops make that 4 & 13th idiot
If Scum go on to win today then you have to fancy our chances against Citeh cause we sure as hell are better than the Scum.
Solano-Not fussed really mate, although Sunderland are the ones with a problem with us so I’d like to keep them in the dirt. Liverpool doing badly is just funny for everyone
I think credit certainly has to go to Pardew for the way he has handled the Benny situation.
It must have been really doing his head in, having a player that talented and trying to work out the best way of getting him into the team without causing the wheel to come off.
He obviously tried him out on the right and realised that wasn’t his most effective position and against WBA took a pretty big gamble changing the formation – but it paid off massively.
I also think credit needs to go to Benny as well though. He is clearly desperate to get into the French national team, but he has shown great patience and a maturity that very few thought he had. Long may it continue.
3-1
Bloody hell ,come on Citeh get tevez on 3.1
City really have fucked this season up haven’t they
I was watching Villa-Chelsea, but that game is fooking dead. THink I’ll watch City collapse instead.
QPR beating L’Arse?
Citeh players fighting each other
How to throw away a PL lead part 2 ,after toons famous I’d really love it part 1 
Win tomorrow and we go 5 points behind Arsenal in 3rd
Still a long way to go in that QPR game…
Villa pulled one back
Come on Villa!
Villa 2-2
need hull to score for 660 quid
No! Really? Wow… should I switch back or let the voodoo continue?
Come on Villa!
Come on Hull! For Batty!
2-3 Chelsea……well done ref ya feckin cheat
YESSSSSS
Unlucky Villa, never usually want them to get a result but would have done us a favour
Effin Eff!
Wait what? Are you serious Richie? FFS bbc sport and it’s slow updates
Come on Villa!!
ST…afraid so, Abongaaggbonnnlahor was clean thru after beating Terry to the ball, Terry decided to fall over because he was beat, Ref gave free kick even though the Lino who was right there gave nowt, Chelsea go up the other end and end up scoring from another set piece
Too little too late shitty, they’d best play this badly when we play em
Bloody hell goalfest everywhere today and 2.3 at eastlands now.
Man City equalizeed!!!!
Hang on what…is it 3 3 haha?
3.3 at Citeh v Scum
Holy eff! I don’t know where to look!
LOL AND IT IS HAHA
EFF! Effing Torres has to score in the league today. Eff.
Torres just finished it 2-4
Feckin Torres
Eughh fucking ladyboy.
Christ I can’t keep up with all these goals.
Whooo arsenal finally lost.
Well, seems as though you’re in the minority of one then
Beat Liverpool by a 16 goal margin tomorrow and we’re 5th!
No problem. Hat tricks for Ba, Cisse, Ben Arfa, Cabaye, Jonas and a long range screamer from Tiote.
Done and done.
@Trumpet
I’ve replied on the previous thread.
I think most of the credit has to be given to Benny himself. Because he made so good performance that Pardew was forced to play him. Pardew was in a win win situation.
1) he plays benny, Benny plays bad, He was right to not play him.
2) He plays Benny, Benny made good performances, he handled him perfectly as a lot are thinking right now.
So he has nothing to lose.
It was more forced to play him because of our very poor display and some injuries, otherwise I still think now Benny will not be in the starting XI.
I think the credit goes to the player for 90%.
FSOTC-Don’t you mean a long range screamer from Perch? Trust me, its happening.
Gotta love the mackems and their pixie twat of a manager
Always a reason to put the champers back in the fridge on wearside
I see Big fat Sam’s West Ham just lost at home to Reading to go 4 points off 2nd place. Will be nice to see him and his awful style of shitball languishing in the Championship. It’s a far cry from Inter and Real Madrid
Surely not a partisan opinion from you “HBA39″ regarding hatem ben arfa?
Sure, I suppose I’d settle for a long range Perchy screamer as a 16th goal in a pinch.
@Newkie
Yes but all the opinion are partisan here no?
It was right to not play him in the start of the season, but I think he could try to introduce Benny before in the season.
Love the scum result ,thats got to feel like a loss
HBA-Aye I know mate don’t worry, I’m just messing with you
I think the problem for HBA was that earlier in the season we were playing a certain way which did not really suit him, but we were winning the matches so it would have been crazy for Pardew to have changed it. Then more recently, for whatever reason, that style was no longer working so Pardew has been forced to change it. You have to give credit to Pardew for managing the situation quite well, and also to HBA for not getting too frustrated.
If we beat/draw with Liverpool and Tottenham win then Liverpool will be closer to the relegation zone than the champions league
M erson reckons Kompany & co run ragged by Sess & co today
. Just imagine what Cisse Ba and Benny will do then .
Solano @82 Aye , money well spent by liverfool I’d say
jesus hba39
you dont half suck the shit out of ben arfas hoop like!
Yeah I think Sess had three assists? Or at least two anyway. One man team that boy
Question is HBA a better team player now than he was, answer yes. So who takes credit. HBA for putting in the hard work, and Pardew for the guidance.
@Nobby 85
lol nicely put
Match of the day tonight is going to be amazing and newcastle are not even playing whats that all about.
Pardew definitely deserves some credit but am I the only one who thinks that the upcoming euros has anything to do with HBAs increasingly committed/hardworking performances?
I really don’t get why Swansea keep loaning Dobbie out, he’s a decent player.
@Trumpet
I’ve replied again to your post on the previous thread.
I think hormones deserve some credit. The boy’s obviously grown up a little. Than you, hormones.
Sorry but been googling half an hour and HBA has never had a manager or coach called Hormones. How about a first name for a clue?
Whatever Pards has done with HBA so far I hope it continues apace tomorrow. Definitely need a fairly rigid back four and a big voice to hold that line, Suarez seems to get caught a lot by a reasonably savvy offside trap
Hormones was his trainer back in France!
@89 – who cares? If it sharpens his game then good!
I don’t think Carroll and Enrique will be the type to enjoy coming back to SJP. Someone who seems to have slipped under the radar however is a certain Mr Bellamy!
The current form of Everton is worrying, both in the league and the cup they still have the ability to snatch Europa from us.
Another defeat for West Ham, and if you look at Villa’s next 4 games it’s not improbable that they would slip into the bottom 3 or 4.
@DJG: we gotta cheer on for liverpool in the fa cup though.
‘West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has defended their recent displays after his own supporters chanted about the side’s style of football.
The Hammers boss vowed to play “the West Ham way” when he took over in June but fans have voiced their displeasure at what they see as direct tactics.
Supporters at the 2-0 win at Peterbrough were heard singing, ‘We’re West Ham United, we play on the floor’.
But Allardyce said: “I’m sick of all that rubbish.”
I agree DJG, our season is defined by the mersey.
And the common view atm, i’d count myself in this, is that Everton are once again ending the season with a flourish.
However…
Last 10 games:
Everton – 18 points
Newcastle – 17 points
Last 5 games:
Everton – 9 points
Newcastle – 8 points
Us been on poor form? Pfff sign of a great team to still pick up points during a spell of not playing well
If Wet Spam dont get promotion, I’m assuming Sham Allardyce will get yet another big pay off.
Its always a win win situation for him,
Well we know what we’ve gotta do now to stay in touch with the top 5.
Unfortunately Cesspool will be livid that they have been overtaken in the league by Everton mints. We cant afford to be reckless tomorrow, but I do think we will have one or two oprtunities to catch them out on the break.
Just need to keep it solid at the back and bide our time.
I think we should concentrate on our remaining 10 games and not worry about other teams around us and the fa cup. If we could go on a bit of a run between now and the season and remain unbeaten it would be a great achievement and it would prob leave us there or thereabouts for a European spot regardless of the fa cup. Let other teams worry about us. We have nothing to lose. All the pressure is on them
BB I would love to see the Hammers not making auto promotion, and to make it into the playoffs and getting beat there would be the best.
I would feel a bit for the fans but would be over the moon for BSA and Tugboat
Johno spot on don’t worry about others because there is nowt we can do about them. The only thing we can do is go out and do it ourselves, our destiny is in our hands
A win for Newcastle and Swansea tomorrow would make things really intersting.
HTL
If Swansea beats Spurs tmr,with us beating liverpool, the 4th spot will be left open real big.
DJG – Bellamy has been out injured for weeks and is unlikely to play tomorrow. Only unlikely mind so you never know
Exactly Big Dave. Our destiny is in OUR hands.
Its bloody exciting n all. I cant wait for tomorrow, its gonna be a cracker, I can just feel it. Haven’t felt so good pre match for a canny while.
And if we win, the Toon is gonna be rocking tomorrow night.
Coooooome onnnnn !!!
AoD – not bothered about 4th spot. Tho I’m sure it would be nice.
) to epic fail.
But I really want us to get 5th tied up and for one of the BIG 5 (
Can yous just imagine if Chelski/spurs dont even make any euro matches next season. ROFL.
Big Dave I was chuffed when Swansea beat Cardiff to promotion. They will go from being the second team in wales to the first because of it and they play better football anyway. I hope we beat them in the next game but I am glad they are staying up.
Has Pardew got another 3 yrs to go on his contract?
Feck me, but he will be a legend if he is still here by the end of that.
Not sure if he is punching well above his weight, or if he is genuinely turning into a great manager, that can take us forward to conquer Europe once again.
This match v the racists will go a long way to answering that for me.
Cant imagine NUFC going 5 years without changing their manager, but am enjoying the stability so far and long may it continue.
BB I think Pardew has always been a decent manager, he has just been at shit clubs with no potential….until now
@Trumpet
Just replied again on previous thread.
DJG – Please don’t call Pardew a decent manager. It upsets some people
Anyhoo, I’m off as we may have some baby action here. Equally it could be nothing but we’ll see…
Ya hay, Sy pal, all the best
Good luck in case, toonsy! We should be having our first here in 6 more weeks!
Good luck Toonsy and Mrs Toonsy – fingers crossed the baby action is the real thing
Best of luck toonsy, if it is hope it all go’s smoothly for you.
Goodluck to mrs Toonsy
Toonsy good luck to you the Lass and the Cub
Good luck to you and the Mrs Toonsy
best of luck to the family mate
No doubt, Pardeux has handled him just right.
On another note, them fckin Mackems getting on my tits!
Get some curryshoved into her toonsy that will help her along
and all the best.
Aye good look Toonsy!
Feck can’t wait for the match tomorrow now
Caalm on Newcastle!
All the best toonsy
Hmm
“Check me out in three or four years. I can see myself being at the very top then, maybe winning the World Cup in Brazil or the Ballon d’Or. I still have lots of dreams.”
From Ben Arfa…can’t see him doing that at Newcastle…unless we have a really mental 4 years. Be a shame if we sort him out mentally and he fulfills his potential only to lose him in a year or two
Still, if he pulls a Santiago Munez and goes to Real for say, 150 mil, I guess I can accept that
Pardew can stick his fucking players up his arse.
I, personally couldn’t give a fuck about the cunt.
haha,
..oh yes, I am the Toon ovreseer, lol
fuck you all, you slack-fingered twats
hansen on motd when linker mentioned everton above bin dippers – “till tomorrow” for presume he thinks they’ll get at least a point – hope we stuff the fookers
Rodz mate you’re such a bipolar fuck
“Get the signings right and it causes the snowball effect. Get them wrong and you have what we’ve seen this season – a team set to finish below Newcastle and struggling to hold off Everton, Stoke, Norwich, Swansea, Sunderland etc.”
From one of Liverpools fans writers. Its that kind of fucking arrogance that does my head in
Newkie – same here. tbf their fans are more knowledgeable than most but that they think they have this god given right to be at the top kills me. You have to earn it every season from first to last
Toonsy – hopefully congratulations are in order now, hope its a healthy birth
FALSE alarm guys. Guess thats me off to work then instead
Noooooooo!!
Ha Ha. )
Unlucky matey.
Was expecting some good news from you this morning Toonsy.
The first ones always take the longest tho. (After that they just come shooting out, ‘cus its like a welly top
Carry on carrying on fella
3 points this afternoon should ease ya pain
HTL
Tip for ya Toonsy: you’ll know when its not a false alarm, when the waters break and make a reet smelly mess everywhere for YOU to clean up.
You’ll probably be down the road somewhere miles away tho when it happens
ben arfa and cisse missing for todaYS GAME
Braxton Hicks is natures way of taking the piss out of yous.
wots that Batty???
Ha Ha good Aprils fools that one.
I hope Dogleash believes it
BB dogleash still beleives they have a chance of winning the leauge the dopey c unt
Batty…beat me to the April fools…..so I can say that was very childish
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