The maverick Frenchman injured his hamstring in Europa League action and returned to action four games later against Fulham last week.
Unfortunately, and despite his promising performance, he aggravated the injury at Craven Cottage and missed the game against Manchester City on Sunday, with the decision now being made by management to keep him out of action until the new year, essentially to protect the 25-year-old from any further damage and a potential longer term injury lay-off for the playmaker.
Manager Alan Pardew said: “There is a danger he could tear his hamstring. If he did that he would be out for two or three months whereas if we do it the right way and be sensible about it, it may only be three weeks. And obviously that is the route we are going to take.”
Not good news when you consider he is our only creative player who has, well, created much this season. Add to that the fact he can change a game in an instant and it is undoubtedly cause for concern. Is it cause for too much concern though?
Many people will be disappointed with this news of course, but if you look at the games Ben Arfa will miss you have to ask if, on paper at least, his presence in the team would have much bearing on what many expect the results to be. Granted he will be a miss against QPR for sure, but what about Arsenal or Manchester United? Those two teams can hurt us with or without Ben Arfa in the side.
This is why I’m thinking that perhaps it’s not such a bad thing that he’s being wrapped up in cotton wool. Like Pardew says, the last thing we need is him sidelined for a large bulk of the remainder of the season so if he he is to be missing, could it actually turn out to be at the right time so we can use him against teams where he can really do some damage?
Just a thought…
Toonsy
Have to say that I was as impressed with the overall number of opportunities created against Man City as I have been all season.
OK there were times when our defence looked like they’d been on the Robitussin but we weren’t really that bad. At 2 – 1 down is there anybody out there who didnt think we were in with a chance?
Anita is settling in well and this could be a chance for Marveaux to get his feet under the table.
Even if we dont take too many points over Christmas, we have to come out of this better off
Archie Brand(Quote)
Interesting thoughts Toonsy…. As good as Benny is, I believe that his team mates around him have trouble working out or reading when he going to release the ball. I have stated this in the past and have been shot down for it but I think there is something to it. The way Anita played against City was an eye opener as to what he can offer. Everything good in the second half was played through him and there was some nice one touch passing going on. As much as Benny is a key player, he frustrates me when he refuses a simply pass and then loses the ball. I am sure the other players are sometimes at a loss as to when to make a run etc…
However Benny has been one of our better players this year and all though I have near on written a short story about his lack of passing, I would have him on the team sheet every time if he were fit to play 😉
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
“The Kid
December 16, 2012 at 16:02
BB
Offsides:
Papiss Cisse – 18
Demba Ba – 8
That is no surprise to me for the following reasons: 1. Cisse has been very poor at timing his runs, and 2. Cisse players furthest up the pitch.
People keep pointing to Demba’s goals when defending him, but it’s to the detriment of the team. He doesn’t pass enough when in good positions. This sees his individual stats rocket, but we still lose games. Man City was a great example. He scored, but wasted a fair few opportunities to put someone else in when he either shot, or tried to work himself into a position to shoot. He is too selfish.”
Exactly my sentiments Kid
Cisse may have skied one. But his first touch and turn to beat the defender and get a shot away was sublime. He had a similar snap shot soon after Ba had scored from nothing which took a great save from Hart.
He is still a great poacher and is completely wasted out wide.
Ba’s goal was good, but he is always going to score decent goals when he takes shots from everywhere and hardly ever passes. He also missed a sitter from two yards out hitting the side net.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think Ba is bad at all, but he is playing for himself at the moment and getting away with it because of his goals which hides the fact that despite his individual statistics, the team is actually suffering as a result.
JJ(Quote)
Anyone else think Dembas quotes have give pards an excuse to put him out left and Cisse in the middle 😀
Alex(Quote)
Actually Ba can **** off, Put Cambell on the left
Alex(Quote)
As for Benny,
He needs to be at the top of a diamond in a 4-4-2. Or out wide in a 4-3-3 with freedom to roam. Or Behind one striker in a 4-4-1-1.
NOT on the wing in a 4-4-2 that plays long balls from the back.
He is a brilliant player and has grown since his arrival to play for the team whilst not losing individual brilliance… Something I wasn’t certain he could do… We should be building the team around him and Cisse, not Ba IMO
Benny in the free role with two of Tiote, Cabaye and Anita behind him with Cisse or Ba as the sole central striker and two attacking wingers.
JJ(Quote)
Aussie @2
I agree players can’t predict Benny, but its only a big problem when he is on the wing IMO. His passing is easy enough to read but to time runs for a cross when you think he is going to dribble or is very difficult.
JJ(Quote)
Actually the more I think, the more I realise just how Pardew has stuffed up this season.
He has messed up in so many areas its frightening. I’d go as far as to say the reason we find ourselves where we do is 80% his fault.
He needs to get his **** in gear and correct his glaring **** ups.
JJ(Quote)
Also notice the same people who say if it wasn’t for Ba we would be in the relegation zone, are the same people who said that we would be finished if Carroll left.
People who don’t seem to understand team dynamics over individual form.
JJ(Quote)
Toonsy good read, im pissed that Benny is out but maybe these games are the best time for him to be out.
JJ I agree with most of what you’ve said above about Ba and Cisse 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
JJ, too many of our players do not pass the ball quickly enough as far as I am concerned. We move the ball way too slowly and we do try and move it quickly we end up lumping it long. Tiote and Benny are the main culprits, they are great players but opp teams have got them sussed. As a result our movement off the ball is disjointed and lacks cohesion. No player can run faster than a good pass, not even Benny.
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
JJ, you seem really Ba’d up mate..you might want to take care of that 🙂 🙂 🙂
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
JJ, I disagree with everything you have said ….mainly because Big Dave thinks its right 🙂 🙂 🙂
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Aussie some day you will see the light 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
I think HBA will be a massive miss but one we have to live with. As others have said Manure and Arsenal are good enough to pummel us with him anyway, though maybe not so much Arsenal.
I would play Marveux flanking Cisse and see what happens. Ba is away now I hope its early on. We need team players and his latest quotes or lack of are just not what I want to see. As a fan I think anyone who pulls on the shirt should give anything and everything and only want to play for us. As soon as anything other than that starts to happen then as painful as it may be I wouldnt want them staying. Thats why I just wasnt bothered about Barton, Nolan or Judas.
I would play Anita, Perchinio and Tiote in the CM agains QPR, as lets face it we MUST win that game. Must win is thrown around too much, but christ that game is MUST win. If we dont I really fear for us. I think we can possibly get something from Arsenal, defo not Manure, but we need to beat QPR and beat them well to get us into Jan when I pray for some reinforcements. Full back, CB and left footed attacking player who can go on the LW or left side of a 3.
Thinking about it, maybe Jonas could be LB, move santoon to RB. I would have Perchinio stuck to Tarrabt like **** on a shoe and maybe let Fergie have a go at LW.
Raffo(Quote)
JJ I can only speak from my own experience, but I understand team dynamics and teams need a goal scorer. As for the Carroll ref; I for one was happy to see him go for £35m. It was good business for a relatively unproven young lad…
Anyway moving on… Pardew is the main problem this term. Weird team layouts and utter patronising smarmy interviews have done it for me. He’s up himself, ehich would be fine if he had actually achieved a lot over a period of time. But he hasn’t. Those hoping for lots of transfer activity in Jan will be severely disappointed.
Shamrock(Quote)
Agree with you Shamrock! I just think like many of our players AP isn’t too bright and I think he’s totally messed up the season. I have faith we’ll win 6-7 games in the second half and not go down but what a disappointment.
We have too many poor players – the lack of ball control is amazing, and too many decent players underperforming.
QPR is a definite banana skin and I’ll be surprised if we win.
georgio(Quote)
Isn’t it amazing how opinions change.
When Cisse was banging goals in last season with outrageous shots from crazy places he was a genius, now commentators say things like “what was he thinking – he was never going to score from there!”.
When Ba was 12 up after 12 games he was brilliant now, now he’s greedy. Still one of the top goalscorers in the league though.
JJ – Do you remember Andy Cole playing for Newcastle? The guy didnt know what it was to make a pass, but as he was scoring 40 a season nobody gave a toss.
So what about Michu and Van Persie? Are they greedy gits too?.
Personally I’d prefer to have a couple more greedy gits on the team.
I have to say – this is the first time I ever heard anyone argue that we are doing so badly because one person is scoring too many goals.
Its a good thing Krul isn’t keeping more clean sheets, or we’d be certs for relegation.
Archie Brand(Quote)
Quality Archie, my sentiments exactly 😀
Shamrock(Quote)
BA seems to be a bit of a scapegoat for our poor performance, not sure where it is coming from tbh. Maybe some fans are readying themselves for when/if he leaves, then the pain won’t be so bad 🙂 🙂
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Archie – just think how many Cisse would score with Beardsley behind him.
The young Cole though was absolute dynamite.
georgio(Quote)
Aussie – you may be right about Ba. He does score goals but his overall play is abysmal. Unbelievably there have been times this season where I’d rather have Ranger on the pitch. At least he can control the ball when it comes to him, and hang on to it.
georgio(Quote)
Georgio, that’s because BA is not a back to goal type of player mate. He is big lad but he is not a Drogba type player, he is a goal box predator. We need to feed him the ball to feet in or around the box, not lumped in the air from 50 yards away..
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Chaps,
On topic without benny I dont think it is a major disaster but we need obertan back. Obertan whilst he may not have the brain sometimes has pace and looking at the game on sat we lacked pace especially out wide.
He keeps defenders tracking back and constantly aware of him. Think we have missed him more than we realise.
As for Ba and cisse thought they were good on sat to be honest no one particularly played badly. I have to say though as much as I appreciate jonas defending I think pards should swap santon and Jonas, particularly if the opposing teams right mid isnt overly fast.
Jonas looks more and more like a defender hes too slow for a winger now but he is tireless. Santon on the left wing is quick can run past people and will add much needed pace in midfield.
And for all those calling for marv to start he is what you would call a luxury player. Skillful technical clever but doesnt track back. Nonetheless if he got that right would be such an asset. I only see him as a CM however.
Would love pards to play this team especially away from home;
Krul
Simmo, Perch (unless tall team willo), Colo, Jonas
Obertan (when fit), Anita, Tiote, Marv, Santon
Ba
Cisse for me on the bench away but at home swap him for obertan and put marv out wide.
we need to be far more solid but we seem to actually play better football sometimes than last year just we have missed that doggedness for some reason. One word….competition for places they dont have to fight for the shirt at the mo.
Liam Southern Toon(Quote)
Benny is a big miss for all 3. QPR is obviously the most vital, you would think we could beat them anyway, but nowadays I’m really not so sure. Benny would have made me feel far more comfortable.
Against manure last year, Benny won us the Pen that got us the draw.
Against Arsenal last year, Benny scored the goal that put us ahead, and if not for woeful defending we would also have had a draw.
Wins are all important, but we need points wherever we can get them, and Benny is the only real magical player we have who can win a game “on his own”.
Newkie(Quote)
Agree with Archie’s sentiments on Ba too.
Newkie(Quote)
Pardew has made the right decision under very difficult circumstance I think. If Benny was out for 2-3 months coz he worsened his injury against QPR then that would be so much worse.
He has probably looked at it and thought, the games we have in the next 3 weeks, how much would Benny change the course of those games? Ie – could we beat QPR without him? (We hope yes) or could we beat Man U with him? – unlikely.
So I think the right decision has been made as much as I’m gutted he’s out.
Lets not forget though, we played large parts of last season without him and won games, so the remaining and Pardew shouldn’t use this as an excuse after the QPR game.
Does anyone know when Tiote is away?, will he make the QPR game?
Sharpy17(Quote)
http://m.chroniclelive.co.uk/ms/p/tmg/newcchro/srrjswT6nJJmuj41C1_S3Xg/view.m?id=5326538&tid=638956&cat=NUFC_News
Another correct decision in my opinion
Sharpy17(Quote)
http://www.football365.com/…/Newcastle- …
Another correct decision in my opinion
Sharpy17(Quote)
Liam you say that Jonas is tireless and if you had said was tireless I would have agreed with you. Now, unfortunately, he’s just tired. Not even making a decent contribution in defence, which is a pity because I have always liked the guy. But there is no room in football for sentiment.
Groucho(Quote)
Off the back of yesterday’s article, and players who could improve our squad without great cost.
I have been watch afew Beligian league games recently with the success of Beligian players in the EPL. I have noticed a couple of players for Lokeren who I think would strengthen us and be able to handle EPL – though would probs need time to adapt. They have a LB called Laurens De Bock who is about 19yrs but can play LB/CB and would likely cost £1-2m tops. Their have a lad called Nill De Pauw who is 21 and players LW/CF and could cost £2-3m, and a lad up front called Benjamin Mokulu also 21 and again around £2-3m I think, and I could see this kid having a similar impact to the league as Benteke at Villa.
Trust me, these players will come good and play at a higher level than where they are now.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Van Persie and Michu arn’t just goal scorers, they have been excellent in link up play as well. That’s the difference. The also play with a formation that suits them whereas we shove Cisse or Ba out wide.
I don’t think Ba is a bad player, but I do think he isn’t playing for the team this season. The only game I’ve watched him where he did was Wigan and he scored two goals.
So being less selfish doesn’t mean he will score less it just means the team as a whole would perform better. I’m shocked others don’t see this.
Also, sick of people saying this one is a scapegoat, and that one is a scapegoat… No… If they play **** in my opinion I will state that. If they play well I will do the same.
Personally I think Simmo has been excellent the last three games, but garaunteed if if he has a **** game next game and I say so, people will tell me I’m making him a scapegoat… 🙄
I don’t dislike Ba. But if I had to pick between him and Cisse, I would take Cisse every time. I think he is the better poacher of the two, and he shows a better work rate and team ethic as well as attitude.
He also had a better goal record in his career.
JJ(Quote)
I find the split amomg the fans regarding our strikers really interesting.
I dont suppose either side is right or wrong.
But I think we are pretty much agreed that it needs sorting out this window, one way or the other.
We simply cant go on playing the two of them together. It never has and never will work.
I have been totally disappointed with Cisse this season, but I dont doubt the board will move heaven and earth to keep him and flog Ba. The get out clause is quite handy for them.
Better to let him go than admit they have spent £9M on a lemon.
It will be a shame to see Ba go, especially as he will go to a club that appreciates the MANY goals he will continue to score.
Selfish or not, he knows where the back of the net is.
Cisse better buck his ideas up pronto tho, or God help us. He’s had plenty of excuses made for him, but they are starting to wear a bit thin now.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Regarding HBA. I’m thinking there is more to this than meets the eye.
More likely the regime want him fully fit for when the transfer window opens in January. 😯
Bye Bye Benny.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
on benny of coarse he will be a miss,but it just shows you how diff managers can be mark hughes played Adel Taarabt always on the wing and he did nowt really,arry puts him in the hole and what a diff it made,how many fans have been saying put benny in the hole 😐
icedog(Quote)
BB – it’s more than likely he won’t even be fit in January. Doubt if anyone would buy him then. What was AP thinking in playing him against the might of Maritimo and if they knew his hamstring was a problem why the **** did they start him against Fulham. Whole thing stinks of bad management!!
georgio(Quote)
Icedog – Pardew wont even try it out.
i’ve always said Benny is wasted out on the wing. He would score so many more goals in the centre imo
Doesn’t matter if its 4-4-1-1 or 4-3-1-2
Pardew knows best tho apparently 👿
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Georgio, he was doing ok against fulham. Its not like he hobbled off or anything. I dont think its as bad as you think.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
BB – thats the problem. Pardew said last week, he has no symptoms, he feels fine but a scan showed his hamstring wasn’t well. What’s it got? The flu? The man’s becoming a joke when he opens his mouth. As for selection and tactics . . .
georgio(Quote)
normally players get a fitness test 2/3hrs before a game if its thought theres a risk,hopfully that was done before benny played
icedog(Quote)
The comment by Pardew before the Fulham game that “fit or not Ben Arfa has to go in there” (not exact quote) was extremely strange and several of us commented on it at the time. Now look what has happened. And why bring him on against Maritimo? Absolutely ridiculous and poor man management. I think Pardew looks calm and under control when things are going right (as with last season) but to me he looks like a dead man walking now and seems to have lost the plot. Is this the pattern of his stints with other clubs? I suspect so. I believe he will be gone in the spring as it is easier to blame the entire mess on Pardew than really sort the club out. This has been Ashley’s pattern as well. Panic when things go bad but don’t sack the drinking buddy Llambias even though he is completely useless. Take the easy way out right Ashley? And desperately look for some cheap reinforcements in January. The season is already a growing disaster but Ashley doesn’t have the plums to fix it properly.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
GeordieTwo do you think Pardew should be sacked?
Johno Toon(Quote)
Johno we’ve discussed this a quite a lot on the blog but here is my opinion again. If we are in the bottom five after the 3 games against Norwich, Reading and Aston Villa in January and we lose at least 2 of those games I think he will be sacked. There is no point doing it now as we are still in 15th and he wasn’t supported properly last summer by that fool Llambias with decent incoming. If I was going to sack someone right now it would be Llambias. At some point Ashley will panic if we are in the bottom 5 as he has before and sack Pardew because that is the easiest thing to do. Why sack your incompetent drinking buddy after all or take some of the blame yourself for not spending last summer?
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2 dont want to put a downer on things but if you look at pardews last couple of clubs his record in his first season with them he did good but following seasons they done very poorly is there something in that ❓
icedog(Quote)
Spot on Icedog, for a one-season wonder Pardew gets some canny jobs like 🙂
Munich Mag(Quote)
Sorry georide if you have already said that but I have the memory of a goldfish and rarely remember things I say myself during the day let alone on here 😆
I hope Pardew stays and is given time to turn it around. I think he is a good manager. He aint a world beater but he is a good manager. This is his first bad run of form since been here 2 years and I hope the board and the fans give him time.
The only thing Id say about Llambias his he drives a hard bargin. But he is a *****. I remember reading him saying his job was to increase income via pies and beer sales etc etc. If he has increased those types of income he should stay and work soley on that and bring in someone to deal with the football deals.
Johno Toon(Quote)
I think there probably is ice. He looks extremely stressed to me now and some of his recent decisions have been strange. I don’t think he knows how to cope with Ba and Cisse and he must be completely baffled by Cisse’s complete loss of form. I never supported the idea he was a tactical genius last season. Some of our players were in outstanding form and clearly aren’t now. So the impact he really has on the team has to be modest at best. Pardew clearly wasn’t ready for the Europa games and he probably overestimated the quality of the squad he had. I have always thought he didn’t realize how poor Willo can be in some games. And the insistence on using Willo as a target man from set pieces is just bizarre. He is clearly useless for that.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
That’s a pretty reasonable approach Johno. If we had a normal owner I would expect things to get sorted but we don’t. I have no faith in Ashley. He will not sack Llambias no matter how bad we get or how many deals he blows for us. He will not commit to a decent football man as managing director because all he wants to hear is that we are making more money than the previous season. Let’s see what he does if we get relegated though. Two relegations in five seasons? How would that sit with the supporters? How much money will Ashley make then? What a fool he’s been and will continue to be apparently.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
GeordieTwo says:
December 17, 2012 at 17:42
If we had a normal owner
Have we ever had a normal owner? 😆 Sir John Hall maybe?
Johno Toon(Quote)
Geordietwo, if Ashley genuinely thinks that Pardew still has it in him to turn the club round, then he MUST support him with cash in the January transfer window. The financial hit he will take in lost revenue if we go down makes the decision a no-brainer. What worries me is whether Padrew and his staff have identified the players, and THEN manage to get them signed up. They also need to hit the ground running, cos they’ll be under some serious scrutiny.
Munich Mag(Quote)
Ice – I agree with you about Benny thro the middle, and that’s my biggest frustration with Pardew. He never seems to want to experiment with things like that, or sticking with players who aren’t playing well when he has others in the squad who haven’t been given an equal chance to prove their worth.
G2 – I hope you’re right mate. I mean about the board having the balls to sack Pardew if we find ourselves in that predicament. My fear is after giving him an 8 year contract, they stick with him to save face (and money). I’m not saying I want Pardew sacked, I’d far sooner see us change our fortunes. But if that doesn’t happen I’d hope for positive action from the board. They could start with the positivity when that window opens as well, and I’d hope they were already at work on it now. I know in previous Jan windows, Lambastard likes to go away for New Year and isn’t round the first week in Jan.
If the players aren’t getting their Xmas party, I’d hope that knacker would make sure he was grafting the first minute to the last minute of that window.
Sharpy17(Quote)
But, technically, wasn’t last year his second year in charge? Or more specifically, the second half of last year, when we played our best stuff? 😉
Newkie(Quote)
Hall had his shortcomings but Ashley is making my blood boil. If he turns this season into a disaster and we get relegated I think he must go. But it’s a catch 22 as he won’t be able to recover his investment if we get relegated so he would have to stay. Would he get rid of Llambias if we go down again? The crazy people are in charge of the mad house unfortunately.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Good comments Munich Mag and Sharpy. This will drive Ashley crazy as he probably knows now he will have to spend to keep us up. Will Llambias do the job properly for us though? He is such a fool it’s anybody’s guess. I can see us having 2 incoming and 1 going out so would that be enough? I have strong doubts about Pardew now as well. If we do strengthen in January and we don’t get results quickly I think Pardew must go. It’s such a dilemna with a flake for an owner.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2 theres one thing i can say,i (hate to think it) but if the worse came to the worse and we went down theres no way in gods earth we would come back up the next season,dont wish to talk the reasons why but you know them mate 🙁
icedog(Quote)
Yep another year in the Championship would be very depressing ice. I don’t think Ashley will let it come to that. There is so much money at stake now with the new TV contract. How Ashley will sort things out I’m not sure but Llambias will have very clear instructions not to c*ck up any deals over small amounts of money. We will bring in a couple of players and get Cabaye and Saylor back. I think Ashley and Pardew are counting on that to save us. That and at least 3 teams who are hopefully weaker than us. Keep your fingers crossed they are right mate. 😀
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2 keep my fingers crossed where jabba and owlheed are,will take more than fingers mate lol
icedog(Quote)
@55 is my most optimistic take on things. I am counting on Ashley’s greed to save us. He hates spending anything at all but it will be a must now. I’m sure Pardew has told him in no uncertain terms if he has any plums at all. We still have more than half a season left. I hope Pardew can turn things around, not because I’m a big fan of his but because the supporters deserve better than what they’ve been getting so far this season.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Newkie @51 I would think we are a top 10 team. So the strangest thing is that 1 season we overperform and finish 5th and the next season we are underperforming and are in 15th. A 10 place drop is ridiculous but shows a lack of preparation by Ashley, Llambias, and Pardew. We all know the main reasons but it is up to Ashley to lead the way now, something he hasn’t been very good at in the past. He seems to react to problems instead of planning ahead carefully. I think that is the main take home message from what Shearer and many others have been saying since last summer.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Geordietwo, I’m not sure if Ashley is greedy, I mean he did spend big a few seasons back, and gave Collo an improved contract. I’m just not convinced that he is very good at this football stuff, and that he has put his house in the hands of a one-season wonder of a manager. I would love AP to turn it round, but his track record isn’t too hot. His coaches also need to start earning there salt…
Munich Mag(Quote)
My guess is Ashley is very nervous with us sitting in 15th place with 2 very difficult away games to come and only QPR in between. He will have seen a lot of supporters’ criticisms which I think have been fair and accurate. Llambias will have his head in the sand as usual, not willing to accept any blame so it is up to Ashley to take charge in January. If he doesn’t he only has himself to blame. I don’t know if Ashley would consider a 17th place finish some kind of victory because he will get the new TV contract money next season but I know that we supporters wouldn’t. He is blowing away any good will he picked up after last season unless he does the right thing in January.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I understand your point of view Munich Mag. I agree he doesn’t do the football stuff well but why continue to have Llambias around then? Having a clueless underling when he is clueless himself just doesn’t make sense unless it all comes down to control and money. He controls Llambias, and will laugh as long as we don’t go down. It will all happen behind the scenes of course. I won’t accept a 17th place finish as some kind of consolation prize. And I’m sick of looking at SD signs at the ground. I realize he has a business to run but talk about over the top! The man is a shrewd fool if there is such a thing. Shrewd in the bargain bin he runs and a fool in football.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Just off topic abit but it was very refreshing to see how Everton and Moyes dealt with Fellanis antics at the weekend. What he did was disgraceful, and all credit to Shawcross who did not react at all to 3 seperate incidents. No credit goes to the officials for missing all 3!.
But to hear Moyes speak after the game, most managers would have said they never saw it and avoid making comments on camera. Also, fair play to Fellani issuing an apology immediately afterwards.
A very ugly incident handled very well by everyone for a change.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy what happened ? have you a link to Moyes ❓
Big Dave(Quote)
Well said Sharpy. Fellaini was completely out of control there. What would Pardew have done? More likely as you said he “wouldn’t have seen the incidents”. Moyes is a model manager. I wish he was ours but he would never put up with the bollocks from Llambias and Ashley.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Sounds like a bit of a come get me dream from Ba 😀
“I have nothing to say about those speculations. Nothing has happened.
The media know Arsenal need another striker and they know about my release clause. They need to make their own mind up about it.
Arsenal are one of those teams who makes you dream.”
Big Dave(Quote)
Big Dave – I dont think he has said owt wrong.
I presume he was replying to some press questions or something.
I dont think any of our players would hesitate on a move to arsenal.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
G2 – re 17th. I’d snap your hands off now if it was offered.
The very last thing this club needs is another relegation. And as previously mentioned, I very much doubt we would bounce straight back up a 2nd time.
A 17th place finish, might just have the fat one shitting his pants enough to not let it happen again.
But then again he might think his genius 5 year plan is working a treat. 👿
We all know he has no ambitions for our club to push on for Champs Lge.
A mid table club with steady income is all he wants.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
And a platform to advertise his SD tat @ 70% off. 👿 👿
He may be wealthy, but he has no class. ****
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
BB I never said he did say owt wrong, but maybe considering all the **** thats going round he would have been wiser saying i’m a toon player so it wouldn’t be right to talk about other clubs ❓ no
Big Dave(Quote)
Big Dave – yeah in a perfect world. But when was the last time you heard any player from any club come out with that line. ❓
Not very often I’ll wager.
But yeah I agree it would have been better.
Oh btw I never said you said he did say owt wrong. It was just me saying I didn’t think he said owt wrong. Sheesh your very defensive lately.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
So Fellaini gets a 3 match ban.
Means he will be due back nice a refreshed in time to play us.
Cheeses, you couldn’t make this **** up.
Only at the Toon. 👿
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
well i see big al has put the blame on jabba for the mess we are in for not getting players in and not supporting pardew in the summer window,think every man and his dog knew that
icedog(Quote)
BB@ 70 I know you weren’t accusing me I just wanted to make it clear before someone else does 😉 I don’t often here other players talking about other clubs, and normally when you do here it it is from player trying to give a club a come and get me 😉
Ice yeah I seen that, I dare say some will say he is just coming out with that because of sour grapes 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
Icedog – I would feel better if it was Pardew blaming the board for the lack of investment.
But he has backed himself into a corner by saying he was happy with the squad that he’s got. 😳
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)