Parky

*Teams the quality of Blackpool" Hodgson. Gone in 2 weeks I reckon.

Excellent.

Agreed. I'd go as far as to say so far he looks like the best DM the club has ever had. As good as Batty and a better passer with more composure.

Happy to hear he is in good spirits.

This is our biggest concern because Ben Arfa was clearly signed instead of a new forward (due to his quality, availability and versatility I expect) and he is now out for most of the season. Hughton couldn't really legislate for that, it's just a major blow. In January I think Ashley will have to get the cheque book out for a striker because we need one anyway and even moreso now with Ben Arfa's injury. Move on the dead wood like Xisco and Best and use those wages to bring someone in. I really hope they have learnt from last year and see the danger that is looming.

We just haven't got the quality of forwards to create and score enough chances, that is the long and short of it. In the PL when you have spells of the ball or pitch domination you have to score.

Neither studio pundit for ESPN - Kevin Keegan and Nicky Butt - thought that there was anything wrong with De Jong's challenge on Hatem Ben Arfa. This was despite the show's presenter Ray Stubbs rightly highlighting that the second leg wrapped around Ben Arfa, causing his leg to break. I fully understand Butt seeing the tackle from his viewpoint he has but Keegan really should be opposed to a player who intends to 'let Ben Arfa know he's there.' I am sure that Xabi Alonso knew that De Jong was there in the World Cup final when he planted six studs - kung-fu style - into his chest. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1317537/Graham-Poll-No-place-Karl-Henry-Nigel-De-Jong.html?ito=feeds-newsxml#ixzz11NaA6wWm

Neither studio pundit for ESPN - Kevin Keegan and Nicky Butt - thought that there was anything wrong with De Jong's challenge on Hatem Ben Arfa. This was despite the show's presenter Ray Stubbs rightly highlighting that the second leg wrapped around Ben Arfa, causing his leg to break. I fully understand Butt seeing the tackle from his viewpoint he has but Keegan really should be opposed to a player who intends to 'let Ben Arfa know he's there.' I am sure that Xabi Alonso knew that De Jong was there in the World Cup final when he planted six studs - kung-fu style - into his chest. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1317537/Graham-Poll-No-place-Karl-Henry-Nigel-De-Jong.html?ito=feeds-newsxml#ixzz11NaA6wWm

The other thing is that my doctor mate reckons due to his age his recovery will be as near as 100% as it gets. It is more often that older players never fully recover. [/Positives]

I know it's early days, but this is a MUST win.

One tiny positive is that it's his kicking leg and with left footers the right leg takes more weight and punishment during a game. Tiny I know, but that's all I can muster.

"The most recent foul play from de Jong occurred in the Premier League match between his side, Manchester City and Newcastle United on Sunday 3rd of October 2010. Newcastle’s new signing Hatem Ben Arfa had had an excellent start to the season, scoring a wonderful goal in a 1-0 victory over Everton. The Manchester City match was just his fourth appearance for Newcastle and it lasted less than 10 minutes after Nigel de Jong unleashed a scissor tackle on Ben Arfa that directly resulted in a break to both the tibia and fibula of Hatem’s left leg. Whilst Hatem lay in agony on the ground Nigel de Jong is clearly seen high fiving his own players in what could only be considered disrespectful, disgraceful and downright indefensible behaviour."

He has the kind of determination and spirit to come back from this.

Updated.

Stunned by the descisions today. Martin Atkinson has to be up there. Who are the worst?

Tried to do it to Tiote at the end as well and then Tiote squared up to him and De Jong cowered like a little bitch. Saw that. He started putting his legs round as Tiote broke free.

Yeah, he practically trapped Ben Arfa's left foot with his own left, and applied a scissor kick to finish it off. That's exactly it. Purposeful and with malice.

YOu can see he brings his right leg round purposefuly. Utter fucking cunt. Needs both his legs broken. Broke an American players leg only a few months back and there was the Alono karate kick in the chest.

Teams know what DeJong is all about, he'll get his the cunt.

Really depressing, he was the only real game changer we had.

These really dangerous players need to be taken in hand tbh. it's really destroying the game. Part of the problem is the gulf of class between the top 6 and the rest, a lot of the other sides go out to spoil and be brutal in the tackle.

Our pen was as clear as day and he was only twenty yards away with a clear view. Dreadful.

Might only be a month hopefully. Parky you're taking the piss...a leg break and only out for a month!? That was a fucking scissor tackle with both legs crunching into the ankle...how is that not a red card. We seem to be doing well...but I've lost interest in the game. Has a break been confirmed?

Might only be a month hopefully.

Thought aftet the two setbacks we've played really well. Need to keep up that tempo, City don't like it.