KaKa

Mancini should play Richards at CB with Lescott while Kolo and Kompany are out, against the better teams anyway. Could see Savic struggle tonight for example.

The Yak is best when you just stick him upfront and tell him to score goals. Demanding that he track back or close down constantly will lead to nothing but frustration. Great pick up for Blackburn I thought.

Struggle to understand all this grief towards Wraith, like. He went on like a numpty when he was the medias rent-a-quote, but he's calmed it down a lot. Usually comes across very level headed when interviewed nowadays. He obviously has connections to the players and staff at NUFC from the work he does.

 

Suspect there's more than a touch of jealousy behind it all.

I don't know what's worse, people who get off on knowing "celebrities", or people who are jealous of said people who get off on knowing "celebrities".

I didn't say it was right though.

 

Don't think I'd be far off though? Even him on the bench the club can use the 'once he's match fit/in form/up to speed, he'll play through the middle'. Play him on the wing, the club know they have to spend on a second striker.

Ben Arfa is clearly the one who wants to be played through the middle.

http://www.express.co.uk/football/view/294487/Newcastle-2-Blackburn-1-He-has-Arfa-ton-of-skill

Manager Alan Pardew rates Ben Arfa’s goal as the best he has ever witnessed, after handing him a role on the right flank in the second half. He said: “I was really pleased with his attitude when he went on to the right.

 

“We pushed him wide and he could have said, ‘what am I doing out here’? But he attacked the position and that’s really pleasing. Flair and making things happen is 80 per cent of his game. It’s just about balancing it out. Everybody is different as a footballer. You have to know your limitations and your strengths.”

 

The only reason he'd ever say that is because Pardew put him on a f***ing pedestal in the first place, saying he's "only ever a number 10 behind the striker" and all that. Ben Arfa's never had a problem playing on the wings before. Very strange.

 

Again, Pardew never said that.

 

Gutierrez makes some interesting (and positive) points.

 

Pardew told the Sunday Sun: “To me, Hatem Ben Arfa is a number ten.

 

“I won’t play him on the side. I don’t think he wants to play there, I don’t he enjoys playing there and therefore my gut feeling is that footballers won’t play their best if they’re not happy in the position they’re in.

 

“I remember playing Jermain Defoe on the side when I was at West Ham. Within ten minutes I could tell he didn’t want to play there, it was a waste of time so I stuck him through the middle and Jermain was Jermain.

 

“Ben Arfa’s motivation is to play through the middle of the pitch - he needs to earn that right. He accepted that in pre-season, he worked very, very hard and that’s what we’ll be looking for him to do when he comes back in and around the team.”

 

http://www.sundaysun.co.uk/sport/newcastle-united/nufc-news/2011/09/18/goals-struggle-not-a-long-term-issue-alan-pardew-79310-29442352/

From these quotes it's clear that Ben Arfa is the one who has been pushing to play through the centre, and this is why Pardew hasn't been giving him games out wide.

I just hope Ba doesn't leave in January. Other than that I can't fault the guy really.

The guy joined on an appearance based contract, which I'm sure wouldn't have been his preference. However, the talk about his knee kept going on, so he signs it anyway and comes in and proves himself.

So now either improve his contract or he moves to a club that will. The clause makes it easier for him to do so, and get the money he kinda deserves considering his performances.

Don't think this makes him a disloyal money hungry sort.

Best way to keep players like Demba Ba is to invest in the team to put yourselves in a position where you're the place they want to be instead of the stepping stone.

 

Simply won't happen under this lot and I'd be stunned if he's not away in the summer, along with at least one or two others.

Very simplistic view.

Just of the top of my head Nasri, Clichy, Modric, Torres etc, etc etc.

Redknapp must be pissed we are competing with them for players, and maybe even beating them out.

Samba and Hoilett?

Just hope he waits till the summer. That would be bearable at least.

The transfer gods are punishing us for the Carroll heist. Benefited too much from that.

Just play pretend in your head and tell yourself Ba was sold for £35 million and Carroll for £5 million. Simples.

How could no one have paid this yet? Unreal.

The only thinkg in our advantage is that whoever wants him will have to pay him a considerably higher wage. Still a big risk.

Clubs might just wait fo rhim to get back from Africa and then all hell will break loose.

Here man, if he's doing the business on the pitch I don't see what the problem is.

This Andy Carroll has serious problems. Is that a recent picture?

Has to be said if Ba leaves, would much refer it to be abroad, would be much easier to take. The thought of him at Liverpool or Spurs man ... awful.

Another bloody African with no grasp of loyalty. Sickening.

What the hell does this have to do with Africans you weirdo. 

These players all do it, so get the heck out of here. 

Can't really see Mark Hughes going there, if he couldn't even cut it at Fulham.

Mark Hughes did well with Fulham! He was the one that left for some strange reason.

Of all the promoted clubs look least convincing, surprising considering they were pretty strong in championship weren't they? Taarabt not being as good has hurt them surely. I hear Mark Hughes ready for post, not sure if that'll work.

 

They weren't that strong in the Championship tbh. They relied massively on Taarabt, was always going to be the case when he struggled with much less time and space in the Prem that it would show up the rest of the squad - which is Championship standard.

He didn't even give Taarabt enough of a chance to find his feet. Taarabt still looks a threat when he's out there, but stripping him of the captaincy right at the start of the season and giving it to Barton just wasn't a smart move considering Taarabt's personality. Also, wasn't Barton having a go at him shortly after joining the club or something?

Surprised people think this is out of the blue. Was talking about this with friends a few weeks back. Thought they'd sack him leading up to the window to give the new guy a chance to get some players in. QPR have been plummetting for a while now.

Why would any owner want to put up with this loud annoying man, when he isn't even doing that great? They're just above the relegation zone, and Norwich and Swansea's success certainly hasn't helped his cause.

Ha! Warnock, what an idiot. I knew this would all end in tears. No way they were going to give him any money this window to turn it around. Barton, SWP and Anton Ferdinand were all uninspired signings, and to top it all he's been keeping Taarabt on the bench and generally faffing the kid about. Rubbish job.

 

Nothing wrong with Barton and swp when you think of where they are as a club.

They haven't done enough though have they, particularly SWP. Barton as usual has also been a nuisance as always.

Ha! Warnock, what an idiot. I knew this would all end in tears. No way they were going to give him any money this window to turn it around. Barton, SWP and Anton Ferdinand were all uninspired signings, and to top it all he's been keeping Taarabt on the bench and generally faffing the kid about. Rubbish job.

That Sunday Sun article implies that the striker would be domestic, and would be from a cash strapped club, that is looking to get rid. also seems to imply that it's someone quite reputable.

Rodallega?

Wow ... just came on to confirm there really isn't any commentary for this, as I thought I was losing it. Incredible.

Considering the knee issue it's quite unlikely this regime would be looking to pay him more than they currently do.If this clause is for real he's likely gone. I imagine that's why they were okay with inserting it. Just hope there is a backup plan. Anywhere but Tottenham or Liverpool if he goes also, because Redknapp is a tit, and Dalglish and everything Liverpool is grotesque.

I counted at least 20 people he went past. Can't believe they only showed it once!