KaKa

Beeb has Mackems as favourites to get Cleverly now.

 

I think I've come to the realisation that we'll not buy anyone else this summer, the best we can hope for now I think is a loan deal for a kid from Manure, Arsenal, Man Shitty or a like. If we don't get that foil for Carroll, it's going to be a long hard season I feel.

We'll get Ben Arfa or Djalo imo.

It's clear that he'll go to hoffenheim. We simply won't be able to match their 8m€ bid. It's not like marsielle would accept a loan offer over a cash bid when they need money for their own targets. IMO unless hughton can convince the powers that be to release the funds, this deal is dead in the water as far as were concerned.

Just keep the sharp objects away from your wrists okay

Boateng still there for the taking. Can't believe no one has got him yet.

Droopy Dawg has denied interest in Djalo. Might very well be our backup option if Hatem doesn't work out. Djalo is another who can play on either wing and as a second striker.

                               Krul

 

 

Saylor            Colo           Williamson/Sol       Enrique

 

 

Routledge       Barton        Nolan                    Jonas

 

 

                               Arfa

 

 

                             Carrol

That's more like it. Ben Arfa should be giving the freedom to play if he comes in. Having him on the wing and having to rely on him to track back and defend the other teams fullbacks won't be a good move imo. Jonas and Routledge do a very good job of maintaining their defensive responsibilities and that will be key this season.

I just dont think Routledge can hack it in the premier league either. Hes had 3 cracks and done nothing

Absolute bollocks. He was really good in the prem as a 19 year old in a crap Palace team. Hence Spurs going all goo goo eyed fo rhim. He then suffered some serious injuries which saw him lose his way a bit.

"I just don't think Routledge can hack it in the premier league" what the hell? Based on what? Your statement is based on fantasy and is quite ridiculous. Routledge has pace, decent dribbling, decent delivery, a good shot and also plays some wonderful passes. What is making you think he won't cut it exactly. YUCK!

   Why is NUFC so slow finalizing bids it just piss me off....

Mike Ashley obviously loves pissing you off.

If he has really had a word with Habib that would be really good. As Habib absolutely seemed to love his time at Newcastle, even if he did leg it after relegation.

Dortmund vs Man City on ESPN now ...

Been reading up on this Ben arfa kid. Apparently he's never far away from a bit of trouble

So what do people think of his chances in the premiership?

He was good in the premiership as a 19 year old in a crappy Palace team! He's likely going to be very good, and one of our best players. No doubt.

HBA would appear to have some idea of the history of Newcastle United Football Club and the incredible fanbase

Yup, and if you just think about all the top French players that have have made their mark in the Prem it really does make sense. I could certainly see why he would prefer to come over here rather than go to Germany.

Newcastle eye midfield ace Hatem Ben Arfa

 

Aug 4 2010 by Lee Ryder, Evening Chronicle

Hatem Ben Arfa

 

NEWCASTLE UNITED are understood to be close to signing Marseille midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa – according to sources in France.

 

The 23-year-old is thought to have his heart set on a move to Tyneside and is prepared to quit the French side.

 

Toon boss Chris Hughton remained tight-lipped on the situation today and batted off any questions connected with transfers after last night’s penalty shoot-out win over Deportivo La Coruna.

 

Hughton has played a shrewd game in the transfer market so far this summer and is determined not to be gazumped on any of his targets.

 

The United manager has always played down talk of signing the French international. But with Arfa making his feelings crystal clear at Marseille and the fact he wants a crack at the Premier League, Newcastle could well add his signature imminently to go with those of Dan Gosling, Sol Campbell and James Perch.

 

The former Lyon star would certainly give Hughton more options in his midfield engine room, with Kevin Nolan, Joey Barton, Danny Guthrie and Alan Smith already battling it out for places.

 

And as it stands there will be some disappointed faces when Hughton picks his starting XI for the game with Manchester United at Old Trafford.

 

However, if talk in France is to be believed, I understand that Arfa could well be on his way to Tyneside.

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/newcastle-united/nufc-news/2010/08/04/newcastle-eye-midfield-ace-hatem-ben-arfa-72703-26993828/

For some reason right this moment I can't help but picture Mike Ashley being Ted Dibiase and Chris Hughton as Virgil. I have no idea why. 

 

 

 

;D

This is truly ridiculous because he clearly wants to come to us but we can't or won't pay the fee but also his entourage are clearly in it for the money as the german club would surely be able to bigger agents and signing on fees.

 

But from what i have read they are only ready to pay the 8m euros asking price in instalments over 4 years whereas we are ready to pay either 4m pounds now up front or take him on loan for 670.000 pounds so why don't we up that offer to around 1 to 1.2m pounds to see what they say about the loan.

 

Also if it is clear that we have offered them 4m pounds and knowing that the asking price  is around 6.7m pounds then we could at least offer them 5.5 to 6m pounds just to see what they say.

 

It would really do my head in that we couldn't seal the deal especially given that he clearly wants to come here.

We have to be patient. It looks like we are trying to negotiate the best deal possible, which is only right. It appears we are in a strong position too, as the player wants to join us. Hopefully it works out.

I do like the idea of paying fees upfront as this will certainly be attractive to clubs. If we get to 6 million upfront I reckon we could do a deal. I'm sure this would be preferable to an 8 million fee over 4 years.

When did Cleverley transmorgify into Ronaldo by the way? He's played one season in the Championship!

The key thing is to not have too many nutcases in your team. The odd one in a team who mostly have good guys, particularly those who are seen as the leaders, should be fine.

Moving to a new country where he can't speak the lingo yet might do him the world of good. Might help him grow up.

Probably won't be able to piss of as many people if they can't understand what he's saying and he can't understand them too, so would defintiely be a good thing 

Regarding team spirit, we clearly have a very strong spirit within the team right now, and I think adding just one player who is possibly not as "plucky" shouldn't cause too much harm, especially as he is only young. Hopefully, the good feelings within the rest of the team should rub of him rather than the opposite.

Cheers, Baba. Well it looks like he is just a bit of a brat really. He is still very young, so hopefully as he continues to mature his behaviour should improve. Now you mention it, I do remember that he had issues with Benzema at Lyon. Maybe he feels like he should be more of a centrepiece of the team. Seems like the sort who wants to be the main man, with things centred around him. He'll certainly have more of this sort of opportunity at Newcastle, so it might suit him.

I reckon Ben Arfa would have a negative impact on the team. Cleverley would have a small positive impact.

 

Bollocks, you're blowing this way out of proportion. He's positively helped teams to 5 Ligue 1 titles at the age of 23. It's not as if he went round picking fights with everybody in his way you know, you're making him out to be some kind of mental anarchist.

5 teams? He's only been a serious part of two winning teams, and he was hardly a top player for either l'OM or Lyon. Deschamps kept him on the substitutes bench most of the time. He clearly has mental stability issues, but I think this can be overcome. Also, if we buy him for less than 7 million euros, we are probaly selling at a profit. Cleverly will leave and we will have to spend to replace him, which will result in a net loss.

Baba could you give a bit more info on what some of his issues have been?

I think with Hughton we have a manager with a very good temperament who will be able to control the situation. One of my favourite things about Hughton is his temperament. Think it will be crucial this season.

If we still had Kinnear in charge for example theres no way I would want us to have anything to do with Ben Arfa. Before long Kinnear would be on his back like he was with Xisco and "Insomnia".

Worth remembering he's still just 23 too! Turns 24 in September. Sounds like he's already shown some improvement since last year. We should stick with him for this season at least for sure.

Really like the all white kit.

Best has looked pretty dangerous, fair play to him. In this type of form (and system) i'd rather him on the pitch than Lovenkrands.

That is amazing coming from you.

Good for Best. I'm rooting for him.

Today it counts for Joey and Guthrie in the middle. If they can do well today they have a good chance of starting in the premier league as well. But I guess we'll see a s*** performance of at least one of them.

Yup, huge opportunity for them both. Really hope they excel. Good to see Hughton giving the partnership a chance from the outset.