AyeDubbleYoo

Think Pards definitely made a mistake not bringing on HBA, but it's easy for a fan to say that. Hope he gives him a decent run against WBA, then he does well enough to be kept in the team.

Tend to agree, some players are just special enough to be given a chance in actual games. FWIW I think he will come good, if he gets enough 30 minute slots he'll do something brilliant soon enough.

I can't describe my anger at posts like this.

I was thinking this as well, might work. Modric and Parker esque.

I get that a direct line would exist between the club's PR and the press, that's what PR people are for after all. But I don't understand why NCJ would be so scared of upsetting the club. What do they get from the club anyway, that they couldn't find out/make up anyway?

You really should tell the local press about these objectives, if you haven't already. Sure they would love to expose them, and fans would love to know about them.

Don't think there's any chance of trouble at SJP, most people can hardly muster enough enthusiasm to sing.

Well he didn't sign, so people would easily work out the reason.

This 'Newcastle are going through a slump' thing is massively overplayed. Aye, we haven't won for a while, but three of those games were against the best teams in the country and the other one was without any defenders.

Have you got a direct line to Derek?

Some of the footage of HBA and Benzema is amazing. [/youtube fan talking shite etc etc]

Also wonder if HBA could play in actual central midfield like Modric does for Spurs. Alongside Tiote it might be possible?

Look at how Howard Wilkinson and Alex Ferguson treated Cantona, loads of exceptions to the norms of behaviour and the club rules. Look at how QPR got the best out of Taraabt - by building the entire team around him. Sometimes you have a special player on your hands and you have to make compromises to get the best out of him, that's all part of good management.

I know what you mean Canuck, even if you expressed it in an incredibly patronising way, but it's not as simple as that. Sometimes you need something a bit special, and fans like to see exciting players. Even if HBA doesn't graft as hard as some others in training etc (which we don't know) he is one of those special players that exceptions sometimes have to be made for.

He needs to cost at least as much as Carroll really.

Aye, possibly.

Makes sense I suppose, bloody Pardew and his mastery of the media!

And if he's not doing his thing in the first couple of games, just keep playing him out of blind faith? Basically, yes. His quality is proven to be far beyond anyone else we've got on the books, all we need to do is make him feel wanted and allow him to show it. The amount of game time he's had so far isn't enough for anyone to reach top form.

For me he just needs us to put our faith in him and play him for 5 or 6 games without him thinking he has the win every one single-handed. Just play him, take the pressure off and let him do his thing.

Fair point.

Who, me? Just that they both had pretty serious question marks about their fitness in the past.

Seems strange we've gone for Ba and Marveaux but not this guy.

Great to have another game so soon, really enjoy the Christmas period. If we've got Colo and Tiote again we've got a great chance to win. Would love to see HBA given a chance (as usual), or at least introduced early in the second half.

Love watching Wilshere, the way he moves around and takes the ball at players is brilliant. Annoying person, but good footballer. Actually enjoy Carrick as well, lovely passer of the ball. Craig Bellamy is one, although he's ex-Toon.

I'm disappointed Pardew didn't bring on HBA today, but he might have had his reasons. I don't agree with the decision, but I'm not goin to hammer Pards too much because of it.