Lush Vlad

He's just missed 4 or 5 days worth of training... The rest of the squad also missed a similar amount thought I believe. Pretty sure Carver said start of last week the players not on International duty were off at the start of the week, would be in on Thursday and then would be given some time off until the Monday (as in yesterday). If he trains all week and looks sharp, why not start him? Would rather a short of match practice Ben Arfa got 60-70 minutes than Shola, who also won't be 100% fit, he never fucking is!

It's on nufc.com, they were quoting the Sengal FA website.

But it seems like Ba won't be!

Hopefully just precautionary, seeing as it's a bit of a pointless match for Senegal anyway. We'll struggle if he's out for more than a few weeks. On the plus side, if he is out for Sunday, it would hopefully mean HBA gets a start. Could also mean Shola or Lovenkrands play though

Aye, just read that now. Hopefully nowt serious, but thought he was carrying a knock anyway? Best and HBA vs Spurs then.

Going to be fit for the Spurs game. A wasted spot on the bench and no doubt a wasted sub as well, can see him coming on at some stage

It was about 3 minutes before half time. The top of his foot came in to contact with the bottom of a boot. I thought that it was his ankle at first but it wasn't that far up his foot. Ta. My medical knowledge is a bit limited like, but surely if he had around 20 minutes with the injury and somebody checking it at half time, it's highly unlkikely he's broken something, especially when you consider he came back out for the second half? Probably just heavy bruising, trying to convince myself he'll be fine

Not seen it yet, just a shit tackle near the end of the first half I take it?

The fact he had 15 minutes at half time for the adrenaline to wear off a bit, would have got it checked out and he still came back out to try and run it off is promising. Him and Colo are our most important players right now, so praying it's just a knock and he'll be back for the Spurs game. Would really put a spanner in the works if he was out for a considerable amount of time.

Er, no we're not. It's a lot more about us "fuckers" thinking you're mental. And get it clear - it's not the prediction of you winning that's the issue. It's the somewhat psychotic comparison of teams. Agreed, this thread might be the worst pre-match thread I've ever witnessed on this board. This unbeaten form has made people go mental. Spot on.

He played a full 90 mins against Everton and Stoke, and we won one and lost one. He played 15 mins against Blackpool, and about 10 mins before his injury at Man City. That's it I think. Played 60 odd minutes against Stoke, totally misused by Hughton as well.

Some of the comments in the last 5 pages wouldn't look out of place on the SMB. Embarrassing.

Until he was sacked after that deplorable game against WBA. Much better tactically my arse. Hughton took a team with Carroll, Barton, Jonas, Ben Arfa, Tiote, Coloccini and Enrique, and had them losing 1-2 to Stoke at home. We created one single clear-cut chance all game with that team. Similiar can be said about games against Blackpool, Blackburn and Bolton. Pardew took a team with Krul, Simpson, Perch, Coloccini, Williamson, Barton, Smith, Nolan, Ranger, Best, Routledge, Lovenkrands and Tiote to Stevenage and had them losing 3-1. That post is so strewn with agenda it is worthy of nothing other than complete contempt. The agenda horse is back!

well no matter what reason is it, he's just using it to skip the reserve match . Eh? Is this a joke or attempted sarcasm, not sure what to make of this!? He didn't want to play in the reserves so he flew to Tunisia I suppose it is easier than him saying he's got a tight hamstring and doesn't want to risk getting injured well if Mikel can stayed and played when his father was kidnapped , why can't Ben Arfa? Believe it or not, human beings are all different and deal with personal problems and grief differently, strange isn't it? We're in the middle of an International break, and not got a game for another week and a half, hardly a massive problem he missed a reserve game is it? Also I'm not sure how Mikel would go and visit, he didn't know where his dad was i didn't say it's a massive problem, did i? and yes human are different, that's why some never absent from their work , the other always looking for excuse for not showing up

http://www.whoscored.com/Blog/tzhqtwyee0m0g1zgbgap5g/Show/Newcastle%E2%80%99s-Strong-Spine-Covering-Cracks-Out-Wide Bit out of date, but some interesting stats anyway.

How did he play then, did he come through unscathed?

well no matter what reason is it, he's just using it to skip the reserve match . Eh? Is this a joke or attempted sarcasm, not sure what to make of this!? He didn't want to play in the reserves so he flew to Tunisia I suppose it is easier than him saying he's got a tight hamstring and doesn't want to risk getting injured well if Mikel can stayed and played when his father was kidnapped , why can't Ben Arfa? Believe it or not, human beings are all different and deal with personal problems and grief differently, strange isn't it? We're in the middle of an International break, and not got a game for another week and a half, hardly a massive problem he missed a reserve game is it? Also I'm not sure how Mikel would go and visit, he didn't know where his dad was

well no matter what reason is it, he's just using it to skip the reserve match . Eh? Is this a joke or attempted sarcasm, not sure what to make of this!? He didn't want to play in the reserves so he flew to Tunisia I suppose it is easier than him saying he's got a tight hamstring and doesn't want to risk getting injured

Some of that has to be attributed to us being massively lucky, though (dodgy ref decisions in our favour, etc). Pardew was basically playing the same system Hughton had setup when he took over in any case and only started changing it this season, so Hughton does deserve a little more credit for handing Pardew a team that was basically good enough to take care of itself. Also I think Enrique would have stayed if Hughton stayed. Why?

6,000 and 20,000 fans travelled! Think he got a bit over excited there like. Love this bloke.

Would have thought one of the better Championship clubs would be interested? Spot on citing the Ramsey deal, very similar situation. He has looked a cut above in the reserves highlights I've seen and the last 5 minutes of the Scunny game before he came off, there were glimpses of a quality player I thought. Stagnated a bit by the sounds of it and by all accounts was crap against Forest. Played an absolute peach of a ball to Sammy last night for his goal! Also certain he set Marveaux up as well.

Pretty sure it was Gosling that set up Marveaux for his first goal? Either way, it was a quality goal and Marv looked decent in the highlights.

Despite what I was saying in the Spurs pre match thread, he could probably do with some game time. Perhaps they will organise a behind closed doors friendly and he'll play in that instead.....

Did I miss something? Didn't think he was in the ressies squad, or is this a post Strong team out according to journos. http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/9285817.Ben_Arfa_gets_a_run_out_for_reserve_side/ Ta mate. Good news he is getting some more game time, just not sure how he will react dropping down to that level, can see him being a bit sulky TBH probably be fine though and I'm just being paranoid as per usual. Hat trick please Mr. Ben Arfa Shola expected to play hoping he was still out TBH. Don't see any reason he would sulk, it's just part of his recovery. Just get the impression he might think it's beneath him and he should be back in the first team already. Not sure what I'm basing this on TBH, I sound like Colocho

I am impatient TBH, but he's probably doing the right thing. Luckily, for once we're not desperate for players to return from injury so they don't have to be rushed. Bringing them back slowly and making sure there are not further setbacks at a guess?