trooper

Could be the final piece in the jigsaw for now.

He's going to be getting £60/65,000 a week for a year it seems madness not to give him a number and use him if required.

The ultimate tribute the club could do is sign two marquee strikers and try and win the league or FA cup or even try for a place in Europe. Then if we did win a cup or qualify for Europe dedicate it in the lads memories

If he doesn't have a squad number would he still be eligible to play (highly unlikely I know) if called upon.

Thanks Meenze

Sorry I cant translate the article above but according to The Mag it mentions he was offered an extended contract on less money and he hasn't been given a squad number. If anyone can translate it I'd be grateful cheers lads.

Entre Newcastle et Hatem Ben Arfa, c’est la guerre ! Et ce depuis que le Français a décliné la prolongation offerte par ses dirigeants. Il faut dire que le joueur sous contrat sous jusqu’en 2015 devait accepter une baisse de salaire, un cas de figure qui débouche rarement sur un accord. En conséquence, plutôt que de voir Ben Arfa partir gratuitement l’an prochain, Newcastle aurait décidé de tout faire, mais vraiment tout, pour dégoûter l’ancien Marseillais et le faire fuir. Le Parisien nous apprend en effet que Ben Arfa n’a même pas été convoqué pour le stage de préparation en Nouvelle-Zélande, ce qui implique qu’il restera avec l’entraîneur de l’équipe réserve ces prochains jours, sans disputer les matchs amicaux de l’équipe première. Et ce n’est pas tout, après avoir refusé de rejoindre un club ukrainien cet été, Ben Arfa n’a pas non plus obtenu de numéro pour cette saison. Difficile de faire plus clair… Et si jamais cela ne suffisait pas, les Magpies ont décidé de lui infliger une amende de 2 000 euros. La raison ? Le joueur formé à l’OL serait revenu de vacances avec 1,5 kilo en trop, ce que Ben Arfa explique par une prise de masse musculaire. De leur côté, les dirigeants de Newcastle n’auraient pas souhaité commenter cet épisode auprès du quotidien francilien. C’est à se demander jusqu’où ira Newcastle pour chasser Ben Arfa qui, lui, continuerait de s’entraîner avec un état d’esprit irréprochable.

Sorry to hear this Stevie here's hoping for better news for you on Tuesday take it easy mate.

RIP lads condolences to families and friends.

Thats what I mean but there's more to it than the weight issue there has to be. It's been pointed out he could drop that in a week no problem but Pardew seems to have gone way OTT. Made to train with the reserves, not in the team for the Oldham game, fined €2,000 & told he wouldn't be going on the NZ trip I'm beginning to think there might be some truth in the rumour he chinned Pardew.

If he was only 3lbs overweight he must have been losing it because he looked a lot heavier last season.

I'm not particularly bothered who we play but it would be nice if there wasn't the shadow of Sports Direct hanging over the games.

Fairy nuff but I think we're finished now.

http://mobile.nufc.co.uk/default.aspx?s=news-display&aid=4006357 There's the article from the official club site lads.

Alan Pardew – New Newcastle Strike Force Can ‘Threaten The Best’5 hours ago by Jim Robertson After confirmation of Emmanuel Riviere\’s transfer to Newcastle late on Wednesday night, Alan Pardew has claimed that now United have a forward line that can, “…threaten the best Premier League teams.” With Papiss Cisse missing the start of the season through injury, in his absence the Newcastle manager claims that De Jong, Cabella and Riviere can provide a thrreat from day one of United’s season against Manchester City. Speaking to the official club website, Alan Pardew had this to say; “We now have an offensive line that will threaten the best Premier League teams with Emmanuel (Riviere), Remy Cabella and Siem De Jong. “That is great because our first game of the season is Manchester City and so we need to be up and running straight away. “He (Riviere) is quick and hungry for success, he’ll love having fifty thousand Geordies cheering him on and singing his name. “Emmanuel’s still only a young player (twenty four) and has time to learn and improve, hopefully he can be a real star at the club. “It’s a different type of atmosphere here at Newcastle to what he’s experienced at Monaco, that will excite him and lift him.” Looks like we're probably finished according to Pardew we have our new strike force.

2 reasons he's spent this window 1.) He couldn't gamble that we'd be relegation fodder by xmas making us less attractive for players to sign. b.) The drop in season tickets. I honestly dont think he was that bothered by the walkout (he already had the money)

A lot of people wondered about the Newcastle New Zealand trip. But of course as usual all roads lead back to Sports Direct same as the Oldham friendly.

Oi you forgot yer coat.

Aye I read that and thought the same thing wonder what he's up to the bonus is worth in the region of £200 million very strange.

I know its only a friendly but that was a cracking goal .

Of course for that to happen they'd have to issue a new statement of intent

A couple of marquee strikers wouldn't break the bank would it ?

Dont forget they have to play under Pardew

Damp squid

Thanks thats really helpful