Hatem "Number 26" Ben Arfa

[Gejon 2]

Carroll hasn't been the fittest himself since he left/just before he left though. Just seems strange to swap a crock for a crock. Especially when ours is a hell of a lot more talented.

Edited April 5, 2013 by Gejon

[toonotl 2406]

Agreed. Ben Arfa provides so much more. Carroll is one dimensional and having him in the side would mean we have a go all out hoofball.

[IndianMag 0]

I can't believe a rumour like this is even doing the rounds. No chance of this happening.

[Christmas Tree 3997]

I can't believe a rumour like this is even doing the rounds. No chance of this happening.

 

Apparently there is some truth to it according to Caulkin. He's still doubtful it will come off though mainly because big swap deals rarely do.

Edited April 6, 2013 by Christmas Tree

[Tom 13804]

This would be an utterly stupid deal tbh & I doubt it would go through anyway.

 

I would hate to lose Ben Arfa - of course people are on his back now - for what was basically the clubs fault - playing a lad who's had a hamstring issue on a freezing cold artificial pitch in Russia was borderline retarded. Everyone has a hammy problem every now and then but not everyone is forced back - or allowed to play so soon.

 

He's our best player on his day & you can hardly call a man a crock - his two main injuries were caused by tackles from Roger Espinoza* & Nigel De Jong - everything else is fairly natural for a player. He's our best player going forward and if we want to be any attacking force we either need to replace him properly or keep him.

 

Carroll? I'd rather push to get Aubameyang or gamble on another Carr target. Our strategy is going to require patience - it's important we don't forget that.

 

 

*The cunt who snapped him playing for Real Kansas City - who has since moved to Wigan.

[IndianMag 0]

Carroll is a good 3rd option to have, nothing better. His game has really gone downhill since his move to Liverpool. Obviously all the injuries and the pressure to justify his price tag haven't helped.

Edited April 6, 2013 by IndianMag

[Christmas Tree 3997]

The forward was ruled out for the season last month.

 

But specialists have told the club that Ben Arfa – who has been troubled with a hamstring problem since November – does not need an operation.

 

The 26-year-old was put through his paces on the pitch at St James’s Park before yesterday’s dramatic 1-0 win over Fulham.

 

And United manager Alan Pardew has revealed he has a chance of being involved in Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby.

 

“What’s happened with Hatem is that the scan has shown that we’ve got some scar tissue still in the hamstring,” Pardew told the Gazette.“He’s showing no ill-effects.

 

“We’ve sent him to three experts, mainly a French expert, who’s been looking after him. He thinks that he’s 100 per cent.

 

“We’re now treating him as that. He’s running. There could be a cameo as soon as Sunderland.

 

“He’s got a week’s work. If he gets through that work, then he could be involved.”

 

Ben Arfa was one of the few Newcastle players to shine in the first few months of the campaign, with his form coming on the back of a superb late-season run in Pardew’s side last term.

 

And Pardew can’t wait to have him back in his squad, such is his ability to win a game with a moment of brilliance.

 

However, having seen Ben Arfa make two abortive comebacks from the injury, suffered in a Europa League group game against Maritimo, he is erring on the side of caution.

 

And Ben Arfa will be asssed this week.

 

“It’d be a massive bonus for us, but it’s still too early to call,” added Pardew. “After the last time, we said he wouldn’t play again this seaons. Half of me thought he might.

 

“I just wanted to clear his mind and see how he reacted. Hopefully, we’ll get a nice bonus.”

 

[IndianMag 0]

Would love it if he is on the bench on Thursday, obviously not at the expense of his fitness though.

[DubiousBobcat 0]

Is it just me or did Ben Arfa look more beefed up then normal? I also thought the same of Williamson. Cracking to see Barfa back and he looked a lot better then he did in Russia. With him and Marveaux together, there are zero relegation fears as i thought they played brilliant tonight.

[loonyTOON 10]

Is it just me or did Ben Arfa look more beefed up then normal? I also thought the same of Williamson. Cracking to see Barfa back and he looked a lot better then he did in Russia. With him and Marveaux together, there are zero relegation fears as i thought they played brilliant tonight.

 

Dribbling at the thought of the pair of them, along with Debuchy and Tiote available for Sunday. Plus Gouffran back in too. First selection headache in a long time!

[Rayvin 4949]

If we manage to keep HBA for next season (I'm sceptical about this, Liverpool have me worried) then I'm confident that we can do some real damage. He does get injured a lot though...

[ewerk 26147]

Is it just me or did Ben Arfa look more beefed up then normal? I also thought the same of Williamson. Cracking to see Barfa back and he looked a lot better then he did in Russia. With him and Marveaux together, there are zero relegation fears as i thought they played brilliant tonight.

 

Last time he was coming back from injury Pardew complained about his lack of conditioning i.e. he'd put on a bit of beef. Could be the same thing again, likes mama's cooking a bit too much.

[Christmas Tree 3997]

Nice to have him back.

[Tooj 17]

 

[Kevin Carr's Gloves 3180]

Llambias has said they have put a £25million price tag on the family jewel players. HBA would definitely be one of them and there is no way Liverpool can afford that for one player unless they sell Suarez.

[Tom 13804]

 

 

I missed all the interviews etc but I'm fairly sure I caught the headline of an article saying he wanted to stay.

 

Nice to have him back, the crowd were on their feet so much with him on the ball. Whilst you had about 3 or 4% calling him shite.

 

A couple of things didn't come off but that's going to take a few games.

[Kid Dynamite 5881]

He's got a mean strike from 20 yards like, full backs don't know which side he's going to skin them on either

[The Fish 8946]

Have to admit when he beat his man in the box neither of us had a clue what he was going to do so my mate shouted "shoot" while I shouted "go on". Can't imagine what it's like for a fullback to try and read him. Comfortable on both feet, superb change of pace, plenty of tricks in his locker and doesn't give anything away with his eyes.

 

Love him.

[Happy Face 29]

Wasn't following the match thread so don't know how much it was discussed, but it wasn't until after the goal I realised that no Benfica player got a touch and I pissed myself laughing.

 

He bombs down the wing, takes on 3 players, seems to lose it, stops, has a look about, chases it again, retains it, nips between the 2 defenders and prods it to Shola.

 

Rare we have a player that looks at 2 defenders 5 yards away in apparent control of the ball and thinks, I'm gonna have that before either of them reach it.

 

...let alone a lard arsed tubby like that.

[aimaad22 3417]

Frick these injuries man, what came to mind yesterday after watching his comeback was this is the fun we've been missing the whole season, or near enough of it. Forget the results, points etc for a minute. The excitement of watching somebody with his talent, wearing black and white, running at the defence and watching them stumble all over the place to try and keep him out. Priceless

[Brock Manson 0]

So long as we're not risking his fitness then it's brilliant to see him turning out for the team again. He's one of the most technically gifted players in world football, it's wonderful to see him play for NUFC.

 

Fully expect him to be here next season too - it's just media speculation trying to link him away. I reckon if Liverpool were really going to buy him then they wouldn't have signed Coutinho.

[Monroe Transfer 0]

Need to build the team around him - even with his injuries. Still only just turned 26, best years ahead of him.

[scoobos 297]

No way I'd back letting him go , unless he lets himself go too much in the next few months. He's clearly put weight on, and Pardew's critiscm of his return to fitness may be a thinly veiled order to cut down on the pork life.

 

Can't understand some of the Carrol comments though, especially that he's 3rd choice at best.

 

I'd pick him over Gouffran or Sissoko or Ben Arfa as CF - which is what Pardews been playing this year. Sissoko alongside Cisse just isn't fair on a new arrival , sure be adaptable but give the guy chance to settle into the premiership before changing his role game on game.

 

Carrol would make the first team for me, Shola, Gouffran (as a CF) and the young lad are no competition IMO.

 

Oh and he's a Geordie.

Edited April 15, 2013 by scoobos

[aimaad22 3417]

[Christmas Tree 3997]