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Press Quiz Pardew On Futures Of Ben Arfa, Mapou and Cheick Tiote

10 years ago
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Alan Pardew has been forced to field a number of questions from the press regarding the futures of a number of Newcastle players, including Cheick Tiote.

The Newcastle manager has bizarrely claimed that the squad is ‘full up’, intimating that players would have leave before there was room for any others to come in.

I say bizarrely because looking at how weak the bench has looked in the opening two Premier League matches, even taking into account a few injuries, it appears to show just how small a squad Mike Ashley is prepared to allow at St.James’ Park.

As you will see from the various questions and Alan Pardew answers below, the United manager is very evasive and refuses to even acknowledge the question about Hatem Ben Arfa (claims this afternoon that Besiktas have made a move for him)

‘You were there watching the Under 21s earlier in the week (beat Reading 5-2 and goalscorers Armstrong (3), Ben Arfa and Ameobi). Adam Armstrong particularly impressive, Hatem Ben Arfa very good as well…is he somebody who is still in the reckoning for you?’

“In  fact all of the reserves were very good on the night; Haris Vuckic…Sammy Ameobi…were terrific…but Arma was the pick and he has got back in that England team again, as Rolando (Aarons) is in the Under 20s.

“So as I have said, our young players, if we can get two offensive players out of that (Academy) group we will be ecstatic.”

‘Is there anything you can tell us about potential players coming in?’

“No.

“There is nothing really to say this time. Only the standard line really, which I’m sure you get bored with, and our fans do…’We’re watching the market’…and that is all we’ve got to give away really.

‘Has there been an approach for Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa from Marseille?’

“I think it is fair to say that all our players coming in and going out, we are not going to give any info because we don’t think it is fair.

“We have lots of speculation, most of it untrue, so I’m not going to confirm anything on any of my players…

“Only to say that the group we have is very strong, our roster is pretty much full up, so we have to be careful, if one goes out then one needs to come in.

“That is really where we are at in terms of the numbers.

“So, we are full up as it stands at the minute.”

Has there been any movement on Cheick Tiote?’

“I have just answered that question.

“He is training with us but he is still carrying that knock so he is not training fully.”

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