Newsletter

Get your daily update and weekly newsletter by signing up today!

News

Newcastle United Lose A Very Rare Quality

10 years ago
Share

At 19 years old and only really remembering the Newcastle United football days of Souness and the years that followed, I can without a doubt say Hatem Ben Arfa is the best player I have seen in a black and white shirt.

Going to Newcastle matches, he was the main player I wanted to see,  as every time he touched the ball, I and everyone else in St James thought he might produce something special.

That type of genius is a very very rare quality in football. Talent wise I would genuinely put him in the same bracket of the top world class players. I appreciate the fact that he has never really shown any consistency to do it over long periods, and that’s why he isn’t up there with the best, but on his day you’ll struggle to find a better player to watch in the premier league.

So you can imagine how annoyed I was watching deadline day, our most talented and exciting player goes on a season long loan to Hull City. With his contract due to expire at the end of the season, we will never see Hatem in a Newcastle shirt again, something which I find so disheartening.

Due to this I have finally joined the ‘Pardew out’ brigade.

I used to be a big fan of Alan Pardew and didn’t think he was as bad tactically as some make out. However, I firmly believe his stupid pride has robbed Newcastle fans of watching an awesome player, who actually wants to be at Newcastle.

From an outsider looking in, the situation has shown a very cowardly Pardew freeze a player out, without making any kind of effort to try and integrate him back in the squad.

While looking at the last few matches (Palace especially), it has been crying out for some of Ben Arfa’s creativity.

Hatem, you will be missed.

Share

If you would like to feature on The Mag, submit your article to contribute@themag.co.uk

Have your say

© 2024 The Mag. All Rights Reserved. Design & Build by Mediaworks