It has now emerged that Newcastle United ensured there was no chance of Hatem Ben Arfa coming back to Tyneside, by leaving out any recall option.

Brian Standen wonders where the Plan B is at Newcastle United – has Alan Pardew ever had one and if so did Mike Ashley sell it at 50% off?

Relegated to very occasional appearances this season, Paul Patterson claims now is the time to sell Ben Arfa.

With a strong nucleus in place, the transfer window needs to see Newcastle resisting offers for any of their star men. Aside from Coloccini, who seems likely to depart for personal reasons, Pardew needs to retain the services of individuals like Ben Arfa, Cabaye and Cisse, who provide a strong spine with which to work with. Lessons need to be learnt from the sale of Demba Ba.

Even within games our players can drift in and out. Ben Arfa yesterday against Arsenal was a prime example, where he went from moments of absolute genius to moments of clumsy embarrassment.

Alan Pardew; “”So we are missing four or five really big players, which we have done all year if I’m honest, with the injuries we have had one way or another. But I still think we have a good side to put on the pitch tomorrow.”

The previous hours of frustration at getting no one over the line felt silly and I was ashamed for my greed, we’d kept the squad together.

As it happens our French genius was the coolest person in St.James’ park, relive the moment in this ‘from the terraces’ video special.

We talked to two of The Mag’s top columnists, Pete McParlin and Colin Whittle, about their hopes AND fears for the coming season, do you agree with them?

It doesn’t take a genius to work out how much we rely on those four key players to create and score goals, the rest of the team need to step up as well as essential new recruits needed.