OTF 7576 Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 With all of the talk of interest being almost exclusively in French speaking players, what do people think the implication will be for our side? Would you have a problem with the core of our team speaking French? The Cabaye signing is all but assured and he represents the fourth French player to be permanently signed since the January window (Hatem Ben Arfa, Yven Moyo and Mehdi Abeid). Coupled with another key signing from last summer (Cheick Tiote) the number of French speaking players in our side has certainly spiked. In addition to these the most seriously linked players are all either French or French speaking - Gervinho (French speaking), Sow (French born), Gemeiro (French speaking), Ba (French speaking), N'Zogbia (French born). As many had predicted the club are looking to plough the talent of the second tier European competitions (with England, Spain and Italy the top tier), with a particular focus on players from high performing sides. Financially it seems to be a viable option, with the lure of playing alongside compatriots no doubt a significant lure to players stepping up to a more competitive competition on foreign soil. If these players do come over in the numbers that are being rumoured then it could impact upon the positive spirit amongst our players that has carried them up from an extremely tumultuous period. That kind of spirit has not come easily for Newcastle of late, so it could be a dangerous game to mess with it. Whilst they'll no doubt arrive with the best of intentions there's no telling what the disposition of these players would be in trying times, something of a common ground at St James' under the ownership of Ashley. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbsweeney 0 Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 I see your point, but couldn't it be said that we're swapping a Spanish-speaking contingent (Jose, and possibly Jonas and Colo) with a French-speaking lot (albeit, to a lesser extent)? If anything, with having a group of new lads come in and having to cope with a new environment, circumstances etc., it would be easier for them that they'll at least have a language in common and can easily relate to each other. Also, PL squads (and La Liga, Serie A, Eredivisie etc.) have for decades now been made of a multinational contingent with there being no negative impact. It should be the same with NUFC. Most of the existing squad have found it easy to relate to/bring into the fold non-English speaking players in the past, so it shouldn't be any different now. Fingers crossed ... and it could be exciting to watch results on the pitch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OTF 7576 Posted May 31, 2011 Author Share Posted May 31, 2011 I'd hope that we wouldn't swap out any of the Spanish speakers. As unlikely as it is, it would be a mouth watering prospect to see them added to rather than replaced. With Jonas and Coloccini contracted until 2013 there's no reason for them to leave just yet, that is unless the owner wants to replace them with lower wage earners. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OTF 7576 Posted May 31, 2011 Author Share Posted May 31, 2011 ---------------Eng--------------- ---Eng----Eng---Spa----Spa--- ---Eng----Eng---Fre-----Spa--- -----------Eng---Eng------------ That's the team as it is, allowing for Ben Arfa as injured, a strike 'force' of Best and Shola. ---------------Eng--------------- ---Eng----Eng---Spa----Fre--- ---Eng----Fre---Fre-----Fre--- -----------Eng---Fre------------ I kept the formation the same to make it easier to compare. Left back there I've included Cheikh M'Bengue. Ben Arfa as left wing/midfield, Tiote and Cabaye in central midfield, Barton on the right, Shola up front alongside Ba/Gameiro or with Ben Arfa behind and Gervinho on a wing. If you wanted to be even more extreme it could be two French speakers up front (Ba + Ben Arfa, Ba + Gameiro etc). Obviously it's a long way off happening, but would make an interesting dynamic and would be far and away the most French speaking starting 11 in the league. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChezGiven 0 Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 When Craig Moore and Viduka were at the club I was quite concerned about the disposition of these players leading to the IQ level of the squad being affected, them all drinking too much and going out and shagging square jawed inbreds with hairy armpits. Those fears didn't materialse so it's probably best to see how these individuals pan out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OTF 7576 Posted May 31, 2011 Author Share Posted May 31, 2011 Obviously nothing to do with the question I was asking. More angling towards peoples thoughts on having an English football side with a largely French speaking core, and whether tthis could offset or affect the current team spirit. More to the point the departures of key players is likely to affect that balance. ...and Moore and Viduka were never at the club together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewerk 31236 Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 If they all stink like Bernard did then we could have a serious body odour problem on our hands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OTF 7576 Posted May 31, 2011 Author Share Posted May 31, 2011 If they all stink like Bernard did then we could have a serious body odour problem on our hands. But if they're immune to it themselves then it could have a positive effect by only upsetting opposing players. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieRoss 0 Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 (edited) Can't say I'm all that impressed with the French players we've had in my recent memory. Ginola - talented but erratic, ultimately a bit disappointing Robert - see above Charvet - basically rubbish Dumas - see above Domi- looked good at times but flattered to deceive really Guivarch - in everybody's "worst signings ever team' Boumsong- so bad he didn't even look good besides Bramble.. Distin - good player but treated us like shite Bernard - fair player but treated us like shite N'Zogbia - crap player who treated us like shite. probably missed a couple Edited May 31, 2011 by StevieRoss Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Face 29 Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Can't say I'm all that impressed with the French players we've had in my recent memory. Ginola - talented but erratic, ultimately a bit disappointing Robert - see above Charvet - basically rubbish Dumas - see above Domi- looked good at times but flattered to deceive really Guivarch - in everybody's "worst signings ever team' Boumsong- so bad he didn't even look good besides Bramble.. Distin - good player but treated us like shite Bernard - fair player but treated us like shite N'Zogbia - crap player who treated us like shite. probably missed a couple 50/50 tbh Four and a half good signings out of ten at least. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChezGiven 0 Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 I make that 6 out 10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil 6 Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Most French people can speak good English, so I wouldn't be surprised if they have broken-to-good English skills already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Face 29 Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Most French people can speak good English, so I wouldn't be surprised if they have broken-to-good English skills already. Avec pour moi la gare Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lazarus 0 Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Saha? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Face 29 Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Saha? oui-oui Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Can't say I'm all that impressed with the French players we've had in my recent memory. Ginola - talented but erratic, ultimately a bit disappointing Robert - see above Charvet - basically rubbish Dumas - see above Domi- looked good at times but flattered to deceive really Guivarch - in everybody's "worst signings ever team' Boumsong- so bad he didn't even look good besides Bramble.. Distin - good player but treated us like shite Bernard - fair player but treated us like shite N'Zogbia - crap player who treated us like shite. probably missed a couple Without getting into the ins and outs of your assessments there, do you not think Domi treated the club with less respect than any of the others you mention? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieRoss 0 Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Can't say I'm all that impressed with the French players we've had in my recent memory. Ginola - talented but erratic, ultimately a bit disappointing Robert - see above Charvet - basically rubbish Dumas - see above Domi- looked good at times but flattered to deceive really Guivarch - in everybody's "worst signings ever team' Boumsong- so bad he didn't even look good besides Bramble.. Distin - good player but treated us like shite Bernard - fair player but treated us like shite N'Zogbia - crap player who treated us like shite. probably missed a couple Without getting into the ins and outs of your assessments there, do you not think Domi treated the club with less respect than any of the others you mention? You may be right. It was just a cursory observation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 I am right He behaved like a cunt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CleeToonFan 1 Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Vive l'revolution! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duo 0 Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Can't say I'm all that impressed with the French players we've had in my recent memory. Ginola - talented but erratic, ultimately a bit disappointing ultimately a bit disappointing? He was fantastic for the toon. I agree with the rest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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