Ba Apologises For Anticipated January Absence
By Tyne-Talk
November 8 2011
Striker Demba Ba has apologised in advance for what he hopes will be his participation The African Cup of Nation in January. The Senegal International who anticipates being called up for his national side, has said that he understands the fans disappointment at him going, but hopes they appreciate the honour of playing for the country.
He said;
"I understand why Newcastle supporters are disappointed that I will be away for a few weeks at the African Cup of Nations, but I hope they also understand why it is so important to me to play in it.
Senegal is my nation and back home in Senegal, it would mean so much to the people if we were to do well in the competition.
Playing for your country is still one of the biggest honours in the game, and when it is in a major tournament, it is even more special.
I want to go there and try to help my team-mates and my country win the competition.
Next summer, everyone over here will be getting excited about England playing in the European Championships and this is the same for us, it is just unfortunate that it happens during the Premier League season and it is a shame I will have to miss some Newcastle games."
Ba Apologises For Anticipated January Absence
Posted by: TyneTalk (IP Logged)
Date: 08/11/2011 19:57
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Re: Ba Apologises For Anticipated January Absence
Posted by: tunyc (IP Logged)
Date: 08/11/2011 21:15
No need to apologize-just don't come back injured!
Re: Ba Apologises For Anticipated January Absence
Posted by: i! (IP Logged)
Date: 08/11/2011 21:38
Just get knocked out at the first hurdle and I'll forgive you.
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Re: Ba Apologises For Anticipated January Absence
Posted by: TOONTILLIDIE (IP Logged)
Date: 08/11/2011 23:35
Fingers crossed that he doesn't get injured and they have a awful tournament.
Re: Ba Apologises For Anticipated January Absence
Posted by: davenufc (IP Logged)
Date: 09/11/2011 10:35
I have thought about this for a while now, and I have come to the conclusion that I am actually glad he is going.
Now bear with me.
Everything is going well at the moment, which to be honest amazes me almost as much as it pleases me.
But a voice at the back of my mind sasys that ashley will keep his hand in his pocket if he doesn't need to spend.
Hopefully this will force him into bringing that long awaited CF signing.
To be honest the bigger worry for me is the potential loss of Tiote.
Now bear with me.
Everything is going well at the moment, which to be honest amazes me almost as much as it pleases me.
But a voice at the back of my mind sasys that ashley will keep his hand in his pocket if he doesn't need to spend.
Hopefully this will force him into bringing that long awaited CF signing.
To be honest the bigger worry for me is the potential loss of Tiote.
Re: Ba Apologises For Anticipated January Absence
Posted by: mentalman (IP Logged)
Date: 09/11/2011 17:12
hopefully Ashley will see that with a bit of investment we have a strong chance of qualifying for europe and go out and strengthen the squad although i do think Pardew will have to get rid of the likes of smith before he can bring anyone else in!
Re: Ba Apologises For Anticipated January Absence
Posted by: Piston (IP Logged)
Date: 11/11/2011 08:30
I had previously thought that the only way he would spend in January would be if we were doing really well, by that logic you could say that he would be hoping to consolidate a top half finish.
Then again, he may use the success as an excuse not to spend...
I just hope AP manages to twist his arm and force the issue so that we get a couple of decent signings in BEFORE we start to suffer in terms of results.
Do you think we can afford to dream? We have gotten pretty lucky in some ways but then again there have been some great performances.
I feel like its time to gamble on a season if ever there was one, we could do really well and there's no reason in my mind why we couldn't keep going - if everything falls into place. There is depth in the squad, we haven't seen the best of HBA yet, Santon also could prove to be decent.
Then there are the exciting youngsters like Ferguson and Vuckic to think about. We just need one or two decent signings and we could definitely finish top 6 maybe top 5 even.
Then again, he may use the success as an excuse not to spend...
I just hope AP manages to twist his arm and force the issue so that we get a couple of decent signings in BEFORE we start to suffer in terms of results.
Do you think we can afford to dream? We have gotten pretty lucky in some ways but then again there have been some great performances.
I feel like its time to gamble on a season if ever there was one, we could do really well and there's no reason in my mind why we couldn't keep going - if everything falls into place. There is depth in the squad, we haven't seen the best of HBA yet, Santon also could prove to be decent.
Then there are the exciting youngsters like Ferguson and Vuckic to think about. We just need one or two decent signings and we could definitely finish top 6 maybe top 5 even.
Re: Ba Apologises For Anticipated January Absence
Posted by: tunyc (IP Logged)
Date: 11/11/2011 16:43
I think a 7-8th place finish is a reasonable goal. The injuries are starting to pile up, however, and with the African Cup on the horizon we will need to spend in January to keep the push going. We have been lucky, not so much with results so far (we've had some fortune, I'd say we had it coming) but rather in terms of injuries. If Colo or Krul or Ba had gone down long-term in our first game, I'm guessing we'd be circling the drain right now.
But as recent events show, you just don't know what you'll get from Ashley. His evaluation of goings on at this club is very different from ours.
But as recent events show, you just don't know what you'll get from Ashley. His evaluation of goings on at this club is very different from ours.
Re: Ba Apologises For Anticipated January Absence
Posted by: TOONTILLIDIE (IP Logged)
Date: 13/11/2011 19:06
I read a Jamie Redknapp story on sky sports the other day, and it was quite a good read and a balanced view on where the club is, a couple of signing will give us a good squad that can compete to try and get a good finish, but a couple of injuries and we can easilty struggle, which I think is quite fair.
Hopefully Ashley will spend on another forward and defender that we have talked about, and you would hope that he would try and do the business in January meaning that the club will probably have quite a quiet summer activity unless players leave again
Hopefully Ashley will spend on another forward and defender that we have talked about, and you would hope that he would try and do the business in January meaning that the club will probably have quite a quiet summer activity unless players leave again
Re: Ba Apologises For Anticipated January Absence
Posted by: tunyc (IP Logged)
Date: 13/11/2011 22:12
The media dialog about the actual squad is pretty much on right now: the first team is good, quite good, but depth will be necessary to stay in the top half. It's the same situation Everton have faced. In fact, there's a short piece over by Shearer over at bbc to this effect right now.
I think we still need a couple defenders and then there's Colo's situation. In January, a forward and a versatile defender (rumor is we'll go back in for Ridgewell) would do us a lot of good.
I think we still need a couple defenders and then there's Colo's situation. In January, a forward and a versatile defender (rumor is we'll go back in for Ridgewell) would do us a lot of good.
Re: Ba Apologises For Anticipated January Absence
Posted by: mentalman (IP Logged)
Date: 14/11/2011 09:27
i've never thought ridgewell was that good but if you think about it he's going to fight with most likely williamson for 3rd choice cb, he's probably going to be 3rd choice at lb and to have someone with his amount of premier league experience as back up can only be a good thing especially when the injuries are mounting up!
Re: Ba Apologises For Anticipated January Absence
Posted by: Andrew The Mag (IP Logged)
Date: 14/11/2011 14:32
Agreed mental, if we sign him he would definitly be as backup, but netherless an important squad player.
Re: Ba Apologises For Anticipated January Absence
Posted by: tunyc (IP Logged)
Date: 16/11/2011 17:53
Yep, a useful squad player who can fill a few roles. Every manager needs a couple of those.
Re: Ba Apologises For Anticipated January Absence
Posted by: mentalman (IP Logged)
Date: 17/11/2011 08:56
with him and perch able to cover all defensive positions we'd be in an excellent position!
Re: Ba Apologises For Anticipated January Absence
Posted by: TOONTILLIDIE (IP Logged)
Date: 17/11/2011 20:20
Ridgewell will be a great signing and good back up incase we got a injury and I would feel comfortable with him in the team if he was called upon
Re: Ba Apologises For Anticipated January Absence
Posted by: tunyc (IP Logged)
Date: 18/11/2011 17:23
Gotta hope he'd be Perch's replacement. Between Ridgewell, Raylor and Santon we'd have good depth. Just need another out-and-out center half.
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