Pardew denies claims of Ben Arfa rift
December 19, 2011
By ESPNsoccernet staff
Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has denied reports that he has fallen out with Hatem Ben Arfa, but did admit that he has told the midfielder that he needs to improve if he wants to get back in the starting XI.
Ben Arfa, 24, has been an unused substitute for the Magpies' past two games against Swansea and Norwich and was thought to be angry at being overlooked in favour of teenager Haris Vuckic during the 0-0 draw with the Swans on Saturday.
Pardew explained that Ben Arfa's recent omissions have been down to Newcastle looking more defensively fragile when the France international is involved, but rejected claims that his player had reacted badly to being dropped.
"I know there have been suggestions, rumours, that he isn't happy here, but it's just not true," Pardew said. "He's fine, I think he knows he's not at his best yet and the stats in the game he has played, I would expect better from him because of what a good player he is. He just needs to come up a level.
"It's not about his relationship with the other players, you're looking too deeply into this, he's just a player who needs more time. I think he will find his best form before the end of the season but how quickly that is I don't know. I'll use him as I see fit, I didn't use him on Saturday because I didn't think the situation was right. It's as simple as that.
"He's an individual character in terms of his personality on the pitch, but in terms of that we still have situations where we need to be at full tilt to put him in the team and we're not quite there at the moment. We were a lot better Saturday and the chances of him being involved on Wednesday against West Brom are a lot higher because of how strong we looked defensively against Swansea. We looked like our old selves.
"Of course, it didn't help we had defensive injuries, because that has affected Hatem as well. To lose your three first choice centre-halves for the Norwich game hurts, because Hatem is the type of player you need a strong base to bring out the best in him and to protect ourselves.
"Saturday was the first time since Manchester United that we looked like a solid team. He is just lacking that bit of sharpness. I don't think it is a case of accommodating him. We look different when he is in the side and it needs to turn into a positive for us which I think it can do.
"Fingers crossed for Hatem that happens for him and us because if we can get him back to his very best we have an exceptional player."
