Ben Arfa - The Small Hand That Makes Us Tick.

Whilst we've been no great shakes this season, it can't go unsaid that the main reason for this is the upset of injuries, which in turn has not allowed us to have a settled side.

The grumbles we had in pre-season about strength in depth or not buying to allow rotation fell on deaf ears but no-one could have predicted the wretched luck that followed.

Now with the return of Hatem Ben Arfa to our full squad, we should start to see the real potential that our side will possess and it's mouth watering to say the least.

Maybe, he wont be risked in the Europa League but he is imperative to our survival fight and a midfield come attack which also contains the likes of Cabaye, Sissoko and Cisse,should start to see us edge closer to the top half but in football, the only certainty is it's unpredictability, so rule nowt out yet.

The mercurial Frenchman of Tunisian descent has only played around forty games for the Magpies with a nine goal return but such is his influence, it seems as if he's played in a lot more.

The Geordie Messi certainly has confidence in his ability and this 'third-coming' could yet be the prophecy that the player has professed.

If so, then the premier league had better watch out next season, even moreso if we manage to get the top class strikers that we are hinting that we're shopping for.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.