Habib Beye was one of my fav's during his time at Newcastle. I suppose after watching Carr for years huffing and puffing down the right flank, Beye was a definite I really do feel for the lad as his career has demised since he left us for Villa when we got relegated. I think somehow in my head that he knows it was a big mistake to leave us and move on to a bigger club at the time. We have UEFA cup to look forward to and he has no football to play. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18916451 ^ In that picture, i think he looks really unfit. I reckon it's not getting first team action at Villa. Again, something similar happened to Martins and although for different reasons, Nolan and Barton too. I'll always have a soft spot for Nolan and watch out for the lad, after all... hat trick against the mackems.
It was he who was sent off ridiculously for the greatest ever tackle, wasn't it? He was a good player, but had he stayed I don't think he'd have survived much longer than he did at Villa. I wonder if Bassong also wonders what might have been!
Beye was a good player for us, but I can't say I feel particularly sorry for the way his career has turned out since then. He made the decision to leave and deserved whatever happened since. Same with Martins and anyone else.
Agree with that. I think given his age, he'd have done well for us in the CCC, but he chose to stay in the prem with Villa. Probably a bad move for him as he lost his way - and his place in the team. Disappeared and then went to Donny. Whereas another year or two with us and he could have been a legend. But as you say, it was his choice and wasn't to be. His problem not ours.
Of all the players we 'lost' in the aftermath of relegation, Bassong was the one I felt strongest about at the time. The others were either too old, or overpaid, or prima donnas, or a combination of all three. But Bassong was young, hungry and developing his game - and we had given him the chance. As soon as the Spuds came chasing, I knew he'd blown his career - like so many before. Even throwing £8m at him was never going to make him a regular in that squad. I also wonder how he'd have progressed if he'd stayed and played alongside Colo in the CCC. But again, as Marvo says, he made a decision and has to live by it - whether it was right or wrong.
To be fair, he is 34, that's pretty old for a full back expected to do a lot of running. Saying that, Stephen Carr played until he was about 40...
