Our daily blog with the latest news, transfer rumours and gossip about Hull City in the Premier League.Like HDM Sport on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.Hatem Ben Arfa doesn't want to see Alan Pardew sacked from Newcastle United – despite his very public fall-out with the Toon boss.
Returning to St James' Park for the first time since his deadline-day loan move to Hull City, Ben Arfa was greeted by Newcastle fans who were delighted to see the favourite back on their turf, albeit not on the pitch.
Ben Arfa has since described his return to Tyneside during an interview with French TV station Canal+.
"It really touched me, it made me happy, it was weird though being back there as a visitor," he said.
"When you are pushed to one side (training and playing with reserves), your (squad) number is changed, small (verbal) attacks by all the staff… I can't tell you today.![Get Adobe Flash player]()
"I don't forget though, it has been a difficult time for me.
"I do not blame him (Alan Pardew), I do not want him fired, the important thing is to develop myself.
"It was the last five minutes of the transfer window when I arrived (at Hull), the coach (Steve Bruce) has built something interesting and I think we can expect to be in the top ten."Barlow hits out at Tigers youth set-up
THERE seems to be a little catfight going on here, as former Hull City youth star Jack Barlow has hit out at the Tigers after he signed for Cleethorpes Town.
The youngster made the headlines aged 15 when signing for City under Phil Brown's tenure for a six-figure fee – with Manchester United and Manchester City chasing his signature.
However, five years on he has now left the Tigers and endured a frustrating spell with Boston United. Now, the 20-year-old has returned 'home' to Cleethorpes – but not before getting his claws out.
"I went to Hull and was training with the first team in 2009 with then manager Phil Brown," Barlow told the Grimsby Telegraph.
"He was unfortunately relieved of his duties shortly after I arrived and I believe I was treated unfairly from then on by the Youth system there.
"I didn't really enjoy my time there until the last year when I left the youth set-up.
"But at the end of the day they are signing the likes of Ben Arfa and Gaston Ramirez, so I don't think I would have ever been good enough to play in their first team."
Cleethorpes welcome North Ferriby United this weekend in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup.O'Neill laughs off Irish banter with Stephen Quinn
It's safe to say Martin O'Neill may have got the wrong end of the stick when being informed about banter between Irishmen Stephen Quinn and Jack Grealish.
The incident all goes back to City's 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa, where Grealish felt the wrath of strong tackles late on in the match, one of which was made by Quinn.
Grealish qualifies to play for England or Ireland, and after the match, he joked: "He (Quinn) called me a Fake Paddy. That's what I have to expect though now. Football banter can be like that and I'm not a kid anymore so there's no problem."
The Ireland boss is not convinced that there was any malice intended or that Grealish is concerned either way.
"I was wondering how it was said, whether it was a tongue in cheek remark or a humorous remark or whatever the case may be, or if there was a serious intonation to it," he told Herald.ie.
"I can't say that I know Stephen Quinn that well but I would be a wee bit surprised that he said it. Was it a kind of humorous remark?"
When reminded that Grealish himself saw it as banter, O'Neill joined in.
"It's not too late to leave Quinn out of the squad. He's going to annoy a young player who might play for us and that causes him not to play, I'll leave Quinn out," added O'Neill laughing.Margetts returns to Tigers
Development squad star Jonathan Margetts has returned to the Tigers following a month's loan at Harrogate Town.
The striker has been in sparkling form over the last week with Hull City, scoring both goals in the 2-0 victory over Rotherham and once during the 2-1 win over Gateshead on Tuesday evening.
Margetts made six appearances for Town, scoring on his debut against Barrow and netting the winner against Oxford City.Huddlestone gives passing masterclass
And finally, any young budding midfielders reading this may want to smarten up on their skills with Tom Huddlestone.
The Tigers midfielder has given a master-class in passing to Sky Sports during the launch of FIFA15, which is released tomorrow.
Huddlestone was in the company of four other Englishman in the top five most accurate outfield passers over long distances, joining the likes of Steven Gerrard and Gareth Barry.
For the full Q&A, click here.
