Ben Arfa

Ok so pardew has made it pretty clear Ben Arfa will have a role to play tommorow...however, i cant help but feel we've rushed him back in the hope he'll be our saviour on the pitch...i dont see how 2months sudenly turned into one month and after a week of training fit enough to play a cup match which will no doubt be closly contested with notts trying to regain some pride

personally i'de wait till after the wolves game to start starting him but i honestly beleive pardew will have him starting tommorow and against bburn when he isnt quite ready just as he did against kansas where one "fairly" inocuous tackle seemed to cause instant damage which is a clear sign of someone whos not fully recovered!

anyway when do you think we should be starting benny?

 

It's up to Ben Arfa, Pardew and the physios.

If all are in agreement that he can begin playing a part then he should be in the plans for selection.

I can't see him playing for very long vs Forest but any time on the pitch will benefit him in terms of getting match fit and gaining confidence with his leg.

 

I agree we are rushing abit but it's not because we need a saviour (saviour from what exactly...do we expect to be 3 places higher?!). I believe we are rushing him due to the whole storm of excitement that goes with him. Anyway, I wouldn't start him tomorrow, probably not saturday either. Game after should be his target to get the first 60-70 mins in depending on how he feels.

 

None of us are in the physio's room with him though. It seems ridiculously unlikely that after a whole year of waiting, the club would play him a month too early and risk further setback especially when we've already had a good start to the season and aren't desperate anyway.

 

I'd say sub vs Forest, Bburn and Wolves (simply cos Henry the thug will be out to smash the **** out of him).

Then see how he is to get into the starting 11.

That will also give Pardew more time to see who he should replace.

 

Well initially he was supposed to be out for a month, not two, so what's the problem?

 

yh sorry phrased that wrong i meant pardew seems to think he's the key to our teams success (may be the case or not)

 

I agree but I've seen it many times in football and rushing players back can ruin their season or career. I'm just saying we should be a touch careful especially as it's not like we can't win without him.

 

was pretty sure the official verdict was mid october but may be wrong

 

Yep, it can do. Which is why I find it unlikely that he will be being rushed back. If you and I can sit back in our chairs and be comfortable in this knowledge, do we really think that the people responsible for professionally making this decision would not know this?

 

He's the style of player that Pardew has tried to build his squad around so the sooner Ben Arfa is back and able to play week after week then Pardew can honestly say 'This is what I was trying to build' and be judged on his results as well as allowing himself to accurately identify possible improvements to the squad itself.

 

This.

I wish everyone would stopping building him up so much tho. He may take a while to settle into the team & he's come through a pretty horrific accident.

 

This!

 

True, but I'm excited and worried for his return, I suppose it's just my cautious side that wants him the play a major role this season and the worry of what a setback now could do to those prospects.

 

Yeah, same. I guess its normal, I'd be lying if I said I won't be bricking it every time he gets tackled.

 

yh there's no doubt hes one of our best players and will imensly help the teams creativity, but thats why im worried i just dont want him to get injured in a fairly meaningless match against opponents we'de most likely beat without him

 

15-30min against Forest then maybe 45 against Blackburn

 

Maybe he'll be wearing titanium enforced shin-pads . On a more serious note if he avoids staying on the ball for too long maybe he'll be tackled less often and avoid picking up any serious knocks...

 

Why would Pardew play him against Forest if he's not fully recovered, especially as he's not really needed in the squad. They wouldn't risk it after such a long time out.

 

Don't see how we're "rushing" him back... He's been recovering for longer than initially thought and has been in full training for two weeks, seems sensible if he's coping well. Remember, the latest injury was completely separate from the broken leg...