The African Cup of Nations

I'd feel much more comfortable with Gosling instead of Guthrie or Smith. The times you have watched Gosling is when he has played in an overall weaker side (carling cup games). In my opinion it would be interesting to see how he fairs when playing alongside our best side.

 

When he plays for the reserves he seems to play behind the striker. Maybe they think that is his position - bit of a Nolan

 

If Cabaye is fit during that time, I don't see what the problem is with CM. We have depth in midfield. Gosling or Guthrie will come in and play. Gosling or Guthrie will play Cabaye's role as the more attacking of the two, and Cabaye will sit and play the Tiote role. I havve faith in Gosling and even Abeid may come in. We said we have a better squad than last season so let's trust these players. It's only for 3 or 4 games.

When Ba goes, Ben Arfa can play behind Best. Simples. And we may/should bring in another striker in January. No worries IMO. My biggest worry is if Colo or Taylor get injured. Let's hope we can make it to January eh?

 

if mali hadn't qualified we could have signed Mahamadou Diarra as cover for midfield, hes on a free transfer and wants to come to england i think

 

This. Seriously hope we get some bodies in Jan regardless of the ACON. We need a versatile CB who can play full-back if needed(Ridgewell springs to mind). A striker(to compete with Ba and Best and to also keep the likes of Ameobi/Lovenkrands out of the team) and a versatile midfielder(can play in the centre and out wide) wouldn't be bad either. Someone in the mould of Wade Eiliot(currently at Birmingham) but younger and better.

 

I agree we need a centre back. I'd like a younger one to be honest because I just think the likes of Ridgewell are tosh. I can understand why we're linked with his ability to play left back, but I have to admit I think he is ****. I'd still like a natural left back at some point in the future but its not a priority as both Raylor and Santon are comfortable there. Obviously we need a striker. I'd advocate selling Lover and Shola, and only bring in one. Sammy and JJ Hooper can provide the back up. I suppose an extra midfielder would be nice for Tiotes absence but then when do Gosling and Abeid get a go? We don't need much to be fair but what we spend will largely depend on how we do between now and Jan. I think he may be tempted if Europe is a possibility.

 

What exactly did Gosling do against Orlando? The only ones who stood out there were Abeid and Enrique. I like Gosling, but i think he needs a big confidence boost first. He seems to be too good for the reserves, but then blows it by some silly misses or decisions when he gets a call up to the senior side. Similar to Ranger the past two years i guess.

Id say stick of him in the side for that confidence but you've already got Obertan in and you cant have too many players in the starting 11 in their just to get confidence back...

I also see what you mea about those players and away games, but i wouldnt generalise away games too much. Cabaye has already proving he can get stuck in and make important tackles maybe Abeid and Marveaux would be a bit too lightweight for the decent sides like Villa, but i wouldnt feel too scared if we fielded Raylor, Gosling or Vuckic there.

Hell even Gutierrez if it came down to it. Im not a fan of Guthrie though.

 

Someone like Onuoha would do me. Can play right back or centre back

 

Just seen on nufcblog that Pardew is yet to be convinced by Gosling

 

You mean from like the 5 or 6 games he has ever played for Newcastle off the back of an 18 month injury? Apparently he is very highly rated at Newcastle but it's hardly surprising they haven't gambled on him when we have Cabaye and Tiote fit and playing well

 

Would you be convinced? It would be pretty hard to drop Cabaye or Tiote for him right now

 

Agree although I don't think Ridgewell is ****, he can hold his own at this level and isn't that old(27) but agree I would like a young defender to come in if possible rather than him, I just used him as a example. Lovenkrands will probably get released at the end of the season so doubt we'll get cash in for him.. and who would want Shola? Probably someone in the CC like Forrest.. . JJ Hooper isn't ready to be back-up just yet IMO.. but I rate Sammy highly and think he could potentially be awesome. Abeid I like but how old is he? There's also Guthrie.. but yeah I know that you don't exactly rate him and Gosling is a young versatile squad player who I imagine has potential but isn't there just YET, a loan deal to somewhere like Doncaster would do his fitness and confidence no harm and then he can come back in Jan hopefully better.

 

IMO when Tiote goes off to the ACN Raylor deserves a shot at CM. He played there for the last 3/4 games of last season and was decent.

I don't see why people hate Guthrie so much. OK he has the occassional shocker (West Brom), but most of the time he puts in a solid performance.

Also I think people are judging Gosling a bit early, he's still young and has just come back from a long term injury.

 

Yeah, haven't been convinced myself like

 

The hate for Gosling after most people only watching him in the summer is unfounded; I think we'll all agree almost everyone looked awful in the build-up to the season, and he was coming off missing a year of football. He's performed well for the reserves, and naturally shouldn't be getting ahead of Tiote or Cabaye, but holding his miss against Sunderland against him is a little petty, considering he really hasn't had other chances to put it out of your mind.
I'm not saying we should count on him during the ACN, but I'd consider myself 'undecided' on him, rather than a 'doubter'

Edit: Also a reminder for everyone wanting Abeid, the kid had never played a minute of senior football in his career, not even cracking the Lens first team. He looks promising, absolutely, but everyone seems to be looking to Gosling needing to have proven himself by now, but he hasn't either.