Reflections on Yesterday

I think in fairness it's also been to do with keeping him fit and sharp for this month when he needs to step up.
The XI that started yesterday looks like it's going to be Pards' default XI for the next month. Though preferably Raylor or Shola starting over Obertan.

 

Yeah, I certainly think that Pardew had the departure of Ba in mind when leaving Ben Arfa on the bench of late too. He'll be starting the next 5 or 6 games, if we'd played him all through December he may well have picked up a knock or been tired out. Good management in my opinion.

 

I wonder if he will be tempted to keep Ben Arfa on the right wing though? I thought yesterday's starting XI would be our team for the ACON, but we really do look better with 2 out and out strikers. Wonder if Abeid will keep his place as well? Guthrie's meant to be fit for QPR.

 

Shola in for Obertan I think is really our only option.
And if Pardew is anything it's careful with bringing players back from injury. Guthrie won't start unless he's 100% fit.

 

You'd expect Guthrie to come back in if he's ready. Maybe if the games going to plan bring Abeid on in his place for the last 20 minutes or so.

 

Abeid looked decent, if a little raw, Pardew said both him and Vuckic are a lot better than they showed and you could tell he was playing a little bit conservatively (for want of a better word) yesterday. I'd keep Abeid in personally, can always sub him off if it's too much for him.

 

In our favor is that QPR will be missing two of their most influential midfielders in Barton and Faurlin (haven't seen for sure if he's out or not) so Abeid may have a little more control in midfield than he otherwise may have had.

 

Yeah, and it's a home game so he'll have the support of the crowd (hopefully!) Worth a start IMO, he needs the games to improve.

 

I think considering it will be a home game, with (probably) a full house, against a side towards the bottom of the league that will not be at full-strength means we should attack them. For me, that means Ben Arfa wide right and two up top.

Krul
Simpson Williamson Coloccini Santon
BenArfa Cabaye Abeid Jonas
Shola Best​

 

for me ide still put benny in the hole and put raylor on the right instead of shola...think raylor was brilliant against united deserves his place

 

Still wary about Ben Arfa on the wing, Pardew's comments imply he doesnt want to play there.

 

Krul
Simpson Williamson Coloccini Santon
Raylor Cabaye Gos/Guth Jonas
BenArfa
Shola​

 

Aye, Raylor doesnt deserve to lose his place in midfield, I'd like us to try Benny in the hole again instead of writing it off after 1 game.

 

Good shout le beatski but please, anyone but gosling

 

Providing Guthrie's fit i'd play this against QPR

-----------------------Krul----------------------
Simpson----Williamson------Coloccini------Santon
Raylor------Guthrie---------Cabaye--------Jonas
---------------------HBA-----------------------
--------------------Shola----------------------

Abeid for Guthrie if he's not fit, and possibly bring on Lovenkrands or Best for a run out if either of HBA or Shola aren't playing well.

 

I think against an understrength QPR we can put Ben Arfa on the right with Shola and Best upfront. Against better, more attacking sides, we'd deinately be better with Raylor on the right. Him and Simmo paired up well v Man U.

 

Benny on the wing won't work long term, he doesn't track back and defend. Let him have the No.10 role and run wherever the hell he wants (and past whoever he wants).

 

That's part of the reason we should play him there for a bit, to teach him some positional discipline. Games like QPR is the prefect opportunity.

I said earlier that we can't afford the luxury of a player that does what he pleases at the minute, regardless of who they are. The team comes first.

 

But we have Raylor, who has proved himself to play well, track back etc. Play him as a striker but give him a free roll to drop deep and power on forward.

 

This