Benni and Cabaye to start for France

My mate just said Sigs has signed for Swansea apparently

 

Iceland putting bodies behind the ball and its frustrating France, hope our guys survive half time and carry on playing, though its probably good if they come off, terrified in case they pick up injuries :|

 

Cabaye and Ben Arfa now playing ok and I do like Debuchy who seems to link up with Benni well. Hope they can persuade him to come into Toon.

 

Debuchy scores!!! Move started by Ben Arfa

 

Nice work Benny.

 

Goal made in Newcastle??...

 

Ben Arfa crafted the opportunity there like, classy finish by Debuchy, but the two of them have been linking up well all night on that right side, surely a no brainer this now?

 

No question he would improve us, the only question is are we the only club in for him? If Man U are in for him as reported then we don't stand a chance

 

Cabaye's influence could sway him, but you are probably right.

Also Cabaye & Ben Arfa off now, along with about 3-4 other players.

 

French supporters are ****e mind.

 

Aye, they seem to hate Gourcouff

 

Pardew would have been having a **** fit at Ben Arfa (and probably 7/11 of the others!) for not bothering to track back (though it seemed their tactics!!!)... Seems the way to beat the French, do a Chelsea/Iceland tonight. Admire their play, defend deep, then brake with pace because they can't be arsed defending. Andy Carroll shouldn't be used in this game in my opinion. Walcott and Young upfront to just constantly counter.

Other than not tracking back, Ben Arfa had an immense period where his flair was really the driving force of France's play, a long with Nasri and Benzema, followed by a not so hot period of carelessness.

In my opinion the best player I have seen at St James', standing out immediately as brilliant, is Cheick. But what I would also say is that Ben Arfa still has potential to be one of the world's best players if he really develops next season and if he peaks the year after. Just my opinion though.

 

France are never that open usually. They normally have M'Vila and Cabaye sitting in meaning they don't get countered so easily. They only had Cabaye today and Gourcuff was invisible so they were always going to be cut open in a position like that

 

Remy has pulled out of the squad so it looks nailed on that HBA will make the squad.

 

you know who was impressing MENEZ

he looked quality

 

Usually the opposite. Very poor going forward but pretty tight defensively. To be honest the pre tournament games mean **** all bar seeing how a team is physically/mentally. Cabaye looked a bit leggy. Benni looks fine but he hasn't seen as much action. I think a fresh England would beat all three sides in their group. But unfortunately we look absolutely paggered on both counts again. You see the sloppiness in our play, and the lack of zip. I'm sure the press will use this as evidence of Hodgson being useless, but to me he looks to have the exact same problem as his predecessors, our league season is brutal!

Why we haven't yet introduced a winter break is beyond stupidity.

France are very beatable and have done fairly poorly in recent tournaments overall. Always struggle in the group stages. Hopefully they'll be heading home early this tournament and Cabaye and Benni can get rested up for the new season.

 

Agreed Menez was excellent, very quick and skilful similar to HBA but is better at keeping the ball does not give possession away. Think Menez and Ribery should start on the wings, Benny on the bench.

 

Menez has been indifferent in his club form from what I've heard but he had a good game last night. Less tricky and more direct than HBA but got good pace and able to beat defenders. I remember when we played against Sochaux in the UEFA Cup all those years back when Menez was only 17 or so, you could tell he was going to develop into a quality player.

 

MEH-nez. Not that impressed other than the fact he runs very fast.