Ben Arfa?

Is there a place for him in our starting line up?

 

yes behind Remy in a 4-4-1-1

 

Id say Gouff is keepingbhim out right now

 

Yes and he should start the next game. We will dominate the ball against Norwich and they will have all 11 players sat deep and it will be up to us to break them down.

It's about horses for courses, Ben Arfa was rightly left out in our last two games. We won both matches because our game plan was spot on. However Norwich are completely different opposition to Spurs and a Chelsea so we should adapt our approach accordingly.

I'd play HBA instead of Shola and possibly Anita instead of Tiote as Anita moves the ball better and faster than Tiote.

I really hope that Pardew doesn't adopt the "don't change a winning team" approach. We won our last two because the opposition had more of the ball and the onus was on them to get the win. It's not like that for Norwich, they'd snap your hand off for a draw so we therefore have to be less rigid than we've been in our last two games (we've rightly been rigid as the opposition have superior players) and that's where Ben Arfa comes in to play.

We have a squad for a reason and it should be rotated based upon opposition.

 

I know what you're saying and it's always a question of opinion, but I wouldn't change a winning team until you need to.
I certainly would start with the same line-up, and if anything just give certain players different instructions or license to play a bit more.

If you change things and it backfires the first criticism is why tinker, so I wouldn't.

Frankly the things we've done well in the last two fixtures are by and large good practice against any PL opponents.
Stay compact, close people down and move the ball quickly – look at the dividends Southampton are reaping by applying the same philosophy everywhere they go.

At home versus Norwich with more ball you can just afford to let Cabaye roam and get the fullbacks forward and involved – other than that as is please!

As far as Benni goes, he need to prove his worth in team from the bench first and I certainly wouldn't drop Gouff for him...

 

Gouffran is the first player on the team sheet for me so I wouldn't pick Ben Arfa over him but I would pick him over Shola.

I don't like the thought of Pardew not changing a winning team just in case we lose and people say "why change?" As to me a manager needs to be stronger than that and do what's best for the team and not himself.

I'd also bring Colo in for Williamson (who has been immense) as again Colo is better with the ball than him.

When up against opposition that will sit back you need a quick tempo to break them down and players that are comfortable with the ball enable this.

I do understand your point of view and you do make some very valid points It's just I'd blame the manager for not changing it (if we lose) more than I would if he mixed it up and we lost. It's just a personal preference really.

Pardew has got it spot on in the last two games. I just don't think Shola is good enough to help us play a quick tempo game at home against a team where we're favourites.

Norwich is such a pivotal game for our season, win it and that's three on the bounce with confidence soaring and some very winnable games to come. Anything other than a win and we go back to being a Jekyll and Hyde team.

Let's hope whatever Pardew goes for that it works

 

I don't actually disagree fundamentally with you mate and your logic on it tbf. Like I say, it's an opinion thing isn't it and the 'proof' is usually only in the results.
If he keeps it the same and the players just don't apply themselves in the same way then the argument is he should've been bold enough to change it. Or you know he changes it, we're poor and then he has to revert too late – it's all theory isn't it?

I totally like your view on it ideally, and that's how you'd want a squad to be used tactically against different types of opponent – I'm just not sure we're there yet or clever enough as a squad.

My thing with Newcastle is I tend to find we blow and hot cold just in terms of the application, attitude and 'mood' of the team rather than the way they setup.
It's weird, we sometimes put too much emphasis on that when frankly the players just forget the basics or start slowly.

At the minute we seem to have hit upon a combination of guys who are at least gelling positively and I suppose I'm scared to rock that!

You're right though we'll see and at least it looks like Pardew's judgement is looking fairly sound at the minute. Good news for us!

 

I think all of us have that nervous feel at the moment due to the indifferent results this season. It's great just to be talking positively about Pardew, the players and the league table once more.

And if anything at least these last two results have meant we can afford a slight blip in the next game without having to worry about the bottom half of the table.

If only Cisse could find his shooting boots, we'd be in dreamland then.

 

I believe we have to change a winning team.Did not Debuchy pick up his fifth yellow?
If so Y-Mbiwa to rightback and Colo back into central defense.Otherwise,as already said,keep the rest of the team the same bringing on HBA as an "impact" sub.
Just another opinion.

 

Forgot about Debuchy's booking.

Not sure I'd want to move Mbiwa from CB to RB. He needs consistency so not sure moving him to a new position will help him find that consistency.

I'd go for Santon at RB and bring in Haidara or Dummett if either are fit at LB.

 

Yeah it's a shame that for Debuchy as he's really come on in these recent games.

Certainly changes to the defense would have to be forced like that at the minute because that has looked a settled unit.

Kudos to Willo on that too, because he's by no means world-class but never claims to be – puts in a real shift and has been a lynchpin lately!

 

Haidara looked good and willing to attack against man city, I's start him

 

The lad is a top player however he would be more suited for home games when we have to take the game to them.

 

Not at present and only if he is willing to work for the team. We did get that out of him in season we finished 5th after being dropped. Bringing him back for Norwich would send out a terrible message and likely upset the others.

Colo has played a lot of football at full back in his career so he is an option there if Haidara or Dummet hasn't recovered.

 

Interesting to hear shearers views on HBA on MOTD. he got it spot on. On a different note, its very easy to forget just how good Shearer was (just watched a video of him). Imagine today's team with him in. Though we dont have Speed Nobby and Robert now

 

He did have it spot on yeah.

But he was immense for us and I disagree, it is difficult if not impossible to forget how good he was for us!

But you raise an interesting point. I actually think he'd be largely frustrated playing in our current side, which is what you're hinting at with the other players you mention.

Inevitably he would score, it's Alan, but we just don't produce the sort of service he really thrived on. Would we really get the most out of him, I'm not sure in the same way I think Carroll would be largely blunted.

Mind he could deliver a cross too, but was never quick enough to kick it and then get on the end of it...

 

I would play HBA at home against Norwich playing just behind the front man as he will be hard to contain if we are constantly threatening the goal. In games where we are under pressure most of the time I'd opt for Anita, who I think is a great little player.

 

He should have practised more

Of course i remembered how good he was for us, but I'm only 21, It's easy to forget how good he was considering Newcastle never seen the best of him! When he was at Blackburn he was truly 1 of the worlds greatest. R Kelly even made a song about him

 

Wouldn't have a problem with starting Haidara.

 

Yeah he was just bloody lazy wasn't he? ;D

No I know what you meant and it does seem like a long time ago now, and almost a bit like a dream you're sometimes not sure actually happened.
Especially given the surreal ordeal we've endured under Ashley since Al hung up his boots.

I think you'd find a few to argue about Newcastle not seeing his best years though, I think we definitely saw the best of him – just that Blackburn capitalised on his goals to win the league.