Our starting 11 without Ben Arfa

Even though i'd be upset if Ben Arfa doesn't come back for the start of the season, i still think we have a good selection for our starting 11.

--------------Krul----------------

Simmo---Taylor---Colo-----Enrique

Barton---Cabaye--Tiote----Gutierrez

---------Ba----------Best---------


----------------Krul----------------

Simmo----Taylor-----Colo----Enrique

-----Barton----Tiote----Cabaye-----

Jonas--------------------------Marveaux

----------------Ba------------------

I hope Ben Arfa will be back for the Fiorentina friendly, so he can have a game before the Arsenal match. But i reckon we should perhaps think that him missing out on the first game is possible.

I also hope that we have another striker as well.

 

The first team you showed would be my choice unless Marveaux turns out to be a
real hit in the rest of pre-season

 

He's fast as **** from what i've seen. His acceleration makes spectators jizz.

 

Williamson for Taylor

 

Shut the **** up

 

I like a team with pace but I read somewhere that him and Jose weren't linking up very well in training.

It wouldn't surprise me if Pardew put Marveaux on the left and then Jonas played in Ben Arfa's position, 'in the hole' (like he did away to Chelsea last season).

 

I prefer the look of the 2nd one but I'm feeling the 1st one is probably the strongest one for now. Maybe swap Besty for another striker like Erdinc if that ever happens.

Definitely Saylor over Willo though.

 

Seems fair enough IMO. Need a new striker though to compete/partner Ba though. Best would be cracking back-up mind. Ameobi/Lovenkrands could be 4th and 5th choice respectively. I hope we don't sell Best, he had a very good spell back when he & Lovenkrands were leading the line.

I'll be happy with 1 new ST, maybe a versatile winger & a versatile full-back(Clyne springs to mind.. home-grown & young).

 

Does anybody know why Willo didn't play against Hollandia last night?

 

It's a hard position we're in. We can't get anyone good for less than a fortune it seems.

Pisses me off that seeing as we got 35 mil for Carroll, we can't spend 15-20m on a striker, but that's Ashley for you.

If i was Pardew i'd be flying to Malaga to start talks with Rondon, then i'd try and convince Sturridge to stop dreaming of breaking into the starting 11 at Chelsea because it aint happening. He should come on loan here.

 

The second formation would be my pick, seeing as we are against Arsenal it would be good to have an extra body in midfield.

Also does anyone know for certain if Marveaux can only play on the left, or can he play on the right as well? I have read contrasting views on it. If he can play on the right then I would prefer him on the right and Gutierrez on the left because of his partnership with Enrique.

 

He's was on the bench vs Kansas

 

He didn't go to the States? We used all our outfield subs against Kansas.

 

First one but Willo over Saylor

 

Taylor is miles better than Willo.

 

I prefer the 2nd one definitely! But i'd swap Jonas with Marveuax, as Jonas works much better with Jose. Other than that, that's pretty much exactly what i'd have picked for a first team.

 

Ihave to say i would literally be gutted if we started the season with leon best as one of our main strikers. i would seriously fear for our chances if we don't bring in another striker. i give Ba a dozen games before getting crocked leaving us with what most would only consider our back up strikers to lead the line.

 

I agree with this.

 

--------------Krul----------------

Simmo---Taylor---Colo-----Enrique

Barton---Cabaye--Tiote----Gutierrez

-----------Marveaux

---------------Ba----------

 

Even though we'd all like a striker better than Best, he's not a bad striker. 6 goals in 10 starts, and he was unlucky not to have more. If he got the chance, i reckon if he made 20 apps during the season, he'd score around 8/10 goals which is a good contribution for not a very highly rated striker. He's better than Shola in every way, apart from pens of course, and he also works well with Lover.

Like it or not, Best is our best striker until Ba proves better.