Santon and Arfa

Hey guys, new to not606 (used to use the old BBC 606 but never got round to making one on here until now) but I've always been lurking around watching you from afar Decided to finally make an account because I was wondering what everyone's opinion is on Santon, Barfa and even Marveaux warming the bench. I can fully understand Pardew's approach of not wanting to change a winning formula but these potentially world class players must be frustrated by watching from the sidelines or making small cameo appearances. Genuinely worried they might start getting restless and fed up. How long will it be until they start getting starts? Do any of you want them to start? Personally I see Raylor/Simpson, Obertan and Best as our weakest positions and they could all be replaced by the others. Bit of a dilemma for Pards.

(sorry in advance if this is posted on the wrong board or something)

 

I share the worry, I know we want good honest players who accept they should wait for a game; and Raylor and Best are doing a great job, but we have two potentially world class players who wont be content to sit on the bench much longer. Will take some very good man management from Pardew, especially as we dont have cup games anymore.

 

Hello!

I love to see them get more starts, I'm quite confident that we'll see them get plenty second half action against the Manchesters and Chelsea because I see them being the sort of tough games that will need Pardew's cringeworthingly termed 'je ne sais quoi' so maybe they'll jump at the chance to prove themselves?
I certainly imagine the likes of those three won't be happy on the bench and I agree that full back, right wing and second striker roles are certainly our weakest positions in the starting line up so if anything it will spur them on to prove themselves more whenever they get the chance. Don't forget that HBA had his chance to prove in the cup vs Blackburn and was supposedly a passenger all game (according to people at the game - I only had the radio) while Marveaux didn't do his best either.

Interesting one, a little worrying that they'd get frustrated but also amazing to know that we have that sort of quality waiting to come on the pitch.

 

Yeah it makes me feel a bit uneasy, especially with Ben Arfa. The problem is that Best links up well with Ba so it would be a big statement to drop Best. With Marveaux unless he can properly play on the right he is going to have a very hard time getting infront of Jonas who as been brilliant this season. I think we should drop Simpson for Santon but again that is a big statement seeing as we have got the best defense in the league at the moment. Ideally we need a few not very serious injuries to give Pardew the chance to put them into the team.

 

We are probaly going to lose to City and Utd so I expect them to come in then but Marveaux did say he knows he has to earn his place.

 

None of them are fluent in english i don't think. This season is just bedding in really - well the early parts. Get used to the surroundings watch the players and learn the language. HBA i don't think can speak english and Santon has a translator. All will play a big part in our season. Squad game not a team one and i think these 3 know that. Can't really complain they didn't start. They didn't take their chance v blackburn and we reverted to a winning side (bar tiote) and won again.
Looking forward to when they are given the chance

 

Get your tin hat on.

 

I expect that if, as is to be expected, we lose to Man U, we can expect to see quite a few changes for Man City.

 

What a horrible thought, Ben Arfa's first start in the league against City.

 

I see HBA as an alternative to Ba rather than Best. Best is the hewer of wood and drawer of water typte that allows the primary striker to score. At the moment, that striker has to be Ba and not HBA.

None of the three you mentioned has done enough to warrant more pitch time than they have had. The only player that has looked consistently good when given a run out is Sammy.

If the three on the bench can't see that they're going to have to be bloody good before they can slot themselves into an unbeaten side, then **** them. At the moment they have good reputations which they need to live up to and, this season, haven't.

Let them force their way into contention along with everyone else

 

One of the most important qualities for a defence is the ability to hold a line. We're one of the best, maybe the best, at doing this. The defence is a unit so while Santon may be very good individually he isn't going to get a look-in right now. I was really impressed with how RTaylor read the game last night, his position defensively was perfect, but he also timed his runs perfectly to give Jonas an option out wide when he needed it. They're all doing their job excellently right now.

Ben Arfa's problem is he hasn't taken the fleeting chances presented to him. I'm sure Pardew is itching for an excuse to play him, and if he'd scored against Spurs or Wigan (think he came on in both) he'd have been straight in the XI.

Marveaux did take his chance against Wigan by grabbing an assist, but he was then involved in a poor team performance against Blackburn and doesn't really look at home on the right. In any situation Jonas would be the last player I'd take off, he's fantastic defensively and a threat going forward, not only that he's super fit and works tirelessly all game, so Marveaux is really looking at Best and Obertan's places in the team. At the moment it isn't really working out for him.

On another note, if any of them aren't prepared to wait while the team are sitting in third then they aren't wanted here.

 

To be honest they haven't been given a consistent run in the team, so i'd say it would be unfair to criticise their recent form based on an appearance at blackburn and 20 minutes as a sub.

However, although i agree that they're going to slowly feel uneasy about their position within the squad, until we have a reason to change the team, surely they cannot blame us for keeping the same team sheet.

The name on the front of the shirt is more important than the name on the back!

 

if i was marv or ben arfa i wouldnt be happy seeing perch and S ameobi getting subbed on before you

 

hang on , its better to have them on the bench craving to get a game rather than playing and contantly under performing ! Thats the problem we had when we got relegated , "world class" players playing because of their status but were always poor !

 

Interesting to see everyone's stance on the three mentioned. I think people are being a little harsh tbh. Everyone else has had ten games and a pre-season to get up to speed. We'll have to play them some time and they will be given more game time over the next few games, mark my words.

 

I think there is nothing to worry about. They can't really complain when the team is performing this well. Also, this Xmas schedule is going to be tough, so they will get plenty of game time. Squad rotation and all that malarkey.

 

This is a long season. We will get injurys and suspensions and as each week passes by the players you mention (who have all had injuries in the last couple of weeks) will get a chance.

HBA will play soon and so will Santon. You dont pay £6million for a defender to warm the bench.

The problem is Pardew has a winning side that is defending well so Pardew has to ease in Santon.

I cannot for the life of me see we brought on Perch last night. I thought it was a good opportunity to give santon 20 mins at left back and rest Raylor who basically got kicked to ****. But then maybe thats why.

The game last night was a horrible game for any foreigner who maybe isnt accustomed to the way Stoke play so playing any of the players you mention last night may have been risky.

Raylor and Simpson are actually playing very well and so is Guti and Obertan as (guti) help for Raylor and (Obertan) for an outlt when we are under pressure.

Good professional players will understand that when a team is doing well they just have to bide there time and all three should do this.

I dont see it being a problem. Its a good thing to have.

 

I think Pards would have explained this to them by now that they will be getting more game time around Christmas time and that it is good for them to settle in before being thrown into the PL. He would have used that smile to make them understand everything is gonna be alright.

 

All our games are well spaced out until around Christmas, when we have 6 games in 3 weeks, so there probably won't be a chance for either until then barring an injury/suspension/terrible form.

 

I really don't think they'll mind so much. They can see what we're doing and trying to do. If you come into the team and do well you'll keep your position (see raylor). It's competitive, and luckily the type of players we have now understand that.