Hasn't he been out since November? If so it'll take him a while until he's ready to start. Don't want to do what we've done with Ben Arfa and put him straight into the starting XI too soon.
Obertan should be used on the wing IMO, we need speed down the right. Barton should only be used on the right sometimes, he's wasted there I think.
He has been playing in pre season but I think he picked up a knock in training but should be back for Sunderland
please log in to view this image Obertan wasn't on long but he did more when he was playing off Ameobi then when he was moved over to the right. Hope Marveaux is fit for next week, think he could make an impact coming off the bench.
Doesn't mean he was ready to start a match. Yes, his injury was due to a bad challenge, but it was painfully obvious that he was either a) going to clattered in one of our friendlies or b) pick up an injury because he'd been out for so long. In our friendlies he should have got 15-20 minutes in each, maybe a bit more v Fiorentina but there is no way he should have been starting. And if he'd got through those give him half an hour in each of our first two matches before considering him for a start. I said all this BEFORE he got injured, surprisingly lots of people wanted him straight back in the starting XI straight away. Pardew was being short-sighted rushing him into the starting XI, the whole season is more important than the first 2 or 3 games.
cant wait till he's fit loved what i saw in preseason... just guna but this out there but does anyone think obertan should start ahead of barton (bit knee jerk i know) but aside from the incidents i really think joey looked sloppy and wasted alot of set peices and looked a yard off the pace...only concern would be losing his passion and driving mentality against the mackems
No. Barton has to start. Cabaye will gradually assume responsibility for free-kicks and corners. We can't lose what Barton gives us in midfield. Obertan could play off best up front.
what does he offer to the team then if his responsibility are taken by cabaye he's completly out of position on the right without carroll and as much as i love him as a player i think we need a pacy winger to give us more bite going foward especially if we dont sign another foward
-----------------(Ba)------------------- Jonas---------------------------Obertan --------Cabate--Tiote--Barton---------- as the squad is now id like to see this for the sunderland game
