How do we approach the Norwich game then?

HBA would be able to do his usual AMC job but he will also be able to get more space on the wing, to come inside. Certainly cannot do worse then Obertan.

Would let the three strikers rotate obviously, would have Ba there though, remembering where he played for West Ham.

 

Just thinking about our players in general, we really are dreadful in the air, bar a handful of players.

 

We could all post what we'd like (e.g. 3 in centre mid, 3 strikers, different formations etc etc) but it's not going to happen.

Obertan will not be dropped. Pardew has pretty much picked him every available game, even after a bad performance.

The full backs will not be changed, they've stayed constant all season.

We will play 4-4-2, the only questions are;

1. Who plays CB (Santon or Kadar)
2. Who plays in attack with Ba (Ben Arfa, Shola, or Best)

They're the only two things worth debating as nothing else will change (other than Jonas coming back in for Lover).

 

Am I the only one who would start Shola? We'll need to keep possesion as much as possible in this game and Shola is our best striker at holding the ball up IMO. He played well against Norwhich and usually, like a lot of our players, flourishes when he has competition (Best, Arfa, Maiga in Jan?).

 

Aye that's what I said. Best holds the ball up well as well though, so I'd start one of those two with one of Ba and HBA.

 

I'm thinking a 4-5-1 is a must for this game. You really need 2 holding midfielders, to protect that way-below strength back 4. Maybe try and hit Norwich on the counter, they are error prone, and i'm yet to be convinced by their keeper.

 

Shola over Best. Think of how often best will be offside. And the result will be Norwich get a free kick that their GK will launch into out area as we won't have recognised CB's. That's what their manager will be drilling into them all week in training.

 

Krul
Santon Simpson Perch Raylor
Obertan Cabaye Guthrie Jonas
Benny/Best**
Ba​

** I honestly think that we should drop Benny and have a more direct approach ... maybe give him 20 mins later on ... Also Shola has been excellent when he's come on as a sub so I reckon he shouldnt start...

 

It's a fair point but Shola isnt exactly a master of the offside trap himself.

 

I think Ben Arfa should definitely have a chance, it's easy to say he hasnt made much of an impact recently but he's been playing against 3 of the best sets of midfield/defence in the league.

 

Yeah I was thinking this earlier, we only have 3 proper DMs though. Tiote's injured and Smith is just the kit man now I think. That leaves Abeid, but Obertan-Guthrie-Cabaye-Jonas are certain to play, so we'd need to drop our creative spark in Ben Arfa.




Also, when did we last play a proper 4-3-3? I know we had Owen-Viduka-Martins a few years ago but even that wasnt a modern one with wide forwards.

 

This. I'll repeat myself in our last 2 away games (against the 2 best teams in the country) he's hit the post, put the ball on a plate for Ba and won us a pen. Norwich have let in as many goals as Man U and City put together. He could have a field day.

 

With the greatest respect their defence is the sort you see him annihilating on all of his youtube compliations, he should start IMO. If we go defensive and concede early, that throws our whole game plan. Better to attack them.

 

Exactly. You can just imagine them sweeping at his legs a second after he's flicked the ball past them. We should 'do a Blackpool' - we know our defence is shaky, so just go all out and attack. Back four to stay as a back four, Guthrie covering. Cabaye, HBA creating. Obertan obertaning. Gutierrez dribbling, getting us ground, the odd free-kick, etc. Ba finishing. Bosh sorted. 0-2.

 

This.

 

I agree with the Hatem annihilating Norwich defense, but we need power at the back to defend.

I just can't decide.

 

There's no point playing defensively with a piss poor defence, if we put out a 4-5-1 and concede (which is likely) then the whole plan goes to ****. Parking the bus against a promoted side is pretty desperate.

 

Go there and turn them over Keegan style.

 

I agree. I'd go for Hatem behind Ba then. Try and destroy them early.

 

______________Best________
______Ben Arfa_____________
_Jonas_____________Cabaye_
______Guthrie___Goslin______
_Raylor_Santon_Perch_Simmo_
___________Krul____________

We'll need to keep the ball and imo Best and Ben Arfa are great at holding the ball, then we unleash Ba to destroy them!