How do we approach the Norwich game then?

Beat me to it. Tierney's **** though so if Obertan's in the mood he can create a few imo. Very worried about Grant Holt v James Perch but we still have big Tim Krul! Norwich are a decent side and shouldn't be underestimated. I reckon Pards will go to have a go at them though.

Best approach is to just keep possession as much as possible imo. Keep the back four deep and play it through their midfield/defence. Cabaye, Guthrie, HBA and Jonas are all good enough on the ball to play it around the likes of Crofts in their midfield. I'd probably line up:

Krul

Santon--Perch--Simpson--R. Taylor

Obertan--Guthrie--Cabaye--Jonas

Ben Arfa

Ba

with Shola, Sammy and Best likely to come off the bench, especially if we're hanging on

However there's only one tall player in there and he's not the best defensively so I wouldn't be surprised to see Shola or Best in for Ben Arfa with HBA to come on around 60 mins

 

I'm really interested to see what Pardew does actually. Possibly utilise a reserve CB we haven't really been thinking of? Henderson, Folan e.t.c (Maybe even Streete) Also I think Obertan will be dropped in favour of someone more defense minded. Maybe play Fergie on the left and Guti on the right.

 

All of the reserve CBs are interesting. Kadar's not rated, Henderson & Tavernier are away on loan, Folan is injured but Streete looks very tidy.

 

I would start Obertan just because I feel away from home the pressure is off him and he seems to play with more freedom. I would play this:

-----------Krul----------
Simpson----Perch----Santon----Raylor
Obertan----Guthrie----Cabaye----Jonas
------------------Ben Arfa----------
----------------------Ba-----------------

 

I noticed a few people have picked Abeid, correct me if I'm wrong but he is still away with the Algeria U23 squad?

 

I thought they were knocked out but still unsure.

 

Sorry, I was wrong. Just saw on his FaceBook that he came back on Sunday. Maybe to do with the injuries?

Edit: Think Lewis Hamilton F1 Legend was right, apologies, would seem they have been knocked out. Let's play Mehdi then!

 

Simmo has played CB a fair few times. Notably played a run of games there in the Championship for us. He isn't terrible in the air and is a quick lad.
I'd love to replace Obertan I really would as he is ****e. But can't think of who could come in.
Ben Arfa should play, he can do a lot of damage against Norwich.
Up front I was torn between Ba, Best and Shola. I'd go Shola as he holds the ball up better and can score goals.

Krul

Santon Simmo Perch Raylor

Obertan Guthrie Cabaye Jonas

Ben Arfa

Shola

 

Best bet is to tell your driver tee "gaan doon the southern ring rood man"

Seriously though, quite impressed / surprised that you guys are taking Norwich so seriously. I've not seen so much genuine debate amongst rival fans on how to approach a Norwich game before! Paul Lambert will ensure you do get a decent game of it but after your start I'm not hanging out for a major Norwich result. Loving being back in the Prem League and fingers crossed we stick around. Here's hoping for a top game. Well done so far.

 

We all thought Norwich away would be a tough fixture, but we're now without the only three first team centre backs we have at the club (Taylor, Colo, Willo) so there's a defensive worry and most of us would take a point now. Norwich are a side that like to attack so will put our makeshift back four under pressure.

This one isn't going to be goalless....

 

You beauty

[video=youtube;unEPlwdCXs0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unEPlwdCXs0[/video]

 

I don't actually think we pronounce road, like that. I could be wrong of course but I've never heard anybody say it that way.

As regards the game I'm looking forward to an open flowing game with both sides playing their part.

 

It's a defensive nightmare at the moment.

Ryan Taylor has been pulled absolutely all over the place in the last few games and how Santon STILL hasn't featured completely amazes me.

He must be scratching his head.

I understand the loyalty Pardew shows to his players, but when it's to the detriment of the team then it becomes a problem.

Now we've got no centre halves, I'm worried big style. Perch isn't up to it, Williamson's weeks away, Simpson is poor, Raylor is out of his depth.

Gonna be interesting.

 

Cometh the moment, cometh the man. I just hope they're all going to stand up and be counted.

 

I think that you are being a bit harsh on Raylor and, to and extent, Simpson. Yes they have struggled in the last few games but they were playing against Man City, Man Utd and Chelsea who, without being disrespectful to the Norwich players, have some of the best wide players in the league.
Simpson and Raylor are ok when facing average premiership players, it is when they come up against the top guys that they struggle.

 

I really don't think I am being too harsh. Agreed, Taylor has done well much of this season, but playing him left back is an accident waiting to happen. You can't get away with it forever. It was hideous to watch at times on Saturday.

Simpson has done OK, but gives his attacker far, far too much space. Simpson in a defence with Colo, Taylor and Krul just about gets away with it, but Simpson in a defence with Perch, Kadar, whatever else is an entirely different matter.

 

I wouldn't mind seeing Obertan dropped for Lovenkrands, I think some of his crossing against Chelsea was pretty good and he's a bit more experienced than Obertan. Although Obertan is a confidence player and playing him against weaker teams (no disrespect to Norwich, but our last 3 games were against the best 3 teams in the league) may give him the confidence he needs to start playing well again. Also I think Ben Arfa should start, I would prefer to see Best or Shola (played well when he came on against Chelsea) start but Ben Arfa has been out for a long time and the next few games are probably our best opportunity to allow him to get back to his best as he will have a bit more time on the ball and some freedom to do his usual skills etc.

 

I say we bring our street-wise youth player in. Train Perch all week, hitting him really hard when he does something wrong, and maybe, fingers crossed, we'll come away with a draw.

Guthrie and Gosling (Tiote if fit) need to play in a David Batty role and we should give Obertan and HBA free roles with Cabaye in the centre.

As someone else said, Obertan plays better away because the pressure is off.

Krul
Simmo, Streete, Perch, Taylor
Guthrie, Gosling
Cabaye
HBA Obertan
BA

I know I'm dropping Jonas, but this is for one game and he could do with another break before the hectic Christmas run-in.

 

^ If we were to do that, then Santon in at LB, Raylor's just been getting embarrassed recently.

 

No point worrying about team formations, Pards get's paid for doing it, let's leave it to him.