Inside Pardew's brain

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Delving deep into Pardews brain , we find out the real reason why Ben Arfa was left out of Swansea bore draw.

“A couple of times I thought about (bringing on) Hatem, but I just felt they were so deep, with so many numbers back, that I did not think he would find any space, if I am honest.

“He looks for pockets, and there weren’t any.”

Explaining his logic in going for the Ameobi brothers rather than the French international, Pardew said: “Actually, I thought that maybe a diagonal coming in that box with Shola climbing on the back of a centre-half might just be enough.
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And there we were thinking HBA had huffed Pardew or worse......

 

Yeah I do understand this reasoning but I still think HBA has that special classy quality that allows him to produce moments of magic. He may be inconsistant but when you have 10 minutes to go and you've got to chose between Shola/Sammy and HBA I know who I'd choose to find us that breakthrough we need...

Personally I think this is a case of Pardew over analysing the situation.

 

I agree. What spark or unlocking defence skills did he think Sammy had?????

 

Did you not read your own post? Pardew didn't think there was space for HBA to create the space, spark so he put Ameobi in so he could load the box to counteract the fact most of Swansea team were defending the 6 yard line.

 

His logic isn't completely flawed, but I just disagree with it. However, tactics are never black and white (no pun intended) so they're open to interpretation and opinion.

 

I reckon the majority of us who watched that game will never agree with Pardew. As someone asked on another thread, when was the last time Shola scored a headed goal (vs Chelsea (4-3) in the carling cup?)...

This to my mind, does not mean that Ben Arfa and Pardew are getting on at all, it just suggests if they are not that Pardew is being sensible about it.