Is it set in stone now then?

So then, basically Bolton match proved that:

a) HBA should be in the team, especially away from home, as he offers a hell of a lot more than Best or any other striker in a 4-4-2.

b) James Perch is not a very good centre half. He was no where to be seen at Bolton and we kept a clean sheet. No dramas. No worries. Job done. Welcome back Williamson. Goodbye Perch, hopefully.

c) We need another striker. Demba Ba is off to ACoN soon and our other strikers just don't look capable of filling his boots. They may prove me wrong but to be honest, we need another goalscorer even WITH Demba Ba, never mind without him.

d) We can't afford to sell Ba for any price. £35 million may change this, but I dont think thats ever going to happen ever again.

e) 7th place is our minimum and ultimate objective this season. It probably wont be enough for a Euro spot, but to be the best of the rest is an objective in its own right.

I hope you all had a wonderful, magical Xmas and have a very good 30th of December and then New Year.

HWTL! HTL!

 

I think Perch's job is basically coming on to try and defend a result. He's **** in the air but canny good in the ground. He can put in a good tackle and has good pace.

 

7th our minimum target? I still say top 10.

 

Top 6 and the FA Cup for me!!!

 

He won't play Hatem on Friday I guarantee it.

 

Probably wont start him, might bring him in the 70th min

 

pardew is really pissing us of playing hba middle of the 2nd half he should be starting end of topic

 

Love it when people speak for me. Hatem is on his way back from a double leg break, I'm happy to leave it to more informed folk as to whether he starts or not. Coming on second half against Bolton won us the game.

 

Hatem himself has said he's not 100% yet. Stop speaking for him everyone.

 

A constructive positive post Bano. Is this a first? What about Santon in CM? only joshing......LOL

 

Ben Arfa should start but only when he's fully fit, I dont mind a few more cameos to build him up, no sense rushing him back.

And it's a little harsh on Perch, when he and Colo play together there's no ball winner (in the air) so we have to play a high line which is suicidal.

 

What needs to happen for 7th spot Europe? Is it a CL league cup winner and 2 CL FA cup finalists??

 

I personally dont blame Pardew for trying to opt for Best and Ba up front, they had a very good partnership going earlier in the season before Best became injured and there was absolutely nothing wrong with trying to replicate that partnership again, unfortunately for whatever reason Best is far short of his best, still carrying a knock? Who knows?

But in the last two games Hatem has came on and changed things, the assist against Brom and the first against Bolton, and for that, combined with Best's poor games surely means he deserves to start, but on the other hand I have no issue with Pardew easing him in slowly if that's what he thinks he needs, but surely we cant be far off seeing him get starts soon.

As far as Obertan is concerned I would probably stick it out with him, we need his pace in the team regardless of how often has an end product, I dont rate Sammy at all to be honest and for lack of a better option Obertan can stay put for me, hes still popping up with the odd assist so I say give him all the games he needs to develop his game and confidence, I still think there's a quality player in there that just needs nurturing.

 

This!

Sometimes, he can put in a right good tackle. Which makes me think twice about him. However, almost as soon as my faith gets restored in him. He ****s up

Its a real shame, because he seems like one of the nicest guys in the team.

 

dont think ive ever agreed more with someone on here !

 

We're not going to get another striker on Jan so point C is fairly null & void. Certainly not set on stone.

 

I don't mind seeing Hatem in the second half, when opposition defenders are getting a bit leggy and more prone to a lapse of concentration that the presence of HBA would bring. I would assume Ba and Best start again on Friday, with Besty being replaces by HBA half way through the half. As must as Best looks pants, he does wear down teams, albeit he seems to be spending too much time with Shola - offside.

 

Ben Arfa's a cracking player but atm our style of play doesn't suit him. He's a player that needs the ball at his feet to make things happen. But during our last matches we couldn't keep the ball for more than a minute ...

 

That works both ways though, if Ben Arfa plays and Best doesn't it should naturally result in less long balls being played and more played on the carpet, we have good enough passers of the ball in the team to be able to do this.

 

f) Santon should be played in midfield