After The Dust Has Settled.

So, after the dust has settled, we sit in 6th place with 44 points, 5 points behind Arsenal who are in 4th place with 49 points. Not a bad place to be and higher than most of us thought at the start of the season. We've hit a bit of a bad spell recently and what better game could we have to put things right than against the Gunners.

I hope AP can rouse the troops and get the fighting spirit back and get moving upward and onwards again.

I don't want to go on about team pornations, but I hope he's seen that the way forward is to play HBA from the start to torment the life out of opposition defences. The ball looked like it was stuck to his foot when he went dancing through the defence and he's certainly a threat to any team. If they can't stop him fairly and resort to other means, we could end up getting a lot of pens. I only hope he has the guys having pen practise, it would be tragic if we lost a point or two because of missed pens.

I'm going to the Emirates but I'm sitting near the corner flag and not behind the goal as I am at SJP. Won't be able to get any good shots of us scoring unfortunately. Looking forward to us doing well and seeing a great game though.

HTL.

 

I think Cisse needs to be dropped and play 5 in midfield, learn from mistakes at Spuds

 

If it's away at the Emirates then we should really pack out the midfield, even if it involves Ba playing in the number 10 role and supporting Tiote and Cabaye as a trio. We know he can play there as a good all-rounder so we don't need to sacrifice Ba or Cisse for another dedicated CM.

 

The dust hasn't settled at least on this forum, still loads of folk arguing like little girls in the other threads.

 

-----------------Krul
Simpson-Williamson-Coloccini-Santon
Ben Arfa---Tiote---Cabaye Gutierrez
-----------------Ba
----------------Cisse

That would do just fine

 

Our midfield is fine but Willo has been right out of form recently, not what we want when we're up against the likes of RVP.

 

Aye this

 

Arsenal don't have the aerial threat that Sunderland have, was thinking of maybe Perchino (yes I know) or Kadar to man mark RVP and keep him as quiet as possible.

 

Midfielder in for Cisse. Guthrie in with Cabaye released a little. Ba up top, Benni right. While I'm all for letting teams worry against us, but being realistic and adjusting accordingly has got us where we are. Not just this season but ever since we got back up. We need to remember our dogged but tidy away performances. You have to also respect they have a good side in good form. Its a tough place to go and some days you just can't touch them. But if we go in with a plan to frustrate and also retain as much possession as possible, I think we could nick something. Cisse could provide impact if we need to chase. Its a big pitch too so dare I say Obertan could also provide impact from the bench?

 

Ben Arfa in for Raylor/guti and guthrie in for cisse. I dont think we can win if we play 442

 

Raylor on the right didnt work on Sunday. HBA should start there for me, also think Guthrie should be back.
Five in midfield and Ba up front, hopefully Pardew will go with this after the disaster at WHL.

 

Think most of us agree on this one.

 

HBA really did look ready to start cashing in on his promise. He tore Richardson a new one. Now I don't rate Richardson as a full back (I do as a midfielder) but I still bet he hasn't been roasted like that very often. O'Neill knew and tried to get Bridge to stem the flow.

We know the ability is there, I just think Pardew has viewed games this season as not right for him. We won't all agree with that but at least his body language on Sunday suggested he still wants to be here. He keeps mentioning finding a way to fit him in, and maybe he just hasn't felt the helter skelter ride of the last few months has been the right thing for a lad still finding his way back.

I think his form and the need to play 5 across the middle against Arsenal should ensure he gets a start. When you play that way, your wingers have to be able to carry the ball and support the front man. Maybe having that licence of the three central lads (Tiote, Cabaye, Guthrie) could see him at his best. Arsenal play his kind of football and I think the occasion is right for him.

 

He teased Richardson something awful, it looked like the ball was glued to his foot and he could do anything with it.

 

Would rather this

Simpson-Williamson-Coloccini-Santon
.......---Tiote--Guthrie.-Cabaye.......
-----HBA----------------------Jonas
----------------BA-----------------