Anyone agree Hatem Ben Arfa is going to be our most important player this season?

Hatem Ben Arfa needs to be used at exactly the right times.

He's totally unlike our other players. Ba and Cisse are strikers. Cabaye is a central player maker. Tiote is a defensive rock. They all have their duties.

You can't do that with Ben Arfa. He doesn't really have a category or a position, he's completely one of a kind. He doesn't have a role in the side, he's just a brilliant player that will randomly pop up with something special.

I know moments of quality can come from several players in our side, but Ben Arfa, I think, is going to be key to our premier league campaign.

Due to our Europa League campaign, we're going to be tired, a lot. We're going to find games we found easy last season, difficult this season. There are going to be games where we just can't outperform our opponents, or break them down, and we need something special.

Ben Arfa will be the man this season, I can feel it. Quality moments from him are going to be key to our success.

We need to unleash this lad, set him free from defensive duties, and wrap him in cotton wool whenever he isn't playing.

 

Good post!

He's the sort of player who needs a 'free role', something that can't always be worked into a formation. Though he has improved as a team player he cannot be relied upon to perform defensive duties but then that's where we have Tiote, Bigi and Jonas.

I'm not sure he will be consistantly brilliant over the season but I think for sure our most memorable moments will come from him, he's such an exciting player to watch when he gets the ball in space.

 

Certainly seems that way Tash. Been by far our best player so far this year.

 

Said this last season when most of the mugs were fapping over Cisse. It's all about Ben Arfa he can do things that no-one else in our team can and he can win a game out of nothing (eg Bolton) when it looks to be getting away from us.

 

I think he's a cracking player you should always play him. He provides the unexpected and that's rare these days.

 

Why were people mugs for being excited about Cisse? What a strange way of putting your point across. Mug.

 

hell yeah baby...

 

Imagine if he keeps improving his right foot? His shot vs Villa wasn't just a fluke, he's been working on his right foot for a while.

 

To be fair, Cisse can do things out of nothing as well. He will come good again soon, same with Ba.

 

Cisse was absent for some games when he first came here, in our 4-4-2 formation. When we changed to 4-3-3, everyone came to life.

 

I still think Tiote and Cabaye are more often the reliable firestarters, they've just had a few niggles and some tiredness depleting their form thus far.

Ben Arfa is a maverick, to the extent he should chew a toothpick as the defenders flail their lower limbs wildly (and unsuccessfully) after him.

Oh well, Fellaini seems to have been making noises about a January transfer... Well done Obi

 

Correct me if I am wrong, Cisse and Ba played one game together without Tiote last year and we lost 5 - 0 at Tottenham. Maybe Tiote is the key cog to them working and the system Pardew wants to implement working.

 

If I remember correctly, we played this -

-----Ba------Cisse----------

Jonas-Guthie-Perch---Obertan

Santon-Colo---Willo--Simpson

------------Krul--------------

I believe both Cabaye and Tiote were injured and we were just totally abysmal in defense. It's funny because my dad told me we almost scored in the first few minutes. And Ba hit the bar twice. Despite being ****e, we almost scored 3.

Can't remember totally mate. I remember it slightly, because I had a driving lesson on the night, and I met up with my dad at the pub later, and I missed the first 10 mins, and when I got there we were 2-0 down.

 

Cabaye was suspended for the incident at Brighton and Tiote was at the African Cup of Nations.

 

Because it was all about Ben Arfa last season even when Cisse was scoring and he wasn't getting as much credit as his performances warranted because Cisse was getting much of the plaudits.

 

Tiote is key. Key.

 

Tiote is our most important player, he is vital for us. HBA, Cisse, Ba & Cabaye only got the opportunity to shine in the 4-3-3 because of Tiote. He's the only player in the league that can pretty much anchor a midfield on his own.

If the lad improved his passing, I'd have no doubt he would go on to play for Real or Barca. However, just in case Mourinho is reading this post I'd like to highlight the fact that Fellaini is making noises about leaving Everton and Tiote is very much settled in Newcastle. Best of wishes for the remainder of the season Jose.

 

Passed your test yet?

 

Passed it ages ago mate.

 

Same day you lost your virginity?