Rolando Aarons

the thing is a team set up as a 433 with two sitting midfielder and two proper wingers will be perfect for away days as we proved in our 5th placed season..it sets us up perfectly to sit and defend like pardew prefers but then gives us the option to hit quickly on the counter attack

I have nothing against defensive play (love murinhos style) but in most successful systems they are set up to break effectively and we just arnt we set up for a nil nil

 

Counter attack is defo for us. I think players like Sissoko, Gouffran are made for it. You need defensively solidity though and a clever player to pick out the right passes. That period you speak of, we had that. Colo was at his peak, Simpson although limited was really solid as was Raylor, and Cabaye was like a conductor in the middle. Plus Demba was so deadly he could make an average side look good. Cisse and HBA hit form in the run in, form that neither recreated since. It was like a perfect storm.

I really think we should have broke the bank for Grenier, a centre back and a striker. It would have transformed the side. Shoulda, woulda, coulda though. We never do. We have to find a way to get the best from what I think is an average bunch. Playing Aarons therefore is a must as he has the potential to be better than that. I do think we'll need to give him a break in the winter months and protect him and his development so we should make use now.

 

I think cabella although slightly light weight at present could fill the no10 role that cabaye did during that season.. and at this stage I cant see why Aarons cant emulate HBA's form...from what ive seen he produces better end products than hatem and although does not quite have the same ability to go past people I think he's a better out and out winger than anyone at the club.
I don't see why a team of

Aarons riv sissoko
cabella
tiote anita
the usual suspects
couldn't put in a solid counter attacking performance alla 2011/12... I think the negativity around riviere is unjust too in preseason when he was actually supported by actual wingers in the form of Aarons and obertan (and gouff to an extent) looked very potent and out of all our signings I think with the right service he could be a smash hit

 

Speaking of Aarons, my signature seems a little small... does anybody know I can enlarge it a little?

 

I hope you are right about Riviere, I'm not convinced. I still think it is always wise to give it a little time though. Its the defence I worry about. Janmaat is good and Colo still has it in him at time. My concern is the rest, I think we have three poor left backs! That is if you consider Santon a left back which I have never been convinced of.

Overall I don't really rate our squad, I think it looks middle to lower half on paper. I find myself struggling to ge texcited about this season bar Aarons.

 

I Think haidara will develop into a very good player I think he's still only 19? or just turned 20? he can bomb on and defend quite well but time will tell..
I agree re the squad but I think we need to play like that to ensure we don't finish lower than our potential! I'm not expecting 5th im just expecting the right kind of football!

EDIT (he's 21)

 

I think a lot of people like Haidara. I think he is another Didier Domi, flatters to deceive. My problem with him is he pretty poor defensively. His positional sense is poor and he doesn't seem to understand the defensive side of things. I like attacking full backs but I prefer them to have their defensive duties locked down. Janmaat seems the sort who will strike the perfect balance like Debuchy did eventually. Haidara and Dummett are young enough to improve of course but one offers nothing going forward and the other isn't a very good defender. I wonder meld the two into one - Paul Haidara - the french welsh all rounder.

 

I do agree to an extent but I think Dummet offers nothing going back or forward, he's always out of position when defending and is easily foxed by quick wingers...
as for santoon maybe awing position could see his potential come forward