The Number 9 shirt

Remember discussing this last season. Who does it go to?

5 options as far as I'm concerned, so it's another of our beloved polls.

1. Demba Ba
Proven scorer throughout his career, but should he earn it here or do we trust him to take it on? Without question our best current striker, but no guarantee he will settle in here etc.

2. Shola Ameobi
Seriously dont want this to happen, but there are a number of people who seem to think he should be given it. In his favour he has stayed loyal to the club, and is a local lad who I'm sure would love to wear it and appreciate the heritage. Seriously lacking in quality as far as I'm concerned.

3. Hatem Ben Arfa
I had never considered this until I read in the paper that "The Chronicle understands French star Hatem Ben Arfa is keen to wear the No 9.". Makes sense if you think about it, he would essentially be playing as a second striker and would score goals, that's for sure. Very interesting idea as far as I'm concerned, not sure though.

4. A new signing
None of the above, perhaps? Maybe if we were to attract a player like Sturridge he would be a better candidate.

5. No one
Or maybe you believe someone should have at least a season here without it, to prove they are worthy of the shirt.

Opinions?

 

shola all day

 

ben arfa really

 

No one, we should keep it empty for a while.
There's no need to fill it until someone has proved themselves able to handle the pressure of the number (don't have to have the best ability, but they do have to score goals quite regularly and wear the number with pride); I think we gave it to Carroll too soon and giving it to Martins before that was a mistake.

 

Was tempted to vote Shola for the lol-factor.

But in all seriousness, nobody.

 

I actually voted for shola

 

Agree Martins was a mistake, but as much as I hate him, Carroll earned it IMO. Of the current team I'd give it to Ben Arfa but I think someone needs a full, successful season before they should get it.

 

I noticed, haha. Would never pick him but have heard a few people say he should get it so put him as an option.

 

Nobody in my opinion is deserving of it just yet, it's an iconic shirt so really should only be worn by somebody who has earned it (whoever voted Shola needs slapped with a fish). Nobody this season maybe next season give it to somebody, no point waiting for somebody to show loyalty to it either as this was disproved once and for all last January with that big haired girly bashing twat leaving for the bindippers!

 

ben arfa would do the no9 justice imo

 

Shola simply isnt good enough for it! Ba, doubts over his injury record. So that rules him out imo. And Ben Arfa? Maybe, but I think he's destined for the no.10 shirt. So, I think really we should have a new signing wearing the no.9. First and foremost however, they simply must understand the history behind it.

 

I really want Shola to win the poll, but I agree with no one, barring a massive crazy signing. I don't think its quite as sacred as we make out, yes Shearer, Milburn, McDonald but in my lifetime I've also seen Martins and Quinn, so if we got a Gameiro or similar I'd happily let him wear it. Otherwise see how we go, Shola's got to remain 23 for ever (Jordan style...), Ben Arfa has number 10 written all over him (new Peter Beardsley?) and Ba was a great free transfer but needs to prove he can actually play a string of games.

 

sammy ameobi

 

Ba's already been given no.19

 

No one. No one has proven worthy of it.

 

give it to lua lua

 

Question is can he handle the prestige of a number thats been worn with pride by such luminaries as Titus Bramble and Xisco?

 

Ben Arfa.

 

No one. Somebody has to earn it, its not just a number on a shirt to us and the player needs to understand and appreciate that.

We gave it to Carroll too early. I think he may still be with us if he had not achieved his ambition so quickly.

 

Rubbish. The number 9 doesn't make the player, and I think we're in real danger of making it an impossible legacy to live up to. We've had plenty of meh number 9's in the past before, between and after Milburn and McDonald, and its only the Cole, Ferdinand, Shearer run thats been there for most of our (as in average age on here) lifetimes thats built it up so stupidly. I know we don't just throw it at anyone, but all these years where we don't have one while someones earning it just builds a ridiculous amount of pressure on that player when he eventually gets it.

Keep it off Ba and Best this season, see who else we bring in who could take it straight away, otherwise give it to someone next year. More than a season and a half without a number 9 is just daft and we'll never fill it until Shearers sons old enough...