Who Can Still Defend Pardew's Substitutions?

Ruud Gullit??

 

You're not suggesting that is a good description of Gullit I hope. Just because he is not a good manager in any way shape or form!!

 

Defo NOT!! Gullit was ****

 

To be fair Smudge I thought Pardew got it categorically wrong on Saturday. I'm not sure what it is with the Shola thing, and harking back to his one in a milllion years strike against Spurs in nonsensical for me. I said at the time fair play it came off for Pardew, but it was no genius stroke for me. Pure luck. I base this on years of watching Shola and knowing exactly what he is capable of. He does that sort of thing once in a blue moon. Why Pardew thought he was about to do it for the 2nd time this season against Swansea is beyond me. The two Ameobi were bad sub decisions in my opinion. Sammy is not ready and is not the right guy at present. Shola is an ideal sub and often when you need something different. But on Saturday we needed guile, not a battering ram.

I would certainly not have had a go at Pardew if he'd brought on Ben Arfa and we still didn't score. He was the right man for the job, so as a manager all you can do is send the best man for the job out, he won't always get it done. But if you make that right call often enough, you'll do ok as a manager.

The problem Pardew has is he is pretty negative with his subs at times, not quite brave enough, and sometimes does not make best use of those available when trying to read the game. That is my personal opinion of him. Of course the job of a manager is always that much tougher when you are managing a small squad. I know a lot thought we didn't have a small squad pre season, but I think it has been proven that we are quite low on numbers relative to the league. This means Pardew has to manage them carefully, physically and mentally.

I don't think there is anything wrong with criticising Pardew as long as it not irrational, and as long as you are not calling for his head. He should not be immune from criticism just because he has done quite well. Those saying he got it wrong on Saturday are just giving their opinion. As are those who support his decisions. It is not about Benni being held up as some sort of saviour, doing no wrong. He was just right for the game in question for a lot of people.

I couldn't describe his sub decisions on Saturday as worrying, he's done too much right. Its kind of like those who try and defend the decision to sack Hughton. Yeah neither Pardew or Hughton is perfect (have the same frailties weirdly enough), but they do a hell of lot more right than they do wrong.

 

I actually agree that Ben Arfa should have come on and that's what I would have done but putting Shola on had some merit too, as a tactical decision. He's done well this season coming on as a sub (not just the Tottenham game) and Swansea are a small side, we wanted to hurt them with, as you say, a battering ram. It was a like for like change for Best because what we were doing was working, we created enough chances to win the game, hit the post twice, Jonas missed by about a foot and Ba's spectacular effort.

All I'm saying is just because we dont agree with the substitution doesnt make it wrong. And of course we can claim that with hindsight, but Pardew didnt have that at the time.

 

Well you mention Shola. I wanted him on also. Best was tiring and Shola was alright at Norwich. Its the fact Sammy gets ahead of HBA that baffles myself and most others.

 

To be fair, he came within inches and a top class save of scorring. Also he made one for Ba last game and put another on a plate for him which Ba couldn't finish. Also, he's a big lad which in some games is useful.

I fully agree that we should be able to criticise Pardew's substitutions, or anything else. It is the tone of some of the criticism (nonsensical, absurd or indefensilbe are someof the adjuectives used) that get on my nerves.

 

Oh My God!

So you agree that both Shola and HBA should have come on?! Ha, this is amazing.

So we totally agree with the above then? So why the f*ck have you started an argument with me for?! You know what I am like by now!

So I assume you would have brought Ba off for HBA then, seeing as he cant play out wide?

 

I've seen as much from Sammi as I ahve from HBA this year as well.

HBA hasn't actually been that good. Lots of skill, a tendency to lose the ball, occasionally a questionable work rate.

HBA has had one good game for us. Hopefully he will have more. We'll have to wait and see

 

Once again Warm Pouch is the voice of reason.

 

Will you just **** off??

Yes, I agree HBA should have came on, but that in no way means that Pardew was wrong not to. It's a matter of opinion. You can not categorically state what should or should not have happened.

HBA might be able to play on the wing, but for the thousandth time, Pardew is not going to play him there and I agree with that! If he was going to come on it was going to be for Best or Ba, yes.

 

Yes but, what has Sammy done to warrant being ahead of him. If you choose not to play someone, then their must be a player that deserves to be ahead of him. Its the way it works.

We all know what Ben Arfa is capable of. So lets give him the chance to show it. For the sake of Sammy is just illogical. Obertan also. He has one assist, no goals and countless games where he has done nothing. No?

 

Sammy has worked harder in training, turns up earlier, stays later and is physically fitter than HBA.

 

Sammy came on for a very very simple reason. Whether you agree with it or not, Pardew sees him as the winger and Ben Arfa as the second striker.

 

What so let me get this straight.

You aren't arguing that Pardew made the right call. Your arguing that whatever Pardew does seemed like the right call at the time to him and that you fully support it and anyone who questions that decision is somehow wrong to do so.....? Even though you dont actually agree with it yourself! Am I understanding your arguments correctly?

Ive heard some horsesh*t in my time on this forum, but at least I respect the people (madman at times) who have THIER OWN OPINION and argue it.

 

WOAH! Do you work at the training ground?

Ha

 

I don't think he did Fredd. The difference between his strike on Saturday, and that against Spurs was significant. The difference being how sweetly he caught it. That just comes down to the class of a player. Shola is 2nd rate and therefore if you give him 20 balls to strike, he will hit a significant number a lot less sweetly than a good striker. Just the way it is. I take the point he got in position to get a chance (well half chance, in reality he should cut it to the guy in the middle but he had Spurs on his mind which is understandable!) It was decent save from Vorm, but one which you'd be fuming if he didn't make. The fact he held it was impressive.

I also understand what you mean about tone. I thought Pards got it wrong on Saturday, I have done many times and will continue to no doubt. But I also see you have to look at the bigger picture with regards to his work. People criticise him in the same way they would Fat Sam. Now with Fat Sam I could understand it, nothing was right. With Pardew a minor amount is wrong, yet people use overly aggressive tones to criticise him.

 

I would have played Ben Arfa, but that doesnt mean I'm correct. This is not mathematics where there is a clear answer that Pardew has missed. It's all opinion and you cant just say that he had no justification in bringing Shola on. Every sub is a gamble, that one didnt pay off and you dont know that Ben Arfa would have.

Of course I'd like to see more of Ben Arfa but dont try to make me sound crazy just because the manager is getting some way over the top criticism.

 

This is my main point, people are way over the top about this. They are only making the point in hindsight. If Shola had scored he would have been a supersub and Pardew would have been a genuis to bring him on, but the gamble didnt work just as the Ben Arfa gamble might not have.

 

Think some people have the right to get upset at him after many agreed that his substitutions were wrong. Pardew is a great manager and is in my eyes the manager to take us forward but he's not perfect and we shouldn't be scared of criticising him when he makes a mistake.

It's just that some (myself included) would have hoped that Ben Arfa would have played at least some part in two very winnable games against Norwich and Swansea and we possibly could have then had more than 1 point out of 6. Ben Arfa was exactly what we needed to open up Swansea's stubborn defence but Pardew chose to field two inexperienced , and in my opinion still raw , youngsters.