I must be the only one who thinks Cabaye is overrated. 1 amazing performance for every 3 where he goes missing.
Hardly. It seems to be in a 4-4-2, he's too caught up in doing his defensive duties to be able to do much in attack. In a 4-3-3, he's usually very good, as he has more freedom. We've been playing 4-4-2 since we started this season. You need to give him a bit of freedom. He's not over rated, his ability is unquestionable. But his performances are a bit consistent. In a 4-3-3 we get the best from Ben Arfa and Cabaye, in a 4-4-2 Cabaye often can't do much and Ben Arfa is either kept back too much or has to leave Simmo exposed. When we switched to 4-3-3 last season, he was immense for most of his games, and racked in a load of assists and key passes. Like the two he played to Cisse vs Swansea. That's what he can do if given freedom.
You would have though that, but It just doesn't work out that way. 4-3-3 is the way to go. We switched to 4-3-3 for the last 20 mins of the Spurs game and we scored two goals, and we played much better. Cabaye linked up so well with the team, lovely one twos with Ben Arfa and a great wide pass to set Simmo up to cross for Ba for the first goal. I know Pardew thinks 4-4-2 might be the best formation for the stronger teams, but at the end of the day, we'll be exposed in a 4-4-2 as well. We might as well go forward and score goals.
I agree we are much better 4-3-3, but I still think being 4-42 should limit the likes of Ben Arfa and Cisse, but not Cabs.
If only Spurs still had Kranjcar, cash+player swap deal would be a fairly happy outcome. If we lost him I think we'd see HBA/Jonas tried centrally if we couldn't get anyone else in. That or chuck Abeid in.
Would be disappointing to see Cabaye leave this early into his career with us. It would be like Didi Hamman all over again. We have yet to see the best of him and he had a major dip in form through the winter last season. Foreign players always improve ten fold when they get into a second year and I expect him and Santon to take big strides forward. He is way off the pace at present after having no pre season but Cabaye will be a big player for us if he stays.
Keeping Yohan could be the difference between Europe and no Europe next year (assuming everyone else stays)! Regarding him going missing in some match's I think we'd realise what we had when its gone if he did go! Plus I can imagine him having a vital role in the development of youngsters like Abied etc!
I think were a bit too light on the ground with players. I'd light to think other clubs have better scouting networks than just NUFC. We will sell yes, BUT only at the right inflated price. I don't want another Ruiz or N'zogbia BS transfer scenario saying we tried but it was to late. We do need Debuchy, a CB and a Striker. Without selling our key players would be just fantastic!
