Flip

Fair enough, I still remain the opinion that he's the baddest and most difficult defender to play against as a striker. As a ballplaying defender I prefer Thiago Silva who is a much calmer guy on the ball than any other defender, and if you compare Silva to Pique. Silva has 3 players above 50years of age in front of him while Pique has the best ball passing midfield in Europe. In my opinion I'd pair Vidic and Thiago Silva if I had to build a fantasy team.

If its a knee problem then he might be on the bike and pool the whole week. Knee will swell up after running, so maybe they'll let him play tomorrow as there is a two week break. If he trains his knee's would swell up and make it less of a chance of him playing tomorrow. Heres a hoping at least.

I'd rather wait and see how Marveaux and HBA does before we go spending money on another wide player. Jonas, Obertan and Marv along with Ben Arfa if really needed is good enough for the flanks. Should focus on getting a new fullback, and new striker.

FYP being a knob again i see Stu.. good work Why shouldn't Wood's progress be counted FOR Hughton, rather than against him? Agree but never really meant it that way. Sorry for my terrible english.

I agree, but think we'll see Marveaux on the right.

Like Anderson? Exactly like Anderson. It's beyond me how anyone can argue that Anderson has been one of the best central midfielders this season in the Premiership. He dictates the tempo of the second best team in this league. He has scored two goals from a position where not many score any goals at all, he's been the player who has ran that midfield. As soon as Sir Alex took him off against City, City ran away with four goals, not saying it was solely down to subbing Anderson, but they lost that calmness and rhytm dictating player that they are. He's also been carrying a knock of late, but for first 7 games i'd argue he was the best central midfielder in the league. David Luiz hasn't had a good season thus far, yet he's been average, he would walk into most sides first eleven even when he's not at his best. I don't think he's one of the best in the world, and there are defenders that are better than him in this league, but to call a player like him s*** is ridiculous. As for Captain Colo, the guy has been a genius this season. That second sentence makes about as much sense as your guff about Leon Best. You're the only one arguing it. Ronaldo and his love for Best. Honestly Ronaldo, Best has been the best midfielder in this league. I'd also argue that he's probably the best fullback in the league when he wants to.

Comfortably. I'd argue against that. For me Vidic is when he's not picking up red cards (some are unfair on him) the best defender in the world. Then I'd argue Thiago Silva who is the most important piece of that Milan defence is the 2nd best. Pique is a one of the best players in the world, but like Sewelly stated above he has it relatively easy with the amount of possesion Barca and Spain have.

Like Anderson? Exactly like Anderson. It's beyond me how anyone can argue that Anderson has been one of the best central midfielders this season in the Premiership. He dictates the tempo of the second best team in this league. He has scored two goals from a position where not many score any goals at all, he's been the player who has ran that midfield. As soon as Sir Alex took him off against City, City ran away with four goals, not saying it was solely down to subbing Anderson, but they lost that calmness and rhytm dictating player that they are. He's also been carrying a knock of late, but for first 7 games i'd argue he was the best central midfielder in the league. David Luiz hasn't had a good season thus far, yet he's been average, he would walk into most sides first eleven even when he's not at his best. I don't think he's one of the best in the world, and there are defenders that are better than him in this league, but to call a player like him shit is ridiculous. As for Captain Colo, the guy has been a genius this season.

I actually prefer Luisao, but that's because he's my neighbour in Brazil. David Luiz is a bit erratic, but you can't say he's shit as he's top 10 in this league as a central defender.

Like I say, come back to me when you watch him play.

very good post

Yeah, Diame has looked pretty decent from what I've seen (very little but still). Has scored two very good goals this season in the PL too.

Deserved.

And we'll be proven right All Hail Ben Arfa

I agree with your point on VDV, however the thing with him for me he's just so much more naturally suited to the role in that he's not particularly greedy, he knows when to try something flash and when to keep it simple and most importantly he has a great footballing brain in that he's a thinking man's footballer, a Stop it right there, Ben Arfa isn't a greedy player, actually I'd say the opposite, last season at Everton he was trying all these through balls for Carrol and against Stoke the same instead of shooting. This season it's a different story, but that's because he wants to show what he can do and trying to hard. If he can just get back to his natural games, he'll get more assists than goals. And you'll change your opinion.

You must have been licking the gravy off your dinner plate during a lot of key goal moments this season, then. Let me ask you, was Best involvement in Ba's goals against Stoke and Blackburn because of hid hold up play? If not, then no I was not licking the gravy off my dinner plate.

Zlatan has no balls. Barcelona shits on him. And Swedish national team are better without him than with him. Fucking ego.

Nothing this season suggests that Best is better in holding up the ball better than Ba. Actually Ba drops deeper and holds up the ball more often than Best and brings other into play. Best on the other hand wins more headers and is crafty up top with his hardwork. But I have rarely seen his hold up play result in a goal for us. He usually gets at the end of stuff to score and his hold up play is limited as he always plays it back to someone while Ba at times turns his defenders. I think its not more than fair for Best to get a starting role on Saturday, but I just can't see how much longer he'll stay there if we don't get wins. And if he plays like he did at Stoke for the remainder of the season he'll be there, but if he doesn't and plays like he has for 50% of his matches this season I can't see Pardew keeping Ben Arfa on the bench. Players have come out and said that Barfa is fantastically talent, now its all about getting it shown on matchday and getting match fitness up. I have no doubt that he'll be starting every match from January on if his fitness permits.

Sounds like Best has been excellent the whole season...Best is undroppable. Ben Arfa and Ba to fight for the spot next to Best.

I fall into the Ben Arfa 'fan boy' camp, but I agree wtih quite a few points, I feel Ba has can play higher up the pitch as well though. He didn't seem to be dropping quite so deep against Stoke and he more than held his own against their meathead back 4. His link up play was much better than usual with his back to goal, held the ball up really well, played some nice passes and little lay offs after shielding the ball. By all accounts, he did well and worked his bollocks off against Blackburn, on his own up top as well. When Ba plays with Best, he does tend to drop deep and I think he's instructed to, so far so good and I don't think it should be changed just yet. However, I would suggest Ba is versatile and good enough to be equally effective playing with HBA. From what I can see, he isn't as good as Besty in the air and maybe not quite as strong, but he still has the physical attributes and intelligence to do well with Hatem. Far too early for anyone to suggest they won't work together.

Pip, I fully agree with you. But there's no way he should play, I mean Ba and Ben Arfa will never work and Best will win us the Champiooooons League.