Flip

His backing off is really fucking annoying. Until he learns to decide when to back off and when not to he should just warm the bench, possibly eating an apple on a bicycle

There's no way he's better as a CB, doesn't win enough headers and his positioning isn't that great. Perfect player to play if you want someone to just sit infront of your CBs and win the ball and play it to whoever. Defensively he's great in that area as he can win tackles and cover a lot of ground without having to really mark a specific player or so. And anyone next to Lucas will look shit except when he has his 1 in 50 good game. Masch with Alonso was a perfect match in a way as Masch won the ball and Alonso distributed it. A bit like Tiote and Cabaye, except Tiote looking to get forward a bit more than Masch has ever done.

Bendtner is their most creative player. 3 assists in 4 games. Well, stats doesn't mean everything. Of course not, you could also watch their games. He's been their best player by a mile from what I've seen (particularly the Norwich game where it was like he was playing alongside blind children) Not disagreeing, just saying stats doesn't tell the whole story. And I try to stay away from the TV when the Mackems play, watched two or three games and its depressing to watch.

I'll be honest like, I'm not sure if he's done enough in his cameos to warrant a start yet. We still need to make sure we put our strongest possible team out on Saturday, and it's not really up to us to decide whether that includes Ben Arfa yet. Certainly he needs a bigger role this weekend (maybe 30 mins), but I'm not sure about starting him. Done enough? How can you require someone to do anything in 10-15 minutes of play? If you see it like that than Shola has to start on Saturday since his cameo on Sunday was better than what both our strikers did. Ben Arfa has to start, he has the most talent of the lot in our squad and there ain't a better match than against Wigan at home to build up his confidence. You could always take him off if he has a really bad game or gets really tired. But he HAS to start.

Bendtner is their most creative player. 3 assists in 4 games. Well, stats doesn't mean everything.

Not really tbh. Masch might be a disgusting cunt but he is a very good player.

Krul Raylor Colo Saylor Santon Obert Cabaye Tiote Marveaux BenArfa Ameobi Best, Ba, Jonas will need rest as they'll probably start on Saturday. Raylor has been better than Simpson for the last couple of matches so deserves his place.

He is a cunt though. Like the guy for being open, but sometimes its enough and he does have anger problem. If he gets angry there's no going back, can't keep himself calm. He's a loser, but I still like him because its entertaining.

Embarrassing stuff to read.

Told my friend Cabaye has to look towards Shola and send the ball there. However, no doubt his vision is extraordinary.

some people will stop at nothing to acknowledge a good performance by our 'figures of hate' another shocking statement. imo, Santon showed more positive qualities in 15 mins than Simpson did in 75. I saw it, with my own eyes, it happened, imo I completely agree with you DrV, I thought the Santon switch was an astute decision at the time (Bale looked to be getting more space against a flagging/stretched Simpson) and Santon is not exactly short of attacking flair. My post to HowK was about his steadfast refusal to acknowledge Shola's contribution, crediting the change in performance solely to Ben Arfa (and Santon) instead...because they're 'cool' players Fair do's man,Shola was f***ing unreal like He was, sucks that we can't get that Shola even three times a season. Its always one great game and then 25 average ones with a possible goal from a penalty.

Ben Arfa has to start against Wigan. I don't care if he puts Best or Obertan on the bench. Rather Obertan tbh, but we just have to get this guy going so he can bum the top teams when we play them in 3 straight weekends.

only area we are lacking decent backup is defence imo. we have marveaux and ben arfa on the bench! that should show that we have depth But we have Obertan in the Starting XI

Looks overweight, uninterested and egoistic.

Deserves a lot of praise. People go on about him going missing. But fucking hell, he doesn't need to appear if he just keeps spreading those balls around. Class.

Eh? He did the exactly same thing last week against Wolves but the blind ref gave them a freekick instead.

Krul Santon/Raylor Saylor Colo Santon/Raylor Marv Cabaye Tiote Jonas Barfa Ba Not sure its fair on Best, but this is a game to introduce Barfa, and Simpson & Alienhead needs to give space for Santon and Marv.

How important isn't he? Seems to do that little dribbling by the sideline like Enrique used to do, but never gets caught in possession. Class player, class hair and class captain.

Such a frustrating player. Maybe the most frustrating player I've seen with this shirt for many years. Seems to make the team better with his running and so on, but is absolutely shit as a footballer durng 95% of the game. After 5 games he's more frustrating than Shola.

How can anyone disagree with the fact that we bossed the first half is beyond idiotic. We might not have created anything, but to go down 1-0 was an injustice towards the way we played in that half. Absolutely bossed a top 4 contender with passing the ball around and letting them chase. Great performance, good result and bring on Wigan, Stoke and Everton. Massive 3 games before we play the BIG 3.

Ben Arfa tried to kill us today.

It's like 5 year olds defending there from the Taylors. Fucking hell. Pardew time to make some magic.

Need to get Ben Arfa. No kidding, either Obertan or Best off and both are playing well. We need something special. Those two won't provide us with something special.

Smart play by Ade, stupid by Taylor. Spot on.

Aye, totally s*** play by him. Done nowt this game. Not sure if serious, but ARE YOU f***ing KIDDING ME? Been our best player this half along with Tiote. Spreading the ball around and making us pass. Class performance from whole team. Want Barfa in for Obertan though. Obertans been on the ball about 4 times as much. Look at the game, Cabaye is opening up the pitch. Obertan wouldn't touch the ball twice if it wasn't for Cabaye.