Unbelievable

YES!!! NOLAN!!!

You forgot to mention the BEST man on the pitch..

Tiote is a beast..

YES!!!

Heh? Eh? I don't disagree with your statement in general, but how does this match in particular prove it? Two of our squad players have combined to give us a lead man.. edit: make that 2

Heh?

Tiote turn > Parker pirouette

Ooooohhhhhhh

Come on... Need to get a second and put the game to bed..

Best winning a fair amount of headers..

Phew...

It was the best green could do England's number 1 man..

Shouldn't have doubted Chris' judgement..

Good assist Lovelyhands..

YES!!! BESTIE!!!

Well done Enrique

Good pressure Jonas and Loven

Yes

Phew...

Good play Best..

Good post. The only thing really missing in our attacking setup in the way you've described above is somebody who excels at taking direct free kicks, as with Carroll's arial ability and Ben Arfa's quality at dribbling and running at defenders we are bound to get into a few good FK positions every match. A dead ball specialist* who could really worry the opposition whenever they foul is in the final third would be something to look out for when we try to strengthen other positions. A lot of matches are decided by set pieces, and I feel we don't have much to offer currently in terms of a direct threat from set pieces (other than Raylor who is hardly ever on the pitch).. * Not David Beckham please

This as well. I don't think the LW position suits him. Just because he's left footed doesn't mean he should play on the left wing. Same thing happened to Van Persie at Feyenoord earlier in his career; got played LW because of his left peg, when it was clear he was much more suited to play centrally. Somehow I don't think people would put him RW if he was right footed.. Just give him a license to roam and he will be devastating.

Hahaha, calm down Dave. Seriously, I think that could work. In sensible format it would be: Barton Nolan Tiote Gutierrez Ben Arfa Carroll But Nolan with licence to get forward unmarked (what he does best), Ben Arfa with licence to roam and create (what he does best) and Carroll up there to hold the ball up and/or play those two in as runners. We still have width, with good quality in Barton and the, er, running power of Jonas. It's a settled, reasonably balanced midfield which we know can get results, and our best striker up there causing mayhem. Ben Arfa then slots in and is simply told to be creative and not have to worry about working back. Good post. The part in bold made me chuckle.. I think this is our best formation unless we get an out and out striker to partner Carroll up front.

Probably not to the standard as Carroll, but on the day we've just signed a France international with the ability to be a world beater for about £4m, this comment surprises me. Are you more surprised by my comment than by the fact that Ben Arfa has joined us, because I know I still can't quite believe the latter. Why would a player of his ability be hell bent on joining us of all clubs? I am very happy he was, but I don't think it will be a very common occurrence, do you? Tiote £3.5m? Our last two signings, potential top class players, for £7.5m. I wouldn't say Tiote came with the same pedigree as did Ben Arfa. Most of you didn't even know him ffs.. If your point is about taking gambles on up and coming players rather than has beens I fully agree (see my opinion on Bentley), but I don't see what that has to do with keeping Carroll?