Dr Venkman

The chances created by Obertan were created by Ba being able to turn crap deiliveries into something. Ba had no right to get some of his shots on goal but he did because he's good enough to do that, we might have got a goal if the delivery had been better. The pass behind Ba and Best was a joke. He's got 1 assist in 14 games for a reason, he's not very good, no matter how it's dressed up. exactly right. every chance was Ba twisting or turning in the box, we didn't create anything really bar simpsons deep cross in the second half

we've probably got a list of 20, none of which we'll get for various reasons

Villa been as inspiring as usual?

He might have to score or assist in every game to keep his place though,Obertan just has to turn up.

He's done enough to warrant a decent run in the side. And most importantly: it's not like the alternatives (especially on the wings) are doing enough to warrant keeping him out. It's not necessarily pandering to him either, we want what is best for the team. We have seemingly undroppable players out there not doing a job. Again, he's not even being given a chance to fail. This is it like,given the absolute plight of Obertan,to not be given the opportunity to be more effective is very very harsh.

Sammy over HBA man, woeful decision making.

Absolutely earth shatteringly enormous fucks sakes if he doesn't keep his place now.

He did some positive running but there's as much negative impact in him being in possession as there is positive because he slows attacks down so much that defences are set by the time he's danced around the ball. He could put equally threatening crosses in by taking one touch and knocking it into the box/into the space between defence and keeper as soon as he gets the ball. If you're gonna slow the attack down your delivery's gotta be good,his isn't. He should just cross early because then at least we'd have a chance of catching defenders out of position.

Be an odd replacement if so. They couldn't be more different types of defender. Indeed,that's why it'd be a bit underwhelming and take the shine off the transfer a bit imo.

Great to have him back,he and Cabaye cover so much ground in the middle.

Brilliant yesterday,so cool under pressure.

Samba would be a great signing until it became clear he was Colo's replacement.

I'd go Krul Simpson. Perch. Colo. Santon HBA. Tiote. Vuckic. Jonas Ba. Best Will be Obertan though,sakes.

As Pilko said elsewhere,arguably had his best game yesterday and was utterly ineffective. Our lack of creativity on the wings is worrying,time after time we win possession,few neat passes in the middle,Cabaye sprays it out wide to Jonas or Obertan and that's that,start again.

As others have said he hasn't actually had to do any defending yet but I think his pace will make him pretty hard to beat. Reminds me a bit of the Gareth Bale situation, when he signed for spurs and the jury was out on what his best position was. The lad us clearly happiest when he's bombing on. Looked our most creative player at times yesterday.

thought best was poor today. Well let's say we got this Maiga chap. Ignoring the ACoN, do you really believe it would have been just him or Ba alongside HBA with the other on the bench? No chance IMO. no, one of them with ben arfa and marveaux behind them (unlikely i grant you) Absolutely no chance Ashley would sanction a ~£7m signing as a player for rotation if you ask me. He'd have to be a starter, as is Ba. Slightly off topic,but for all Ashleys faults I don't imagine he has any influence over who plays. Managers either get the funds or they don't,who plays is up to them imo Anyway,I thought Best did well yesterday but the real sickener was seeing Sammy and Vuckic come on instead of HBA,no reason for that at all.

HBA wouldn't have changed anything! Fucking frustrating to see our wingers who can't cross past first defender or dribble at pace at all. Take a deep breath. Read the first sentence if your post,then read the second. Anyway, our wingers are killing us at the minute,all our creativity comes through the middle,we're toothless when it goes wide.

They should just dance round him. nah, they should all get down and pray with him

You know what, I completely forgot about Santons injury there, you're right

You don't think properly replacing him would be bringing in someone who can play there straight away?

He still won the penalty through pro-active running with the ball, whether rightly given or not. We can dissect it all day and opinions will be different. The fact is though I was arguing that he wasn't 'crap' in all the games. I've seen him be effective in that role, that's all i'm saying, people obviously see different things.

Jonas could play right, HBA left. The reason we cant is because Jonas needs to protect Raylor, had we properly replaced Enrique knowing he was leaving for over 6 months, this wouldnt be the case.

Not sure if this is in reply to me,but off the top of my head... Wigan,where he changed the shape of the game,allowed cabaye to push further on,and also dipped a shoulder and got arguably our only other shot on target in. Man City,where he made one clear cut chance for Ba and hit post himself. Man Utd,where he won us a penalty. Saying 'he's been crap' as a blanket statement is badly thought out rubbish. Wigans about the only game where he made a real impact. The other games you just mentioned he was poor largely & had very little space. He hasnt looked suited to the role atall, though as has been said it makes sense to give him a chance against weaker sides there to see if theres a difference. How is winning a penalty at Old Trafford and creating the only chances at Emirates no impact? I'm not saying he was man of the match ffs.

with Tiote not starting it's the best we can hope for given the alternative

Zaha was fantastic at Old Trafford like,incidentally I thought their left back was good as well,forget his name though.