AyeDubbleYoo

What's so wrong with calling him an innovator like? On the pitch, he tries things that very few players can. It's a fair use of the word for me.

And all the shirts we had photos taken next to belonged to players that fucked off a couple of months later. I'll always treasure my pic next to Martins'.

I did a stadium tour a couple of seasons ago during our horrible period of instability/relegation - the woman was basically making excuses for how shite we were, and the tactics board in the changing room had stuff like Smith marking Modric. It wasn't a good time to do a tour.

Never want to see Carroll back here, what would be the point? The Torres and Carroll deals have to be some of the worst transfer business ever, neither player any use to the clubs that paid mega money for them.

Well, no. Mine is based on both what we've achieved with him, and the belief that Ba will play his best football with a player prepared to do the donkey work for him and open up space higher up the pitch. Ba needs someone willing to play in front of him. Fair enough, obviously I can't speak for everyone. Even if Ba is slightly more suited to playing with Best, I think the combination of Ba and HBA will more than make up that compromise. Anyway, we'll see, they're both good options. I just think a fundamental part of an exciting football team is a player like Ben Arfa, we haven't had one for so long I just want him to play every minute he can.

Cool, I'm in Archway at the moment, not sure what I'm doing on Sat but I might check it out. Might watch through other means if my new broadband is installed mind (wink wink).

Probably, but his gazillion pounds a week wages might be an issue.

Where's that mate? Was wondering if anywhere in London would have it.

Some good posts over the last couple of pages - there are arguments to play Best but at the end of the day they're conservative ones. They're based on caution and worry about upsetting the team and fear of our opponents. HBA is a magical player, no defender can keep him quiet for 90mins. As hard as it is on Best, who has given a lot for us, the two players are worlds apart. Ben Arfa gives us a chance of hurting Man Utd and Chelsea, so he will play.

Yep, that was immense, their approach is horrible at times.

Yep, HBA will score against Man Utd I reckon.

A Man City mate of mine doesn't rate him anywhere near as highly as most of us do. Interesting, I've just always though he looks brilliant, much better than Walcott for example. But I haven't watched him over many full 90 mins.

Everytime I've seen Adam Johnson he's looked unstoppable, is there any reason he isn't getting picked for City or England?

Mainly managers more than teams or players really - the way they wilfully ignore the truth, blame anyone other than themselves and generally act like dicks is really annoying. Redknapp, Pulis, Ferguson, Wenger, Allardyce, Dalglish - there are many.

I hate Gareth Barry like, if he's good enough to play for England I don't know what the rules are any more.

I'm thinking a draw or a one-goal defeat. A win at The Glazer Arena is too much to imagine. Massive bonus if Rooney's out, but he'll obviously play.

He'll be replaced by Santon soon I imagine, but maybe not away to Man Utd.

I'm going to start a "Save The Ben Arfa Thread" appeal, who's with me?

It especially confusing since he changes straight into quite a decent suit for post-match interviews. Really weird.

This was once the best thread on the forum.

I still think Duff's overrated, I will not budge on this conclusion!

This is why the whole fanboy argument is pointless. Yes, some people love Ben Arfa beyond what might be considered "reasonable" based on what he's done for us, and forgive him more errors than other players too. But that's because he plays football with freedom, without fear, and how it should be played. He takes risks in order to produce magic, and his potential is amazing if we give him a chance. He plays football how it's supposed to be played, he's the sort of player football fans are supposed to go mental over, especially Newcastle ones.

Fullback is the hardest position I've ever played for that reason like, if your team don't protect you the space your opponent has to attack you is impossible to deal with at times.

Am being pedantic here, but not sure that is technically true? Apologies if I am wrong but I was under the impression he played in all three positions for Forest and if anything played more as a defender? I thought he was more of a defender as well.