Segun Oluwaniyi

Exactly, it's getting silly now and a lot seems to be based solely on the defence of one player. I like Ben Arfa a hell of a lot, he can be an absolute genius and has the natural ability far beyond a player we could (normally) realistically attract but it's also not difficult to see why he would cause a manager concern at times. It is a genuine shame that the issue is stopping some from enjoying a fantastic season. You can guarantee the same group will moan before every game that he won't start, moan if he doesn't start (usually with a comment like "well that's cost us the game!") or if he does start moan that others on the pitch didn't give him enough chances to show what he can do. He has the attention Barton could only dream of He has done brilliantly in the limited chances he has been given but there have also been clear signs why a manager who has based our eye opening success this season on team work has had to hold him back at times. I don't understand these obvious concerns a manager in Pardew's position would have about playing Ben Arfa. Care to enlighten me? As brilliant as he is he gives the ball away a fair bit when we seem to be in control and have players pushing forward, leaving us exposed to a counter attack. We have got lucky a few times. Personally I would have the lad in the side every week but it's not hard to see why he would give a manager something to think about. He does, but contrary to what some people on here would have you believe, he also works very hard to get it back. I remember at least two incidents this season where this happened and we scored from him winning back possession, lastly this past weekend our first goal vs Blackburn. As for the other players moving forward, this is a matter of tactics. When a player goes on a run the striker(s) and wingers should move forward, along with maybe one of the central midfielders, not both. If everybody pushes forward and we are caught out on the break that is not so much a problem with the person losing the ball (which is always a possibility), but also how the other players react to it. Another thing is we lose a lot of possession in other ways, be it by long punts that bounce off our forwards or go straight to the opposition or by wayward passes from the back or midfield. I would argue we lose the ball a lot more in these ways than we do by Ben Arfa losing it when he's trying to make something happen in the opposition half. The problem is, it's very noticeable when it happens when you're on the edge of your seat waiting for something exciting to happen, because he is that type of player, whereas when it's Krul or the defence kicking it long you almost expect us to lose the ball most of the time and it's a pleasant surprise if one of the strikers actually manages to make it stick. Percentage wise I don't think Ben Arfa loses more possession than many other players, but it gets noticed a lot more. The flip side is that whenever he does not lose the ball, he is much more likely to make something positive happen. For that reason it is imperative that we stick with him. That's actually very, very spot-on. I can't tell you how many times I've hung my head in frustration as we lose the ball each time we lump it upfield expecting Ameobi to act like a venus flytrap, or Best to go on his mazy left-wing runs which probably have more in common with Ed Milliband's election campaigns than utilizing the actual left wing of a football pitch. In fact, we lose the ball 95% more times hoofing it up field than via Ben Arfa trying to get past players. You're right, he just gets noticed a lot more when he does. How many times does Tiote give it away? Tonnes as well, and he's in a much more vulnerable position. Losing the ball in midfield areas is more dangerous than losing it via long balls, which the entire team is behind. This is why poor teams simply bypass the area if they don't have players of adequate ability.

The reason his last club willingly relinquished his services was because he arrived here on his own accord, they had little or no choice. Also, a player moving clubs doesn’t highlight a flaw, a club has to want a player as much or more than a club wanting to get rid before a move can take place. Deschamps wanted to sell him before he wanted to leave. He tried to change his mind after the top goalscorer left, but HBA was really not in his plans. They had been previous altercations between the two of them in training as well. Exactly, it's getting silly now and a lot seems to be based solely on the defence of one player. I like Ben Arfa a hell of a lot, he can be an absolute genius and has the natural ability far beyond a player we could (normally) realistically attract but it's also not difficult to see why he would cause a manager concern at times. It is a genuine shame that the issue is stopping some from enjoying a fantastic season. You can guarantee the same group will moan before every game that he won't start, moan if he doesn't start (usually with a comment like "well that's cost us the game!") or if he does start moan that others on the pitch didn't give him enough chances to show what he can do. He has the attention Barton could only dream of He has done brilliantly in the limited chances he has been given but there have also been clear signs why a manager who has based our eye opening success this season on team work has had to hold him back at times. I don't understand these obvious concerns a manager in Pardew's position would have about playing Ben Arfa. Care to enlighten me? Inconsistency, petulance, a tendency to fade out of games, and a complete lack of defensive capability? He is a fantastic, but innately flawed player. There is a reason why he is beloved. There are also reason for his past two clubs willingly relinquished his services. Inconsistency can hardly be a concern as you need a certain amount of games in your best position to be judged upon that. Defensive capability is irrelevant in the same way attacking capability is irrelevant for Steven Taylor. Petulance? Meh, reckon this is based on Lyon stories. What is his best position? He has been given a plethora of opportunities on the wing in France (at the top clubs in a supposedly inferior league), and has not ever given consistent product or effort. Attacking ability is not irrelevant for Steve Taylor. The ability to contribute in an offensive manner is often what separates top defenders from average ones. It is the same with attackers. If Ben Arfa provided more in terms of tracking back and help to his fullback, there would not be a need to compensate for him being in the side, and managers would have no issue starting him. This is not the case. I like the player a lot, but he is not perfect. He should also adapt instead of just managers adopting to him.

Exactly, it's getting silly now and a lot seems to be based solely on the defence of one player. I like Ben Arfa a hell of a lot, he can be an absolute genius and has the natural ability far beyond a player we could (normally) realistically attract but it's also not difficult to see why he would cause a manager concern at times. It is a genuine shame that the issue is stopping some from enjoying a fantastic season. You can guarantee the same group will moan before every game that he won't start, moan if he doesn't start (usually with a comment like "well that's cost us the game!") or if he does start moan that others on the pitch didn't give him enough chances to show what he can do. He has the attention Barton could only dream of He has done brilliantly in the limited chances he has been given but there have also been clear signs why a manager who has based our eye opening success this season on team work has had to hold him back at times. I don't understand these obvious concerns a manager in Pardew's position would have about playing Ben Arfa. Care to enlighten me? Inconsistency, petulance, a tendency to fade out of games, and a complete lack of defensive capability? He is a fantastic, but innately flawed player. There is a reason why he is beloved. There are also reason for his past two clubs willingly relinquished his services.

Football supporters being killed at a football match is everything to do with football regardless of any outside connotation. To say anything else would be callous. Frankly, I do not give a damn if people hold a meaningless of silence thousands of miles away in Newcastle, but it mad to say that this isn't a football event when people have gone with the intention of seeing a match and gone home in a bag.

This is beyond belief. You understand that there may be stampedes and collapses, but this is mass murder on a football pitch. It is beyond the game.

It wasn't selfishness, it was poor play. He did beat his man and put himself in position to cross, but took a heavy touch.

This is terrible. Barely football.

Perch.

We are defending set pieces terribly in this match.

Quarterfinals: Zambia-Sudan Ghana-Tunisia Gabon-Mali/Guinea Cote d'Ivoire-Equatorial Guinea There are the two obvious favourites, but other than that it seems very open. Things do seem to be tending towards a CIV-Ghana final which would be interesting given that neither of them has claimed the trophy since 1992 and 1982 respectively (unacceptable given the stature of the teams). Think I might support Tunisia, just so I don't have to watch another different nation take this since the last time we won. I know that I do not want Ghana to win.

I didn't realise Ba was carrying that much of the load. I consider I consider every player in our midfield a good goal threat, tbf, which somewhat mitigates the problems caused by Shola's uselessness.

Doing the mathematics, I think this Blackburn side has seven Premiership goals between them this season.

Onuoha, Taiwo, and Cisse all start for QPR. Imagine Zamora will go straight into their team as well.

The change to 4-2-3-1 won us the match against QPR and it was the same formation that saw us comfortably dominate the first half at Craven Cottage. Any issues are the players's mental state and performance. Nothing to do with formation.

Yes. We are playing a relegation worthy team whose only credible goal threat (Hoillet and Samba are dangerous tbf) is out. The pessimism is frightening. 2-0 to us. Ben Arfa and Guthrie.

The title was worth it, especially considering that PSG will take it for the next 20 years. Cheers to Porto for their consistent robbery, though. I honestly would not deal with them if I was a top club.

Is he decent? Seems to have played well since going to Rangers. Probably in line for another cap soon. I am extremely familiar with his sister, but I am not as well informed on him.

Arshavin is a terrible example, btw. He was the best player in the Russian league, the best player in 2008 UEFA Cup, the best player in EURO 2008, and subsequently one of the best players in the world's best league when he arrived in England. He's lost form and aged, but he was not signed solely on the basis of his performance for Russia.

The favourites, Cote d'Ivoire, had an eerily similar circumstance occur in 2011 as well, and are in a worse state than Libya.

Amazing how easily they squandered their opportunity. They were in a position to be doing what Spurs are now. A complete lack of imagination from manager and boardroom insured this. Why do French commentators find the need to talk constantly throughout the match. It is similar to hearing two drunken shoe store owners argue on a flight. Very annoying.

Odd years. Every two years. In January. To avoid conflict with World Cup years. Two in succession is just an absurd moneygrab from a corrupt organisation.

They would probably be physically, emotionally, and logistically challenged when it comes to this match. They have a match three days prior in Equatorial Guinea that will be their third in 9 days not including intensive friendlies and training that accompany international competition. It is also unlikely that they would leave the same day as the match and it is a fairly long flight. They may very well be back on Tyneside in time for Wednesday, but not in condition to play straight away.

What of Millwall?

If Kadar goes on loan, he will probably just sign with that club on a free transfer if he is decent.

Obafemi Sunday? :lol: I would say that groups A and C are very weak at this tournament when compared to past incarnations. In 2008, we had Nigeria, CIV, and Mali in one group, 2010 had CIV and Ghana grouped together and really even groups like Cameroon, Zambia, Gabon, and Tunisia. Made the group stages more heavily anticipated and intriguing, imo. I guess this is expected with many famous teams missing. It will be interesting to see who comes out of Group D with Ghana. Mali have the most talent, but Guinea are generally pretty tough and will take you if aren't serious (as we found out). I don't know anything about Botswana, but they were fantastic during qualifying and this guy, Ramatlhakwane, has been scoring many goals.