pi_D

qft

His pass into Ba's feet before Cisse's goal was crucial, like. It's sharp, fast and early passing like that (and for HBA's goal against WBA) that can give your strikers that extra bit of time. I don't think the likes of Guthrie or Jonas(when playing centrally) are capable of passing like that. His awareness, work rate, vison, and general passing are a step above all our other midfielders. Top player. Watch him play in a further matured team next season.

Good stuff indeed!

#NUFC v #LFC (4-3-3): Krul; Simpson, Williamson, Perch, Gutierrez ©; Guthrie, Tiote, Cabaye; Ben Arfa, Cisse, Ba. #newcastle #epl

I went over and signed up once I knew it was an April Fool, with the intention of passing some time, then I saw that their match thread was started by Christmas Tree and was just

unreal

Don't forget Spudil.....

It might help that the players involved in our attack are actually f***ing good for once Ba, Cisse, Cabaye, Jonas....all technically and positionally competent...as opposed to Shola, Best, Raylor... Did anyone else notice HBA's reluctance to pass to Simpson? He wriggled away from a few defenders in the first half down the byline, passed to Simpson, who prodded the ball down the line into open play.. as in, not even an attempted pass... just away. Noteworthy in that it wasn't a lofted ball either. Anyway, I can't recall Ben Arfa passing to Simpson more than twice after that Remember that, that pairing down the right in non existant like I can imagine Hatem and Danny sitting beside each other for dinner, not a word spoken between them

It might help that the players involved in our attack are actually fucking good for once Ba, Cisse, Cabaye, Jonas....all technically and positionally competent...as opposed to Shola, Best, Raylor... Did anyone else notice HBA's reluctance to pass to Simpson?

Agree. He also swapped with Cisse on occasion which was nice to see. In time if we stick with that front 3 we will see a fluidity develop that allows them to interchange seamlessly

Didn't get to see the game yesterday but is this pretty much what we went with, in terms of midfield and attack at least? Was Jonas the most advanced of the midfield trio? Had doubts that he would be a good fit in the middle in the long term but just looking at the highlights he looked heavily involved and picked out some quality passes playing central. How did the front three line up? Ben Arfa in the hole or was he out wide mostly? Tiote in for Guthrie and a couple of new defenders and this could be looking very tasty. A lot of people have wanted to see this. Does anyone remember what formation we began preseason with? Before Ben Arfa did his ankle.... was it not 4 3 3?

Agree

Not only can he use his right, but, he has the colse control and technique to get on to his left peg regardless of whether or not the opposing defender knows this

why can't i find this when googling!! Can't find it either Edit: Been removed

that 'rushyman' seems a bit of a bitter c*** Good reading, that.

Which counts for nothing, he should've played more, how anyone can argue otherwise considering the alternatives is quite staggering. You do remember the many many weeks when Pardew flat out refused to play him on the wing don't you? Do you remember Gabriel Obertan? Pardew's done a good job but he got this particular decision wrong for months imo, he deserves no credit at all for keeping Ben Arfa out of the team for so long. How about Ben Arfa wasn't ready mentally. As you well know he recently admitted that he has only just returned to enjoying football...or something to that extent. That's a damn viable alternative tbf

It's all about the bigger picture and getting bogged down in semantics and throwing dirt at the manager because of a few poor performances is really annoying and childish and something which we criticise others for. A holistic approach...something we have needed for years.... I'd wager the majority of us want it, but it doesn't stop this bizarre need for absolute perfection all of the time that some seem to expect, or stop them from spitting the dummy when it doesn't happen. Think the holistic approach left football for good when the big money came in, fans want success now and aren't prepared to wait. Completely agree, and again in regards to the introduction of 'big money' to the English game. Surprisingly it would appear that MA's approach is, in fact, a holistic one But shhhh...don't tell the other clubs Also the absolute perfection bit....it's just football I guess...frustrating as hell though

His turnaround was 2nd half in the derby imo, looked like the HBA before the leg break