Christmas Tree

Absolutely spot on and also fair to discuss how our style of play will change with or without him. IMO I thought that Baggio fella made some valid sensible points. One of those arguments that will only be settled after various games ( if then given the way Jonas split debate over the years).

Agree with this. Think we'll give all comers a good game this season.

If there was such a thing as a result anticipation meter I think it's safe to say it would be off the scale for this game. Lambs to the slaughter etc etc. Christians to the Lions. Some canny bets will be getting placed.

we dont play like this, at all ? Did Jonas not cross for a striker on Sunday......who scored. yeah, that doesnt translate to an intentional and constant method of play though. howay man I'm a tad lost what your point is? The idea is surely that Obertan and Jonas are meant to be racing down the wing and getting balls in for the two strikers to finish. ( let's put to one side how well either of the wingers currently do this). Add cabaye to this and we have a three pronged creative attack for two strikers to work off. Is this not how we are meant to be playing? (apologies if I'm been thick).

Good post

Because he's likely to feature heavily on Saturday. Why would he play in the reserves too? Match fitness? He was also due to play for the reserves until the Tunisia trip.

Simon Birds verdict on it. http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/simon-bird/State-of-the-Toon-Simon-Bird-takes-a-detailed-look-at-Newcastle-s-long-awaited-mission-statement-article814371.html

Why's that?

I wonder if we see how keen this lad is by his insistence on playing for the reserves this week and getting a few 90 minute games under his belt like Marveaux did.

we dont play like this, at all ? Did Jonas not cross for a striker on Sunday......who scored.

I think without doubt Albeid will start this.

We only see half the picture though and let's not forget they wouldn't sell. If it was last year and we couldn't get Tiote over the line and Carr said, he's the one, keep plodding away. Could be the same with this lad. Not everything that doesn't come off is our fault. All seems very pro active to me.

Well I'm going to remain on the unconvinced list that it is a better style of play until I see it. If we are going to have two wingers getting crosses in, do we not want to strikers getting on the end of them? What happens when Maiga comes? I wonder if Pardew does see Ben Arfa as part of his long term plans. (I know that will sound stupid to most). Maybe him and cabaye will work wonders with each other or maybe they will get in each others way. As I said, not convinced yet.

I'm willing to give the club/Graham Carr the benefit of the doubt. Yep. In Carr we trust. Thirded!

Agree. Seems to have no redeeming qualities. Personally think Ashley makes all the key decisions.

Because our bench is starting to look stronger than the f***ing team 4th in the league! Hard to argue with that stat. :-)

Agree with all that. At the moment I think Taylor offers more than Simpson, which is the bottom line really.

And lots of credit to the board if these rumours about tying up Maiga this week are true. Definitely seems to be all systems go.

Tough for Pardew. Why change a team that's unbeaten. Why unsettle the best defence in the league. Why change a strike force that is getting goals.

4 more sleeps!

Excited as anything already for this. What I'll be like come Saturday I shudder to think.

Nice touches just a shame there's no end product. ;-)

Jury is still out with me but it's looking like lots of huff and puff but just coming up short on the final cross / pass. Happy to sacrifice him to give Marveaux a crack who so far looks a real class act.

As I only really watch Newcastle and know nothing of Ben Arfa pre Newcastle, I'm watching this situation as hopeful but not sold. I'm sure this viewpoints is at odds with those who watch loads of football and have seen B.A. play many times. As Dave mentioned, it's not just what he can do but how others can play with / off him. Hopefully he will get some goals himself, but will we be relying on Jonas and Obertan to be putting away the magic through balls as well as a striker? If it's cabaye linking up and running past, what will happen when he loses possession which of course he will do. Will we expose our so far solid midfield. Interested from those that have seen him regularly to describe how they think it will pan out.

Can't see a Blackburn cup thread up yet but given the players we have not starting, even if we go with a "second string" we should have some really hungry players on the pitch. The likes of Ben Arfa, Marveaux, santon, albeid, ferguson etc all wanting to shine.