Guest Heneage Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Ergh. What? That suggested line-up from Hans, in the manner it was posted. Ba would have a lonely afternoon. Not usually one to shoot others' ideas down so bluntly, but it doesn't look like a good team selection to me considering what we have available. Who do we have available exactly? Best? Marveaux? Obertan? Vuckic? Even Ameobi? But to play 3 central midfielders with Barton outside of them at home in the first game of the season looks like a bad idea to me. Fair enough if Cabaye plays more advanced in behind Ba - as Pardew hinted at back around when we signed him - or if you're at least trying Gosling there in a roaming role, but that's not what you posted. Barton plays narrow enough as it is in a 4-4-2 and Jonas is hardly the greatest at supporting the striker. It just looks far too narrow and pedestrian to me for a game we should be looking to grab by the scruff of the neck. I'd be looking to go 4-4-2 with the usual midfield (Cabaye in for Nolan, naturally) and Ba +1 (probably Shola based on the pre-season selections). Aye fair enough, It probably is a bit 'negative' like. I would just be weary about throwing the likes of Marveaux and Obertan first game of the season, especialy after the pre-season we've had. I forgot aabout Best in all honesty I'd be happy going 4-4-2, but i'd still prefer us to bring Marv & Obertan (& Vuckic or Abeid) off the bench as opposed to starting them, atleast against Arsenal. I just think Arsenal are there for the taking and we'll have a very strong atmosphere behind us, which we should be looking to take advantage of. Fair enough save Marveaux/Obertan from the bench if they're needed, but at least go 4-4-2 in the meantime. First games of the season are always special anyway, but against a "big" side and slightly later/live on TV I just really fancy us to go at them from the opening whistle. Two big strikers to occupy their centre-halves, good delivery from wide-right and directness from wide-left and see how Cabaye/Tiote do in against their midfield. I'd go with Ba/Best personally, but you just know it'll be Sho Time again, so I can see why some are reluctant to hope for 4-4-2. Hopefully he'll have one of his better days if that does prove to be the case, get himself warmed up for Wearside. Just for the record as well, 3 CM's isn't necessarily a bad idea against Arsenal's formation, but I do worry that we'd have little-to-no support for Ba with the selection you suggested initially. However, if you'd told me we'd beat Villa 6-0 in our first home game last season with a midfield of Jonas, Smith, Barton, Routledge and Nolan(ish) I'd have said you were crackers. No telling how things might actually turn out. Also, to keep the whole thing somewhat on track, I do hope Barton starts (even if he's one of the midfield three). Exactly. The cliché of 'attack is the best form of defence' is never more apt than when describing Arsenal. Take the game to them, get physical and they often crumble. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fenham Mag Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Class post rich. I can live with a 10252/10253 ratio, cheers. I cannot realy be arse to tumble through your posting history to find your decent post like, but i'll take your word for it. Class Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottledDog Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 So, is he still Vice Captain? No, Pardew said he didn't feel the need for a vice captains role. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdckelly Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/transfer-news/Stoke-in-talks-sign-Joey-Barton-on-free-transfer-from-Newcastle-ready-pay-him-60k-per-week-article783598.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Away Toon Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 I fucking hope not. Losing Barton will weaken the team and the spirit as well. Stoke of all people are building themselves a strong looking squad with some quality players. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdckelly Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 I fucking hope not. Losing Barton will weaken the team and the spirit as well. Stoke of all people are building themselves a strong looking squad with some quality players. are they? Woodgates a crock, Upsons shite I'd be enraged if we went for Crouch, Palacios is the only possible decent signing Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sifu Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Honestly can't see him going to Stoke. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bimpy474 Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Honestly can't see him going to Stoke. Me neither, if he did it would be for money alone. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
madras Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Honestly can't see him going to Stoke. Me neither, if he did it would be for money alone. and why did he come here ? the love of the cheviot hills and the taste of elsdon cheese ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bimpy474 Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Honestly can't see him going to Stoke. Me neither, if he did it would be for money alone. and why did he come here ? the love of the cheviot hills and the taste of elsdon cheese ? Butbutbutbutbutbutbutbutbutbutbutbut because Sam wanted him and Man.City didn't Oh yeah and the money Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxfree Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Stoke can bugger off. Enough quality gone already. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skirge Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Oh how they love this club until their is bigger wages on offer. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jukeboxromeo Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Honestly can't see him going to Stoke. Me neither, if he did it would be for money alone. And European football. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronaldo Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Yeah, what a fucking thrill. Mincing about with Latvian farmers two thursdays a month. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sicko2ndbest Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Quite a big English contingent there Woodgate, Upson, Crouch, Palacios all big name players that would appeal to Joeys nature I certainly wouldn't rule it out Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fenham Mag Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Yeah, what a f***ing thrill. Mincing about with Latvian farmers two thursdays a month. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jukeboxromeo Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Yeah, what a f***ing thrill. Mincing about with Latvian farmers two thursdays a month. The preliminary round's already finished! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronaldo Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Just butchers and above from here till the quarters? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bimpy474 Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Yeah, what a f***ing thrill. Mincing about with Latvian farmers two thursdays a month. Tbf we wouldn't say no, as long as we won the feckin cup Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jukeboxromeo Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Just butchers and above from here till the quarters? Metalists as well Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ishmael Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Barton wouldn't get much game time at Stoke imo. They rely on the pace of Pennant for the right wing and rely on big physical players for the middle. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jukeboxromeo Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Barton wouldn't get much game time at Stoke imo. They rely on the pace of Pennant for the right wing and rely on big physical players for the middle. He'd get in the team in front of Whelan, Whitehead, Soares, Wilson, Delap or Pugh, like. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponsaelius Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 You've been listening to Owen Coyle too much. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jukeboxromeo Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 What? Nah, that list is a who's who of mediocre midfielders. Barton would improve that midfield no end. Anyway, the story is probably bollocks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponsaelius Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 I was referring to Coyle saying Barton's best position is central midfield. It's not. Although he probably would get in ahead of some of that crap, tbf. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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