Hatem Ben Arfa

[Guest icemanblue]

Lovenkrands had a decent game going forward, by his standards. However, he decided he was going to play as a second/third striker, rather than offer any defensive help. That resulted in the, god knows how many, chances for Sturridge.

[Dokko]

Jonas back next game? Hope so, he's now our best defender.

[Hanshithispantz]

Is this a sexual thrill to you CT?

 

Just trying to understand the thought process of purposefully talking shit on the internet, i'm guessing there are perks?

[Christmas Tree]

Is this a sexual thrill to you CT?

 

Just trying to understand the thought process of purposefully talking shit on the internet, i'm guessing there are perks?

 

I leave the sexual thrills to the fanboys.

 

If there is a particular point that troubles you, fire away. Im guessing its just anything that doesnt praise Benny.

[Sifu]

 

Playing out wide there's also less pressure on him to "run the entire game" so that if a play breaks down all the focus is on him. I'd much rather see his talent used to run at people or creating chances for two strikers.

 

Aye, in the number 10 role, there's a lot of pressure on the player to create something out of nothing and to string the perfect pass. As it stands, it is probably too much pressure for someone like Ben Arfa who hasn't played regular football until recently.

 

Play him on the wing and build his confidence up more than anything, then you can think about easing him into the number 10 role imo.

[Darth Crooks]

Christmas Tree? Santa's sack more like.

[Lush Vlad]

What do you see as Hatem Ben Arfa’s best position?

 

He’s a number ten, playing behind the centre forward. He is a very special player and that’s the only place I see him playing, he’s not a wide player and the only time I would choose to put him out there is maybe if during a game I needed him to do a job and see the game out.

 

From Pards' recent interview.  Can't say I agree with that myself, will usually play 4-4-2 I would guess so not many minutes for him.  Can't see how you can justify players like Obertan and Lovenkrands playing out wide instead of HBA 

[toon25]

What do you see as Hatem Ben Arfa’s best position?

 

He’s a number ten, playing behind the centre forward. He is a very special player and that’s the only place I see him playing, he’s not a wide player and the only time I would choose to put him out there is maybe if during a game I needed him to do a job and see the game out.

 

From Pards' recent interview.  Can't say I agree with that myself, will usually play 4-4-2 I would guess so not many minutes for him.  Can't see how you can justify players like Obertan and Lovenkrands playing out wide instead of HBA 

 

Exactly. Perhaps Pards would do well to watch that Everton game where HBA started wide left and tore them a new one. Wish he'd consider this - its obvious HBA hasn't looked even remotely up to scratch (bar one or two moments) so far. He needs time to adjust. What's more, we've got to put up with Oberwank for the foreseeable.

[Flip]

Ben Arfas best position is clearly a free role, where he can roam into whatever space he wants. That said, I think behind the striker is the only place where I see Pardew willing to risk to have such a player. Personally I'd play him out wide especially with Ba having tracked back so much before when playing with Best and think both of them coming from deep would cause teams all kinds of problems with Best or Shola winning headers and outmuscling defender.

[Lush Vlad]

Ben Arfas best position is clearly a free role, where he can roam into whatever space he wants. That said, I think behind the striker is the only place where I see Pardew willing to risk to have such a player. Personally I'd play him out wide especially with Ba having tracked back so much before when playing with Best and think both of them coming from deep would cause teams all kinds of problems with Best or Shola winning headers and outmuscling defender.

 

That is a good point you know.  When HBA started wide left against Everton, he did drift about a lot and he had Enrique behind him.  Couldn't start him left wing with R.Taylor at left back, it would be absolute carnage.  Same can be said for starting him wide right to a point, Simpson is hardly great.  Obertan may be pretty rubbish, but his tracking back is ok and his natural position is an out and out right winger.  Not sure if he has a position the giganticus cranium cuntis.

[Alberto2005]

Can see him been on the bench this weekend.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

Can see him been on the bench this weekend.

 

Me too, we might need another CF to defend set pieces.

[Guest]

This is the game I want to see him start most. He's had a run of games now where we've been underdogs, I'd love to see us give him a free run at this lot.

[wormy]

This is the game I want to see him start most. He's had a run of games now where we've been underdogs, I'd love to see us give him a free run at this lot.

 

Undoubtedly. I'd hate to see him get dropped back to the bench now. As harsh as it is on Best who hasn't been poor this season, I really want to see what he can do against this lot.

[oldtype]

Just play him on the wing damnit

[Sifu]

What do you see as Hatem Ben Arfa’s best position?

 

He’s a number ten, playing behind the centre forward. He is a very special player and that’s the only place I see him playing, he’s not a wide player and the only time I would choose to put him out there is maybe if during a game I needed him to do a job and see the game out.

 

From Pards' recent interview.  Can't say I agree with that myself, will usually play 4-4-2 I would guess so not many minutes for him.  Can't see how you can justify players like Obertan and Lovenkrands playing out wide instead of HBA 

 

Please reconsider Alan. You can't restrict Ben Arfa to just that one role especially when he has played on the wing for most of his career.

[Doctor Zaius]

Think people are expecting too much of him to begin with like. The lad has had a year out and hasnt even had a chance to settle and get used ot the pace fo the league. Im without doubt he'll realise his potential though.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

Wish people would just accept that Pardew and HBA have come to the conclusion he should play centrally. I don't know if it's just because people hate Obertan or what, but I don't see the big deal with him preferring the centre.

[Tiresias]

I think ideally he's in centre but I don't quite see that he deserves to keep Best out the side when he's back from injury, if Best keeps up the form he was in, he's going to get / assist more goals, and until / unless HBA's form outstrips Best's significantly, I'd be happier for him to replace Obertan.

 

I wanted him tested in the middle, and i've thought he's looked pretty good at times, and very promising, but it's surely not that bad if he's out on the right? The only worry is how much cover he'd give Simpson, but we're a stronger side with Best fit at front. They've obviously decided, but Pardew's got to make decisions based on form and such, if he's only to play centrally I'd drop him for Best, bluntly.

[Sifu]

It's been mentioned before but playing Ben Arfa on the wing could also help with building up his confidence (ie. running at and beating defenders mainly).

[Gallowgate Toon]

It's been mentioned before but playing Ben Arfa on the wing could also help with building up his confidence (ie. running at and beating defenders mainly).

 

Certainly, he's only started 3 games since he came back. He needs to build up match fitness, momentum and most importantly, confidence. I ultimately think he does suit a free role but for now, the wide area is ideal. If we're going to play him as a number 10, the current set up of the side needs quite a bit of tactical tweaking to suit it. Our last few attempts at it, have been a little half-hearted imo, i'm intrigued as to how it would work against Norwich mind, in a more open game compared to facing the league's top sides.

[Ronaldo]

Wish people would just accept that Pardew and HBA have come to the conclusion he should play centrally. I don't know if it's just because people hate Obertan or what, but I don't see the big deal with him preferring the centre.

 

People are conflicted. They want him in the team but at the same time it's obvious he's less suited to that role than a striker who'll allow Ba to play his natural game.

[Gallowgate Toon]

Wish people would just accept that Pardew and HBA have come to the conclusion he should play centrally. I don't know if it's just because people hate Obertan or what, but I don't see the big deal with him preferring the centre.

 

People are conflicted. They want him in the team but at the same time it's obvious he's less suited to that role than a striker who'll allow Ba to play his natural game.

 

It's really not the right situation or time to flat out claim that it won't work, there are too many factors to consider and not enough time been given. I agree that right now, it's not suitable but I personally think it will be in the near future.

 

I'm curious as to what you think Ba's natural game is by the way? In what way does HBA hinder his game, apart from apparent less work rate? I see a striker that is a predator in the box and has intelligent movement and pace that can see him work off the shoulder as well. It's not like he'd have to be some kind of targetman for the formation to work.

[Ronaldo]

I think Ba's more effective ghosting into the box. Ben Arfa being there places far too much focus on him.

 

We need someone who can play higher up the park than Ba, and do the donkey work when necessary. Best generally makes a good fist of this, plus he's far more of a goalscoring threat than HBA.

[Elliottman]

Has to start for me on Saturday. Had three very difficult games where had less of the ball, now let him see what he can do in the next three against lesser opposition. These three should be the confidence builders.