Demba Ba (now retired)

[Dinho lad]

Pardew not happy with a question about Ba's attitude around the club on the BBC interview. Says he's been exemplary. Funny that.

 

It's because these fuckers of "journalists" come on here and read some of the shit on here.

[Jack Flash]

26 in 49 starts now? Should be easy to replace.

 

£7m (or £3.5m as mentioned above), should be fairly easy. Especially as his greedy bastards ways are the sole reason we aren't playing like 70s Brazil at the moment.

 

We'll get a wider forward in (Ben Arfa-esque? why not!) who'll hit the ground running and leave Cisse as the only capable central striker, which works out perfectly as that's the only place he can play.

[Mole_Toonfan]

I personally was happy with Ba and Cisse tonight.....they wasn't rigid and linked up reasonably well and swapped positions and roamed quite a bit of instead of being stuck to one position.

 

If this continues then i have no problem with Cisse out wide and Ba through the middle as it's clear he's in better form at the moment.

 

I just want whats best for the team and if that's Ba through the middle then good and if it's Cisse through the middle then good.

 

I wouldn't play them as a pair though.

[TheHoob]

I personally was happy with Ba and Cisse tonight.....they wasn't rigid and linked up reasonably well and swapped positions and roamed quite a bit of instead of being stuck to one position.

 

If this continues then i have no problem with Cisse out wide and Ba through the middle as it's clear he's in better form at the moment.

 

I just want whats best for the team and if that's Ba through the middle then good and if it's Cisse through the middle then good.

 

I wouldn't play them as a pair though.

 

[Cajun]

Pardew not happy with a question about Ba's attitude around the club on the BBC interview. Says he's been exemplary. Funny that.

 

Makes me start doubting myself about getting angry with what the tabloid press report.

 

Should I doubt their legitimacy? Can't see why they wouldn't be entirely honest. Nah fuck it and fuck you Demba you selfish bastard!

[Shak]

I don't think there's any way he's going to be with us beyond next season. He'll go to the highest bidder when his contract expires, and you can bet that won't be us. I'd expect we're actively trying to sell him behind the scenes, we won't want to lose him for nothing.

 

Quite obviously he's been one of our best players this season, but there's also plenty of merit in the idea that we could ultimately be a better TEAM with someone else in there instead of him. It's quite clear that Ba and Cisse as a pairing up top doesn't work and that the team in general struggles when asked to play in a system that utilizes the two of them centrally.

 

Nolan was one of our most effective players, but we sold him and replaced him with Cabaye. Cabaye doesn't score anywhere near the same number of goals that Nolan did from the same position, but the team as a whole benefitted from the move. Obviously it would depend on who we replace Ba with, but if it leads to us playing the system that got the best out of Cisse, Ben Arfa, Jonas and Cabaye last season then there's a chance we'd be better for it long term IMO.

[Guest neesy111]

Nice to see he's the settled penalty taker now.

[Cajun]

I don't think there's any way he's going to be with us beyond next season. He'll go to the highest bidder when his contract expires, and you can bet that won't be us. I'd expect we're actively trying to sell him behind the scenes, we won't want to lose him for nothing.

 

Quite obviously he's been one of our best players this season, but there's also plenty of merit in the idea that we could ultimately be a better TEAM with someone else in there instead of him. It's quite clear that Ba and Cisse as a pairing up top doesn't work and that the team in general struggles when asked to play in a system that utilizes the two of them centrally.

 

Nolan was one of our most effective players, but we sold him and replaced him with Cabaye. Cabaye doesn't score anywhere near the same number of goals that Nolan did from the same position, but the team as a whole benefitted from the move. Obviously it would depend on who we replace Ba with, but if it leads to us playing the system that got the best out of Cisse, Ben Arfa, Jonas and Cabaye last season then there's a chance we'd be better for it long term IMO.

 

A lot of good points,still too much of a risk for me to punt our in form forward whilst hoping Cisse isn't doing it because he has to play up top with Ba.

[Disco]

I don't think there's any way he's going to be with us beyond next season. He'll go to the highest bidder when his contract expires, and you can bet that won't be us. I'd expect we're actively trying to sell him behind the scenes, we won't want to lose him for nothing.

 

Quite obviously he's been one of our best players this season, but there's also plenty of merit in the idea that we could ultimately be a better TEAM with someone else in there instead of him. It's quite clear that Ba and Cisse as a pairing up top doesn't work and that the team in general struggles when asked to play in a system that utilizes the two of them centrally.

 

Nolan was one of our most effective players, but we sold him and replaced him with Cabaye. Cabaye doesn't score anywhere near the same number of goals that Nolan did from the same position, but the team as a whole benefitted from the move. Obviously it would depend on who we replace Ba with, but if it leads to us playing the system that got the best out of Cisse, Ben Arfa, Jonas and Cabaye last season then there's a chance we'd be better for it long term IMO.

 

A lot of good points,still too much of a risk for me to punt our in form forward whilst hoping Cisse isn't doing it because he has to play up top with Ba.

 

In theory we'll need 2 players to replace Ba given that he's first choice upfront and wide in a 3.

[Shak]

I don't think there's any way he's going to be with us beyond next season. He'll go to the highest bidder when his contract expires, and you can bet that won't be us. I'd expect we're actively trying to sell him behind the scenes, we won't want to lose him for nothing.

 

Quite obviously he's been one of our best players this season, but there's also plenty of merit in the idea that we could ultimately be a better TEAM with someone else in there instead of him. It's quite clear that Ba and Cisse as a pairing up top doesn't work and that the team in general struggles when asked to play in a system that utilizes the two of them centrally.

 

Nolan was one of our most effective players, but we sold him and replaced him with Cabaye. Cabaye doesn't score anywhere near the same number of goals that Nolan did from the same position, but the team as a whole benefitted from the move. Obviously it would depend on who we replace Ba with, but if it leads to us playing the system that got the best out of Cisse, Ben Arfa, Jonas and Cabaye last season then there's a chance we'd be better for it long term IMO.

 

A lot of good points,still too much of a risk for me to punt our in form forward whilst hoping Cisse isn't doing it because he has to play up top with Ba.

 

I'd want us to bring in someone who can play either out wide or central.

 

Competition both for Cisse as the main forward and for either of the wide attacking spots.

[Disco]

I don't think there's any way he's going to be with us beyond next season. He'll go to the highest bidder when his contract expires, and you can bet that won't be us. I'd expect we're actively trying to sell him behind the scenes, we won't want to lose him for nothing.

 

Quite obviously he's been one of our best players this season, but there's also plenty of merit in the idea that we could ultimately be a better TEAM with someone else in there instead of him. It's quite clear that Ba and Cisse as a pairing up top doesn't work and that the team in general struggles when asked to play in a system that utilizes the two of them centrally.

 

Nolan was one of our most effective players, but we sold him and replaced him with Cabaye. Cabaye doesn't score anywhere near the same number of goals that Nolan did from the same position, but the team as a whole benefitted from the move. Obviously it would depend on who we replace Ba with, but if it leads to us playing the system that got the best out of Cisse, Ben Arfa, Jonas and Cabaye last season then there's a chance we'd be better for it long term IMO.

 

A lot of good points,still too much of a risk for me to punt our in form forward whilst hoping Cisse isn't doing it because he has to play up top with Ba.

 

I'd want us to bring in someone who can play either out wide or central.

 

Competition both for Cisse as the main forward and for either of the wide attacking spots.

 

Does such a player exist, massive ask IMO.

 

Say he did go in Jan (I don't think he will) it'd have to be someone who could hit the ground running because if we're left relying on Shola, one way ticket to anguishtown.

[Mole_Toonfan]

If Ba does leave there would need to be a major shift in the make up of our front line....

 

I think you would look to Cisse for the goals ( i know he isn't doing it at the moment but surely it won't last for ever? ) Someone on the left Pacy, good dribbler and a decent goal threat ( the names we have been linked would be ideal) and not to mention we still haven't replaced Best yet. 

 

So yeah we would probably need to buy 2 forwards in the long term if he left and do we trust the Board to do that 

 

He won't be easy to replace that's for sure, i just think with the clause and still no signs of him signing a new contract that we might have to accept that it's probably going to happen sooner or later.

 

 

[Cajun]

We have two forwards are the moment imo, if we get rid of one we need 3 (pretty much what Disco said). Given Ba is our performing striker right now it seems silly to get rid of him on the cheap.

 

Also don't see why some are happy to get rid for someone who can play on the right, we need that player anyway without selling our most prolific forward.

[Rich]

Loved the end of his interview on NUFC TV after he had earlier criticised Bigi's celebration:

 

"Just I was thinking, the celebration of Bigi... no offence to all the Christians, 'cos he cross - he make the cross and stuff - this is his side (religion).

 

But when he jump on the ground... that was weird. That was weird when he was diving. That was weird."

 

The way he says it is fucking mint

[Spudil]

Pardew not happy with a question about Ba's attitude around the club on the BBC interview. Says he's been exemplary. Funny that.

 

Makes me start doubting myself about getting angry with what the tabloid press report.

 

Should I doubt their legitimacy? Can't see why they wouldn't be entirely honest. Nah f*** it and f*** you Demba you selfish b******!

 

Sarcasm eh?

 

In my opinion anything a manager says about a performance/one of his players/his bosses should immediately be disregarded.

 

He will always paint them in the best light possible even if he and everyone else knows he is talking absolute plop.

 

You should have said "In my opinion anything a manager says about a performance/one of his players/his bosses should immediately be disregarded when it doesn't fit in with what I want to believe".

 

[Cajun]

Doesn't take much to differentiate. Most can tell what's a sound bite and what is telling the stirring media to go fuck themselves.

[Jack Flash]

I'd pay Ba what he wants. I've read a number of times he's on approx. 40k a week and we didn't pay a transfer fee for him so it's not like we've already broken the bank to get him and keep him up to now. Pay the extra for him and spend OTHER money on new players. One in one out is a pathetic strategy at this stage.

[Mole_Toonfan]

We have two forwards are the moment imo, if we get rid of one we need 3 (pretty much what Disco said). Given Ba is our performing striker right now it seems silly to get rid of him on the cheap.

 

Also don't see why some are happy to get rid for someone who can play on the right, we need that player anyway without selling our most prolific forward.

 

I don't think anyone is happy about it and we are not really getting rid of him we have no choice.... if someone meet's the clause we are f*cked.

 

Also if we sold Ba..... Bought a forward who could upfront and out wide and another forward to be 3rd choice would you be content?

 

Of course in an ideal world.... Ba signs new contract and we sign a wide forward then Ba and Cisse compete for the central spot.

 

Unfortunately i really can't see that happening.

[Spudil]

Doesn't take much to differentiate. Most can tell what's a sound bite and what is telling the stirring media to go f*** themselves.

 

Oh really? well that's convenient.

 

Here I was thinking you being a massive hypocrite somehow discredited your illogical ramblings. Guess not though... carry on.

 

 

.

[Cajun]

We have two forwards are the moment imo, if we get rid of one we need 3 (pretty much what Disco said). Given Ba is our performing striker right now it seems silly to get rid of him on the cheap.

 

Also don't see why some are happy to get rid for someone who can play on the right, we need that player anyway without selling our most prolific forward.

 

I don't think anyone is happy about it and we are not really getting rid of him we have no choice.... if someone meet's the clause we are f*cked.

 

Also if we sold Ba..... Bought a forward who could upfront and out wide and another forward to be 3rd choice would you be content?

 

Of course in an ideal world.... Ba signs new contract and we sign a wide forward then Ba and Cisse compete for the central spot.

 

Unfortunately i really can't see that happening.

 

I am fearful of selling someone who scores as much as he does, I think that he is hard to replace and the prices touted is almost impossible to bring in someone as good.

 

We aren't going to spend more than we bring in and I don't think there is some magic formula of selling Ba and bringing in more of a wing type forward which will immediately improve us. Ba is a £20m+ forward imo so selling him for almost a third of that is something most should be concerned about but there seems like there is an almost blind belief that there is a left sided forward out there who we will sign and go straight back to pushing for 5th place which as a knock on effect will get Cisse scoring almost a goal a game again.

[Cajun]

Doesn't take much to differentiate. Most can tell what's a sound bite and what is telling the stirring media to go f*** themselves.

 

Oh really? well that's convenient.

 

Here I was thinking you being a massive hypocrite somehow discredited your illogical ramblings. Guess not though... carry on.

 

 

.

 

If you can't read between the lines that isn't my problem. Manager bigging certain things up shouldn't need explaining but it seems like some do need it.

[Mole_Toonfan]

We have two forwards are the moment imo, if we get rid of one we need 3 (pretty much what Disco said). Given Ba is our performing striker right now it seems silly to get rid of him on the cheap.

 

Also don't see why some are happy to get rid for someone who can play on the right, we need that player anyway without selling our most prolific forward.

 

I don't think anyone is happy about it and we are not really getting rid of him we have no choice.... if someone meet's the clause we are f*cked.

 

Also if we sold Ba..... Bought a forward who could upfront and out wide and another forward to be 3rd choice would you be content?

 

Of course in an ideal world.... Ba signs new contract and we sign a wide forward then Ba and Cisse compete for the central spot.

 

Unfortunately i really can't see that happening.

 

I am fearful of selling someone who scores as much as he does, I think that he is hard to replace and the prices touted is almost impossible to bring in someone as good.

 

We aren't going to spend more than we bring in and I don't think there is some magic formula of selling Ba and bringing in more of a wing type forward which will immediately improve us. Ba is a £20m+ forward imo so selling him for almost a third of that is something most should be concerned about but there seems like there is an almost blind belief that there is a left sided forward out there who we will sign and go straight back to pushing for 5th place which as a knock on effect will get Cisse scoring almost a goal a game again.

 

Not saying there is but that's most likely what we do ( if we believe the strikers we have been linked with have any relation at all) just buy a striker that can play wide won't be enough for me i would want to see a Best replacement too to put Shola down to 4th choice.

 

I agree with the rest, but that's the decision we put ourselves in by taking the risk on him knowing theres a clause that can bite us in the arse down the line.

[Spudil]

Doesn't take much to differentiate. Most can tell what's a sound bite and what is telling the stirring media to go f*** themselves.

 

Oh really? well that's convenient.

 

Here I was thinking you being a massive hypocrite somehow discredited your illogical ramblings. Guess not though... carry on.

 

 

.

 

If you can't read between the lines that isn't my problem. Manager bigging certain things up shouldn't need explaining but it seems like some do need it.

 

"In my opinion anything a manager says about a performance/one of his players/his bosses should immediately be disregarded. "

 

Please tell me- which lines should I be reading in between? This statement seems rather unambiguous to me.

 

[Cajun]

Apologies, what I meant was anything positive about those things stated by a manager when he clearly doesn't mean them should be disregarded as he is just defending his boss/players/performance.

 

Just seems like common sense to me. 

[Spudil]

 

In other words "In my opinion anything a manager says about a performance/one of his players/his bosses should immediately be disregarded when it doesn't fit in with what I want to believe".

 

I'll leave it at that though (im shitting up this thread here tbf).