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Gabriel Obertan signs for Anzhi


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Gouffran was getting a lot of praise on the radio v Leicester for the brilliant defensive shift he was putting in.

 

Completely unfounded bollocks. I wasn't at the match so I couldn't see his full off the ball movement, but what I did see on the box was definitely nothing like a brilliant defensive shift. He stood around with his mouth gaping watching Nugent waltz past him and put in a glorious cross for Ulloa. David f***ing NUGENT!

 

You do realise Gouffran is a striker don't you? Not a winger, not a central midfielder - a striker. This guy has been Pardewed more than any other member of our first team FFS! No wonder he's standing around not knowing what a defensive wide player should do, he isn't one.

 

Oh I realize that believe me! Just making the point that he's so poor defensively and we can all see it, yet al pards continues to persist with him there because he gives us a "solid honest effort" and "tracks back" and "puts in a tackle". He clearly does none of those things, yet the radio seems to think he put in a brilliant defensive shift.

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Obi is still quite a limited footballer, but at least he's now playing with a bit of heart and commitment. He does have the pace and strength to hurt defences in the right situation, and that made the difference on Saturday.

 

Let's see if he's still starting games in December then.

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Obi is still quite a limited footballer, but at least he's now playing with a bit of heart and commitment. He does have the pace and strength to hurt defences in the right situation, and that made the difference on Saturday.

 

Let's see if he's still starting games in December then.

 

Hopefully, there'll be a better option in the near future - either Cabella finding his feet, or Sammy finding consistency, or a new arrival in January (unlikely)

 

But in the meantime, let's admit there's been some improvement in his attitude and make use of that.

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Never had a problem with Obertan. He is what he is, pacey but limited..

 

Hes offering something Cabella and Gouffran weren't. In the long term, no thanks.

 

Same, with the caveat that Cabella wasn't given enough time to adapt and Gouffran was ruined by Pardew.

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He's the only orthodox winger in the squad. Tbh I'm surprised he's reemerged this late - Pardew's been totally lost with how to use unconventional forward players for ages now. Obertan will be in the team every week from now on I suspect, it's the only type of winger Pardew has a semblance of knowledge in how to use. Cos it's so basic.

 

Was achingly obvious Cabella would never work here.

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Sorry like but he isn't a winger. He is a 433 forward. Nathan Dyer and Jesus Navas are orthodox wingers. Gabriel Obertan is a channel forward made to cut inside and provide a few tricks. He doesn't have the directness of an orthodox winger.

 

Edit: He could easily have the physical attributes to be a winger of course. What I mean though is that throughout his footballing education he hasn't been moulded or groomed to be a winger. Pardew is just completely mis-using him.

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Sorry like but he isn't a winger. He is a 433 forward. Nathan Dyer and Jesus Navas are orthodox wingers. Gabriel Obertan is a channel forward made to cut inside and provide a few tricks. He doesn't have the directness of an orthodox winger.

 

Edit: He could easily have the physical attributes to be a winger of course. What I mean though is that throughout his footballing education he hasn't been moulded or groomed to be a winger. Pardew is just completely mis-using him.

 

Agree completely. Should be left side of a front three in a 4-3-3. The very position he did so well from to get the goal.

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Sorry like but he isn't a winger. He is a 433 forward. Nathan Dyer and Jesus Navas are orthodox wingers. Gabriel Obertan is a channel forward made to cut inside and provide a few tricks. He doesn't have the directness of an orthodox winger.

 

Edit: He could easily have the physical attributes to be a winger of course. What I mean though is that throughout his footballing education he hasn't been moulded or groomed to be a winger. Pardew is just completely mis-using him.

 

Agree completely. Should be left side of a front three in a 4-3-3. The very position he did so well from to get the goal.

 

Willing to bet good money that if used in that position consistently, then he would dramatically increase his end product in terms of goals and assists for us in our current situation. Pardew is too short-sighted and ignorant to see it though.

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I wonder how long this "renaissance" will last? Don't think he is suddenly going to become a good player somehow.

 

It wasn't really until 26-27 that something clicked with Routledge and he transformed from a very good Championship player to a good solid Premier League player. It's a long shot but if Obertan sorts his head out, he has the raw attributes to have a fair career still.

 

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I wonder how long this "renaissance" will last? Don't think he is suddenly going to become a good player somehow.

 

It wasn't really until 26-27 that something clicked with Routledge and he transformed from a very good Championship player to a good solid Premier League player. It's a long shot but if Obertan sorts his head out, he has the raw attributes to have a fair career still.

 

You really are optimistic. Hope you are right.
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He was the best player on the pitch by a mile yesterday. However the ability to get away from opposition defenders and carry the ball forward in any sort of incisive thrust into opposing territory will risk losing possession and will not be tolerated by Pardew.

Until he reverts to his old way of turning round and passing it back or sideways to where the mass of our defensive formation is he will have no chance of starting a game.

After last weeks performance he must now be close to being dropped

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Maybe I'm going senile but I honestly wouldn't mind seeing Haidara given a few games on the left-wing position. I think it's pretty clear that the strongest part of his game is going forward, he's a natural left-footer and he surely couldn't offer any less than Gouffran. Plus he'll track back plenty to keep Pardew happy.

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