johnnypd Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 I feel like this guy has been walking on glass and rusty nails all season, wary of cutting himself. Regardless of whether he starts or is a useful substitute (I feel he is at his best as the "first substitute", though we don't have anyone that should keep him out the team), I just want a situation where he can play freely and without constantly being under so much pressure. Bewteen fan expectation, Pardew's reluctance to use him, and Hatem's own self-belief and arrogance, it feels like the World Cup final every time he steps on the pitch for us. This is even the case against Championship teams such as Wolves. he needs a run of games to get over that, something pardew seems unlikely to give him despite extending the same courtesy to lesser players. incredibly frustrating for us fans, so i can only imagine how it feels for Ben Arfa. reminds me of this post by M4: Every time I hear about him needing more time before he can play, about him not being ready yet it reminds me of that joke about a guy who buys a house near a rail road. He's told "don't worry, after three nights you won't even notice the trains any more". So he says "I'll spend the first three nights at the hotel". All he needs is to play. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hughesy Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 What I don't quite understand is why people seem to think you can only have talent or hard work. Beardsley combined both and Ben arfa isn't fit to lace his boots. There is no reason why Ben arfa should be exempted from hard work because he is talented. He should be encouraged (or told) to work for the team and get on with it. Care to point to some examples where he hasn't worked hard for the team? Wasn't really the point - more pointing out that it is perfectly acceptable to expect talent and industry. The point is that it's perhaps a bit of a myth that HBA is lazy. Also you don't get many players with the flair of Beardsley that will chase down every ball like a total lunatic. For example Bergkamp was clearly a pretty impeccable professional but you could be forgiven for thinking he was a bit aloof at times. Suppose I'm saying it's not black and white, just because he doesn't work as hard as Beardsley doesn't mean he doesn't put the work in that you'd expect of a flair player. I agree that stereotypical flair player doesn't chase down every ball. But chasing down every ball is something that can be taught/encouraged without a marked downturn in that flair player's effectiveness. But it is difficult to teach a hard worker to become more talented. FWIW - I want Ben Arfa to play. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unbelievable Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 What I don't quite understand is why people seem to think you can only have talent or hard work. Beardsley combined both and Ben arfa isn't fit to lace his boots. There is no reason why Ben arfa should be exempted from hard work because he is talented. He should be encouraged (or told) to work for the team and get on with it. Care to point to some examples where he hasn't worked hard for the team? Wasn't really the point - more pointing out that it is perfectly acceptable to expect talent and industry. The point is that it's perhaps a bit of a myth that HBA is lazy. Also you don't get many players with the flair of Beardsley that will chase down every ball like a total lunatic. For example Bergkamp was clearly a pretty impeccable professional but you could be forgiven for thinking he was a bit aloof at times. Suppose I'm saying it's not black and white, just because he doesn't work as hard as Beardsley doesn't mean he doesn't put the work in that you'd expect of a flair player. I agree that stereotypical flair player doesn't chase down every ball. But chasing down every ball is something that can be taught/encouraged without a marked downturn in that flair player's effectiveness. But it is difficult to teach a hard worker to become more talented. FWIW - I want Ben Arfa to play. I see you've fully bought into Pardew's nonsense about Ben Arfa's lack of work rate.. Well done. I prefer to use my own eyes to make such a judgement on a player. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Interpolic Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 It's not even just about the fact he's not starting, it's even worse than that as he's not even getting off the bench for 3 games in a row and is then expected to come in when we're struggling and save our bacon. I'd rather he was starting every week but failing that you'd at least expect him to be getting 20+ minutes each game to prevent this ridiculous situation where he's got it all to prove every time he's on the pitch. It's just been comically mismanaged and I hope we don't regret it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 I think I've said before on here but I'd be amazed if he was still here next season, especially given he is going to miss out on the France squad I'd have thought given his total lack of game time. I massively don't get the not throwing him on when we're getting beat and hoying on Gosling, Lovenkrands or some other joke. Like most foreigners in their early stages of English career the lad still needs to adapt to the pace of the game but this is being denied to him for IMO no good reason. There genuinely doesn't seem to any form of coherent plan with him. Screams of Tevez at West Ham all over again, even though he had the workrate. If/when he does go we better replace him with an out and out attacking winger who Pardew trusts & isn't shite mind. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hanshithispantz Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 It's not even just about the fact he's not starting, it's even worse than that as he's not even getting off the bench for 3 games in a row and is then expected to come in when we're struggling and save our bacon. I'd rather he was starting every week but failing that you'd at least expect him to be getting 20+ minutes each game to prevent this ridiculous situation where he's got it all to prove every time he's on the pitch. It's just been comically mismanaged and I hope we don't regret it. Spot on, I am really more worried about the long term disadvanges, like. It just feels like we've wasted a massive opportunity over the past 6-7 months or so to experiment with him if anything else. We could have a genuinely brilliant footballer on our right/left wing now and in the future had things went a little differently, I do feel that has passed now though due to the fans reactions against Wolves, it seems almost impossible he'll actually be given a chance now (from either Pardew or the crowd). Obertan for probably over a dozen games on the belt ffs, it actually makes me sick. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alberto2005 Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 Obertan's pretty good. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teasy Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hatem garrincha Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 I don't know why, I feel he'll start sunday Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Interpolic Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 Absolutely no chance imo. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parky Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 I don't know why, I feel he'll start sunday Is there any need for this kind of cruelty? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
morpeth mag Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 Think Pards is going to throw a curve ball and play HBA - especially if they think about playing Richardson as full back Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
madras Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 Think Pards is going to throw a curve ball and play HBA - especially if they think about playing Richardson as full back i was thinking he may do that if there was any doubt over cisse. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sifu Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 I think Pardew now sees Ben Arfa as a wildcard which is definitely the wrong role/description for the lad. A part-time role will do Hatem no good whatsoever - it simply won't get the best out of him. Having said that, I'm still going to keep telling myself that things/the situation could yet improve (this is perhaps a futile/stupid thing to do but I honestly think that all is not lost yet). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
toon25 Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 Pardew on Absolute Radio phone-in talking about HBA. Says he's still 'finding his way' and next year is going to be 'big' for him. Also says he can play anywhere in the front line. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cajun Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 Pardew on Absolute Radio phone-in talking about HBA. Says he's still 'finding his way' and next year is going to be 'big' for him. Also says he can play anywhere in the front line. Wants him out etc.. That being said if he trusts him enough to think it will be a big year for him next season I don't see why he shouldn't be given more chances this. Unless he means 'Big' = make or break. Either way it doesn't look like we want rid. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KDT Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 Pardew told Mick Lowes that HBA may have more of a significant role tomorrow Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
toon25 Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 Pardew on Absolute Radio phone-in talking about HBA. Says he's still 'finding his way' and next year is going to be 'big' for him. Also says he can play anywhere in the front line. Wants him out etc.. That being said if he trusts him enough to think it will be a big year for him next season I don't see why he shouldn't be given more chances this. Unless he means 'Big' = make or break. Either way it doesn't look like we want rid. It didn't sound like it, which is good, but we all know AP talks a good game. Interestingly he put great emphasis on HBA's injury. Said it was very serious and was bound to take time to get over. Seemed to imply this was a season of 'adjustment' for him. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BlacknWhiteArmy Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 Pardew on Absolute Radio phone-in talking about HBA. Says he's still 'finding his way' and next year is going to be 'big' for him. Also says he can play anywhere in the front line. Would love him to stay, got to hope that he's convinced. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sifu Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 Pardew on Absolute Radio phone-in talking about HBA. Says he's still 'finding his way' and next year is going to be 'big' for him. Also says he can play anywhere in the front line. Wants him out etc.. That being said if he trusts him enough to think it will be a big year for him next season I don't see why he shouldn't be given more chances this. Unless he means 'Big' = make or break. Either way it doesn't look like we want rid. It didn't sound like it, which is good, but we all know AP talks a good game. Interestingly he put great emphasis on HBA's injury. Said it was very serious and was bound to take time to get over. Seemed to imply this was a season of 'adjustment' for him. Sounds like the Ramsey situation at Arsenal a couple of seasons ago. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Icke - Son of God Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 Pardew on Absolute Radio phone-in talking about HBA. Says he's still 'finding his way' and next year is going to be 'big' for him. Also says he can play anywhere in the front line. What he clearly meant was "when we peddle Simpson in the summer and replace him with someone half decent then I'll play HBA" Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Varadi Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 Pardew told Mick Lowes that HBA may have more of a significant role tomorrow ooh interesting - could he confound us all and chuck him on from the start?? (maybe wide left if they have a makeshift full back...) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parky Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 Good news if he means what he says. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkie Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 Sure it would give players and fans another huge boost at kick-off if he was starting. No reason why he shouldn't when he'll probably be up against Kieran Richardson at left-back. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JH Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 If he plays, it won't be at right midfield. There's no way R.Taylor won't start after the game of SoL. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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