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Alan Pardew has conceded he is still trying to figure out how to get the best out of mercurial winger Hatem Ben Arfa ahead of Newcastle's game against Chelsea this weekend.

 

Ben Arfa has proved he can be a match-winner on his day but his form has been hit and miss in a season of mixed performances where he has often drifted in and out of matches.

 

Pardew insisted Newcastle, who lost to north-east rivals Sunderland last weekend, are in desperate need of greater consistency in the mercurial Frenchman's play.

 

"The truth with Hatem is we need a consistency in his play, and that's what we are searching for in the team," Pardew said.

 

"The decision-making process of Hatem is sometimes crucial, taking players on or playing it quickly. It's that balance that we are trying to get in the team that's right for Hatem and right for us."

 

Newcastle are without a win in their last three matches ahead of the visit of Jose Mourinho's side on Saturday. Pardew confessed his admiration for the Portuguese coach and knows his side will have their work cut out against a manager at the "top of his game".

 

He said: "Because he has that flamboyant character and he can be amusing and articulate in the same sentence, it sometimes takes attention away from the professionalism he brings to the training ground and the organisation.

 

"I always find when you play him, his teams are very, very well organised and very difficult to break down, and that's why he gets the wins he gets.

 

"You can see Jose is comfortable at Chelsea and you can see in his demeanour that he is at the top of his game at the minute, so it's tough to cross swords with him when he is like that."

 

Yep, best to bench him  :lol: :lol:

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May well be against the bigger teams he'll make way because in Pardle's eyes he can't be trusted but against the 10 men behind the ball merchants at home he still has to be a starter for me.

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Its horrible as a fan to hear the team and find out Benny is on the bench, as its such a privilege to watch him play. That said its a team game and right now he looks so out of sorts and like a long wolf when he dies play. Not sure if we can carry on blaming the rest of the team for not moving or giving him an option, he is ball greedy and seems to think more about him being great instead of him helping the team be great

I have 100% faith he will be fine and learn to be part of the team more than he is now, must be so tough to man manage a player like him.

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Hatem Bench Arfa again.

 

Pardew really is something else. Two years on from preferring Obertan to HBA for half a season and here we are again. Unbelievable.

Much as I think Obertan is gash, we were getting results during that period and there wasn't any reason to change it.

 

HBA would have been clear and scored if he'd been put clear like Obertan was today mind, not leave the ball behind.

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just over 18 months to go on his current deal and he's suddenly not in the team.

 

There was a bit in the papers about him being offered a new contract in January, and then again at the start of this season - looks like nothing has happened yet though.

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Ben Arfa is the most gifted player in our squad by a mile, but he's not made it count enough to stay in the side. Remy isn't as skillful but he makes better decisions and executes them faster so he ends up being far more effective as a team player.

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Ben Arfa is the most gifted player in our squad by a mile, but he's not made it count enough to stay in the side. Remy isn't as skillful but he makes better decisions and executes them faster so he ends up being far more effective as a team player.

 

This - on the button. Remy has more pace off the mark too, HBA relies on feet trickery to beat the first defender...and the second,,,and the third...!

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Ben Arfa holding onto the ball too long is fine when he's using it well and terrorising defences, but he hasn't been, so it's been very annoying to see him dispossessed or refuse to play a simple ball.

 

I've still got a lot of time for him. Ben Arfa in the right frame of mind and making the right decisions is by far and away the most dangerous player at the club and our biggest asset. And I have every faith he will get back to that level and add consistency to his game. One positive has been the niggly injuries have disappeared, so he's available for selection more often than not. I'm not sure the weight gain has been a decision made by the club or Ben Arfa has lost control a little.

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Ben Arfa holding onto the ball too long is fine when he's using it well and terrorising defences, but he hasn't been, so it's been very annoying to see him dispossessed or refuse to play a simple ball.

 

I've still got a lot of time for him. Ben Arfa in the right frame of mind and making the right decisions is by far and away the most dangerous player at the club and our biggest asset. And I have every faith he will get back to that level and add consistency to his game. One positive has been the niggly injuries have disappeared, so he's available for selection more often than not. I'm not sure the weight gain has been a decision made by the club or Ben Arfa has lost control a little.

 

I think it must have something to do with the genius of our manager playing him centrally where he doesn't get enough time on the ball. He always dwells, but it's less costly outside, and his ability to cut inside and shoot or outside and cross is something we're lacking with Sissoko on that side. We need to just go back to a 4-3-3 at the moment with Remy and Benny on each side of Gouff.

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