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Newcastle United vs Aston Villa - 05/02/12 @ 1:30pm (Sky) - Pre-match thread


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Perch has done surprisingly well this season when he's been called upon. Suppose this is Pardew rewarding him in light of Benny's poor form.

 

Still think it's not a good decision though.

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Perch has done surprisingly well this season when he's been called upon. Suppose this is Pardew rewarding him in light of Benny's poor form.

 

Still think it's not a good decision though.

It's hardly poor form though, it was like 1 and a half games of average form in comparison to the rest of the squad
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Guest ykmkmdd

Obviously worried about Ben Arfa having to help defend against N'Zogbia, which explains the Raylor inclusion.

 

On balance, probably makes sense to start off cautious with attacking options on the bench rather than start all guns blazing and get caught out on the break...guessing that's the thinking anwyay...

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looks like it will be early crosses from deep and long balls up to Best's head with the hope that it falls kindly for us or somehow makes its way to Ba.

 

well it worked quite well earlier in the season, but i would've hoped with cisse due to be transitioned into the side we'd have started trying to do something different as that tactic won't work with him. maybe if we're on top later he'll come, but it will probably be for Ba.

 

on top of that villa's major weakness is having horrific full-backs who can't cope with quick, tricky wingers yet we leave ben arfa and obertan out, as well as unwieldy centre-halves who hate movement but arent bad in the air.

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Not sure why Pardew persisted with Obertan when he was utter shite, and now leaves Ben Arfa out. He really needs game time to get back to his best. 

 

Think it's pretty clear he doesn't trust Ben Arfa at all.

 

Either he's trying to mold Ben Arfa into a more hard working player through this tough treatment of him, or else he doesn't want him here long term.

 

The fact that he changed the system for him the last few games seems encouraging, but I really don't have a clue how it'll all end up tbh.

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It's hardly poor form though, it was like 1 and a half games of average form in comparison to the rest of the squad

 

And with crappy attackers ahead of him. Certainly. Annoying decision. He should be given longer and with Demba and/or Cissé.

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I wouldn't read too much into the Ben Arfa thing. As Crumpy pointed out the other day, Pardew obviously just doesn't think we have enough steel in the midfield with both Tiote and Cabaye missing. Considering the performance at Blackburn, he's probably right.

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Unless Ba can raise the performances of those around him (which he's very much capable of doing tbf) that line-up will struggle to retain possession IMO. Perch and Guthrie won't be able to move forward or progress the play, so they'll end up passing it back to the defence, who will blast it up.

 

Can only hope we abandon our insanely high line when defending. Agbonlahor will love it. (if he's playing).

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Unless Ba can raise the performances of those around him (which he's very much capable of doing tbf) that line-up will struggle to retain possession IMO. Perch and Guthrie won't be able to move forward or progress the play, so they'll end up passing it back to the defence, who will blast it up.

 

Can only hope we abandon our insanely high line when defending. Agbonlahor will love it. (if he's playing).

 

Which he ain't. ;)

 

Bent loves it though.

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