Vurnon Anita (now playing for RKC Waalwijk)

[BrettNUFC]

I wonder why Pardew is so reluctant to try the things that seem so obvious. It can't be that it hasn't crossed his mind.

 

He's just scared tbh. Cabaye and Tiote worked when we finished 5th.

 

If it aint broke don't fix it, if it breaks just leave it and hope it doesn't get worse - Alan Pardew

 

That's never a real quote is it 

 

[Mole_Toonfan]

I think Vurnon needs to be replaced by a proper defensive midfielder for most games tbh. Someone in the Song mould.

 

I do like him as a player but that midfield will get bullied quite badly.

 

With someone the size of Sissoko we really shouldn't be concerned about being bullied.

 

 

I never saw him in France but he's looked about as far removed from a defensive player as you can get so far for us.

 

Tbf that's because Pardew has used as a offensive player..... he can do a job defensively as an box to box midfielder.

 

Besides its not really about being a defensive powerhouse tbh in that set up, as Arsenal showed with Arteta-Diaby before Diaby got injured its more about having some physical presence in there to relief the pressure.

 

Sissoko provides that in spades, its a very balanced midfield in my view if only Pardew could see it....

[Geordie Ahmed]

Big fan of Anita, think under a proper manager he would excel in this league

 

It's criminal when someone like Jonas gets picked ahead of him

[Revolution]

I wonder why Pardew is so reluctant to try the things that seem so obvious. It can't be that it hasn't crossed his mind.

 

He's just scared tbh. Cabaye and Tiote worked when we finished 5th.

 

If it aint broke don't fix it, if it breaks just leave it and hope it doesn't get worse - Alan Pardew

 

That's never a real quote is it 

 

[TRon]

I think Vurnon needs to be replaced by a proper energetic defensive midfielder for most games tbh. Someone in the Song mould.

 

I do like him as a player but that midfield will get bullied quite badly.

 

Why is that, because of their size? Why is it that the Spanish midfield doesn't get bullied then? If players like Anita can't compete in the middle of the park then why do we buy them?

 

 

[Guest alijmitchell]

I don't like this 'too small, will get bullied' patter. I don't think that many teams in the PL have really physical midfielders - e.g. Liverpool, Chelsea, Man U, Arsenal, Villa. I think it could work, and Cabaye/Siss are physical enough (in terms of putting the foot in).

[Ikon]

I'd play Anita with Cabaye and Sissoko. Anita playing the "quarter back" position starting the attacks spraying the ball around like he used to do when he played at Ajax. Sissoko box to box and Cabaye in a bit more advanced position. Cabaye might not have the dribbling and powerful running but im sure he will still do really well there with Sissoko doing more of the running from midfield. That would give us great balance in midfield.

 

This doesn't mean that they can't switch during the game. But at least it's good basics to start from. Im confident that with this setup we'd be much much much better in possession and therefore not put under pressure as often as usual cause we can't keep hold of the fucking ball for more than

5 seconds. Fucking annoying that the cunt in charge can't let the players do what they are best at instead of forcing them to do stuff that isn't their strongest attributes.

 

And that the snake prefers butchers and hard working players thinking that it will keep it tight instead of focusing on the players and what their strengths are. Attacking and defending as a unit, having some natural flow and movement. You don't drive a F1 car in the fucking woods!

[ads]

He's not too lightweight for the league, that's bullshit. He's too lightweight for Pardew.

[Hanshithispantz]

It's not about being small, lightweight etc, if our players were technically good enough to play like Benfica and we had a manager capable of getting it done then fair enough, we haven't though, to both points.

[Al Moody]

I'd play Anita with Cabaye and Sissoko. Anita playing the "quarter back" position starting the attacks spraying the ball around like he used to do when he played at Ajax. Sissoko box to box and Cabaye in a bit more advanced position. Cabaye might not have the dribbling and powerful running but im sure he will still do really well there with Sissoko doing more of the running from midfield. That would give us great balance in midfield.

 

This doesn't mean that they can't switch during the game. But at least it's good basics to start from. Im confident that with this setup we'd be much much much better in possession and therefore not put under pressure as often as usual cause we can't keep hold of the f***ing ball for more than

5 seconds. f***ing annoying that the c*** in charge can't let the players do what they are best at instead of forcing them to do stuff that isn't their strongest attributes.

 

And that the snake prefers butchers and hard working players thinking that it will keep it tight instead of focusing on the players and what their strengths are. Attacking and defending as a unit, having some natural flow and movement. You don't drive a F1 car in the f***ing woods!

 

 

So frustrating knowing that he won't go for it, the massive mug that he is.

 

                                  Cisse

 

          Remy                                          HBA

 

                        Sissoko    Cabaye

                                  Anita

 

If I thought we were going to set up like this I'd be so excited for the season. As it is I'm full of 

[Guest alijmitchell]

It's not about being small, lightweight etc, if our players were technically good enough to play like Benfica and we had a manager capable of getting it done then fair enough, we haven't though, to both points.

 

I agree there, though I don't want it to become a Pardew bashing thread, I do believe that the way we aim to play doesn't make use of his talents. I think he would work very well in a passing and moving game. His own movement is very good, and he releases the ball quickly, forward and into space. He made some excellent balls out wide for Debuchy to run onto, similarly with Sammy. In fact, if we were playing a really continental style pass and move game, I'd play him Sissoko and Marveaux, dropping Cabaye.

[Danh1]

Agreed with the above by Geordie Ahmed. Pardew holds us back so much with his none existant tactics. Sadly we'd never attract anyone better under this bunch of cunts either.

 

Depresses me as we have some cracking players.

[Barnes23]

I really wish Anita would start but we all know deep down that he isn't going to. Same with Bigi, we would all hope he would get his fair share of game time but unless injuries strike we are rarely going to see him. Which is a shame on both accounts.

 

Never seen enough from either to suggest they deserve a first XI place. Jury is still out on the quality of Anita for me, and I doubt he will ever show his quality under Pardew. Seems to be a player with a very specific role who only flourishes in a team playing in a certain way. He might look a good player for Swansea or Liverpool.

[BrettNUFC]

I really wish Anita would start but we all know deep down that he isn't going to. Same with Bigi, we would all hope he would get his fair share of game time but unless injuries strike we are rarely going to see him. Which is a shame on both accounts.

 

Never seen enough from either to suggest they deserve a first XI place. Jury is still out on the quality of Anita for me, and I doubt he will ever show his quality under Pardew. Seems to be a player with a very specific role who only flourishes in a team playing in a certain way. He might look a good player for Swansea or Liverpool.

 

I thought he looked good under Pardew around the Xmas period when playing regularly and Tiote was injured then off to African Nations, didn't think he deserved to lose his place as soon as Tiote came back, thought Bigi accounted himself well around the same sort of period.

[themanupstairs]

I'd play Anita with Cabaye and Sissoko. Anita playing the "quarter back" position starting the attacks spraying the ball around like he used to do when he played at Ajax. Sissoko box to box and Cabaye in a bit more advanced position. Cabaye might not have the dribbling and powerful running but im sure he will still do really well there with Sissoko doing more of the running from midfield. That would give us great balance in midfield.

 

This doesn't mean that they can't switch during the game. But at least it's good basics to start from. Im confident that with this setup we'd be much much much better in possession and therefore not put under pressure as often as usual cause we can't keep hold of the f***ing ball for more than

5 seconds. f***ing annoying that the c*** in charge can't let the players do what they are best at instead of forcing them to do stuff that isn't their strongest attributes.

 

And that the snake prefers butchers and hard working players thinking that it will keep it tight instead of focusing on the players and what their strengths are. Attacking and defending as a unit, having some natural flow and movement. You don't drive a F1 car in the f***ing woods!

 

 

So frustrating knowing that he won't go for it, the massive mug that he is.

 

                                  Cisse

 

          Remy                                          HBA

 

                        Sissoko    Cabaye

                                  Anita

 

If I thought we were going to set up like this I'd be so excited for the season. As it is I'm full of 

 

our best current line up imo

[AlanSkÃrare]

It's not about being small, lightweight etc, if our players were technically good enough to play like Benfica and we had a manager capable of getting it done then fair enough, we haven't though, to both points.

 

And if our defensive effort was collective/our pressing was effective in the right areas.

 

I made the exact same argument in the Tioté thread earlier today.

http://www.newcastle-online.org/nufcforum/index.php/topic,70930.msg4556936.html#msg4556936

 

Doesn't matter how big they are, it's about not having to rely on the Stoke approach of defending. Look at Dortmund tackling the living shit out of every midfield with Gündogan and Sahin.

[Mole_Toonfan]

That set up would be ok with Tiote as well if for any reason you wanted a different type in there or just rotation purposes.

 

The biggest reason Tiote and Cabaye is so shit is because they basically stand on each others toes.

 

 

[Ronaldo]

I don't like this 'too small, will get bullied' patter. I don't think that many teams in the PL have really physical midfielders - e.g. Liverpool, Chelsea, Man U, Arsenal, Villa. I think it could work, and Cabaye/Siss are physical enough (in terms of putting the foot in).

 

What rubbish.

[duo]

He's not too lightweight for the league, that's bullshit. He's too lightweight for Pardew.

He's not Jonas that's the problem.

[Guest alijmitchell]

I don't like this 'too small, will get bullied' patter. I don't think that many teams in the PL have really physical midfielders - e.g. Liverpool, Chelsea, Man U, Arsenal, Villa. I think it could work, and Cabaye/Siss are physical enough (in terms of putting the foot in).

 

What rubbish.

 

I don't really see which of those sides have greater physicality than a 3 of Anita, Cabaye and Sissoko? Chelsea perhaps?

 

[Tisd09]

We have many technically gifted players at the club Anita is one of those, would love to see what a football playing manager could do with our players. I don't buy that you have up have this dominate ball winning midfielder in your team to win things. Man Utd did well enough last season without one. Yaya at Man City is more of a threat going forward, Arsenal hardly have that physicality in midfield these days. I am not saying a team doesn't need one but it is not essential that you have one if your midfield play as a unit and in the main keep hold of the ball.

[Ronaldo]

I don't like this 'too small, will get bullied' patter. I don't think that many teams in the PL have really physical midfielders - e.g. Liverpool, Chelsea, Man U, Arsenal, Villa. I think it could work, and Cabaye/Siss are physical enough (in terms of putting the foot in).

 

What rubbish.

 

I don't really see which of those sides have greater physicality than a 3 of Anita, Cabaye and Sissoko? Chelsea perhaps?

 

 

None of their players fail to compete in CM like Anita and Cabaye. That's the difference, mate.

[Chris_R]

I'd play Anita with Cabaye and Sissoko. Anita playing the "quarter back" position starting the attacks spraying the ball around like he used to do when he played at Ajax. Sissoko box to box and Cabaye in a bit more advanced position. Cabaye might not have the dribbling and powerful running but im sure he will still do really well there with Sissoko doing more of the running from midfield. That would give us great balance in midfield.

 

This doesn't mean that they can't switch during the game. But at least it's good basics to start from. Im confident that with this setup we'd be much much much better in possession and therefore not put under pressure as often as usual cause we can't keep hold of the f***ing ball for more than

5 seconds. f***ing annoying that the c*** in charge can't let the players do what they are best at instead of forcing them to do stuff that isn't their strongest attributes.

 

And that the snake prefers butchers and hard working players thinking that it will keep it tight instead of focusing on the players and what their strengths are. Attacking and defending as a unit, having some natural flow and movement. You don't drive a F1 car in the f***ing woods!

 

 

So frustrating knowing that he won't go for it, the massive mug that he is.

 

                                  Cisse

 

          Remy                                          HBA

 

                        Sissoko    Cabaye

                                  Anita

 

If I thought we were going to set up like this I'd be so excited for the season. As it is I'm full of 

 

That lineup is exactly what we should play. 100%.

 

Instead we all know it'll be:

 

                        Cisse or Remy

 

 

Sissoko                                                      HBA

 

                            Cabaye

                        Tiote    Jonas

 

 

 

Or even worse (and sadly probably more likely):

 

 

                Cisse    Remy

 

Jonas      Cabaye  Tiote      Sissoko

 

With HBA coming off the bench after 60 minutes.

 

[Ronaldo]

We have many technically gifted players at the club Anita is one of those, would love to see what a football playing manager could do with our players. I don't buy that you have up have this dominate ball winning midfielder in your team to win things. Man Utd did well enough last season without one. Yaya at Man City is more of a threat going forward, Arsenal hardly have that physicality in midfield these days. I am not saying a team doesn't need one but it is not essential that you have one if your midfield play as a unit and in the main keep hold of the ball.

 

I don't want us playing with a DM either. But in CM you need players who can keep the ball, win the ball and move it forward under pressure. Sissoko aside we've nobody I have real faith in to do this.

[Mole_Toonfan]

Its not really rubbish though.... Arteta-Ramsey-Rosicky/Wilshere is hardly the most physical of midfields and Arsenal had the 2nd best defense in the league last year, Man Utd's is hardly physical with Carrick and Cleverly, neither is Liverpool's with Lucas, Gerrard and Henderson or Swansea's with Allen, De Guzman and Michu i could go on and on really.

 

Is City's anymore physical with Yaya, Silva, Nasri and Barry? or is Chelsea's with Ramires and Lampard?

 

I'd accept Cabaye and Anita would be lightweight and a bit too passive but with Sissoko in there i really don't see the issue.