Hatem Ben Arfa (still a free agent)

[steve_69]

Born in the wrong generation unfortunately. He came to the fore just at the time that the game was becoming far more professional than it had been in previous decades. If he'd have been at his peak in the 90s his personality traits would've been accepted, worked around and he'd have thrived. Half the players in that era were pissed, off their tits, going through court, addicted to gambling etc. Look at how adored Cantona was, and that guy was a total cunt!

[AyeDubbleYoo]

Probably right, everything’s a bit more professional/boring now.

[M4]

I don't know, as much as I love the guy and would want the above to be true, can't help but feel he's an all time weirdo, not just a generational one

 

But he's certainly the kind of personality the game needs more than ever.

[Infinitely Content]

I don't know, as much as I love the guy and would want the above to be true, can't help but feel he's an all time weirdo, not just a generational one

 

But he's certainly the kind of personality the game needs more than ever.

 

Absolutely.

[tmonkey]

So he's never had a good manager, then?  This same shit has happened at every club he's been at.  At some point you have to stop making excuses for him.

 

Most mansgers in the game are strict disciplinarians who dont appreciate or know how to handle gifted flair players with attitude problems or teamwork issues. Jealousy amongst footballers is also a huge issue which needs strong man management skills. That's why the likes of Sir Bobby and Keegan are so rare because they had the abilities to handle players like this for the good of the club, and why there's way more Pardews and Sounesses who'll hang the likes of Ben Arfa out to dry at every opportunity.

 

For example when Beresford complained to Keegan about Ginola not tracking back, Keegan told him to not worry about what Ginola does because Ginola would win more games for the team. Basically a "stfu and get on with your job". A lesser manager would've tried to "fix" Ginola and then bench/exile him for "not listening" when these players' personalities are part of what makes them the players they are. Of course some genius flair players are going to have poor attitudes, their arrogance and ego is very much what drives their playstyle.

 

On top of that players like Ben Arfa are generally not good or consistent enough for the bigger sides to bother with. They can get players of a similar ability level without the flaws. Ben Arfa needed to be at a "sleeping giant" type of club who can't attract players of his ability level without the flaws, clubs where its worth putting up with the flaws or compensating for them through tactics/teammates (and telling those teammates to stfu when they whinge) because the player can propel them to heights it's otherwise very hard to achieve. When Hatem hit good form for us in a formation that allowed him more freedom to attack and less defensive duties, we finished 5th, and we've not had a player anywhere near as good since. We should have had the side built around him, but again, a manager who couldn't handle him was in charge. Unfortunately most managers would rather work with a Ritchie or Atsu than a Ben Arfa.

 

So odds were always against Ben Arfa establishing himself over a long term. Needs both right club and right manager in place. For us it was right club, wrong manager. For PSG it was both wrong. For Nice it was both right. For France he never stood a chance with a disciplinarian like Deschamps.

 

He's just unlucky he never found the right combination for long enough, and the buggest blame on him should be his choice of club/manager to sign for. Had he signed for Barca instead of PSG I suspect the latter part of his career would've been different.

[Gallowgate End]

So he's never had a good manager, then?  This same shit has happened at every club he's been at.  At some point you have to stop making excuses for him.

 

Most mansgers in the game are strict disciplinarians who dont appreciate or know how to handle gifted flair players with attitude problems or teamwork issues. Jealousy amongst footballers is also a huge issue which needs strong man management skills. That's why the likes of Sir Bobby and Keegan are so rare because they had the abilities to handle players like this for the good of the club, and why there's way more Pardews and Sounesses who'll hang the likes of Ben Arfa out to dry at every opportunity.

 

For example when Beresford complained to Keegan about Ginola not tracking back, Keegan told him to not worry about what Ginola does because Ginola would win more games for the team. Basically a "stfu and get on with your job". A lesser manager would've tried to "fix" Ginola and then bench/exile him for "not listening" when these players' personalities are part of what makes them the players they are. Of course some genius flair players are going to have poor attitudes, their arrogance and ego is very much what drives their playstyle.

 

On top of that players like Ben Arfa are generally not good or consistent enough for the bigger sides to bother with. They can get players of a similar ability level without the flaws. Ben Arfa needed to be at a "sleeping giant" type of club who can't attract players of his ability level without the flaws, clubs where its worth putting up with the flaws or compensating for them through tactics/teammates (and telling those teammates to stfu when they whinge) because the player can propel them to heights it's otherwise very hard to achieve. When Hatem hit good form for us in a formation that allowed him more freedom to attack and less defensive duties, we finished 5th, and we've not had a player anywhere near as good since. We should have had the side built around him, but again, a manager who couldn't handle him was in charge. Unfortunately most managers would rather work with a Ritchie or Atsu than a Ben Arfa.

 

So odds were always against Ben Arfa establishing himself over a long term. Needs both right club and right manager in place. For us it was right club, wrong manager. For PSG it was both wrong. For Nice it was both right. For France he never stood a chance with a disciplinarian like Deschamps.

 

He's just unlucky he never found the right combination for long enough, and the buggest blame on him should be his choice of club/manager to sign for. Had he signed for Barca instead of PSG I suspect the latter part of his career would've been different.

 

Ben Arfa under someone like Sir Bobby would have been pure joy

 

Shame he never really had that sort of person/manager in his career.

[Sergio]

 

Ben Arfa under someone like Sir Bobby would have been pure joy

 

Shame he never really had that sort of person/manager in his career.

 

Think he'd be good under Eddie Howe, personally.

[LV]

He’s mint

 

Lock thread

[Away Day Gadgie]

 

Ben Arfa under someone like Sir Bobby would have been pure joy

 

Shame he never really had that sort of person/manager in his career.

 

Think he'd be good under Eddie Howe, personally.

 

Good shout.  He’d thrive under that kind of attack-minded stewardship ?

[madras]

So he's never had a good manager, then?  This same shit has happened at every club he's been at.  At some point you have to stop making excuses for him.

 

Most mansgers in the game are strict disciplinarians who dont appreciate or know how to handle gifted flair players with attitude problems or teamwork issues. Jealousy amongst footballers is also a huge issue which needs strong man management skills. That's why the likes of Sir Bobby and Keegan are so rare because they had the abilities to handle players like this for the good of the club, and why there's way more Pardews and Sounesses who'll hang the likes of Ben Arfa out to dry at every opportunity.

 

For example when Beresford complained to Keegan about Ginola not tracking back, Keegan told him to not worry about what Ginola does because Ginola would win more games for the team. Basically a "stfu and get on with your job". A lesser manager would've tried to "fix" Ginola and then bench/exile him for "not listening" when these players' personalities are part of what makes them the players they are. Of course some genius flair players are going to have poor attitudes, their arrogance and ego is very much what drives their playstyle.

 

On top of that players like Ben Arfa are generally not good or consistent enough for the bigger sides to bother with. They can get players of a similar ability level without the flaws. Ben Arfa needed to be at a "sleeping giant" type of club who can't attract players of his ability level without the flaws, clubs where its worth putting up with the flaws or compensating for them through tactics/teammates (and telling those teammates to stfu when they whinge) because the player can propel them to heights it's otherwise very hard to achieve. When Hatem hit good form for us in a formation that allowed him more freedom to attack and less defensive duties, we finished 5th, and we've not had a player anywhere near as good since. We should have had the side built around him, but again, a manager who couldn't handle him was in charge. Unfortunately most managers would rather work with a Ritchie or Atsu than a Ben Arfa.

 

So odds were always against Ben Arfa establishing himself over a long term. Needs both right club and right manager in place. For us it was right club, wrong manager. For PSG it was both wrong. For Nice it was both right. For France he never stood a chance with a disciplinarian like Deschamps.

 

He's just unlucky he never found the right combination for long enough, and the buggest blame on him should be his choice of club/manager to sign for. Had he signed for Barca instead of PSG I suspect the latter part of his career would've been different.

 

Ben Arfa under someone like Sir Bobby would have been pure joy

 

Shame he never really had that sort of person/manager in his career.

Is it worth asking why managers of that style all round Europe never came for him ?

 

My opinion purely but I dont think SBR or Keegan would have signed him.

[Guest godzilla]

So he's never had a good manager, then?  This same s*** has happened at every club he's been at.  At some point you have to stop making excuses for him.

 

Most mansgers in the game are strict disciplinarians who dont appreciate or know how to handle gifted flair players with attitude problems or teamwork issues. Jealousy amongst footballers is also a huge issue which needs strong man management skills. That's why the likes of Sir Bobby and Keegan are so rare because they had the abilities to handle players like this for the good of the club, and why there's way more Pardews and Sounesses who'll hang the likes of Ben Arfa out to dry at every opportunity.

 

For example when Beresford complained to Keegan about Ginola not tracking back, Keegan told him to not worry about what Ginola does because Ginola would win more games for the team. Basically a "stfu and get on with your job". A lesser manager would've tried to "fix" Ginola and then bench/exile him for "not listening" when these players' personalities are part of what makes them the players they are. Of course some genius flair players are going to have poor attitudes, their arrogance and ego is very much what drives their playstyle.

 

On top of that players like Ben Arfa are generally not good or consistent enough for the bigger sides to bother with. They can get players of a similar ability level without the flaws. Ben Arfa needed to be at a "sleeping giant" type of club who can't attract players of his ability level without the flaws, clubs where its worth putting up with the flaws or compensating for them through tactics/teammates (and telling those teammates to stfu when they whinge) because the player can propel them to heights it's otherwise very hard to achieve. When Hatem hit good form for us in a formation that allowed him more freedom to attack and less defensive duties, we finished 5th, and we've not had a player anywhere near as good since. We should have had the side built around him, but again, a manager who couldn't handle him was in charge. Unfortunately most managers would rather work with a Ritchie or Atsu than a Ben Arfa.

 

So odds were always against Ben Arfa establishing himself over a long term. Needs both right club and right manager in place. For us it was right club, wrong manager. For PSG it was both wrong. For Nice it was both right. For France he never stood a chance with a disciplinarian like Deschamps.

 

He's just unlucky he never found the right combination for long enough, and the buggest blame on him should be his choice of club/manager to sign for. Had he signed for Barca instead of PSG I suspect the latter part of his career would've been different.

 

Ben Arfa under someone like Sir Bobby would have been pure joy

 

Shame he never really had that sort of person/manager in his career.

Is it worth asking why managers of that style all round Europe never came for him ?

 

My opinion purely but I dont think SBR or Keegan would have signed him.

 

or Rafa. The lad has talent but his attitude is questionable (you can say the same about Shelvey also).

[Guest]

Only seems to be a problem when he isn't playing, which goes with his cocky/confident attitude. I'm the same way like, I know I'm the bestest in the world, so I get well miffed when I'm picked last.

[sixx]

I dunno. A big part of his appeal for me is his enfant terrible attitude. He's probably horrible to work with at times but I don't really care.

[huss9]

dont think there was ever any real bad attitude on the pitch when he turned out for us.

just tried to do it all himself sometimes when pardew chucked him on at the end if we were losing.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

He's never had a bad attitude on the pitch, supposedly it all happens behind the scenes.

[Newcastle Fan]

Ahh man I feel really lucky to have watched him that season we finished 5th, and was there for both his Blackburn and Bolton goals

[Kanj]

He had 0 issue with Puel. Puel let him do his thing and they had their best season in ages. He only left Nice because his childhood club was in for him and Puel was leaving too, right?

[AyeDubbleYoo]

Yep.

[LoveItIfWeBeatU]

https://twitter.com/goal/status/1135625712453529603/photo/1

[TBG]

Player manager.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

Bienvenue Hatem.

[Guest]

Wonder if someone like Villa or Norwich would take a punt.

[Colos Short and Curlies]

Perez replacement on a free?

[Mike]

Perez replacement on a free?

 

Dunno how he'd fit into Sherwood's British only multiple poppies pinned formation.

[Cheshire Mag]

Too old for Ashley’s NUFC