I was having a mooch about on Twitter last night and came across this rather interesting video.
Granted it’s from our 3-1 defeat at Manchester City last weekend so it is slightly tainted, but it does also give us an answer to the Ben Arfa problem.
You see I thought he had a decent game against the likely Champions, which is a fillip in itself given the length of time he’s been out. It’s been a long way back for Hatem but he worked his little French cotton socks off for the team and produced some cracking bits of skill that, to me anyway, went unnoticed first time around. Take a look.
It’s that kind of stuff that changes a workmanlike side into one that can do something that little bit different. I’m always cautious to put too much pressure on the lad as I think it can be a bad thing. However there is little doubt that he can do something that little bit special which means, for me anyway, he is a must to start at Manchester United.
It looks as though he is well on the way to recovery which will only benefit NUFC. He may not be at his brilliant best in every game (which player is??) but when he is on song he’ll be a tricky customer that will worry the opposition no end. Who knows, give it a while and he might start doing this again…
Pulling that out the bag tomorrow would be a start!
I thought he showed glimpses of being the sort of player we all hope he can be, but when its all stuck together in a video, he does look like a class act. Some of the passes etc seemed to surprise teammates, so it could be that they need to get used to playing with him more than anything else. A run in the team would do him the world of good you would think. I can’t remember really any time in the last 6 or 7 years, perhaps longer, that we have had such a natural talent at the club.
Ben Johnson(Quote)
Quality player!
Fan(Quote)
Fantastic video! He brings so much to the team, I don’t see how Pardew could refuse bringing him in
AndrewT(Quote)
Id forgotten how good that goal vs Everton was!
If hes fit he’ll be worked into the team….I am looking forward to tomorrow,another decent test and one we could get something from…..
ToonTom(Quote)
Yup – sorry best, HBA can make the difference
stevep(Quote)
Gutted – got a wedding to attend tomorrow so no chance of a stream for me 🙁
stevep(Quote)
But where is the best position to play him. Do we play him Right wing or go 4-5-1 and sacrifice a striker. Whatever, its a nice problem to have as there is no doubt he is a talent.
Toonanti(Quote)
i thought best was a doubt for tomorrow?… sssooooooo excited. even though newcastle are always expeted to lose against man yoo, after the mackems, i look forward to this game the most!!! Especially with this french trickster!!! 😈
HOWAY THE LADS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😈
nobby(Quote)
That clip helps peps realise we actually play **** silky football too
Liam Southern Toon(Quote)
I’m assuming that since he started against Citeh he has the shirt and will keep it until suspended injured whatever.
lookin at the two videos, but he looked more part of the team than in the everton game. Is that because he has better players around him ?
Premandup(Quote)
That little trick and flick at 1:50 something, by the touchline, was a bit good like.
Just like his little through ball to Ba. I swear I still think he is going to shoot 😆
toonsy(Quote)
Prem – Aye. Ben Arfa and Nolan or Ben Arfa and Cabaye? Which sounds Beyer? :Lol :
toonsy(Quote)
Also later on there is a cracking article from JJ. Plus another if Ben reads his e mail, plus a match preview from shamrock. Busy day 🙂
toonsy(Quote)
Still not sure about this guy, mainly because I haven’t seen much of him. Hope he’s not another Kieron Dyer.
Micky Toon(Quote)
Ben Arfa is actually a good player.
EvilFranky(Quote)
I’d play him v Man Utd, one flash of magic from him could win the game.
Canny vid(think someone posted it the other day) I’d expect him to do that as a minimum every game once he gets his fitness back.
I think he’ll be our match winner tomorrow 😀
richietoon(Quote)
Well how about that? I acutally think we had a great game against City and was pretty upset with the second pen. Anyhow, HBA should start, he is top class and you can´t have your Ferrari in the garage all year =)
Robert G(Quote)
Cabaye looks impressive in the video as well, he’s our very own Xavi!
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
Ben arfa should start behind Ba for me,this kid is improving all the time. If Toite n Obertoon is fit then they should start too. I think the speed of ober would frighten there defence n give us a chance of gettin somethin!
I forgot how good Ben Arfa is, wen he finds the space he will punish any defence, why didn’t Ba just put his laces through that chance n give hart no chance?
HWTL 😈
Big lee(Quote)
I don’t think Ba was expecting the pass…no body did. I think you can tell by how he is standing when the ball is played to him.
EvilFranky(Quote)
He is one of those special players that make the game look easy – always the indication of the real deal. Giggs, Rooney, even Berbatov have it …… oh sh… they are all playing against us tomorrow. 🙂
Tony Toon(Quote)
Like evilfranky said, I think everyone expected Benny to shoot. This is where its not only important for Benny to get back into his stride, but also important for the other players to learn what he can do and react accordingly.
toonsy(Quote)
he is a top class player, someone who can made a difference, i cant wait for the game tomorrow, i think we will draw but am hoping for a win
peter benson(Quote)
i can see us getting 3 goals tomorrow… ferdinand will crumble.
The thing about us getting 3 goals is… they can always get more. we went to old trafford a few years back and got 3 goals.. mint!!!… but they got 5… boooo! 👿
nobby(Quote)
…. and Toonsy, I totally agree. Benny moves to shoot, taking the defender out as he attempts to get in position to block, before slipping it into Ba. In basketball parlance known as a no look pass. Genius and very exciting, our very own Silva (or even Beardsley). When Cabaye and Benny get totally on the same wavelength along with the others of course then personally I think 7th place might even be a disappointment. I think we are certainly capable of splitting Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal and maybe Chelsea who the pundits have decided unanimously will fill the top 6 places along with the Manchester pair. They haven’t yet factored in the effect Benny might have (hopefully).
Tony Toon(Quote)
tony – i’ve got a bet on with the father in law (to be) that we’ll finish higher than arsenal… a bit dicey but not inconceivable! 😈
nobby(Quote)
Rooney is fit for tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s just come up on their site… mind games maybe?
Hopefully pardew is doing a bit of mind games with Tiote 😈
nobby(Quote)
The rehabilitation is now complete……………..Unleash the “H-Bomb” 😀
TonyGreenSupreme(Quote)
Maybe we cud buy some old grannies n stand them on the pitch side so Rooney gets distracted 😀
Big lee(Quote)
Ben arfa sees and makes passes/skills i don’t envisage are possible looking at the telly. We’ll have some player when he’s fit. it’s the little bits of skill like at 1.50 when you think he’s lost it and he has a drop of the shoulder which fools everyone like at 2.38 and for his post chance. Once the team gets used to him ba will get a hatful.
Rorycn (Bottoms up)(Quote)
I know a few people were a bit unsure if he should start against City, probably had a good point as well because every time he has appeared this season or come on as sub he has given the ball away quite a bit. I said for a while the only way to get him up to speed is to start him and thankfully Pardew did against City, he tore City apart at times and was our best player.
By the way is anyone from here going to Bolton away? I’m going up with Dan4toon and a few other lads….Hopefully its third time lucky for me because ive been the last two away games at the reebok 🙁 😆
AndrewNUFC(Quote)
His short passes are absolutely immense. There’s no question that if he and Cabaye can develop a good understanding we’ll have one of the most creative and exciting midfields in the premiership. Only thing about that video that agonises me now is his and Demba’s shot. It really was a lot closer than 3-1 🙁
Newkie(Quote)
have a feeling pardew will go 4-5-1 for man utd with arfa pushing through the middle,not obertans biggest fan but we need him for an outlet on the break,hope we have a good go and will take a draw
bazza(Quote)
I think Ben Arfa will play and get a free role tomorrow. That’ll give Man Utd’s back line some food for thought.
wolfie(Quote)
I’ve just watched that Ben Arfa Man City vid for the 4th time and I still end up rubbing me nob through me jeans while watching it in a trance.
He has to play, he has to play, has to, he has to god **** it . 😆
wolfie(Quote)
Knowing me Knowing Ben, ARFAAAAAA
There is nothing he can’t do
Knowing me Knowing Ben ARFAAAA
TOON4EVA(Quote)
I think the other point that we are all missing though is that, other than the Everton game and City game scened above, how many other games has he actually played?!
They are the only 2 premier league games he’s really played in other than the leg breaking City game of course.
The City clip is outragous… to play with THAT much confidence and ability after SUCH a long time out of the game is unbelievable.
Those of us who still watch soccer AM will know that “unbelievable tekkaz” will see alot of this kid from now on… as long as we can keep him fit.
I remember, about 5-6 years ago, watching a programme about up and coming stars of Europe and it feature Benzema and HBA for France.
I think the way the team is set up, with everyone working to tackle back and win the ball back, we can afford to play him in this team, and based on the evidence of those 2 clips, it has to be through the middle, up front with Ba.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Agreed Sharpy.
wolfie(Quote)
The kids has loads of talent but he needs to work on his fitness big time. Being such a fast lad and one who loves to run with the ball he will need plenty of stamina to be able to put in a decent shift in defence as well. I noticed that he always seemed to be waiting for the ball to pop out to him when others where in their scrambling. If we want to have any shot against Man U we need to defend from the front and put plenty of pressure on the centre backs whenever they have the ball.
Charlietoon(Quote)
Play him in the middle with Cabaye. Let Ba drop deeper and help midfield to make up the 5 and stick Besty or Shola up top.
EP(Quote)