Baggio

Certain comments from Pardew make me think this is the case even if he is too experienced with the media to come out and say it. “Before I arrived, there were suggestions that he had played wide and didn’t want to play there. But Hatem has to understand that it’s about the team, and where we think he fits in best is where we are going to put him. But his talent was there for everybody to see today.” This isn't the first time he's hinted that Ben Arfa has no interested in playing out wide, I can remember a few more comments over the past 12 months that I posted on N-O but can't see them now as I'm banned, then you throw in the fact that it wasn't just Obertan that he played wide right ahead of him but Ryan Taylor and Sammi Ameobi too and it just all adds up for me.

Played 23 Points 39 So we're now 9 points above 8th with 45 points left to play for, it's not in the bag but we're in a great position. We still need the FA cup to have 2 of the top 7 in the final to open up 7th place for a European spot however going into the 5th round none of the 4 remaining clubs are drawn against each other, they've all got decent draws too apart from Arsenal who are away to either Boro or Sunderland but they will still be the favourites.

I think he'll be off in the summer if this 4-3-3 doesn't work with Ba and Cisse. We just can't accommodate him and I'm convinced he's made it clear he doesn't want to play on the right wing in a 4-4-2.

Didn't we have this discussion about a month ago where you didn't like people saying we had hard fixtures during November and December as the reason we didn't pick up many points? Yet you now point out that the 9 points out of 12 we've picked up in January have come against bottom 5 teams.

If they do play it will be interesting to see if he continues with 4-3-3 or goes back to the 4-4-2 that he's had so much success with this season.

I've got a feeling this one will be a draw with how Villa set up away from home, that's what they will be playing for.

I think it will be a draw, 0-0 maybe.

I think the financial fair play rules have slowed a lot of clubs down.

I doubt they would sell their captain while they are challenging for the title tbh.

The only reason I can see Pardew persisting with the 4-3-3 is that he see's it as our long term formation when Ba and Cisse are with us, however tonight he should have dropped back to 4-4-2 at half time when it clearly wasn't working. The frustrating thing is that I could understand it if Brighton raised their game but they were worse than us, we controlled the tempo and had the majority of chances but the formation left Shola completely isolated, I don't think either him or Best had a bad game but they were just too far away from each other so everything they did was solo effort rather than team play. Ben Arfa was a waste of space apart from one quality pass and Jonas wasn't in the game at all in the second half, personally I thought we looked pretty solid with Guthrie and Cabaye sat in front of the back 4 and it was a fluke own goal that gifted them it. The worst thing was I never felt we could get back in the game after they took the lead.

I can't remember a half of football where a player has given the ball away as much as Ben Arfa has here. The game is being played like a friendly and we need to up the pace, Pardew should consider switching to 4-4-2 here so Jonas can double up on the fullback.

Brilliant run from Welbeck, I've got my hopes up of Sammi Ameobi ending up like him as he reminds me of Welbeck when he first came on the scene. Probably end up like his brother knowing our luck.

Wolves are this weekend weighing up a loan raid on Newcastle to freshen up their attack before the transfer deadline shuts. Leon Best and Peter Lovenkrands are being eyed by Molineux top brass after being made available by boss Alan Pardew. Read more: http://www.expressan.../#ixzz1klGrW36K

I hope this one is a draw just to give Liverpool more games.

Looks like Dalglish in disguise.

NEWCASTLE United may have their hand forced in the race to sign Wilfried Zaha. United were looking at a summer move for Zaha, but Bolton Wanderers have now made an official enquiry – and Stoke City are set to follow suit. The Trotters are keen to sign Zaha this month in their bid to avoid relegation, which means the stakes have been raised. The Chronicle understands that talks between Eagles co-chairmen Martin Long and Steve Parish have taken place with United officials this week in the aftermath of Palace’s Carling Cup exit on penalties to Cardiff City. Progress to the final – where they would have faced Liverpool next month – for Zaha and the Selhurst Park club would have put the midfielder’s exit on hold until the summer. But with Palace still in financial recovery after plunging into administration in 2010, they must take all bids seriously. United have been interested in Zaha for some time, but Liverpool are also monitoring the situation. Zaha only signed a five-year contract earlier this season, yet that was merely to protect one of Crystal Palace’s assets as well as rewarding the 19-year-old for his progress. Yet United remain firmly interested in Zaha and the sticking point appears to be just how much it would take to prise the Ivory Coast-born young gun away from the Championship side. Figures as high as £10m have already been mooted on the football circuit. Failure to land Zaha now would then see the move revisited in the summer by United. Former Palace player Alan Pardew is believed to be keen on Zaha and, while the England Under-19 international is understandably still raw, the Londoner feels he can work on both his finishing and final product into the box. United are staying cool in the last few days of the transfer window, although it is understood that a third offer for Watford centre-back Adrian Mariappa has been rejected. The Hornets are holding out for £4m for the player and, while Swansea City boss Brendan Rogers is keen on the defender having bossed him while in charge at Watford, another of Mariappa’s ex-managers in Malky Mackay – of Carling Cup finalists Cardiff City – is also prepared to take him to Wales. However, Newcastle – who had Mariappa watched by John Carver and Steve Stone during his side’s 1-0 FA Cup fourth round defeat by Spurs last night – are at ease with the situation and will not spend beyond their budget. This is largely down to the fact that potential plans are in place to bring defensive target Douglas of FC Twente to Tyneside next summer. Newcastle have also expressed an interest in Ajax captain Jan Vertonghen, but the Belgian is thought to be holding out for a bigger club according to those close to the 24-year-old. His former Ajax boss Martin Jol would love to take him to Fulham, but with Arsenal interested, Vertonghen will wait before deciding on his next move. http://www.chronicle...703-30215055/2/

henrywinter Henry Winter How do you solve a problem like Mariappa? Adebayor can't get past him. Mariappa outstanding. No wonder #nufc interested in #watfordfc cb 16 hours ago

While it was harsh on Hughton that Pardew was offered the job of replacing him while he was still here it was more beneficial for us rather than sacking him and then scratching our heads looking for a replacement. It was less than 2 months rather than 6 from what I remember with a reprieve coming after beating Sunderland and Arsenal back to back.

2-2 is my prediction.

3rd bid made. http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/newcastle-united/nufc-news/2012/01/27/newcastle-united-table-third-bid-for-mariappa-72703-30211828/?

Thank you alex, it's nice to know my efforts are appreciated.

Yes they backed down, I've posted a link to it on the previous page.

Is the 4-3-3 we've been playing lately purely to accommodate Ben Arfa? If it is then it doesn't matter how well he's playing individually if the team isn't performing as well, time will tell how well we adapt but it's a risk to change mid season after our current points total and league position. Definitely a gamble.

Although apparently they can now. http://edition.cnn.com/2008/SPORT/football/04/24/england.cardiff/index.html