With Hatem Ben Arfa and Davide Santon now fully fit, it seems a good time to wonder what Newcastle’s best starting eleven is.
Davide Santon – in our best side – at left back
The defense has been unchanged in all 7 league games this season, with Ryan Taylor doing a stellar job, playing out of position at left-back.
But Davide Santon, who was seen to run along the touchline on Saturday, along with Sammy Ameobi, to congratulate Jonas Gutierrez on his great goal against Wolves, was brought in to replace the departed Jose Enrique, who wanted to play for a top four side.
Pity he left Newcastle.
Davide looked a very good player in the Reserves game at Swansea last week, and he is very fast too, and was seen to bomb down the left wing at every opportunity, and he nearly scored a couple of times.
Ryan Taylor may keep his place against Tottenham, but all being well – the question is – with the squad we now have at Newcastle, what is the best starting eleven?
This is what we think would be the best starting eleven from the squad we have at the moment, and it includes both Santon and Ben Arfa:
Krul
Simpson Taylor (S) Coloccini Santon
Ben Arfa Tiote Cabaye Gutierrez
Best Ba
That’s with Newcastle playing in a 4-4-2 formation, and of course another possibility is to replace (maybe) Best with Ben Arfa, who can play in the withdrawn striker role, and bring in either Obertan or Marveaux on the wing.
We would put down the subs bench – but that’s even more difficult – because some very good players would simply not make the squad of 18.
That’s our best shot – what’s your starting eleven?
Comments welcome.
60 comments so far
bills-son
Oct 3, 2011 at 1:05 PM
Comment #1We’ll only find our best side once we play HBA, Santon and Marveaux in the team.
HBA has to be in the best team though.
G
Oct 3, 2011 at 1:12 PM
Comment #2Didn’t Pardew recently say something about HBA not being a winger, and he will never play him there? I would agree with your line up Ed, on paper anyway.
Troleibusiukas_LTU
Oct 3, 2011 at 1:16 PM
Comment #3——————-Krul——————–
Raylor—- Saylor—-Colo——Santon
—————Cabaye—-Tiote———–
Obertan——–Ben Arfa—–Marveaux/Jonas
———————Best/Ba—————
Trent Toon
Oct 3, 2011 at 1:17 PM
Comment #4Ben arfa will compete for leon bests spot in the team! Besty is in trouble big time he must start scoring or he is doomed to the comfortable seats of the bench!
hartoon
Oct 3, 2011 at 1:22 PM
Comment #5——————-Krul——————–
Simpson—- Saylor—-Colo——Santon
—Obertan—Cabaye—-Tiote—jonas
—————-Ben Arfa————-
———————Ba—————
*marveux,abeid,vuckic,richardson,sammy,donaldson,godling et al
we have a pretty decent team
just get a new rb and we are sorted ( raylor can’t defend so don’t say anything) – ferguson is more of a lm too now anyway
Greg B
Oct 3, 2011 at 1:22 PM
Comment #6Krul
R.Taylor – S.Taylor – Coloccini (c) – Santon
Obertan – Tiote – Cabaye – Gutierrez
Ben Arfa
Ba
Matt
Oct 3, 2011 at 1:23 PM
Comment #7Best team by far will be
Krul
Simpson Taylor Colo Santon
Tiote Cabaye
Obertan Marveaux
Ben Arfa
Ba
Ben Arfa isn’t a winger, he’s a CAM, a creator and he needs to be in the middle of the pitch. Especially being shielded by Ba he would be very effective.
Despite Jonas’ goal he is still a bit of a maverick and he’s either terrible or brilliant. Marveaux seems a more consistent player with a far superior end product. He not only has the potential to score but the potential to provide.
Obertan is rapidly improving and deserves the RW spot.
Although Best scores he is inconsistent and lacks some basic technique. Look at his goals, they aren’t good finishes, they are untidy. He takes too many touches before shots and rarely uses his weaker foot when it would be far simpler to.
Raylor drops for Santon even though he’s ‘in form’. He’s out of his depth at LB and lacks the acceleration/pace to keep up with a top level RW.
toonarmyuk
Oct 3, 2011 at 1:23 PM
Comment #8Krul
Raylor Saylor Colo Santon
Marveaux Tiote Cabaye Gutierrez
Ben Arfa
Ba/Best
Matt
Oct 3, 2011 at 1:25 PM
Comment #9——————–Krul
Simpson–Taylor—Colo—-Santon
———–Tiote———Cabaye——–
Obertan———————-Marveaux
—————–Ben Arfa—————-
——————–Ba———————-
That looks better
scottnufc87
Oct 3, 2011 at 1:26 PM
Comment #10Bet will not sit on the bench for that lobg ba will be leaving for african cup of nations same with tiote! Cant play cabaye aa deep as half of yous think if you know anything bout the game you will see he influences the game tomuch in attacking to play him in defensive midfielder!
clooneytoon
Oct 3, 2011 at 1:27 PM
Comment #11Krul
simpson-colo-s.taylor-santon
obertan-cabaye-tiote-guti
Ben arfa
Ba
We’l have to rotate our wingers to give marveaux games.
BOOM BOOM THE 1ST
Oct 3, 2011 at 1:29 PM
Comment #12ur team looks good to me ed
voodoo85
Oct 3, 2011 at 1:30 PM
Comment #13Krul
Simpson — S.Taylor — Colo — Santon
Obertan — Cabaye — Tiote — Jonas
Ben Arfa
Ba
Thats my first choice right now but believe Marveaux could come in and do better thatn Jonas but have not seen enough of him against top level opposition
Santon has to start against Tottenham for his pace against Lennnon (who Redknapp would play if Raylor was to start)
Also worry about Bale’s pace against Simpson
drongo
Oct 3, 2011 at 1:33 PM
Comment #14my 1st choice team
—————-Krul
Raylor–Saylor–Collo—Santon
Jonas—Cabaye—Tiote—Marveaux
——————HBA
——————-Ba
drongo
Oct 3, 2011 at 1:36 PM
Comment #15I think marveaux has better delivery / end product than obertan. Jonas’s work rate is just phenomenal, and his lack of crossing accuracy can be made up for by haing raylor on his stronger foot in behiond him
unclepauly
Oct 3, 2011 at 1:37 PM
Comment #16no way would i put ben arfa on the wing. ive seen him a few timies and needs to play behind either 1 or 2 strikers. hes pure class.
cheikmate
Oct 3, 2011 at 1:39 PM
Comment #17Before African Cup of Nations:
Krul
Simpson Saylor Colo Santon
Marveaux Tiote Cabaye Gutierrez
Ben Arfa
Ba
During African Cup:
Krul
Simpson Saylor Colo Santon
Marveaux Gosling/Vuckic Cabaye Gutierrez
Ben Arfa
Best
ichrisho
Oct 3, 2011 at 1:46 PM
Comment #18Team for Spurs:
KRUL
SIMMO SAYLOR COLLO RAYLOR
TIOTE
OBERTAN HBA CABAYE SANTON
BA
Lets play Santon on left side of midfield… he can play the wing and cover Raylor… Other than this I would bring Jonas back in for Santon. Replace Raylor with Simmo and then move Santon to LB. SIMMO has to go from the team as RAYLOR doesnt deserve to be dropped…
boater
Oct 3, 2011 at 1:55 PM
Comment #19drongo – I think you nailed it.
Sorry, I can’t take seriously anyone who leaves Jonas out. Matt.. jonas ‘either terrible or brilliant’ ???? he is one of our most consistent performers.. just needs to add more goals.
Munster Mag
Oct 3, 2011 at 1:56 PM
Comment #20Hi all, I have yet to look at the Sky highlights fully, but can anyone tell me how Obertan did v Wolves. He looked poor in the bits i saw – lack of interest? Am i being harsh?? Tks
Persian Geordie
Oct 3, 2011 at 2:05 PM
Comment #21No offence! How do some here not pick Jonas is beyond me!
How do we know that santon is better than Raylor?
My team is the same one that started the last 2 games. And that should be the team until the players close to start pick up their game ae: Ben Arfa, Marv & Santon.
As for january when Tiote & Ba go to the african cup, I’d use raylor in the middle next to Cabaye (santon LB) & Ben Arfa will take Ba’s place. No panic.
G
Oct 3, 2011 at 2:18 PM
Comment #22Munster Mag @ 20. He just had a bad day at the office mate. He was working hard, but more or less every time he touched the ball he conceded possesion. I wouldn’t say he looked dissinterested, and if anything the look on his face suggested he was as upset with himself as we were.
John
Oct 3, 2011 at 2:24 PM
Comment #23Id move S. taylor to RB, Willi to CB with Colo, Santon to LB and HBA behind Best/Ba.
biznizmen
Oct 3, 2011 at 2:37 PM
Comment #24Krul
Simpson – Saylor – Colo – Santon
Obertan – Tiote – Cabaye – Jonas
Ben Arfa
Ba
toonbrother
Oct 3, 2011 at 3:24 PM
Comment #25——————-Krul——————–
Simpson—- Saylor—-Colo——Santon
—Obertan—Cabaye—-Tiote—Marveaux/Ben Arfa
—————-Ben Arfa————-
—————Best/Ba—————
Munster Mag
Oct 3, 2011 at 3:29 PM
Comment #26Cheers G, I think he’s a bit over-rated by some on here, althought its early days. He doesnt look up to much , although he was good v BB, and apparently Forest. Its difficult to judge from here but at least he has pedigree….
iain
Oct 3, 2011 at 3:30 PM
Comment #27Krul
Raylor Taylor Collocini Santon
Jonas Cabaye Tiote Marveaux
Ben Arfa
Ba
toonbrother
Oct 3, 2011 at 3:31 PM
Comment #28Persian Geordie Jonas is far from perfect his Messi-like run vs Wolves notwithstanding. Marveaux is more surefooted in posession, has a better footballing brain /vision in my opinion. and he delivers a killer cross I’d have him in my starting line up ahead of Jonas anyday
iain
Oct 3, 2011 at 3:32 PM
Comment #29Krul
Raylor Taylor Collocini Santon
Jonas Cabaye Tiote Marveaux
Ben Arfa
Ba
With ben arfa in the team obertan could improve imo but i reckon marveaux is the better alround footballer, remember out of the two (obertan+marv) which one was courted by other pl clubs…
toonbrother
Oct 3, 2011 at 3:36 PM
Comment #30Simpson is a comptent right back but i’d like to see us try gosling in that role in the next carling cup match. I think there’s so much talent in there (Gosling) its just a case of finding the right role for him. Based on his showing against Scunthorpe, he certainly does’nt belong in the middle of the park. I reckon he’s best suited to right back or Right midfield
iain
Oct 3, 2011 at 3:37 PM
Comment #31also against totenham the best form of defence is attack and to do that you need to keep possion and have players that are quick and get stuck in against there pacy wingers, last few games that part of obertans game has been shocking, his lack of common sense running down a blind alley was the begining of the move that allowed wolves to score. and i cant see him tracking back with bale all the time jonas would do. ben arfa needs to play too, he would play in the space that modric likes to come deep to get the ball meaning we should force spurs to play a different way… think there back 4 could pass it around ba and best like they wernt there, there just not quick enough to close down a good footballing back 4 like spurs…
Hebburn Mag
Oct 3, 2011 at 3:41 PM
Comment #32Seriously what does the England camp have against Newcastle United. Where is Steven Taylor in the England squad that has just been called up.. hes been fantastic since the 1st game of the season and without any shadow of a doubt should have been called up & if Fabio bothered to look Steven is part of the defence that is the best in England never mind the PL. When it comes to other England call ups Id like to think that should he keep up his current club form Leon Best should be in the England squad in a few months, hes the 3rd top english goal scorer this season, yes maybe with only 3 goals in few games but he proves when given the chance he can score goals. By the end of th season I can see both Leon Best and Demba Ba both scoring 15+ goals not with ease but with hard work.
toonbrother
Oct 3, 2011 at 3:42 PM
Comment #33Anyone else’s comments “awaiting moderation”?
Here’s what I posted earlier:
@Persian Geordie Jonas is far from perfect his Messi-like run vs Wolves notwithstanding. Marveaux is more surefooted in posession, has a better footballing brain /vision in my opinion. and he delivers an excellent left wing cross I’d have him in my starting line up ahead of Jonas anyday
toondawg
Oct 3, 2011 at 3:47 PM
Comment #34marveaux >>>> jonas any day of the week
Mo Drysdale
Oct 3, 2011 at 3:48 PM
Comment #35Most games used: 4-4-2 or 4-5-1
===================Krul==================
Raylor========Taylor=======Collocini====Santon
Jonas======Cabaye===========Tiote===Marveaux
=================Ben Arfa================
============Ba/Best======================
Home only and chasing a game: 3-5-2
==================Krull==================
=====Taylor=======Collocini========Santon====
Jonas===Cabaye===Ben Arfa====Tiote===Marveaux
===========Best============Ba============
Other option: 4-3-3
===================Krul==================
Raylor========Taylor=======Collocini====Santon
======Cabaye=======Tiote========Jonas======
=======Ben Arfa====Ba/Best====Marveaux======
toondawg
Oct 3, 2011 at 3:50 PM
Comment #36tiote cabaye taylor cabaye
cabaye tiote tiote marveaux
benarfa cabaye
GeordiePeter
Oct 3, 2011 at 3:52 PM
Comment #37ed, your best team is my starting eleven on FIFA! and their 7th.
timuJ
Oct 3, 2011 at 3:55 PM
Comment #38@hebburn mag, bestie plays for ireland mate so no chance of gettin in the england squad
sox
Oct 3, 2011 at 4:02 PM
Comment #39would love to see this team, the barca of the premier league.
KRUL
SIMMO SAYLOR COLO SANTON
TIOTE
CABAYE
MARVEAUX
OBERTAN JONAS
BEN ARFA
sox
Oct 3, 2011 at 4:04 PM
Comment #40MY PREVIOUS POST IS A 4-6 WITH BEN ARFA DWN THE MIDDLE