Both Cheick Tiote and Gabriel Obertan will miss out on the game at Manchester City this afternoon, and Leon Best is doubtful.
Ben Arfa – could get first league start today
Both Cheick and Gabriel have been doubtful for the game, but Alan Pardew has decided not to risk either player, and hopefully both will now be fit for next Saturday’s game at Old Trafford.
Tiote has missedf the last three games, after after picking up a knee injury against Wigan last month, and Alan Pardew talked about the Ivory Coast International:
“I don’t think Cheick will be involved in this game, but I don’t think he is too far away,” “He may possibly be involved against Manchester United, but not in this game.”
“That’ll be a blow for us and the fans, as he’s so powerful away from home.” “Cheick hasn’t played the last two or three but we have done very, very well without him.”
“Having said that, he is a brilliant player and will be a loss to us because of the presence he has.” “Danny Guthrie has been absolutely terrific though – an underrated player in my opinion.”
“And I have no problem with him deputising again.” “Obertan and Best are the doubts, Shola is back in and around the team and has a chance of being involved.”
French winger Sylvain Marveaux is definitely ruled out through a groin injury, and it looks like he will go under the knife soon and be out until the new year.
That is a little worrying because Sylvan missed last season from last October at Rennes with a similar injury.
Mike Williamson is still out with his ankle injury, and it looks like Gabriel Obertan will also miss out as he has not fully recovered from his infected toe.
And with both Obertan and Marveaux out, it looks like Alan Pardew could be starting Hatem Ben Arfa in the game on the right wing, and it’s the game in which he broke his left leg in two places in the same fixture last season.
Gabriel Obertan told the local press yesterday:
“Hopefully I will be back for Man United. Coming back so early against Man City wasn’t planned, but we tried for it.
“I tried to play yesterday, but I don’t feel ready. It gives me four more days to be fit for Man United.”
So assuming Best will be fit, we think the team will be as follows:
Krul
Simpson Coloccini Taylor (S) Taylor (R)
Ben Arfa Cabaye Guthrie Gutierrez
Best Be
Subs: Elliot Santon Perch Gosling Ameobi (Sa) Amerobi (Sh) Lovenkrands
What do you think the team will be for today’s huge game?
Comments welcome.
16 comments so far
Toonboy_83
Nov 19, 2011 at 8:42 AM
Comment #1We need some new medical staff or something because it always seems that when we get injuries that our players are out for decades! If Obertan is out then I reckon HBA will start, but I wonder really how much closer he is to full form. Ah well I’m predicting a hard earned draw HWTLs!!!
LewSpi
Nov 19, 2011 at 8:46 AM
Comment #2Simpson has some shift today if Ben Arfa starts on that wing. He is certainly not a winger, he drifts inside alll of the time when he plays out there. I’d rather see guti play right wing and either Sammy or Ba left wing with Ben Arfa playing in the centre, up top.
bigdan1980
Nov 19, 2011 at 8:53 AM
Comment #3My confidence went out the window when I heard tilted was out, he could have starved the supply line by keeping silva quiet, I don’t think Guthrie is up to the task and our own creativity will suffer with cabaye having to drop in. Still hoping for a result tho
niffnoff
Nov 19, 2011 at 8:56 AM
Comment #4BigDan
I’m sorry I missed the part where Guthrie has been outstanding since he covered for tiote. The guy is begging for a contract and you can see it in his previous games. He’s just as if not on par with Tiote, passes the ball and at the moment seems to get the target more than the big man. Geez…
ToonMauritius
Nov 19, 2011 at 9:02 AM
Comment #5Hi friends, the match is live here in Mauritius on MBC TV3
DarloGeordie
Nov 19, 2011 at 9:02 AM
Comment #6You cant blame the medical staff for injuries that are sustained on the field of play or there length of time, no doubt we have some of the best medical staff in the country…
It is going to be a huge loss not having the Tiote-Cabeye partnership in the midfield but so far the players brought in have stood up tall and been counted, lets hope this trend continues and we give Shiteh a BIG shock today…
For Ben Arfa to face his demons and start the game will be a huge test but he will either shine today, or tonight, wherever you may be in the world but I havent been this confident going into face the top of the league team for a long time..
Long may it continue and imagine if we are the only English unbeaten football team in the country, what an achievement and it may force the papers to take a serious look at themselves.
Come on!!!
HWTL!!!
WWJBD
Nov 19, 2011 at 9:10 AM
Comment #7Simpson will get ripped apart if Hatem plays RW but we have been told he won’t play as a winger under Pards so who knows
I reckon Shola will start if Best doesn’t and Gosling on the wing
toonarmy1986
Nov 19, 2011 at 9:25 AM
Comment #8play Santon right wing and that way we can double up on both sides of the pitch. Tiote missing is a big worry so hopefully Guthrie can step up again!
niffnoff
Nov 19, 2011 at 9:32 AM
Comment #9not to be an ass but… Santon is untested still, how do you even know if he’s gonna be any good for us? I’m starting to think he needs a loan spell just to get used to the speed of this game. Italy is waaaay different to england in most aspects!
ballerfan2
Nov 19, 2011 at 9:36 AM
Comment #10When Pardew said that he wouldn’t play Ben Arfa on the right wing I suspect he wasn’t counting on the other options in that position to be injured simultaneously. So if Ben starts please don’t start the “Pardew lies again – can’t trust him tirade”. I have always been a Guthrie fan despite the often ludicrous criticism he has endured, but his last few performances have surprised even me. I hope he can keep it up this afternoon. HWTL.
bills-son
Nov 19, 2011 at 9:39 AM
Comment #11Krul
Simpson STaylor Collo Raylor
Gosling Guthrie Cabaye Guti
HBA
Ba
Rotonda heights
Nov 19, 2011 at 10:18 AM
Comment #12Bills on,
Yes I’d go for that. A toss up between Santon and Gosling, but otherwise spot on.
Rotonda heights
Nov 19, 2011 at 10:21 AM
Comment #13niffnoff
you’ll never know if he never plays
Robby Bobson
Nov 19, 2011 at 10:41 AM
Comment #14Substitutions this season has been Sammy before Ben Arfa for the wing, maybe Pardew could opt for Santon on the right wing, as he can play there and will provide better defensive support.
Only reason he would play HBA would be deeper than Ba, as he will come short and make up soem numbers in midfield.
Lee Dodd
Nov 19, 2011 at 12:04 PM
Comment #15I Can see us Getting a Draw Or Even a Win Today !!!!!! To Many Players With a Point to Prove !!!!
LEROI
Nov 19, 2011 at 12:59 PM
Comment #16I would put hba upfront & sammy right wing. Then Pardew will have a couple of options without using subs.
*1 jonas & sammy can switch wings,
*2 hba & sammy can switch with each other aswell making sammy 2nd striker
& 3 hba right wing.
*3 Hba could go left wing & jonas could convert to a third central midfielder and we could play a more defensive 4-5-1.
With this you have these 3 good versitile options plus 3 substitute options. So 6 chances to change something at any point in our toughest Game of the the season! (i think Sammy can play well on the right even though he’s played left for England recently and his tracking back was 1st class against Belgium!)