Ben Arfa Bails Out Ba, Pardew

Newcastle United was careening toward a dull and disappointing draw against lowly Bolton. The post-match talk was going to be all about Demba Ba's angry reaction to being substituted and Alan Pardew's surprising decision to ditch the 4-3-3 formation for a 4-4-2 alignment.

Cue Hatem Ben Arfa. And with one mazy run and composed finish, the Frenchman saved the day, paving the way for a 2-0 win and igniting serious Champions League hopes.

Had it not been for that pulsating 10 seconds, it's hard to see how Newcastle would have emerged with anything more than a point from a match any reasonable observer would expect it to win, regardless of Bolton's recent improvement.

Instead, Bolton was the team that created more chances (6-4) and total shots (9-8). And, while Newcastle outpassed its visitors (315-for-401, 79 percent, compared to 282-for-376, 75 percent), Bolton had more passes in the attacking half and final third. They also had the game's two most clear-cut scoring opportunities before Ben Arfa's goal, but Chris Eagles and alleged United summer transfer target Mark Davies both failed to apply the finishing touch.

Newcastle slightly won the possession battle (51-49), but a good chunk of that possession was of the meaningless variety. That explains why Fabricio Coloccini had the most total passes (49) of any United player. His fellow central defender, Mike Williamson, was third with 42.

In general, Newcastle looked sleepy and out of ideas in the final third. It's tough to say how much of that had to do with the formation change - you could also say it was the second game in four days, though Bolton had an even tighter turnaround - but Pardew certainly opened himself up to questions based on the way the 4-3-3 had performed. Perhaps the lack of possession at Swansea swayed him, but home against Bolton is a much different match.

There's also the slightly cynical theory that reverting to the 4-4-2 was done to placate Ba, who was clearly unhappy after being removed in the second half at Swansea. I'm not sure I subscribe to that - Ba looked quite good on the left side of the front three against West Brom and Liverpool - but playing a 4-4-2 does obviously position him in a more central role. It didn't produce a different result on Monday, though. Ba had one of his more anonymous games as a Newcastle player before Pardew wisely removed him in the 64th minute.

His reaction - he blatantly avoided shaking Pardew's hand as he came off - was silly, particularly considering how well the club has done this season. Pardew defended his striker in his media session after the match, but Ba's behavior - combined with the images of him not celebrating Papiss Cisse's second goal at Swansea - paints him as a selfish player who cares about his individual performance first and foremost. I don't think that's the case - Ba claimed on Twitter after the Swansea match that he wasn't unhappy - but it's a logical conclusion that many observers would draw, fair or unfair. And it's an unnecessary distraction for a team that's pushing for a Champions League place.

Let's not go overboard, though. Plenty of players have done exactly what Ba did. Plenty of them merely allowed a period of frustration to get the best of them. Plenty of them straightened themselves out and made fans forget about it with their subsequent play. Based on Ba's track record, you'd be foolish to think he won't be able to get past this slip up and his current nine-game scoreless streak.

And he has Ben Arfa to thank that it wasn't the major talking point in the wake of Monday's game. Ben Arfa certainly knows a thing or two about disagreeing with a manager. But Pardew's careful handling of Ben Arfa early in the season - something that frustrated more than a few fans - is looking more brilliant with each passing game. Ben Arfa is now working to win the ball back, being efficient in his passing and selectively picking his spots to dribble past players (according to Opta, he became the first player in the Premier League this season to attempt seven or more dribbles - defined as an attempt by a player in possession of the ball to beat an opponent - and complete all of them). More importantly, he's winning games for Newcastle. 

And with Newcastle tied for fourth with five games to go, there's no telling how important that magical moment will prove to be.

Comments

[MnToonArmy9]

HBA's could have fallen twice and probably drawn a foul but he kept plowing ahead. Has anyone else noticed HBA's renewed committment to defense? With his on the ball prowess, you might rate him higher than a guy like Bale or Silva.

Ba had a poor game. It wasn't clear if that was his lack of results or determined defense but he appeared a step slow. I heard about Ba's reaction coming off before watching the match and decided to focus on Ba's play. If you had to give him a grade everytime he touched the ball as either helping or "not helping", there would be a much larger tally in the second category. He was dispossessed several times, made some poor passes, had several poor clearances (one led to a scoring opportunity) and when he had a chance to do something positive in the attacking end, he didn't convert or pass effectively.

Ba might be as frustrated with himself as anything. He needs to understand if you are winning, you stay cool and keep working. It isn't like he's about to be dropped from the 11. Remember, if we are in Europe next year, Demba will have more football than he can handle.

[geoff777]

You need two good wingers to play 442.

Jonas can't cross and HBA preferes to run with the ball towards the goal.

433 was working so well. Why would Pardew change it to 442 except to appease Demba Ba.

I hope Pardew has learnt.
The team and results come first.

Demba Ba is quality and will get his touch back.

HWTL

[Ryan]

Great result, although we didn't start so hot. HBA created the big moment, and Cisse finished it off. It was a wonderful result and showed the resiliency the team has this year. Despite a lackluster 75 minutes, we found a way to break through and win. A great day overall!

I am worried about the Ba situation but if anyone can diffuse it, it's Pardew. I think in the end all will be ok.

[Jaeger]

i think demba has just been frustrated over the last few games. just gotta understand the new relationship ben arfa and cisse have. id be ok with not having both the strikers on at the same time for the majority of the game. just two different styles of attack they bring. cisse brings more of a ground, passing creativity while ba has a great first touch out of the air and can get those crosses in. he's not the quickest but does well when things run through him. now maybe he just needs to get 1 or 2 goals to feel good again and not like he's been overshadowed by cisse and play more fluidly but time will tell.... cant complain about being tied for 4th at this point in the year. bring on barcelona in the fall!

[Dave From Newcastle]

This team was due for a clunker and we got that yesterday. The difference between a top 5 finish and teams that finish lower is that the teams in the top 5 teams hold themselves together and find that moment of magic or a mistake from the oponent and grab the win. A team like Liverpool would have cracked and lost 1-0 yesterday. We have 5 games left and the chances are we will have another clunker before the season is over (most likely Wigan). Hopefully they will find the same result then.

[Mathew]

I don't like what I'm seeing from Ba. I've always disliked the sulking striker who doesn't get the ball enough! It's like a kid who won't share his toys. For me Ba is off mentally because he swe's his countryman Cisse come in and take the spot light from him. Instead of seeing it as an opportunity to get better and stretch defenses as they can't just focus on him. If this is who he is then expect him to be shipped off in the Summer. I'm fine with that as the current moves for
Pardew in the transfer market have been solid. Team First!
...Eee, I, Eee, I, O, up the premier league we go, when
we get to Europe this is what we sing, WE ARE GEORDIES, SUPER GEORDIES, Pardew is our King!!