Lineups Vs. Norwich: Changes By Choice, By Force

Alan Pardew benefited from a consistent system and lineup in Newcastle's victories over heavily favored Chelsea and Tottenham. But tomorrow against Norwich, he'll have to change it up - partly by choice, and partly by force.

The "choice" part of the equation is because of the opponent. In a home match against cautious Norwich, Newcastle will be expected to dictate the play and control the ball. That means there won't be as much of a need for Shola Ameobi as a safety valve when the defense faces pressure. Nor will Yoan Gouffran's tireless tracking back be as important. Thus Pardew should change the left wing and front two to reflect a more attacking approach.

On the back end, Pardew is forced to change his defense because of Mathieu Debuchy's suspension. It's a shame, as Debuchy has been superb for both Newcastle and the French national team of late, and the back four was developing a bit of chemistry, to boot. 

As always, I will select my preferred starting XI for tomorrow's match, then conclude the post with who I expect to see in the actual lineup.

Keeper and back four: Tim Krul; Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini, Davide Santon

It's a good thing Krul appears to have found his peak form once again, because he's going to have a different-looking defense in front of him tomorrow. Debuchy's absence leaves Pardew with his first major decision. Does he break up a burgeoning partnership between Williamson and Yanga-Mbiwa? Should Santon switch sides to play on the right?

Here's my thought. Even though Santon is right-footed, he certainly doesn't play like it. No matter which fullback position he occupies, he wants to cut in toward the center of the field. If that's the case, it's better just to leave him where he is. That means keeping Yanga-Mbiwa next to Williamson, but as a right back. In his cameo appearances at fullback, he's been a better offensive player than you'd expect. Granted, he looked horrible defensively against Manchester City in the season opener at left back, but Norwich doesn't carry nearly the same attacking threat. 

Midfield: Moussa Sissoko, Cheick Tioté, Yohan Cabaye, Hatem Ben Arfa

After two weeks on the bench and another omission from the French squad, has Ben Arfa learned his lesson? There's only one way to find out. In the past, I've not been a huge fan of using him on the left wing, but there may be some value in trying it tomorrow. First, it gives him a more defined role. Ben Arfa's biggest problem has been his inability to fit into a team structure. Maybe a stint on the left, where he can either cross or dribble into the box and look for passing options, will do him some good. Plus, in a match where Newcastle should expect to dominate possession and keep the ball in the attacking half, his uneven defensive work won't be as much of a liability.

Forwards: Yoan Gouffran, Loïc Rémy

Gouffran's effort as a second left back has been invaluable in the wins against Chelsea and Tottenham. But it's time to build on his rapport with Rémy, which we saw once again in the first goal two weeks ago. I'd put money on the two being an effective partnership, especially with dangerous options on all sides to draw defenders' attention. Let's hope French national team manager Didier Deschamps is paying attention.

A Gouffran/Rémy front line means another stint on the bench for Papiss Cissé. Though Cissé has been the best player in training this week according to Pardew, he's competing against teammates who have excelled in competitive matches all season. As I said a few weeks ago, the best approach is to make things very simple for Cissé. Give him 20-30 minutes and task him with working one good chance for himself in that time. Considering he's hardly been in a dangerous position all season, that would be a great starting point, whether he scores or not.

Who Pardew will choose: Krul; Santon, Williamson, Coloccini, Haïdara; Sissoko, Tioté, Cabaye, Gouffran; Cissé, Rémy

Comments

[@LeeSibbald]

Completely agree with the Santon point and I'm pleased someone else has noticed. Actually the last time we saw Santon at RB he was an absolute disaster. Perhaps because being at LB all of the time he seemed to be clueless what he was going to do up top and, as you say, was inclined to cut inside. I'd much prefer to see Santon remain at RB and move Yanga to RB, leaving Colo and willo at CB (didn't Phil's spreadsheet skills highlight that the Willo/Colo combo is quite strong in the clean sheet column?).

as for the rest, I'd actually be tempted to stick with a winning team. True the French lads have had a midweek game, as has shola, however with the way we group out results over the last few weeks I'd like to believe an amount of chemistry is forming that shouldn't be rejigged right away. Lets not make the mistake of taking Hull too lightly ala Hull and hastily break what isn't too badly broken.

p.s. where's the podcast? come on man, me deep sense of entitlement demands satisfaction!

[@LeeSibbald]

* I'd much prefer to see Santon remain at LB...
** Lets not make the mistake of taking Norwich too lightly...
*** ...however with the way we ground out results...

Sigh...

[geordiepat]

Hats off to Shola who's been in decent form of late, but I agree it's time for Ben Arfa to come back into the team in his place - as the longterm obvious starter.

Arfa's stock has fallen with our recent improved results, but I think he's been very unlucky - with Cisse (the real culprit) being dropped at around about the same time. When Cisse has been brought on in the last 3 or 4 games, the team has reverted to last season's inability to mount any kind of attack or hold up play. Cisse has been the passenger in this team for a while now. Arfa has been trying to do too much on his own - but Cisse's wastefulness and mistimed runs has a lot to do with that. Remy will bring out the best in Arfa.

I would like to see Ben Arfa in the no.10 rule just behind Remy; keeping the same midfield 4. Ben Arfa can be given the freedom to create and attack as opposed to track back - which we would miss if Gouffran were moved upfield.

I don't see Gouffran as a longterm answer up front, but in midfield he offers support play, the odd goal, box to box running and cover to Santon - you can't ask for more than that. Arfa is the mercurial matchwinner in the team - so let's put him in the position where he can prosper most for us.

As for the back 4 -we could play Anita at right back, and keep the M'Biwa/Willo partnership. But then leaving out Colo is a big call. Either way ...

[Matt]

Lee: Podcast is up now, so hopefully you're enjoying it!

Geordiepat: In said podcast, I explain a bit more why I don't trust HBA with a central creative role in his current form. He releases the ball too unpredictably, making it impossible for anyone to time their runs around him. I worry that he might kill the attack in a match we'd otherwise win by throwing him back into that pivotal position. Would love to be proven wrong on that point, however.

Really curious to see what Pardew decides with the back four. Anita didn't exactly convince me as a RB last year, but he's also improved considerably since then, and he'd be a more attacking option in a match where that might be an asset. Think I'll stick with Yanga-Mbiwa out there for now, though.

[@LeeSibbald]

Listening to it now Matt, thanks. Sounds like a bit of echo coming through on Skype at times - someone wasn't wearing headphones I think!