Newcastle Transfers: 8 Reasons Why Hatem Ben Arfa May Have To Be Sold

6. Doesn't Track Back

This is the chief problem of playmakers around the world. It is why Abel Tarrabt is bemoaned across the country despite his obvious talent. Many managers, particularly in this country, find it difficult to accomodate players of Ben Arfa's natural talent, as this talent often comes at the expense of defensive qualities. There is a reason why Alan Pardew sent the much-maligned Gabriel Obertan on against Chelsea when 1-0 up. Not only did he offer pace on the counter-attack, but he is also much more willing to protect his full-back. When you are protecting a lead, as Newcastle were on both occasions against Chelsea and Tottenham, you need a solid unit. There is another argument to suggest that you should always look to put a game to bed instead of hanging on to slender leads, but that is not the Pardew way, particularly against the big sides. Tracking back is the reason why Jonas Gutierrez, a player with little in the way of end product has kept his place in the side so often over the years, and for better or worse, that is what Pardew wants from Ben Arfam particularly in the current 4-4-2 formation.