Marveaux Left Out In The Cold?

Pardew has confirmed a few starters for this evenings match in the names of Cheik Tiote, Shane Ferguson and Sammy Ameobi without giving the full team away. So assuming Gabriel Obertan will start as well as Papiss Cisse and Shola Ameobi, where is the place for Sylvain Marveaux? I can't see one.

I hope Pardew goes for a 4-2-3-1 come 4-4-1-1 formation which he has tended to do in Europe so far with Shola dropping in behind Cisse. Sammy on the right with Obertan on the left like he did with great success versus Bordeaux. This suits us then better the flat 4-4-2 Pardew insist's with in the Premier League. The man 'in the hole' is the key. He's the link between midfield and attack. I don't care whether it's Shola, Cabaye or even Marveaux himself, this postion is key to how we want to play. Lumping it forward is for school kids, Stoke City and Fat Sam. Not for us thanks.

So going back to Marveaux I am disappointed by his lack of chances in the first team. He is a class act. He got once chance away at Everton in a containing role to try and stop Leighton Baines. It didn't work and it seems he has suffered for it. This seems far too harsh to me. There was also confusion in August when he wasn't originally in the squad, someone got injured, but no-one could find him to tell him he was now on the bench. Marv's gone AWOL was the cry from some. It was later explained that he had to leave the stadium to tend to his sick daughter, whether this is actually true or not, who know's.

I really hope there are no problems with Marv and Pardew as I think he is well worthy of our first team. There are few better players on the ball at our club that can effortlessly drift with it and always find the right pass. Cabaye is always looking for the right ball but Marveaux brings a balance to the midfield with that left foot of his. Something Jonas Gutierrez simply does not have for e.g. I like Marveaux, if it is true that he won't be starting the game versus Brugges tonight than I will be disappointed. He deserves a chance. More than some others.

The team tonight as far as I can guess will be the following:

Krul; Simmo; Saylor; Perch; Ferguson; Tiote; Anita; Obertan; Sammy; Shola; Cisse.

I hope I am way off the mark and Sylvain finds himself a spot in the team after all and I look a little stupid for even writing this. I am not holding my breath though.

Good luck anyway lads. Howay!!

(Comments welcome. Follow me on twitter @ToonBano)