They can both play a role. Only those who don't actually WATCH games and see what happens could doubt that. The key is to ensure that their ability is integrated into the needs of the team. That's down to the players and the manager. That's what I hope will actually change.
Subordination of individuals to the team ethic, always supposing that the team ethic can utilise and integrate the skils of individuals. That's the difference between good management and bad.
Pardew can make that happen. And the ability to harness individual talent to a team ethic of hard work, concentration and sucess is what we've been missing.
That's why our succesful managers have been succesful, and why our under performing managers have failed.
We've had, AND HAVE, some great players. Lets support the manager in getting the best from everyone in a team we're proud to support, working as a team and utilising the undoubted talent we have both young and old (sorry, experienced).
This is a hard league to get out of, but we can and will.
COYR!