100 responses so far ↓

• Frede // Apr 12, 2008 at 23:55

  My dear God. We didn’t even deserve the three points tonight. My passion just ruined my sunday..
  But I never want to be 100% negative, so let me just point out Eto’o’s form and Messi’s comeback. Good stuff.
  Let’s go for the second place in La Liga and then the CL.

• Barca Fan_Miki // Apr 12, 2008 at 23:56

  This is disgrace how can this tings happen we head the game and we lost it two times.It’s enough of this.There must be changes somebody has to go!!!!!!!

• Shahenshah // Apr 12, 2008 at 23:58

  I realized from the game today that gudjohnsen is a pretty good dribbler.

  Ezquerro is very fragile

  Messi does not trust his right foot at all.

  Xavi was the invisible man.

  Abidal has no clue what he is doing with his life.

  Without Puyol, the team would have definitely lost the game

  Abysmal performance by the team today. Nuff said.

• Shahenshah // Apr 13, 2008 at 0:00

  And Eto’o is amazing but that goes without saying.

• Frede // Apr 13, 2008 at 0:00

  … I simply can’t wait for this season to be finished. I’ve had enough with being afraid of even the poorest opponents.

• concerned barca fan looking like a Milan fan now // Apr 13, 2008 at 0:04

  barca once more again didnt surprise me tonite as i expected either a draw or that they would lose.Something definately seems lacking with barca,especially without no R10,no Iniesta,Henry or Bojan.Im really concerned about our chances to even beat Man U if we continue to play like this.I dont know what it is but something is definately not right with Barca.

• Angus // Apr 13, 2008 at 0:08

  I must say this result was not unexpected. Our away form has been very poor and we once again have thrown away a lead and come out without a win.

  The back four is all over the place at the moment and even Puyol does not seem to be coping well. Defensive investments must be made in the summer. Abidal was the stand out poor performer and Valdes was missing at key moments tonight and personally I’m not sure if he is up to the task.

  Eto’o played well and Giovani looked promising again. But there is just no one willing to take control of the game and make things happen. Everyone seems to be looking at everyone else for inspiration.

  The league is over now. Pride and second place is the most we can hope for. As for the Champions League, it will take a miracle for us to beat Manchester United.

• boby // Apr 13, 2008 at 0:10

  im happy gio looked god improving…… we need it

• Hilal // Apr 13, 2008 at 0:11

  I wish i could say i am surprised but I am not. Another poor performance. We do not play like a team, we play like 10 individuals. Somebody needs to teach the players the idea of teamwork. Recreativo played like a team. They defended like a team, they pressed us like a team and they attacked like a team. Anybody who seriously thinks this team is going to beat Man utd is gonna get a huge reality check in 2 weeks time.

  Valdez I have always said is a liability and he always will be. He is NOT a world class keeper, he is a good keeper but thats it. His reactions are excellent, but his anticipation is awfull and he does not have confident hands.

  Messi is back and that is great news, but I don’t care who we have in attack, if we do not start playing LIKE A TEAM we will not win anything. Mourinho, Mourinho, Mourinho!!!! I do not think we will get him, it just does not look like Laporta is going to swallow his pride on this one. I think the best we can hope for is Laudrup and to be honest that is risky. He has not proven himself at the highest level yet. He is a good coach, but we want THE BEST coach.

• Blaugrana // Apr 13, 2008 at 0:12

  Every game as a final i see,i now see that messi alone kant save us in UCL and puyol suspended even,edmils0n?esquero? Pathetic wt r they doing with their LIVES! God

• Blaugrana // Apr 13, 2008 at 0:28

  Rijkaard has his bags packed already thats for sure,fighting for 2nd place who would have thot,y do they even bother with post match coments puyol must feel a sick sense of dé javu we are CLOWNS on the pitch thats it.

• Winterhunt // Apr 13, 2008 at 0:30

  Hilal, you are kidding right????? Why would we want Mourinho???? We actually might have an organised defense, a team in good physical condition, a team with mental toughness, players playing positions that actually suit them, make some well thought out and effective substituions, be able to make tactical changes once in a while that actually work, hold onto a lead against a team struggling not to get relegated, and we might even win some games if we got him, and really who wants that????? Besides, his football is ugly, that is if you don’t count his stint at Porto when he won The Champion’s League… All Jose does is win, and we don’t care about that do we???? Personally, I really enjoy watching us gift the Liga to Real two years in a row……. Mediocrity, underachieving, heartless play, that is what I want the club I support to represent, and boy are we representing that……

  Hilal, from your lips to God’s ears……

• Blaugrana // Apr 13, 2008 at 0:35

  Why! was guddie taken off? Y! was esquero playin 70min??! Why was sylvinho on the bench?? Why did edmilson cum on wth marquez on the bench?? IVE HAD ENOUGH. 4-3-3 AWAY IS SUICIDE!

• Hilal // Apr 13, 2008 at 0:42

  lol….Winterhunt….. love the sarcasm! I couldnt agree with you more, and I hope and pray that Laporta is smart enough to get Mourinho. It does not seem to be happening though, all I keep hearing about is Laudrup and Guardiola (that would be a cruel joke!). Who knows, maybe they are trying their best to keep it quiet till the summer. Mourinho would be the best thing for us right now, he would give us everything we are lacking! Its so frustrating watching us play these days, there is no cohesion anywhere on the pitch. Rijkaard has lost the plot completely.

• bobkat // Apr 13, 2008 at 0:52

  It’s been hours since the match and i’m still laughing. I really don’t know what else to do. I mean it’s all one long drawn out bad joke … right?

• Blaugrana // Apr 13, 2008 at 0:53

  Mourinho plays boring??? Did i see a backheel??a flick on? A one two? A feint? So mourinho shouldnt come on cos hez boring thats the DUMMEST EXCUSE I’VE eva heard

• Shahenshah // Apr 13, 2008 at 1:01

  i dont think they are going to get laudrup. After all he did defect to the other side when he left barca for madrid. The camp nou crowd wont like him for that.

• blaugranafan // Apr 13, 2008 at 1:05

  That’s a great second clip. I love the Barca goals where you can see a line of 5 or 6 players all rushing the box in line.

  Shahenshah: Eidur can also be a pretty good playmaker. You might enjoy the following clip. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7yD6Jf9uZM

  He’s a good player–just not an out-and-out striker, which some people perhaps thought he would be.

• Winterhunt // Apr 13, 2008 at 1:06

  Hilal, I absolutely, completely agree…. My hope is that the media, and fanbase are so disgusted that Laporta will have to sign Mourinho….. I actually do think that will come to be….. It is perfect for him, he coached Barca B, speaks fluent Castillian, has a great roster at his disposal that is just underachieving and poorly conditioned both physically, and mentally. He also will be a man on a mission, and being so aware that everyone keeps saying he can’t play attractive football (of course they obviously never watched his Porto Team), he will also play a more attacking style, but with a strong, well organised defense….. It kills me that anyone who is a football fan can even consider keeping Frank, or hiring Pep or even Laudrup when someone of Mourinho’s quality is out there….. (and I like Laudrup too, but in a few years when he has proven his quality a bit more, besides you can always get him) I mean Jose brought dvd’s of our players and formations, and tactical strategies to his Barca meeting to point out all the flaws, and then proposed how to correct them…. Frank had a great run, but it is over now…. I honestly don’t even think he really wants to be here in his heart…. I really think he just wants to smoke his pot, and eat ice cream at Lake Como in peace….. Meanwhile Jose is frothing at the mouth to get back into the big time spotlight….. Can you imagine just the pure entertainment factor of his press conferences, especially before the Real games….. Anyone who calls Wenger “A Voyeur” is pretty funny in my book, especially with Arsene’s penchant for stealing the young boys… I’m tired of this nice guy stuff… I want a hungry, driven team….. I want a team and a coach that cares as much as we do….. I mean here we are typing away into cyberspace and Frank has already dished out his usual excuses, praised the effort and said that we are not yet mathematically eliminated; and that is the man setting the tone for the team….. pitiful, just absolutely pitiful…..

  Keep your fingers crossed my man, a bad decision by Laporta, and we could slip into the UEFA Cup or worse by the end of next year…..

• Winterhunt // Apr 13, 2008 at 1:16

  Blaugrana…. I’m on your side, not sure if you were referring to my post and thought I was actually being serious with my sarcasm about Mourninho, but I think he is the furthest thing from boring….. I think the guy is a football genius, I think he is the best coach on the planet, and I find the guy to be personally totally entertaining, in fact lately after our games and the inevitable depression they cause, I go on Youtube and watch clips of Jose’s old press conferences just for a laugh…. He is a riot……. Plus, the man is just obsessed with winning…. I’ve said this so many times that even Nic has made fun of me for supporting Mourinho, but I truly believe that anyone who has watched all of our matches these past two years, and can see the obviously flaws in our club, and doesn’t think Mourinho is the man to correct them, then I truly believe that person just doesn’t understand football…. as far as playing boring football, as I’ve said before, get yourself some dvd’s on Ebay of his team at Porto, and tell me how boring they were….. They played beautifully, with maximum, and relentless pressure, and of course were Champion’s……. Anyway, I’m with you!!!!!!!!

• layi // Apr 13, 2008 at 1:36

  we continue to look as we cant do anything for now

• e10 // Apr 13, 2008 at 1:54

  Great individual performance by Eto’o with 2 goals.
  It was good to see Messi back, even though he could have won da game for us towards the end, im not annoyed by this draw.

  Because this season we are all use to these kind of games where we dont win.

• max // Apr 13, 2008 at 1:54

  I think that we can all agree that Barca’s season is pretty much over. Don’t get me wrong I’m with Barca in good times and bad but this season was simply very disappointing given the potential and true capabilities of this squad. All i can do is pray that rijkaard and the team come out strong and focused to face man utd because believe me Manchester have been pretty much unstoppable this season. I mean If we can’t beat Betis, recreativo, and Getafe at home then how in the world are we going to beat a fluent, attacking, and consistent side of United’s caliber while we are playing in this manner? ronaldo, tevez, nani, giggs, rooney, just to name a few, are a 100 times more dangerous than recreativo and Betis put together. I can only dread what would happen If we play like this against a full strength united side at old trafford.. So Hopefully the squad can pull it together before the big showdown and this will be Messi’s ultimate chance to prove himself as a barca great. As for next season, we surely have to sign some young, hungry, and motivated player’s who will resurrect the barca of 05/06 and we have to offload clowns like ezquerro and edmilson who are not even good enough to be subs!

• djlethal1 // Apr 13, 2008 at 2:06

  Well this is a first for me on this blog. All i can say is we would need a miracle that can save us from united cause its gonna be horrible if we are to play like ho we did today. i dont know why Frank had that Ezquerro guy on the pitch for so long after we were already performing poorly. I hope that Henry and Bojan can come back. I hope Frank sees finally that Henry can’t play as a winger and put him in the center or else he might leave as well…u never know due the fact of him not being happy playing there. I just want the season to end cause the title belongs to madrid after todays performance, how many points does frank think madrid can always give him as a gift but yet still he never truly takes them. I hope Messi gets back his form from injury and i hope the whole team gets a damn good reality check or else our ship is gonna sink totally!!!!!

• Shahenshah // Apr 13, 2008 at 2:25

  true say e10. I wasnt very shocked or moved when I saw the game end that way.

• Shahenshah // Apr 13, 2008 at 2:25

  Although I was extremely disappointed

• Catherine-Lucia // Apr 13, 2008 at 3:01

  Well of course it will take a miracle to beat Manchester United–if we think it will.

  I mean seriously, would it kill us to have some confidence in our team? Do you have any idea how hard it is to go out on the pitch knowing that even your own fans don’t think you can do it? I do, and it isn’t fun. At all. When you go into the fight losing, it’s a lot harder to pull your head out of the dust.

  No, obviously, Barcelona is not in top form right now. It doesn’t take a genius to tell that. But jeez, can we quit looking at the two ahead of us and realize that we are still better than, what, seventeen teams in La Liga? Not to mention that we are the only non-English side to push through into the semis of the Champions’ League? We are not a bad team. With players like we have, we certainly can put up a good fight at Manchester.

  You might say you’re being “realistic” when you say that it would take a miracle to beat Manchester United. And you know what, that’s a fair point–it very well might take a miracle. But please, let’s look at both sides of the doomsday scenario, shall we? While it’s nearly impossible to pull a team together in such a short period of time, there isn’t much fixing to be done, really. We have gotten this far fairly well in the Champions’ League. Getting our injured players back 100% isn’t going to happen, but solidifying the ones we have will.

  Rijkaard isn’t going anywhere YET, so for now, let’s just persevere with him. The Giovani instead of Ezquerro sub, among other things, was stupid, but let’s look at the positive side. We kicked butt the first half, didn’t we? And we proved that we can at least survive without Ronaldinho, Iniesta, Deco, Marquez, etc. Ezquerro, Eto’o, and Giovani up front is not the ideal situation, obviously, but aside from Ezquerro, it worked fairly well.

  All I’m saying is, have some faith. If we go into a game dragging our feet, picking them back up is a lot harder. Visca el Barca, brothas!!!

• Diatus // Apr 13, 2008 at 3:08

  Guys Winterhunt must definitely be Mourhino!!!haha…just guy might commit suicide if we don’t get Jose!!! Jeez!1 haha

• Diatus // Apr 13, 2008 at 3:11

  @ Catherine-Lucia

  We will beat Man U…without question(no miracle needed)-just watch. If we don’t, I will walk the streets with a sack of bees in my pants and go to sleep in my wife’s Real Madrid Jersey!!! You heard it here first!!!

• Catherine-Lucia // Apr 13, 2008 at 3:32

  You heard it here first: if we don’t beat Manchester, I personally will do the same. Only, no wife Madrid jersey thing. Instead, I will paint my face with Real Madrid colors and run up and down the streets of DC screaming, probably earning me a ticket.

• Matheus // Apr 13, 2008 at 3:36

  Today was an extremely bad result. But did anyone laugh at Valdes’ position when the second Recreativo goal was scored with the header? He was on the floor, more than anger, I saw a stupid smirk escape my lips! Pretty sad, but it was funny, and Toure was like a foot taller than the man he was marking, how did he not hit it outside? There is a serious lack of commitment and drive in the way the game was played today. Recreativo completely dominated the game, has to be said so. If it wasn’t for Samuel, they would have made us look like a bunch of amateurs.

• Diatus // Apr 13, 2008 at 3:45

  @ Catherine Lucia
  Hey funny thing I am in DC too. just booked my flight to go see the return leg in Madrid…It should be fun.

• Catherine-Lucia // Apr 13, 2008 at 3:47

  Don’t rub it in. I live in DC and can barely afford tickets to DC United games!!

• Diatus // Apr 13, 2008 at 3:54

  I don’t mean too..come
  ‘on let’s go!!! heck, why not…A friend of mine owns a box at the Santiago Bernabeu…I can wiggle you in.

• PHaft // Apr 13, 2008 at 4:06

  greetings from miami (nice to see other american barca fans),

  I never thought I would see the day that I wished we had Gio Van Bronckhorst back–the defense outside of Puyol looks soooo lost. We cannot defend set pieces. Valdes is too erratic.
  Please welcome Mourinho–lets get someone to replace Ronnie (well no one can replace him, but Diego or Modric would be nice). And someone on this team needs to grow a pair of balls and put down the teams in 17th place. This one hurts.
  There is no way we are beating man u (and I am a huge barca fan, but I am not delusional)–we will be staring c. ronaldo in the face, not carlos martins!–I hope we keep it respectable.

• blaugranafan // Apr 13, 2008 at 4:21

  DC UNITED!!!!! WOOOOOO!!!!!

  But DC Utd ticket money is probably better spent in the short run on Caps tickets. Ovechkin is playing like a madman!

• FCB // Apr 13, 2008 at 4:41

  i live in pennsylvania!! lol GO FLYERS!!!

• Matheus // Apr 13, 2008 at 4:54

  I live in Chicago,…………. GO FIREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
  wow this is lame…..lol

• Shahenshah // Apr 13, 2008 at 5:14

  yeee leafs!

  Anyways, Nic is it true Henry is going around saying that Barcelona forcing him to play on the wing has made him lose his ability to play as a striker?

  Wow

• Shahenshah // Apr 13, 2008 at 5:15

  This is my source to the previous comment by the way

  http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=524742&cc=5901

• Winterhunt // Apr 13, 2008 at 5:52

  Diatus,

  pretty original, and pretty witty as well, I thought we were on this board to talk football not fail miserably at trying to be funny…. I get it, I post about wanting Jose a few times and I will die if we don’t get him…. yeah, that really is a pretty clever and original observation on your part… You are quite the wit, I must say…. So, since you know so much that you can guarantee a victory against Man U, why don’t you inform everyone what besides your keen sense of observation would lead you to think that??? Or better yet, who it is you want to see as coach and why????? I’m not really sure why it is so funny to be disgusted enough with a team loaded with talent that has basically laid down for two years straight, and have a strong opinion on who should manage and why…. If you have a better opinion why not offer it instead juvenile proclamations about running around with sacks of bees in your pants, like anyone cares…. If Mourinho being the coach and my wanting him to be the coach is so funny, then please tell me why, and offer a better solution…. If it is just funny to you that I am so passionate about the idea, and want our team to win then I would say that expressing that on a board about football is what this board is suppossed to be about more than promising to wearing your wife’s Real Madrid shirt to bed…. honestly who cares what you wear to bed, or that “You heard it here first…” which means what exactly???? Aside from Real Jerseys of your wife and sacks of bees maybe you have something remotely connected to football that is remotely intelligent or interesting to offer or is that the depth of your insight and caring, kid???????

• John // Apr 13, 2008 at 7:35

  We play as 11 individual players… not a team!!!! The defending at times last night was truly awful!!! A back line full of top internationals did not have the first idea… I dread to think what Rooney, Ronaldo, Tevez, Scholes and Giggs will do to us.. The whole situation cries out for Jose….. But Laporta I fear is too stubborn, too proud and too stupid to take that option. The attributes that Jose would bring are what the club need…. the board are trying ignore that huge cracks that have appeared …. Mr Laporta are we goingto win the league NOW? no we have thrown it away again…two seasons running!!! Will we win the champions league? If we defend like we did last night Man Utd will take us apart!!! Then what will the board do….. ? Ignore the single best option available to pull the club back together.. that is Jose Mourihno… The decline in the last 2 years has been nothong short of incredible!

• El // Apr 13, 2008 at 7:41

  If Real will win today that Liga is lost for us. Abidal played dreadfully, as long as full defence.. this men from the bottom of the league played on our side just as they wanted!! My god, I am so sorry for Etoo, he tried so much but who cared? Shit, it just disgusting to see these people’s attitude.

  How on earth he decided to change Gio but not Esquerro?

• Blaugrana // Apr 13, 2008 at 8:19

  I’AM REALY TIRED,every match same bullshit last we won was valladolid in the league,UCL has been good to us but the buck ends there, drawing against a team that can’t put 6passes togetha, DOES ANY1 HAVE JOSÊ’S PHNE NUMBA SERIOUS.

• Jay // Apr 13, 2008 at 9:40

  Most of you are right regarding not playing as a team. Ours is definitely a team of individuals. And we don’t deserve the Liga title as such. But maybe even Real Madrid doesn’t deserve it.

  Regarding United, they are going to make us cry if we don’t work harder now. The season isn’t over yet. A champions league win would be a great achievement.

  My only hope would be this formation:-
  For the home leg,
  Zambrotta-Thuram-Milito-Sylvinho
  Xavi-Yaya Toure-Iniesta
  Messi-Eto’o-Bojan

  For the away leg, Puyol returns for Thuram.

  This is the last hope. Period.

• Nic // Apr 13, 2008 at 9:43

  I forgot to congratulate Layi on a correct prediction, don’t suppose it’s any consolation
  Shahenshah - The Henry thing was in the Spanish press as well, L’Equipe is pretty prestigious so I doubt they made it up. He was also supposed to say that he had never run so much in his career. Pretty pathetic really. I never liked Henry before he signed but tried to look at him positively when he signed. He has been a constant disappointment and his complaining to the press is something I would expect of a twenty year old, not someone with all his experience. I hope he gets a hat trick against Man United but we really need to get rid of him this summer.
  On the subject of Mourinho, I agree he is probably the best coach around. However, I’m still not convinced he is right for Barça, the reason being the enemies he has at Barça. What we need is unity and this would be very difficult under Mourinho. For the same reason I don’t want Laudrup, as soon as we had a couple of bad results people would start to remember his move to Madrid. I’ll wait till the end of the season to talk more about who should be coach next season.
  Finally, I imagine Marquez wasn’t used because he is not fully fit, he took a knock against Schalke and they probably didn’t want to risk him.

• Varughese // Apr 13, 2008 at 13:34

  I have been insisting the need to include Gudjonsen in the side. The only positive from this game is that I have been proven right by Gudjonsen’s performance. Ezquerra was good in that left flank, he is a better option than Henry in left.

• BARCA 4 LYF // Apr 13, 2008 at 14:10

  If only that dopey bastard linesman could see properly that was no way a goal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• BARCA 4 LYF // Apr 13, 2008 at 14:12

  Eto’o ‘ s goal was amazing!!!!

• Catherine-Lucia // Apr 13, 2008 at 14:51

  Ha. Funny you should mention the Caps. My family has converted into hockey fans, meanwhile here I am cheering on the Black-And-Red, my closest encounter with the Capitals being skimming the Washington Post Sports section.

  Anyway about Barca-Man U, yes, the odds are against us, but don’t count us out yet.

• Jay // Apr 13, 2008 at 17:39

  @Catherine-Lucia

  The best part about the Man Utd game is that everything is against us. It is a rare feeling in football which can actually bring out the best in you.

• Catherine-Lucia // Apr 13, 2008 at 17:44

  Brilliantly said, Jay.

  For me, I don’t entirely care whether we win or lose, I just want to see some beautiful football. For most people that’s just BS and a cover-up to save face, but for me it’s actually true. I’m a fan of the beautiful game. So I am not too worried about the Manchester United game at all.

  But for those of you who are, the fact that we’re all but counted out of the game will just make our victory better.

• PHaft // Apr 13, 2008 at 18:55

  watching real madrid - murcia; 0-0 at halftime. Torres for madrid given a red card for a nasty challenge on the back of a murcia player’s leg.

  Murcia not playing bad either. Madrid looks pretty crappy, although 1 man down. I wouldn’t be surprised if madrid pull it out though, they have a mentality that they SHOULD NOT lose (which is what we’re missing, hate to say it).

• Catherine-Lucia // Apr 13, 2008 at 18:58

  I don’t know about Madrid-Murcia, man…Murcia can pull it off occasionally, and Madrid are definitely determined, although not performing. I’m looking to a 1-1 draw or a 2-1 upset, maybe Madrid will pull off a 2-1 win but I don’t think so……………..

• Shahenshah // Apr 13, 2008 at 19:10

  Exactly Nic, what right does he have going around bashing his own team like that?! Can you belive this guy!? Wow unbelievable! What a disgraceful plea for playing time!

  Do we see Eto’o whining for being put completely out of position? Hell Henry has had more playing time in the middle than Eto’o! This is why I have always believed Eto’o is the better player.

  I tried to be patient with him as well but clearly anyone who looks at his attitude and the way he plays, they cant help but loathe.

• Lee (La Liga Review) // Apr 13, 2008 at 19:35

  I’m with Nic on the Mourinho issue, as well as Henry. In fact my loathing for Henry has reached the verge of being completely irrational. I was opposed to signing him last summer but was prepared to put my prejudices aside and try to like the guy. Two things stick in my mind. 1) an article in SPORT, just before he signed that claimed he was the answer to all our prayers: a leader, a gentleman, someone who would teach the rest of the vestuario about a positive attitude. At the time I remember thinking - is this the same Henry who sulked and whinged his way through the premiership. 2) just after Henry left Arsenal there was interview in MARCA where Farbregas basically said that Arsenal would be a better, more unified team wihout Henry, that many of the players were relieved he had gone and suggested that he was not this inspirational figure that everyone made out - and Cesc was meant to be his mate.

  As for the Mourinho - sorry - but no, no, no. no. no thanks. This is the man who, when presented with an opportunity and a budget to assemble the finest and most entertaining football team on the planet - opted to build a team that spoiled and primarily went out to stop the opposition playing. Look at his approach to the games against us in the CL - with a team that cost three times what ours did - yet he approached it as the underdog and with a nick the game at all cost approach.

  We are Barsa - the game is about glory, about winning with style, with a flourish - sure this year had been frustrating but look at the pure joy of two years ago. I’m prepared to go through a few lean years to wait to see again - rather that than sell our souls to Mourinho’s anti-football. Thats not the Barcelona way.

• Rahul // Apr 13, 2008 at 20:06

  1-0 to Real Madrid, there goes La Liga……

• Joe Henry // Apr 13, 2008 at 20:53

  I’m really thinking the year after the next is ours ( the year Frank leaves ). teach them nothing but facts ( Charles Dickens / Hard Times ). Henry went from a super star to super crap. Eric went from super star to super crap. The best team in the world is losing 3rd on the league or soon to be. One of the worst defense in Europe. And we got 6 point out of 21 or 22. I must say its huge achievement truly congrats Frank your really one of the worst coach’s ever to coach a team . Well done truly well done. Sorry Without Puyol, The odds of us winning or making it throe to the final are as low as it gets. I just wish we are not beaten by another 6 in the Madrid game. May God Help Barca.

• Shahenshah // Apr 13, 2008 at 21:14

  You know the more you guys say Barca is going to get thrashed by man united, the more it is a possibility of happening.

  Then again why do I get the feeling you guys want it to happen that way, except not really coming out and saying it straight?

  Its getting very tiring to hear honestly. We already have the whole world going around saying Man U will thrash us, atleast the fans should hold their toungue and lend support.

• Jay // Apr 13, 2008 at 21:15

  The La Liga is mostly lost, yes. Difficult to concede. But you have to be realistic. Madrid win 1-0 again. As usual, they are luckier than normal. They should be champions. Worthy or not? Well, all I can say is that no one wanted to win the title this year.

  The Champions League now.

  Full throttle.

• blaugranafan // Apr 13, 2008 at 21:41

  Anyone know exactly who pushed for Henry’s signing? I recall prior to his signing that there was always interest from a number of Barca directors, but no names were given. Did Txiki push for his signing?

  This is not an attempt to be negative; I just thought it might help to add some facts to the Barca/ManUtd discussion as the CL semifinals looms. According to soccernet.com:

  1. In league play, Barca average 1.94 goals per game, while their opponents average 0.97 goals per game. Man Utd average 2.12 goals per game, and their opponents average 0.53 goals per game.

  2. In league play, for the months of march and april, Barca have a goal differential of -1. Man Utd had a goal differential of +14.

  3. Barca are currently mired in their longest winless streak of the year for the league campaign.

  4. In the Champions League, Man Utd have 3 of the top 25 goal scorers in Ronaldo (7), Rooney (4), and Tevez (4). Barca have just 1 in Messi (6).

  5. In terms of total CL goals scored, though, the teams match up better. Barca and Man Utd both scored 18 in the group and knockout rounds. We need to hope that Messi gets back in form for the tie, as he accounted for about 1/3 of Barca’s CL goals. Meanwhile, the trio of Ronaldo/Rooney/Tevez accounts for almost all of their goals.

• Shahenshah // Apr 13, 2008 at 23:06

  I guess they wanted Henry after he dominated the epl in 03/04 and 04/05. When he started to lose form in Arsenal, he decided to move to Barcelona.

  Face it, this is not the same Henry anymore. The whole situation regarding his move to Barcelona is very similar to Ronaldinho’s move to Milan.

• Winterhunt // Apr 13, 2008 at 23:42

  I’ll say it… I hope that Man U thrashes us.. It will kill me every second of watching it but then finally the apologists would stop with all this ridiculous rationalising and excuse making for our team., and the board and Laporta would be forced to act…. This team is infected with no leadership, no work ethic, and I’m affraid it will wear off on our young talent… We are too good to be rewarded for the lack of effort we have put in for two years running… With our budget and talent, we are a disgrace…. I absolutely love this team, spend so much money on Barca jerseys, and everything else imaginable, read transfer reports and news accounts several times a day but I fear that I and everyone else on this board care more than the players and management themselves do….. this team have just about killed my heart these last two years, for me it is worse and more painful now than the years when we were mired in mediocrity because we are capable and in my opinion should be the best team on the planet, and let’s be honest complacency, and Frank, and yes Laporta too have let us get satisfied and lazy…. We in truth do not even deserve to be on the same pitch as Man U (who I detest by the way) not because we lack talent nor because I do not think it is possible that we can beat them (we can beat them and with our talent should beat them), but because we do not have their conviction, selflessness, mental toughness, and in truth do not deserve to beat them, and if we did it would be a fluke, and in truth unjust as we just have not put in the work to even deserve to have gotten this far. I watched Man U beat Arsenal todat when they were outplayed in the first half, but they showed grit and determination and mental toughness, and came back and won. Arsenal reminded me of us, patches of brilliance but a bit of adversity and they fold….. That is what we have been for 2 years, and I am sick of it. If we somehow got bye Man U then Laporta would actually sell this season as some great achievment, and make no key changes…. I do not think teams should get rewarded for lack of heart, laziness, poor coaching…… But I don’t think I have to worry to much about that, Man U is not some juggernaut but are a team, and we are just a bunch of individuals without a plan, and If by some miracle we did beat them it would only reinforce how lazy and pathetic our effort has been the rest of the year and how many games we just gave away….. By the way Schalke 04 who we barely beat in CL, just fired their coach today because of their bad loss to Werder Bremen over the weekend…. Still they sit 3rd in that league and played us to the limit with a fraction of our talent, and they got rid of their coach, but of course not us….

• Catherine-Lucia // Apr 14, 2008 at 0:16

  I for one hope that WE thrash MAN U, and not the other way around. I wouldn’t wish bad on my own team…

• Diatus // Apr 14, 2008 at 0:35

  @ Winterhunt

  Of Course not a single person on this forum cares what anyone else wears in bed and some (I am sure go to bed with nothing on) BUT you have shown pedanterie and pretentiousness that is beyond this world.

  1- I am glad that some on this forum took well my “losy” attempt at trying to bring some joy to an otherwise grey week end (ie-Catherine-Lucia).

  2-How dare you pretend to speak for everyone on this forum?

  3-You come across as the truly scary type of fan I truly do not want much to do with when you say things like “this team have just about killed my heart these last two years”. It is only a game and people like you thre

• Shahenshah // Apr 14, 2008 at 0:46

  Whether we lose or win the champions league, changes are bound to be made. I am pretty positive the Camp Nou crowd dont really care about the champions league as much as La Liga and I am pretty sure no one is happy with the fact that the team had many chances to overtake their arch rivals and secure their title hopes. I dont think they will be saying “oh hey, you guys won the champs league so its alright, who cares if we gifted La Liga to those scum madridistas once again.” When your own fanbase literally starts waving the white flags, you know there is time for a serious overhaul. This is Barcelona, not liverpool.

  With regards to that, I hope Barcelona beat Man united, go on to the final and win the champs league so atleast some good came from this depressing season.

• FCB // Apr 14, 2008 at 0:50

  BARCA!

• Hilal // Apr 14, 2008 at 0:58

  Well said Winterhunt. It is time for this team and its management to take long hard look in the mirror. I would love for us to win the CL, but if it is at the cost of the major changes that are clearly needed then I would gladly sacrifice it. My hope is that we are able to win the CL and that we still make the changes that are required but somehow I doubt that will happen. To be honest I think that Rijkaard is gone either way. If we do not win then he will be let go and if we do win then I am pretty sure he will leave on a high. He must know that he is not wanted anymore and I am sure he is gone either way. However, it is not enough that he just leaves, changes need to be made EVERYWHERE. From the training coaches to the medical staff. The injuries and lack of fitness this season have been completely unacceptable. No team picks up this many injuries without something being wrong. Only2 of our entire squad have avoided injury this season, that is shocking. The fitness levels are clearly way below par, they seem to run out of gas after 20-30 mins of high intensity play.

  Whoever replaces Rijkaard next season needs to be a STRONG manager who can not only handle the players but can also ensure all the aspects of the teams fitness, training and medical care are of the highest quality. Personally I think the only man who can do that is Mourinho. I know there are a lot of Mourinho haters out there so please suggest who you think can do a better job? And do not say Rijkaard because he is as good as gone, no manager can withstand the abuse he is getting from the press and the fans.

  Btw I saw Man utd today and if Adebayour knew how to finish Arsenal could have won that game. Man utd played well near the end, but it could have been put beyond them. If Messi is playing well we can take them. The fact that we have been all but written off I think will have a good effect on the players. We ALWAYS play as the favorites, always. This is the first game in 4 years where we are the underdogs. That relief of pressure might just be enough to give the players the drive they need. Also it depends who plays in the game as well. I know a lot of people have been riding Henry lately (I have been one of them) but it would be a mistake not to start him. He has played and scored against them many times. He knows how they play and he knows how they defend. He may not be driven playing against Shalke but against Man utd you will see a better Henry.

  I am really torn at this point. I want to beat Man utd so bad, especially with their smug attitude now!! I live in the UK and trust me when I say they think it is going to be a walk in the park. They are laughing about how Rooney and Ronaldo are going to destroy our defense without Puyol (and they probably will). We have Messi though, and I saw Man utd defend today, if they think it is going to be easy for them to stop Messi then they have another thing coming! On the other hand I know we need the necessary changes to be made and I know if we lost to Man utd Laporta will have no choice but to make those changes…….ahhhh the dilema!!!

• Legend Stone // Apr 14, 2008 at 1:25

  Does anyone think Ronaldinho’s departure will have any effect on Messi? Do you think that Barca’s having too many stars is what is really affecting the team as was in the case of Real when they had Zidane, Beckham, Owen, Carlos, Raul, Figo and Ronaldo and were trophyless? I am not for a team having too many stars for that is not the answer for they will play their own games and not play as a team.
  Replacement for Ronaldinho??? I say Bojan. I personally think he plays better on the wing though he might have scored from the centre. I think Rijkaard could try playing him “from” the left. However I don’t think he can ever replace Ronnie simply because of Ronnie’s playmaking attributes. Henry and Eto’o can fight for the starting role in the middle (though Eto’o may be better now and Henry doesn’t mind being a substitute) and Messi remains on the right wing.
  Solution to Barca’s dilema!!! I think Barca should look for a great playmaker for next season. That is what is missing from the team right now. Iniesta is not yet at the required level and Xavi needs someone to play with. Diego may be a good replacement for Ronnie but he should play in the middle and Bojan play from the left wing.

• Diatus // Apr 14, 2008 at 1:34

  @ Winterhunt

  Of Course not a single person on this forum cares what anyone else wears in bed and some (I am sure go to bed with nothing on) BUT you have shown pedanterie and pretentiousness that is beyond this world.

  1- I am glad that some on this forum took well my “losy” attempt at trying to bring some joy to an otherwise grey week-end (ie-Catherine-Lucia).

  2-How dare you pretend to speak for everyone on this forum?

  3-You come across as the truly scary type of fan I truly do not want much to do with when you say things like “this team have just about killed my heart these last two years”, I am truly scared for you: please take a big chill pill and enjoy. It is only a game and people like you threw bottles at another player at Betis,people like you create violence and antagonize everyone around them, so on and so forth.

  4-Jose Mour. will not solve all of our problems, no coach can solve any teams issues singlehandedly overnight. You are ignorant for thinking that it is possible. I agree that change might need to take place with our team but be careful what you wish for: look at Valencia, Look at Zaragoza!!! Coaches do not win games, players do. You can spend your entire day pulling out his stats and all the “wonderful” things he’s accomplished but that fact shall remain unchanged for as long as football will be played.

  5-You are so blinded by your desire to see us win that you are failing to see what our real issues are tactically, physically and mentally.
  A-Tactically: you fail to understand and acknowledge the fact that our 4-3-3 system of play has its limitations and needed to be tweeked to a 4-4-2 on many occasions. In addition, our defensive mentality is not uniform throughout the team. On many occasions (with lesser teams), we’ve seen second tier defenses easily play out of the back into their midfields to move the game towards our goal simply because of the fact that our forwards are not closing down opposing defensive players as quickly as possible. Our midfielders are too offensive minded. There’s nothing wrong with that if the said midfielders can recover and cover quickly (look at the goals we took against Betis-I am sure you own the tape). It seems that the entire job of holding in the midfield has solely been left to Yaya Toure and that will just not cut it (Iniesta, Deco and Xavi) have to work a little harder to shrink space in the middle thus minimize the opportunity for opposing defenses (ie: Julio Baptista’s goal against us on December 22nd). Our transitional defensive game is is neither well cadenced nor compact.Our team moves in pieces, not as a unit. Our defenders very rarely get involved in offensive “running” play, with maybe the exception of Sylvinio. Abidal used to do it but it seems as though he has done less of it as the season wore on and that was one of the reasons we brought in Lilian Thuram over after the wonderful “running” play goals he scored during the world Cup.It is very easy to just say “fire the coach”, but unlike you I am backing it up with insightful substance.

  B-Physically: I think that we are fit for the most part (with a few exceptions) but lately we are not as aggressive at challenging players when they have the ball and we are not going for the extra run. Our football acumen in the box seems to have dwindled to a sad picture of what we’ve all gotten accustomed to seing, with the exception of Bojan and Eto’. Our defenders are tiring fast and lack physically promptness on loose balls (ie: Abidal, Milito).

  C-Mentally: I think that this is the most important part of a team’s ability to win. It seems as though everytime we take a goal, our concentration level goes down and we throw all of our confidence and talent out the window. I can name you many examples but I will save you the “heartache” of rereading what might give you a heart attack. We have to believe in our ability to take a lead and keep it. Our mental toughness is very suspect to say the least.That is how champions are made.

  6-As for the Man U. Game, How can you say that you hope “we get thrashed” and call yourself a fan. Real fans stick by their teams no matter what. You are acting like a little kid who was refused candy at the supermarket check out line. People on this forum who state that they think that we are going to win against Man U. are real fans. That label is not earned based on the number of statistics you post about Jose Mour., it is arned based on the simple fact that you think and always hope that your team will win even when playing with 9 men on the field.
  Let’s talk about that game!
  Granted Man U. has a very solid team as proven by their victory against arsenal today but their central defense is not the greatest. Ferdinand is and has been playing injured and the team doesn’t really have anyone to replace him. Our players are slowly but sure coming back from injury and will have everything to prove. I do like our chances agains that back line. Man U’s triple threat (Ronaldo, Rooney and Te Vez) is real and might cause serious challenges to our defense BUT if we do a great job shutting Ronaldo down, our chances of winning will significantly increases and the impossible will seem very achievable. The pattern lately for Man U. has been that Sir Alex Fergusson is avoiding having all of them on the field at once and I think that migh be to our advantage. I thought that Kolo Toure did a great job on him today and were it not for a lucky (granted great) free kick from Hargreaves their latest attempt would have been a draw against a team that is down in the dumps after a surprise exit from the Champions’ League. In Addition, we have nothing left to play for but the Champions’ League. I believe that our sense of urgency will peak and that we will play emotionally, which can be a very efficient weapon when it comes to winning games (look at Bayern Munich). I truly believe that we are moving into the finals!!!
  and when we do, please make sure that you do not post anything on this forum.

  thank you and have a nice day!!!!

• Winterhunt // Apr 14, 2008 at 2:03

  Diatus,

  I only responded to your provocation, you said

  “Guys Winterhunt must definitely be Mourhino!!!haha…just guy might commit suicide if we don’t get Jose!!! Jeez!1 haha”

  Now, to me that sounds as if when you use “Guys” that you are trying to speak to & for everyone on the board….. Seeing as I have never had any communication with you prior, it seems to me, that not only was it a sophmoric comment but obviously one intended to incite, so I responded in kind. It seems as if you can dish it out but not take it huh, kid?????

  So let me get this straight, you insult me, you try and make a point of it to the whole board as if what I said had no merit when I was speaking o matters that pertain to football, then you talk about sacks of bees in your pants and wearing your wife’s Real shirt to bed on a board about football, make some strange comment about you being sure I wear nothing to bed (what is your obsesion with what peole wear to bed???? ) and your point is that to be posting about football on a football board is scary to you, and pretentious????? That saying my team faltering kills my heart is scary to you??? I dare say there are many others that understand the feeling as it pertains to this team, as this team transcends sports to a lot of us; it represents history, and tolerance, and Freedom. Maybe you are not familiar with the history of the club, but when the club’s President has been literally assassinated by Franco, and people view the club as their only voice at a time of repression when they had no voice, then yes, feelings do tend to run deep for this club in my heart and I would dare say others hearts as well. I’m sorry that “Scares” you. But I find that completely insulting not just to me but to the club in general. Yet, you refer to Barca as “We”?????? Of course, If all of this is too much for you to understand then I actually don’t even know what to say to you. Then you say, how dare I speak for the board when all I was doing was answering your provocation. Your justification for all of this is that you entertained one person… Well, good for you Diatus, actually with your degree of wit you might even be able to entertain a couple more, but I think you are more suited to be on facebook or myspace with the High School kids, that seems more your speed.

  oh, by the way, I know they are big words for you, but the words are Pedantry not pedanterie, and Lousy not losy…

  If understanding football, and caring about my team over the long term is either pretentious or scary to you, and your sole purpose on a football board is to call me out for some unknown reason and entertain one person with your pitiful attempts at humor, but what is great about this board is that it gives people who are serious and pasionate about football a venue to vent, air their feelings, and debate ideas about the club they love. Here people talk about football and are quite knowledgeable about it. Not everyone agrees all the time, but at least they make football points. You, besides your proclamtion of “hearing it here first…” and starting an argument with me for some unknown reason, have not made one point about football that is even remotely informed…… Like I said maybe a social networking site is more your speed, kid…..

• Diatus // Apr 14, 2008 at 2:20

  @ Winterhunt

  Well, well English professor, it seems you have no response to everything I have just said about football. The truth is that the French in me came out since the word Pedantry is from the French word Pedanterie, which has your picture next to it. Ypu have no sense of humor and all I was doing was trying to get you to say more not “incite”…some of the things you say are true, I will give you that much but I’ve got news for you:you don’t know it all and I have even never been on any social networking site…I actually have a life!!! you on the other hand seem to know a lot about them and I can bet you that you will make maybe just a few friends with this deseased tone of yours…

  Answer my football points if you have something to say, otherwise zip it and get off facebook…

• Diatus // Apr 14, 2008 at 2:22

  Obviously you do not care about your team since you hope they get “thrashed”!!! how childish…and you have the nerve to call me kid!!!hombre get real!!!

• Diatus // Apr 14, 2008 at 2:26

  I can already read an added degree of humility of to your most recent insult to me…keep going, you might eventually get there.

• Winterhunt // Apr 14, 2008 at 3:04

  Diatus,

  If you had read my earlier posts as to why I advocated Mourinho then you can clearly read that I had already covered all of your “Football points” previous to your inane introduction to the ongoing discussion…..

  again my guess is you meant diseased, not “deseased”, it really is hard for me to carry on a debate with someone so illiterate, and I said Kid, as that is what your maturity level merits.

  Like I said, the answer to your points can be found in prior posts of mine that I need not restate for you, that being said, you do have a few really tasty bits of your football knowledge….

  “B-Physically: I think that we are fit for the most part (with a few exceptions)”

  This is a joke right???? We are physically fit???? What team are you watching or are you watching at all…. OK, here’s a clue what do Ronnie, Sammy, Leo, Carles, Deco, Iniesta, Yaya, Marquez, Henry… well that will take too long, what does every player on this team excepting 2 have in common???? They have all been injured…. that means unfit physically for the uneducated in the audience….

  Look I could go on and on every point you raise, I raised days and weeks ago in my posts, and in citing the strength of Mourinho as a coach who’s teams always exhibit as strengths, the exact areas where we are currently deficient, ie mental toughness, defensive organisation etc.

  Maybe you didn’t read my post but when I said I hoped we get thrashed, I explained why, maybe that was too intricate in regards to understanding for you, but it was precisely because I love Barca that I hope drastic measures are taken, and seeing as last year’s disaster wasn’t enough to bring them about, then my fear is that if by some miracle we snuck by Man U then nothing would be done…….. anyway, this is pure tedium for me… there are so many people on this board who actually know and understand football that I don’t see the point of engaging the village idiot of the board in matters that you are clearly incapable of understanding….. Go on make your three or four inane little comments in response but you are no longer worth any more words on, it’s like talking about Miro to the blind with you, kid……

• PHaft // Apr 14, 2008 at 3:09

  Diego would be great to fill in in ronnies place, but real madrid are on him hard, and he used to play with robinho at santos fc and im sure hed want to reunite. we really need a playmaker, I totally agree. we just need to spend the money, a la bayern.

• Diatus // Apr 14, 2008 at 3:19

  blah, blah, blah…you sure can’t take it but you can dish out, huh? yeah, you spend all your time checking people’s spelling thus missing the point being made. You are making me laugh so hard that I can’t even type and with a tiny minded human like you it doesn’t even matter.Empty barrels make a lot of noise. Yep kiddo, keep rolling down the street. I can teach you and your whole entourage on facebook about football. I have played it internationally and I hold a B12 coaching license. You know nothing and make sure you do not post anything on this forum when we “thrash” Man U.
  Yep, I agree, you don’t deserve any more time from me…you pedantic (spelled correctly right) facebooker…oops that’s a new word for you. Is it correctly spelled?
  Talk football amigo, talk football and cut the personal crap…

• Shahenshah // Apr 14, 2008 at 3:20

  lol

  i like how people ruin good arguments by pointing vocab flaws in the other person’s argument.

• blaugranafan // Apr 14, 2008 at 3:43

  PHaft–Sure there’s the Robinho tie at Madrid that may appeal to Diego, but Madrid have a pretty full midfield at the moment. At Barca, Ronnie is leaving and probably Deco, too. Plenty of room and playing time here for Diego. I’m optimistic about our chances of landing him. We just have to splash the cash, which apparently we will have. Hleb would be a good playmaker purchase as well.

  If what I read in the press is correct, the cash we get from selling Ronnie will just about cover the transfer fee for Dani Alves, which means Zambro can go back to Italy for ~10 million Euros. So we have that money as well as whatever kitty the board agrees to.

• Shahenshah // Apr 14, 2008 at 3:46

  30 million for Dani Alves? Damn.

• blaugranafan // Apr 14, 2008 at 3:53

  That’s what Sevilla are asking for…

• Diatus // Apr 14, 2008 at 3:57

  Hey Blaugrana
  you really think Hleb will be a good fit. I actually never considered him.

• Diatus // Apr 14, 2008 at 4:03

  @Shahenshah

  lol

  Hey at least it was a good argument…funny!!

• blaugranafan // Apr 14, 2008 at 4:08

  Hleb is a great midfielder. Very creative. Great passer. Good work rate. I know he can play on the right as well. He might not be the best choice if we are looking for a direct replacement for Ronnie on the *left* of a 4-3-3, but I think he can slot in perfectly for Deco in the middle, and we can play Iniesta on the left. Of course, I might prefer to change the system entirely to a 4-4-2, in which case Hleb would also be a great addition.

  Great video of Hleb in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcb1UAiBYS4

  I do know that there will be one problem if he comes, which is that he will need some time to overcome the language barrier (he’s Belorussian). He took damn near forever to pick up English.

• Diatus // Apr 14, 2008 at 4:48

  Interesting fact about the language barrier. I think you make a good case for him. My only worry is his physical toughness on the ball. He seems to be a bit light with ball protection. Any thoughts on that?

• Diatus // Apr 14, 2008 at 4:50

  I agree with you on the 4-2-2 system. Pelligrini does a great job of that. Flood the midfield, put up super strickers and win games.

• Shahenshah // Apr 14, 2008 at 5:39

  Moutinho! Thats the player who should replace Deco. On Barcelona and the Portuguese national team.

• Nic // Apr 14, 2008 at 7:47

  It is pretty tiring to get up on a Monday morning and read some of the petty arguments here. Can we not make it so personal. I can’t be bothered to read through it all to see who started it or anything. Diatus, comparing Winterhunt to the bottle thrower at Betis is out of order, it is possible to be passionate about your team without resorting to violence.
  Let’s just stick to football please. That goes for everyone.

• blaugranaboy // Apr 14, 2008 at 8:17

  hleb is no way the right transfer and I havent liked it since the reports first surfaced. i know he can dribble nicely and is very creative but he is so weak and has such a terrible scoring record. he cant scored for shit, his shot his terrible. for all his great dribbling and change of pace he is rather unproductive. diego is my first choice, been so since i saw him in the CL against us a few years back, he was fantastic. fits the style perfectly. we should def look into quaresma again. he can play both wings and loves the attacking style he can also score the best goals uve ever seen.

  the one thing i will say about united, are chances are better without vidic there. rio is a clown on his own and even though he can pull off a great tackle he often loses the plot. against arsenal when adebayor squandered that great chance in the first half rio was ball watching like ive never seen before. but on the whole we are underdogs and anyone that watched both teams has to admit that. i know diatus feels real fans cant wish the worst for their team, and thats true, but u can still admit when u arent as good. united have proved themselves the best team around this year. but going in underdogs could be good, players seem to be motivated to prove people wrong. i can only hope AGAIN, but really people has our hopes once been met this year?? i will watch that game in fear but if finally something happens it could be the happiest victory in a long time.

• blaugranaboy // Apr 14, 2008 at 8:21

  and with regards to mourinho, like ive said many times, i sit on the fence. i would sacrifice frank if roni would stay (which now seems near impossible) and jose would whip him into shape. roni at his best is irreplaceable. one thing u have to be impressed with is jose interest in the team. coming to the meeting with the dvd and analysis of players, etc.. (if hte reports are true) is something to admire. and i use to HATE him with everything in my soul, but that gave him points in my book. and i dont think he will play negative football truth be told. one thing i will say to diatus is that i dont feel there is anything wrong with diehard ultra fans, and football really isnt just a game.

• Jay // Apr 14, 2008 at 9:46

  “When your own fanbase literally starts waving the white flags, you know there is time for a serious overhaul. This is Barcelona, not liverpool.”

  Shahenshah, I cannot agree with this. You think the fans know everything. C’mon, they, or rather we, are just passionate, wild and half-mad and we think we know more than Rijkaard or anybody else there. The white flags raised after the Getafe draw is the WORST thing to do to a team that was all set to take on Schalke in the Champions League return leg.

  “Iniesta is not at the required level.”
  Legend Stone, regarding your playmaker opinion, I have to disagree with your view regarding Iniesta. He is way better than the level of all the others and at 23, you can’t expect more from a player. The guy attacks and defends consistently, the only player in the squad to do so.

  Sometimes, we fans are purely crazy and self-opinionated.

  Accept it.

• Joe Henry // Apr 14, 2008 at 14:15

  If any one in from this blog still thinks that the problem lies far from Frank. Sorry your mistaken. Its not luck, Its not chance, Its not nothing. We have a bad Manager that is all. When we change him you will see the difference. I was hoping that he wont come in this season and you can all see why i wanted so we will win nothing. Lets hope as i said before its ends that we gain nothing not lose with a big score to either Madrid or Man United

• Shahenshah // Apr 14, 2008 at 16:03

  Jay

  so you are saying no change is necessary?

• Jay // Apr 14, 2008 at 16:44

  No, but there is something called waiting till the season is seen out. Waving white flags at such a crucial time in the season.

  The fans just showcased their immaturity by putting on that show of waving. It’s the wrong time, is what I meant.

  When we are being beaten 3-0 by United at the Camp Nou with 10 minutes to go, then you can showcase your frustration. Because then there is nothing left at all.

  Not forcing such a situation yourself. I seriously believe that fan hate would be one of the key reasons of a defeat to United. Because this team can still beat them. But if the team’s own fans are least interested and want to be beaten just to make the board “realize” certain things, then no good will come out.

  Anyway, things are so wrong.

  Making them more worse can be called self destruction.

• Jay // Apr 14, 2008 at 16:58

  http://goal.com/en-india/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=658812

  Just what I mean, Shahenshah.

  Johann Cruyff is really the greatest. Truly. His love for Barca is the most magical.

• Speeka // Apr 14, 2008 at 18:56

  It’s like even the god’s are against us atm. Their 1st goal didnt cross the goal line & there were a few freekicks that werent awarded to us.

• from 9geria // Apr 14, 2008 at 20:07

  just say a little prayer for the team each day
  that they may feel as disgusted with themselves as we do
  and look in the eyes of small 9 year old childrean who are camp nou faithfuls
  maybe they will get the motivation they need.
  you never really see that zeal to win
  remember the 2 shalke games
  they where so content with a 1 0 lead
  what we nee is motivation

• from 9geria // Apr 14, 2008 at 20:24

  just this night I heard Henry wants out unless if his played as CF
  He is already talking terms with chealse
  and will finalize when we play man.
  with deco and rondi leaving
  laporta wants cesc back

  but what we really need is a new football philosophy
  franks own is no more working

  our backline is ppathetic
  and the fact that 19 can only play as a right finisher is not helpful
  we need morr flexible football

  managers can always predict what formation frank is going to play(remember benitez did so at anfield last year) he should try working on playing as a right MIDFIELDER
  that way we can cormfortably play 442
  C.Ronaldo is almost like him
  but C is slightly more versatile
  Manu plays 442 too
  that way we can have two CF’s in a match
  nowadays the defence will always try and crowd you out, and cut out the crosses
  its not always that you can come up with brilliances
  but you have to have a good paln with more chances at goal,
  so we can win whearther or not we gifted wingers
  we will not always have people like 2004/2005 rondi and messi
  but sith slightly more versatility you are sure to win
  look at Liverpool
  there is no Master dribbler there
  nl leg overs
  but they played fantastic football against arsenal
  and they still win
  its time to reconsider our options
  and perhaps get a new coach
  new coach new culture
  its good stuff like this happen sometimes
  that way we will have the guts to make needful changes

• Legend Stone // Apr 15, 2008 at 2:06

  Iniesta is a box-box player and not a playmaker. He can assist in attack and defense but he is not a true playmaker. He plays somewhat like Gerrard. Diego is a true playmaker. Barca should make the sacrifice to get him for he would be a great asset to the team. He is worthy to play for this illustrious club. If Barca signs him them the team should be built around him. He basically carries Werder Bremen with its average players and with the world class players of Barca to support him then Barca would certainly be invincible.

  I am not for a 4-4-2 formation. It is not the Barca style and it limits flair. It is a formation which fosters crossing and arial football which Barca may have a difficulty with as there are no seriously dangerous arial attackers in the team. Barca plays better when the ball is on the ground and 4-3-3 facilitates this. In addition, the 4-4-2 system would hinder Messi since he is not an orthodox winger in that he plays “from” and not on the right. Henry can be a sub for Eto’o.

  If Bojan is unable to play from the right then Barca should consider Buying Guardado or Quareshma.

• blaugranafan // Apr 16, 2008 at 0:39

  Diatus–I’m inclined to agree with you and some other folks who expressed concerns about Hleb’s lack of physical strength. He’s more of a finesse player with great technical skills. For a direct replacement for Ronnie, Diego is my first choice, as he seems to be a “crack,” as the Catalans like to say. But I can’t really say that Diego is far superior to Hleb as a playmaker, because the main function of the playmaker is not to score, but rather to put yourself in position to receive the ball, read the game, create, and distribute–ideally without dwelling on the ball. At this, Hleb excels. I guess it’s also quite possible to bid for both Diego and Hleb; if Ronnie and Deco can play together, why can’t these two?

  I don’t know anything about Guardado, but re: Quaresma, how can people be so sure that he would *want* to return to Barca? He didn’t fare that well the first time he was here. Plus, didn’t he publicly state that he would not play under Rijkaard again?

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