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One thing I think is insane about Euro football is how short a rope managers are often given. Average tenure in PL is somewhere around 21 months and it's one of the more stable leagues over there. I think it's pretty important that Catharina and Kreuger give Koeman a realistic chance to put something together out of who's left and who they can bring in. Staying up and being better in April than they will be in August is a realistic goal IMO.
I was surprised Pep left Ribery and Lewa in for so long, and a bit disappointed he didn't give Green any time. Agree on the jerseys, they are a bit hard on the eyes.
Before the game they said Green picked up a knock. No need to put him out there with those criminals if he's not 100% fit.
Green's dad tweeted that he'll play the MLSers, but Carlyle also tweeted that Pep only expects to give Green maybe 20 minutes tops in that game too. I was interested to see that Scholl kid, who is one year younger than Green, who looks to be just about as good a prospect.
My Bavarian friend has been raving about Lucas Scholl for years - son of Bayern legend Mehmet Scholl. Other nepotistic current names in the Bayern youth academy are Steven Ribery and Gianluca Gaudino.
I considered this several rounds back, but I'm not convinced he will be a regular starter.
Atsu's been highly likely to play in England since this past summer, when it became apparent that he would have no work permit issues due to being a Ghana regular. The difficulty with him is that a search for "Atsu" on twitter brings up mostly Asian porny looking stuff. He'll probably be second choice anyway.
I was agreeing with you, toots. I think Delasoul only started what 8 games?
When Sunderland ruled him out he fell off my radar. I don't believe he holds much value at Everton.
I was surprised as well that he left those two out as long as he did. With Ribery missing the WC with injury he may just be trying to build him back to strength. With Lewandowski he might just want him playing as much time in the system.I heard the same thing with Green. No need to rush him in.
jeebus.
To be clear, they're not linked with him. I've heard Athletico and I've heard Dortmund. I haven't heard much at all about smaller teams. Not even Southampton, who you'd think have a place for him and the money to get it done.
Really? It's not that hard. No "h" but an "o" on the end for the team from Madrid. Yes, "h" for the team from Bilbao, but no "o".
My link
He was a 10. When Sir Alex played him on the wing, Klopp was quoted as saying that "it broke his heart" seeing Shinji played out of position.
Enrique's after Cuadrado to replace him.
Do they even have 3 centre backs?Enrique's apparently talking about Barca rolling in a 3-5-2 next year.
Alves has been told to beat it.
Don't think they have twoDo they even have 3 centre backs?Enrique's apparently talking about Barca rolling in a 3-5-2 next year.
Alves has been told to beat it.
Xavi... who else?Don't think they have twoDo they even have 3 centre backs?Enrique's apparently talking about Barca rolling in a 3-5-2 next year.
Alves has been told to beat it.
Neymar -- SuarezEnrique's apparently talking about Barca rolling in a 3-5-2 next year.
Alves has been told to beat it.
Switched to what I would do, obviously landing Cuadrado is still a big if. I would use Masch a lot to kill off games where they have the lead, subbing him in for Rakitic, or one of the three guys up top and moving Rakitic/Xavi up. And obviously you have one of Messi, Suarez, Iniesta, and Neymar coming off the bench, but that can be valuable if you just let one of those guys go full-bore at a tired defense with 20 min left in a tie game.Neymar -- MessiEnrique's apparently talking about Barca rolling in a 3-5-2 next year.
Alves has been told to beat it.
Iniesta
Alba Cuadrado
Sergio Rakitic
Matthieu - Pique - Bartra
MIB interviewed Ferran Soriano (City CEO) on their latest pod. Good listen about NYCFC and their synergy with Citeh.
A lot of flexibility here.Switched to what I would do, obviously landing Cuadrado is still a big if. I would use Masch a lot to kill off games where they have the lead, subbing him in for Rakitic, or one of the three guys up top and moving Rakitic/Xavi up. And obviously you have one of Messi, Suarez, Iniesta, and Neymar coming off the bench, but that can be valuable if you just let one of those guys go full-bore at a tired defense with 20 min left in a tie game.Neymar -- MessiEnrique's apparently talking about Barca rolling in a 3-5-2 next year.
Alves has been told to beat it.
Iniesta
Alba Cuadrado
Sergio Rakitic
Matthieu - Pique - Bartra
The downside is that it's hard enough to shoehorn all of their attacking talent into a 4-3-3, nevermind a 3-5-2. The upside is that we're that much closer to converting noted 3-5-2 fetishist Ramsay Hunt Experience into a Barca supporter. And still, we need another CB.
I think the LVG style 3-4-3 is a better fit, in truth. Not much different than the first formation that had Messi in the AM position. But it's a big change in style. Much more direct. I don't know if I've seen a formation like that (that often bypasses the middle of the field) used by such a possession heavy team. The forward line interchange would be an absolute nightmare for defenses, though.The downside is that it's hard enough to shoehorn all of their attacking talent into a 4-3-3, nevermind a 3-5-2. The upside is that we're that much closer to converting noted 3-5-2 fetishist Ramsay Hunt Experience into a Barca supporter. And still, we need another CB.Neymar -- MessiEnrique's apparently talking about Barca rolling in a 3-5-2 next year.
Alves has been told to beat it.
Iniesta
Alba Cuadrado
Sergio Rakitic
Matthieu - Pique - Bartra
I personally don't think he's very good offensively, at least not in Barca's system. He often seemed to have really bad spacing with Alexis, who'd typically be occupying the same area of real estate on the field.I think the LVG style 3-4-3 is a better fit, in truth. Not much different than the first formation that had Messi in the AM position. But it's a big change in style. Much more direct. I don't know if I've seen a formation like that (that often bypasses the middle of the field) used by such a possession heavy team. The forward line interchange would be an absolute nightmare for defenses, though.The downside is that it's hard enough to shoehorn all of their attacking talent into a 4-3-3, nevermind a 3-5-2. The upside is that we're that much closer to converting noted 3-5-2 fetishist Ramsay Hunt Experience into a Barca supporter. And still, we need another CB.Neymar -- MessiEnrique's apparently talking about Barca rolling in a 3-5-2 next year.
Alves has been told to beat it.
Iniesta
Alba Cuadrado
Sergio Rakitic
Matthieu - Pique - Bartra
I also have to admit that I don't really understand the idea between replacing Alves with Cuadrado. I'm not sure that Alves is really any worse in a system that minimizes his defensive responsibilities.
I figured he would follow Villa to Australia until NYCFC started. Either way it is a good way to stay in tune.
