France v Iceland aka lets fap over Ben Arfa and Cabaye

Actually DNA, Mbiwa is coming on strong too. Sakho may make a strong come back as well (he sucked this year lol). You also have Mangala at Porto, Koscielny and Isimat-Mirin at Valenciennes.

Competition for CB is going to be insane after Euros. A lot of prospects.

Mole... i have a feeling Debuchy is going to explode at Euros. Newcastle needed to sign him before he got on the world stage.

It seems Blanc is confident Ben Arfa has matured in any case......

“I believe that he has reached a new level, both as a player and as a person at Newcastle.” ”He is more mature, he is conscious of his talent but that he has to transfer it in to benefiting his team and not just for himself.”

Also Sport i do too, that's why iam anxiously waiting everyday for some news because if we haven't signed him before the start of the Euros we wont get him..... he will be too expensive.

The thing you have going for you Mole is that clubs in France sit with the player first and agree on a transfer fee.... it's not an auction. If the player's club of choice gives the fee, he can go there even there are higher offers.

That why the french league is so attractive for young talent. They rarely block players. Only time there was a block that i can remember was Payet to PSG last year.

Benz on Ben Arfa: "At his position, i know he's one of the best there is. With him on the field, i know we can find each other with our eyes closed."

So what will the attacking lineup be?

Will Giroud start?

There is going to be one exhibition game where Blanc will play the 4-2-2-2 with Giroud-Benz supported by Nasri-Ribery. I think Giroud is needed against park the bus teams to create that target and physical presence.

I expect all 3 opponents in pool to park the bus against France (England, Ukraine and Sweden).

England will beat France. Calling it now.

Zealous wrote:England will beat France. Calling it now.

You want a bet? 3 month sig bet here.

Hate to take easy bets... but i have to take this one from you lol.

So Ben Arfa as super sub?

I assume Menez will be used as sub aswell

sportsczy wrote:

Zealous wrote:England will beat France. Calling it now.

You want a bet? 3 month sig bet here.

Hate to take easy bets... but i have to take this one from you lol.

I'm pretty confident with the existing bet btw

This one is obviously a much bigger gamble since England suck but I'll take that bet only so you don't feel too bad for losing the other one

Evra is a starter for France too? lol. Wow.

Anti-DNA wrote:So Ben Arfa as super sub?

I assume Menez will be used as sub aswell

Depends if Benz-Giroud do well. Not sure if Blanc will be comfortable playing both CFs from the start since there are only 2 CFs on the squad.

But he wants to see if it's an option... even if he brings Giroud later on in the game.

I think the state of the defense will dictate the aggressiveness of the lineup. I have a feeling Clichy starts the next game. If both Evra and Clichy suck defensively, i could easily see a 4-3-3 with 2 DMs. In that case, it would be M'Vila-Cabaye-Diarra behind Nasri-Benz-Ribery.

If he feels comfortable with only 1 DM, then Ben Arfa would likely start instead of Diarra.

Defense is the premise of all tactics for Blanc and i agree with that.

3rd exhibition game will show a lot.

RED 80s. wrote:Evra is a starter for France too? lol. Wow.

because Abidal is out period. Clichy got a chance here , should take it the next game otherwise .. evra is going to start

If Evra starts, i will cancel all bets and revise my positive outlook for the France NT

sportsczy wrote:If Evra starts, i will cancel all bets and revise my positive outlook for the France NT

My bet is looking much tastier

Clichy needs to start lol he's so much better than Evra its not even funny....

Depends on the system they want to go for to me.....

(4-2-2-2)


(4-2-3-1)


Giroud is a super sub in 4-2-3-1 and Ben Arfa as super sub in 4-2-2-2.

Cabaye + M'Villa = One frakkin scary double pivot.

You forgot the 4-3-3 Mole.

Blanc has gone with that more often than not. With two attacking fullbacks, i think the odds for 2 DMs is pretty high.

sportsczy wrote:Benz on Ben Arfa: "At his position, i know he's one of the best there is. With him on the field, i know we can find each other with our eyes closed."

So no chance in hell Koscielny starts right?

Rebaño Sagrado wrote:

sportsczy wrote:Benz on Ben Arfa: "At his position, i know he's one of the best there is. With him on the field, i know we can find each other with our eyes closed."

So no chance in hell Koscielny starts right?

None. Except there's a 50/50 chance Mexes gets suspended at some point lol.

sportsczy wrote:You forgot the 4-3-3 Mole.

Blanc has gone with that more often than not. With two attacking fullbacks, i think the odds for 2 DMs is pretty high.

Forgot about that.

Diarra coming in for Ben Arfa and Nasri playing on the right and Cabaye playing a bit further forward then if thats the case.

Gil wrote:Why isn't Kos starting ffs? He's by far the best French CB.

Koscielny is not rated in France

Blanc knows it best imo,he was a defender after all..

Rami is the covering defender for France and i dont think there is that much difference between him and kos. Plus Rami is better physically and on air.

Mexes and Rami is quite a slow and "stool-ish" pair of CB...

If Kos were to start it should be for Mexes imo