Re: Match Day Thread 19/20

by alexjanosik Sun Sep 22, 2019 4:03 am

Myesyats wrote:Arthur is great all around, better each game. Him and Frenkie are not the problem. Lenglet is bench quality. Shouldnt be a starter.

I like him. He was very shaky for us when he started but he has won me over. He is not elite but he is still very young for a defender and has shown constant improvement with us. Plus, he has the mentality to play for an elite club. Guy watches videos of opposition forwards he faces in his spare time.

by alexjanosik Sun Sep 22, 2019 4:07 am

danyjr wrote:
alexjanosik wrote:Disappointing result. Not happy with the starting lineup or the subs. He continues to insist with starting one of Busquets and Rakitic. Neither should see the pitch again. And subs out Perez who was one of the better players. Suarez should have been taken out instead who was atrocious. Guy sticks to the right and creates width so no question of clashing with Messi. Take out Suarez for Messi, Play Griezmann central and Fati left.
Agreed with pretty much everything, although I still reserve my judgement regarding Lenglet and Arthur.

Arthur is great. Only thing he lacks is a final pass which I think can be developed. It is not a vision problem as he plays with his head up mostly and sees runs. Just doesnt pull the trigger. He is no Xavi or Iniesta but he is one of the best midfielders out there. Dont think midfield is an issue for us. We have plenty of talent. Problem is Valverde's insistence to play the old guard of Busquets, Rakitic and Vidal.

What we need is a clearout like happened in Pep's first season. Clear out all seniors except Pique who I think can still be useful. And get a coach who can get the players to run for 90 minutes. Can't win in the modern game with intensity that we display. Still cant believe the lifeless display that Firpo put out there.

by BarcaLearning Mon Sep 23, 2019 8:45 am

Shouldnt be surprised our poor start to the season. So now either things going to be like this or worst, and EV finally is sacked. Or Messi and co starts hitting form and things will be better but I hugely doubt we are capable of anything major this season under him, unless Messi goes on for another incredile season or something.

Granada played really well I thought, but we are really lacking in some areas. I looks like Firpo is going to be the worst signing after Coutinho, what a disaster.

by Myesyats Mon Sep 23, 2019 1:15 pm

I always say success is 87% is on the coach, players are idiots that when not properly instructed and motivated play as seen above. Brendan Rodgers would have never won anything with this Liverpool & Klopp assured all teams fear them. Difference.

by Myesyats Tue Sep 24, 2019 10:47 am

This man is mismanaging the team pretty badly. Why isn't Alena playing, he was doing fine but was subbed out at HT the first game and never played again? What is Vidal doing on the pitch when he clearly wasnt in plans for the season? Rakitic should never see the light of day again. The only plausible midfield as of today should be Frenkie-Arthur-Alena, others are just straight up trash. Play Griezmann centrally where he belongs and drop that dumb fuck Suarez

I hope we suck tonight and lose, that could be a turning point for Cuntverde.

Lineup should be:

Semedo-Pique-Lenglet-Firpo
Alena-De Jong-Arthur
Messi-Griezmann-Dembele*

*or Ansu/Carles Perez, definitely not Suarez

But it doesnt matter since at this point Jiopsi might as well be our manager, makes no difference.

by Thimmy Tue Sep 24, 2019 9:39 pm

Ansu immediately bringing some excitement with his directness. Wouldn't have thought he was only 16.

by Myesyats Tue Sep 24, 2019 10:14 pm

Havent seen the game but I already know we got lucky with the early goals and created next to none in 2nd half

Turdverde out please. Another season wasted ehhhh

by alexjanosik Wed Sep 25, 2019 3:31 am

There were encouraging signs. We started well and then Messi got taken out with some heavy fouls. We lose our rhythm, they score a wonder goal and the game becomes scrappy for a while. We re-established control once FDJ came on. Dembele had a very nice half and should have had a couple of assists. He showed why he can be such an electrifying player. Burst of pace that is almost unmatched coupled with unpredictability. Problem has been injuries. Just needs to consistently stay fit.

by futbol Wed Sep 25, 2019 2:43 pm

I'm not saying this because I've been known to not rate him since the beginning but I still don't really see it with De Jong. I mean he is okay, not bad or anything, I'm totally fine with Arthur-De Jong midfield, logical from age viewpoint alone, but there is also nothing special that I'm seeing. He was the most hyped midfielder in the world but Arthur looks better. scratch

by danyjr Wed Sep 25, 2019 3:20 pm

Better ball winner than Arthur. I don't remember the last time Arthur tackled an opposition player with success. His marking and defensive positioning is decent but FDJ is a better tackler.

But yeah he's hyped up AF. So was De Ligt tbh. Barça's concern would be the lack of creative midfielders in your team, you lack a David Silva, Modrić or Iniesta.

by Thimmy Wed Sep 25, 2019 4:50 pm

alexjanosik wrote:There were encouraging signs. We started well and then Messi got taken out with some heavy fouls. We lose our rhythm, they score a wonder goal and the game becomes scrappy for a while. We re-established control once FDJ came on. Dembele had a very nice half and should have had a couple of assists. He showed why he can be such an electrifying player. Burst of pace that is almost unmatched coupled with unpredictability. Problem has been injuries. Just needs to consistently stay fit.

Did we watch the same match? scratch

Dembele looked really ineffective to me, and from what I can tell, he's part of the reason why you've struggled to score goals. His pace is undeniable, and he attempts to get past players with trickery quite often, but fails more than I would be comfortable with if he was a RM player. I think even 16 year old, Ansu Fati was more successful in that regard. He misplaces a lot of passes in the final third as well, and as usual, you're lucky that they failed to capitalize on the counter-attacks that are created because of his brain farts. Even the commentator pointed out that he only seems capable of concentrating for bursts at a time. Villareal did create some dangerous situations where I thought they would score. It was quite frustrating to watch their inability to get something out of those chances.

by BarcaLearning Wed Sep 25, 2019 5:19 pm

De Jong has certainly looked elite so far, as with Arthur, but both of them lack the real penetrative killer final pass kind of thing or does things that are spectacular or obvious or game changing moments like Xavi or Iniesta I guess. But their overall game is among the best I think, especially their ball keeping and passing abilities. Weaknesses they can be physically beaten sometimes but I guess thats the norm with Barca players in general, which they make up for in other aspects. Best example is how Pep drills the likes of Bernardo Silva who is so small but still able to compete like a beast every game.

Football has changed too nowadays, to the extend I doubt if even prime Xavi played the game today, he would be as successful as he did, considering physical demands of the game now, which teams like Liverpool and Man C playing at such a high pace and pressure every game, u cant just be good with the ball alone, u also gotta be able to compete physically at least. Thats why Busquets/Rakitic etc., are getting owned so often. The same applies to Roberto, I mean hes good, but for some reason whenever he plays he is just unable to control the midfield or the RB side like others can, he loses the physical battle to the opponent. So hes good in certain games and situations but I think not a starter for us as long as he has that weakness.

Anyway, as mentioned above, none of the midfielders we have are really the AM type will the final killer pass atm, so unless Arthur or De Jong can improve in that areas, we gonna rely on Messi and the wide players to create. Suarez is continuing to age quickly, so its good we have Grizemann, and also Dembele back. Although him and Fati are quite similar in that they are hot and cold, and they give away the ball 10 times while creating chances, so its always risky, but thats what we have to accept atm I guess.

by elitedam Wed Sep 25, 2019 5:54 pm

I thought Dembele looked really good the first 10, 15 minutes after coming on but then couldn't do anything right.

Ansu Fati looks legit though. It's hard to believe he's only 16. The kid has huge potential.

by alexjanosik Sat Sep 28, 2019 1:58 am

futbol wrote:I'm not saying this because I've been known to not rate him since the beginning but I still don't really see it with De Jong. I mean he is okay, not bad or anything, I'm totally fine with Arthur-De Jong midfield, logical from age viewpoint alone, but there is also nothing special that I'm seeing. He was the most hyped midfielder in the world but Arthur looks better.

I think you and Barca fans in general have been spoiled by Xavi and Iniesta, the two greatest midfielders of all time. If you compare FDJ to them, you are setting yourself up to be disappointed. The rise and fall of Xavi can be directly tracked to the rise and fall of Spain and prime Barcelona. Spain have gone back to what they were before Xavi. Bunch of chokers and underachievers. Thats how good Xavi was and Iniesta is not far behind.

FDJ wont live up to that but he is the best midfield talent on the planet by far. In him and Arthur, we have the two best midfield talents on the planet. Look around Europe's top teams. Name midfielders who are better than them. FDJ's best quality is what made the Don so dangerous. He can break lines similar to what the Don used to do. Not to the same extent but he can break the lines and play and create danger from deep. He did that last season from DM. What he has shown in glimpses this season is that he can also do that from CM.

by danyjr Sat Sep 28, 2019 1:02 pm

What about a midfield trio of:

DM: FDJ
RCM: Arthur
LCM: Coutinho/Aleñá

by BarrileteCosmico Sat Sep 28, 2019 4:00 pm

Happy for Suarez after the fans turned on him last game

by windkick Sat Sep 28, 2019 7:01 pm

danyjr wrote:What about a midfield trio of:

DM: FDJ
RCM: Arthur
LCM: Coutinho/Aleñá

Coutinho?

I would like to see what fdj - arthur - Aleña can do. Seems EV forgot Aleña exists though

by alexjanosik Sun Sep 29, 2019 5:08 am

Solid game and crucially a clean sheet. First of the season. Arthur continued his good start to the season and FDJ was also good. Firpo doesnt look convincing even though he scored. He looks poor in possession and is a turnover waiting to happen. Given his build, one would have expected him to be athletic but he is clumsy as hell and looks as if he is running with weights tied around his legs. Should have kept Miranda as backup.

by alexjanosik Sun Sep 29, 2019 5:20 am

Liked Perez again. Looked dangerous, makes runs, can take on players and hustles. Also, has a cannon of a shot which led to the assist for Firpo. He is not starter quality but he is a solid 12th, 13th or 14th option.

by Winter is Coming Wed Oct 02, 2019 8:52 pm

So...what does EV do again? Other then stand their with his one hand on his hip and looking clueless.

by BarcaLearning Wed Oct 02, 2019 10:14 pm

I think this game clearly showed a few things. EV does make in game changes to his best, and it did help turn things around. So hes not like the worst manager and clueless, but I guess its typical GL to rate ppl either 10 or 0 Razz

Just saying, anyway overall hes still should be gone but I guess we can still hope him and the team and pull through this season with something. We got the spirit still.

Roberto is not good enough. I dont see how that is debatable anymore. See what Semedo did at LB out of position compared with him LOL?

Arthur is now consistently starting and finishing games, and its obvious to see just how much better he is at controlling the ball and keeping the game flowing, winning battles.

Strangely, after the disaster of the start of the season, hopefully now we are close to hitting form, just with Alba/Firpo back now we need, and we'll be at full strengthen.

Im sure then we will be able to find our way to gel better especially with Grizemann who is still struggling a bit. We can also give the player more rotation. Vidal will get more mins now. I imagine him and Dembele, Rakitic, etc., to start vs the weaker teams

by alexjanosik Thu Oct 03, 2019 3:45 am

Defense struggled and that was because they were often left exposed and one on one. Any defense in the world will struggle in such circumstances. Quite clear that Busquets is past his sell by date. Guy was nowhere to be found in defense and when they were transitioning. Easily bypassed. We instantly became better once FDJ dropped to DM. It is his natural position and we saw him flourish once he dropped.

The midfield switch and Dembele swung it for us. They were clearly tiring and we took advantage. Two outstanding goals and it seems Suarez only scores golazos nowadays. Misses the easy ones but scores blinders.

by windkick Thu Oct 03, 2019 5:41 pm

Pique has made a silly tackle almost every single game this season, due to being out of position or too late to a play. Busquets has also been too late to plays. It's clear, both aged pretty hard over the off season, Pique being 32, and Busquets being 31, both players who never relied on speed age has made them just a tad bit slower than they were already and are declining pretty fast due to that fact. And we don't have a player to rotate with either. The club for years has ignored this issue.

Greizeman is a best played as a SS, yet are playing him out of position as a LW and of course he isn't going to be as good. Same issue that happened with Coutinho.

Our full back situation is so average its a joke compared to other top clubs.

The boards been crap at restructuring the team for the years and this year it finally hit a point that not even Messi can conceal the cracks.

by alexjanosik Fri Oct 04, 2019 12:52 am

windkick wrote:Pique has made a silly tackle almost every single game this season, due to being out of position or too late to a play. Busquets has also been too late to plays. It's clear, both aged pretty hard over the off season, Pique being 32, and Busquets being 31, both players who never relied on speed age has made them just a tad bit slower than they were already and are declining pretty fast due to that fact. And we don't have a player to rotate with either. The club for years has ignored this issue.

Greizeman is a best played as a SS, yet are playing him out of position as a LW and of course he isn't going to be as good. Same issue that happened with Coutinho.

Our full back situation is so average its a joke compared to other top clubs.

The boards been crap at restructuring the team for the years and this year it finally hit a point that not even Messi can conceal the cracks.

I disagree on certain aspects. We have two players who are more than capable of replacing Busquets. FDJ is tailor made for that position and showed yesterday what he can do. Play FDJ at DM and two mobile midfielders ahead and all of a sudden its a much more secure midfield. Roberto is also a better alternative than Busquets.
On Pique, he has had a slow start but I would give him some time. Yesterday, he was woefully exposed. Any CB ever will struggle if he is exposed that often.

Fullback situation is not that bad imo. I like Semedo and Alba (despite the Liverpool game) had a great season last year. It's not Liverpool level but FB's are good compared to everyone else.

Griezmann was a poor buy. No disagreement there.

by BarrileteCosmico Fri Oct 04, 2019 2:58 am

windkick wrote:Our full back situation is so average its a joke compared to other top clubs.

So just for the sake of argument, which clubs do you think have better FBs? Because while I agree that ours are not good enough, it's not like football as a sport currently has a wealth of exciting FBs out there. I can think of Liverpool and... that's it.

by Myesyats Fri Oct 04, 2019 10:18 am

I prefer Alba/Semedo to what most teams have too tbh. But Roberto and Firpo are clowns. Roberto is a midfielder first of all and not even a good one. Not sure where they scouted out that Firpo turd. Terrible transfer, why not promote some Masia guy instead? Same level but no money wasted at least.

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