Spain NT discussion

for me anyway

Puyol has been nothing short of a crap for Barca this season.

will be massive prblem for spain if he start.

Thats how they should play

--------------Iker
-Arbeloa-Pique-Ramos-Alba
------------Alonso
--------Xavi----Iniesta
-Silva-------------------Mata
-----------Llorente

Or swap Pique with Puyol, Alonso with Busquets, and Llorente with Soldado.

There's no need for Alonso to play imo.

BhritanniaBhlue wrote:

Valdes
Iraola Ramos Pique Enrique
Busquets
Xavi Iniesta
Silva Llorente Villa

Thats how they should play

This.

Though not even I would put Valdes.

^closet Casillas fan..

Big news from Spain squad for Venezuela friendly. Torres and Albiol are out, Soldado & Muniain are in.

Del Bosque should try

--------------Casillas------------
---Iraola---Pique---Ramos---Enrique---
-------------Busquets-------------
--------Xavi----------Iniesta-------
---Silva-----Soldado-------Muniain

Say Xavi was out how would you guys line up? He's had a couple injury problems this year.He's also en route to play another 55-60 game season.Injuries to someone like him scare me alot because of the sheer amount of games he's played in the last 4 years.

Personally

-----Martinez-----Xabi
Silva-------Ander----------Iniesta

or

--------------Busquets
------Thiago-----------Iniesta

Guesses as to what Spain's Euro squad will be?

For me, there are a number of positions yet to be decided.

Certainties:
Casillas, Valdes, Reina (3)

Ramos, Pique, Puyol, Arbeloa (4)

Busquets, Alonso, Xavi, Iniesta, Cesc, Silva (6)

Llorente, Villa (pending fitness), Mata (3)

Probable:
Iraola, Alba (2)

Javi Martinez, Cazorla (2)

Soldado (1)

Possible:
Albiol, Navas, Pedro, Muniain, Torres, Raul, Thiago

For me the biggest issue is up front. If Villa is fit, you would expect him, Llorente and Soldado would go and VDB to choose 2 wingers to add a bit of pace to a side which lacks width. I think Navas should definitely go, so it depends on whether VDB prefers the experienced but out of form Pedro, or Muniain. I think it depends hugely on Pedro's form in the final games of the season.

Here's the probable squad for me:

1. Casillas
2. Iraola
3. Pique
4. Javi Martinez
5. Puyol
6. Iniesta
7. David Villa
8. Xavi
9. Soldado
10. Fabregas
11. Pedro
12. Valdes
13. Mata
14. Alonso
15. Ramos
16. Busquets
17. Arbeloa
18. Alba
19. Llorente
20. Cazorla
21. Silva
22. Navas
23. Reina

I expect there to be a bit of mixing in the starting XI. Doubt Villa would start all games if he makes it. First choice XI of mine though:

My 23, though not what DB would do.

-----------Casillas
Iraola - Pique - Ramos - Alba
-----------Busquets
---------Xavi - Iniesta
----Silva - Llorente - Villa


Subs/Reserves


------------Valdes & Riena

Puyol - Martinez - Jose Enrique

-------------Alonso


Navas-------Cesc------------Santi


-----Munian--------Mata

------------Saldado


Not going to play this formation obviously, just shows where I consider their positions. As in, Martinez as 4th defender. Could play in midfield obviously, I would sub him in for one of Alonso or Busquts (because both will start) to add better balance.

my starting 11

-----------Casillas
Ramos- Pique - Puyol- Alba
-----------Busquets
---------Xavi - Iniesta
----Silva - Fabregas- Villa

VDB likes Busquets and Xabi too much to bench one of them.I think he will keep the team's back bone

----------Casillas-----------
Ramos-Pique-Puyol-Jessica
------Xabi------Busquets----
--?---------Xavi--------Iniesta
-------------Villa-----------------

i think Villa will be available,i really dont know who will start as the "?".one of pedro,silva or even cesc.He could also use Villa as a winger and put Soldado/Llorente as a CF.I think Soldado is def higher on the pecking order though after his 45min hattrick vs Venezuela

This is my predicted selection.

Goalkeepers
Casillas, Reina, Valdes.

Defenders
Alba, Arbeloa, Pique, Puyol, Ramos, Iraola, J. Martinez

Midfielders
Alonso, Busquets, Fabregas, Iniesta, David Silva ,Xavi, Mata, Carzola, Munian

Strikers
Pedro, Llorente, Torres , Soldado.

Torres is certainly in better form than Soldado, Pedro and Villa, he's definitely going, and is likely to play a big part in the tournament. The one who shouldn't be going is Villa his form pre injury was nothing to write home about, and I don't see it improving after 5 or so months without kicking the ball.

EDIT: didn't do this section existed, haven't been around a lot lately.

why exactly should torres go lol.. soldado and llorente have been more consistent over the course of the season .. just because every one of their goals is not hyped to kingdom come, doesnt mean torres should replace them

Because Torres will score the winner in Munich which will make VDB jizz.

If this was a normal team, going out and looking for their first title, there would be no question - of course Soldado would go.

But Torres has consistently came up big in important moments for us, he's a national hero, and the squad loves him.When tensions were high after the classicos he was one of the glue guys who held us together.

People don't understand that even though everything should theoretically be limited to on pitch performance over the course of a season, in this case it isn't.

Anyway i always hoped he would travel, he's actually improved as a player in the sense that he is more complete now, not that it particularly matters but whatever...

Spain have a lot of midfield talent, but can any of them actually replace xavi successfully? because he is starting to look past his best to me

Umm.

Depends really.

Replace Xavi as a functional element in the system?- No not right now.

But can someone step in for Xavi and go about the role a different way...yes there are many many options.

Hmm, one things for sure i will find it very interesting to see how spain do when xavi's reign does end. We will see just how important he has been for spain, same for barca as well - presuming the other key players are still there

I think we will do really well.

The next generation is even more talented than the last.

What will be more interesting is to see how we play because alot depends on who adopts the role of tempo setter after Xavi is gone.

Le Samourai wrote:

But Torres has consistently came up big in important moments for us, he's a national hero, and the squad loves him.When tensions were high after the classicos he was one of the glue guys who held us together.

People don't understand that even though everything should theoretically be limited to on pitch performance over the course of a season, in this case it isn't.

consistently came up big? the guy scored precisely one, ONE important goal in his entire goddamn nt career

i'm sure the likes of ramos appreciate his hairdressing abilities but seriously... torres was an utter joke for a year and a half, now he's apparently the dog's bollocks because he's scored
1) a goal that didn't even matter when the closest defender was 20 metres away
2) a hattrick against a relegation battler

what a *bleep* joke this is...

Torress deserves squat lol

He will be lucky to be included as a reserve player.

The 23 players I think VdB will pick:

GK - Casillas, Reina, Valdes
DF - Alba, Arbeloa, Iraola, Ramos, Pique, Puyol
MF - Alonso, Busquets, Cesc, Iniesta, Martinez, Silva, Cazorla, Xavi
FW - Torres, Mata, Villa, Llorente, Navas, Pedro

I think Torres with his recent performances will get in ahead of Soldado, Pedro started scoring and del Bosque will pick him.

Vicente likes continuity and he will pick guys who played at WC. If Albiol plays more often in upcoming matches he may as well be back into contention. Players at the bubble from this list are Iraola, Torres, Villa, Navas, Pedro, the rest will go 100%, no doubt IMO. Villa would be lock if he returned now to the squad, but his rehabilitation progress slowly.

So IMO 18 players who will for sure go to Euros, unless they get longterm injury in one of upcoming games:

GK - Casillas, Reina, Valdes
DF - Alba, Arbeloa, Ramos, Pique, Puyol
MF - Alonso, Busquets, Cesc, Iniesta, Martinez, Silva, Cazorla, Xavi
FW - Mata, Llorente

5 places up for grabs.

Your thoughts?