2002/2003 La Liga Campaign

[TottiLover]

Barca and their fans brought disgrace to Spanish Football by abusing Figo!!

[J R R]

Originally posted by TottiLover
Barca and their fans brought disgrace to Spanish Football by abusing Figo!!
i am not defending what those fans did
but it wasnt all Barca fans who did this and it is not the first incident in spanish football there has been trouble at madrid too
when these clubs meet
what i think is a disgrace is gaspart defending the fans and saying figo provoked them i am a fan of Barca and yeah i dont like figo much but throwing bottles at him is going too far
IMO its about time we stopped going on about judas figo sure he
went to madrid from Barca,give him some abuse when hes at camp nou but these fans let their hatred of figo disrupt the game
a game we could have won
there will allways be a figo how many players really mean all the
stuff they say about their clubs how many wouldnt go even to their biggest rival for enough cash
its sad but true few players really would stay how can they feel the same loyalty as us theyre not fans of the club
this doesnt mean ive forgiven figo but im not going to dwell on the past its Barca's future thats important and we cant let these fans spiol it

[hollowi]

This has gone beyond the limits of rivalry
- Jorge Valdano

True. To many Barca isn't "the favourite team" but their lives. And Real aren't the main opponents, they are the enemy. He should know what football can mean to "ordinary people", he's from Argentina.

[J R R]

real is the enamy its not a war Boca is my club so is every river
fan my enamy? football comes before pretty much everything
in Arg the passion and the emotion for your club but there is a big
problem with violence people have been killed what happened at
camp nou is nothing to what can happen in Arg league
if you justify throwing bottles at figo what will be next ? people bringing guns to the ground riot police using tear gas
football means alot to ordinery people for many reasons but it
cant be an excuse for violence

[Juan]

Originally posted by funky6
Ok i'm gonna be "extreme'' though i guess i'm the only one with this opinion here.This feking pig with this disgusting t-shirt deserved each bottle in his head.It's not because of leaving Barça in the way he did.It's because he hasn't lost a chance to laugh at Barça and our fans.It's because he hasn't stopped making "smart" statements about Barça for TWO years.I don't care if he is a Madrz player.He's fat and slow now and i really don't care.HE chose to open a war with Barça with all those actions i've said above.HE chose to be ironic with the fans in the corners by catcing bottles and laugh at them.Stop saying about so called "fans".They are faithful cules disgusted by this fag**t.And he will remember that forever cause when you choose to play the bad guy you get it back worse.

I think this is the guy who threw the whisky bottle... :rolleyes:

[funky6]

It's my opinion.You got any problem with that?Ofcourse it's easy 2 say i'm ashamed,this goes beyond sportmanship..blah,blah,blah well guess what for some people it's not just a rivalry to talk through soccer forums.I would never throw a glass bottle but if i were there i don't know how i would react against this provocative as*hole.

If you think that i'm a terrorist or something i assure you i'm a very calm person who rarely ever gets angry.

Instead of being ashamed of the Barça fans like me you should be ashamed of your club's methods and tactics since it was founded,your media "coverage'' of the things that happen,and your right wing hooligans for many decades.

[ItalianBoy]

IMO, all the fans exagerrated. But Figo did a very bad ting to go to Real from Barca.
Was he poor before?

[J R R]

one thing you cant call figo is poor hell never be poor but he will allways be un hijo de puta

[BLAUGRANA]

Originally posted by J R R
one thing you cant call figo is poor hell never be poor but he will allways be un hijo de puta

Agreed. :D

[BLAUGRANA]

Hristo Stoichkov blames LVG and JG for the missile throwing incident at the Nou Camp during El Clasico. He said that LVG and JG were deflecting the problems of the club onto Figo. Pretty funny comments IMO. I think Hristo was a good player, but I can do without his comments. He's got a big mouth and IMO is a bit of a nutjob.

[gnlvagosov]

Originally posted by J R R
one thing you cant call figo is poor hell never be poor but he will allways be un hijo de puta

nice one:silly: :D

[J R R]

Originally posted by AZULGRANA
Hristo Stoichkov blames LVG and JG for the missile throwing incident at the Nou Camp during El Clasico. He said that LVG and JG were deflecting the problems of the club onto Figo. Pretty funny comments IMO. I think Hristo was a good player, but I can do without his comments. He's got a big mouth and IMO is a bit of a nutjob.

i know what you mean he seems to spend alot of time giving
his comments to the press about Barca and about LVG

[funky6]

I'll say this even if i seem arrogant.Hristo reminds me a little bit of Cruyff's attitude.Both are great,true Barça fans(ok Johan likes Ajax too:D),we love them and will remember them forever but that's it.The less we need is a veteran club member speaking about everything on the Club.We all know Barça's problems.

The sad is that Catalan press always gives them the chance to talk abt everything.

A lot of huge personalities have served Barça.Imagine Romario,Schuster,Lineker,Robson,Koeman,Venables etc speaking abt everything in Barça all the time.:rolleyes:

[Juan]

Hristo commented the game for ESPN (heh, I heard him ;) ), when he was making similar statements.

I´m very dissapointed with Van Gaal´s behavior concerning this matter. I expected such reaciton from Gaspart (forgive me, but he tends to talk out of his @$$ when regarding Madrid) but not from him.

Van Gaal said that Figo "Only did his job" when playing at Barça. And part of his job with Madrid is taking the corner kicks, so how is that a provocation?

[yks_barca]

Ohh you came back again with this excuse ? Forget that will ya ?

Figo deserved it :p !!

Now i'm disappointed in you ... Shevchenko ?

:D ¿ Que Pena ? :D

[ItalianBoy]

Figo es un hijo de puta seguro! Como se puede jugar en Barca y despues para Real!?
Sorry for my SPA!:D

[gnlvagosov]

andate a la puta:D

[J R R]

Riquelme sea mejor que figo para Barca figo es historia
y un hijo de puta


btw
i agree with Juan about Gaspart he does tend to talk out of
his a$$ alot

[gnlvagosov]

Barca down 1-0!!!!:mad:

[gnlvagosov]

against Bayern that is!!:mad:
comon!!!!!!!

[gnlvagosov]

2-1 yes!:D

[Juan]

If Figo is bad, then Lucho is no better...

[funky6]

Juan mate..let's give an end to this issue.Everyone's got his own opinions.For you it's Lucho..for us it's figo.Please guys..calm down and stop this arguement.Piece!

Figo es un hijo de la gran puta,pesetero,traidor y judas de mierda! :D:D

[VivaBarcaInter]

Well, the Luis Enrique situation was SLIGHTLY different, I'd like to point out.

[yks_barca]

I think it's better to concentrate in the league now .. we are impressive in Europe , I KNOW :D !

This week's opponent is R.Sociedad !

Ohh GOD we really need a win this time :yield: !!!

[J R R]

heres one of my favourite pictures of figo:D

[Juan]

Azul is getting too slow. Wasn´t this going to be merged with the Liga thread?

[ItalianBoy]

Juan you mean Lucio?
Or this Lucho a new player?:confused:

[funky6]

Lucho is Luis Enrique's nick Italian Boy:D

He used to play for a club he didn't give a sh*t about!:D

[ItalianBoy]

Sorry about my "ignorance". :rolleyes: :)

[funky6]

I didn't mean to offend you.I don't know Roma's players nicks too.

But i guess it was a joke to Juan after all.

[ItalianBoy]

I did not get pissed man!
:)

[BLAUGRANA]

Originally posted by funky6
I didn't mean to offend you.I don't know Roma's players nicks too.

.

I think Totti's nick is "pretty boy". :D

[BLAUGRANA]

Originally posted by Juan
Azul is getting too slow. Wasn´t this going to be merged with the Liga thread?

Gimme a break!!! I was just coming to do it, and I see this. I was waiting 'til after the CL match as el Derbi is still in the news.

Merging this thread with the La Liga thread.

[relejado]

Originally posted by Juan
If Figo is bad, then Lucho is no better...


wait a second, that with lucho was a way different story, his contract expired and Real didn't want to renew it. like Celades left barca and went to Real

[funky6]

I think Totti's nick is "pretty boy

Women's taste in Italy sucks i guess.:silly:

[yks_barca]

Now , i can officially say to myself that we are in crisis ... Our only aim is Europe !

[Olesen10]

DAMN! As yks_barca said, we are in a crisis. A team like Barca should at least be in top five in the national league now we haven't even got a chance to win the league...:mad: Now we gotta win the CL to keep some of our lost pride...:rolleyes:

[VivaBarcaInter]

How exactly did we get 2 guys sent off? What the hell is going on? Van Gaal better get this sorted out, and now. Losing to a team like Sociedad, no matter where they are in the league, just is NOT good enough. 3 games ago I thought those games would define our domestic season. 1 point and 1 goal in these 3 games speaks for itself.

[echobelly]

Thats it , LVG is out!!!!!

[BLAUGRANA]

A disappointing result to say the least. I can't believe that we had two players sent off. :mad: This lack of discipline is embarrassing. We need to get a win in the league, and fast. Our difficulty in translating our CL form to the league is confusing. We just seem to fall apart in the league.

I'm not pushing the panic button yet though. We are only 10 points adrift of the leaders and there's still a lot of time left. I'm very disappointed that LVG takes the brunt of the criticism when it's the players who aren't performing. LVG isn't blameless, but for me it's the squad who deserve the lion's share of the blame.

LVG really needs to lay into the entire squad tomorrow. He needs to make them realize that this is their job and that if they can't hack it, they'll be dropped!!! If someone's not performing, I say go to the B team.

[soccer fanatic]

Originally posted by AZULGRANA
A disappointing result to say the least. I can't believe that we had two players sent off. :mad: This lack of discipline is embarrassing. We need to get a win in the league, and fast. Our difficulty in translating our CL form to the league is confusing. We just seem to fall apart in the league.

I'm not pushing the panic button yet though. We are only 10 points adrift of the leaders and there's still a lot of time left. I'm very disappointed that LVG takes the brunt of the criticism when it's the players who aren't performing. LVG isn't blameless, but for me it's the squad who deserve the lion's share of the blame.

LVG really needs to lay into the entire squad tomorrow. He needs to make them realize that this is their job and that if they can't hack it, they'll be dropped!!! If someone's not performing, I say go to the B team.

I agree with you. even on the point where you say LVG is too blame too. My patience is big but it does end some time. Still, ten points is doable with a lot of matches still to go, thank god all spanish topteams are screwing up.

[relejado]

i agree with all of you about the situation in barcelona. i'm loosing my patience too. but keep in mind, that LVG has to build almost a new team. navarro, mendieta and riquelme are all new in the team. lucho and de boer are injured and kluivert just isn't able to hit the f***ing goal.
we should also remember, that last year and the year before, we were even bader than this year. I really didn't expect to win the league this year already. every team has to gel together first.
but with a president like we have, I fear that LVG will be sacked at the end of this season and a new coach will come, and it will take another season for him to settle down in barcelona, and so on and on and on.
my solution: get another president, basat for example, with cruyff as new sportingmanager (or something like valdano at real) and take koeman or schuster as new coach (no matter if he ever was a player at real). give them time to restart the 'barca-tank' (:evil: ) and barca will reign again !

bisca el barca y bisca catalunya !

[yks_barca]

I must say that Van Gaal is not to blame. The players? Well, for me, i say YES ...

Look at how many managers we changed ... from L.S.Ferrer to Rexach and now Van Gaal is in control for his 2nd time ! ... You think that all these mangers including Van Gaal now are taking this mission easy to bring Barca up ? Ferrer did and they sacked him. Rexach ? The same thing ! And now Van Gaal ( hope he'll stay, it doesn't get any better if they sack him at the end of the season ) ..

It's not just the managers who always bring the team up ( well, sometimes yes and sometimes no ) , but what i'm trying to say here is that the players play the essential part in the field !

Now, was R.Sociedad Manager John Toshack good last year ?Look at him this year then ! With Darko Kovacevic, Valery Karpin and Westerveld .. ( no need to continue )

Krauss Bernd ? Or hmm .. V. Fernández who brought Betis from the Segunda Division ? I know he played a big part in bringing the club into the Primera División but look at the squad on that time and look at them now with M.Assuncao, Alfonso, Joaquin and Denilson .. etc

The first thing that Van Gaal said when the FCB board agreed to take control of the team was : '' My aim is to rebuild the squad , i don't promise anybody that we'll win the Liga this year but ... etc.

I don't remember what else he said but that's the only thing i can remember ...

We have some new faces here .. we need time .. I know i'm getting impatience and so you guys ..

We have a good coach with quality players .. but such players aren't in the form sometimes !!

* Mendieta's form is going down ..
* Saviola started to score whenever a ball is mistaken lost by a
player ( Leverkusen match ? ) , and whenever there is a
counter attack or wide space infront of him .. !
* Kluivert's usual bad luck infront of goal ! ( that's what pisses me
off most of the time )
* Last but not least Injuries !

I thought that Rivaldo's move to ACM would make the whole team depend on it-self and not by him ...

Sometimes when you are in bed thinking ... memories from the past reminds you and say :

" Now i regret Rivaldo's absence "

[Juan]

Yeah, you lost, and you played badly, but in front was the team that, in my opinion, plays the best football in Europe at the moment.

A little correction to the post above. Victor Fernandez did not bring Betis up fron 2nd Division. He was at Celta at the time.

[yks_barca]

sorry .. my mistake !

[barça]

What a dissapointment of a game. I was lucky (or unlucky) enough to watch the game and it seemed that barcelona was in slow motion. As if they never believed that they could win the game. Puyol being the exception, although I could kill Van Gaal for not making the change when Puyol got hurt.

Kovacevic looked like Van Nistelroy, running all over the place, never giving up a ball and driving poor Gabri, Navarro and Cocu crazy. Mendieta, Riquelme, Saviola, Kluivert, could all have stayed at home. Interesting how Riquelme can go from two of his bests games to his worst.

Barcelona is closer to relegation than the leader, lets hope that all these guys, start to realize that you must win at home and tie away, not tie at home and loose away.

At least they get Rayo, where they are having more problems than in Barcelona.

No De Boer, Motta or Overmars, and of course Luis Enrique is still hurt, but if they don't win against Rayo?????

As far as the opinions in coaches, I am a big believer that coaches play a huge role inside the team. The team must have respect, a sense of direction, discipline, conditioning, strategy etc. All of this comes from the coach. Last year with Rexach they had none of this, Van Gaal brings some of it. By the way, Benitez, V. Fernandez and few others bring all of it

[BLAUGRANA]

Originally posted by barça


As far as the opinions in coaches, I am a big believer that coaches play a huge role inside the team. The team must have respect, a sense of direction, discipline, conditioning, strategy etc. All of this comes from the coach. Last year with Rexach they had none of this, Van Gaal brings some of it. By the way, Benitez, V. Fernandez and few others bring all of it

Agreed. Yet Benitez doesn't for my money bring it all. The lack of respect he gets at Valencia is derisory. Also, I think the manager does have an important role, but for me this is more about the players. LVG has come out and said that he fears Barca may lack the quality he thought it had.

[gnlvagosov]

Barca will get back up! and start a new winning streak!

[relejado]

Originally posted by gnlvagosov
Barca will get back up! and start a new winning streak!


what kind of back up ? as far as i'm informed, we ain't get no reinforcements...

[gnlvagosov]

I meant they will get back to form

[relejado]

HAHAHAH...ups. sorry, mizandastuuuud...:D

[Juan]

What puzzles me is Motta. How does he get a starting role?????? :confused:

[relejado]

Originally posted by Juan
What puzzles me is Motta. How does he get a starting role?????? :confused:

yeah, i was already wondering that last year...first i thought they give him some CL-games to raise his selling prize...but...that's not the case, obviously. He is talented, of course, but that alone can't be the reason.

[BLAUGRANA]

Originally posted by Juan
What puzzles me is Motta. How does he get a starting role?????? :confused:

He did alright for us last season. I think it's down more to the lack of a more natural left sided player whilst Overmars was out. He's had some nice crosses.

[Olesen10]

Motta is a fine youngster who Van Gaal have been playing, overall I think he's been fine!

[barça]

I think that Juan is on the right track, but its no puzzle why Motta starts, he does because the biggest weakness of Barcelona is the midfield (I mean, who else would start today?). If Motta has to start, then the midfield is lacking a bit. Don't get me wrong, he is a good player, very strong, wins lots of balls, fouls when needed, when he grows up, he could be like Cocu, but in the attack, he lacks confidence.

I am hoping that when Luis Enrique comes back, Motta is the one that gets to sit.

[BLAUGRANA]

Originally posted by barça


I am hoping that when Luis Enrique comes back, Motta is the one that gets to sit.

Agreed. In fact, i'm hoping that Overmars' full return is enought to achieve that end.

[barça]

Originally posted by AZULGRANA


Agreed. In fact, i'm hoping that Overmars' full return is enought to achieve that end.

You are right blaugrana, Overmars should be there once fit.

[Olesen10]

Overmars is better, and with him and Lucho in the wings, we have two good crosers who also can put a goal in once in a while, but it's also nice to see VG give the folks from the b-squad a chance, like Motta...

[hollowi]

Yes I can't think of a better midfield than Overmars-Cocu-Mendieta-Luis Enrique. With these players you get everything; Overmars's speed and technique, Cocu's hard tackling and additional defender which he becomes in need, Mendieta's great passes and overall versatility and least Lucho's leadership among his overall skills are wondrous.

To Olesen; Yes it's nice to give them a chance but I'd rather see a win every now and then than using players like Motta.

[Olesen10]

I'll also want a win, but in games we should win, like Alavés, Brugge and other teams like that, I think it's good to give the youngsters a chance, but when they are used in topgames and are disapointing, they won't be become any better...

[barça]

I don't even know what to say, the difference between CL and La Liga are so great, it is almost impossible to analize.

Riquelme was so good in the 1st half and the beginning of the 2nd half, yet they could not convert. Saviola played poorly, Kluivert missed two very clear chances, then here comes the second opportunity for Rayo and they score. Gabri was a little out of position and DeBoer is a little late in reacting and that cost them the goal. Two great opportunities by Riquelme and Kluivert each, one poor opportunity by Rayo and it means another loss.

After the goal, they could not find themselves, played hurriedly and out of control. To bring in Dani for Saviola, just says that this team does need another forward.

I am still moping, to boot Real and Valencia both win. Writing from a depressed house, I bid good night.

[echobelly]

BARCA lost again ! ....

That's it .. enough is enough!
Im really disappointed at this team

I really doubt if LVG should stay any longer in barcelona ....

just look at the facts .. he couldn't lead the netherlands to the world cup .... dick advocaat is better than him (well, currently yes)

as soon as advocaat got the job .. he turned the squad into a winning team

im sure LVG is a quality coach .. but his tactics are just not working anymore
... he has to realized this for f**k's sake
he's not as good as he used to be with ajax or with barca in 98-99

... and one other thing, it is only Rayo we're talking about here! ... if we can't beat rayo than how are we supposed to take on valencia, etc

[BLAUGRANA]

Originally posted by echobelly

im sure LVG is a quality coach .. but his tactics are just not working anymore
... he has to realized this for f**k's sake
he's not as good as he used to be with ajax or with barca in 98-99

... a

With the squad we have, I fear someone else couldn't do better.

[BLAUGRANA]

Originally posted by barça
I Saviola played poorly, Kluivert missed two very clear chances,Two great opportunities by Riquelme and Kluivert each, one poor opportunity by Rayo and it means another loss.

To bring in Dani for Saviola, just says that this team does need another forward.



I think we do need another forward. I really wish we'd picked up Hasselbaink now. He would have been worth it in the short term until we could bring in a more longterm goalpoacher. We really need a finisher, plain and simple.

[echobelly]

I agree with you azul ... we need a world class finisher!
.. Ruud is probably one of the best right now

though, i like how kluivert plays the ball with the midfielder or the second striker
he is much better now,... he has the style
but doesn't have the accuracy to goal

[Olesen10]

Not much to to say, get back Barca!

[hollowi]

Yes, now it seems we need the attacker and THE DEFENSES HAVE TO HOLD. It is just unbelievable that a team like this has a defense like this! For the love of God go buy Nesta and Hyypiä and Roberto Carlos for 50M each if that's what it needs! This cannot continue! Also buy Makaay for 50M from Depor if that is what Barca need to win!

It's the squad who should be blamed. They have so much more quality that they just can't play this poor. Sure, La Liga is the top league but our team is the best in CL at the moment (which should mean they are best in Europe) and that should show otherwisely!

LvG should anyway sell half of the squad and buy A LOT new players in January if he is to play in ANY European tournament next year. This kind of humiliation by a lower class team which could easily be one of the relegated after the season is not tolerable by any means and many teams had had manager sacked weeks ago. Though LvG's Euro success saves something. I say once more it is the squad that is to be blamed and changed! For defenders we should keep Puyol and maybe Andersson, rest can go. For midfield, we keep the most, Xavi, Cocu, Mendieta, Lucho, Overmars, JRR, I can't think of anyone else who really should stay. Keep the striker duo, kick Dani to England where the teams are interested of him. So now we have to buy minimum of four defenders and one striker. And the keepers should be better. Get Rüstü, he's the best keeper there is and rather cheap as he plays in Turkey.

I know that this is a stupid post but if nothing else is doable then change all. If that doesn't help then we know it's some kind of weird curse.

[BLAUGRANA]

Originally posted by hollowi
Yes, now it seems we need the attacker and THE DEFENSES HAVE TO HOLD. It is just unbelievable that a team like this has a defense like this! For the love of God go buy Nesta and Hyypiä and Roberto Carlos for 50M each if that's what it needs! This cannot continue! Also buy Makaay for 50M from Depor if that is what Barca need to win!

It's the squad who should be blamed. They have so much more quality that they just can't play this poor. Sure, La Liga is the top league but our team is the best in CL at the moment (which should mean they are best in Europe) and that should show otherwisely!

LvG should anyway sell half of the squad and buy A LOT new players in January if he is to play in ANY European tournament next year. This kind of humiliation by a lower class team which could easily be one of the relegated after the season is not tolerable by any means and many teams had had manager sacked weeks ago. Though LvG's Euro success saves something. I say once more it is the squad that is to be blamed and changed! For defenders we should keep Puyol and maybe Andersson, rest can go. For midfield, we keep the most, Xavi, Cocu, Mendieta, Lucho, Overmars, JRR, I can't think of anyone else who really should stay. Keep the striker duo, kick Dani to England where the teams are interested of him. So now we have to buy minimum of four defenders and one striker. And the keepers should be better. Get Rüstü, he's the best keeper there is and rather cheap as he plays in Turkey.

I know that this is a stupid post but if nothing else is doable then change all. If that doesn't help then we know it's some kind of weird curse.

We are in debt and unfortunately can't buy one if any of the players you've mentioned. I really would like us to try and pick up Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink from Chelsea along with a defender. I think that JFH would bring the goal scoring instinct we lack at the moment, along with some real passion, drive and energy. On an emotional level, I think he could give the rest of the squad a real kick in the ass. If we could somehow get him at a reasonable price.

As for the defender, we've been reportedly looking at William Gallas of Chelsea. Not a favourite player of mine, but he's very versatile (can play anywhere along the back) at the back. I think he's a very good defender and the best to leave France the summer he did (meaning he's better than Christanval, Djetou, etc). He'd reportedly cost about 7.5 million pounds.

[relejado]

during the winter transferwindow it's almost impossible to get really good players, either they are good, so they don't want to leave, especially not for barca right now, or they are bad and not reagular players at their clubs. forget about nesta, hyypiä or robi or makaay...no one would now come to barca. why should they...

[hollowi]

Originally posted by AZULGRANA


We are in debt and unfortunately can't buy one if any of the players you've mentioned. I really would like us to try and pick up Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink from Chelsea along with a defender.

Yeah, I know. I'd like to see JFH too (He'd probably play really well with Kluivert) and the defender is a must. I didn't mean any of that really; and at the same time I did. We must change something fast because this kind of "success" is unforgiveable. Hope something happens. Good Luck for Louis van Gaal and the squad!

[Olesen10]

But if we buy anothr striker, we might push Saviola out, and he's a youngster who needs playing time. And if he rides the bench too much, he'll probably just find another team, like Depor, Real or Valencia, and that must not happen. I'd rather go for an expensive good defender than buy a average defender and a average striker...

[relejado]

Originally posted by Olesen10
But if we buy anothr striker, we might push Saviola out, and he's a youngster who needs playing time. And if he rides the bench too much, he'll probably just find another team, like Depor, Real or Valencia, and that must not happen. I'd rather go for an expensive good defender than buy a average defender and a average striker...

not if you put kluivert in the competition. he lacks some goalpower infront of the goal but... it all depends on the system LVG wants to play.

[BLAUGRANA]

Originally posted by Olesen10
But if we buy anothr striker, we might push Saviola out, and he's a youngster who needs playing time. And if he rides the bench too much, he'll probably just find another team, like Depor, Real or Valencia, and that must not happen. I'd rather go for an expensive good defender than buy a average defender and a average striker...

IMO Saviola has had a fair chance thus far this season, as has Kluivert.

JFH and Gallas are hardly "average". Just because they don't have big price tags doesn't mean they don't get the job done.

[Força Barça]

Originally posted by AZULGRANA


We are in debt and unfortunately can't buy one if any of the players you've mentioned. I really would like us to try and pick up Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink from Chelsea along with a defender. I think that JFH would bring the goal scoring instinct we lack at the moment, along with some real passion, drive and energy. On an emotional level, I think he could give the rest of the squad a real kick in the ass. If we could somehow get him at a reasonable price.

As for the defender, we've been reportedly looking at William Gallas of Chelsea. Not a favourite player of mine, but he's very versatile (can play anywhere along the back) at the back. I think he's a very good defender and the best to leave France the summer he did (meaning he's better than Christanval, Djetou, etc). He'd reportedly cost about 7.5 million pounds.

I heard that Chelsea still owes Barca a reasonable amount of transfer fees for the Petit + Zenden deal back in summer '01..

If so, this Hasselbaink - Gallas proposal is actually quite achievable and reasonable to contemplate, unlike many other rumours.

I would love these two to come just for some emergency reinforcements..forget that Jimmy is dutch-too-many or gallas is average etc etc...Bottonline: the former is a predatory goal machine and the latter is a better-than-average alternative to our appauling backline.

In fact Jimmy wasn't too far away of a target during the off-season but at the end a fee couldn't be worked out, and sadly he doesn't look to become any cheaper during christmas :(

The door is still open though... hope good things happen.

[Força Barça]

Originally posted by Olesen10
But if we buy anothr striker, we might push Saviola out, and he's a youngster who needs playing time. And if he rides the bench too much, he'll probably just find another team, like Depor, Real or Valencia, and that must not happen. I'd rather go for an expensive good defender than buy a average defender and a average striker...

This is a good point about Saviola.

But buying a killer '9' to go with Kluivert doesn't mean Saviola is automatically bench-bound :)
e.g. If van gaal is as good as a coach he should be, he'd realise that Saviola can be converted into a Right-winger (like an overmars but a better scorer) and start every game using a 3-4-3 or 4-4-2, then Mendieta can go more to the middle for a more offensive-catalyst + midfield-defending dual role along with Xavi or Cocu.

With saviola at the RW, and a healthy overmars at LW we'll have speedy wingers on both sides; two strong and creative MFs in the middle and two good strikers up front if we're able to land a predator '9'.

If idealy this works then we can even forget about the defense, and just try to outscore opponents, which is barca's tendency when they play well anyway. Rather than getting shut outs, we used to get 3-1, 3-2, 4-2 scorelines the team's on song.

[barça]

I am with Relejado on this, during the winter is almost impossible to get someone of caliber. I think what we got, is what you see until the end of the year. It would be a surprise to see someone else come in, unless it is another coach and/or president.

The competition comitte of La Liga annouced a closure of the stadium for two games, after appeals are done it will happen probably in the middle of January, but the biggest news is that they opened an investigation on the comments and reaction of Gaspart, if found guilty of unsportsman conduct, he could be suspended for up to 5 years (could my biggest dream come true?)

This could mean lots of trouble in deciding what to do, whom to sell and whom to buy.

[Strike]

I think Van Gaal take up another Striker and do than this.Let's
say it's Hasselbaink.




------------------------------ Hasselbaink--------------------------------------

---Riquelme----------------Kluivert------------------------Saviola-----------


And about mendieta, I think he will not stay long with us.

(Inter step in with a 22M€ bid)

[Olesen10]

Originally posted by AZULGRANA


IMO Saviola has had a fair chance thus far this season, as has Kluivert.

JFH and Gallas are hardly "average". Just because they don't have big price tags doesn't mean they don't get the job done.

Average is a strong word I admit, but if you put (man I don't want to say this but...) Ronaldo or Raul and compare one of them with Hasselbaink, IMO those two from the white "pide":rolleyes: would win...And the same with William Gallas. If oyu comapre him to almost any Serie A defender, he would lose IMO. But the two of them (JFH and Gallas) are not bad at all! I just say use the cash at one, not just good, but worldclass player...

[yks_barca]

Originally posted by Strike
I think Van Gaal take up another Striker and do than this.Let's
say it's Hasselbaink.




---------------------- Hasselbaink--------------------------------------

---Riquelme----------------Kluivert-----------Saviola-----------



:shocked: aaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrggggggggghhhhhhhhh :shocked:

You think if we have Hasselbank, the attacking tactic would be like that ?
Leave a striker alone supported by 3 players ( 2 of them originally pure strikers with 1 attacking midfielder ) ..

Even VanGaal wouldn't do that !!

Originally posted by Strike
And about mendieta, I think he will not stay long with us.

i'm not quite sure , you may be right though :)

[relejado]

Originally posted by Strike

And about mendieta, I think he will not stay long with us.



why you guys think mendieta will leave ?

i personaly would rather see him wearing a blaugrana shirt next season than lose him. mendieta - riquelme - luis enrique playing together...that could be a pretty leathal combination, no ?

[yks_barca]

I'd like him to stay but i don't know if Barca would seel his deal in the end of the season ...

Mendieta in Valencia is completely different from the the current Mendieta we have now !!

The same thing goes to Gerard Lopez as well !!

:(

I remember his hat-trick 3 years ago against Lazio !!

It's all gone !

[J R R]

for me it depends how much it would cost to keep him
hes not been in great form and Barca dont have much
to spend the money may be better spent elsewhere

[barça]

Originally posted by relejado


why you guys think mendieta will leave ?

i personaly would rather see him wearing a blaugrana shirt next season than lose him. mendieta - riquelme - luis enrique playing together...that could be a pretty leathal combination, no ?

the situation is so complex, with Lazio being bankrupt, Mendieta not playing well so far (although I agree with Azul, he is not being used properly), Van Gaal and/or Gaspart will have to survive as well and now Inter might want him.

It will be intersting to see how it develops. I like him and would like to see him stay. Lets hope so.

[BLAUGRANA]

Originally posted by Força Barça


I heard that Chelsea still owes Barca a reasonable amount of transfer fees for the Petit + Zenden deal back in summer '01..

I did too. The amount was reportedly 2.5 million pounds per player making it a total of 5 million pounds. I think it was due in the Fall though. I wonder if we got paid. :confused:

Originally posted by Força Barça

If so, this Hasselbaink - Gallas proposal is actually quite achievable and reasonable to contemplate, unlike many other rumours.

Agreed, moreso than most other rumours.

Originally posted by Força Barça

I would love these two to come just for some emergency reinforcements..forget that Jimmy is dutch-too-many or gallas is average etc etc...Bottonline: the former is a predatory goal machine and the latter is a better-than-average alternative to our appauling backline.

Agreed again. Gallas IMO would be one for the future and is a very good defender. JFH would score boatloads of goals IMO.

Originally posted by Força Barça

In fact Jimmy wasn't too far away of a target during the off-season but at the end a fee couldn't be worked out, and sadly he doesn't look to become any cheaper during christmas :(

Indeed JFH seems more expensive now than he was this summer.

Originally posted by Força Barça

The door is still open though... hope good things happen.

Me too. Perhaps we'll get Chivu for Xmas! :D

[BLAUGRANA]

Originally posted by relejado


why you guys think mendieta will leave ?

i personaly would rather see him wearing a blaugrana shirt next season than lose him. mendieta - riquelme - luis enrique playing together...that could be a pretty leathal combination, no ?

I hope we pass on the option we have. I'm quite sure we will. We can't really afford what Lazio want for him. He started out well for us, but I think he's since been in the doldrums.

Originally posted by J R R
for me it depends how much it would cost to keep him
hes not been in great form and Barca dont have much
to spend the money may be better spent elsewhere

I'd keep him for 5 million pounds or less. :eek: A bit stingy I know, but we're poor and Lazio need the cash. If no one else goes for him, they're stuck with him.

Originally posted by yks_barca


The same thing goes to Gerard Lopez as well !!

!

Yes, but a bit unfair IMO. Gerard has been injured consistently since his arrival and hasn't had the string of games needed to show his stuff. I think he's still got it and with the way this season is going could yet prove you wrong if he gets a chance.

[relejado]

i'm still convinced about mendietas abilities. he had some weak games, indeed, but he has a hard time in rom and every artist need some time to recover after a bad time.
imagine him playing like he did in valencia together with a super fit luis enrique and a riquelme with confidence brings tears in my eyes.
IMO, we should keep the team together and not changing every year. we had some big changes last sommer. I rather see cristanval and geovanni leave and get a worldclass defender instead.

[yks_barca]

Originally posted by relejado
i'm still convinced about mendietas abilities. he had some weak games, indeed, but he has a hard time in rom and every artist need some time to recover after a bad time.
imagine him playing like he did in valencia together with a super fit luis enrique and a riquelme with confidence brings tears in my eyes.
IMO, we should keep the team together and not changing every year. we had some big changes last sommer. I rather see cristanval and geovanni leave and get a worldclass defender instead.

I totally disagree relejado !! It doesn't make sense if we let Cristinaval and Geovanni leave !!

If we build these 2 young players they will be our next stars in the future .. why did you think FC Barcelona bought these two guys then?

I once saw Geovanni in Internazionale ( was it internazional? ) when he was playing in the Brazilian league .. he was absolute superb !! You must give this guy a chance .. The long shot goal he scored against Galatasaray in the Nou Camp is nothing compared on what he did with his previous club.

As for Cristinaval, he's young too .. and needs some time to get his form into shape .. Van Gaal should now use him in the Sevilla game ..

Finally, Mendieta ! I hate VG for one reason ... He always ( not sometimes ) wants to play Players out of their usual positions !!

It happened to Rivaldo you know !! Remember?? When there was a time when VG had this thing with Rivaldo ? He actually wanted him to play in the Left as a winger :eek: ..

Rivaldo didn't give a shit :smoking: , he responded by saying : '' I don't play in the left, i'm a player who can't be fixed in one position in the field, i play everywhere and that's why i score goals !! :ronaldo: ''

That was what made Rivaldo stay in the bench for some matches, but Van Gaal couldn't stand his team's performance on that time and specially when Barca was playing against ( Ohh God !! i don't remember the team :confused: ) but ... He finally got to his senses and brought Rivaldo into the field in the 2nd half AND HE SCORED ON THAT MATCH !!

You see what i mean :cool: ?

I don't want Mendieta to act the same as Rivaldo did , but i was just explaining why Mendieta's form wasn't into shape recently ! We still didn't see that Mendieta who was in Valencia ..

Anyways, it's just my point of view ;)

[nismo]

Man, what's wrong with Barca!!??!!
When I left a few months ago, you guys were still up there up there in the table, now you're in a dismal mid table position. I don't think it's the reason of Barca being the team to beat due to their Catalunya ethnicity, I think it's something to do with morale, victory breeds confidence, and lately Barca haven't been doing that. I hope the turnaround in fortunes is just around the corner.

[relejado]

ok, i partly agree with you yks barca on geovanni and cristanval. but if they wouldn't be exceptional players, they would not be transfered to barca.
cristanval is sometimes just to lazy...not consequent enough. he's young OK...right...but we ain't have time to wait until he's experienced enough. we have to have a strong defence NOW !! and we need money, maybe we can loan him out...that would be a possibility.
on the geovanni issue...he IS a good player and his goal against the turks was great, but how would you line him up on the field ? he plays on the right side...where saviola is.

IMO, we should not buy players only becaue they can play good football, but because they fit in the team...if you do that, you don't have to put players out of their natural positions, like you mentionned Rivaldo or Mendieta...

anyway...that's just MY point of view;)

[gnlvagosov]

Barca's midfield & attack is fine IMO...it's just the defence:)

[gnlvagosov]

Originally posted by relejado
ok, i partly agree with you yks barca on geovanni and cristanval. but if they wouldn't be exceptional players, they would not be transfered to barca.
cristanval is sometimes just to lazy...not consequent enough. he's young OK...right...but we ain't have time to wait until he's experienced enough. we have to have a strong defence NOW !! and we need money, maybe we can loan him out...that would be a possibility.
on the geovanni issue...he IS a good player and his goal against the turks was great, but how would you line him up on the field ? he plays on the right side...where saviola is.

IMO, we should not buy players only becaue they can play good football, but because they fit in the team...if you do that, you don't have to put players out of their natural positions, like you mentionned Rivaldo or Mendieta...

anyway...that's just MY point of view;)

I agree,
Cristanval & Giovani should both be loaned so atleast they would get some more experience and get some playing time, then LVG will realise how good they are and use them.

[BLAUGRANA]

Originally posted by gnlvagosov


I agree,
Cristanval & Giovani should both be loaned so atleast they would get some more experience and get some playing time, then LVG will realise how good they are and use them.

Loan 'em out and see how they fair. If they do well, their value will increase and you can sell 'em or keep 'em.

[relejado]

Originally posted by AZULGRANA


Loan 'em out and see how they fair. If they do well, their value will increase and you can sell 'em or keep 'em.

exactly!

[gnlvagosov]

that could be an option....

[barça]

Another loss in La Liga, six and counting, at home against Sevilla a rival that was 18th on the table, had scored the least amount of goals and is looking to go back down to 2nd Division. Barcelona is now 16 points back from the leader in just 14 games, 2 away from relegation. Can it get any worse? Wait don't answer that, my brain won't be able to take it.

Today, Van Maal and the team were simply awful. Van Maal, lined up a defense of three DeBoer, Christanval and Navarro. Puyol played but hardly on defense, he was lined up as wing back and spent 80% of his time attacking (did not have a great game either) until he was substituted because of a hit to his back. (God, I hope he is ok) These three defenders were worse than bad, Reyes and Antonito, played like there was no defense, the first goal (penalti that wasn't it, as the foul was outside the area) Chirstanval looked silly trying to catch up, the second goal was an unbelievable mistake by DeBoer, failing to head away a long clereance from Sevilla. DeBoer is having a nightmare of a season and should be benched, I don't care who replaces him. He should not play anymore.

The GK situation is, again this year, worrisome, Bonano was lost the second goal went thru his hands! but who do you put in there? Maybe if Van Maal leaves, Victor Valdes can be allowed back, although not much better, he is young and can learn. Don't put Enke, I saw the game against Novelda and he was to blame for all the goals.

Riquleme was once again the best player, imagine that Van Maal actually did not want to play him when the season started. But every player of Barcelona was off, the would get the ball and their first choce was a pass back, never looking to attack.

I have no idea if the goalkeeper for Sevilla was good or bad, neither does Barcelona, they never tested the guy, I mean never. He did not have to make a save, not one! Kluivert did have a shot that hit the post and that was it.

They deserved to loose and now Gaspart and Van Maal, if they have COJONES, should hand in their resignation.

It is so hard to think that we are only two points away from relegation after 14 games. WOW. Shameful and I don't care what they tell me about the CL.

[soccer fanatic]

Good post. Agreed.
Van Gaal should go. Also should refuse the money he gets from the rest of his contract if he is sacked.

[funky6]

They deserved to loose and now Gaspart and Van Maal, if they have COJONES, should hand in their resignation.

Let's pray for it!

I cannot handle this situation anymore guys.It's too much for a person to handle.One more humilliation..i can't even remember what No this one is..I was about to go for a beer and i'm sitting home sad one more time because of these guys.It's the last time i do this,i feel stupid.

[Bier]

Boah ... I'm lost for words ... this is pathetic ... our team is a farce and I'm so tired of their stupid results. :( I can't say much about the political Situation in our club but I'm just sad for what direction we're developping to. :mad: I fear for our european spot next year.

[Força Barça]

Hi Fellas,

I was lost for words too when I saw the latest 0-3 results, but now I've calmed down and feel like writing an essay after a glass or two of milk early in the Sydney morning...

The phrase Jekyll & Hyde is probably the fairest description of this 02-03 Barça squad we've seen so far..

Before we all start to blurt out the easy solution by calling for van Gaal to step down, let's put some facts into perspective for the moment....

In Liga, our win-lost-draw record is 4-4-6 after the Sevilla game...relegation-threatened;
in Europe it's 10-0-0.... best in the comp with a foot in the quarterfinals already (regardless of the upcoming inter milan games)....which seems utterly ridiculous if you look at the domestic form :confused:

The 2 UCL 3rd round qualifying games we won 3-0 and 1-0,
the 8 real UCL games of Europe: 18 goals , 6 conceded;

While in Liga, we need not even look at for-and-against, as the total aggregate F-A can be discarded since that 6-1 win over Alaves throws everything imbalance if it's counted as part of Barça's average performance...all you need to know is we've played 7 league games since that 6-1 win, and 3 goals have been scored, 8 goals conceded.

More recently, there's been only 1 goal for Barça in their last 5 league games ... (and that came courtesy of a Kluivert long range in the Real Sociedad game that was tipped in by Westerfeld's head... so it wasn't even our goal...it was a comedy OG).

Going back to Europe, (This section isn't intended to be a bragging session or show off, just an objective reminder of our European form), if we had played only 4-5 games and get a perfect record, it is no indication. But now, we've played 10 games going into the 2nd stage. 10-0-0 is a fair indication of our ability, form and potential no matter who're we up against : good opponents or poor ones (since we get supposedly poor teams in liga too like osasuna, vallacano, sevilla and we've lost or drew to them for various reasons)...In europe, we're not even getting draws, ALL WINS ...

This is all just my particular way of looking at things, and I don't have the real concrete reason behind this Jekyll & Hyde situation.. except to say that LUCK definitely plays a part, no questions asked.

You might say they're poor, or bad tactics/ formation have been used by van gaal for the 2 sets of competitions; some had suggested how this joke of a management/board-members are grabbing too many negative headlines and distracting the coach and players; some had suggested this team lacks 'cojones' (most famously Stoitchkov, earlier in 2002 when Rexach's Barça wasn't winning)... All somewhat true but really, nothing quite logically explains it or supports all the records or facts given above, is there? Other than the superstitious side of things.. :p

Come on fellas, why is that in liga Barça tries to win but end up losing and not able to even grind out draws at home or away, while in europe we haven't been playing particularly spectacular football but yet can't even draw or lose and somehow got these 1-0 wins, 3-1 wins, 3-2 wins, 2-0 wins...all solid-but-not-stylish, Valencia-type of winning scores to arrive at a 10-0-0 winning record ??!??!?! :confused:

Seems like the team is sometimes just fortunate / unfortunate...

The most depressing thing however is the attitude of the team, in my humble opinion. You can sort of sense that the coach and players seem to buy this supporter-like thinking of mine, the 'blame-bad-luck' attitude. I'm just a fan and I don't know what goes on in the locker room or traning ground, so I can't do much but to blame it all by saying "shit happens"....

...but they're the ones with power of action, they're the ones who're paid to train hard, play good football, score goals, defend solidly, win games......they can do something about their league form but yet they give in every weekend almost... :mad2:

How about this: in all 14 liga games so far, there's been NO winning comebacks. When Barça down 1-0 (which often happened, often early in the game too), or let the other team level a 1 or 2 goal lead during the game, the team never reacted and step up to get the win. They tend to feel sorry for themselves, blame the circumstances, the lucky freak goal the other team gets, start whinging to the refs, instead of pushing for a comeback. :mad2: :mad2: All the little things from their body languages and comments that are apparent via modern in-your-face TV game coverages and post-match conferences.

The best comeback of liga were 1-1 salvagings. The ONLY comeback after all these games we've played so far is in the champions league vs leverkusen: down 1-0 we got a 2-1 with the saviola-roman-overmars triple subs.

Not able to fightback can be a truly worrying tell-tell sign of team and individual player's mentality... I guess at the moment Barça doesn't have one person to kick'em up the ass when they need it the most (captain Luis Enrique... or Rambo :) ).... Cocu has proven to be a so-so captain in both Barça and Holland... although Puyol, our 3rd captain, is a valliant fighter who plays 90mins and never gives up, he's only a defender who can't stop the other teams scoring all by himself, nor could he score up front and turn the team around when needed..... :(

There appears to be an overall lack of winning attitude in the league (sounds ridiculous yes... how can you have drastically different mentality btwn Liga and UCL hmmmm), besides that luck factor we talked about....

This isn't something that can be fixed by just sacking the coach (although I'm all for Gaspart stepping down right away, the man has lost the plot and if some new president comes in today, he wouldn't drastically affect the football side of things immediately, but would hopefully save the ship in the longer term), nor can Barça sack 5-6 incompetant players during winter and turn it all around. Hell, we're not even sure if loaning a hasselbaink, or buying an emergency defender would help...if all this is really due to lethargic team attitude overall, you can have 3 more world class players and not much would improve...

Even if 1 of these 3 scenarios were to to happen, and Barça do end up winning again, then it won't be a thing of logic either.....except to say that luck is on our side again...

$hit I might've opened up a can of worms here...fellas please agree / disagree / discusss any of the above :)

[soccer fanatic]

Someone on another forum and thread mentioned that the opponents Barca had weren`t all the best in Europe. I think he is right, still good you beat them all, were some good teams too, but he did have a point.

Sacking the coach will do nothing perhaps, but it could also bring a shock effect and perhaps some new perspectives. Van Gaal should go but I read this morning that Van Gaal wasn`t thinking about resigning.

Fact is, Barca isn`t playing too his capabilities, save too say if they are close too religation, so it is obvious the coach is hold responsible, since he can`t get out of the team in the league what obviously is there (the quality) I think it is nothing more but fair too sack Van Gaal.

[Strike]

International spot for next year is over guys. We should look that we go not in the segunda.Now all my hope is gone.

[paul.turner]

That was the poorest I've seen Barca play - before the game, Sky Sports were talking about how Barca were the best passing team in La Liga based on the OPTA Index, last night I realised, that's because they're all passed backwards!!!!

We just knocked it about in our own half like we're in Serie A or something! When we did try to move forward it was always with the 'killer' pass which is so easy to block out.

Add that to the latest episode of the Barca defence 'Muppet Show' and we find ourselves floating above the drop zone.

Now I don't think for one minute we will go down, but that it is only because the club must realise that we absolutely must bring in some quality and experience for the left hand side of our defence. Navarro has some talent but he is simply not cutting it, especially alongside the shaky De Boer and an unfit Christanval. Sevilla gave us a lesson in defending yesterday, it was embarrassing.

Letting Coco and Sergi go at the same time has really hurt this team.

[Olesen10]

Something must happen! I don't know if it's the coach, players, attitude or whatever but something has to change!

[barça]

I have to agree about the passing stats, this teams is great on the passes between Motta and Mendieta back to either of the three defenders. Last night you could actually see Riquelme begging for some movement up front so that he did not have to pass backwards. These guys use Bonano as a safety valve way too much and all he does is loose the ball by kicking it away.

There were some posts asking for the team to give Christanval more chances, but I have seen all of his games with Barcelona and I have to yet see anything on him. He is just not a very good player, too slow and awful 1 v 1 player. Even my 9 year old son asks why is Christanval playing.

Sergi could be doing a better job than Navarro, but not Coco, never was a fan of him and never will be.

[gnlvagosov]

3-0:cry:
i feel the pain with you guys!:mad:

[Juan]

What this team needs:

-Show Gaspart the door
-The new president might want to sack Van Gaal, but no Rexach or likewise please.
-Luis Enrique back ASAP, they need a kick in the arse!
-Trim all the crap from the squad

Add more.

[FC Barca11]

Originally posted by Juan
What this team needs:

-Show Gaspart the door
-The new president might want to sack Van Gaal, but no Rexach or likewise please.
-Luis Enrique back ASAP, they need a kick in the arse!
-Trim all the crap from the squad

Add more.



This is the same shit we have to put up with again and agina. No disrespect to you Juan even tho you support a team who are made of "The Sons of Lucifer" :evil: but the fact is we blame the trainer and Gaspart everytime. This time, it makes no sense. We are unbeaten in the CL and even if the teams we've beaten so far were not that good, there were certainlly better than Sevilla. Plain and simple, THE PLAYERS NEED A ***KING ROCKET UP THEIR ASS AND NEED TO START PERFORMING IN THE LEAGUE. They are professionals and MOST IMPORTANTLY they don the Barca jersey, and as a consequence must don it with pride and show it in every game. We are lacklustre as ever in the league and we need to do something about it. Changing the trainer or the president is not the solution this time.

[BLAUGRANA]

Originally posted by barça
Even my 9 year old son asks why is Christanval playing.

Sergi could be doing a better job than Navarro,

Your'e a great parent if he's thinking like that. :D

I still am disappointed we let Sergi go. He would have been better than Navarro.

[relejado]

i agree with barca11, LVG and JG are not the only ones to blame for this misery.

i've never been a fan of gaspart, but as i saw him standing in the box after the match...i felt somekind of touched and I felt sorry for him...but anyway...it's time to stick together and bring the club where it belong..at the top of laliga and europe.

the club is the most important thing, nor bassat, nor cruyff are above the club...and changing everything NOW would not bring any immediate improvements.

[soccer fanatic]

If the whole squad get along with eachother and with the coach/staff, doesn`t that mean the coach is simply screwing up?

I mean, if your players are unhappy with eachother and or coach you could say that that influences the resukts, but if that is not the case and everything is good between the squad, what excuse does he have?

You can`t say simply that players fail, it is the job of the coach too get them motivated in the field and let them play as closest too the maximum capacities of those players. If a coach doesn`t get close to reaching that, shouldn`t that tell you he isn`t the man of the job.
I mean this isn`t going for one week, but for a long time.
Really hurts for me as (still) LVG fan. but I`m also a Barca fan and as stated by the one before me, the club is more important than the individual, no matter who it is.

Could someone make it really clear what the objections are against Gaspart?
I saw him on TV and he looked a trustworthy man, but I don`t know him that well I`m afraid?

[relejado]

Originally posted by soccer fanatic


You can`t say simply that players fail, it is the job of the coach too get them motivated in the field and let them play as closest too the maximum capacities of those players. If a coach doesn`t get close to reaching that, shouldn`t that tell you he isn`t the man of the job.
I mean this isn`t going for one week, but for a long time.


yes, but the why the f*** do we beat newcastle, leverkusen and other teams which are, IMO, better then sevilla and rayo and lose against weaker spanish opponents ????? it can't be only because they know barca's way of play...

[Juan]

I´ll tell you the objections on Gaspart: He´s spent more money than Florentino on new signings, and his players go to the bench (christanval, rochemback, geovanni) or are sold at a big deficit the next season (petit). The Board is like a chicken fight, completely unruly, and with no consensus. When Nuñez left, he could sign anyone, now Madrid and some Italian and English teams can outbid Barça with ease.

[relejado]

right, but he also brought riquelme, saviola and mendieta (onl oan) to barca.

[soccer fanatic]

Originally posted by relejado


yes, but the why the f*** do we beat newcastle, leverkusen and other teams which are, IMO, better then sevilla and rayo and lose against weaker spanish opponents ????? it can't be only because they know barca's way of play...

Well, this means the coach to blame right?
Has to be willing too chance tactics in Liga matches.

Reason why they do win in Cl can besides your point, a good one, also could be because Barca is playing so different from other teams in Spain they fit the styles of other leagues better.
Or perhaps more confidence since they are unbeaten in Europe,
perhaps partly luck too. Perhaps because they played the CL teams all when they were on their worst spell, like Leverkusen and Galatasaray. Can be a million reasons.

[gnlvagosov]

Barcelona president Joan Gaspart suffered another setback in his attempt to unite the Catalan club when vice-president Gabriel Masfurroll resigned on Tuesday.

Joan Gaspart: Under pressure
Masfurroll had been a high-profile member of the board since Gaspart's election as president in July 2000 and had occupied the post of club spokesman for some of that time.

'My disagreement with the way the club is being run has prevented me from continuing in my post,' Masfurroll said in a statement to the press.

His resignation comes at a delicate time for Gaspart who, together with coach Louis van Gaal, has come under intense pressure as a result of the team's dismal form in the league.

Barcelona dropped into 13th place in the table and a distant 16 points behind leaders Real Sociedad after their 3-0 capitulation at home to Sevilla on Sunday, their fourth defeat in five matches.

Masfurroll is the fourth vice-president to resign during Gaspart's presidency.

The club said he will be replaced by Enric Reyna, who is already on the board of the club.

The president is voted for in an election where the more than 100,000 members of the club are entitled to vote, although only around 45,000 took part in the 2000 poll.

[barça]

The sports news radio here said that Masfurrol gave 48 hours to Gaspart to fire Van Gaal and call for new elections and if that did not happen that he would resign.

Hey, Juan, my brother in Venezuela called me and asked, who will resign first, Gaspart or Chavez? I don't think either will, so maybe we need to go on general strike in Cataluyna as well.

[funky6]

I don't think either will, so maybe we need to go on general strike in Cataluyna as well.

Excactly!It's the only way to push Gaspart in order to quit!He's not crazy,he knows he's a total failure but he's playing his last card in order not to stay in history as the worst Barça president,but simply BARHA CAN'T WAIT!If he goes VG follows him soon or late and i don't care if it's Rexack or anybody else till the end of the season,VG is the worst thing in the squad's moral it's not only a technical issue!

People in Barcelona and the damn catalan rabloids must do sthing for the good of the club!It's the only way to push him to resign.It's about Gaspart and only from now on.There's no LVG in Barça ÉÌÏ.He's past!

About European success,spanish clubs have been playing with Barça for years.They don't have the inferiority complex of sides like Newcastle or Bayer.

Gaspart out,elections NOW,bring someone like D'Alessandro or Cisse or Stam,sack VanGaal and bring anyone to inspire the squad and Barça can fight to save the year!

[soccer fanatic]

I heard Van Gaal will be fired if he doesn`t win in the away match against Mallorca. Gaspart mentioned he had no alternative since the pressure is too high.

[funky6]

Why do they have to play with the faith of millions in the Club damn it?What is going to change if we beat Mallorca?A miracle is about to happen?

Should we wish to see Barça 18th to see these ppl out of FC Barcelona?

:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

[soccer fanatic]

I`m wondering too if we sahould win or loose, is three points better than the permanent removal of Van Gaal out of Barca?
That hurts too say. :(
I`m in a weird position as an also fan of Ajax, he did so much for us, but if you look at it objectively, Van Gaal has too go.
Sorry Louis. :(

[barça]

Originally posted by soccer fanatic
I heard Van Gaal will be fired if he doesn`t win in the away match against Mallorca. Gaspart mentioned he had no alternative since the pressure is too high.

I think this came from a response to a question to Gaspart today asking him if he thought the coach would change with a loss and he answered that coaches are measured by wins and losses and if there too many losses then a change would be justifed.

[funky6]

Apart from the coach situation he should be speaking of himself too i think.

Presidents are not only judged by supporter's cards carnets and charity movements.Has he ever accepted he's been doing sh*t in Barcelona for three years?I hope everyone of his ppl follows Masfurroll's move to resign and leave him alone.

[relejado]

no way i wanna see barca lose only to have a reason to sack LVG !! we need every point we can get !!!

[Juan]

Originally posted by barça
Hey, Juan, my brother in Venezuela called me and asked, who will resign first, Gaspart or Chavez? I don't think either will, so maybe we need to go on general strike in Cataluyna as well.

I hope both, and soon.

[Olesen10]

Well I didn't know if WSB had closed or...But we are back!!!

Good win against Mallorca! Let's hope that leads VG to new victories!

[gnlvagosov]

I tought it was closed for the update or something.

[barça]

Originally posted by Olesen10
Well I didn't know if WSB had closed or...But we are back!!!

Good win against Mallorca! Let's hope that leads VG to new victories!

A very misleading score, I am happy that we ended up with a win before the break, but Mallorca had a player kicked out with an unjust red card at the very beginning and they were not the same after that. Eto, decided to get himself kicked out next (a very just red card) and Mallorca were down to 9 before the half.

I hope the break does veryone well, but reading the news is not encouraging. Gaspart, yesterday said that the dream team that won the European cup, was not that great because they won it against a team now in second division. (La Samp in Italy) I wish that clown would keep his mouth shut.

[BLAUGRANA]

Originally posted by gnlvagosov
I tought it was closed for the update or something.

The server couldn't handle it do to the increased traffic of late. Moved to another server. Upgrade coming soon.

[BLAUGRANA]

Originally posted by barça
Gaspart, yesterday said that the dream team that won the European cup, was not that great because they won it against a team now in second division. (La Samp in Italy) I wish that clown would keep his mouth shut.

What an idiot! Why on earth would you say that about your club?!?! He needs to be sacked, IMMEDIATELY!

[Juan]

Heh, and that team´s players recalled images of Gaspart, then vice-president, taking a bath in the Thames that day. Hehehe.

[barça]

Well it looks like Van Gaal is going to bet Iniesta for Riquelme. I am a HUGE Iniesta fan, I have seen him play various times with the B team last year and he is going to be a good one. I still feel that JRR has to play from the beginning. We shall see.

Starting XI:

Bonano; Puyol, De Boer, Motta; Rochemback, Gerard, Xavi, Cocu; Iniesta, Overmars, Kluivert.

Bench:

Enke (p.s), Oleguer, Mendieta, Geovanni, Saviola, Riquelme, y Dani.

Gabri and Christanval were late scratches.

[BLAUGRANA]

Originally posted by barça
Well it looks like Van Gaal is going to bet Iniesta for Riquelme. I am a HUGE Iniesta fan, I have seen him play various times with the B team last year and he is going to be a good one. I still feel that JRR has to play from the beginning. We shall see.



Agreed, agreed. I'm big on the kid too. Problem is, our best youth players (other than Puyol) tend to be this type of player. I still want Arteta back too. Anyway, these games will help him.

I think JRR should be starting too. Why can't both he and Iniesta start? Hell, why can't the pair of them start with Xavi too?

[Olesen10]

Good win! And it could have been even bigger, as we hit the bar several times and actually scored, but not in the referees opinion...:confused: :silly:

[barça]

Good win, even though the season long problems were still there but Recre is a very poor team.

Iniesta was the Man of the Match, he asked for the ball and distributed well. I would love to see him play with JRR, they would make a great team together. Kluivert seemed to play well with him, but, like Overmars, missed too many chances.

Xavi hit the post twice, once from the PK spot, overall Barcelona had, by my count, 19 clear chances of scoring, but somehow did not. This has been a problem all year and it seems that it will continue.

The defense was hardly challenged, but still could not play the ball forward. The tediuos passing amongst them is still there. Important to note that De Boer picked up his 5th yellow and will not play next week.

Overall a good win, Barcelona did what they had to do.

Now we are in 8th place and coming up.

[BLAUGRANA]

Originally posted by barça
Good win, even though the season long problems were still there but Recre is a very poor team.

Iniesta was the Man of the Match, he asked for the ball and distributed well. I would love to see him play with JRR, they would make a great team together. Kluivert seemed to play well with him, but, like Overmars, missed too many chances.

Xavi hit the post twice, once from the PK spot, overall Barcelona had, by my count, 19 clear chances of scoring, but somehow did not. This has been a problem all year and it seems that it will continue.

The defense was hardly challenged, but still could not play the ball forward. The tediuos passing amongst them is still there. Important to note that De Boer picked up his 5th yellow and will not play next week.

Overall a good win, Barcelona did what they had to do.

Now we are in 8th place and coming up.

Nice post. I too would love to see Iniesta and JRR playing side by side.

Agree with you about the chances. Seriously, if we put away our chances this season, things wouldn't be nearly as bad. We need a goalpoacher! JFH for me would be fine in a loan deal for the rest of the season until we brought someone else in.

8th place and coming up is right. Still can get into the top 4 by season's end IMO. We need to keep the momentum going though and go on a little run here. That'll keep us up there in the league and restore the team's confidence.

[soccer fanatic]

Originally posted by barça
overall Barcelona had, by my count, 19 clear chances of scoring,

:eek:
Seriously? Wow.

[relejado]

it was a important win, but hold your horses guys, it was only huelva...ond we only managed to score two goals, the third one was an owngoal. we have to improve a lot to compete with the teams above us and i fear we are not ready to dominate big teams.

[gnlvagosov]

I told you guys Barca will turn things around...now wait for the winning streak!;)

[Juan]

If you take the next 2 ones (away at always dangerous Malaga, and at home against a Valencia team who should be full powered by then), then I think it´s OK to put you back as title challengers. Or at least CL challengers.

[BLAUGRANA]

Originally posted by Juan
If you take the next 2 ones (away at always dangerous Malaga, and at home against a Valencia team who should be full powered by then), then I think it´s OK to put you back as title challengers. Or at least CL challengers.

I'll settle for 4th place to quite honest.

[ilcapitano]

Originally posted by Juan
If you take the next 2 ones (away at always dangerous Malaga, and at home against a Valencia team who should be full powered by then), then I think it´s OK to put you back as title challengers. Or at least CL challengers.

Title challengers? No way...14 points behind the leaders, Barca should be happy to make it in the best three.
Too bad, a few weeks back I was still hoping you could beat that annoying Madrid team. Now it seems like they will go to win another trophy :(

[relejado]

Originally posted by ilcapitano
Title challengers? No way...14 points behind the leaders, Barca should be happy to make it in the best three.
Too bad, a few weeks back I was still hoping you could beat that annoying Madrid team. Now it seems like they will go to win another trophy :(

which trophy ?? :(

[The Rule]

Originally posted by relejado
which trophy ?? :(

ALL OF THEM

[ilcapitano]

Well it looks like they will win la liga. They've just started playing and are only three points behind Sociedad...and I can't see them staying on top for long.

[gnlvagosov]

it won't be that easy for Real to win La Liga.

[yks_barca]

Everything is possible till now !

[gnlvagosov]

perhaps...but they will have to fight for it.

[Juan]

If you ask me, Madrid and Valencia will be in the final sprint. Whether Real Sociedad is there too depends in how they adapt now to Xabi Alonso injured.

[barça]

The starting line up has a defense of four; Gerard, Cocu, Gabri and Puyol.

This is the biggest statement as to the state of the defense.

[Juan]

0-0

Barça dominated but, from what I saw, they lacked punch. Neither Iniesta nor Romy were able to organize attacks and cut through the Malaga defence.

[doz]

I'm no Barca fan but watching their 0-0 draw at Malaga i'd be extremely worried i'd i were a fan. They gave the ball away so often, it was ridiculous. Serious problems for Van Gaal from what i saw today. It was the worst game i've seen for a long long time. Both teams should be ashamed of themselves. Barca won't be in Europe next season if they perform like this.

[barça]

Another typical Barcelona game (The clown, Van Gaal that is, had guaranteed the win), they held the ball more than the opponent but the four defenders and the two inside mids were holding it, with the more than occasional pass to the keeper. No way for Iniesta to get the ball up front. The entry of JRR and Saviola (for Rochemback and Overmars) added a little more attack to the game, but not enough.

I wanto to see Iniesta and JRR playing more with each other from the start, I think that they, with the help of Xavi can break through the boring Barcelona play.

Malaga was worse, they look tired, probably due to the fact that they started the season with the Intertoto.

Having said this, I am happy with the tie and 7 points out of the last 9. Next week we host Valencia, that has 1 out of the last 9 points, while the first derby madrileño in two years will be going on in the Bernabeu.

Another great week to be a La Liga fan

[BLAUGRANA]

I too am happy with the draw considering our makeshift defense. Now Gerard is down too. Can it get any thinner at the back? Really though, considering it was a good Malaga side and our defense was threadbare, I'm content with the draw.

I agree with barça though about seeing JRR alongside Xavi and Iniesta. At least today's match wasn't down to poor finishing as much as previous matches were.

[Olesen10]

Too bad we didn't win, but okay considering the many injuries. But we have to win the next couple of games to be in the top seven in La Liga...

[barça]

I am getting ready for what might be the most difficult game so far for Barcelona and Valencia. Neither can afford to loose. Valencia will go just 1 point out 12, if they loose and Barcelona would be with 7 looses in the first 18 games, with one more left for the 1st half.

DeBoer will be back after his suspension and I have to make myself believe that this is good news. Mendieta back against Valencia for the first time although he might not play. A game I though at the beginning of the year would bring 4 starts of Argentine soccer, JRR, Saviola, Aimar and Ayala, will probably see two of those on the bench.

I see this as an almost impossible game for Barcelona, so I am going to start my prayers.

[BLAUGRANA]

I'm not too confident either, but I think we can still do it. If we're going to beat Valencia this season, right now is looking like our best opportunity.

[barça]

Just read an interview with FDB where he says that Barcelona was working on a new strategy to get Xavi and the complementing mid (Iniesta, Riquelme, Rochemback, Motta) more time and space up front. I am guessing LVG is going to allow for those guys not having to come back and defend as much as he always demands and have Cocu stay back even more. FDB does not specify what the change would be.

Looking forward to this game as much as ay other so far.

[Juan]

Considering current form, my money is on Valencia. But you just never know with a Van Gaal coached team.

[barça]

Originally posted by Juan
Considering current form, my money is on Valencia. But you just never know with a Van Gaal coached team.

Current form of whom? I know that Barcelona has not seen the best opponents, but they come into this game with 7 out of 9 points while Valencia comes in with 1 out of 9.

I am not sure that Valencia comes into this with great confidence.

I do think that Barcelona can take this game, if this game was 5 weeks ago, I would say no chance, but Barcelona is a ittle better today (than 5 weeks ago) and Valencia is going through a bad spell.

[BLAUGRANA]

Originally posted by barça

I do think that Barcelona can take this game, if this game was 5 weeks ago, I would say no chance, but Barcelona is a ittle better today (than 5 weeks ago) and Valencia is going through a bad spell.

Exactly what I was saying.

[yks_barca]

As for my opinion on the Valencia match ...

I think that a probable draw would make Valencia delighted .. i just don't think that we could win in this game ...

If we did ..

well, nothing much to say actually ... Let's keep on the good run !

[funky6]

As barça and Azul said if this game was 5 weeks ago i would prefer to spend my time in an other way that night and get depressed later(though i can't do it):D

Anyway,winning this by any mean(even with a half goal) would be great for the teams moral.We have to show we're there in a big game for once and that's what i want.

Honestly..i'm not confident at all

[barça]

In practice today, LVG tried for the first time on weeks, Saviola and Kluivert up top and Riquelme behind them. with Iniesta and Motta/rochemback in the right and left respectively. Gabri did not practice due to stomach problems, so he is doubtful. Enke has the same stomach problems and Valdes will be the 2nd keeper.

It sounds like LVG is ready to surprise with a new 11.

Possible 11 as of right now:

Bonano
Puyol, Reizinger (gabri), FDB, Cocu
------------Xavi----------------
Iniesta-------------Motta (rochemback)
----------JRR-------------------
Saviola----------Kluivert

I am sure this will change, so stay tuned.

[Olesen10]

Looks interesting, and with Lucho and others out with injuries it can only get better, but it looks like the strongest team right now...

[Olesen10]

Looks interesting, and with Lucho and others out with injuries it can only get better, but it looks like the strongest team right now...

[barça]

Well as of 3:25 PM Spanish time, 6 hours before game, it looks like Gabri is well enough to play and neither of the Argentines will start. So aim sitting here wondering, what the fuss was about having a more attacking team. I am sure it will change to stay tuned.

[barça]

Well, all the talk about a more attacking 11 was just that, the starting line up will be:

Bonano, De Boer, Puyol, Xavi, Cocu, Kluivert, Overmars, Rochemback, Gabri, Motta e Iniesta

Its official, no JRR nor Saviola in the starting line up:(

[KrayZ]

if anyone here seriously believed barca had a chance against valencia, they ought to have their head examined....

this always happens donnit? ten men opposition, embarassing defeat....last year it was against bilbao wannit?

Apart from Overmars, Iniesta and Kluivert everybody was crap...and that's not saying much coz Kluivert missed a sitter and Iniesta didn't really DO anything special, he just didn't do much wrong...

and again, Phillip Cocu was looking like an aging buffaloe....and again, Xavi was looking particularly uninterested in putting much effort into anything...and again, Van Gaal stuck with the same back line and midfield that performed ever so miserably last weekend....and the list goes on and on and on....

Now that we've got all THAT out of the way, Hi, im new here, how r u all? :)

[funky6]

I got nothing to say.If these ppl are still in Barça tomorrow,i'll keep coming in this forum just to read and have fun with you guys.No more tactical analyses,rumour talkings blah,blah,blah.I refuse to talk abt the game simply cause these kids don't deserve critics.I hope these two gentlemen are out of Barça tomorrow(i don't care who's in till spring) and then a tide comes and get most of these players away,FDB,Kluivert,Mendieta,Bonano..all of them.Just keep the Argies and few of our kids.

It's a disgrace.Sorry Barça.

BASTARDS

[barça]

Long post so get ready.

What an incredibly frustrating game, starting with LVG’s initial 11. After the week’s rumors and practices that Van Gaal was going to start a more attacking 11 than he did. It never ceases to amaze me that the man is so stubborn in his believe, to bench both Saviola and Riquelme.

Instead, he starts Motta and Rochemback, and to boot, he has Rochemback man marking Aimar and it 13 minutes, Aimar has scored a goal. Motta didn’t know if to attack or defend and he did neither. (Although he scored a goal on a steal in midfield and a nice counter attack)

The first goal by Valencia was a comedy of errors by the defense, culminated by Bonano coming out while he is still the 2nd defender on the play and Baraja’s pass to Aimar just left him with an open net. The second goal was a nice corner and Kluivert failed to reach the point of attack and Carew did not forgive. 0-2 in 30 minutes. In these 30 minutes, Valencia had a back line of 4 and a midfield of 5 with Carew up top, at times in between the 4-5 we had Iniesta and Xavi, with Kluivert and Overmasr up top. With Motta trying to direct the game(???) and Rochemback going nuts trying to keep up with Aimar. Insane!

The game starts to change with JRR coming him for the (very) ineffective Rochemback. Motta then scores, makes the game 1-2 and then a nice pass to kluivert leaves him one on one vs. Cañizares and the keeper fouls him outside the area. Red card and out. But Valencia retreated and played very well defense. Saviola and Mendieta came in but it was too late. Barcelona was MUCH better with JRR, Saviola and Mendieta in the game and that is the way they should be playing, they don’t have a defensive team good enough to be playing a defensive game.

To end, and here I go again, LVG has to go, it now has nothing to do with being a good coach or not, the man is too divisive and its killing the fan base and the club. We need to rally behind the club and with Van Maal, its not going to happen. And my opinion is the same for Gaspart. Have some cojones, take responsibility and resign.

Visca el Barça

[barça]

Originally posted by KrayZ
if anyone here seriously believed barca had a chance against valencia, they ought to have their head examined....

this always happens donnit? ten men opposition, embarassing defeat....last year it was against bilbao wannit?

Apart from Overmars, Iniesta and Kluivert everybody was crap...and that's not saying much coz Kluivert missed a sitter and Iniesta didn't really DO anything special, he just didn't do much wrong...

and again, Phillip Cocu was looking like an aging buffaloe....and again, Xavi was looking particularly uninterested in putting much effort into anything...and again, Van Gaal stuck with the same back line and midfield that performed ever so miserably last weekend....and the list goes on and on and on....

Now that we've got all THAT out of the way, Hi, im new here, how r u all? :)

Welcome and sorry that had to be your first post.

[soccer fanatic]

Welcome KrayZ. :)

[funky6]

Didn't see your post/welcome!I'm great,really happy for my team:)

Still i think you 're a hero for having the courage to write a critic about the match barça.I refuse to talk abt Bonanos,Mottas,Rochembacks,Kluiverts and others anymore simply because i respect Barça though i agree with your view on the game.

DIMISSION
Poor Barça.

I read that Farguell and the others freezed negotiations with JFH in order to announce his coming after a defeat...C'mon!Maka our day!:rolleyes:

Cheerz

[yks_barca]

RIVALDO .... !!!!!!

May God Bless You R10 !!

[Olesen10]

Shame on us...A total disgrace with eleven against ten in the second half, we should be able to win! Nothing less!

Now we have to aim at the CL!!!

[ilcapitano]

And I thought things were looking up for Barca :rolleyes:...anyway, I never thought you could suffer a defeat like this. The players should be ashamed of them selves, and I feel sorry for any Barcelona fan.

[funky6]

http://members.xoom.virgilio.it/jade_c/images/pepceltarivo.jpg

Cheerz

[Juan]

Rumors were strong of VG being fired yesterday. If your lot doesn´t get 3 points agasint Celta next week, then I´m certain he will go...

...but who will replace him? Unless you make a weird manager swap with Liverpool (and that would make things worse), there is no one out there up to the task.

[barça]

Originally posted by ilcapitano
And I thought things were looking up for Barca :rolleyes:...anyway, I never thought you could suffer a defeat like this. The players should be ashamed of them selves, and I feel sorry for any Barcelona fan.

Posts like this make we wonder if you watched the game and if you did wether you paid attention.

Why would be the players be so ashemed of themselves, I am sure they are upset about loosing, but the game was mostly a Barcelona team trying to play something they are not good at. They came out with a overly defensive team and they are not that, after 27 minutes the game was already 0-2, LVG then changes the team to what it should be, more of an attacking team, Riquelme in, Saviola in, Mendieta in, but by then the game was already close to impossible. With Valencia down to 10, all they did was defend and counter, scoring the last two goals in the last 10 minutes.

IMO nothing to be ashamed by the players, LVG is the one that should come out and apologize for a bad tactical game.

By the way, what was the score on the Inter game? Peruginna's bacci anyone?

[jade_c]

Yesterday evening I sat down and watched the match.
I dont know why but I didnt have many hopes to see my beloved
players smiling. Dont ask me why.
I dont know why Van Gaal put Rochemback there, not his place and honestly I like Rochemback, he could play much better than yesterday night. I'm quite sorry for him even if he made Valencia score the first goal.
What else? I dont know why Riquelme, Mendieta and Saviola sit on the bench. I have the feeling Van Gaal believes only in Dutch player...indeed none of them is out of the team.
I dont know why both Van Gaal and Gaspart are still ruling a team and a club which is, much more than an ordinary club. They dont deserve such charges. It's a shame.
I dont know what to think, I dont see any changes in the future....but at least, we should keep up in the Primera.
Love to all barcelonistas
ciao :)

[barça]

Sorry for so many posts lately, but one thing I forgot to mention was how upset I was at Rochemback. He played terrible yesterday, chasing Aimer like crazy only to start the play that would give Valencia its first goal. He gets substituted at minute 30 something and proceeds to take his shirt and throw it away and then when Motta scores he does not celebrate it.

Disgraceful, he should be ashamed and apologize and the benched forever.

Bonano, by the way was not very good either. My son, very knowledgeable with his 9 years old, says that they should forgive Valdes and bring him back. Maybe he is right.

[funky6]

Yeah,i saw the Rochemback attitude too.Players like him would be able to wear a blaugrana jersey only in our times and he throws it after one more crappy performance.Anyway,i've started not expecting things from the squad and individually from the players some time ago.I should have done it earlier though.

This team lacks leaders,winners attitude,mentality,strength,talent,coach,tactic,luck,everything.I don't think that something would have happened yesterday if the Argies and Mendieta or even Lucho were in the starting eleven and the tactics were different.

About Bonano.He sucked(again).This goalie situation shows how small team Barça are these years.DuTruel,Reina,Arnau,Valdés,Enke,Bonano, one of them deserved a chance and he's gone(no 2).Rest of them mediocre a s anything in Barça.

Squad,trainers,board everything needs a radical change.This Barça is sick from the top to the bottom.We just refuse to admit we're in a coma and going from one humiliation to hope after a good game and backwards.

[KrayZ]

rochemback IS hot headed but i like him for that....he kicks ass when he's playing in the right position and marking aimar is NOT a right position for him....that said he wasn't really playing too well either, but still, he's a good player IMHO.

And what about Puyol playing right wing back while Gabri's being roasted by Carew....tsk tsk....and playing two midfielders in defensive positions when u still have the services of Reiziger...

And it is also my opnion that playing Riquelme and Xavi together is a bit of a luxury that the team can't afford....both like to pull strings from the midfield and don't really do that much running or tracking back to help out the defense...Riquelme even less so then Xavi

[VivaBarcaInter]

I'm not going to blame players for not trying. It's not their fault some of them simply aren't good enough. I don't see how Van Gaal should be allowed to stay after that shambles. And I don't mean the result. I can understand us losing to Valencia. Frankly, they are better than we are, fast, slick counter attacking on such a large pitch against a shoddy defence is always going to work.

But Van Gaal was the one that deciced that Gabri should play as centre back, against a faster, taller, stronger player. Gabri sucks. He's like our version of Helguera, except he has the one talent of scoring a few goals a season. Gabri wouldn't even give us that. There should be no sympathy or favouritism simply because a player is local. If he's not good enough, don't play him.

But anyway, everyone knows that Van Gaal picked Gabri to play when Reiziger should have been in there. He also, as previously mentioned, stuck Rochemback on Aimar. Now, I like Rochemback, I think he can do a great job for us long term. But it was obvious he can't stop Aimar in terms of man marking. I'm not going to pat Van Gaal on the back for recognizing the error and changing it, because it shouldn't have been made in the first place. Van Gaal's strength is supposed to be studying opponents, and making tactical plans to deal with them. Why has he never got it right against Valencia, even when they ALWAYS play the same way against us? Add this to his previous errors, such as always playing players out of position and never starting Saviola/Riquelme, and it doesn't look good.

And also, even after our team showing they desperately need at least 2 new guys, coming out and saying there will be no new signing this season? My only thought here is,other than managerial stupidity, is that Gaspart has told him he'll be out in the summer and he won't be allowed to buy players that the new coach might not want.

Another problem to me is that a few players seem to be in a comfort zone. Xavi hasn't been anywhere near his imperious best this season, for whatever reason. Cocu doesn't seem to add anything other than another body at set plays. To me, De Boer has NEVER been good enough for us. I don't understand how several managers have put up with this idiot. This clown wouldn't have got a game for my 5 a side team. Why on Gods green Earth have we only brought in one REAL replacement for him? (that would be the Swedish captain who spends his days in the hospital!) Players like Bonano, Mendieta (who admittedly is playing everywhere other than his position) and Kluiv