Can Saez match Camacho?

[Juan]

Honestly, I think tough times are ahead for the Spanish NT. Seeing the starting XI against Hungary, and the result of that game, I think the next few months will be tough for the Spanish team. However, we´re talking about the man who won everything in youth categories, and has already coached most of the players at his disposal. I think, after some time, Spain will be a force to be reckoned with in the big tournaments.

[Bier]

I myself have been a big admirer of Camacho and it shocked me to hear he steped back. He understood to form a team out of our stars and could as well mobilise Merengues and Culé to cheer togheter for the national team. At Euro 2000 and WC 2004 one could've the impression the seleccion became more important then Barça, Real or Bilbao for example. Never will this happen indeed but Camacho brought us damn near to that.
Now I see Saez through the eyes of a Camacho admirer and thus he won't have it easy to convince me. But in a smart move at the beginning of his reign he tried to convince Hierro to return to the Sellecion. I said it already in another thread ... I consider this a great move since Hierro is one of those characters we need. Hopefully Saez makes it to convince our ex-captain.
We had an easy win yesterday in Greece in addition ... something to build on. Saez needs a fair chance ... we'll know more after the qualification and especially after the Euro 2004 since we need to convince in a big tournement finally.

[BLAUGRANA]

I like how Saez is introducing some new blood to the squad. He's inheriting a good side, so he should do well. Not losing too many players either, basically just Hierro and Nadal.

[Juanele]

And they lost Lucho as well.

Saez plays a more free flowing game as he lets the players play more. However, I can see already that he has his favorites, and those are the players who is he is comfortable with from his youth teams. Look at our defense, 3 of the 4 starters on the NT are substitutes for their respective club teams. If they gel as a unit then fine but the real tests will be in EURO2004 not during qualifing.

[Bier]

I as well like to see Saez introducing new player. Raúl Bravo for example had an excellent game for example (which I honestly did did not expect). But I still think we need Hierro as captain. The departure of Lucho, mentioned by Juanele is waht I consider as a hughe weakening as well. But we have to look at the future now ... our young guns look sharp and Mendieta and Raúl could lead the team at the EURO 2004, which, I totally agree there, is what counts in the end.

[Juan]

Still, some renovation at defense is needed, Who do you think might step up? Juanito? Garcia Calvo?

[Bier]

Yeah ... Garcia Calvo is very talented and surely a hot prospect. Raul Bravo looked great at his debut as well. Fernando Navarro has a good season so far with Barça. And Pavon wouldn't make Real's first team if he was not talented. We got a great future there IMO. :star: :)

[Juan]

Something else they could try, at least for a few matches, is Puyol at CB. He´s been playing there with Barça, and performing well. Such move would also open space for Michel Salgado or Curro Torres, at least while Manuel Pablo recovers.

[Bier]

Yeah, right, Puyol is able to play that possition. But I personally rather like him playing right back beacuse of the major additional blow he means to the offence.