Well my fellow fans of the best orginization and futbol club in the world, it is time for us to make this subforum more active. It seems that all the good discusions and dare I say fights, are going on in the 'other' subforum.

SO, here is what I am going to do about it. I will start this thread, and start a daily topic directly related to Barca, and current news or events that might be of interest to Barca fans of SP.

What I don't want this to become:

1) Real Madrid trashing thread (try to trash them only when relevent to the topic at hand if at all).

2) A Barca trashing thread by an influx of Real Madrid fans to the thread to comment about Laporta's underwear. Real Madrid fans, I ask you please, if you post here, don't do so just to f' things up.

3) A ROGA trashing thread by Barca and Real Madrid fans alike who finally find a reason to unite!!!

That being said, let me start us on the topic for today (topics may change more than once a day, but I'll be putting up at least 1 topic a day, to try and get you all in this subforum reading, and POSTING about Barca):
<span style='color:blue'>
Barca have lost only 1 match of 8 (6 Liga, 2 CL), yet the under current feeling in the media, and with the fans is that this season is not going well thus far. Will a win at the Raizor be enough to silence the critics and put YOU the Barca fan at ease?</span>

I think that a simple win wont be suffice. It has to be a quality win. Barca has shown flashes this year but suffers from incosistency. There are too many defensive errors. Also, the free-flowing football of last year has not been there. I think that is why most people are worried.

A win at the Riazor would definitely help the team gain confidence but the skeptics will be silenced by a convinving win.

Yes a win would put me at ease, I'm not worried about our squad, we have all the quality and depth to win la liga, what worries me is there's no sense of urgency, we are in 3rd gear when we should be in 5th. We've been been playing well but lapses in concentration has cost us points. I want to see the the real Barca, firing on all cylinders at the Riazor.

We got off to a flying start last year, why can't we do it again this time around?

Well let's look at both sides of the spectrum.

On the one hand, Barcelona needs to enchant their fans again, as they are mere shadows of their La Liga counterparts from last year (Yes the CL is going great).

On the other hand, Depor needs to enchant fans as well, as loss to Osasuna at home suerly ignited fires all over La Coruña, and if the coach values his job and squad, he NEEDS to win, so the motivation is almost 10 times as much as Barcelona's.

Other factors such as the off pitch battles play a part in nervousness, or even lack of motivation.

Alas, a win in Riazor will make the Barcelona fans breathe easy, but like Nando said, it must be a good win. I'm talking about a 0-3 win, because a 0-1 win or a 1-2 win will just show that they can win, but not blow away a "weaker" side.

Those are my 2 cents, I hope I didnt offend anyone, as I am a guest in this thread and I shall be as respectful of it as people are in the very first Team Discussion thread which I created years ago in the RM forum. (cough cough Rip off cough cough )

Cheers.

PS.

By the way Roga, I will pin this so it is always visible, and it's easier for you to come up with the next question etc...

Wow, I've been pinned by Carlos (heavy sigh)...... I feel like one of the girls....


Ok, back on topic:

I'm not sure the scorline will matter if we win... but rather the following two things:

FIRST: Any defensive F'ups? Really bad mistakes that we got away with but the fans remember and talk about (especially from Valdes or Belletti).

SECOND: Did we control the ball for 90 mins and avoid the lack of concentration and focus that we have seen in the start of the 2nd half for far too many matches.

If the answer to the first question is NO and the answer to the second question is YES, then a 0-1 or 1-2 win would be just fine IMO.

BUT WE NEED THE WIN!

Last time I help you out..
Ok, setting topic to invisible.

good idea Roga, this section seems dead but with your efforts, you can get reward for it.

back to topic, This is a must win if we are ready to salvage our season, It has been easy for us in the Riazor for the past years but currently it will be difficult, i don't care if it is by a higher margin but a win is a win and that is wat we need.

The international games is over and i hope the defence has been practicing set pieces throughout cuz that is our weakest link and we conceded most of our goals through there, expect a strong squad on Saturday and 3 points for us

Next topic (feel free to keep posting about the first topic if you like):


Eto'o, Deco and Ronaldinho are all on the 30 man list as nominations for FIFA WP of 2005. Without getting into the mistakes of the 30 man list, as we will agree it is not a very good list with some left on, and some put on that should not have been, WHO OF THE 3 BARCA PLAYERS ON THE LIST HAS THE BEST CHANCE, AND WHY? AND DO YOU THINK ANY OF THEM WILL WIN IT?

Uy Roga esta es dificil...

Hmm... Well, I reckon Ronaldinho cannot be discounted as a major favorite, and Eto'o as an honorable mention, because let's face it there is a major chance of Deco and Dinho winning it before the diminutive Cameroonian.

I beleive Deco is not really showing us what he's capable of doing as of late, and Dinho is playing like he has no more will power of showing off anymore, and that really helps in this type of competitions.

I think Dinho will be the one to stand out more than the other 2, but then again if Casillas and Chech arent in the list, then they might as well give the trophy to Gravesen who isnt on the list at all.

Its Ronaldinho, he plays for the Brazilian NT and was a major part of Barcelona's winning season last year, thats enough to win this award.

I think Ronaldinho on sheer popularity.

Its definately Ronaldinho. Last year he won the award based on popularity and flair.

But this year he definately has substance and reason to win the award. In the last year he led Barzil to Confederationss Cup Victory. He has also had a major hand in leading Brazil to World Cup Qualification. He also helped greatly in Barca's La Liga success. He was awesome in the Champions League last year and the begining of this year. He is also the most popular player in the world and he has done everything with great flair. Victorious, influential, and entertaining.

I'm pretty sure Ronaldinho wins this award.

I say it should be Riquelme.. as much as I love Ronaldinho IMO Riquelme had las year more effect to his team than Ronnie.

but as askin Barca players Ronnie will win it I'm 90% confident..

I hope for a shock Eto'o win. Without his goals, Barca would have gone nowhere fast. I don't think it will happen though..... Ronaldinho has the best chance of the three, but I have a feeling it may be Reiquelme who gets it too.

But I would LOVE to see Eto'o get it.

that would be awesome, but I have this feeling that with UEFA and FIFA nominations to get a win you have to have certain off-field charisma

I would too. But he hasn't done enough for Cameron to be considered IMO.

But you never know with FIFA.

Ronnie have the best chance of winning the Trophy but i don't much of his performances of Brazil.

Eto'o stands a good chance of winning it,for the goals he has offered which helped Barcelona to the League trophy but absence of Cameroun in the World Cup could be a major blow for him but i hope he lifts it.

Hey good idea ROGA, meant to visit this yesterday, but before i knew it, work was finished, so it was a time of mixed feelings.

Anyways, i think Ronnie is pretty much a shue in for it from a Barca perspective, i dont hink Deco and Etoo have that marketable quality that undeniably comes into account when this award is being given out. In fact, im amazed Beckham hasnt won it yet, but now im veering into FIFA bashing which isnt what this topic is about....yet

Im not sure if he will the award outright, but he will be the highest placed of all the Barca players i reckon.

NEXT TOPIC:

Now that Barca have 2 wins, 4 draws and 1 loss in La Liga, we can see that we are dropping vital points. However, we still have a decent place in the standings, with a less the fearfull place 5 points behind the top. How long will it take us to close that gap, or ata minimum hold second place in the table within 1-3 points of the first place team?


My view? I say after our run of 3 home matches, (and 9 points!) we will be in 2nd place, or at least within 1-3 points of first.

I think that by the team of the first Clasico, Barca and Madrid will be duking it out for the top spot. RM have a very tough run of games ahead and Barca have a relatively easy one.

That's what I'm thinking too.

Our schedule:
1. Home vs. Osasuna
2. Home vs. R. Sociedad
3. Away at Getafe
4. Home vs. Malaga

Madrid's schedule:
1. Home vs. Valencia
2. Away at Betis
3. Home vs. Zaragoza
4. Away at Deportivo

Because of NT team, the number 4 games will now be between the number 1 and number 2 games on your list I think. That helps even more IMO.

Oh yea, forgot about that.

And you're right, it does help even more.

(1. Osasuna, 2. Malaga, 3. R. Sociedad vs. 1. Valencia, 2. Deportivo, 3. Betis.)

I think we have drop some vital points like our last game against depor, but the teams play are strong i.e Betis, Valencia,Athletico madrid & Depor, Our next games will be easy and i think we will come out winners in all, but more work should be done in the defensive department so that we don't concede more goals in the future.

Next Topic:

This is a two parter: First, our next match is in the CL with Panathinaikos. If we win this, we are in full control in our CL group, and we can focus on our Liga matches for the next 3 months before the knockout phase of CL. Will it be an easy win for as playing Panathinaikos away?

The Second part is our next Liga match, Osasuna. Without looking at the table, one thinks this should be an easy home match. But looking at the table, they are 2nd, even with Real Madrid on points, just behind them on GD. So will it be easy for us at home against Osasuna, or are we in for a bad match at home?

Those CL away games are never easy. Barca should won, they may even dominate; but there is a good chance that it will be a hard fought game in a hostile environment against a team that throws 9 defenders in the box and hopes for a counter attack. Barca has struggled against those defensive teams because while Barca is attacking like crazy, if they dont start banging in goals they get frustrated. And when that happens the defensive lapses that have plagued you guys this season start kicking in. I do expect a Barca win tho jeje.

Also, Osasuna is always a tough team. Aguirre is a very good coach that always has his teams defending well. Webo is also a load up front and Milosevic can still score you a few goals. Good for Barca that the game is at home because el Sardinero is like playing in the 7th deep of hell.

While no team in the CL is easy, Barcelona should be able to duplicate their recent CL form and take control of the division

As for Osasuna, well they are a difficult team, Celta just lost to them 2-0 in El Sadar. But while they have yet to lose any points at home (100%) away from home they are beatable and a top team like Barcelona should beat them when playing at home.

The Cl game won't be easy but we will win it. Our CL performances are much better than our league games.

Osasuna will be hard. They are a very good team. If Zaragoza and Deportivo give us trouble than we might potentially screw this one up too. Hopefully not.

Remember that the CL match threads are in the CL forum. The match thread for Barca vs Panathinaikos:

http://www.soccerpulse.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=63245

Well, I think the same apply for both games. They´re not gonna be easy, but we can make them seem easy.

Panathinaikos away can become difficult because is an away game, but at least our CL performances are fine this season, so nothing much to worry about. It is about making a win and then focus on La Liga for 3 months.

And Osasuna is a though team, but is a home game, and as I think we´ll beat Panathinaikos, we´ll be already focusing on Liga and the players will want to win at home, because Osasuna is already in front of us.

Well, 0-0 playing away against Panathinaikos. Eto'o still has yet to score in the CL this year (3 matches!).

Next topic:

What should our back line plus DM look like in your opinion?


My answer:

.......................Valdes......................

...Oleguer....Puyol....Marquez.....Gio...

........................Motta......................


I would start that lineup more often than not. I hope this is what we see against Osasuna. I don't mind Sylvinho in for Gio, but I want Belletti to come off the bench in matches that we need an offensive spark, not the other way around (Oleguer put in when we've already made a defensive mistake).

I still genuinly believe that if Edmilson is given the opportunity to adapt to La Liga, he should be Puyols CB partner.

I would take Silvinho over Gio, but as you say ROGA, they are very similar on ability level so its no big deal. The RB position is one for constant debate. I think Barcas problem isnt Belletis defensive frailty but actually that the DM never fills in for him, like Gattuso does for Cafu at Milan. Now yes Belleti isnt as good as Oleguer defensively but i would still pick him ahead of Oleguer who i dont really rate.

The DM, Motta is a good shout. I dont think Marquez has started particulalry well this season, and as ive said, he doesnt cover when a full back goes on a run, something a DM is also supposed to do.

All in all, there are so many possible combinations, and if the players performed, then i reckon they would all work, but i do think that Barcas current problems are down to individual form rather than personnel or tactical problems...just my opinion

EDIT: Oh yeah, and how come this thread got De-Pinned?

that's what I think, except that I can't decide who actualli is better, Gio or Sylvinho

it looked balanced but i prefer Beletti than Oleguer in tha back

it would be better if belletti is at rb instead of oleguer who will get outpaced against pacey wingers eg.petrov,robben,vicente.
also can anyone tell me where the barca cl thread is

agreed, as much crap as I think Beletti is, Oleguer is even worst!!




All CL thread go here : http://www.soccerpulse.com/forum/index.php?showforum=19

thanks

I was banned for a few days. Won't go into it any more than that, as my warning level is sky high.

Oh ya right.

I think i know what thats about.

Last year Barca played very well, won the league and conceded the least amount of goals. I say that if it aint broke dont fix it. RM has fallen off mostly from fixing unbroken things. I think that coaches tend do this after success because they feel they have to do something to show that they are still there. Anyway, last year Barca looked pretty good so here would be my first choice:

----------Marquez--

Gio/Silvinho-Oleguer-Puyol-Beletti.

Belletti is by far our worst defender this season, he's good in attack, but do we need him there or is the attack our bad point.. NOPE!. I don't seriously remember when was the last time Belletti tackled and got the ball, I've seen him there to kick the ball over lines but not just starting the game from deep, he doesn't have that confidence in defence that he has at attacking play. And everytime that Oleguer is there Puyol doesn't have to run that much to keep the right side also as he has to when belletti is in..

Today's Topic:

The new kits have been out for 2 months now, what do you think about the home and away shirts and shorts... and socks?

I think the they both are cool. for me the more traditional home kit looks good and I like the away one too, I really like the colouring of it. And you must admit that away kit socks looks cool.. , Also the red shorts are fine also first I was that WHAT, those can't be red, but theyre just fine..

So I like the new kits they look awesome on the field

I admit the red shorts have grown on me, but the yellow away kits have yet to win me over. So yeah, I'm still not a fan of fluorescent pistachio.

I don't agree with this one ... I think it should be

..................... Valdes ....................
... Belleti .... Puyol ... Edmilson or Marquez ... Gio
..................... Motta or Bommel ..........

For today's topic, the kits are cool for me

I remember the fuss around the new kits when they were first introduced. Two months later, and has anyone seriously cared as much as they did at first? It's like that every year though. Something new comes out, we talk about it for a while, and eventually we just become accustomed to it & not pay attention.

I still like last year's kits better, but I don't really pay attention to the kit when we play. I tend to watch the game more than the jerseys

Dude I'm sorry, but everytime I see the yellow kits.. it reminds me of when it rains hard here in Florida, and the traffic lights go out.. then we have cops wearing bright ass yellow vests and shit, and it just reminds me like hell of them kits...

I didn't like the back of last years home/traditional kit. The back of this years is much better IMO. The shorts are not as bad as I thought at all. Overall I'm very happy with the home/traditional kit. The away, well, better than the brown or gray that we have had in the past....

I love the sen~era on the back of the shirt and the leg of the shorts.

Better that than the garbage man jerseys they had last year. Those kaki ones were gross.

It's weird cause many people thought those were fantastic
I personally didn't like them.

Though they were used as the third kit last season. The away jersey's were the black and blue ones, which I thought were quite nice. A lot better than both the khaki and the new yellow one.