The 2011 - 2012 Season Thread | "Return of the moc!"

Discussion in 'Barcelona' started by os_mutante, Aug 29, 2011.

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  1. Rattlehead

    Rattlehead Member+

    Barcelona, Inter Milan
    Argentina
    Jun 21, 2010
    Jakarta
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Nat'l Team:
    Argentina
    Mario Gomez now needs a hattrick to win CL golden boots otherwise Messi will take it for the fourth straight times, Messi only 1 goal behind Ronaldo in la liga, so Pichici is still up for grab. So winning copa del rey and top scoring title and outscoring Ronaldo in all competition means he will most likely to retain the player of the year award
     
  2. Rattlehead

    Rattlehead Member+

    Barcelona, Inter Milan
    Argentina
    Jun 21, 2010
    Jakarta
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Nat'l Team:
    Argentina
    Ronaldo and ROnaldinho did it when win world cup or CL , so why not?

    And everything is going right for Ronaldo and his team.... appearently not... no CL for him too;) and Messi 1 goal behind him in La liga, but 4 goals ahead of him in CL.
     
  3. inswinger

    inswinger Moderator
    Staff Member

    May 17, 2001
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    There's a contradiction here I think needs pointing out because a lot of folks are calling for quicker defenders.

    It doesn't matter--you could have Usain Bolt at CB--but if he's out of position and doesn't read the game well and anticipate where he needs to be, we will give up goals.

    Sometimes the way we lose possession and don't pressure immediately has a way of exposing our defenders. Their job rests on the workrate of the guys in front of them (1) not to lose the ball in vulnerable positions where we can be countered from and (2) that they pressure and channel the opposition into places where we can win the ball back.

    In a way, the guy we need is not a defender but the Pedro of the last 2 years. He was superb at directing our defense from the front, letting the guys behind him know where and when to hunt for the ball.
     
  4. MavadoDribblez

    MavadoDribblez Member+

    Feb 7, 2008
    Ontario
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Don't forget that we will have Villa back next season. Which means Sanchez will play more as the winger he is, instead of having to play in a more central role.

    I'm still mystified as to why Pique didn't feature in the first match against Chelsea and against Madrid, because his two prior matches were probably his best. I didn't think that Pep would be back in February and I don't think he will be back now. Although we sure do have the motivation to win next year given the events of the last week.
     
  5. Gilmango

    Gilmango Member+

    Jul 20, 2006
    San Francisco, CA
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Lots of credit to Barca fans, at Camp Nou and on forums like this one, we are generally not crying, not seeking to overhaul the squad, system or manager. Contrast that with so many of another team's fans -- some cannot even decide if Mou and CR should stay or go.

    This reaction gives me hope that Pep stays. But then it is not just about us, nor even the team and the fresh challenge to recapture the league, etc. The man has a family with young kids, a life outside of football, a private life; all of which he has given up by and large to coach this team to remarkable heights.

    I do hope he stays.

    This gives me hope: http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/opinion-pieces/guadriola-has-won/
     
  6. Rattlehead

    Rattlehead Member+

    Barcelona, Inter Milan
    Argentina
    Jun 21, 2010
    Jakarta
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Nat'l Team:
    Argentina
    What makes you think Pep will go anyway? one failed season after 13 thropies in 2 seasons? Also still one more thropy to fight, lets makes it 14 in 3 years!
     
  7. Gilmango

    Gilmango Member+

    Jul 20, 2006
    San Francisco, CA
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Well to be very clear the decision is Pep's to make - no one is pushing him out because they failed to do what any team has done in the CL era (repeat) or any Barca team in la Liga since Dream Team (4 in a row).

    Rather Pep gives everything to the job, his hair has changed color more than Obama's in his similar tenure. IF Pep leaves he'll take a year off to recharge, not go for big buck somewhere else.

    Supposedly he makes the decision today. In past years he has always renewed for another one-year contract a month or two earlier. It is a distraction.
     
  8. unclesox

    unclesox BigSoccer Supporter

    Mar 8, 2003
    209, California
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Pep has supposedly been presented with a blank check. He decides his own wages if he chooses to stay.
    If he decides to leave, SPORT says there are three candidates that will be looked at: Blanc (France), Bielsa (Athletic) and Valverde (Olympiakos).
    In the past I've mentioned Valverde as one I wouldn't mind becoming El Mister. But yeah, Bielsa has done wonders with Athletic.

    But for some reason I'd still put my money on Pep staying for one more season.
     
  9. BarcaFan

    BarcaFan Member

    Nov 14, 2004
    London
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    I agree. If Barcelona wins the CdR, he'll have one trophy this year. Ronaldo will have the league. And both got to the CL semifinals. Last year both players scored 53 goals in all competitions but Messi had more assists. Right now, Messi has a better record, he has more goals overall and more assists.

    Of course Ronaldo can still win it if he can score more goals in all competitions, or if Portugal wins the Euros (not very likely to happen).

    Also, Messi is on the verge of breaking Gerd Müller's legendary record of most goals scored in a single season (67 goals) Messi has 63 so far. Messi is the first player in the CL era to score 5 goals in a single match! Also, (along with Altafini) he's the highest goal scorer in a single European Cup campaign (14 goals).
     
  10. celito

    celito Moderator
    Staff Member

    Palmeiras
    Brazil
    Feb 28, 2005
    USA
    Club:
    Palmeiras Sao Paulo
    Nat'l Team:
    Brazil
    Xavi out for 15 days.
     
  11. PhiloBarca

    PhiloBarca Member

    Oct 5, 2008
    Austin, Texas
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    If we're out of La Liga mathematically at the end of that time, I would just rest him until the Copa final. Good opportunity for Thiago to get valuable experience and maybe recapture some of the magic he had at the end of last year and the beginning of this year.

    I would also like to see more of Montoya, Barta, and Muniesa.
     
  12. Gilmango

    Gilmango Member+

    Jul 20, 2006
    San Francisco, CA
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Just to be clear, while Barca has won 3 trophies this 2011-12 season and may win the CdR, only the CdR will be a calendar year 2012 trophy - and the WPOTY aka Fifa Ballon D'or is calendar year based. Winning the CdR will also let us play Real again in the Spanish Super Copa - leading to a possible 2nd trophy for both us and for Real.

    It would be interesting to see the goal scoring and assist records for just the calendar year 2012 - but premature at this point. Also, I'm sure that the voters cannot help but look at things like 2011-12 records (e.g., how Leo is still challenging Gerd's 67 goals; how he is likely winning a 4th straight CL scoring title, while tying the all time record, and also tied for the lead in assists with no Chelsea or Bayern challengers in site of either unless Gomez gets a hat trick or Torres or Kroos grab 2 assists in the final).
     
  13. Rana catesbeiana

    Mar 11, 2008
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    ^ Also about WPOTY: it's decided by voting. When two players' merits are close or thereabouts, it could either way. Tough to know how every coach and captain values stuff.

    Between Messi and CRonaldo anyway, which is pretty well done from them. Messi with many consecutive top three spot? Six? Crazy.
     
  14. celito

    celito Moderator
    Staff Member

    Palmeiras
    Brazil
    Feb 28, 2005
    USA
    Club:
    Palmeiras Sao Paulo
    Nat'l Team:
    Brazil
    Sounds like the decision will come tomorrow and rumors are that he is leaving. Seems kind of rushed if you ask me which would indicate that he is leaving. Or else why have any conference at all ? :(

    I would understand if he just wants to quit coaching period. I'd be surprised/disappointed if he decides to go coach elsewhere. I wouldn't really see the point unless he feels he can't contribute any more to the team.
     
  15. FCBTEX

    FCBTEX Member

    Apr 17, 2011
    Frisco
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    It seems like it's happening but I'm still hoping he stays one more year. Of course he's already won so much and he should concentrate on his health and family but I just want him to leave on a high note. I've wondered in the past who would replace him if he left: Bielsa? Hiddink? Klopp? Tito? AVB;) no need to hurry with a coaching appointment. The club needs to take its time and hire the best man who will win, play our way, and keep integrating youth and making smart transfer decisions. That only leaves the Special 1 available:D
     
  16. Trillz

    Trillz Member

    Jul 16, 2009
    Bay Area
    Club:
    Club Santos Laguna II
    Nat'l Team:
    Mexico
    It's interesting that you bring up Tito, as I never, EVER, hear his name touted as the successor. You'd figure appointing him would be a natural progression of the Pep project, but Barca don't seem interested. Wonder why?
     
  17. PhiloBarca

    PhiloBarca Member

    Oct 5, 2008
    Austin, Texas
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Maybe he doesn't have the personality to be a #1?
     
  18. EcuaAlexa

    EcuaAlexa Member

    Aug 8, 2007
    Tito - hasn't he had health problems? I thought he was/is a natural successor.
     
  19. Gilmango

    Gilmango Member+

    Jul 20, 2006
    San Francisco, CA
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    From BarcaStuff:

    Guardiola has made a final decision and has this afternoon informed the president. Announcement tomorrow after he talked with players. [e3]


    The thing about that statement, if true, which worries me is the whole will announce tomorrow after he speaks with the players. That, to me, sounds like he wants to break bad news in person. Yikes. But maybe it is good news (renewal).

    I feel that if he does leave it will be for a year off, maybe longer.
     
  20. Rattlehead

    Rattlehead Member+

    Barcelona, Inter Milan
    Argentina
    Jun 21, 2010
    Jakarta
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Nat'l Team:
    Argentina

    If Mario Gomez fail to get a hattrick in CL final then Messi will get CL golden boots for 4th straight times. So ROnaldo could possibly win Pichichi again plus La liga and Messi could possibly win CL top scorer and Copa del rey plus he could still win Pichichi too since only 1 goal seperates him from Ronaldo. Even though Ronaldo has EUro, Messi also has friendly + WC qualifier , including friendly against Brazil. Also, the last international game saw Ronaldo failing to score and Messi hits a hattrick. Messi has 68 this season if counting international games.

    With Copa del rey means Messi has one more game than Ronaldo this season and for now, 2 hattricks still put Ronaldo 1 goal behind Messi in all competition... and that's if Messi fail to score in remaining game.
    If Barca win Copa and beat Madrid in Super cup that will also effected his duel with Ronaldo.
     
  21. Respekt

    Respekt Red Card

    Mar 30, 2012
    Just wondering...

    I keep hearing Oier, Montoya, Bartra, Muniesa, and JdS are all promoted to be part of Barcelona's first team next season.

    Is it true?

    And if it is, where does that leave the likes of Pinto, Fontas, Adriano, and Keita?
     
  22. inswinger

    inswinger Moderator
    Staff Member

    May 17, 2001
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Pinto: if he doesn't continue as the #2 GK, his locker-room presence is too important. I see him as a GK coach soon.

    Fontas: future pending his recovery from injury, but I see him getting more minutes at CB.

    Adriano: if we get a decent offer, he'll likely go to a club where he can be a regular starter, although I don't know if we can find anyone to fill Abidal's shoes.

    Keita: one of Pep's favorites, but I don't know how Tito sees him. He's on the wrong side of 30, and several clubs have inquired about him.
     
  23. NYfan

    NYfan Member

    Sep 1, 2004
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Just a guess, but I doubt JDS is going to be on the first team next season...and Fontas and Bartra being on the team seems unlikely too if there is a CB signing. I'm guessing that it is either first team here or transferred out for all those players.
     
  24. evil_allan

    evil_allan Member+

    May 3, 2004
    Turtle Island
    we're a little short on cover for busquets though, especially if keita leaves this summer.
     

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