What's our NT missing?

[Xeneize12]

What's this NT missing?

For my taste, it's missing a caudillo (enforcer). Think back to last WC or even 98 - you had el Cholo Simeone there---first one to be in the opponents face, arguing, pressuring. Today, our national team is missing such a character. For example, think back to the game against Uruguay, where Tevez and others were getting their legs broken by every member of the Celeste (I see nothing wrong with this - they were fighting to get into the WC). During this game, there was no one stepping up tp protect our players - not even in a collective fashion. If our team is going to succeed we will need this type of player. I see this as one of the biggest components missing from our team.

Your thoughts?

[megamac20817]

I think that Mascherano will fit nicely into the shoes Cholo left. Also, we have to think about the players who are also possible candidates for the NT, such as Gago, Insua and Bilos. From what I've seen, these four do the job nicely.

I think our team is missing more of a pure finisher (Crespo and Cruz aren't good enough, and their pushing it in age), and also a better goalie. All these problems seem to be resolved, since we have the likes of Ustari and Palacio to replace them.

[vipnerd]

If he makes it to the WC ... and posssibly for that exact reason of being in the face of opponents and refs --> Kily.



.

[Xeneize12]

I don't see Mascherano as an enforcer - not yet anyhow - - - at least not verbally.

However, I think Kily is pretty good at that.

[metrocorazon]

Huevo.

[Aguante Bielsa]

Attitude. Unpredictability. A deadly striker.

[bsas]

Yes, I'd agree with that. A deadly striker like Adriano, or even Ronaldo, and a solid keeper like Chech or Dida...

[FARFAN 17]

From a non-argentine perspective, I see them missing a pure goalscoring striker. A lethal one

[jrod69]

mascherano doesnt look like the answer he looks too young and doesnt seem tough enough

[AMW F.C.]

They need Roman to be consistent and they'll do great.

[Xeneize12]

Attitude. Unpredictability. A deadly striker.


Attitude is definately missing. That's part of the problem - made worse with the lack of an enforcer.

I don't think they have a problem with dynamism (the opposite of predictability). I think they can switch gears fairly easily - and they are doing much better at playing without the ball -something Bielsa's teams did not do well (granted they controlled the ball 80% of the match - but were scored on with very little attack from the opposition)

Deadly striker is definately missing - at least a consisten one. I think Crespo can fill that role but unfortunately hasn't of late. I really think our answer lay with Tevez. So long as Pekerman can utilize him in a postion he is comfortable ine (center just outside the box) - he should be able to do well.

[argentine soccer fan]

As far as Argentina not having a deadly striker, I don't know what the hell Crespo has to do to prove himself. He's a proven goalscorer for the national team, and he's a proven goalscorer in the best leagues of Europe. He will never be Batistuta, but he is one of the best penalty area strikers in the world right now, he is playing in the most expensive team in the world, and while he is being platooned, he does score when he is given the chance.

I am the first to say that I don't like his style of play, he is not a great ballhandler, but rather an opportunist. But I came around, and he's earned my respect, because he is a lethal scorer. Most countries would love to have him. If he was Spanish, Italian, German or (imagine!), Mexican, the fans would be orgasmic over him, but I guess in Argentina we are spoiled by past greatness.

As long as Crespo remains healthy, I wouldn't worry about the centerforward position. But we are rather thin after him. Cruz and Figueroa are not quite in the same level.

Messi, Tevez, Saviola and Palacio are great players, awesome talents, but they are not penalty area strikers, they are withdrawn strikers. They are players who like to handle the ball, and go back looking for it. As for the air game, Tevez hardly ever heads the ball, Saviola even less. Palacio perhaps has a bit more capability to play in the penalty area, but it would be missusing him, he's no centerforward. There is good reason why at Boca he replaced Barros Schelloto rather than Palermo.

Crespo needs to be fed, but you put Crespo alongside the likes of Tevez, Messi, Riquelme or Aimar, and he'll get his chances, much more than at Chelsea. And when he gets the ball in scoring position, he'll score. I garantee it.

[Dr. Know]

As far as Argentina not having a deadly striker, I don't know what the hell Crespo has to do to prove himself. He's a proven goalscorer for the national team, and he's a proven goalscorer in the best leagues of Europe. He will never be Batistuta, but he is one of the best penalty area strikers in the world right now, he is playing in the most expensive team in the world, and while he is being platooned, he does score when he is given the chance.

I am the first to say that I don't like his style of play, he is not a great ballhandler, but rather an opportunist. But I came around, and he's earned my respect, because he is a lethal scorer. Most countries would love to have him. If he was Spanish, Italian, German or (imagine!), Mexican, the fans would be orgasmic over him, but I guess in Argentina we are spoiled by past greatness.

As long as Crespo remains healthy, I wouldn't worry about the centerforward position. But we are rather thin after him. Cruz and Figueroa are not quite in the same level.

Messi, Tevez, Saviola and Palacio are great players, awesome talents, but they are not penalty area strikers, they are withdrawn strikers. They are players who like to handle the ball, and go back looking for it. As for the air game, Tevez hardly ever heads the ball, Saviola even less. Palacio perhaps has a bit more capability to play in the penalty area, but it would be missusing him, he's no centerforward. There is good reason why at Boca he replaced Barros Schelloto rather than Palermo.

Crespo needs to be fed, but you put Crespo alongside the likes of Tevez, Messi, Riquelme or Aimar, and he'll get his chances, much more than at Chelsea. And when he gets the ball in scoring position, he'll score. I garantee it.

Did you see the Chelsea match today? He scored the winning goal and what an amazing finishing it was. And he had at least 3 more chances to score. He definitely needs to get more play time and when he does he always seems to come through for them when they need it. How they prefer Drogba over him I do not know.

[argentine soccer fan]

Did you see the Chelsea match today? He scored the winning goal and what an amazing finishing it was. And he had at least 3 more chances to score. He definitely needs to get more play time and when he does he always seems to come through for them when they need it. How they prefer Drogba over him I do not know.

Yes, it is funny. I was watching the Chelsea match on Fox Espanol when I posted, and Crespo scored with that awesome volley only minutes after I posted. Later Drogba missed a much easier opportunity.

As far as Mascherano, I agree that he is not a badass like Simeone was, or Ruggeri and Passarella before him, and he never will be. The thing is, you have to trully be an ************** to play that role, you cannot fake it, and Mascherano is not a bad guy. He could use a bit of the meanness of a Somoza or a Cascini, but of course he is a better player than those two.

Be as it may, Mascherano has to be our starting DM, if healthy. He is not a player who will be feared, who will try to intimidate, but he will embarrass opponents and earn their respect. He can play rough and tackle strongly when necesary and he also is great at positioning and at cutting off passes. He is a great destroyer of the opponent's play, and in addition he can handle the ball and start attacks.

If we really need a badass, we have to look at another position. It could be Killy, but I'm not sure if he's a starter at this point. Maybe Coloccini in central defense? Because Ayala can be physical but he is not that type of player either.

[mime26]

Carlitos Tevez is a badasss mutt. D'Alessandro also has that fiery temper, but I doubt he'll start.

[Joelzinho]

You guys are fine....the only thing you guys are really missing is the Portuguese language. :rolleyes:

[bsas]

Did you see the Chelsea match today? He scored the winning goal and what an amazing finishing it was. And he had at least 3 more chances to score. He definitely needs to get more play time and when he does he always seems to come through for them when they need it. How they prefer Drogba over him I do not know.

I didn't see the game, but the difference between a great striker and a deadly one lies in these missed occasions. I think a player like Adriano in his best moments would score almost on the slightest occasion.

Don't misunderstand me; I think Crespo is a class striker and has proven that both on NT and clubs. His positioning is excellent. He seems to know where the ball is to be expected. But I am still more impressed by the lethal qualities of a guy like Adriano.

This said, I am sure that if well served by both Tevez and Messi (come on, Peker, don't be over cautious!) he can be one of the best strikers at the WC.

[ruud van semz]

gabriel heinze is what you guys are missing, for the wc anyway :( and for the whole epl season :(

[El viejo Matias]

I think Tevez, Collicini, Ayala are ecent at being leaders, talking to refs and enforcing when needed.,,, but you are right in pointing out that we have become to "nice" even Ruggeri has said we need to "cheat" more to finish an opponent off and this comes from better coaching. Pekermann needs to learn that at the senior level you don't win a tourney without some form of play acting , cheating or some "enforcement"... Killy yes would be a good choice now the more I think about it to be on the team at least as a role to give the team some BOLAS. I am still confident things will come together in time though.

[JuveFE]

gabriel heinze is what you guys are missing, for the wc anyway :( and for the whole epl season :(

to be honest, i have to to agree with this. i think heinze is a HUGE loss. i'm fine with the way we look up front and the midfeild but our defense and keeper is the only thing that scares me. IMO gabriel heinze is irreplacable at this time. not only for us but man u aswell.