Bordeaux Thread [R]

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

Even though I'd want for them to challenge l'OL (and of course, I want my team, l'ASM, to do the same), the reality is at the moment, despite only being a victory back in the standings, one has to question their (as well as any other team in France) championship credentials. What I mean is, arguably no player on Bordeaux would be a starter at Lyon if everyone there is healthy (I was thinking Planus, but if Cris is back, hard to see him starting over Squillaci), and this applies to every other team as well.

Though actually, I think Bordeaux haven't been getting a lot of press because they've been winning games efficiently as opposed to overwhelmingly. Their goal difference is a third of that of l'OL. They are tough to beat because they have a good goalkeeper, central defender, and defensive midfield, though they don't have anyone who really gets on highlight reels, whereas l'OL now have Delgado, Ben Arfa, Fred, Benzema, etc.

That doesn't mean their achievement doesn't deserve applause. Laurent Blanc has been doing an excellent job, I think. However, it's hard to see at the moment their overtaking a healthy l'OL.

[NicolasN.]

Cavenaghi called up by Argentina :

http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/breves2008/20080311_200008Dev.html

[soccer krazy]

Gourcuff loaned to Bordeaux
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12875_3645277,00.html

[guignol]

this is a great move for bordeaux, for gourcuff, and for L1. and the overall strategy at girondins shows the kind of well thought out management that only OL has shown in recent years... and which we may be losing as coffers have swollen and a kind of bulimia has set in.

[SportBoy333]

It's kinda strange we don't have any Bordeaux fans around here. Funny that we have more Monaco fans. :)

[SportBoy333]

this is a great move for bordeaux, for gourcuff, and for L1. and the overall strategy at girondins shows the kind of well thought out management that only OL has shown in recent years... and which we may be losing as coffers have swollen and a kind of bulimia has set in.

Looks like they are getting Gouffran as well. Another good signing.

[soccer krazy]

Diego Placente joins
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12875_3878838,00.html

[Kazuma]

this is a great move for bordeaux, for gourcuff, and for L1.

Agreed. Hope to see how Bordeaux does this year in the CL especially. I don't know why but Blanc seems to have a lot of potential as a manager. I remember reading in interview a few months back that he spent his time at Man United with the managers more than the players.

[SportBoy333]

Well there was the rumor of Blanc taking Queiroz's job when he left but it didnt seem to have much traction. Maybe he's holding out for Fergie's job after he leaves.

[guignol]

a job like quieroz' can't be considered an end in itself, only a stepping stone, and success at bordeaux would be an even better one, besides being a lot more fun than supervising MU practice sessions.

[Kazuma]

Right. In all honesty I think the only reason Blanc was linked with United was due to the fact that he played under Fergie.

[Solsombra]

Hello, I am a West Ham United fan and having recently watched our latest pre-season game I was just wondering if you wanted Julien Faubert back? I thought coming through the French football system he would at least be technically proficient, but as far as I can tell he resembles a dog chasing a balloon when he gets anywhere near the ball.

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

Faubert was not known for his technique at all. He's a guy who is very fast, has good strength, a powerful shot, and a good cross. His technique has always been a bad point.

[SportBoy333]

I dont think Bordeaux did enough this offseason to win the title. They probably will finish 3rd or maybe 2nd. I dont know if they did enough to be able to advance out of their Champions League group stage into the next round. They really need to for the sake of the league.

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

The big gripe that Bordeaux fans often have is they feel Triaud can always do more, though compared to previous offseasons, I think they did considerably well. Other than Yo-Yo, I think a signing like that of Placente could help as he's had experience in the CL and could help the team in that regard. I know that you would think differently, but I'd actually take Bordeaux over l'OM.

[SportBoy333]

Well one is better offensively and the other is better defensively and I think you know which is which. I'm picking OM over them because they have more firepower and I think they will eventually work things out defensively. Plus I think OM had the better summer recruitment. I thought they should have done better than Placente

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

Hmmm,

I'd have it this way.

Scale is 1 is inconsequential, 5 would be a superstar by L1 standards.

l'OM:

Departures:
Nasri (-5)
Faty (-3)
Akalé (-1.5, would be -2/-3 but he was only a loan)
Carrasso (-2)
Krupoviesa (-1)
Oruma (-1)
Gragnic (-1)

Arrivals:
Ben Arfa (+5)
Kone (+3.5, I'm not a huge fan)
Hilton (+3)
Erbate (+2)
Cesar (+1)
Civelli (+1)
Rudy Riou (+1)
Arrache (+1)

Net +3

Bordeaux:

Departures:
Micoud (-3.5)
Alonso (-2)
Jemmali (-2)

Arrivals:
Gourcuff (+3.5)
Gouffran (+3.5)
Placente (+2.5)

Net +2

Well I suppose that l'OM did do a little better, even by this method, though I don't know, I think I like Bordeaux better.

[SportBoy333]

You dont like Kone but he's in his prime at 26 and scored 16 goals on an average team in a league not known for scoring. Placente not in his prime at 31, I'd give him a +1.5. Also OM are still recruIting a rb I think and Bordeaux are done with recruitment.

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

Those are good points. Besides, this system is a bit flawed. I know, it's my system. :o

I think the real impact then is on starting XI and depth. If we call Nasri vs. Ben Arfa a wash (even though I think Ben Arfa is better), then Koné, Hilton would only be slight upgrades, I'd argue, or they add to depth.

Anyway, we'll have to see and watch, then. :) I wouldn't mind a friendly wager that Bordeaux will finish ahead of them again, though, because the previous one we had wasn't fair to you since l'OM got off to such a horrible start the previous season when they were in the relegation zone in the fall.

[SportBoy333]

Well actually I like OM to finish 1st, OL 2nd, and Bordeaux 3rd. Nah I dont wanna make any wagers because I'm not a supporter of any of those 3 teams so I really dont have much vested interest in how they do. I only care if they do well in Europe. I will say that if Cisse is sold before the window closes then I'll will take OL 1st and Bordeaux 2nd and OM 3rd. So yes I do like OM better than Bordeaux but if Cisse leaves or even Cana(saw an Arsenal rumor today:rolleyes:) then yes I'll lose some faith in them and change my stance. I think out of those top 3 teams, OM is the only one who could potentially still have a key player depart before Sept. Bordeaux and Lyon look to be safe in that respect.