Other teams' results thread 3 [R]

[Achtung]

I must the slipping... almost 600 on the other one. :eek:

And... go. :cool:

[littleman]

I must the slipping... almost 600 on the other one. :eek:

And... go. :cool:


You are... you are.

[gazza]

Man I must be slipping too. I didn't catch that when I looked earlier.:(


I was just looking at the league table and West Ham really struck me. What the hell has happend there? I haven't seen them play this season but after last year and the additions they made I thought they would be challenging near the top, not the bottom. How is Mascherano doing? I really liked him for a United transfer but now I don't know.

[Achtung]

You are... you are.

It's been that kind of day. :o I blame the lack of sleep.

Well, to repeat what others have said, fantastic Madrid-Barca game. Messi was incredible, but Barca needed more of a spark up top. Great goals from both Raul and Ruud, and Robinho and Sergio Ramos were excellent as well. Just a great game for the neutral fan. Have to say, it looks more and more like they have no need for Beckham at all.

[Stud83]

So yeah - about the classico - it's all Capello's credit. Most of his transfers this offseason were made with Barca in mind, and it surely worked out perfectly for him. That was probably as good a formation against Barca as any. Especially considering they were missing Eto'o.
The scary thing about Real - they are still not in their best form, and players are adjusting to brand new style of play. I think they are main CL favorites.

[littleman]

The scary thing about Real - they are still not in their best form, and players are adjusting to brand new style of play. I think they are main CL favorites.

Ahead of MU?!!!

If you think of it, an in-form Scholes, Carrick, Ronaldo, Rooney, Ferdinand and Saha... is not even remotely funny.

I think Carrick can make us tick in EU competitions.

[sdotsom]

Real will be something to deal with once they start clicking. The formation they've laid out over the past 2 games (Barca and Bucharest) looks like a keeper. Robinho provides a spark in the front, which helps make up for the highly defensive midfield. Combine that with Ruud's clinical finishing, an apparent return to form for Raul, and players like Reyes and Cassano waiting to get their opportunity. Beckham should be finished there..I think he will always be a hero at United but he would only drag that team back.

[littleman]

http://soccernet-att.espn.go.com/design05/images/domr/raulflying_dd_g.jpg

Is that raised pinkie natural?

[yikchi]

Barca isn't the same without Eto'o... I don't follow them that closely but are there any reason why Saviola doesn't start ahead of Eidur Gudjohnsen besides that Saviola is short and tiny?
Ronaldihno doesn't look good vs Chelsea at all. I think he is probably suffering from football burnt out. He just doesn't look sharp at all.

[sdotsom]

Saviola should have started the match yesterday. If Rijkaard swallows his pride and admits that Saviola is the best forward he has now, then Barca would start heating up again. However, Gudjohnsen doesn't seem comfortable at all as a lone striker, and shanked quite a few chances yesterday. Saviola should start for them, he offers alot of pace and attack, the closes they will get to Eto'o, whose importance cannot be overstated now.

[johno]

I was talking to a Barca fan yesterday before the match and he was of the opinion that Guily should have started on the right and Ronaldinho should have played in the center forward position.

I tend to agree. That's something Ronnie has done before and even an out of form Ronaldinho will play 1-2s and create space for others when deployed centrally. He really needs to step his play up while Eto'o is out and stake claim to that "best player in the world" label he has.

[sdotsom]

Yeah that's definitely true. Because yesterday, a 33(?) year old Emerson, who hasn't been great this season, managed to shut down Ronaldinho, and Sergio Ramos at RB did his share as well. He didn't look anywhere near his full power. Stopping Barca will be possible this season as long as Eto'o is out, and Riijkard doesn't play Saviola get into form.

[JC7rox]

Barca isn't the same without Eto'o... I don't follow them that closely but are there any reason why Saviola doesn't start ahead of Eidur Gudjohnsen besides that Saviola is short and tiny?
Ronaldihno doesn't look good vs Chelsea at all. I think he is probably suffering from football burnt out. He just doesn't look sharp at all.

I raised this same question yesterday. It is the most natural switch on that squad. The gaffer is a total putz and full of himself to not give Saviola the chance. I swear, I'm going to sound like johno with Ruud, but if Saviola started yesterday, Saviola scores. He's just a perfect fit as a back-up to Eto'o that its ridiculous not to give him the shot. Plus, the Chelsea game would also have been different. So what if Saviola is short? How many goals does Eto'o get off of headers? Saviola is considered world-class in some circles, I don't see what's Rijkaard's problem.

[Charleysurf]

So yeah - about the classico - it's all Capello's credit. Most of his transfers this offseason were made with Barca in mind, and it surely worked out perfectly for him. That was probably as good a formation against Barca as any. Especially considering they were missing Eto'o.
The scary thing about Real - they are still not in their best form, and players are adjusting to brand new style of play. I think they are main CL favorites.
Lyon would be my tips for the CL. They are like a machine at the moment and have already trounced Real 3-0.
The big thing that Real have in their favour though, is that with Raul and Ruud they have the supreme CL goalscorers and it may turn things their way when it really matters.

[Rakim_22]

I was talking to a Barca fan yesterday before the match and he was of the opinion that Guily should have started on the right and Ronaldinho should have played in the center forward position.

I tend to agree. That's something Ronnie has done before and even an out of form Ronaldinho will play 1-2s and create space for others when deployed centrally. He really needs to step his play up while Eto'o is out and stake claim to that "best player in the world" label he has.
I really think that would have worked. Giuly hasn't seen that much PT this year on account of Messi taking his spot but as you saw in the CL last year the guy has loads of talent. Giuly on the right, Messi on the left and Ronny in the center just might work. I agree in him needing to step up. I really like Guddy but Saviola just brings a different aspect to the game that GUddy lacks. He has much better pace and is exactly what you need when you play against slow defences like RM. I am VERY DISAPPOINTED by that game. FOR ********S SAKE HOW DO YOU LOSE TO RM!!! :mad: This was the mother********ing El Classico!

[rossgreen]

Yeah that's definitely true. Because yesterday, a 33(?) year old Emerson, who hasn't been great this season, managed to shut down Ronaldinho, and Sergio Ramos at RB did his share as well. He didn't look anywhere near his full power. Stopping Barca will be possible this season as long as Eto'o is out, and Riijkard doesn't play Saviola get into form.

Give the guy a break, he's only 30; that balding head just doesn't help. How long do you think he'll be on Real? I figure that he could be sold to a mid to upper-mid table team and thrive.

[rossgreen]

Lyon would be my tips for the CL. They are like a machine at the moment and have already trounced Real 3-0.
The big thing that Real have in their favour though, is that with Raul and Ruud they have the supreme CL goalscorers and it may turn things their way when it really matters.

They would be mine, but they just lost Fred (I have no idea for how long). I still think they'll be fine, but he is a force.

[Numquam Moribimur]

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=426310


:D :D :D

[sdotsom]

I think Fred's loss was important, but they do have John Carew who is a decent striker, if nothing spectacular. And Fred isn't for that long is it? I think it was only for 6-8 weeks.

[benni...]

They also have Benzema, who is pretty talented. For his tall slender build, he has some surprising strength, and the speed and dribbling is there. He is still yoing as well.