La liste contre l'Autriche et la Serbie

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

Hey everybody, here's the list. These games could seal what happens to Raymond Domenech.

Gardiens de but:

Hugo Lloris (Lyon)
Steve Mandanda (Marseille)

Défenseurs:

Eric Abidal (Barcelona)
Gaël Clichy (Arsenal)
Patrice Evra (Man Utd)
Rod Fanni (Rennes)
William Gallas (Arsenal)
Philippe Mexès (Roma)
Bakary Sagna (Arsenal)
Sébastien Squillaci (Sevilla)

Milieux de terrain:

Hatem Ben Arfa (Marseille)
Alou Diarra (Bordeaux)
Lassana Diarra (Portsmouth)
Mathieu Flamini (Milan)
Yoann Gourcuff (Bordeaux)
Sidney Govou (Lyon)
Florent Malouda (Chelsea)
Samir Nasri (Arsenal)
Jérémy Toulalan (Lyon)

Attaquants:

Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea)
Karim Benzema (Lyon)
Thierry Henry (Barcelona)

[bwiorly]

My bet is the starting 11--at least against Austria--will be the same as vs. Sweden, a possible wild card being Clichy in place of Evra at left back. A change not to the starting 11 but to players positions on the pitch could be a switch between Gallas (from right to left) and Mexes (from left to right) in central defense.

Anyone knows if the game will be shown on TV in the US (FSC, Setanta or any other carrier)?

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

I too would prefer Clichy over Evra, and I say that despite actually being a MU fan as Evra, comparing his club form to that in the national team, has been nowhere near as good in Bleu.

I'm worried that Govou's 2 goals against Sweden have cemented him a place in the starting XI now. If that's the case, I hope he doesn't disappear against Austria or Serbia, as if he doesn't do well, it's curtains. And not only for him, for Domenech as well, which would be the silvering lining to that situation, I believe.

The Austria game will be delayed on Setanta, I believe.

[bwiorly]

The Austria game will be delayed on Setanta, I believe.

Thanks. Confirmed on their web site, 4 pm EDT. Don't think I can wait to see it on tape delay--I'll probably tune in to RMC Info and when it's done rush to my local footy pub to watch it.

[AfrcnHrbMan]

Why does Alou Diarra keep getting called up. What a waste of a roster spot. As much as I like Govou, I'd like Nasri to start on the right over him, and have Sydney come on as a super sub. What do you think about the net situation? Hugo or Steve? Has Seb Frey recanted his idiotic retirement babble?

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

I'm not willing to comment on goalkeepers anymore as it appears no matter what, Domenech does the exact opposite of what I post. Go figure. And I agree, I don't know why Alou Diarra is included again. Does Domenech have pity that Alou did not succeed in his audition for the role of The Haitian on Heroes? (I don't watch that show, though my girlfriend does.)

I think that, given the players that are healthy (no Franck or Hatem), this is what I would go with:

Henry - Benzema
Malouda - - - Nasri
Flamini - Toulalan


Again, as long as Dumbenech is in charge, I refuse to suggest a backline because I know it won't turn out that way. To defend my choices, among the reasons I went with Malouda over Govou is without Malouda, there are no left-footed players in attack. Of course, a left back, such as Clichy, Abidal or Evra, could play there, though if he's on his game, Malouda definitely has quite a bit of class. He has gotten back into assists mode in the past month, including against Sweden, so I'm hoping he reverts to his form of when he was about as dominant and consistent a winger as there was during that masterful season at Lyon.

Is anyone else somewhat disappointed that Briand was called in to replace Ben Arfa?

[Kazuma]

Just as long as we see more Mexes in there (Even if he is Roma scum) over Thuram or Boumsong I'm happy.

[guignol]

alors, toujours heureux??? ;)

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

One bad game, admittedly, but interestingly enough, that was the only game in which Philippe appeared in which France actually did not win (all his previous caps with the senior team resulted in French victories).

I remain of the opinion that Mexès could be the best defender we have (that is except if Sakho progresses insanely quickly and surpasses him, though that will take 3 years at the minimum, I think), and that his showing against Austria will be his worst in Bleu.

On a different note, I don't support Arsenal, though I think that Gaël Clichy should be given a shot at left back.

[AfrcnHrbMan]

One bad game, admittedly, but interestingly enough, that was the only game in which Philippe appeared in which France actually did not win (all his previous caps with the senior team resulted in French victories).

I remain of the opinion that Mexès could be the best defender we have (that is except if Sakho progresses insanely quickly and surpasses him, though that will take 3 years at the minimum, I think), and that his showing against Austria will be his worst in Bleu.

On a different note, I don't support Arsenal, though I think that Gaël Clichy should be given a shot at left back.

Are you trying to say that only Arsenal fans can see that he is the class of the prem at the fullback position, and better than Evra ;)

In all honesty the only thing Evra really has on him right now is experience

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

I'm actually pretty anti-Arsenal (shocking!) but I'll be the first to admit Clichy is the best left back in the EPL. I'll also be the first to admit that Almunia would not be in the top 5 keepers, in my opinion.

[guignol]

Mexès could be the best defender we have... and that his showing against Austria will be his worst in Bleu.actually méxès was poor against sweden too, and it looks like he's not going to start tonight. gallas isn't going great guns either...

the big problem is we're shakiest where you need to be the most consistent; if i was ray i'd go with squillaci and escudé, at least they've been practicing together. don't sell toto short; he's proven both at monaco and at OL that he is capable of playing at the highest level, and he's no riskier a chice than anyone else right now. i'm convinced that if he had played against austria france would have won; he's excellent defending against setpieces.

In all honesty the only thing Evra really has on [Clichy] right now is experiencewell, his experience sure didn't show when he conceded that fatal corner like a poussin. i wasn't surprised to see him finish the euro there based on form, but when abidal is on his game he's the best there is... the maddening thing is his problem isn't physical but one of concentration, so his form changes minute by minute, not week by week.