[gringotuno]

I thought this was a great article from AS about the history of Guti as Real Madrid's Red-Headed step child... by being punished for doing a job well.

http://www.as.com/articulo.html?xref..._date=20050113

I really hope that Guti will be able to keep a spot in the starting XI when we bring in someone over the winter transfer window. I would really feel much better about showing Becks the bench before Guti. He has proved to be a truly versatile player over the years with RM, as described in the article above. Even if one argues that he is equal to Becks in their defensive mid abilities, it would be a better tactical move to keep guti in the starting XI since he can play so many other positions well. This of it... if a tactical substitution were needed in a game, you could have him rotate into another position. Becks could not be told to go play as a 3rd striker... that move would surely require a substitution to get the same tactical effect.

[kaberon10]

Originally Posted by gringotuno

I thought this was a great article from AS about the history of Guti as Real Madrid's Red-Headed step child... by being punished for doing a job well.

http://www.as.com/articulo.html?xref..._date=20050113

I really hope that Guti will be able to keep a spot in the starting XI when we bring in someone over the winter transfer window. I would really feel much better about showing Becks the bench before Guti. He has proved to be a truly versatile player over the years with RM, as described in the article above. Even if one argues that he is equal to Becks in their defensive mid abilities, it would be a better tactical move to keep guti in the starting XI since he can play so many other positions well. This of it... if a tactical substitution were needed in a game, you could have him rotate into another position. Becks could not be told to go play as a 3rd striker... that move would surely require a substitution to get the same tactical effect.

I agree that in almost every situation, I'd much rather have Guti on the pitch than Beckham. However, I think I'd rather have a true DMid -- Mascherano hopefully, or perhaps even Gravesen -- than Guti, in that role. It's almost similar to our situation up top: Owen certainly would deserve to start based on his performances, but we already have the striker spots filled. In the midfield, Zidane is usually a better, more effective attacking CM. Guti works harder defensively, and is very good attacking, but Zidane is a better pure #10. Therefore, playing both of them is a bit redundant, and creates holes in the midfield defensively.

[Excape Goat]

Besides Mascherano and Gravesen, Guti needs to think about Solari too. His performance last week should secure a starting spot for him. I can see him playing on the left with Zidane and Beckham in the middle althrough I prefereed Zidane and Guti in the middle. Of course, Gravesen or any defensive midfielder would be better.

[Lockjaw]

The Real Madrid players drive me crazy with their inconsistency. Except for Casillas, Salgado & maybe Helguerra, you can not tell me that any of the others have not disappeared for significant amounts of time. Perez & Sacchi made the right choice by picking a strong coach that will pull out the non-performers during the game. At least that is what I am hoping.