[Allez Lyonnais]

Just take a look at neighboring Germany. Klinsi made his decision to drop Kahn and publicly appointed Lehmann the No.1 keeper in WC. Lehmann is playing better football at this moment, so he gets the spot.

I just can't understand why Ray is still fancying Barthez. Coupet has been exceptional all season long and he really deserves to play in Germany. Don't you think? The best player plays, how simple is that??? Why is this so hard for Mr. Domenech to get it???

[Nanbawan]

If he made this choice, in his mind there likely are two reasons : experience with the team and experience in the competition. I also think that in the french squad, there's no definite #1 or #2 at the moment, so whatever is the situation today, it can quickly change on the pitch IMO.

[sl7vk]

Raymundo is a dumbass.

How about giving Escude a look at left back?

[guignol]

i gave him a look last night, and even against a boro squad that runs like molasses he was... left back!

[navid90]

you guys would all be saying the same about barthez if barthez was playing for lyon... barthez is better than coupet and has MORE experience which is a necesity for goalkeeper in such tournament.

[danny_mac3]

Originally Posted by navid90

you guys would all be saying the same about barthez if barthez was playing for lyon... barthez is better than coupet and has MORE experience which is a necesity for goalkeeper in such tournament.

I would expect nothing less from a Marseille fan. But hey, I'm just glad Ribery was chosen.

[guignol]

Originally Posted by navid90

you guys would all be saying the same about barthez if barthez was playing for lyon... barthez is better than coupet and has MORE experience which is a necesity for goalkeeper in such tournament.

for the first part, you're hasty; i accept that govou or rvr weren't selected... they just haven't been sharp recently.

but greg's case is different. he's been voted best keeper in L1 four straight seasons, and just this weekend he showed why. he was GREAT! meanwhile barthez just plods through with OM, to the point they've decided to go with carrasso next year. of course barthez has experience. he even one a world cup... last century! of course he also got eliminated from a WC in the qualifying rounds...

and his recent club experience in "big" matches isn't exactly reassuring... like the UEFA cup final where he mortgaged OM's chances with a useless RC, or turning into a passoire against bolton... the last couple of years he's been a pale imitation of himself, but of course in june it's his experience that's going to help us...

barthez is better than coupet in ONE area: his kicking game. for all the rest there's simply no comparison. but barthez has one other big advantage: his old pals that twisted domenech's arm. i'm just disgusted!

[ilv2]

one thing some people in the french press have said to defend barthez is his element of "genius." Frankly, that's utter shit. Coupet is as brilliant Barthez and has shown it on the highest levels with consistency and class. W/ respect to attitude, barthez spends his games sulking whereas Coupet is always involved, directing his defenders etc. (although that may be more a result of their winning)

[guignol]

genius? like getting a red card against loco in the UEFA cup final? like coming out for balls he can't hope to reach and getting trapped like a poussin? like spitting on a ref and missing half a season? if that's genius, hooray for idiocy!

[guignol]

here's the result of a sport.fr poll...

what thoughts do you have about the list of 23?

Ribéry fully deserves his spot. 16%

N°2 goalkeeper, Coupet is victim of an injustice 61%

Anelka is still blackballed from the NT. 2%

Barthez benefits from his experience in this competition. 9%

Giuly once again misses out on something big. 8%

Pascal Chimbonda, who's he? 4%

294807 votes