[Ballon d'or Identity]

I know we're not short of nightmares lately, but i thought judging from the qualifying matches we'd never see him ever again with a France jersey, and not only is he back, but he's going to play a decisive world cup match.
Irony has his ways.
I just hope he won't pull a euro 2004 performance against Togo cause that would be the cherry on the cake.

With Zidane gone, with Henry not being decisive enough, with a defense more fragile than a broken glass, i guess now our last chance resides in a 23 year old Ribery who before that world cup only played 40 minutes in bleu and Dorhasoo who scored once this season.

In the meantime Micoud and his 16 decisive passes is at home, our euro champion giuly is at home, back in form Pires is at home, Anelka is at home (i hate that guy but he's better than Govou).
Well done Domenech.
Frankly if the Swiss couldn't do better that 2-0 against Togo, i can't see us do better. I'm pessimistic i know. I'd rather say realistic.

[ilv2]

Originally Posted by Ballon d'or Identity

I know we're not short of nightmares lately, but i thought judging from the qualifying matches we'd never see him ever again with a France jersey, and not only is he back, but he's going to play a decisive world cup match.

If we see the silvestre that impressed recently - and moreover fleetingly - for manutd, then I don't think we have much to be concerned about.

Originally Posted by Ballon d'or Identity

With Zidane gone, with Henry not being decisive enough, with a defense more fragile than a broken glass, i guess now our last chance resides in a 23 year old Ribery who before that world cup only played 40 minutes in bleu and Dorhasoo who scored once this season.

Our defense fragile? Because we conceded one to Korea, and/or lost abidal? Sure, on set pieces, it's a nightmare waiting to happen, but I still maintain utmost confidence in their abilities. It's the attack that's worrying - Henry's finishing IMO was always questionable, so if you only give him two good chances in a game, what can you expect. The team needs to be designed to feed to his strengths (obviously).

Originally Posted by Ballon d'or Identity

Frankly if the Swiss couldn't do better that 2-0 against Togo, i can't see us do better. I'm pessimistic i know. I'd rather say realistic.

They're certaily not going to be a walk in the park, but our players should be capable of running up the score. Oh wait, did I actually just say that they'd run up the score? Nevermind...

[guignol]

he best choice for left back is... malouda. if we do have it easy, he's the most attack-oriented solution. if we don't, he still remains the best left back on the team besides abidal. that's no BS! in the past OL's been forced to play him there do to injuries and he did so well he almost stuck! he's a FANTASTIC defender!

[Ballon d'or Identity]

Originally Posted by ilv2

Our defense fragile? Because we conceded one to Korea, and/or lost abidal? Sure, on set pieces, it's a nightmare waiting to happen, but I still maintain utmost confidence in their abilities. It's the attack that's worrying - Henry's finishing IMO was always questionable, so if you only give him two good chances in a game, what can you expect. The team needs to be designed to feed to his strengths (obviously).

Well what do you call a defense who concedes a goal on just one very dangerous chance from Korea ?
I call that fragile yes. If we ever go trough, we'll face Spain, and it's going to be South Korea x 10 in terms of chances, so if we can't keep a score against Korea, what's next ?

[Ballon d'or Identity]

Originally Posted by guignol

he best choice for left back is... malouda. if we do have it easy, he's the most attack-oriented solution. if we don't, he still remains the best left back on the team besides abidal. that's no BS! in the past OL's been forced to play him there do to injuries and he did so well he almost stuck! he's a FANTASTIC defender!

But we need him too much up front. Especially with that match.

[guignol]

Originally Posted by Ballon d'or Identity

But we need him too much up front. Especially with that match.

henry will take that post. he did it a lot against korea already, when malouda went to the right.

[ilv2]

Originally Posted by Ballon d'or Identity

Well what do you call a defense who concedes a goal on just one very dangerous chance from Korea ?
I call that fragile yes. If we ever go trough, we'll face Spain, and it's going to be South Korea x 10 in terms of chances, so if we can't keep a score against Korea, what's next ?

I call it unlucky. A defense is after all permitted to let in a goal once in a while, and nine times out of ten, that wouldn't have gone in.

If we lose to spain (provided we get through) - in the end it won't be because of our defense, it'll be because we won't be able to match their midfield and control the game.

[Tsigalko]

Domenech is the worst nightmare. The game won't be decided with Silvestre.

[Fonsos]

Damn!!!
You actually have scared the hell out of me. Ou est la Ricard?

Fonsos

[Ballon d'or Identity]

Originally Posted by Tsigalko

Domenech is the worst nightmare. The game won't be decided with Silvestre.

I still think Sylvestre weakened us in euro 2004.