Seems like every decision and position debate has been intensified as Portugal creep closer from being excluded for the Euro 2008 next summer. Anyways, here is a poll about who you think should start as LB. We seem to always been debating this issue lately. My vote goes to Miguel.
We should really really use a left footed player, there's an normous difference. I think we should have experimented with Antunes BEFORE we got into all this trouble, right now I would stick with Caneira, he is the one most used to this position the best on the air and his left foot ain't all that bad.
Right now Bosingwa on the left and Miguel on the right with both Paulo Ferreira and Antunes on the bench each one covering the right bakc and left back position.
Well it looks as if currently, no one really wants Ferreira there if Miguel and Caniera are both fit.
I agree, Miguel over Caneira but Miguel's left foot is weak on crosses (Caneira's is not much better). We need a naturally left-footed LB, no doubt. Is Nuno Valente back in shape? Perhaps he can still lend our NT a helping hand. He can't be any worse than what we currently have...
When I was watching the Everton game he looked decent. Surprisingly the announcers were praising him..... For me he looked a little slow, but his crosses were excellent.
Nuno Valente always had great crosses, but he was slow and he was probably Portugal's worst starting player during the world cup 06. but in Euro 2004 he played well. Anyways, Id play Caneira there he is more trust worthy then Ferreira and is experienced at LB.. Id like to see Miguel/ Bosingwa as FB's but the problem is both of them are much more comfortably on the right flank. anyways, Scolari rarely ever changes the lineup unless people retire or he is absolutely forced to so we wont see anything crazy happen.
Thats true. The only major change he really made was inserting Ronaldo into the starting lineup. However, last 2 games he made a decent amount of changes. Miguel was dropped, Andrade was dropped, he re-reserected Maniche. I really just want to see Quaresma on the other flank....Do it assistant coach!
Cesar Peixoto. Mourinho loved him and started him in every match until he got injured, recovered and played as leftback for Co where he was simply amazing, and all of the media calling him to be called to the ntl team before he got another horrendous injury. Now hes recovering at Braga and looks superb. Amazing technique and crosses, LEFT FOOTED, can dribble and pass very well, is quick, and is tactically sound and astute defensivly.
Good thinking. Out of the 3 options presented I went for Miguel but if Peixoto keeps up his level of play...
The reason I only put those 3 options is because I wanted the thread to provide a rather realistic option. Miguel, Ferreira, and Caniera are all on the team and shall be for a considerable amount of time. Everyone else that is being mentioned are just hopefulls.....
Just get Rui Jorge back...he is coaching the Belenenses Juniors But seriously, where are the natural left footed players?
... he's not as sound defensively as you might think, I mean he's OK but still needs some work (don't forget he was converted from a forward). Aside from that, i.e. the need for more defensive work (which is very important), he probably wouldn't be such a bad option after all!
He was good at Porto, but not playing football for 2 seasons has affected him obviously, but every week he keeps getting better and better. I doubt scolari will call him though..
Despite his lack of playing time, why not try Miguelito, at least until someone else (like Antunes) is ready.
Exactly bro... if Luis Figo and Pedro Pauleta never retired from Internationals I bet they'd still be starting everygame.. and our team here in 2007 would look 98% like the team did in the Eurocup final of 2004 In Football, things change fast.. from 2004 to 2007 is a huge difference! Teams need reinvention... over the course of a couple years certain players lose their lustre, while other stars shine brighter.
I got to admit though, Pauleta was definitly a low-tier team killer. Even though he didn't really produce against the big boys in the big tournaments, he demonslished the little teams and aided us into getting into the big tournaments....
I know he had a shocker today LOL but the previous games he was superb. One game in 4 isnt enough to judge his recovery. We really need a left footed player on the field, it hurts us not to have one.
Many people overlooked his contribution to the NT and made fun of the fact that he often could only score against the minnows. It's sad that he had to retire before these people could see the light. I expect something similar to happen with Scolari, but that probably belongs in another thread.