I'm glad Gago got another game tonight - even if it was at the expense of Garay suffering. He's really shot of confidence and given a very tame performance against Xerez at the weekend, I'm sure his morale was close to rock bottom. However, he came in tonight and played a very tidy game. Hopefully a much improved performance, in all aspects, will improve his confidence and form. He takes a lot of slack on this board; a lot of it vindicated but some borders crazy talk. Still very young and given that players in this position don't generally peak until much later in their career then it's very premature to be giving up just yet. Some really nice one -touch football on show in the first half. Could and should have had the game beyond doubt by the break but again guilty of wasting clear chances. Would have liked a litte more intensity in the second half to try and finnish the game off earlier. Should have capitalised on the one man advantage so the likes of Ronaldo and Kaka can get a well earned break amidst this hectic schedule. Higuain looks to be suffering badly from the rotation policy. Doesn't really seem to understand the system and certainly isn't understanding how Ronaldo and Kaka play. You could see quite clearly Ronaldo was frustrated with his poor movement during the game. The look of frustration was evident when he was substituted. He shouldn't lose too much hope though as neither Raul or Benz have been a beacon of inspiration up front. Ronaldo is just awesome at times. Absolutley destroyed Villareal at times. Every time he ventured forward he looked like a real threat. Just a point that Sid Lowe made recently regarding Ronaldo: it's not necessarily a good thing that we're relying heavily on Ronaldo. Reason being in that he's not integral to how we play and function as a team. Players like Kaka, Guti, Xabi etc are more important. Ronaldo is the player you can give the ball to and expect or anticipate a piece of magic and he can do that at any time. But he can do this without ever having to impose himself on the game. A good 3 points at a tricky stadium. Good time to play them.
Good game, Guti was great and I have no real complaints. Kaka is looking less sharp though, hesitating too much when he wants to shoot and when he does, it lacks power as he tries to place it. Saw he a few times this game getting a little desperate and going down for free kicks way too easy. We played a 4-2-3-1 today and though Granero did little to talk about, you can see how him in the team in place of a striker simply makes the team work much better. I am all for rotation but not a big fan when it comes to strikers. Strikers have probably the most harshely scrutinised positions and need a good run and constant run when it comes to goals. Right now it's just going to be a case of who can be the first to get consecutive goals and then we will settle on a pair or, hopefuly, the single striker.
Happy with the 3 points and clean sheet. - Best aspect of today's game in my opinion was our backline. Ramos and Albiol were beasts!!...in my opinion Ramos was the best player today. - The problem again was at center mid....Gago did ok defensively but his distribution is just average and not good enough for us to control games.....Guti's play was decent but he lost the ball way too easily.....Xabi is being sorely missed at CM.....and i think long-term...Real should be looking at getting him a backup that's better than Gago. - Higuain is really not playing well.......he doesnt combine well with kaka and CR9 and his movement off the ball isn't very good.........this is where benzema beats him hands down in my opinion....I'm a bit worried about his position in the pecking order. - Marcelo had a good outing....but he has extra work because ronaldo doesnt track back often. - CR9 was a beast....but a bit poor with crossing the ball in the box whenever he had the chance to. - Granero was solid. I'm loving MP's rotation policy as it gives everyone experience in every competition/setting....i.e - Drenthe in the champions league.....Granero starting away from home etc....
Is Pac-man back next game? I think he is Our defense is getting better and with Pepe back it'll be much more improved. 3 points and a clean sheet, happy as can be
Four game winning streak...not since the days of Leo benhaker have we experienced this start of La Liga. Enjoy it fellas, now its not the time for petty worries and accusations. We have the best player in the world in our rooster, enjoy it. This was an awesome Birthday present for me.
We have to take everything game by game. Thinking about a game that will be in two months is useless to me.Also, unless something changed with the League format, the League is won by the team with the most points, not by the team that 'winz againzt teh barcelonars'. Decent game, away, midweek, against a solid opponent. I'll take the result.
Happy Birthday Achilliean BTW when Xabi will be back? May be next match on Saturday or in next mid-week match for Champions League
Manny's thoughts. “It was an important win on a difficult pitch, but we were the better side even when it was eleven against eleven. We had to work hard and we had trouble sealing the deal.” “Once they were down to ten men, we individually tried to knock them off-balance, but our defense was great. We will begin playing more naturallly and with more agility.” “I don't think Cristiano Ronaldo is motivated by what Messi does in his match. I think he challenges himself. He shows his stuff match after match. Kaka and Cristiano are responsible for taking penalty kicks, so they decide amongst themselves who takes it.” “The crowd's acknowledgement was spontaneous. I hold a special place in my heart for this club despite the fact that I am now coaching another team. I am sure Villarreal will soon climb the table despite the start they have had.” “Winning was all that mattered. I am pleased with the win and for having defeated Villarreal at home. We visit the five strongest teams in the first half of the season. I like how well the defense played and am happy with how many goals we are scoring. We did well tonight.”
You can't get disappointed if you have no expectations. Its like supporting Scotland or something. This is a what the average Scottish fan looks like when his team are 2-0 up against Brazil or England: And this is what the average Scottish fan looks like whilst watching his team get hammered 6-0 by Lithuania or the Cayman Islands:
We're in a very good position at the moment. A large proportion of the team are playing in their first season, new manager, defensive injuries - just imagine how well we're going to play when it all comes together! I'm feeling quite optimistic rather than wishful, which is how I felt last season. There should be some happy days ahead and it's all because of one man...Senor Perez (Chief Engineer). A big, perhaps premature, thanks to him!
Hello guys, posting after a long time. Follow the forum pretty diligently, though after I have read opinions, find myself too exhausted to post. Totally agree. With 10 taking on 11, we should have controlled the game better. There is a lot to improve and they better get it right quickly. Frankly I have become tired of " They need time to gel" crap. Have been hearing that for the last few years. Great to see M.Diarra back. Here is his signature move: A madrid defender has the ball and is looking to start a play when M.Diarra cames ambling down from midfield. Defender thinks " ok...lets pass to this chap and he will pass upfield..." M.Diarra received the ball and before the defender could wink, M.Diarra had passed it back to him again...and the defender is like 'wtf...why did i pass the ball to him..." LOL..