Credit to... @Alma Merengue for thinking of it. @Zidane05 for posting it. @Phoenix Rising for labeling it. and @unclesox for punch-lining it. "A biter, a diver and a delinquent taxpayer walk into a bar..." ... and say, "Make mine a treble!"
It's been a few years since we've done one of these (2011) but we have great reasons to revive it! Simply fill out the survey with your opinions. Player of the Season (If Messi, include a second player): Goal of the Season: Most Memorable Match: Best new addition (If Suarez, include a second player): Most Underrated Player: Most Improved Player from last season: Most Disappointing Player: On a scale of 1 (very poor) to 10 (outstanding), rate Lucho's first season performance in the hot seat: Best Moment of the season (on or off the pitch / use your own criteria): Worst Moment: Yes it was a great season, but... Most important goal/save of the season: • J11 (A) Almería, 2-1 Alba 80' • J13 (A) Valencia, 1-0 Busquets 90+3' • Copa-Qf1 (H) Atlético Madrid, 1-0 Messi 83' (rebound of saved penalty) • J21 (H) Villarreal, 2-2 Rafinha 51' and 3-2 Messi 53' • J28 (H) Real Madrid, 2-1 Suárez 54' • J29 (A) Celta, 1-0 Mathieu 72' • J32 (H) Valencia, 1-0 Bravo saves Parejo's penalty 9' • UCL-Sf1 Bayern Munich, 1-0 Messi 75' (broke the ice) • UCL-Sf1 Bayern Munich, 3-0 Neymar 90+2' (huge insurance) • J37 (A) Atlético Madrid, 1-0 Messi 64' (cementing La Liga) • other (please list) The point in the season when I began to think a Treble was possible: Would Barca have advanced if Bayern were at full strength/Robben and Ribery available? The Triplete you enjoyed more: Pep 2008-09 or Lucho 2014-15? This player needs to leave: This player needs to be signed: Scenario: Lucho decides to leave while on top and Bayern part ways with Pep. Would you favor Pep returning to coach the Blaugrana? Who would you like to see become Barça's next president? Who should start in goal in La Liga next season? Do you plan on buying the horizontal striped shirt? Who will win Copa America? Who will win the Women's World Cup? Any other comments? Lasting image of the season:
Player of the Season (If Messi, include a second player): Messi (and Suarez) Goal of the Season: Messi vs Bilbao (also vs Bayern) Most Memorable Match: Anoeta - the turning point Best new addition (If Suarez, include a second player): Suarez (and Rakitic) Most Underrated Player: Jordi Alba (and Dani Alves) Most Improved Player from last season: Neymar (and Pique) Most Disappointing Player: Vermaelen (and Douglas) On a scale of 1 (very poor) to 10 (outstanding), rate Lucho's first season performance in the hot seat: 9 Best Moment of the season (on or off the pitch / use your own criteria): Xavi and Iniesta lifting the Copa together Worst Moment: The aftermath of the Anoeta Yes it was a great season, but... the board of directors still have to go Most important goal/save of the season: • J11 (A) Almería, 2-1 Alba 80' • J13 (A) Valencia, 1-0 Busquets 90+3' • Copa-Qf1 (H) Atlético Madrid, 1-0 Messi 83' (rebound of saved penalty) • J21 (H) Villarreal, 2-2 Rafinha 51' and 3-2 Messi 53' • J28 (H) Real Madrid, 2-1 Suárez 54' • J29 (A) Celta, 1-0 Mathieu 72' • J32 (H) Valencia, 1-0 Bravo saves Parejo's penalty 9' • UCL-Sf1 Bayern Munich, 1-0 Messi 75' (broke the ice) • UCL-Sf1 Bayern Munich, 3-0 Neymar 90+2' (huge insurance) • J37 (A) Atlético Madrid, 1-0 Messi 64' (cementing La Liga) • other (please list) The point in the season when I began to think a Treble was possible: 3minutes and 22seconds after kick-off last night Would Barca have advanced if Bayern were at full strength/Robben and Ribery available? would have been more interesting, but yes. The Triplete you enjoyed more: Pep 2008-09 or Lucho 2014-15? the first one This player needs to leave: Deulofeu This player needs to be signed: a world class RB Scenario: Lucho decides to leave while on top and Bayern part ways with Pep. Would you favor Pep returning to coach the Blaugrana? Ok, but Lucho should stay Who would you like to see become Barça's next president? 1st choice: someone new, second choice: Laporta Who should start in goal in La Liga next season? Bravo should start, and maybe loan out TerStegen to a good Spanish club. Do you plan on buying the horizontal striped shirt? no Who will win Copa America? Argentina Who will win the Women's World Cup? Germany Any other comments? YAY! Lasting image of the season:
Player of the Season (If Messi, include a second player): 1. Messi 2. Suarez Goal of the Season: That goal. You know which one. Messi. Copa. Athletic. Most Memorable Match: FCB 2-0 Valencia Great start with Suarez's goal... Bravo saves crucial penalty minutes later... Valencia looking the better side for most of the match until Messi seals things at the very end. Those three points were so vital. Probably the game I was the most nervous as it was going on. Best new addition (If Suarez, include a second player): 1. Suarez 2. I'll go with Rakitic Most Underrated Player: Bartra. Filled in nicely when required. Most Improved Player from last season: Shakira's husband. He had his D'oh moments but very often he came through when needed most. Also Mascherano. Very under-appreciated, I feel. Most Disappointing Player: Douglas. Honorable mention to Vermaelen. On a scale of 1 (very poor) to 10 (outstanding), rate Lucho's first season performance in the hot seat: I'll give him a 9. Rough start but I thought he made the correct substitutions when the times called for it. Best Moment of the season (on or off the pitch / use your own criteria): Rosell stepping down. Worst Moment: 1st leg against Bayern. Every time the camera's showed Pep on the Camp Nou touchline it felt very surreal. I'd shake my head and think to myself, "Man, it should have never come to this." Only time all season I genuinely missed the guy. Yes it was a great season, but... Mascherano didn't get that long awaited goal. Most important goal/save of the season: • J29 (A) Celta, 1-0 Mathieu 72' A week after beating LPB and reclaiming top spot, Barca nearly threw it all away in Vigo. But a well placed free kick from Xavi and a great stretch by Mathieu to head in relieved a lot of nerves. The point in the season when I began to think a Treble was possible: Neymar making it 1-1 in the second leg against Bayern. The 3-0 first leg lead felt safe but when Bayern scored first in the return leg I got very nervous. Neymar's goal meant Bayern had to score four more and I knew they wouldn't be able to without giving up a second. Would Barca have advanced if Bayern were at full strength/Robben and Ribery available? Perhaps. Glad we'll never find out. The Triplete you enjoyed more: Pep 2008-09 or Lucho 2014-15? Pep 2008-09 The 6-2 at the Bernabeu followed by Iniesta at Stamford Bridge, then beating CR7 and Sir Alex in the final... I don't know what could beat that set of matches for a single season. This player needs to leave: Douglas. Not quality enough and he's taking up a non-EU spot in the squad. This player needs to be signed: Don't know, tbh. Scenario: Lucho decides to leave while on top and Bayern part ways with Pep. Would you favor Pep returning to coach the Blaugrana? Yes, only because I don't know who else to take over. (Klopp doesn't interest me.) Who would you like to see become Barça's next president? Probably in the minority but I'd love to see the return of Laporta and his smirk sitting in the Camp Nou presidential box. After him, I'll go with Agusti Benedito again. Who should start in goal in La Liga next season? Bravo probably deserves it but I'd like to see the two switch places: ter Stegen in Liga and Bravo in Copa and Champions. What the heck. Do you plan on buying the horizontal striped shirt? Nope. Not just because of the stripes but I'm more of a fleece/jacket person. Bought quite a few over the years. Who will win Copa America? I always root for Uruguay but I'd have no problem watching Messi... uh, Argentina lift the trophy. Who will win the Women's World Cup? Any other comments? What must Cesc be thinking? His time at Barca is sandwiched by two Champions League wins. Lasting image of the season:
Player of the Season (If Messi, include a second player): Messi, Suarez Goal of the Season: Messi vs Athletic in cops Most Memorable Match: Vs Bayern @Camp Nou Best new addition (If Suarez, include a second player): Suarez, Rakitic Most Underrated Player: Rakitic Most Improved Player from last season: D. Alves Most Disappointing Player: Vermaelen(in the sense that we basically paid full year wage to an Arsenal player) On a scale of 1 (very poor) to 10 (outstanding), rate Lucho's first season performance in the hot seat: 10 Best Moment of the season (on or off the pitch / use your own criteria): MSN running together having scored the third goal against Atletico right after the so called crisis. Worst Moment: Loss to Real Socidead and the events that unfolded after it. Yes it was a great season, but... No complains!! Most important goal/save of the season: • J13 (A) Valencia, 1-0 Busquets 90+3' Special mention to Messi's first goal against Bayern but without this goal things might have looked very different in the title race. The point in the season when I began to think a Treble was possible: After a 3-0 win against Bayern. Would Barca have advanced if Bayern were at full strength/Robben and Ribery available? Yes, first game might have opened up more and noone can outscore us. The Triplete you enjoyed more: Pep 2008-09 or Lucho 2014-15? Always the first one This player needs to leave: Adriano, Sergio Roberto This player needs to be signed: Pogba/Veratti Scenario: Lucho decides to leave while on top and Bayern part ways with Pep. Would you favor Pep returning to coach the Blaugrana? Yes, definetly!! Who would you like to see become Barça's next president? Laporta Who should start in goal in La Liga next season? Bravo Do you plan on buying the horizontal striped shirt? Never. Who will win Copa America? Argentina Who will win the Women's World Cup? USA Any other comments? I am very happy. Lasting image of the season:
Player of the Season (If Messi, include a second player): Messi ... and I have to co-nominate Neymar and Suarez. Both equally important. Goal of the Season: Messi vs Bilbao. Honorable mention the first goal in the CL final and Suarez bicycle kick. Most Memorable Match: vs Bayern CL first leg. Best new addition (If Suarez, include a second player): Suarez, Rakitic. Close call with Bravo though. Most Underrated Player: Iniesta ... maybe not a flashy season, but was clutch in key games. Most Improved Player from last season: Neymar Most Disappointing Player: None On a scale of 1 (very poor) to 10 (outstanding), rate Lucho's first season performance in the hot seat: 9 Best Moment of the season (on or off the pitch / use your own criteria): 3 x 0 vs Bayern with Messi bossing. Worst Moment: Loss to Sociedad Yes it was a great season, but ... didn't sweep Real Madrid. Can't win them all. Most important goal/save of the season: • J11 (A) Almería, 2-1 Alba 80' • J13 (A) Valencia, 1-0 Busquets 90+3' • Copa-Qf1 (H) Atlético Madrid, 1-0 Messi 83' (rebound of saved penalty) • J21 (H) Villarreal, 2-2 Rafinha 51' and 3-2 Messi 53' • J28 (H) Real Madrid, 2-1 Suárez 54' • J29 (A) Celta, 1-0 Mathieu 72' • J32 (H) Valencia, 1-0 Bravo saves Parejo's penalty 9' • UCL-Sf1 Bayern Munich, 1-0 Messi 75' (broke the ice) • UCL-Sf1 Bayern Munich, 3-0 Neymar 90+2' (huge insurance) • J37 (A) Atlético Madrid, 1-0 Messi 64' (cementing La Liga) • other (please list) The point in the season when I began to think a Treble was possible: Started thinking it was possible after the tie vs Sevilla and win vs Valencia and keeping the lead in La Liga. Strong belief after beating Bayern 3 x 0. Would Barca have advanced if Bayern were at full strength/Robben and Ribery available? Tough to say. Would have been a coin toss IMO. Definitely would have put more strain on the team. The Triplete you enjoyed more: Pep 2008-09 or Lucho 2014-15? 2008-09 This player needs to leave: Adriano, Deulofeu. This player needs to be signed: Can we sign anyone over the summer ? Don't know. If Alves leaves, obviously a RB. Scenario: Lucho decides to leave while on top and Bayern part ways with Pep. Would you favor Pep returning to coach the Blaugrana? Sure. Who would you like to see become Barça's next president? Don't know much about candidates. I guess Laporta. Who should start in goal in La Liga next season? Bravo ... and the CL. Do you plan on buying the horizontal striped shirt? No Who will win Copa America? Brazil Who will win the Women's World Cup? Don't care. Any other comments? Never thought this era would last this long (starting with Pep). Lasting image of the season: Same as above
Best Moment of the season (on or off the pitch / use your own criteria): Maybe not the best but....Messi giving Neymar the penalty when he was having a bad game to boost his confidence and create more cohesion between the team. The timing couldn't have been more perfect with Ronaldo chasing the pichichi and screaming at his own team mates for scoring instead of himself.
Player of the Season (If Messi, include a second player): Messi and Suarez Goal of the Season: Pedro's bicycle kick followed by Luis Suarez's sideways scissor kick. Note these selected just for beauty of the goal, not its importance to our season. One that does both is Suarez's 2nd goal against Real Madrid where the control of the first touch was as amazing as the shot itself -- I see I can pick that below so I've done so. EDIT - I posted without reading the other answers (to keep things original) but yeah, should probably mention Messi's goal in the Copa final. http://www.sportskeeda.com/football/the-science-behind-messis-copa-del-rey-wonder-goal Most Memorable Match: Beating Atletico Madrid in Jornada 18 right after Anoeta that righted the ship in a big way as Atletico had previously had our number (and still had Real's number till the CL). Sure we still lost to Malaga a few weeks later but the ship was righted, even if the board scapegoated Zubi and thus we lost Puyol too. Best new addition (If Suarez, include a second player): Suarez and Rakitic, though if MAtS and Bravo were one player they'd be worthy of the vote too, and really both are individually worthy. Did not think it would be as easy to move on from Victor Valdes (no dis-respect intended); I thought our high defensive line would be the death of many a keeper. Most Underrated Player: Going off of this forum and a few "haters" on here I'd have to say Suarez, MAtS, and Pedro, with a side of Alves. I put "haters" in quotes as I think it is good to have differences of opinions among fans of the same team. Most Improved Player from last season: Alves and yes I tease him about being in a contract year and who knows maybe he'll be back to his 2013-14 level next season, even so I hope he is here. HM to Pique. Most Disappointing Player: Douglas never seemed like he belonged but buying an injured Verminator when we already don't have enough minutes for Bartra seems idiotic. On a scale of 1 (very poor) to 10 (outstanding), rate Lucho's first season performance in the hot seat: 9 (results get a 10, but communication with players and figuring out his squad, his preferred lineup, how to handle all the egos took some time and was not perfect). Best Moment of the season (on or off the pitch / use your own criteria): Xavi and other veterans reaching out to Leo and brokering the peace between he and Lucho after Anoeta which led to the massive win streak and the treble. Worst Moment: Anoeta Yes it was a great season, but... Losing Xavi and possibly Alves too (and if we lose Bartra too I'll really be pissed). Losing the arbitration case hurt too (where we tried to overturn the ban on registering players this summer. Most important goal/save of the season: • J11 (A) Almería, 2-1 Alba 80' • J13 (A) Valencia, 1-0 Busquets 90+3' • Copa-Qf1 (H) Atlético Madrid, 1-0 Messi 83' (rebound of saved penalty) • J21 (H) Villarreal, 2-2 Rafinha 51' and 3-2 Messi 53' • J28 (H) Real Madrid, 2-1 Suárez 54' • J29 (A) Celta, 1-0 Mathieu 72' • J32 (H) Valencia, 1-0 Bravo saves Parejo's penalty 9' • UCL-Sf1 Bayern Munich, 1-0 Messi 75' (broke the ice) • UCL-Sf1 Bayern Munich, 3-0 Neymar 90+2' (huge insurance) • J37 (A) Atlético Madrid, 1-0 Messi 64' (cementing La Liga) • other (please list) The point in the season when I began to think a Treble was possible: Around Jornada 25 and 26, we'd had our Malaga hiccup in 24 but then gained back 5 points on Real in two matchdays as they drew (hosting Villarreal) and then lost (at Bilbao) while we won at Granada and hosting Rayo. Not the biggest wins but the 5 point swing was huge. Would Barca have advanced if Bayern were at full strength/Robben and Ribery available? Of course. The Triplete you enjoyed more: Pep 2008-09 or Lucho 2014-15? You never forget your first Treble. This player needs to leave: Douglas. I think we also need to loan out a few B teamers as they won't grow sitting on our bench. This player needs to be signed: I'd rather just bring back Thiago rather than sign Pogba or Vidal or any of the other rumored midfielders. Scenario: Lucho decides to leave while on top and Bayern part ways with Pep. Would you favor Pep returning to coach the Blaugrana? Hmm, don't see the first two happening but if they did I'd say no. Who would you like to see become Barça's next president? Puyol. Who should start in goal in La Liga next season? MAtS. Do you plan on buying the horizontal striped shirt? Will it make me look svelter? No, the answer is no, but then I don't usually buy each season's jersey. Last bought one when it said Unicef and I when we had a real jersey sponsor coming. Who will win Copa America? Argentina for Messi and Mascherano. Who will win the Women's World Cup? I'd like USA to win and they are favorites, but I fear Germany wins again. Any other comments? Always a pleasure to be part of this forum with other considerate and articulate fans of Barca, even better when our chosen club wins so much silverware. Lasting image of the season: hope it is not goodbye but if it is he deserves a lasting image almost as much as Xavi: [/QUOTE]
Player of the Season (If Messi, include a second player): Mascherano Goal of the Season: Suarez bicyle kick Most Memorable Match: Bayern home Best new addition (If Suarez, include a second player): Rakitic Most Underrated Player: Busi Most Improved Player from last season: Piquenbauer Most Disappointing Player: On a scale of 1 (very poor) to 10 (outstanding), rate Lucho's first season performance in the hot seat: 9.5 Best Moment of the season (on or off the pitch / use your own criteria): THE CAT! (in hindsight) Worst Moment: Yes it was a great season, but... the titles could have easily be lost due to bad home games The point in the season when I began to think a Treble was possible: After the QF in Paris. Would Barca have advanced if Bayern were at full strength/Robben and Ribery available? Yes The Triplete you enjoyed more: Pep 2008-09 or Lucho 2014-15? Both came after very disaapointing seasons but maybe the 2009 Scenario: Lucho decides to leave while on top and Bayern part ways with Pep. Would you favor Pep returning to coach the Blaugrana? YES Who would you like to see become Barça's next president? No old guard Who should start in goal in La Liga next season? Bravo Do you plan on buying the horizontal striped shirt? No. I can't stand the material of the shirts hence I don't buy in general Who will win Copa America? Argentina Who will win the Women's World Cup? USA Lasting image of the season:
Player of the Season (If Messi, include a second player): Messi+Mascherano Goal of the Season: Messi solo goal vs Athletic in the CDR final Most Memorable Match: Scraping out a 2-0 win against Valencia at home because I was there Best new addition (If Suarez, include a second player): Definitely Suarez with Rakitic not too far behind. Mathieu was an important player too but the fact that he didn't start the CL or CDR finals while the other two did was vital Most Underrated Player: Hard to say, Bravo perhaps? He was nearly flawless Most Improved Player from last season: Alves Most Disappointing Player: Douglas. I figured he'd have some quality On a scale of 1 (very poor) to 10 (outstanding), rate Lucho's first season performance in the hot seat: 9 Best Moment of the season (on or off the pitch / use your own criteria): Messi scoring the second goal against Bayern at home in the SF (when he made Boateng look like a fool) Worst Moment: Yes it was a great season, but... Xavi's gone and Iniesta is aging. Is the midfield going to suffer as it finds a new identity? Also Qatar Airlines on the shirt and the Neymar transfer saga Most important goal/save of the season: • J11 (A) Almería, 2-1 Alba 80' • J13 (A) Valencia, 1-0 Busquets 90+3' • Copa-Qf1 (H) Atlético Madrid, 1-0 Messi 83' (rebound of saved penalty) • J21 (H) Villarreal, 2-2 Rafinha 51' and 3-2 Messi 53' • J28 (H) Real Madrid, 2-1 Suárez 54' • J29 (A) Celta, 1-0 Mathieu 72' • J32 (H) Valencia, 1-0 Bravo saves Parejo's penalty 9' • UCL-Sf1 Bayern Munich, 1-0 Messi 75' (broke the ice) • UCL-Sf1 Bayern Munich, 3-0 Neymar 90+2' (huge insurance) • J37 (A) Atlético Madrid, 1-0 Messi 64' (cementing La Liga) • other (please list) The point in the season when I began to think a Treble was possible: After crushing Bayern it felt inevitable Would Barca have advanced if Bayern were at full strength/Robben and Ribery available? It would have been much closer. Very hard to say. The Triplete you enjoyed more: Pep 2008-09 or Lucho 2014-15? The Pep one This player needs to leave: Montoya This player needs to be signed: A midfielder, but I am unsure who Scenario: Lucho decides to leave while on top and Bayern part ways with Pep. Would you favor Pep returning to coach the Blaugrana? No, I don't think it would be good for Pep to follow a treble winning coach again and I don't think the time is right for his return anyway Who would you like to see become Barça's next president? ? Who should start in goal in La Liga next season? Ter stegen with Bravo in all cup games. Flip flop Do you plan on buying the horizontal striped shirt? I don't buy shirts anyway Who will win Copa America? Chile Who will win the Women's World Cup? Germany? Any other comments? Lasting image of the season: The three amigos picture posted above
I'm gonna try to give different answers than you guys above, just to add to the collective memory bank. Player of the Season (If Messi, include a second player): Messi + Piqué (what a turnaround from last season and from the preseason stink bomb hijinks) Goal of the Season: Most Memorable Match: El Clásico at the Camp Nou, with Suárez's winner Best new addition (If Suarez, include a second player): gotta be Rakitic. He stepped right into our #1 starting lineup and contributed huge goals and assists. Most Underrated Player: Alves. He gets shit on way more than he gets praised. And he's still a top RB. Just look what it meant when Messi moved to RW. Those two have more chemistry than the Manhattan Project. Most Improved Player from last season: Piqué and Neymar Most Disappointing Player: Montoya. He looks so sheepish out there. Lost his mojo. Remember when he once hit the woodwork in a Clásico with an almost winning screamer? On a scale of 1 (very poor) to 10 (outstanding), rate Lucho's first season performance in the hot seat: 9.5 (There was a moment I thought his arrogance was turning the team against him. Like when "punished" Montoya for criticizing him.) Best Moment of the season (on or off the pitch / use your own criteria): The team rounding the wagons on all the outside criticism and internal turmoil and putting in a virtuoso performance vs. Atletico (our boogeyman all last season) with SNM scoring for the first time. Worst Moment: I thought the Anoeta loss was overblown. Lackluster away losses are common. It was Messi's "gastroenteritis" on fan day later that week. Everything seemed to be unraveling. Yes it was a great season, but... it still pains me to think that we'll look back on this extraordinary season and see those Qatar Airways sponsors on our shirt. I'll never get used to that, and I hope the next elected president drops the shirt sponsor. Most important goal/save of the season: • J13 (A) Valencia, 1-0 Busquets 90+3' The point in the season when I began to think a Treble was possible: I still don't quite believe it. Would Barca have advanced if Bayern were at full strength/Robben and Ribery available? What if, what if... Tactically, we would've suffered precisely where we actually had the most dominance--on the wings. It would've been much closer, but we would've still advanced. The Triplete you enjoyed more: Pep 2008-09 or Lucho 2014-15? OK, so I think because (1) Pep's was our first and because it was more dramatic (Stamford Bridge) I enjoyed that more. But this Lucho side is more indisputably the best in Europe. No Chelsea whiners are crying out about UEFAlona this time. Feels good, man. This player needs to leave: Messi. Just kidding! Douglas, Deulofeu, Sergi Roberto. This player needs to be signed: In January 2016... Luckily, the starting XI is perfect. We could use a young utility player in the mold of Keita or Adriano. Scenario: Lucho decides to leave while on top and Bayern part ways with Pep. Would you favor Pep returning to coach the Blaugrana? Yes, if the new president was on good terms with Pep and if Pep wanted to return. Who would you like to see become Barça's next president? I can't follow all the candidates' platforms, but priorities for me are: get rid of the shirt sponsor, do not try to protect Rosell and his cronies from legal investigation. Who should start in goal in La Liga next season? Flip 'em. MAtS in La Liga, Bravo in cups. Do you plan on buying the horizontal striped shirt? Hellll no, and I haven't bought a jersey since Nike became the sponsor. Kappa FTW! Who will win Copa America? Ar-gen-ti-na. Who will win the Women's World Cup? Deutschland. Any other comments? Messed around and got a triple double... I guess it was a good decade. Lasting image of the season: