Hindsight isn't 2020 - The 2019-20 Season Thread [R]

LMAO. Totally forgot he was still on our books.

 

Well it's become just like when the Orlando Magic signed a prime Grant Hill (not the perfect analogy given that Grant Hill was an established superstar and Ousmane was simply emerging as one after 2 stellar professional seasons); we've signed a good that for whatever reason has shown to be fragile.

Not sure if anyone's to blame and/or how we could've gotten around it, but lo and behold, it's happening and we've got to find a way around with him somehow.

Dembele's here till 2022. Feels like he's at his absolute lowest value. He might be the "worst piece of business at the moment", but I'm not sure it means dumping him at any cost. Part of me thinks that he really just needs a new start elsewhere to get his career going.

My gut says that if he does stay we can't really depend on him to be there a whole season (unless he proves otherwise which IMHO would require 2 full healthy seasons), but that he can make critical contributions when we need them.

 

maybe.
united have a couple candidates too in Alexis and Pogba, and Chelsea with Kepa.

 

On top of everything, Dembele has an attitude. The guy is literally worse than a paper weight. And its actually better if he's injured. Then we don't have to worry if he's gonna arrive to a match in time for the kick off.

He'll go on a free transfer in 2022 but that still leaves us with a 2 year headache.

 

Is it true he feasts on junk food and doesn’t give 100% in training ( when he turns up ?

 

Squad vs. Eibar: B team left-back Sergio Akieme is also included with Jordi Alba out injured. Braithwaite makes squad too.

The full squad is: Ter Stegen, Semedo, Piqué, Rakitic, Sergio Busquets, Arthur, Messi, Neto, Lenglet, Griezmman, Braithwaite, Sergi Roberto, De Jong, Vidal, Umtiti, Junior, Ansu Fati and Akieme.

Martin Braithwaite "skills" unveiling:

1230886301962063875 is not a valid tweet id

 

📻 [Cat Radio🥇] | Several Barça board members are pressuring Bartomeu to resign and for elections to take place this summer

🔶 The two vice presidents have asked Barça executives to force Bartomeu's resignation pic.twitter.com/li6AmY8Epe

— BarçaTimes (@BarcaTimes) February 21, 2020

 

My limited understanding is that even if Barto steps down and elections are held this summer, that it would be just for a 1 year term (for the balance of Barto's term). That the main elections will be in 2021. Anyone know if that is correct or not?

Assuming that is correct, then while I welcome Barto going away, I also fear that it is current board members who are trying to distance themselves from Barto to boost their own electability; we potentially wind up with more of the same for a year, then the incumbent who served out that final year (but was likely part of Barto's board) likely wins the 2021 election. So even though I'd like Barto out sooner than later, it might be better to wait till 2021 election (when Barto cannot run again) and have an open election where anyone from Barto's board would need to stand as the 'more of the same' candidate against non-Barto board candidates.

 

Following Saturday's results (Barca 5-0 Eibar / Levante 1-0 LPB)...

All time goals scored in La Liga history:
6151 Barcelona
6150 Real Madrid

On 22 September 1990 LPB (3695) held a 139 goal differential over FCB (3556)

When Messi debuted in La Liga on 16 October 2004 LPB (4711) held a 70 goal differential over FCB (4641)

When Cristiano got tired of losing La Liga and bolted to Juve/Serie A in 2018 LPB (6041) held a 42 goal differential over FCB (5999).

That advantage has been wiped clean in 62 matches.

First time since 1963 that LPB have not held top spot in Liga goals scored.

- per Mr. Chip

 

Pique injury reportedly not serious. He may even play in the Clasico according to Marca and RAC1.

 

players are openly criticizing the board:

Busquets: "Semedo and I were one booking away from a ban so we were always running that risk [of suspension]. We hope Pique's injury is nothing serious but we will take on the second leg with what we have. We don’t have a deep squad because, unfortunately, that’s how it was planned. We have a small squad, we don't have players of that profile (wingers) to attack, so we have to reinvent ourselves."

Rakitic: "We have a short squad but those that are in charge knew that. The solution is what it is. Those that are available will have work really hard because we have an important match in the second leg."

 

Pretty sure he scored around 15 cracking , long range goals - when we needed them .. ( Messi was out injured ?)

 

Oh, there's no-way it was 15 or even 10. But he got more golazos than Dembele over the same time-span, that's for sure.

He is still a useful player to have if we can't sell him for a lot (which we can't).

 

now you're just making shit up

 

My expectations this season are pretty low compared to seasons past. I would be overjoyed with a La Liga title and a QF appearance in the CL. Anything more than that is a total bonus and less that isn't even a big deal.

 

When we're losing matches, drama will happen!

 

Sport says Barca are planning for 4/5 signings this summer.

two defenders (CB + RB), two attackers (ST + LW), and maybe a midfielder depending on the market.

 

Oh ye with short memories ...