http://www.tribalfootball.com/october/spanishnews081002.html this article offers little in the way of details. Barca Tony
This is not new. When the transfer was in the process Van Gaal said as much. So now the English press get a wiff of it? They are about 3 months late.
This is still a shite thing to say about a hi-profile player that was brought in. He may not agree, but he doesn't have to say as much.
I think tribalfootball is an Australian site, but I could be wrong. One thing that this story brings up for me was the rumor that the only reason Gaspart hired LvG was the unpaid season(s?) on his contract. What makes me think this is that apparently LvG didn't have control of squad make-up. I also wonder that if JRR's contact had been 10 million instead of 6 million (not sure of exact figures), would Gaspart have done the deal? If finances were one of the reasons for hiring van Gaal and for getting rid of Rivaldo for nothing, maybe Gaspart is thinking that he needs to get through this season, get van Gaal's contract off the books, and then next year, with reduced costs and increased merchandising (NFL, Nike, and new club badge?), Barca can rebuild its finances and have a competitive squad with young players such as Saviola, Riquelme, Motta, Puyol, etc. But this season, its possible Barca could turn into another ManU situation, where the players figure the manager is gone after this season, so why bother listening? I'm not endorsing or predicting, just speculating. All comments welcome Tony
We could call it the Joe Paterno effect I love a good conspiracy theory, and it certainly seems like there are just enough gray areas for me to jump on board! I would be interested to see a list of contracts for the club and when they expire to see what kind of long term trouble we have
In Louis' defense, in the same exact interview he said (I'm paraphrasing here) that Riquleme had great qualities and would succeed at the club when he has adapted. It's not like he said Riquelme is a bum and we shouldn't have signed him. These stories always come back to life when the team struggles. If anything, I think people should be questioning why he lobbied so hard for Mendieta only to put Gaizka in a role that's made him ineffective. Or maybe I'm just wrong, maybe Medieta has had his day? The common sub-text in all these discussions comes down to "where is the leadership?" It gets frustrating. Gaspart has a lot to answer for.
stupid bastard! I didn't want him in charge! BTW good stuff about youngsters in the team Tony but it seems like Carles is on his way to Italy and Salas may come in exchange! I'm worried cuz we have no coverage in the defense!
I nominate Mario for the President of the Louis Van Gaal fan club. OK, lets say for the heck of it (and just for fun) that the situation is reversed and LvG wants Romy in the lineup as a starter. Remember, Overmars is available soon. Do you start Overmars in Motta's spot so he can help make overlapping runs while Romy tries to link up with the forwards (or run into space that Overmars creates)? Do you keep Overmars on the bench, and bring him in as 'supersub'? Do you bench Cocu, keep Gaizka on the right, and keep Romy in back with Xavi as sort of a 'double pivot'? It's an interesting problem. You CANT bench Enrique. So do you move LE into a more central role up front (like a 3-4-3) and move Romy into the slot on the left? Also, lets keep one thing in mind...Savolia didn't look like a world-beater until well past Christmast last year. I don't think he really took off until very late in the campaign. Its gonna take awhile for Romy to settle in. Of course, he won't be able to do that from the bench but that is up to the red-faced Dutchman to figure out.
For what it is worth he claims to have been battling injury most of the year.... Let's hope he steps it up this year, but it doesn't seem like our problem is going to be scoring goals this year. More like keeping them out of our net
please! I'd be honored I'll bite. current lineup (midfield): Cocu Xavi Motta Luis Enrique Mendieta Cocu is a defensive minded midfielder always in contention, Xavi creates, Motta runs the left band, Luis Enrique is some sort of phanthom forward or fwd withdrawn (as Rivo played last season) and Mendieta runs the right band so, although I know LvG wont use JRR as a fantasista (we are supposing we are coaches anyway!) I'd say: Three central midfielders Xavi and Cocu as defensive mids, Román creating but slightly behind the strikers (I mean as a 10 but at the same time organizes and carries the team on his back) and Luis Enrique as a carrilero as well as Overmars once he's healthy (but I mean completely healthy!) now, I'd buy D'Alessandro to run the left band as well as a quality central defender (since LvG adores dutchmen i'd say Hofland) Marquez wouldn't offend me as well as colombian int'l Ivan Ramiro Cordova, Cristoph Metzelder, Paolo Montero (i know he's getting old but still reliable) or why not Sol campbell???
Mario-- "carrilero" = wing player? Chivu would be a nice grab, for sure. Have any of you guys seen Mexes and what is your opinion of him? I know he's highly rated but the few times I've seen Auxerre I mostly focused on Cisse. But Mexes gets a lot of attention now and he can play a sweeper role.
BTW Mendieta could alternate with Xavi since he plays well as a wide player, actually we are recomposing the mix right? why not use Luis Enrique Martinez as partner of Saviola upfront? I wont make many friends here with this but I'd bench Kluivert! Ohh and please keep Tito in goal!
Problemas con los porteros From the highlights I saw last weekend, an experienced keeper might have stopped one of the goals. I never understood this move. He has been the forgotten man so far. Not like this will solve all of the defensive problems, but I never thought Bonano was bad at all. He was worlds better than Dutruel. He's the most experienced keeper they have. I doubt Valdes is outplaying Bonano in training. Maybe he is, but I don't understand how Van Gaal is selecting him over Tito. Then again, I don't really understand half of Van Gaal's moves anyway. Subservience seems to be the trait that gets players in the lineup these days.
Yeah I have been wondering why Bonano is riding the pine as well. Grnated he didnt have a stellar jornada last year, but he didnt have a bad oenb either. Mr. Van Gaal works in mysterious ways...ways that the rest of the conscious world are not privy to. Maybe Deboer will rip him a new one like he did with Enke and we can see Bonano