GK: Ricardo-Real Betis Quim-Benfica Eduardo-Setubal CB: Carvalho-Chelsea Pepe-Real Madrid Andrade-Juventus( if he doesnt recover replace with Manuel Da costa who can gain valuable expereince) Fullbacks: Bosingwa-Porto Miguel-Valencia Ferriera-Chelsea Antunes-Roma?..we need somebody naturally left footed D-Mid: Meira-Stuttgart Veloso-Sporting CM: Maniche-Athletico Madrid Manuel Fernandes-Valencia CAM: Deco-Barcelona Carlos Martins-Recreativo Heulva..finally consistent, and getting praised a bit in spain for his performances Wingers: Ronaldo-Man United Quaresma-Porto Nani-Man United Simao-Athletico Madrid Strikers: Almeida-Werder Bremen Makukula-Maritimo Postiga-Porto ------------------Ricardo--------------------- ------------Pepe----------Carvalho----------- Bosingwa--------------------------------Miguel -------------------Veloso--------------------- ---------Maniche-------------Deco------------ Quaresma--------------------------------Ronaldo --------------------Almeida-------------------- If Deco or maniche are sucking put in Fernandes and Carlos Martins..hes going under the radar right now but playing very well, already saved huelvas ass three times. I want him at Benfica Man our team is so young..and I really wanted moutinho there..scolari will probably have him in place of carlos martins anyways, but carlos martins if he gets noticed is the exact number 10 we need, plays in the hole and with superb technique and vision.
AS OF NOW... GKs Ricardo - Betis Quim - Benfica Paulo Santos - Braga CBs Carvalho - Chelsea Pepe - Real Madrid B. Alves - FC Porto FBs Bosingwa - FC Porto Miguel - Valencia P. Ferreira - Chelsea J. Ribeiro - Boavista DMs M. Veloso - Sporting F. Meira - Stuttgart CMs Maniche - Athletico Madrid M. Fernandes - Valencia Moutinho - Sporting OM Deco - Barcelona WGs C. Ronaldo - M. United Simão - Athletico Madrid Nani - M. United Quaresma - FC Porto STs H. Almeida - Werder Bremen Makukula - Sevilla (on loan to Maritimo) N. Gomes - Benfica -----------------i only want to see him on the field if he plays behinds one of 2 strikers that i mentioned. Lineup: ------------------Ricardo------------------ Bosingwa------Pepe------R. Carvalho-----Miguel -------------------M. Veloso------------------ -------------------Maniche------------------ C. Ronaldo----------Deco--------------Quaresma -------------------H. Almeida----------------- In situations when Portugal needs to have a solid defense, taking out Maniche for F. Meira and put Veloso a little more up the field would be an excellent idea. In fact, I was very tempted to do so in the lineup. More possession of the ball and better recovering as well. As for the left back, it's more than obvious that Caneira sucks. Antunes doesn't play in his club and was shaky against England 2 days ago. It's hard for everyone here to agree on this but the naked truth is that from all our LBs, J. Ribeiro is the only one in great form. Plays for a ************ team but still deserves the credit. If he's capable to fill that role defensively...that's another issue. I still might change my mind...there's pre-tournament games to watch and hopefully Maniche will get back on form and J. Ribeiro will prove us all that he can do it.
Fantasy Lineup: Our Defense below is so strong that one day I would like us to try a classic 4-4-2, with both Almeida and Maku up front. Again, this is fantasy but I would like to force the opposing CBs to deal with that. I think given the potential strength of our defensive line below it would be justified - at least if it proves viable in some test matches. Obvious problem is that it leaves us without capable FWs on the bench. And it puts some pressure on the DM. Can someone like M.Fernandes fill that role? Too soon to tell, but something to consider in the future. Also, agree with those who want to see Antunes move up and try out in the front. He is our best prospect for a natural LB. But then it's a crime to leave either Miguel or Bosingwa on the bench, if fully fit. ------------------Ricardo------------------------- Bosingwa------Pepe------R. Carvalho-----Miguel--- -------------------M. Fernandes------------------ C. Ronaldo--------------------------------Nani---- -------------------Deco-------------------------- ------H. Almeida----------Makukula--------------- Reality: ------------------Ricardo------------------------- Bosingwa------Pepe------R. Carvalho-----Miguel--- ----------Maniche----------M. Veloso------------- C. Ronaldo------------Deco----------------Quaresma- -------------------H. Almeida---------------------- Key subs: With lead: Nani (minute 60). M.Fernandes (for Maniche) Makukula (for Almeida) Hold the score: Same except bring in F.Meira for Maniche instead (air power) I note that Nani deserves to be a starter. The guy fully deserves it. However, Quaresma gets the nod as the best natural crosser on our team and it gives us the psychological lift of knowing we have a super-sub on the bench. Quaresma is not a super-sub.
Dream Team ---------------------------Moreira--------------------------- Bosingwa-------J.Andrade--------R.Carvalho----------Antunes ------------------Maniche---------M.Veloso----------------- C.Ronaldo-----------------Deco-------------------------Nani -------------------------Makukula--------------------------- Subs: Quaresma
Dream Team ---------------------------Moreira--------------------------- Bosingwa-------Da Costa--------R.Carvalho----------Antunes ------------------Maniche---------M.Veloso----------------- C.Ronaldo-----------------Deco-------------------------Nani -------------------------Makukula--------------------------- Subs: Quaresma Simao Miguel J.Andrade P.Mendes M.Fernandes H.Almeida All time greatest
Pepe and Deco are great players, but they are Brazilians. They are Portuguese in the eyes of the law, but are they Portuguese in their hearts? I don't know. This is a bad trend. The Selecção should be for only the true Portuguese. Given this, here’s my dream team. I consider Makakula Portuguese because (I think) he’s lived in Portugal since he was a little boy (although I don’t start him below). Ricardo Bosingwa – Carvalho – Alves – Miguel Veloso – Martins – Fernandes Quaresma – Almeida - Cristiano I guess what I'm saying is if we win a trophy with Pepe and Deco in the line-up, did we really do it ourselves?
Castanha, good shout out to Carlos Martins, what a ********ing talent he is, he just needs a chance now on the big stage, hes finally consistantly fit! As for Pepe, lets not kid ourselves, he rejected brazils ntl team multiple times, told his wife to teach him the national anthem, and he is world ********ing class, and only 24 i believe. Deco...we need to find a replacement, ever since rui costa retired we dont have anyone to light a fire under his ass to make him play his best. Hes not the same deco that played behind the strikers at porto, barca made him more deep laying in midfield, we need a rui cvosta type like carlos martins, superb technique passing and vision. But they are a dieing species.
I have no problem with Pepe or Deco or any other estrangeiro as long as they are truly Portuguese. Glad to here that about Pepe. He is very solid. Actually, he's more than solid. He's awesome! The only problem with Carlos Martins is that when he has to play the extra games, his legs crumble and he's out for 6 weeks. That has happened in the past. I hope he gets one more shot to show us he can do it. I remember him scoring many goals in Sub-21 action, and he bleeds our colors.
A lot of interesting opinions in this thread but here's my lineup: ------------------QUIM (not Ricardo!)--------------------- ------------Pepe----------Carvalho----------- Bosingwa--------------------------------any natural LFooted D who can actually defend (so no Jorge Ribeiro so I'll probably have to accept Miguel) -------------------F. Meira (less foul prone than Petit and less offensive ability than Veloso but does the job well)--------------------- ---------Maniche-------------Deco------------ Quaresma--------------------------------Ronaldo --------------------H. Almeida-------------------- Not sure how many players get called up but in my team Ricardo sits on the bench. I'd also call M. Caneira and not bother w/ P. Ferreira (Caneira can do both R and L backs and can also play CD) B. Alves would be my 1st choice at CD off the bench, wouldn't bother w/ J Andrade anymore (he's been done!) and Veloso is an obvious choice too (can also play LB!!!). Would try C. Martins in some friendlies in the Deco role until the Euro and see how he responds. If Tiago doesn't play for Juve, don't bother calling him either... Add R. Meireles and Duda in the mix I'd also call Simao, Nani, Makukula, N.Gomes that's 22 players, anyone know how many will be on the squad?
GK Ricardo Quim Somebody in good form CB Carvalho Pepe Meira Alves or Andrade if he can get back and in form FB Miguel Bosingwa Ferreira DM/CM Manelele Veloso Maniche Martins CAM Deco Viana WM Ronaldo Quaresma Simao Nani CF Almeida Makukula Nuno Gomes A bit difficult to score on this XI ------------Ricardo------------ Miguel--Pepe--Carvalho--Veloso -------F.Meira---Maniche------ Quaresma-----Deco-----Ronaldo ------------Almeida----------- and difficult to stop this team -------------Ricardo------------- Miguel--Pepe--Carvalho--Bosingwa ------Manelele-----Veloso-------- Quaresma-------Deco-----Ronaldo -------------Almeida------------- and the one i'd like to see in a friendly --------------Ricardo---------------- Miguel----Pepe-----Carvalho----Veloso Quaresma--Manelele--Maniche--Ronaldo -----------------Simao---------------- ----------------Almeida---------------
I'd also like to see both Hugoal and Maku playing upfront, jus for fun. Then put Quaresma on the left crossing with his trivelas and Simão or Nani on the right. When the enemy is surrendered take one of the strikers and put Ronaldo to deal the final blow (i.e. an hattrick in 15'). Anyway, this team looks like it has the potential to be our best NT EVER. All we need is someone to play that goddamn #10. Without a #10 we could go with a 4-4-2 where Ronaldo plays behind Hugo.
C. Martins is very talented but I didn't even mentioned him cus I have no idea HOW good is he playing for Huelva. Does anyone here watched vids of him or something?
The best 11 in my opinion... -------------Ricardo------------- Miguel--Pepe--Carvalho--Bosingwa ------Manelele-----Veloso-------- Quaresma-------Deco-----Ronaldo -------------Almeida------------- and the one i'd like to see in a friendly -------------Ricardo------------- Miguel--Pepe--Carvalho--Bosingwa ------Deco-----Veloso-------- Quaresma-------Nani-----Ronaldo -------------Almeida------------- Anyone know how many friendlies and when they will start?
This is what I want to see in a few friendlies... Bosingwa -- Carvalho -- Pepe -- Miguel --------- Maniche ----- Veloso ------- Quaresma ---- Fernandes -----Ronaldo ------------- Makukula -------------- Subs: Nani Simao Tiago Almeida Deco However this formation is much more realistic...with respect to Euro2008 Bosingwa -- Carvalho -- Pepe -- Ferreira ---------- Maniche ---- Veloso -------- Quaresma ------- Deco --------- Ronaldo -------------- Almeida ----------------- Subs: Nani Simao Fernandes Makukula Miguel
GK #1 Ricardo - Real Betis, Spain #12 Quim - SL Benfica #22 Daniel Fernandes - PAOK, Greece DF #6 Ricardo Carvalho - Chelsea FC, England #16 Pepe - Real Madrid CF, Spain #3 Caneira - Valencia CF, Spain #13 Miguel - Valencia CF, Spain #14 Bosingwa - FC Porto #2 Paulo Ferreira - Chelsea FC, England #5 Fernando Meira - VFB Stuttgart, Germany #15 Bruno Alves - FC Porto MF #20 Deco - FC Barcelona, Spain #4 Miguel Veloso - Sporting Clube de Portugal #8 Petit - SL Benfica #18 Maniche - Atletico Madrid CF, Spain #19 Joao Moutinho - Sporting Clube de Portugal FW #7 Cristiano Ronaldo - Manchester United FC, England #10 Ricardo Quaresma - FC Porto #11 Simao Sabrosa - Atletico Madrid CF, Spain #17 Luis da Cunha "Nani" - Manchester United FC, England ST #9 Hugo Almeida - Werder Bremen, Germany #21 Nuno Gomes - SL Benfica #23 Ariza Makukula - CS Maritimo --------------#9 Hugo Almeida------------- -#10 Quaresma-----------------#7 Cristiano Ronaldo------ ----------------#20 Deco------------------------------ -----------#4 Veloso-----#8 Petit--------------------- #13 Miguel--------------------------#14 Bosingwa------ ------#6 Carvalho[Capitao]---Pepe/Meira--------------- -----------------#1 Ricardo----------------------- - 2 Attacking fullbacks in miguel and Bos - 2 Def mids Petit and Veloso -2 strong centre halves, Carvalho and Pepe or meira/alves whoever is playing better... will porbably be Pepe but we got alot of depth back there - Quaresma should be given the shot, but if he doesnt play well Nani deserves a go!! if not Nani can be super sub well be very strong attacking up the wings, trying to find the target man Hugo Almeida in the box.
GK: Quim, Ricardo, Moriera DF: Meira, Miguel, Carvalho, Bruno Alves, Bosingwa, Pepe, Tonel MF: C.Ronaldo, Simao, Maniche, Deco, Quaresma, Moutinho, Nani, Miguel Veloso, Petit FW: Nuno Gomes, Hugo Almedia, Makukula, Postiga ........................Quim...................... Bosingwa.....Pepe.....Carvalho.....Miguel ..............Petit.............Maniche......... .......................Nani......................... Quaresma...............................Ronaldo ....................Makukula....................... Also check out PFutebol.com
Carlos Martins was always the more commanding player when both were in u21, and he basically runs huelvas midfield by himself, but i havent heard form Danny in some months, he was very good too..very active playmaker..how did he finish the season in russia, and how high do you rate his quality with some players like moutinho etc?
Danny don`t play like Moutinho... or Deco... he player wich don`t bond to any position. he play like Totti several yers ago. Danny was awarded as a best player of Dynamo at this year!
I know, but I was wondering about his skillset, its been a while since ive seen him, and he was like what you mentioned, a active playmaker, im just wondering if he has added a passing prescence like moutinho/deco to his game, and how do the media/fans view him in Russia. I know midway throguh the season some media hype was claiming him to be one of, if not the top player in the motherland Also are their any transfer rumours of him leaving?