Re: The Football Chat (cont) : Sat Apr 21, 2012 8:21 pm  

Dita's Slot Meter wrote:

Surely Pardew is more realistic an England manager than Redknapp will ever be??

No, he's even less realistic. The only difference is that his bubble hasn't burst yet and Redknapp's hopefully has.

Re: The Football Chat (cont) : Sat Apr 21, 2012 9:17 pm  

Gandy wrote:

Great result for Madrid tonight to get the result at Camp Nou, really have been the best team in La Liga all season!

They've been good, I think Barca have been their own worst enemy in ways. They are a class side, but they've been thin in defence for a few years now. Milito, Marquez and Toure have all left over recent years, all of them being back up defenders (Toure obviously a midfielder, but he could play there). Last summer, they went out and signed Alexis and Fabregas, for me it should have been one or the other, with the other priorities being left back and central defence.

When everybody's fit, they clearly have the best first XI in world football by some distance, but their problems have been evident once they lose Villa, Abidal, Pique and so on. They've brought on some younger players this season which is always good for the future, but if they don't go out and sign a couple of centre halves and a couple of versatile defenders, they will struggle to get back to the lofty heights they've set themselves.

Re: The Football Chat (cont) : Sat Apr 21, 2012 9:35 pm  

Without the goals and assists of Ronaldo and Messi in La Liga, Real Madrid would still be 1st and Barça would be 6th.

Re: The Football Chat (cont) : Sat Apr 21, 2012 9:56 pm  

Catalancs wrote:

Without the goals and assists of Ronaldo and Messi in La Liga, Real Madrid would still be 1st and Barça would be 6th.

Great stat that, most people say with Ronaldo there a 1 man team. Goes to show how well the teams done this season!

Re: The Football Chat (cont) : Sat Apr 21, 2012 10:13 pm  

Lord God Jose Mourinho wrote:

No, he's even less realistic. The only difference is that his bubble hasn't burst yet and Redknapp's hopefully has.

I was being a tad sarcastic, in that if you can make a case for Redknapp, with his so called managerial 'acheivements', then you can easily make a similar case for Pardew, who has done no worse (or better) than Harry, in his career.

To be fair, Pardew's bubble did burst when he relegated Charlton (most Charlton fans laugh at suggestions of Pardew's 'greatness'), and he has done well to come back at Newcastle in the manner he has - Harry has never really had a bubble to burst, he's always been vastly overrated by the London-biased media and the Tottenham demise has simply served to highlight this.

Re: The Football Chat (cont) : Sat Apr 21, 2012 10:43 pm  

Catalancs wrote:

Without the goals and assists of Ronaldo and Messi in La Liga, Real Madrid would still be 1st and Barça would be 6th.

Madrid have the best squad in the world and the second best first XI. I don't think anyone can deny their league form this season has shown that, but I still think that, if both Barca and Real had a fully fit side for the CL final, Barca would walk out winners by two or three.

Re: The Football Chat (cont) : Sun Apr 22, 2012 8:26 am  

Barça were only missing David Villa last night and came up short at home. They are the best two sides in Europe who, in my opinion are capable of beating each other on any given day. The difference this season has been Madrid's determination and ability to get that late, scrappy or undeserved winner against the likes of Rayo or Betis. I can't stand the bloke but I thought Pepe was outstanding last night. He's still useless coming out with the ball at his feet, but at his best he's virtually impossible to get past (insert your own Kung-Fu jokes). As a United fan it was bittersweet watching Ronaldo. He's still an arrogant prick but somehow Mourinho has managed to get him working for the team as opposed to with them. If Cristiano Ronaldo scores against Mallorca, he'll become the first player in the history of the Spanish first division to have scored against every team in the same season.
Why Guardiola didn't start with Pedro, Fàbregas and Alexis I'll never know. Adriano is a good squad player and the poor lad, Tello looked a bag of nerves. A huge mistake by a manager who yet again showed he lacks an effective plan B.

36 points between 1st and 3rd now. The team that embarrassed United, twice, are currently 43 points behind Madrid.

Re: The Football Chat (cont) : Sun Apr 22, 2012 8:48 am  

Catalancs wrote:

Barça were only missing David Villa last night and came up short at home.

Where was Pique? Abidal? Barca aren't the greatest defensively with a full strength side, take away two of their first choice and they'll clearly struggle. As I said, Madrid have the best squad and probably the second best side, but a full strength Barca are still better than them.

Re: The Football Chat (cont) : Sun Apr 22, 2012 9:16 am  

Pique was on the bench, wasn't he? I'll give you Abidal.

Re: The Football Chat (cont) : Sun Apr 22, 2012 9:54 am  

I think its pretty obvious.....If you can restrict Messi's effectiveness, which, I admit, is easier said than done, you are most of the way to beating Barca - Without Messi, they are Arsenal, all pretty patterns, but little penetration.

As for Madrid, like it or not, Mourinho has made them almost English.....The steel that he instilled in those Chelsea title winning sides, is there for all to see - Jose is a master of grinding results....his sides aren't neccessarily pretty, but, they contain a couple of flair players who will provide the magic to go beside the grit.