Comments on: Are we crazy, a.k.a. “Expectations make Baby Kxevin cry”

By: Kxevin

Kxevin — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:02:25 +0000

This is a brilliant piece about the effect that one player can have on a team.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/02/sports/playmagazine/02play-klosterman.html

If you change the name “Garnett” to “Messi” or “Ronaldinho,” you can get the picture. Summed up, one player, the right player, makes everyone’s lives easier, from eating and sleeping, to how they play the game. When you aren’t covering for someone, or when someone’s error because they’re covering for someone doesn’t throw everything out of whack, then it’s a big, beautiful world. Right down to sleep patterns. Very cool piece, for anyone interested.

And Isaiah, I thought for sure your lads were going down. Coaching and free throw shooting decided the game. First there was the crazy lob pass attempt which missed, then with 16 seconds left, they tried to score instead of just pulling the ball back out and resetting. Those two plays, then that absurd inbounds play, really showed the difference that coaching can make. Congrats, man.

By: Colin

Colin — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:19:29 +0000

Congrats, Isaiah, and what a game! You’ll remember that game forever.

I think if someone told us before the season that Messi, Ronnie, and Eto’o would all miss lots of time, that the team would have to juggle up front because of injuries and the African cup, and that Henry would only score 7 league goals, we’d be pretty happy to be hanging around in La Liga and have the inside track to the Champion’s semis.

This season is a glass half full or half empty: there’s all the chances missed to catch RM, and the frustrating play in the Cup semis. Then there’s the CL run, the emergence of Bojan as a legit forward at 17, and the outside chance of a late surge. It’s still up in the air.

I agree with JC that signing established, name players on the downhill hasn’t worked out great the past two seasons. Move Henry to FC Seattle or Man City, get some young and fast help along the back line, and this team is ready to go next season.

By: Ciaran

Ciaran — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 09:42:08 +0000

Not against Henry in any way but last summer was not the time to sign him. If he wasn’t signed two or three seasons ago Laporta should have moved on. The other were all bought at the right time and were good buys. They have been inconsistent but at times have shown promise.
I would very much like to bring down the average age of the squad though

By: JC

JC — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 07:25:20 +0000

I was so happy that we signed Zamby, coz he played exceptionally well at the world cup. He scored, he assisted, he fell down and drew the penalty..he did everything right, and I knew all of us expected he wud do the same for Barca, but that never happened..
I was no fan of Thuram, but since he was a World cup finalist, I said to myself, he must have done something right…but again …it never happened…

By: JC

JC — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 07:20:48 +0000

I somehow feel that, we need to buy players who have potential to be great rather than buying players who already have a good reputation.
If we look at the 6 signings over the past 2 seasons, the only person who has really played well is Yaya Toure..Who the hell knew him?

By: Isaiah

Isaiah — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 04:10:20 +0000

Holy. Shit. National. Champions. Oh. My. God.

Make a Kansas-style comeback in La Liga, Barcelona!!!! Make this the epic dream season for all eternity!!!

Oh my dear sweet baby Jesus I am so happy right now!

By: Jay

Jay — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 23:30:38 +0000

Messi’s injury really hurt the team when they needed him most. I know I always pick on Henry but when you havent scored a goal in 7 Liga games dating back to Feb. 16 its hard not to pick on him. Nobody stepped up and added that spark that Messi had. Gio was a huge disappointment. The only really bright spots this season was Bojan and Iniesta. Now all our hope lies in the Champions League.