Comments on: Barcelona – Getafe: 1pmEST GolTV

By: Jim

Jim — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 23:51:42 +0000

It’s as we were saying a few games ago. You can’t argue with Messi holding onto the ball too long. Apart from what he does himself or assists with he just lifts the whole team confidence wise. It’s the fact that he feels he can take on anyone and that he’s on our side that gives the rest the confidence to play great football. According to Sky he could have played at a pinch so its black marks to Pep for not at least having him on the bench to lift the team for the last 30 or so.
It was also sad to see Xavi ( who I think in the last two seasons has elevated himself to world class) and who didn’t play badly, just doesn’t have the ability to lift a whole team. I kept shouting at him to make those runs into the box until I started asking myself who was going to play the ball through to him. Certainly not Hleb, Keita, Bojan, Silvinho or Toure, Pedro is probably worth another look but isn’t going to cut it at this level immediately.

It gives me little ( well alright just a little ) pleasure to say it but too many people got carried away with the youngsters last year to the detriment of class, the summer replacements with the exception of Alves (who was ridiculously expensive but to be honest you need to pay ridiculous sums to improve on the barcelona first team) haven’t set the heather alight and if we are to do anything this year we need to hope Xavi, Iniesta and Messi can stay clear of injuries in the second half of the season. Henry, although declining rapidly in my opinion, still offers us a decent option for the second half of games but he may well head off in January.

Happily this result doesn’t really affect our chances but hopefully Pep has learned the right lessons. The workrate was still there but if the quality isn’t most teams can defend against you.

By: eklavya

eklavya — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 20:50:01 +0000

hmmm i just came back from where i had to go and read all the comments…luckily we were some good points ahead from the others.im going to watch the highlights now…oh and by the way hoffenheim have the same number of goals as us (37), so were having tied with them for the best attack in europe…

By: Hilal

Hilal — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 20:37:58 +0000

Hmmm, not a very good game for us at tonight. I think the main problem was the lack of width in the first half and I have to blame Peps choice of starters for this one. Not his best line up. Neither Hleb nor Bojan are natural wingers so I am not surprised they did not have good games. What a difference it was when Pedro and Henry came on! Is there still anybody out there who believes Hleb should play ahead of Henry on the left? Hleb is link up player, not a winger. He should have played Hleb alongside Xavi with Yaya in the holding position. Or maybe Guddy and Xavi. I dont understand why Pep likes to play with two defensively minded midfield players in games where the opponents stick 10 men behind the ball. We ended up lacking a lot of creativity in the midfield and poor Xavi had nobody to work off of.

On the upside we came out strong in the second half, only the woodwork and a spectacular save kept us from getting all 3 points. We are still top and we have a 3 point lead. This game will bring players and fans alike back down to earth ahead of a very important run of games.

Oh and Pedro looks very good. He really did give us some genuine width and put in some dangerous crosses. I think he should be Messi’s backup from now on. He gives us something slightly different.

One more thing….Sylvinho was barely on the pitch today (aside from that spectacular shot). When is Pep going to give Caceres a shot at left back? Surely he cannot be any worse than Sylvinho. From what I have seen of him so far he looks like he should at the very least be given a chance….god I miss Abidal!!!

By: Waleed

Waleed — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 20:33:11 +0000

Ciaran you missed one drop shot from Eto’o that hit the crossbar, a beautiful one

By: Waleed

Waleed — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 20:30:10 +0000

as if he was playing basket.. above the wall in an impossible angle and yet so strong!!
happy for him

By: Ciaran

Ciaran — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 20:28:32 +0000

Now I missed the entire first half but watching the video on youtube the goal looked like Puyol missed a tackle and Pique missed an interception before Manu curled a lovely shot around Valdes. Did I miss something else???

By: Colin

Colin — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 20:11:59 +0000

Ronnie scores another important goal for Milan, on a beauty free kick.

He’s the bargain signing of the summer so far.

By: Waleed

Waleed — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 20:05:57 +0000

good second half but it wasn’t enough,
i think the pep’s starting line up was awfull, and we should get our punishment for underestimating the opponent, a precious 2 points but we still 3 pts clear.
Getafi played a great match we should give them that one
forca barca

By: sid

sid — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 20:02:33 +0000

I Dont know how substandard teams like Espanyol (With cheats like Raul Tamudo), Getafe, recreativo manage to stay in such an elite league like La liga. They come looking for a draw, play rough, spoil the league, do theatrics and what not

By: Krish

Krish — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 19:58:41 +0000

goddamn we raised a stinker in the first half…
and fuckin Pato saves getafe’s ass again…