Comments on: Real Betis – Barcelona: Saturday 3pm EST

By: Corey

Corey — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 22:10:31 +0000

So now you all see why Lyon fans didnt have fits about letting Abidal go this summer? Then again they were pleased to see Grosso either…

By: John

John — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 21:59:25 +0000

Today is a good opportunity for the management to draw a line. It is obvious that the business model of “buying the biggest name” at each position is not a solution. The team, must play just like that a “team”. Barca has injuries, every team has injuries, so that is no excuse except to say it is also an opportunity for a bench player to step up, and we have bench players capable of stepping up. It is obvious that Rijkard’s method of motivation is to expect the players to provide their own, but ours do not. He is not a cheerleader, he is not one to kick a big name player’s ass when he is not showing the effort. Our team has no heart, is not hungry, and does not go for the throat. Our team expects the other team to roll over, when the Barca bus pulls up to the stadium.Those days are over. Almost all the teams have their Brazilians and are capable of making trouble for anyone.
Is it Rijkard’s fault? Depends. If the problem, and there is a problem, with the inner workings of this team, is something that he has not been able to control, either with his persona, or by being unable to convince management to back him in making a move, then he must go, but substituting him and thinking that is the solution, is wrong. This team has the names, but not the chemistry, in fact the chemistry is poisonous. We should have learned from those pussies in at RC that filling the roster with schoolyard hero names doesn’t work.
Oh, the line-From here on out, check the record, the performance in the remaining games, and then decide on new coach, players. If it as before, clean house.

By: Jay (Che)

Jay (Che) — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 21:29:52 +0000

whole defense sector was crap today. And that is Pujol’s fault! He must command the defensive line…not the keeper…not the substitute Thuram. This Pujol’s defense, he’s either going to take the team by the scruff or he’s not. Xavi and Iniesta don’t command the team either. No one does.

It’s always the first thing we think do to blame a bad defensive play, when the entire team is to blame, and the coach is ultimately responsible for their consistently bad play. Abidal has made mistakes, but he didn’t give up the second and third goals. He didn’t give up both goals scored by Almeria. There are eleven players on that field.

Abidal is such a dynamic left lateral defender he cannot be anywhere but on the field. No one mentions the numerous times this season he has bailed the slower central defenders out when they’ve been beat!

By: Jay

Jay — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 21:19:45 +0000

Its kind of hard not to blame Abidal to an extent. Very clumsy on the penalty and that other giveaway that Valdes luckily stopped. Valdes was the only reason 2 more werent added. Im liking Sylvinho more now. All the blame cant lie on him though. Yaya whiffed on a header on the edge of the box that resulted in a goal. Our whole defense sector was crap today.

By: Colin

Colin — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 21:13:13 +0000

Abidal was responsible for the first goal, the penalty, and the giveaway that Valdes saved him on. Thuram and Toure hung for one each.

The reason I jump on Abidal is he was solely responsible for the Almeria draw, and he opened the door today. It’s nice that he pushed forward, but if it costs this team road points, I’ll take Sylvinho, thanks.

By: Jay (Che)

Jay (Che) — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 21:00:31 +0000

Sorry, I didn’t mean to confuse anyone. I’m “Jay” also, but I’ll use “Che” to make it easier…

Players of the level of Barca deserve a better coach. Someone who can get his players to play. It’s a joke that Laporta and Txiki are not considering Mourinho.

What are they waiting for?

By: Jay

Jay — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 20:56:43 +0000

Abidal?! You guys want to blame this on Abidal? Pujol and Thuram (watch replays of Thuram on the last goal by Edu…what a joke!) are as out of position on these goals as central defenders can be. They are completely out of shape defensively and that is Pujol’s fault! He no longer commands the defensive line! Hell the whole team lacks shape and depend on athletic skills to win games.

Barca as a team this year is a joke and the buck stops at Frank Rjikaard’s desk. He must be fired. Joan Laporta and Txiki Beguiristáin are ruining Barcelona if they don’t immediately remove Frank.

Ha! Barca loses again! Way to go Frank! You’ve managed how many road wins this year?

By: Isaiah

Isaiah — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 20:55:26 +0000

Wow. I showed up for the second half only and what a mistake that was….Christ…

By: JC

JC — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 20:54:36 +0000

So we have dropped down to 3rd…

By: Colin

Colin — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 20:40:37 +0000

Looking for a hero…