Comments on: The Return of the Absentees http://barcelona.theoffside.com/team-news/the-return-of-the-absentees.html News from FC Barcelona and the Nou Camp Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:31:45 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Elisa http://barcelona.theoffside.com/team-news/the-return-of-the-absentees.html#comment-11596 Elisa Sat, 05 Apr 2008 15:21:14 +0000 http://barcelona.theoffside.com/team-news/the-return-of-the-absentees.html#comment-11596 Isaiah I completely agree with you. Barça needs to stick with the cantera, scouting and one or two galaticos that's it. Last year's policy bringing all these big guns really unbalanced the team. That said, this summer is going to be one of the best transfer seasons ever. I really am chomping at the bit. Isaiah I completely agree with you. Barça needs to stick with the cantera, scouting and one or two galaticos that’s it. Last year’s policy bringing all these big guns really unbalanced the team. That said, this summer is going to be one of the best transfer seasons ever. I really am chomping at the bit.

]]> By: Kxevin http://barcelona.theoffside.com/team-news/the-return-of-the-absentees.html#comment-11567 Kxevin Sat, 05 Apr 2008 01:31:24 +0000 http://barcelona.theoffside.com/team-news/the-return-of-the-absentees.html#comment-11567 I think that Drogba's game is age-proof, a lot like that of Ronaldo at AC Milan. Look at the effect his old ass has. If all a striker has to do is take a lovely pass, turn and score, it makes a difference. Henry's game is predicated in part on his serious, serious pace. He still has it, but not like he once did. Used correctly, he's still very formidable. I'd say Drogba has at least two very productive seasons in him. He would feast in La Liga. But he will go wherever Mourinho goes, bank on that. Right on about Alves. Man, I hope the folks at Sevilla don't get all goofy on us with the transfer fee. I think that Drogba’s game is age-proof, a lot like that of Ronaldo at AC Milan. Look at the effect his old ass has. If all a striker has to do is take a lovely pass, turn and score, it makes a difference. Henry’s game is predicated in part on his serious, serious pace. He still has it, but not like he once did. Used correctly, he’s still very formidable.

I’d say Drogba has at least two very productive seasons in him. He would feast in La Liga. But he will go wherever Mourinho goes, bank on that.

Right on about Alves. Man, I hope the folks at Sevilla don’t get all goofy on us with the transfer fee.

]]> By: Ciaran http://barcelona.theoffside.com/team-news/the-return-of-the-absentees.html#comment-11564 Ciaran Sat, 05 Apr 2008 01:19:08 +0000 http://barcelona.theoffside.com/team-news/the-return-of-the-absentees.html#comment-11564 I don't think buying Dani Alves is a galactico approach. He is the best rightback in the world but has been Uber-loyal to Sevilla for four years and has no problem with ego. He is young and is still improving and has Puyol's workrate. Drogba is a different story. Replacing a "past-it" 28yr old with a 30yr old who is at his peak? I'm sorry but I don't get it. Surely we have to think a little more long term. We have already bought Henry 2yrs too late. I don’t think buying Dani Alves is a galactico approach. He is the best rightback in the world but has been Uber-loyal to Sevilla for four years and has no problem with ego. He is young and is still improving and has Puyol’s workrate.
Drogba is a different story. Replacing a “past-it” 28yr old with a 30yr old who is at his peak? I’m sorry but I don’t get it. Surely we have to think a little more long term. We have already bought Henry 2yrs too late.

]]> By: Kxevin http://barcelona.theoffside.com/team-news/the-return-of-the-absentees.html#comment-11556 Kxevin Fri, 04 Apr 2008 19:37:10 +0000 http://barcelona.theoffside.com/team-news/the-return-of-the-absentees.html#comment-11556 It's official, then. It goes from Kxevin to Justwinbaby! :D It’s official, then. It goes from Kxevin to Justwinbaby! :D

]]> By: john http://barcelona.theoffside.com/team-news/the-return-of-the-absentees.html#comment-11555 john Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:58:52 +0000 http://barcelona.theoffside.com/team-news/the-return-of-the-absentees.html#comment-11555 Since you asked, Chevie, I was okay with the grit of last season's finish because it made the title race exciting - one of the most exciting finishes in years in la liga. But if I could alter things a bit this season, I'd (honestly) be fine if Madrid were trailing the top by a handful, but playing the beautiful game like no other club. It's the same thing that must make being a Sevilla fan so rewarding: yeah, they're far behind the pack in points, but just watch those guys play! Since you asked, Chevie, I was okay with the grit of last season’s finish because it made the title race exciting – one of the most exciting finishes in years in la liga. But if I could alter things a bit this season, I’d (honestly) be fine if Madrid were trailing the top by a handful, but playing the beautiful game like no other club. It’s the same thing that must make being a Sevilla fan so rewarding: yeah, they’re far behind the pack in points, but just watch those guys play!

]]> By: ballbeav http://barcelona.theoffside.com/team-news/the-return-of-the-absentees.html#comment-11552 ballbeav Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:35:17 +0000 http://barcelona.theoffside.com/team-news/the-return-of-the-absentees.html#comment-11552 kxevin didnt say explicitly that he would accept the long ball, but he did essentially say -- winning above style. id rather win slightly less of the time and still play beautiful football. the english equivalent would be -- arsenal vs liverpool. if i were an arsenal fan, i would not accept playing like liverpool even if i could win slightly more games. hopefully footballing justice will be served and arsenal will go through, by the way. kxevin didnt say explicitly that he would accept the long ball, but he did essentially say — winning above style. id rather win slightly less of the time and still play beautiful football. the english equivalent would be — arsenal vs liverpool. if i were an arsenal fan, i would not accept playing like liverpool even if i could win slightly more games.

hopefully footballing justice will be served and arsenal will go through, by the way.

]]> By: Kevin http://barcelona.theoffside.com/team-news/the-return-of-the-absentees.html#comment-11551 Kevin Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:34:47 +0000 http://barcelona.theoffside.com/team-news/the-return-of-the-absentees.html#comment-11551 John: Muhahahahahahaaaaa! :D ballbeav and Colin, I know that the fans aren't going to take to long ball. And I'm not advocating a steady diet of long ball. I am saying that when teams pack the midfield and we can't play our beautiful game, we still have to win, instead of drawing. If even a few of those early-season draws were wins instead, think where we'd be right now? And ballbeav mentions Arsenal, and they're a great example. They can,and prefer to play the beautiful, passing game. But they can also score off set pieces (Toure, Gallas, Adebayor, Flamini). They can also score from long-ball feeds to Adebayor or Van Persie. I'm just calling for that same kind of versatility. I know that people see "long ball" and think "Uh, oh...." in contemplation of a steady diet of pitch-long, Beckhamesque passes. No way. I LOVE the beautiful game, and we play it more beautifully than anyone else. Problem is right now, that's ALL that we can play. Versatility is what makes long-term championship sides. Not sure how John feels about it, but I'd be willing to bet that the majority of Evil Empire fans wouldn't trade last season's championship for a prettier style. Yes, Capello was chucked for the ugliness. Schuster is prettier, but not by a ton. They aren't as pretty as we are, but they are seven points ahead of us. I'm just sayin', is all. And the Ronaldinho injury sounds a lot more specific this time 'round. Bummer. Even for me. John: Muhahahahahahaaaaa! :D

ballbeav and Colin, I know that the fans aren’t going to take to long ball. And I’m not advocating a steady diet of long ball. I am saying that when teams pack the midfield and we can’t play our beautiful game, we still have to win, instead of drawing. If even a few of those early-season draws were wins instead, think where we’d be right now?

And ballbeav mentions Arsenal, and they’re a great example. They can,and prefer to play the beautiful, passing game. But they can also score off set pieces (Toure, Gallas, Adebayor, Flamini). They can also score from long-ball feeds to Adebayor or Van Persie. I’m just calling for that same kind of versatility. I know that people see “long ball” and think “Uh, oh….” in contemplation of a steady diet of pitch-long, Beckhamesque passes. No way. I LOVE the beautiful game, and we play it more beautifully than anyone else.

Problem is right now, that’s ALL that we can play. Versatility is what makes long-term championship sides. Not sure how John feels about it, but I’d be willing to bet that the majority of Evil Empire fans wouldn’t trade last season’s championship for a prettier style. Yes, Capello was chucked for the ugliness. Schuster is prettier, but not by a ton. They aren’t as pretty as we are, but they are seven points ahead of us.

I’m just sayin’, is all.

And the Ronaldinho injury sounds a lot more specific this time ’round. Bummer. Even for me.

]]> By: john http://barcelona.theoffside.com/team-news/the-return-of-the-absentees.html#comment-11548 john Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:09:43 +0000 http://barcelona.theoffside.com/team-news/the-return-of-the-absentees.html#comment-11548 For the record: The idea of Dani Alves at Barcelona scares the shit out of me. For the record: The idea of Dani Alves at Barcelona scares the shit out of me.

]]> By: Colin http://barcelona.theoffside.com/team-news/the-return-of-the-absentees.html#comment-11545 Colin Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:32:03 +0000 http://barcelona.theoffside.com/team-news/the-return-of-the-absentees.html#comment-11545 Kevin, the culers are not going to take the long ball. If they see the ball sailing over Messi's head, they are going to get unhappy, fast, not matter how effective. That's just part of "mes que un club", culers stick by certain principles no matter what, and beautiful football is high on the list of principles. This is a sad end to the Ronnie era if it is the end. Reminds me of the end of the Rivaldo era, I hope Ronnie doesn't carry the bitterness Rivaldo seems to. The three R's have been the most fun players to watch since I've been a Barca fan. Kevin, the culers are not going to take the long ball. If they see the ball sailing over Messi’s head, they are going to get unhappy, fast, not matter how effective. That’s just part of “mes que un club”, culers stick by certain principles no matter what, and beautiful football is high on the list of principles.

This is a sad end to the Ronnie era if it is the end. Reminds me of the end of the Rivaldo era, I hope Ronnie doesn’t carry the bitterness Rivaldo seems to. The three R’s have been the most fun players to watch since I’ve been a Barca fan.

]]> By: ballbeav http://barcelona.theoffside.com/team-news/the-return-of-the-absentees.html#comment-11544 ballbeav Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:19:12 +0000 http://barcelona.theoffside.com/team-news/the-return-of-the-absentees.html#comment-11544 just please tell me no long balls , kevin. thats not why ive been watching barca all these years. i want a short passing game, and attacking. dont make me become an arsenal fan. im happy to suffer on the counterattacks, and im certainly happy to not have a drogba. dont like him and i have seen him standing around way too much, with a shitty look on his face. hes a clinical finisher and he turns well, but hes not my pick. anyways id rather wait to have this talk until the season is over. :) we *will* win silverware. just please tell me no long balls , kevin. thats not why ive been watching barca all these years. i want a short passing game, and attacking. dont make me become an arsenal fan. im happy to suffer on the counterattacks, and im certainly happy to not have a drogba. dont like him and i have seen him standing around way too much, with a shitty look on his face. hes a clinical finisher and he turns well, but hes not my pick.

anyways id rather wait to have this talk until the season is over. :) we *will* win silverware.

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