Comments on: Another Match, Another Loss

By: Almendros

Almendros — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 17:32:28 +0000

Hallo Alma , for what it is worth, Tottenham are reported to making a bid, pity we didnt have Ramos instead of Koeman. He has taken Tottenham from the relegation zone to half way up the table,and drew with Arsenal 1-1 last week, that is a trainer.

By: Alma

Alma — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 15:23:10 +0000

I still don’t understand why Arizmendi is being played as rightback. I’ve noticed his work ever since when he played in Deportivo. He was a forward back then. A really good one. I can never understand Koeman’s decisions on the team. But then again, I’m still bitter about what he did with Albelda, Angulo and Santi. Did he get rid of Miguel too?

By: Almendros

Almendros — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 13:17:52 +0000

Koeman the ‘mole’ might strike again. He has asked for reinforcements but before that happens he has to weed out some more. It has been reported in the ‘Publico’ that he has pointed to Morientes as not giving much support to the team and then Miguel because of his night life. Edu and Zigic are also dubious. He is also not that convinced with Hildebrand but he will stay till the end of the season(well thats a relief).
Today’s “As” confirms some of the above because Badiola from Real Sociadad is meeting Soler today with an offer for Zigic. Valencia are asking 15 million for him but Real are thinking along the lines of 10/12 million. Probably a lot depends on his performance tonight.
Talking of which, the Betis trainer is not looking for a miracle and is saving his best players for the Liga match against Getafe.Well that’s the news …for what it is worth.Almendros

By: Elisa

Elisa — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 07:01:19 +0000

Baraja over Albelda??????? We are too damn predictable with no creativity. UGGGGH!!!

By: Javier De Roque

Javier De Roque — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 22:44:58 +0000

Zigic tries hard but man the post si his arch enemy. if he got half a point for every time he hit the post we would have won the last game

By: ricci

ricci — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 21:18:27 +0000

This kid Sunny has got tons of potential…Him and Banega make me worry a lot less about the future. I believe Silva will begin to show his class once this team starts attacking from all different angles. Right now he’s got a lot of pressure on him. The games I’ve seen this year have consisted of the midfield trying to get the ball to Silva/Joaquin and having them worry about scoring. They need help up there, and I think Zigic can give it to them. Our best lineup at the moment may very well be…
———–Timo————–
Ariz–Albiol–Marchena–Moretti
——-Banega—Sunny——
Joaquin—Silva—Vicente—
——–Villa/Zigic———

Really tempted to just start Vigic…guy’s a freaking monster. Let someone pay the GDP of Slovenia for Villa and get ourselves some proper CBs and a quality LB.

By: Doc

Doc — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 14:26:26 +0000

For all the heartache another defeat brings, it’s worth noting that this was a HUGE improvement on recent weeks.
Credit to Koeman for abandoning his woeful starting line-up experiment when he saw it wasn’t working. A little bit of luck and that defeat could have been a resounding away victory and people would have been talking about a corner being turned.
Personally, I think the lowest point has been reached (Bilbao) and it’s onwards and upwards for the rest of the season. Still need a striker (to Replace Villa when he inevitably goes) and a centre-half (to replace Ayala which Helguera certainly hasn’t done).

By: Cesar

Cesar — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 14:06:49 +0000

I forgot about Baraja. Probably because I didn’t even notice him! He’s so non-existent these days …

Speaking of Baraja, when Koeman wanted to go young, why didn’t he get rid of this guy? He jettisoned Angulo, Canete and Albelda, but kept this oft-injured midfielder? Hmm …

By: JJ

JJ — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 10:39:24 +0000

Once again, brilliant report.

I think Koeman needs to shape up, mentally we’re on the road. The team is going forward, Koeman is still on breaks.

Start with a proper formation and the results will come pouring in. The team’s ‘done’ it’s job, the one Koeman wanted to impose. Yet he hasn’t done his own job, which is pick a half decent lineup.

Zigic needs to start. Vicente needs some minutes, he will regain form if he manages to play 30 minutes in the upcoming 5 games. We need him badly, or at least, Joaquin does.
Joaquin at times is running all around, 4 defenders are on him each and every game *due to a lack of movement on the left side*

On Silva, well, he’s been disastrous this season. Lately he’s improving but there were a good 10-15 games in which Silva stood out, for being our worst (non-defense) player.

When Vicente regains form I expect him to replace Silva (unless Silva finds his form:argh:).

Arizmendi surprised me big time. He’s doing fine as a RB (better job than Miguel has for the past year or so:P)

Regarding Baraja, I though you’d want to comment on his performance. He was def our worst player out there (helguera close), 95% of his passes were off target. He was kept in the lineup cause he’s the captain and shall I say soul of the squad, but he was truly utter shit.

Banega will become a starter by next week, he’s our best midfielder for sure.

Starting Line-up:
Don’t you think we have quite a big amount of players for the 4-3-3.

Defense wise we’re very short of cover.
Midfield wise we’re ok (Banega-Edu-Sunny-Marchena-Montoro-Baraja)
For the 3 spots upfront we’re loaded.
2 wingers (Vicente-Mata-Joaquin-Silva) 2 have to be benched, and all are quality (yes even Mata).
Striker (Villa or Zigic? Zigic suits this line-up perfectly, Villa..not so much.

Btw, Moretti/Albiol had a freaking good game. I’m happy with their displays..

By: Daniel

Daniel — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 04:24:41 +0000

Agree with Cherry a bit, we were extremely lucky to have as many points as we did when QQ left. Because its late and I feel like being cliche and starting a debate, here’s the 11 i think Koo-man should start:

Timo
Arizmendi/Caneira Albiol Marchena Moretti

Baraja Banega
Joaquin Vicente/Silva

Villa Zigic

With Sunny replacing gramps in midfield when he gets a little more experience.