Aleix Vidal

[Flavia]

I agree. But with Roberto, the problem is that, while he's somewhat better in defence, he's really nothing special in offense (I still remember Valencia crowding Suarez & Messi a lot in the center when they won 2-1 on Camp Nou, and leaving Roberto on the wing free because he's not exactly an attacking threat). So we have to choose between Vidal, who's good in offense, but really bad in defence, and Roberto, who's a bit better in defence, but also not as good in offense. Really a "golden" choice to make.

That right side might be painful this season. Messi's game might also suffer. I really hope Lucho is breaking his head trying to figure this out.

 

[DonAK]

I agree. But with Roberto, the problem is that, while he's somewhat better in defence, he's really nothing special in offense (I still remember Valencia crowding Suarez & Messi a lot in the center when they won 2-1 on Camp Nou, and leaving Roberto on the wing free because he's not exactly an attacking threat). So we have to choose between Vidal, who's good in offense, but really bad in defence, and Roberto, who's a bit better in defence, but also not as good in offense. Really a "golden" choice to make.

You're right. Even when thinking about transfers, it's the same thing. Players who have a strong side and a very poor one too. Mostly young prospects who could develop their weakness, but that'll take a couple of seasons or so.

Alves leaving really fucked up. If only he stayed for one more season... :/

 

[Luftstalag14]

Indeed we are in a bind with regard to the RB situation. If I had to choose I'd go with Bob who defends better than Vidal at the expense of offering anything offensively and Messi's game. Do you No.1 job as a RB is more important in my opinion.

 

[KingMessi]

Put Bob at rightback, tell him to lock down defense. Let the right side of the midfield 3 link up with Messi more.

 

[Messi+Eto]

Don't know what to say about this guy anymore. .
looking like a signing that should never have happened
Lets just say we are in for one hell of a season this time.
I guess this mean Roberto would be our main RB in the CL. . . .
Seriously?

 

[Stric]

I'm starting to think that I'm going crazy, because I seem to be the only one willing to at least try Mascherano on the right. Sure, it could easily turn out a failed experiment, but that's what preseason is for. I just don't see why that isn't a logical alternative to more people, at least as an experiment. Mascherano could be our right-sided Abidal. Finally a defensive player on the right, for a change. I think we've gotten too used to Alba and Alves attacking simultaneously. We were lucky and well-equipped to make that work for as long as we did, but usually it doesn't work well. Even we didn't do it before Alba came along.

Mascherano could add some defensive stability on the right. Of course, we would lose the RB-to-Messi link we've had so far, but firstly, we don't even have it anymore as it is - the RBs we currently have aren't at Alves's level and wouldn't link up with Messi that well, and secondly, being a defensive RB, Mascherano would take some weight off of Rakitić's shoulders and give him more space to connect with Messi going forward.

At the same time, we'd be able to give Umtiti minutes and groom him for his future here.

 

[God Serena]

I'm starting to think that I'm going crazy, because I seem to be the only one willing to at least try Mascherano on the right. Sure, it could easily turn out a failed experiment, but that's what preseason is for. I just don't see why that isn't a logical alternative to more people, at least as an experiment. Mascherano could be our right-sided Abidal. Finally a defensive player on the right, for a change. I think we've gotten too used to Alba and Alves attacking simultaneously. We were lucky and well-equipped to make that work for as long as we did, but usually it doesn't work well. Even we didn't do it before Alba came along.

Mascherano could add some defensive stability on the right. Of course, we would lose the RB-to-Messi link we've had so far, but firstly, the RBs we currently have aren't at Alves's level and wouldn't link up with Messi that well, and secondly, being a defensive RB, Mascherano would take some weight off of Rakitić's shoulders and give him more space to connect with Messi going forward.

At the same time, we'd be able to give Umtiti minutes and groom him for his future here.

Mascherano is all about tackling with little regard for positioning. He wouldn't be the best option for a RB, if you ask me. And with him being our starting CB, the squad would be hurt without him there.

Roberto can serve as a defensive fullback but at least he can use his CM experience to help him attack.

 

[Stric]

Oh, I don't think he'd be a fantastic RB, but seeing that our alternatives are Vidal/Bob/Douglas, I'd be willing to give it a shot, at least. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work. Back to square one. Lucho gave it a shot with Bob, who's not a RB either.

 

[God Serena]

Oh, I don't think he'd be a fantastic RB, but seeing that our alternatives are Vidal/Bob/Douglas, I'd be willing to give it a shot, at least. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work. Back to square one. Lucho gave it a shot with Bob, who's not a RB either.

I don't consider Douglas an option, and by January I doubt Lucho will consider Vidal one, either. I truly believe we're going to see a B team callup get the position for at least this season if Roberto doesn't tie it down.

 

[Messi+Eto]

Why don't we just get a real RB from team B instead. .
These are pre-season games for goodness sake!
We have already been absolutely humiliated, might as well trow caution to the wind at this point.
Hey, on a second thought, Marlon?

 

[KingMessi]

Palencia for rightback over Marlon. Marlon is a centerback, let him develop as one.

 

[ZenI]

Who was a better defender; Song on CB or Vidal on RB? Well f*ck

 

[Andrew M]

I'm starting to think that I'm going crazy, because I seem to be the only one willing to at least try Mascherano on the right. Sure, it could easily turn out a failed experiment, but that's what preseason is for. I just don't see why that isn't a logical alternative to more people, at least as an experiment. Mascherano could be our right-sided Abidal. Finally a defensive player on the right, for a change. I think we've gotten too used to Alba and Alves attacking simultaneously. We were lucky and well-equipped to make that work for as long as we did, but usually it doesn't work well. Even we didn't do it before Alba came along.

Mascherano could add some defensive stability on the right. Of course, we would lose the RB-to-Messi link we've had so far, but firstly, we don't even have it anymore as it is - the RBs we currently have aren't at Alves's level and wouldn't link up with Messi that well, and secondly, being a defensive RB, Mascherano would take some weight off of Rakitić's shoulders and give him more space to connect with Messi going forward.

At the same time, we'd be able to give Umtiti minutes and groom him for his future here.

Is this a piss take?

 

[evilhita666]

I'm starting to think that I'm going crazy, because I seem to be the only one willing to at least try Mascherano on the right. Sure, it could easily turn out a failed experiment, but that's what preseason is for. I just don't see why that isn't a logical alternative to more people, at least as an experiment. Mascherano could be our right-sided Abidal. Finally a defensive player on the right, for a change. I think we've gotten too used to Alba and Alves attacking simultaneously. We were lucky and well-equipped to make that work for as long as we did, but usually it doesn't work well. Even we didn't do it before Alba came along.

Mascherano could add some defensive stability on the right. Of course, we would lose the RB-to-Messi link we've had so far, but firstly, we don't even have it anymore as it is - the RBs we currently have aren't at Alves's level and wouldn't link up with Messi that well, and secondly, being a defensive RB, Mascherano would take some weight off of Rakitić's shoulders and give him more space to connect with Messi going forward.

At the same time, we'd be able to give Umtiti minutes and groom him for his future here.

We might as well just play 3-4-3 and be done with fullbacks, hahaha... But seriously, I don't think Masch would be the man for that; even if Abidal was regarded as defensive, he still had ways to contribute in attack and I just can't see Masch doing that...

Also, considering that most of our games are against parked buses, having such a defensive-minded RB is not going to do us any favors... Alves could be shaky defending, but most of the time managed to get the job done, so giving up one flank in attack is not an option for me... Our RB should have a balance between attack and defense, and for better or for worse our best option right now is little Bobby, because Vidal and Douglas, well, let's just say they're are not up to par to put it mildly...

And finally, just wait for the first mistake for the angry mob to claim his head on a stick, he's still not a CB for some, hahaha...

 

[Behrox]

We might as well just play 3-4-3 and be done with fullbacks, hahaha... But seriously, I don't think Masch would be the man for that; even if Abidal was regarded as defensive, he still had ways to contribute in attack and I just can't see Masch doing that...

Also, considering that most of our games are against parked buses, having such a defensive-minded RB is not going to do us any favors... Alves could be shaky defending, but most of the time managed to get the job done, so giving up one flank in attack is not an option for me... Our RB should have a balance between attack and defense, and for better or for worse our best option right now is little Bobby, because Vidal and Douglas, well, let's just say they're are not up to par to put it mildly...

And finally, just wait for the first mistake for the angry mob to claim his head on a stick, he's still not a CB for some, hahaha...

3-4-3 could actually work out.

MaTS/Bravo
Masch-Pique-Mathieu
Busi
Rakitic-Iniesta-Alba
Messi-Suarez-Neymar​