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Can Gustavo play any positions other than DM?
Neal Faradinho
New member
CB, LB and CM
khaled_a_d
Senior Member
I like them ,but if we are playing them in their best position mostly
DonAndres
Wild Man of Borneo
Neymar has the capability to become a much bigger scoring threat fairly soon. Usually he's more of an on the ball player dribbling and cutting in to either shoot/pass but I think he's about to really up his game in terms of getting into deadlier goalscoring positions. We saw vs Betis that despite the fact that he was overall subpar in finishing and sometimes mistimed his movement, he kept making runs and getting in behind the defense. That type of ability is learned over time and what makes a player a consistent and reliable goalscoring option. With Messi out, he'll be a bigger focal point and refine his attacking capabilities to become a fairly regular goalscorer.
Alexis is currently in a great run of form, but remember that he's been this way since March almost. He's been scoring for both club and country consistently and even in the biggest of games. He's building a sort of permanent confidence that will help make sure that he isn't just running on thin ice with this hot streak but actually becoming a player that can reliably stay this good. Obviously he'll have dry spells just like anyone else, and he might not score to the same magnitude in the second half of the season for whatever reasons, but he I doubt he'll be erratic in form and be the same player of previous years that we could not depend on.
Sumlit
San Claudio Bravo
Good points. Messi's absence might just provide the perfect set of circumstances for this two to really evolve. The extra responsibility, freedom and increased prominence, combined with a soft schedule might just be enough to accelerate their evolution into more decisive players.
In any case, this season will be an excellent trial to determine which players improve, adapt and stay going forward, or which regress, remain stagnant and need replacing.
i_bleed_blaugrana
Senior Member
You and Sumlit are spot on. We wouldn't even be having this conversation if Messi was fit.
The timing of Messi's injury in particular is what makes it a blessing in disguise. With Neymar and Alexis getting regular service, they are sure to start scoring for fun especially with the relatively easy schedule we have for the rest of the year. Overall the team will naturally have to raise their games as a result of Messi's abscence.
I've never seen the need of buying another striker when our main striker now can score 91 goals in a year. Especially since, imo, we already have our "plan b" striker waiting in the wings. Dongou if given time could develop into exactly the kind of super-sub we need and with him being so young, he'd accept the role. Plus he's free. We've seen what Tata has gotten out of Bartra, Alexis, Cesc and Pedro (all players who have been severely inconsistent) and with some consistent time I think Dongou already has all the qualities we are looking for in a true 9.
Much rather us focus on securing another CB and the Valdes situation
Mythical Revolution
New member
IMO playing a striker makes sense from a tactical standpoint, not because we need someone who can score. In some games, playing Messi on the right rather than in the center may be the better tactical option, and Tata has certainly made extensive use of that option in big games (Milan, Madrid). The problem with that, though, is that with Messi & Neymar out wide we're left with no players who can play the CF role. I think before we go out and buy anybody maybe we can try playing Alexis in that role. Otherwise, I think Chicharito would be a good –not to mention– realistic option if we ever go in that direction.
B
beautifulgame
Guest
odd thing to say, modern football requires players to be able to play in multiple roles.
Not so sure about your ' claim ' on the Barca specific transfer section . As I recall ..... I started a 'discussion' rather than a thread - explaining how confusing it was for everyone to be posting who ' they ' were interested in / buying / selling and then it turned out that they were Ajax or Bayern fans , I thought it ODD to be discussing random / various teams in a BARCA transfer discussion forum and requested a Barca ' specific ' transfer thread
PS Maybe our guys are scouting IBRA !!!??
Yesssszzzzz !!!!
i_bleed_blaugrana
Senior Member
According to Bleacher Report, we are interested in Berba as a short-term striker replacement for Messi... 
Zubi is fucking clueless. I'd rather we get someone like Michu if we are going to try and lock down a PL replacement but this is just dumb.
Zubi is fucking clueless. I'd rather we get someone like Michu if we are going to try and lock down a PL replacement but this is just dumb.
Trickykid
Active member
According to Bleacher Report, we are interested in Berba as a short-term striker replacement for Messi...
Zubi is fucking clueless. I'd rather we get someone like Michu if we are going to try and lock down a PL replacement but this is just dumb.
First of all; Bleacher Report? Seriously? That site makes a certain banned site in here look sober.
Also, Michu? He would be absurdly expensive considering our needs, and I can't possibly fathom us being even remotely interested in him as it is.
I mean, Zubi bashing is understandably all the rage these days, but on account of a completely random Bleacher Report it just get's too much.
Galning
Moderator
Thirdly, "short term replacement" how? Messi is injured for 6-8 weeks, we already had one week, and the transfer market opens in... you guessed it, more than a month.
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