...The bitching and moaning part is just anoying and extremely repetative. The hatefull part, some fuckers here display is just psychotic and i would love to slap around any idiot who wishes a player to get hurt, just so he wouldn t play.
Also, i guarantee you, there is plenty of hypocrisy to go around inside the circle of moaning assholes. You just don t see it.
Seconded
"Not a fan of the Busi-Rakitic pair these days, especially Rakitic. Both are declining and sadly having both them on the field together these days is hurting us on a mobility standpoint and often teams are easily getting through them a bit too easily now.
Rakitic's main strengths were always in energy, long balls, and tactical aspects and provided some goals from the Midfield as well. He was never that protagonist kinda guy but always a support player.
He's better off playing as a regular DM now in Busi's spot than as a CM in our system." (this is from a Barcelona fan)
"I've also noticed Rakitić's seeming lack of energy this season, but it might just be the absolutely absurd number of minutes he's played during last season, continued in the WC, and then again this season. If Valverde could actually manage his minutes instead of him playing all the bloody time he would probably look fresher/better, to what extent we can only guess obviously"
"Rakitic is more mature but Arthur is already a fairly intelligent player in his own right. His pressing resistance already puts him ahead of Rakitic IMO. He's more of a Xabi Alonso type of MF nowadays. A player that has brilant passing skills but should avoid the opposition's pressing. As someone already said, he fits much better into Busquet's role now."
"Rakitic and Busquets are both good but not if they play together, then the midfield becomes too static. We are better when only one of them plays."
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I agree with a lot of this sentiment. But I would say it is equally a Busi complaint as Rakitic. I also think as Arthur and Vidal are new to the squad, new shiny thing, there is a bit over hype of the difference they are likely to make relative to the other two, and less attention to weakness. I have watched Vidal a lot, and I was happy with the move to acquire him. But I also recognize of these 4 he is probably the most likely to get a red card (rashest player) and his accuracy is not Rakitic and especially Busi level. Arthur looks like a great signing and brings some ball control and movement perhaps already ahead of all 3 in his 1st time in top flight football. But he also has never had to react and cope with the intensity and physicality of a CL knockout round. There also is a lot of statistical evidence he is the least effective of the 4 when opponents have the ball. They all have warts and concerns, they all should be played. Personally I think Couts should get some time in the midfield too--but that is too late to implement this year, plus there is nothing wrong with him being able to lesson the forward minutes. Having 4 capable forwards is a good thing 4-3-3, as is 4 capable midfielders.
One final thing, let's look at whoscored overall metrics, here is for league
https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/65/Show/Spain-Barcelona, here is for the CL matches
https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/65/Show/Spain-Barcelona Now I am not saying these are complete pictures, you should use an eyeball test too. But guess who are ahead of these 4, Busi/Rakitic are 1/2 and 2/1, and Arthur and Vidal are 3/4 and 4/3. So which is more likely, this metric systematically is biased against players attributes like those Arturo and Arthur have, or are quite a few fans in this forum biased against Rakitic and Busi--are they confirming what they want to see because they like the shiny new thing or hold resentments toward specific players, for whatever reason? I know which possibility I think is more plausible, FYI here is the WhoScored.com Ratings defined "are based on a unique, comprehensive statistical algorithm, calculated live during the game. There are over 200 raw statistics included in the calculation of a player'’s/team’'s rating, weighted according to their influence within the game. Every event of importance is taken into account, with a positive or negative effect on ratings weighted in relation to its area on the pitch and its outcome."
I will reiterate again I think Barca is much greater position having 4 roughly equivalent midfielders--each with strengths and weaknesses. The 3 vets absolutely should be rotated and limited to have them peaking physically for the quarters/semis/final of the CL. Arthur I would be fine with him getting 70 minutes of La Liga play EVERY MATCH he is healthy because he is younger and can benefit directly from that experience. But I can just see all the moans come CL quarters with Arthur starting on the bench (but likely to get playing time) because we want to ease him in those moments and want to reduce the likelihood of a mistake from inexperience in that kind of pressure. Now if Arthur continues to improve and his whoscored metric (objective) and eye test (subjective) start blowing Rakitic and Vidal out of the water--by all means he could earn those starts. Let it play out. I know letting it play out and trying to be objective and balanced doesn't get the attention in a fan group than bashing players or hyping up others out of proportion, what can I say, the former is how I look at things and I can see a good share of this board also aims for fairness and respect for new players and old alike, whatever best serves the club.
