La Furia
Legion of Doooom
No such thing!
Jordi Alba
- Thread starter Aryagorn
- Start date
No such thing!
Here's my take on the current state and the future of our defense:
I'm with Plip (and also those that constitute a very small minority) who think a purchase is not an absolute necessity, not atleast in the immediate future (or until we've explored all our available options - the La Masia grads). Whilst i'm not a big fan of Piqué, he's a fantastic defender, a formula we know works for us. He's shown to 've issues with focus in the past(remember the dinner with pep in 09-10), albeit an extended period this time, i've no doubt Pep's tutelage 'll fix him up whtver the nature of the current probem. I agree with Plip that we need to afford him the benefit of doubt and remain patient, not only because of his consistency and big performances in the past, but also his Barca roots. Our success is built around a local core, that is reliable, steadfast, and lives the Barca cause. It is cardinal to our success and 'll remain so. You can bring in foreign talent (however big) but there is no guarantee of success, for the Barca dynamics is an extremely challenging exercise. And the more years you're in to your playing career the harder it is to adapt, as the mind and body is less receptive to change/newer ideas and instructions. As much of a talent is T. Silva(even with his characteristics- pace, great in the air etc), there is no guarantee he'd work in our system. The dynamics of our play is unique, and its harder to apply unless its working is understood and embraced to the tee, and not everyone is up to the task. But the cantera isn't posed with such bottlenecks, and combined with the other common catalan binding factors, they've come to become invaluable to us. I'd rather look inside the factory first, than invest elsewhere. It's the approach Pep's always promoted, and as such i expect him to take the following course (for the defense side of things):
Muniesa, Bartra, Botía, Fontas, Montoya - outside Fontas constitute the immediate promotions, and the buy-backs. Ideally, Pep would like to incorporate them all in to the pre-season but with olympics interfering the plans, he'll 've to settle for whts available. And depending on his obervations either in the context of the pre-season/and olympics, he'll decide on his keeps, loans and sale. And also decide on a purchase. (be it alba, t.silva, criscito or whoever)
T.Silva(the only CB we've been linked to/the club shown interest in) could be bought regardless. And if that happens, it will be Rosell not a Pep initiative.
A Piqué-Masch partnership for next season has both its pros and cons. Like already mentioned, Masch has replicated Puyi with much conviction, and emulating the same on the bigger stage could only be a matter of time. BUT, if we 're using Piqué-Masch in the center, we need an Abidal or Abidal-like defender at LB. Alba would only weaken our defense shield, for one he ain't athletic or defensively solid as Eric, but also his small stature 'd make us further vulnerable(a weakness that exist already) to any aerial threat. Even Emery prefers J. Mathieu for his LB in the bigger/imp games. With Alba, we'd be reduced to 2 tall outfield players - Piqué and Busi, the latter being poor in the air despite his height. That effectively leaves us with only Piqué to defend crosses, and set-pieces. Masch has a great leap, and whilst that helps in uncontested interceptions/clearances, the bigger and stronger boys 'd always come on top in close fought aerial duels.
Basically, if we're playing Piqué-Masch as our first choice CB, Alba as our LB won't cut it. We'd need more height in the center. Either Piqué-Abi, or Piqué-Bartra, or indeed a new signing having this specific characteristic.
Another prob a lot of them 've failed to address is the imminent sale of Keita. This leaves us thin in the DM dept. Sure, Thiago can play there (but he's not a long-term soln., besides he'll be needed more in the attacking positions), and playing Masch as a regular CB, would leave us with no back-up DM unless we promote JDS.
Personally i'd like to see Abi and Adriano rotate at LB. And if Pep keeps Muniesa, even better. As that would allow us to play Abi in central defense as and when needed. Keep Masch as back-up DM/CB. Whilst Piqué, Puyol, Bartra, and one of Botia/Fontas rotate at CB. I'm probably in the minority but i don't think we really need to purchase on the defense front. Any new signing will take time to adapt, the same time could be used to integrate our la masia boys, and give them a fair chance before we decide to discard them completely.
Whatever the case, Pep knows better.
I'm with Plip (and also those that constitute a very small minority) who think a purchase is not an absolute necessity, not atleast in the immediate future (or until we've explored all our available options - the La Masia grads). Whilst i'm not a big fan of Piqué, he's a fantastic defender, a formula we know works for us. He's shown to 've issues with focus in the past(remember the dinner with pep in 09-10), albeit an extended period this time, i've no doubt Pep's tutelage 'll fix him up whtver the nature of the current probem. I agree with Plip that we need to afford him the benefit of doubt and remain patient, not only because of his consistency and big performances in the past, but also his Barca roots. Our success is built around a local core, that is reliable, steadfast, and lives the Barca cause. It is cardinal to our success and 'll remain so. You can bring in foreign talent (however big) but there is no guarantee of success, for the Barca dynamics is an extremely challenging exercise. And the more years you're in to your playing career the harder it is to adapt, as the mind and body is less receptive to change/newer ideas and instructions. As much of a talent is T. Silva(even with his characteristics- pace, great in the air etc), there is no guarantee he'd work in our system. The dynamics of our play is unique, and its harder to apply unless its working is understood and embraced to the tee, and not everyone is up to the task. But the cantera isn't posed with such bottlenecks, and combined with the other common catalan binding factors, they've come to become invaluable to us. I'd rather look inside the factory first, than invest elsewhere. It's the approach Pep's always promoted, and as such i expect him to take the following course (for the defense side of things):
Muniesa, Bartra, Botía, Fontas, Montoya - outside Fontas constitute the immediate promotions, and the buy-backs. Ideally, Pep would like to incorporate them all in to the pre-season but with olympics interfering the plans, he'll 've to settle for whts available. And depending on his obervations either in the context of the pre-season/and olympics, he'll decide on his keeps, loans and sale. And also decide on a purchase. (be it alba, t.silva, criscito or whoever)
T.Silva(the only CB we've been linked to/the club shown interest in) could be bought regardless. And if that happens, it will be Rosell not a Pep initiative.
A Piqué-Masch partnership for next season has both its pros and cons. Like already mentioned, Masch has replicated Puyi with much conviction, and emulating the same on the bigger stage could only be a matter of time. BUT, if we 're using Piqué-Masch in the center, we need an Abidal or Abidal-like defender at LB. Alba would only weaken our defense shield, for one he ain't athletic or defensively solid as Eric, but also his small stature 'd make us further vulnerable(a weakness that exist already) to any aerial threat. Even Emery prefers J. Mathieu for his LB in the bigger/imp games. With Alba, we'd be reduced to 2 tall outfield players - Piqué and Busi, the latter being poor in the air despite his height. That effectively leaves us with only Piqué to defend crosses, and set-pieces. Masch has a great leap, and whilst that helps in uncontested interceptions/clearances, the bigger and stronger boys 'd always come on top in close fought aerial duels.
Basically, if we're playing Piqué-Masch as our first choice CB, Alba as our LB won't cut it. We'd need more height in the center. Either Piqué-Abi, or Piqué-Bartra, or indeed a new signing having this specific characteristic.
Another prob a lot of them 've failed to address is the imminent sale of Keita. This leaves us thin in the DM dept. Sure, Thiago can play there (but he's not a long-term soln., besides he'll be needed more in the attacking positions), and playing Masch as a regular CB, would leave us with no back-up DM unless we promote JDS.
Personally i'd like to see Abi and Adriano rotate at LB. And if Pep keeps Muniesa, even better. As that would allow us to play Abi in central defense as and when needed. Keep Masch as back-up DM/CB. Whilst Piqué, Puyol, Bartra, and one of Botia/Fontas rotate at CB. I'm probably in the minority but i don't think we really need to purchase on the defense front. Any new signing will take time to adapt, the same time could be used to integrate our la masia boys, and give them a fair chance before we decide to discard them completely.
Whatever the case, Pep knows better.
F
Flavia
Guest
Yes... but a cb is still needed. I'd still go for T. Silva or Hummels, and rely on Muniesa for the LB sub.
Co0ter
Senior Member
Abidal is getting older and unfortunately his health is an issue. We have Adriano as the versatile, attacking type left back. If we're going to buy a LB we have to buy an elite defensive minded one like Abidal imo. You always want a defensive steel type player for the big games (since we got Dani/Adriano at right), with different options as needed. This is obviously what Pep prefers as well. Not sure the youngsters can provide that steel.
I love Masch, make him CB full time. But once again, Puyol is getting old (obviously keep him to rotate) and Abidal once again is getting older and has health issues, we don't know if he'll be available as a LB, let alone as an option for CB.
The fact stands- We need a world-class defensive LB or CB no matter how you look at it. To me, Alba is not that.
I love Masch, make him CB full time. But once again, Puyol is getting old (obviously keep him to rotate) and Abidal once again is getting older and has health issues, we don't know if he'll be available as a LB, let alone as an option for CB.
The fact stands- We need a world-class defensive LB or CB no matter how you look at it. To me, Alba is not that.
gingerless
Active member
time to promote grimaldo
FCBarca
Mike the Knife
At this point, summer is going to require both a starting LB and a world class CB...Villa's recovery will be linked to whether a striker will be needed, obviously, as well
FCBarca
Mike the Knife
Too early but I do think he's the future...2014 or 2015
Theconomist
New member
The thing most people seem to forget is that. WORLD FOOTBALL LACKS WORLD CLASS LEFT BACKS.
Abidal was without a doubt the best left back in the world.After that you've got Lahm who won't leave Bayern and then the difference between those two and the rest of the left backs is incredibly huge.
Abidal was without a doubt the best left back in the world.After that you've got Lahm who won't leave Bayern and then the difference between those two and the rest of the left backs is incredibly huge.
M
mitkoa7x
Guest
Marcelo
X
xaviniesta
Guest
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