Marc Bartra

[KingMessi]

True. True.

 

[JamDav1982]

We played him against Bayern which didn't end well, but that hasn't quite dented his confidence has it?

So you think he should be played at RB against Real?

He was not on the same level last season as he has shown this season and was not being talked of in the same way. He looks more confident now than ever before, more to lose now from a bad performance.

 

[footyfan]

Nah, I don't think he should, just providing a counter-argument that things are rarely ever so straightforward

 

[JamDav1982]

Nah, I don't think he should, just providing a counter-argument that things are rarely ever so straightforward

I agree with that but just think that against Bayern he had nothing to lose really, he was thrown largely due to injuries and was not really seen as a first team player.

To drop Alves for him and put him directly up against Ronaldo at a time when he is looking super confident and starting to establish himself is a different ball game and has more to lose.

Its not certain clearly but it is another reason why it doesn't seem to make much sense for me.

 

[TornAndFrayed]

JamDav i never said i wanted to see Bartra play as RB against Real Madrid, i would not feel confident about that.
What I said is that we need to avoid playing with two attacking fullbacks.
Now, playing Bartra in central defense could allow Puyol to play as a conservative RB, or open other options that I didn't think about.

 

[Aryagorn]

He is not ready to play RB against Madrid and its debateable whether he will ever be good enough to play RB.

Playing him there now against Ronaldo would be such the wrong thing to do. You would be putting him up against the best player in the world he could face in that position at a time where he is building confidence and momentum. A bad game in unfamiliar position in the top team against Ronaldo and Madrid could destroy all the progress he had made.

The idea is a total non starter.

If we can't play Bartra there, so be it... We will play Puyi in that position and Bartra woulod step up in the centre of the defense in his stead. Hopefully, Benzema's confidence is so low he wouldn't really do much damage against Bartra! Besides, we need some aerial strength when facing the likes of CR7, Ramos, Pepe, etc. in set-pieces

JamDav i never said i wanted to see Bartra play as RB against Real Madrid, i would not feel confident about that.
What I said is that we need to avoid playing with two attacking fullbacks.
Now, playing Bartra in central defense could allow Puyol to play as a conservative RB, or open other options that I didn't think about.

yeah... this^^

 

[Semi-Neutral]

I hate to see it, but Puyol would be a dozen times worse than any other player at right back, Ronaldo could just kick and run and get past him every time. And just imagine something like this happening again...

 

[Aryagorn]

I hate to see it, but Puyol would be a dozen times worse than any other player at right back, Ronaldo could just kick and run and get past him every time. And just imagine something like this happening again...

It so happened once... But Puyi would definitely be able to do better this time after the lot of rest he got. Besides, di Maria is a better dribbler than CR7 is

 

[Jadentheman]

He's only known for his awful looking stepovers. There are tons of people better than him at dribbling

 

[Elite-BkD]

Yeah, I'm sure Puyol isn't sufficiently intelligent and experienced to face an attacker who has him beat on pace. It would surely catch him off guard and he'd look clueless.

...

 

[Cule4life]

We wouldn't be having this discussion if Montoya had enough playing time. People seem to forget how well he did against CR7 in his last clasico

 

[karthik]

Would be interesting to see Marc's role in the team after Mascherano and Puyol recovers completely. He has been receiving a lot of spot light especially after Mascherano's injury and I have a feeling that he will be the back up for Pique.

Puyol ( Mascherano ) i Pique ( Bartra )

 

[Cule4life]

Would be interesting to see Marc's role in the team after Mascherano and Puyol recovers completely. He has been receiving a lot of spot light especially after Mascherano's injury and I have a feeling that he will be the back up for Pique.

Puyol ( Mascherano ) i Pique ( Bartra )

I want pique to be bartra's backup

 

[KingMessi]

I want pique to be bartra's backup

Amen to that. arty1:

 

[karthik]

I want pique to be bartra's backup

Its not about who is who's back ups. Its about who can be the best option for the club

I understand the adrenaline rush regarding Bartra. Even I like the player, but I feel there are certain aspects in which he has to improve. For instance, he easily gets dragged by the center forward of the opposition as high as the middle of the pitch when we are defending, leaving gaps in the back. I have noticed this quite a few times.

Gerard on the other hand, is a great player who is not performing at his level. Its disheartening to see such a wonderful defender getting beaten by every tom dick and harry around. He still has the experience factor ahead of Bartra and partnered with Puyol and a defence covering Busquets, we may see him recover that level.

Bartra is slowly proving to be a able back up at a club of our level and I hope he gains the trust of the coaching staff soon to start big games.