Mavericky Puig

[Androutsos]

I thought he was straight up terrible.

Both him an Pjanic validated today why they are benched so often.

Honestly, rather Sergi Roberto as a midfield back up before those two.

 

[JohnN]

I didn't like his performance last night. Pairing him with Pjanic is not ideal though, as the don't seem to click at all. Busi had a terrible game too.
Furthermore, braith was in front and no one was making any kind of run. You could spot Puig in several instances waiting and looking for a through ball and nothing presented.
Our strongest 11 is getting more clear every time we play. Puig is currently better suited as a sub for Pedri, and the minutes he has been getting are just about right. He didn't deserve 5 dead minutes like he was getting before. This is now kind of ideal.

 

[BusiTheKing]

Thought he was pretty good in context. Was the only one creating momentum, pushing Betis back. Gave the ball away a few times but so did everyone else. Pedri certainly wasn't any better when he came on and he had the luxury of playing alongside Messi and De Jong in build up.

 

[vegitot]

Thought he was pretty good in context. Was the only one creating momentum, pushing Betis back. Gave the ball away a few times but so did everyone else. Pedri certainly wasn't any better when he came on and he had the luxury of playing alongside Messi and De Jong in build up.

Pedri as a pivot. Don't know Puig make to push back Betis but Barca can not even have a shot on target in the first half.

He would have another start vs Alaves to show if he can play from start or not before Koeman bench him for others.

 

[Windhook]

He made errors, played immature at moments, but compared to Busi and Pjanic's tragic performance he was the finest in this trio. He's more effective coming late in the game, brings some energy. The problem in prospect will be his physique, now that the hype about him gone we focus more on his weaknesses.

 

[Rory]

The same as with Arthur, as time passes, people realize more and more of his flaws.

Is that the same Arthur getting regular game time at Juventus? Sure not Juventus' best season but since he's been regularly playing they've won more and you don't start many games for Barca and Juve for being a shit player. Any chance to make it about Arthur and you're there ffs

 

[FinBarcelonafan]

He made errors, played immature at moments, but compared to Busi and Pjanic's tragic performance he was the finest in this trio. He's more effective coming late in the game, brings some energy. The problem in prospect will be his physique, now that the hype about him gone we focus more on his weaknesses.

He is a very good sub. He brings so much energy and determination, which is needed at the end of the match. That's perfect role for him now with Barca.

 

[Rory]

Puig is a player for a certain system and certain in game tactical needs imo. There's issues with him playing as a cm because he will:

- never win an aerial duel
- never win a physical battle
- he's not actually quick he just has small legs that look like they move faster

These three things are worrying for a CM in the modern game of pressing and counter-pressing. Rotational role with Pedri and a squad level player would be fine for him. I'd keep him away from the middle of the pitch though

 

[Joan]

Arthur is certainly not a bad player, clubs he's played for prove it. But not a very good one either. Some here hoped he'd become world class, one of the best in the world.

That said, Puig should be over the moon if he ever reached Arthur's level. Think midtable Primera team will be his peak.

 

[fergus90]

I think Puig should go on loan next summer, somewhere he will end up playing week-in, week-out and will be forced to front his weaknesses head-on.

You cannot doubt his mentality to suceed and the passion is there but bit-part minutes over a season will never iron out the creases.

 

[BBZ8800]

Is that the same Arthur getting regular game time at Juventus? Sure not Juventus' best season but since he's been regularly playing they've won more and you don't start many games for Barca and Juve for being a shit player. Any chance to make it about Arthur and you're there ffs

The context about Arthur was when he came:
1. The next Xavi
2. 2nd best midfielder in the world

Also, in his opening matches, people were blinded:
1. All good things were multiplied
2. And all flaws were brushed off with excuses:
1) he is young
2) he just came to Europe, he needs to adjust
3) he has stamina issues due to an injury at Gremio
4) he gets tired after 55 minutes because he runs like crazy in the first 55 minutes
5) he is not playing forward passes because of EV, Busi, Rakitic and attackers who barely move off the ball
6) he is not making interceptions because he is pressuring the opponents, he is forcing them to make mistakes and then Busi and Raki are statpadding defensive stats due to Arthur's effort
7) media is lying about his lifestyle issues

So, during times when fans are hyped, blinded and desperate:
1. Every good thing gets overblown
2. And every flaw gets brushed off or you get silly excuses

Look at excuses for Puig:
1. you can't play well alongside Busi and Pjanic
2. He is not defending because he is making a pressure high up the pitch
3. He doesn't need physique because the opponents can't get near him, lol
4. He doesn't need to shoot, he just needs to control the matches

In that sense, Arthur's and Puig's path on Barcaforum are quite similar.

Remember the hype when Arthur came and the collective trashing of him when we were selling him.

From GOAT to WOAT.

You can expect the same about Puig in a year or two because he is several levels weaker player than Arthur.

 

[Rory]

Broken record. Everyone knows what people really thought about Arthur. He was seen as having a similar play style to Xavi to begin with but then people realised he wouldn't reach that level and calmed down. People wanted him to be used in the tactical situations that were crying out for his skillset, instead he wasn't, which was frustrating.

 

[FinBarcelonafan]

The context about Arthur was when he came:
1. The next Xavi
2. 2nd best midfielder in the world

Also, in his opening matches, people were blinded:
1. All good things were multiplied
2. And all flaws were brushed off with excuses:
1) he is young
2) he just came to Europe, he needs to adjust
3) he has stamina issues due to an injury at Gremio
4) he gets tired after 55 minutes because he runs like crazy in the first 55 minutes
5) he is not playing forward passes because of EV, Busi, Rakitic and attackers who barely move off the ball
6) he is not making interceptions because he is pressuring the opponents, he is forcing them to make mistakes and then Busi and Raki are statpadding defensive stats due to Arthur's effort
7) media is lying about his lifestyle issues

So, during times when fans are hyped, blinded and desperate:
1. Every good thing gets overblown
2. And every flaw gets brushed off or you get silly excuses

Look at excuses for Puig:
1. you can't play well alongside Busi and Pjanic
2. He is not defending because he is making a pressure high up the pitch
3. He doesn't need physique because the opponents can't get near him, lol
4. He doesn't need to shoot, he just needs to control the matches

In that sense, Arthur's and Puig's path on Barcaforum are quite similar.

Remember the hype when Arthur came and the collective trashing of him when we were selling him.

From GOAT to WOAT.

You can expect the same about Puig in a year or two because he is several levels weaker player than Arthur.

Some of your listed things are valid things to say. I don't see anything wrong. I would say most of them were valid at some point, but turned out to be wrong.

 

[Bobo32]

Arthur was never really used in the right system, and was never really given trust.
It is correct that Puig, like Busquets, Xavi and Iniesta as well, probably needs the right system to thrive.
Barcelona can probably keep being better than Valencia once the goat retires, if they play the same way and by the same rules as anybody else, but I'm not very sure about it.
By going all out on playing a certain way, Barcelona can keep being a great club. Reading the solutions you users give is quite shameful - to buy Upamecano, Haaland, Depay and Wijnaldum to solve everything.

 

[Gnidrologist]

BBZ got off his meds again. And of course another case of overreaction after a single mediocre match, while playing among makeshift squad of very bad quality players. Basically every thread has these moments, but some have more pronounced contrast in change of attitudes.