Rafael Márquez

[barcelonita81]

Marquez is way past his prime, and as someone had previously mentioned these should be his "golden years". I should be filthy rich.
I think maybe his friendship with Pep* or whatever connections exists there are overshadowing the reality of the situation...and that situation is you can't teach an old dog new tricks...obviously since his return he's a stumbling fool. I've never seen a defender playing with the match level he's been given the opportunity to play, act so aloof. I don't see any rhyme or reasons to keep giving him an opportunity downgrade the level of play for Barca. Cut the ties already. Expand our horizons and contract, matchfit, solid defenders maybe from div 1 teams in brazil of something. Our back line subs* are jokes compared to P & P (Rafa,Chgry, Milito- who may come along with time) until then, keep Pique and Puyol in all games...they are all important.

 

[diegomessi]

Marquez is way past his prime, and as someone had previously mentioned these should be his "golden years". I should be filthy rich.
I think maybe his friendship with Pepe or whatever connections exists there are overshadowing the reality of the situation...and that situation is you can't teach an old dog new tricks...obviously since his return he's a stumbling fool. I've never seen a defender playing with the match level he's been given the opportunity to play, act so aloof. I don't see any rhyme or reasons to keep giving him an opportunity downgrade the level of play for Barca. Cut the ties already. Expand our horizons and contract, matchfit, solid defenders maybe from div 1 teams in brazil of something. Our B squad is a joke, until then, keep Pique and Puyol in all games...they are all important.

first who is pepe?
second not to many strong center backs in braasil
thrid Our B squad is a joke?? what does that even mean? barca Athletic or our subs?

 

[barcetia]

Marquez is way past his prime, and as someone had previously mentioned these should be his "golden years". I should be filthy rich.
I think maybe his friendship with Pepe or whatever connections exists there are overshadowing the reality of the situation...and that situation is you can't teach an old dog new tricks...obviously since his return he's a stumbling fool. I've never seen a defender playing with the match level he's been given the opportunity to play, act so aloof. I don't see any rhyme or reasons to keep giving him an opportunity downgrade the level of play for Barca. Cut the ties already. Expand our horizons and contract, matchfit, solid defenders maybe from div 1 teams in brazil of something. Our B squad is a joke, until then, keep Pique and Puyol in all games...they are all important.

No one can play all games, and Marquez is there to keep them playing in top level for as many matches they can... I think you ment Pep right? He was a good defender last year and it's not his personal relationship that let's him play. He's been a great defender for us, stayed with us for a long time and plays wherever you'll put him without any complaint. Pep tries to get back the old Marquez who alongside Piqué plays phenomenal football.
Have patience with him and Chimi Churri.

 

[Metaphysical]

rafa is finished as a CB.

he can still offer something as a DM, and as an experienced presence in the locker room, so I think he *MAY* stay beyond the end of the season, but it's more likely he'll move on... probs to MLS.

 

[Barcaman]

I wouldn't write him off just yet, especially after he just signed a contract extension.
He was injured, then played rarely, and so on. Considering his history here and loyalty displayed after being suited by Milan and whonot, while never complaining about his status, he will get more chances and hopefully get back to what he once was. A quality defender.

 

[Metaphysical]

I don't think so, bojan, I think he's done at CB.

I mean, he's always walked that line between CB and DM anyway - really he's a sweeper or libero (he was godly for mexico in '06 in that very position). the reason he did so well for us in a flat back four is because of our style of play. but that time is over. he started with us as a DM, and that's how he'll finish. no one makes as many mistakes, as many points-costing mistakes, as he has done this first half of the season unless they are utterly finished at CB. for a stretch he literally had a hand in every goal we conceded.

the most topical was against osasuna, I'd say: we had kept a clean-sheet with chysus on the pitch in pamplona. then rafa came on to get some minutes, fucked up, and we conceded a last minute equaliser. then you look at the game in santander... and rubin at the camp nou... and sevilla on tuesday (okay neither goal was really to do with him but it's un-freaking-canny how goals go in when he's in the back four).

I thought he was violently good as a DM vs. sevilla, I think he can comfortably see out the season as a backup in that position.

 

[Co0ter]

I don't think so, bojan, I think he's done at CB.

I mean, he's always walked that line between CB and DM anyway - really he's a sweeper or libero (he was godly for mexico in '06 in that very position). the reason he did so well for us in a flat back four is because of our style of play. but that time is over. he started with us as a DM, and that's how he'll finish. no one makes as many mistakes, as many points-costing mistakes, as he has done this first half of the season unless they are utterly finished at CB. for a stretch he literally had a hand in every goal we conceded.

the most topical was against osasuna, I'd say: we had kept a clean-sheet with chysus on the pitch in pamplona. then rafa came on to get some minutes, fucked up, and we conceded a last minute equaliser. then you look at the game in santander... and rubin at the camp nou... and sevilla on tuesday (okay neither goal was really to do with him but it's un-freaking-canny how goals go in when he's in the back four).

I thought he was violently good as a DM vs. sevilla, I think he can comfortably see out the season as a backup in that position.

I agree with most of what you said.

Except for Marquez playing well as a DM last game. I'm not saying he played "bad", I'm saying I didn't see him play much, period. He was mostly a ghost imo, wasn't involved most of the game at all. He had the brilliant pass to Ibra for the goal but that was it. However if we are going to keep him, I rather see him as a DM sub than in the back four where he can make imminent mistakes that lead to goals. I can't, and dont want to see him as a CB anymore. The sad thing is, other than Puyol/Pique, Milito is probably my next choice...And we wont really need Rafa as DM with Sergi and Toure once he's back.

 

[barcelonita81]

Not to mention how dreadful he played against Atlante, the goal and all the bad passes ...why cater to him and start him- EVER, what a burden. Funny how to be more offensive Pep takes out Yaya Toure and put in Messi, and immediately I think OMGGGGGGGGGGG...whats gonna happen to the defense ---- NNOOOO!!! . Then within a few seconds I feel a sense of calm and serenity as Pique is subbed in for Marquez and once again the earth was thrust back into its correct orbital position.
Against Sevilla, let's be honest...he made A (one) nice pass to Ibra, and besides that...it was dreadful. He had no presence in the back, made no contribution, made a host of bad passes, and in the second half kept 4 sevilla players onside which almost lead to another goal, and made a pass to a sevilla player right on the border of the box. Not only that, he looks scrawny now, like during the injured time away he stopped working out completely. He can't muscle a fieldmouse off the ball now. I couldn't imagine being a Barca player and watching from the sidelines -- I mean, the sheer terror and torture of knowing all the hard work put in day in and day can fall by the waistside of one single player.
Sorry for being so dramatic...it's just that he isn't ready and doesn't show signs or ever being ready to set foot in Camp Nou or any other arena Barca are set to play in. All the time and efforts/monies thrown into him can be well spent scouting or working with other players or even playing yatzee.....

 

[Galning]

Maybe we can sell him to some NFL team!

Edit: stupid picture doesn't work

 

[mobster_1930]

OMG, he's playing like retard right now. We must sell him, this is really enough ...

 

[Gnegneri]

Haha, and people are complaining about Chygrysnkiy's performance versus Sevilla.

 

[ryuken]

Sell him to ? No 1 wants him.

 

[roll]

Cgygy is God compared to this guy He is disastrous this season.

 

[Poor_Sunyol]

I have run out of ways of saying the same thing!

 

[La Furia]

It should tell you how good Chyga is that Pep keeps starting Rafa.