Ronald Koeman

[Andresito]

How so? New coach, half new team. Atletico having season of the century.

Individual mistakes, lack of concentration. We've dropped many unnecessary points. Rarely been outplayed.
Even against Atleti and Madrid, losses could've been avoided. Maybe we wouldn't have won vs Atleti but a draw would be fair, and we had many chances to go ahead in the Real Madrid game before Lenglet did a Lenglet.

 

[soul24rage]

I think he is doing a good job. I really like his personality, honesty and he obviously is still trying and testing, but just the material to work with is weakest we have had in decades. Literally couple of mentally weak best before over vets, a few massively expensive flops and kids. It is not a balanced side by any means. Also, I do not really recall when we last time created so many chances, but just failed to convert them and then lost points as opponent had 1-2 chances entire game that they converted. Many of those chances have came from dumb invidual mistakes as well rather than wrong tactics.
Sure he has made a few questionable choices, his subs can be better, especially timing of them, but i would like to see him continue his work. Gonna be really tough anyways considering our financial status.

My thoughts exactly, also want to add that he is less stubborn than I thought he would be with his formation.

 

[JohnN]

Only real negative is he hasn't beat the shit out of lenglet for all the points he has cost us.

 

[serghei]

Only real negative is he hasn't beat the shit out of lenglet for all the points he has cost us.

Agreed. Lately, even Puig played more. No problems with Koeman these days. Even with Lenglet, it's not like we have Upamecano on the bench and he's not using him.

Some players are developing nicely under him. If we win Copa, develop players, and finish top 4, Koeman is well deserving of another year. Xavi will benefit anyway from the mentality that Koeman is instilling in these youngsters. I actually think it's a great feat considering the situation. Just treat the Copa as a major objective. Don't wanna see us treating it lightly, we're not in the position to do that.

 

[Horatio]

Agreed. Lately, even Puig played more. No problems with Koeman these days. Even with Lenglet, it's not like we have Upamecano on the bench and he's not using him.

 

[serghei]

I don't know why you are under the impression that I don't like Koeman. I was so excited when he signed . Hell, I've wanted a leader on the bench with balls for a long time.

Sure, maybe his football is not exactly my cup of tea, but he delivers in a lot of areas that I value.

 

[Horatio]

Anybody noticed our crosses behind backline improved? This team has potential of scoring goals easily.

 

[Richard.H]

Anybody noticed our crosses behind backline improved? This team has potential of scoring goals easily.

Again the issue is of not having a decent striker on the team. A few fixes could make this team a La Liga title contender (decent striker and replace Lenglet with a decent CB).

 

[JamDav1982]

Again the issue is of not having a decent striker on the team. A few fixes could make this team a La Liga title contender (decent striker and replace Lenglet with a decent CB).

A decent striker which fits the way the team plays. Not an older player like Zlatan, Aguero or Suarez otherwise talking about a different style and more of same as in past and no progress toward type of team need to be.

 

[serghei]

Anybody noticed our crosses behind backline improved? This team has potential of scoring goals easily.

Yep. This is because our midfielders make more runs in the box than before, often both De Jong and Pedri will keep advanced position when Busi has the ball in the build-up. The downside is that sometimes Busi is isolated and exposed.

 

[Horatio]

Yep. This is because our midfielders make more runs in the box than before, often both De Jong and Pedri will keep advanced position when Busi has the ball in the build-up. The downside is that sometimes Busi is isolated and exposed.

Not just talking about the long passes from the back, but also the ones from 2/3rd into the box.

I think they have been practicing it more and of course it helps we have a few new players that are technically gifted(Frenkie, Puig and Pedri).I have noticed since a few games now how well those lob passes or crosses are being executed.

 

[serghei]

I think it's also because of practice and we have a few new players that are technically gifted(Frenkie and Pedri).I have noticed since a few games now how well those lob passes or crosses are being executed.

Yea, and I expect Koeman to not instruct both Pedri and De Jong to venture so much forward vs PSG. I'd expect a more unitary and compact 3 in the middle. In this sense, we might see a more closed game than an end to end one.

Also, Koeman might be instructing them to do that because we lack goals due to no "9". So what we're doing is hoping some midfielders take over some of the burden of scoring from the forwards.

De Jong did this well. Pedri needs to improve his end product in terms of shooting, because he also has chances to add more goals to his tally.

 

[Horatio]

Yea, and I expect Koeman to not instruct both Pedri and De Jong to venture so much forward vs PSG. I'd expect a more unitary and compact 3 in the middle. In this sense, we might see a more closed game than an end to end one.

*slightly appended my post

 

[Barcilliant]

I think he is doing a good job. I really like his personality, honesty and he obviously is still trying and testing, but just the material to work with is weakest we have had in decades. Literally couple of mentally weak best before over vets, a few massively expensive flops and kids. It is not a balanced side by any means. Also, I do not really recall when we last time created so many chances, but just failed to convert them and then lost points as opponent had 1-2 chances entire game that they converted. Many of those chances have came from dumb invidual mistakes as well rather than wrong tactics.
Sure he has made a few questionable choices, his subs can be better, especially timing of them, but i would like to see him continue his work. Gonna be really tough anyways considering our financial status.

Yeah agreed.
I've always liked and supported him. The greatest compliment I can give him is we actually look like a Barca team again. We are playing better despite having an unbalanced squad. I agree with bringing in Garcia and Gini but not Depay.
It's a fucking tragedy we couldn't bring in Cavani. He would have been decent for two seasons.

 

[El Gato]

So small summary. Barca injuries:
Umtiti = fuck knows
Roberto = 3 weeks? back by Xmas?
Pique = back in Feb at best
Araujo = back coming week?
Ansu = back April?
Lenglet = possibly 2-3 weeks if it's just a twist/sprain, so back for Sociedad at best

In next 2 months Barca got:

1) Ferencvaros (already qualified in group so could play Barca B)
2) Cadiz (who scored 6 goals total this season and haven't won a game in 2 months, barely even drew)
3) Juventus (again, doesn't really matter, especially when likely beating Ferencvaros)
4) Levante (who barely played a tough game yet and they're miles down the table)
5) Sociedad (league leaders, best offense this season)
6) Valencia (absolute wasters who barely win, and never win away from home?)
7) Valladolid (2nd worst team in the league?)
8) Eibar (worst team in the league?)
9) Huesca (3rd worst team in the league?)
10) Bilbao (San Mames so could be tough?)
11) Elche (4th worst team in the league?)
** Copa games **
12) Bilbao (home vs a side that don't really score away from home? 3 in 4 at the moment)

If Koeman doesn't fuck it up by overplaying Busquets, rotates wisely, you don't get to unlucky with injuries, Barca would really be shit to not win everything here. Winter is notoriously easier to build streaks in recent 2 years for Barca & Madrid vs Liga teams. Doesn't bode well for CL as it'll lead to false sense of security, but come end January I think Barca will be league leaders by 3-6 points at least. A lot can happen between now and then, but that's where I think we'll be.

So, other than the league leaders part (having underestimated Atletico ability to keep the streak) seems it went according to prediction. Other than Eibar points drop and Valencia doing things on the day, but been cancelled out with beating then league leaders and now likely taking all points vs Bilbao. Players gradually coming back to fitness and goals coming from wide across the park in the league will likely see Barca in 2nd by the end of it. Not light on the horizon for Real as long as CKM is the starting midfield and Hazard is what he is.