Xavi Hernández

[DonAK]

I don't know if the problem of lacking speed is due to the fitness level or physical preparedness, the players we have or our innate style. I think it is everything but the last one is a decisive one. Even speedy wingers slow down when they come here, I feel.

We have only signed one of those last few years and that guy's inconsistent ball control and first touch often lets him down.

 

[Luftstalag14]

We have only signed one of those last few years and that guy's inconsistent ball control and first touch often lets him down.

I was thinking about Malcolm, remembering being frustrated often to see him slowing down in the final third, as I wish he would have dashed to the byline.

 

[SmilerBam]

I mean we do create chances, I saw we have highest goal expectancy in the league, it's just that our finishing is just so spineless, I don't understand what is wrong with our players, I wonder if Haaland came here would he also become another beta whos scared to of scoring.

Enough with beta/alpha shit. Our team just doesn't have enough quality. End of story.

 

[SmilerBam]

True and yet people say he didn't deserve Bdor. He was Barca.

Tell that to Serghei, BarcaOG and others. They were sure without Messi, we will be bestest of all.

 

[SmilerBam]

Xavi is at the level of this season's Koeman and possibly better. But last season's Koeman comfortably better than Xavi, so far.

In the end, I don't think he has the X-factor I was looking for. He'll be EV/Koeman tier IMO.

And you say that after 5 games, having this shit squad. Okay.

 

[KingLeo10]

And you say that after 5 games, having this shit squad. Okay.

He's repeating many of the same mistakes as EV and Koeman did. I'm not expecting miracles or even a top 4 this season (he was in a big hole to begin with). But a manager with the X factor should at least be able to have a semblance of playing identity. I don't see it so far. I could be wrong but I don't have a good feeling about how this will pan out.

 

[SmilerBam]

He's repeating many of the same mistakes as EV and Koeman did. I'm not expecting miracles or even a top 4 this season (he was in a big hole to begin with). But a manager with the X factor should at least be able to have a semblance of playing identity. I don't see it so far. I could be wrong but I don't have a good feeling about how this will pan out.

It's really to soon for making a judgement. People have no patience nowadays. Sir Alex didn't had a single trophy at United in his first years.

 

[messi2140]

Was wondering where Xavi was channeling all that clapping power while playing really bad and still end up losing . Well , Benzema just got injured.

 

[JamDav1982]

It's really to soon for making a judgement. People have no patience nowadays. Sir Alex didn't had a single trophy at United in his first years.

Can judge on games to date.

Doesnt mean Barca wont get better in time or when players come back but in these past few games whatever Xavi is asking players to do is not working.

 

[SmilerBam]

Can judge on games to date.

Doesnt mean Barca wont get better in time or when players come back but in these past few games whatever Xavi is asking players to do is not working.

We can judge these games in particular, but it s really to soon to make an assumption on Xavi the coach. He needs time and hopefully some cash in the summer and then i ll judge him more harshly.

 

[malvolio]

I'm going to go the Birdy way and look at xG to understand what happened since I couldn't watch the game.

 

[serghei]

If anything the decision to sack koeman should of been done before the season started. I take issue with people saying the players aren't good enough but then blaming koeman for our issues. Koeman has the same issues xavi has; our lack of goals and our defensive frailty. If people want to use excuses saying the squad isn't good enough and we want to wait till it's xavis team then we should of saved paying out both koeman and xavis club and brought him in at the end of the season.

Secondly this is the ev situation all over again we want to sack managers to upgrade on them not downgrade. Xavi for all his legendary status managed in a league below segunda level. A majority of teams are absolutely pathetic and he had by far the best team in that league. There were better options available that we could of brought instead however no barca DNA.

So far in the games under xavi I haven't been impressed I haven't seen any improvement what so ever granted it's still early days.
Having said that I'm not into giving managers years if I don't see improvement in our play. Results are important but performances more so.

So far xavi has wanted us to renew Roberto
Played busquets in every single game regardless of opponent
Relys on pique
Has brought back a past it dani Alves (as much as I love him he's no longer good enough)

With some of these decisions you can see why people would start questioning his decisions.

I agree with most but the bolded. Imo, no top manager would touch Barca right now. You either take a bet on someone like Xavi, or you bring average proven managers with experience.

Xavi will get 1 full season. If the improvements are not clear, he will lose the credit.

The criticism of Xavi regarding things like getting Alves I just don't understand. The man comes to play FOR MINIMUM WAGE allowed by La Liga. We are in no position to say no to that.

Also, the injury situation makes it impossible to not play Busquets. Not to mention that most of those who say bench Busi also think De Jong shouldn't play DM. Everyone wants to bench Busi, but the man is the starting DM of Spain. Can't be done atm if you don't see De Jong as a DM.

That being said, Busi should be rotated, with the formula De Jong (DM) - Pedri - Gavi/Nico tried as soon as Pedri is back. Nico and Gavi should be rested as soon as possible, or they will be gassed. Nico was all over the place today, late in every tackle, some really bad tackles. But this either means game time for Puig, or Pedri back. No other options.

 

[JamDav1982]

Busquets is not being played due to injuries. Xavi sees him as the core of the team and best DM in the world.

That is my fear about Xavi.. that he scoffs at the rest of the world in football and has this idea that the Barca way is unique and have to dive down deeper and deeper into it to improve.

He is setting up a team today that has wide players hugging the touchline and 40 yards from the CF. A midfield that is based on Busquets and players positioning themselves for patterns with the wide players etc.

It just looks formulaic, dated and lacks the athleticism of top sides.

Could all change if he adapts and when better players come in but that last three home game have been worse set up than previously this season and other game had less of ball and less chances than an average Villareal side.

 

[KingLeo10]

"Before the opponent's cheeks are clapped, so must your palms" - Confuzizou

 

[Fati_Future_BallonDor]

"Before the opponent's cheeks are clapped, so must your palms" - Confuzizou

The key to win three Cl's in a row