robsblubot

You clearly haven't seen Brazil play...

that's because they are exactly the same game. New case, updated rosters, a few tweaks in graphics, and 5-star/new release pricing... sounds like a great business model to me.

Agreed... Fernandinho is the actual CM of the bunch. Oscar has more potential, but Hernanes is more ready at this time, not to mention in better form. Hernanes should be utilized more by scolari, who is over-conservative with team selections.

From the perspective of Paulinho, Oscar was a god against Mexico. Brazil will destroy Cameroon and everything will be perfect until the next round - then we will go out. Update: rumor has it Paulinho may be leaving the team with either Hernanes or Fernandinho coming in. WIth that, our chances would improve a bit.

If we can sign a 29yo for 19m we can certainly leave Torres training with the youth system. Malouda wasn't happy with the treatment, but it wasn't enough to move him. Perhaps Torres would react differently and would go seek greener pastures... who knows... One thing is for sure, if Torres is the second striker, we'll need a lot of luck so that nothing bad happens with #1.

Well Filipe is 29 (will be shortly) while Fabregas just turned 27. Fullbacks rely more on pace than midfielders, especially Fabregas' position where stamina is far more important. It's silly to dismiss concerns about his age. It's certainly debatable. Would you consider an accident if he is never able to perform at the same level for Chelsea?

just an (IMO) important caveat about these two: Brazil had to play with 3 DMs (switching to a 3 defender at times), so that the team could actually defend. Hardly our problem right now since both our FBs are good in defense and Luis also good defensively. Great player, but also have concerns about his age - not to mention the fact we are signing players after they have a hot/magical season.

^^ nah Jose doesn't start 2 attacking fullbacks. Scolari is smart... He saw that the attacking fullbacks were completely exposed, so he will stick Ramires on the right to help Dani Alves. Paulinho is a good player, but terrible marker and a bit on the slow side. Too slow to cover the fbs. So, that's what he is trying to correct with Ramires.

David Luiz with lots of gel and a tiara.....

didierforever, you prob quoted the wrong post, but this one should answer yours too. Yes, it's always the same with me because my philosophy is different. Actually, I'd say it's not different, only that I accept and understand there are OTHER successful ways of playing the game. "When Robert di Matteo took over, the team sat back and prospered. Obviously, Chelsea's defenders -- David Luiz aside -- were simply better suited for a low block than a high one. Or so said common wisdom. Enter Jose Mourinho:" http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2014/3/25/5545706/jose-mourinho-john-terry-high-line Try and Picture Gary and Terry in the same situations DL and TS have been under yesterday. No, not merely at the time of the crosses, but the beginning of the play, where they were positioned when Croatia started the counters. Imagine our defenders, or other slowish defenders running towards their own goalie and then trying to stop the cross. Very different than staying in the box and watching what is happening in front of them. Do you understand what I am getting at? You say DL made a mistake in the game and I am saying that in those conditions, Gary and Terry wouldn't even be starters, because it would've been a crazy thing to do. Mistake is a relative thing... players have virtues and shortcomings. I've always accepted DL has shortcomings as a player, and I reckon all top clubs interested in him did/do too... so does PSG. TPtB keeps on saying you need a genius moment to beat defenders and defenses, and I couldn't disagree more. You don't need a brilliant moment from a player, but rather a good moment from a TEAM! A good movement from a mediocre player will do, if the rest of the team creates the conditions in which that movement can be effective. Otherwise we'd have far fewer goals in football. Complaining about Luiz' lack of concentration is akin to complaining about Ramires' lack of technique, or both Terry and Garry's lack of pace. My views may seem repetitive to some of you, but it works both ways.

Not even mentioning how versatile Ramires is. Khedira plays as a center mid and that's about it. Ramires can do flank, RB, RW... Yes, he is a defensive RW, but that's what we may need in certain games, in certain circumstances. Managers love these versatile players.

He made no mistake. Scolari said after the game he was surprised either DL or Thiago did not put another one in themselves because of the quality of the crosses and passes Croatia was producing from the flanks. He even mentioned that the perfect cross is the one that goes between the goalie and the defender, and I have to agree. When you watch David Luiz now, you all still see him as if he were playing for us. He isn't! He's in a completely different system, in which our own CBs (Gary and terry) would have massive difficulties, because of either the extremely high defense line or the completely exposed flanks. Once again he was better than Thiago Silva, even though i thought they both played well.

Cech/Court Azpi/Iva Iva/Gary Iva/Terry Luis/Azpi Matic/Tiago Ramires/Fabregas Fabreagas/Oscar William/Andre William/Oscar Costa/? Plus further squad players who can be used sporadically. Plus the obvious swap of Oscar/Fabregas moving higher up and switching to a 4231.

I did not say Matic was not going to play a defensive role, just that he doesn't need to sit deep like Mikel. Who sits deep for City? Or Madrid? I reckon Matic is too good a player to tell him to sit deep as a defense protector, and he should have the freedom to move about and fight for the football up the pitch. Reckon playing a deep defense line already poses some challenges, so we need to have our midfield move up the pitch a bit, otherwise we will be sitting too deep. Or we will be too spread on the pitch, with players too far from each other, affecting pass completion and therefore possession.

Agreed. There is no reason to keep both Torres and Ba. I'd rather keep Ba over Torres, but Torres is unflushable, so that leaves Ba. What I'm terribly concerned about is that if we end up keeping both Torres and Ba, we will be 100% dependent on Costa's fitness. We already know Ba and Torres are insufficient. That's why I think either we give Lukaku a shot as a second striker, or we buy that player.

not bad, but I honestly think Matic's best position is a deep-lying CM, not DM. He's too good to sit so deep and we need to regain possession higher up the pitch - Matic can help with that too. But that's a technicality: just put them in the same line and I get your point.

I was at RFK watching the friendly against Roma and Lukaku was a handful. No, he's not a technically gifted player, but he's got so much pace and power that it makes up for it. Luiz, Hazard, and Lukaku really impressed me then.

and we dodged that one!

Didier takes time to meet fan in Sao Paulo: http://globoesporte.globo.com/sp/campinas-e-regiao/copa-do-mundo/noticia/2014/06/drogba-recebe-drogbinha-realiza-o-sonho-de-fa-baiano-e-ouve-promessa.html Can use translate, but it's essentially saying the charismatic player made his day and even held fan's baby who's named "Drogbinha" (little drogba).

a bit better but still a player (along his agent) who is fighting for a deal/pecking order. Perhaps this is just about that: signing a better deal after all he only has 2 year left on his contract. Here's the problem though: these players pay a lot of money to their agents so they don't have to antagonize the clubs, supporters, or coach, and yet all we hear is what lukaku wants or thinks. That's his agent's job.

so, do you have a better translation? I'd certainly take any from the Belgium around here over the tabloids. The problem is that Lukaku keeps on going - not like a one time thing. BTW, I rather have Lukaku than Ba and Torres, but think his constant exposure with the media might not help that. Let me emphasize that: I'd rather keep Lukaku than Ba AND Torres! Andre can cover for the 3rd.

Very interesting signing if done. Just very surprising Jose would go for a player like Fabreglass... I'm just using his nickname because that kinda explains his characteristics. Very technical in control, likes possession (Jose does not), cannot tackle, cannot fight 50/50s, can score, can short pass like no other, and can assist. Just not your typical Jose player. It would suggest a huge change in style. Which would make me concerned about the defense line.

he just can't help it... talking about the game is for the "pundits" (aka paid fans) and regular fans like us. The actual paid professionals in football act with their wallets, or rather their employer's wallet. The players should just play. Any information on his agent? Seems like he's not very keen on Lukaku playing for Chelsea.

Reckon Oscar is so valued by Jose precisely because he can do both: deep lying and CAM. In fact, that's key for the way Brazil play. Oscar is actually a CM in a CAM position. So, his hard work and tackling allow his team to regain the football higher up the pitch, which is essentially the easiest way to score; by catching your opponent's defense off guard. Scolari and Jose have always employed very similar tactics. Both don't value possession as much as other head coaches.

Fair enough, but I'd call him, "the exception." It's like saying very short strikers can be good in the air, just because Romario was good in the air.