robsblubot

perhaps because he was injured a lot in the conf cup when I got to watch him. AFCON performances don't really mean that much to me though - opposition are usually too weak.

need to loan them out as they need games. Been unimpressed by him when playing for Nigeria, but he's still very young.

I like Tiago, but he's a bit past it. This signing only makes sense if Mikel is leaving.

Agree to disagree then, because for me the gap between the two players in terms of technique is immense. Really don't think much of Thiago Silva aside from his reading of the game - obviously pretty important skill for a defender. I think you need to watch Brazil more because David Luiz is the player designated to carry the football forward by Scolari, which is the obvious choice for pundits and fans alike. Thiago Silva has no long ball to speak of, while Luiz has assisted Neymar and others a number of times. His passing has been pretty impressive for Brazil. They've both been very impressive for Brazil - best CB pairing I've seen in many years; too bad the rest of the team isn't at the same level. Interestingly, we haven't really heard whether PSG will employ him as a CB, CB/CM, or CM. People just assume he's going to be employed as a defender. Zolayes, Yup Scolari and Benitez are also special ones... Besides, if Jose did not get the best of DL and sold him for 50m imagine if he had... Watch out Bale! We will see who was right in the next few years.

hmm makes no sense to spend so much on a defender just to loan him out for ever... Kalas seems like a promising young defender, but nothing special so far. He fared well when called upon, but was well protected in very defensive setups. Less so in the last match, but that was the strangest of the season...

Barbara hits the nail on the head. I read somewhere that Thiago Silva's perfect reading of the game makes David Luiz look good. Well, that's absolutely right! David Luiz also makes Thiago Silva look good by being able to actually play football once they regain possession. Thiago Silva is short for a defender, only decent aerial ability, very pedestrian and unimaginative on the ball. If you watch Brazil play you will notice that Thiago never carries the ball forward, it's always Luiz. Thiago Silva and David Luiz make a perfect pairing in my book because they complement each other very well. The unit has no flaws even if individually they do. Oh well he's gone - move on. Back to strategy, it is very strange to me that Jose could not did not want to use a player like Luiz. Jose's last CL win included the DL in his team, which was Lucio (similar deficiencies too). He would be the one carrying the football out of defense. I haven't seen Zouma play, but from what I hear he isn't that player either. Take our CBs for instance: they are essentially the same player x 2. They lack tremendously in certain areas, especially the ones related to going forward: pace (high defense line), proactive defending, technique, and vision. I know that the typical English view is that defenders defend, but that's wrong. The same way CAMs and strikers have to defend, defenders have to create too. I am actually very concerned that I am still going to see a lot of Matic dropping way back to receive a short pass from our defense - one of the drawbacks of employing a deep defense line. Those are precious seconds that the weaker sides playing @the bridge will gladly take.

Not sure we'd be allowed to offer him lower wages before his current deal runs out. By waiting until he's a free agent many possibilities open up such as player2coach.

actually, I wouldn't be surprised if all Brazilian players involved in the world cup performed much better next season, regardless how well Brazil perform in the world cup. They've been under a lot of pressure, not to mention busy with preparations. One thing is to question whether the player is consciously preserving himself for the world cup in home soil, another is whether he is unconsciously doing so. I personally believe that for most of them, it is the latter.

the first (toddlers) was made up, but TS and DL played along and took a similar photo.

He's played so few games (did not finish many either) under Mou - would not be surprised if he does leave.

They are capable of moving into the midfield (more pace) in a high(er) defense line. This helps the team in many ways: shorter passing, overlaps, interceptions in midfield, fewer touches to get to opponent's goal. Out of the top 4 we employ the deepest defense line.

David Luiz will improve PSG tremendously. They are overpaying for him because they have to; they are the new rich and as such they have to attract talent by overpaying for them. DL is one of the few players of that caliber (don't fight the evidence - market value) that is available and PSG is taking advantage of that. I personally feel is the right move for them, esp if they keep Silva as DL and Silva have played very well together. Like I said many times before, DL aside, I dislike our CB pairing. It hurts us esp when playing weak sides at home as both are incapable of contributing to attacking play; they are also uncomfortable playing a higher defense line. From what I've heard, Zouma is also a breaker, not a maker, so I am actually concerned that we will have just as much difficulty in breaking these smaller sides with our without better strikers. I'd like us to go for Phil Jones, who could cover for the RB as well. Someone a bit pacey who can make runs forward from the back is needed IMO.

agree please STFU! From Bull Durham movie:

Bizarre statement and BBC coverage about his fucking birthday.... Beam me up...

All true, but I reckon the point is whether all this should be discussed in the press or behind closed doors - probably the latter.

Great prospect, but a bit like Luiz, which might make him tricky to use - esp in Jose's system. Prob safest in RB though. I am a firm believer that you buy talent when you are convinced talent is there. And you ought to pull the trigger before others see the same as you do. Finally, the best time to buy is actually when such player is in poor form, most likely due to his side being in terrible form - not after his side wins the CL... (hypothetically speaking of course ).

agree to disagree - I think Song is rubbish

Song is Ramires without the athleticism...

Double

Indeed... defensive solidity that remained until the very end and IMO costed us a few points at home. You are also missing a game, our current pairing leaked many goals for two games (maybe 3) after Newcastle. No fucking way gonna find and post that from my iPhone Doesn't matter anymore though as he did not get the games. Hope our team is a bit more balanced next season but not optimistic based on the names.

Agree just bear in mind he dindnt complain. Parreira was the one who said what he shouldnt have. Oscar explained his situation to Parreira, brazil assistant coach.

Well That's why fat Walter flopped in Portugal: couldn't adapt to the language...

I completely agree with Parreira concerning Gary from a Brazilian perspective: he would never make the squad. Like I said many times over its a cultural thing and brazilians value attacking and technique in general too much to accept a no nonsense defender like Gary.Terry wouldn't either because he'd be considered too slow for the usual high defense line Brazil employs. Though i've seen a pairing of slow and quick work well even with different setups. Concerning Oscar, I hope he IS uncomfortable because Jose is uncomfortable with Oscar's form. A top player who is comfortable sitting on the bench doesn't belong.

Confidence and fitness do affect technique esp first touch in a big way. Check some of his earlier appearances or better yet go all the way before He got overplayed by us and brazil... Next season will key for him.