[ande_ka_funda]

Originally Posted by swagatsinha

MAybe then, on the right wing.
But with Sneijder making the Left wing his own, Robben will have to be on the right wing. Van der Vaart in the centre with De Jong, or Affaley, or Gio!
Senor Kuyt will most probably have to warm the benches.



Ahem!!

Nicely put......
And not to forget, theres a certain Mr. Van Persie, who if fit, would certainly start.

Frankly speaking, Kuyt is there only to make up the numbers.

[Jok3r]

ESPNsoccernet - Europe - Milan offload striker Gilardino to Fiorentina

another striker gone from Milan...they still have pato though...& might manage shevchenko back..

I was never a big fan of gilardino...dnt know if he'll be a regular at fiorentina or not...but it'll be interesting to see how they fare in UCL next season...

me hoping kaka leaves too for either the EPL or La liga...& i get to watch him every weekend ...

leave kaka leave..

[swagatsinha]

Originally Posted by ande_ka_funda

Nicely put......
And not to forget, theres a certain Mr. Van Persie, who if fit, would certainly start.

Frankly speaking, Kuyt is there only to make up the numbers.

Definitely, but I didn't include Mr. Persie in the equation as Alagati was talking about the mid-field. And I would pick RVP to partner RVN (can't they have short names!!) up front rather than in the midfield.
RVN
RVP
KJH
Kuyt
Vennegoor
Would be my pecking order for the forwards.

[ande_ka_funda]

Most of us have been surprised by the exclusion of Cisse, Flamini and Mexes from teh French National team and perhaps rightly so.
But what has surprised me the most is the exclusion of Hatem ben Arfa!
Why would you blood a youngster and make him play in qualifiers only to ditch him at the last hurdle?
Hatem would rightly be feeling a little hard done by Domenech. Gomis was good in the last game, but he hasnt worn the blue jersey enough to merit selection.

Domenech had ignored Trezeguet and brought n Hatem in his place for the qualifiers giving out strong signs that he rates Ben Arfa highly......but alas.

However, we should not forget that during the WC06, Domenech had sprung a similar surprise by naming Ribery in the squad at the expense of much senior players. And the rest as we know is history!

[polpot]

Im on both the thread but im cconfused... Both are overlapping and i cant figure out what is going on where"????



Also; Real mouthpiece speaks again
Cristiano Ronaldo could make a definitive step in forcing his exit from Manchester United by putting himself on the transfer list. (Spanish sports paper Marca, 0815 BST)

Im so tired about discussing Ronaldo, letit be!!!

[swagatsinha]

Originally Posted by polpot

Im on both the thread but im cconfused... Both are overlapping and i cant figure out what is going on where"????



Also; Real mouthpiece speaks again
Cristiano Ronaldo could make a definitive step in forcing his exit from Manchester United by putting himself on the transfer list. (Spanish sports paper Marca, 0815 BST)

Im so tired about discussing Ronaldo, letit be!!!

I agree with both the things. It would be better to merge the two threads. And Ronaldo's saga will be better left alone until something concrete comes out from either the two clubs, or Ronaldo himself!!

Speaking of transfers, I read a report sometime ago that Milan might sell Kaka to generate funds for transfers as they have a lack of funds now. They might not have sold Kaka yet, but they're definitely starting to take some action. Maybe to get Sheva back, maybe to get Ronnie. The next season's line-up at AC Milan is going to be pretty interesting.

[coolroy]

Originally Posted by anvesh23

I agree - who doesn't want silver ware .. I am sure the Club and all the Arsenal fans want trophies . I hope next season ends our drought !

Winning is not everything , its the only thing !

Well, Arsenal fans often have a different perspective. I have to admit I tend to agree with them sometimes. Football is about scoring goals, and winning games but it is also about determination, stamina and tactics! Why do majority of football fans fail to segregate 'football' with 'Brazil' ? Just because they play the most attractive football. Its something like that exhibition stuff which attracts the average viewer. Its something similar to the 20-20 and Test cricket analogy, its the 20-20 games that attract instant attention.

But then, attractive football does not always win you games. Take Brazil for example again. Remember, in the last WC, when Henry scored via a header, Roberto Carlos was supposed to have been marking him. And there he was, standing, hands on hips !
One can never rely on the philosophy that you will score more than you will concede ! Those days are gone ! Now, even lesser talented teams know how to cope with flair !

Hence, the need for a mix. In today's age, any team will have to prepared for all eventualities. You may choose to play with all your flair, but in case that does not work out, you have to be prepared to win ugly. Remember, its not the 4-0 or 5-0 that win you championships, its the hard fought 1-1 or 1-0 ones where you win ugly. The closest contrast that I can think about this season is the way United normally play, and the defensive display that was on show at the Nou Camp. We all know how much attacking flair United possess, but what won them the Barca tie was that clean sheet away in Barcelona. And as they say, the rest is history. But then, all is not well at United as well. How many times have we felt the need of a typical center forward, specially in the dying minutes of a match when we are trailing ! Rooney and Tevez are not exactly the tallest guys you'll find on the pitch, and so a tall center forward is needed when United need to play hoop ball into the opposition penalty box.

So, IMHO, its the teams which can adapt to both forms of the game that will come out winners. Arsenal have all the flair in their attacking philosophy, all they lack is some common sense, at times. Thats what I fell, don't shoot me for the comment. They tend to put one too many in the final third. Sometimes, it seems they are always in pursuit of the perfect goal. Its Arsene's philosophy at work, and he won't budge from that. Fair enough ! But that kinda philosophy has its own pitfalls. On the other hand, teams like Chelsea have often been criticized for playing 'boring' football. Some term it "Score 1 and shut shop football" while others term it "tactical". Whatever term you use, the bottomline is, one mode approach will never work in all circumstances. Chelsea did not have their destiny in their own hands going into the final day of the premiership. Only because they did not score enough. Whatever factor you hold responsible - boring or tactical - the fact is Chelsea did not give themselves a fair chance.

IF only Arsene's and Jose's philosophies could be applied at a single club together.

[coolroy]

Originally Posted by alagati

well buddy, only time shall say whether Kuyt is successful or not...he has scored already in the warm-ups..!!

And for you info, kuyt doesnt play as a striker now but as a midfielder from the right, with the crosses...so he can play along with rvn n van persie n co...!!!

Cool down bro ! I think Kuyt will only be successful if he gets to play at all.

Have a look at the Dutch team and you will know what I am talking about !

And Kuyt isnt playing for Liverpool, he is playing for the Dutch. So, he is in the team as a striker and not as a makeshift right winger. He will not get a sniff in that Dutch midfield if everyone stays fit. BTW, I never knew Kuyt could also cross. At least, I dont remember him crossing. Correct me if I am wrong.

Cheers.

[sumitrocks]

Originally Posted by PSL

The main reason is that we have a small squad.. So even after starting really well, our squad was exposed towards the end. I suppose thats were clubs like Chelsea and United score well..
Bench strength is probably the most important aspect when it comes to winning a year-long league like the EPL. Had it been like our own IPL, we would have probably won it.
And we have had more than our share of injuries this season. But again i'm not making any excuses.. United we the more consistent side.. and well, they won :-|

Totally agree! Arsenal have some fantabulous players, but not enough replacements on the bench to give these folks some much-needed rest, or cope with injuries. They'd be a much more solid threat if only their bench was stronger. This season, they had been plagued by injuries and a huge amount of bad luck. Can't believe I'm saying this, but wish the Gunners luck for next season.

I still maintain that Wenger cribs unnecessarily.

btw: When are we going to see Liverpool finally win the Premiership?? Hope in my lifetime :wink:

Inshallah!! Yeah Rafa, man! Let's get it!!

[Derrida]

Originally Posted by sumitrocks

Inshallah!! Yeah Rafa, man! Let's get it!!

Amen to that . I like Gerrard very much and would like to see him winning the Premier League at least once though not sure if Liverpool can help him with that. ;-) The league has become highly competitive over last few years and a team looses 4-5 matches, its curtains to their title ambitions unlike in Spain and Italy. Both Madrid and Inter had numerous slip-ups and still they managed to hold. I guess Rafa never considers Liverpool to be a serious contender for PL, what with 6 ties against Gunners, Chelsea and United. Both United and Chelsea will add some names to their roster and that would mean Rafa might again concede that title sooner than later.