Comments on: Official: Mascherano extends contract to 2016

By: Football-is-beatiful

Football-is-beatiful — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 11:54:32 +0000

Good news. Hope he will give us more important service without less number of yellow cards.

By: messidonna

messidonna — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 10:54:02 +0000

I love this!! Ramos and the thug….Lmao

By: words

words — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 10:42:17 +0000

1. Xavi might be older, but it is way too soon to say that he is getting worse. 32 is no age for a player that relies on intelligence, not pace, and no player is always in form no matter what age. Besides, Thiago and Cesc are getting older as well, which is a good thing, meaning they are developing and getting better. And Messi, Alexis and Pedro are also developing and getting better. They are only 24-25!

2. Puyol is getting older, but Bartra and Fontas are getting older and more experienced. Same with Busquets. All of these are developing and getting better.

3. We have Pedro and Villa back. Thats a huge bonus, as we've seen Pedro is back on form now. Another point is that Alexis now has completed his first season and adaption period, and with a full pre-season as well, he will be immense next season I'm sure of it.

4. Tito has other qualities. Personality was never the main quality of Pep, it was his determination and resolve and that is what Tito got as well.

5.RM do what they do. We should focus on ourselves. Only 11 players can play anyway.

By: Stevethepaddler

Stevethepaddler — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 10:09:34 +0000

Barca have a stronger midfield than Madrid even if they sign Modric. They'd presumably play Modric in place of Khedira, in a midfield with Alonso and Ozil. That's not a bad midfield, but still short of Barca's. There's a real weakness in the lack of a true DM: if they play Lass either Alonso or Modric/Khedira would have to sit.

Xavi has a lot more left in him, as we saw at the Euros, and a midfield with Busquets, Xavi, Cesc, Iniesta, and Thiago has no shortage of options.

Abidal is out and Puyol is aging, meaning Barca need a defender… but Madrid are also short in defensive depth. Who have they got at CB behind Ramos and the thug? At least Barca have 3 first class CBs available.

It's true that we need goals from sources other than Messi, hoping Villa, Pedro, and Cesc can step up with that.

What Barca need above all this coming season is consistency. Way too many away draws last season, many with pretty flat performances. The Ho's teams are efficient and will not drop a lot of points, Barca will have to stay sharp and do the same. Head to head, no reason at all for Barca to be afraid.

By: Stoitchkov

Stoitchkov — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 09:59:43 +0000

you are wrong. no need for a proof.

By: BarcaFiume

BarcaFiume — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 09:43:17 +0000

Excellent!!

By: El Pumina

El Pumina — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 09:03:09 +0000

I highly doubt if we are gonna beat RM with our current lineups. Someone convince me that our squad is still reliable please.
1st: Xavi is getting old and out of form.
2nd: Puyol is getting old and probably more injury prone than ever.
3rd: Forwards, the whole team to be accurate, too dependent on Messi.
4th: Tito lacks the personality of Pep, which is more than essential to draw respect from players.
5th: RM seems stronger due to the signing of Modric.
6th: RM momentum is so impetuous that their confidence will make them come back with an even more dangerous attack.

Please prove me wrong

By: Barcaholic

Barcaholic — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 08:09:46 +0000

Together with Dani Alves definitely our best and most influential signing over the past years!

By: footyguy

footyguy — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 06:19:20 +0000

yeah, even her fart smells like perfume right? LOL

By: asd

asd — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 05:52:09 +0000

ur right about everything except for the afellay part, i mean the guy haven't really got the chance yet he was injured long time, playing time etc etc…+ he was cheap, 3 mil€ thats nothing for him the rest was overprice for sure

By: Stevethepaddler

Stevethepaddler — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 01:21:22 +0000

You have to be looking pretty hard for a negative if that's the worst you can come up with…

By: truth

truth — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 00:11:09 +0000

One negative thing about masche is he never if ever smiles….being to serious can make you stiff…which is not good

By: mariaxavi

mariaxavi — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 23:27:27 +0000

couldn't say it better!

By: mariaxavi

mariaxavi — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 23:20:16 +0000

By: Stevethepaddler

Stevethepaddler — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 23:20:00 +0000

I admire Mascherano, and not only for his play. He fought hard to get to Barca, and took a huge risk. A lot of people said he'd just ride the bench and his career would die. A lot of Bara fans thought he wouldn't fit the style of play. Still he believed in himself, fought to get to the team, did his time on the bench without complaining, worked, proved himself, and became a vital part of the team. He may not be from la Masia, but he's proved he loves the team and really wants to be there.

That's something I think the team should look for in any player bought from outside. Of course they need the skills and ability and attitude, but on top of that the team should be looking only at players who really want to come to Barca, even if it means turning down better offers elsewhere. Being good enough isn't good enough, you have to really want it.

Worth reposting this here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/apr/14/ja…