Ligue 1 2014-15

[Bus-Conductor]

The Bielsa juggernaut keeps rolling. They overpowered a decent St Etienne side and blew them away in the first half. The second half was a more even affair, but Marseille pretty much had things under control.

Watching Bielsa's Marseille is a bit like watching Dortmund light at the moment, they press really well and swarm, transitioning quickly and with Lamela-esque Thauvin, Ayew and the ever excellent live wire Payet playing as the 10 (3 goals, 3 assists in 7 games - I'd happily see him at Spurs) as well as an in form Gignac, they have the players to capitalise on his tactics.


In other news Toulouse absolutely battered PSG for 45 minutes, again using good pressing tactics to rattle them and counter attack really well (although they probably also out possessed PSG first half) after scoring, missing an open goal and two 1v1's ended up getting sucker punched from a free kick while everyone argued about the award, and going in 1-1. This became the proverbial game of two halves as PSG had much more ball second half, as Toulouse ran out of steam and bottle, neither team looked much like scoring second half though.

 

[mpickard2087]

Bielsa is someone I like to keep an eye on, and enjoy the adventurous style his teams play even though it rarely works over a whole season.

Only seen highlights this year so far, but something we/Poch could learn from Marseille/Bielsa so far is the greater workrate, and he just gets so many players into the box and in a position to score a goal.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Bielsa is someone I like to keep an eye on, and enjoy the adventurous style his teams play even though it rarely works over a whole season.

Only seen highlights this year so far, but something we/Poch could learn from Marseille/Bielsa so far is the greater workrate, and he just gets so many players into the box and in a position to score a goal.

As @Barry Mead alluded to in another thread, the french league and in particular Marseille right now are a good fit for Bielsa. There are technically decent and well schooled young footballers in the french league who are malleable of mind and there is a lot of tactical variation.

 

[DaSpurs]

Watching Marseille at Caen right now, and Payet is just an absolute pleasure to watch. It may be my frustration with Spurs' creativity level atm, but I'm just melting something wicked at the frequency of Payet's throughballs of outright quality. Every time he gets the ball he finds a slot. Unreal.

Edit: What was first awe has since moved to jealousy, and now anger. Had to turn it off. Payet is just incredible. His first touch, vision, and precision of pass are just stunning.

 

[Barry Mead]

Watching Marseille at Caen right now, and Payet is just an absolute pleasure to watch. It may be my frustration with Spurs' creativity level atm, but I'm just melting something wicked at the frequency of Payet's throughballs of outright quality. Every time he gets the ball he finds a slot. Unreal.

Edit: What was first awe has since moved to jealousy, and now anger. Had to turn it off. Payet is just incredible. His first touch, vision, and precision of pass are just stunning.

I watched some of it earlier, but without wishing to take anything from Payet, who is a very good player and on occasion an excellent player, I think the key has been the movement of the players. Their willingness to make the runs to find space and the speed they play the ball forward makes it possible. Also to be fair Caen themselves played an open game that made it end to end and enjoyable even at 0-0.
What has also been good to see is players making individual forward runs beating players but always looking for ready to play the pass if an opportunity permits. Imbula made a powerful attacking run, riding tackles and beating players, Ayew showed some lovely trickery and agility surrounded by four players dummying on way and selling two players then a body swerve that put him past the other two, Thauvin combined pace and some good two footed control on a few occasions to go past players on the right flank.

I think it's good that they are combining skill, pace, passing, dribbling along with great off the ball movement. OK there were a few final balls that could have been better and likewise a few shots but the attacks showed such a good mix goals were going to come

 

[DaSpurs]

I watched some of it earlier, but without wishing to take anything from Payet, who is a very good player and on occasion an excellent player, I think the key has been the movement of the players. Their willingness to make the runs to find space and the speed they play the ball forward makes it possible. Also to be fair Caen themselves played an open game that made it end to end and enjoyable even at 0-0.
What has also been good to see is players making individual forward runs beating players but always looking for ready to play the pass if an opportunity permits. Imbula made a powerful attacking run, riding tackles and beating players, Ayew showed some lovely trickery and agility surrounded by four players dummying on way and selling two players then a body swerve that put him past the other two, Thauvin combined pace and some good two footed control on a few occasions to go past players on the right flank.

I think it's good that they are combining skill, pace, passing, dribbling along with great off the ball movement. OK there were a few final balls that could have been better and likewise a few shots but the attacks showed such a good mix goals were going to come

All of what you're saying is probably true, but I have to reemphasize how impressed I was with Payet for the sake of individual performance. The rate at which he makes the first touch, turns, and releases quality (superb precision) slot pass is just incredible. Haven't been this impressed with a CAM on first impression since some Danish fella at the 2010 World Cup.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Watching Marseille at Caen right now, and Payet is just an absolute pleasure to watch. It may be my frustration with Spurs' creativity level atm, but I'm just melting something wicked at the frequency of Payet's throughballs of outright quality. Every time he gets the ball he finds a slot. Unreal.

Edit: What was first awe has since moved to jealousy, and now anger. Had to turn it off. Payet is just incredible. His first touch, vision, and precision of pass are just stunning.

I've been banging the Payet drum since his time at Lille. I can't believe he went under the radar of Europe's bigger leagues when there, but to be fair Marseille are no minnow and were good move for him.

I don't think we'd have a hope in hell of signing him, he's intrinsic for Bielsa's Marseille and at the hub of much of their attacking, now playing regularly in that central attacking spot. His got craft but he's also quick and purposeful and continually produces end product, be it goals or assists. And he's currently making more key passes per game than anyone in Ligue 1.

 

[DaSpurs]

I've been banging the Payet drum since his time at Lille. I can't believe he went under the radar of Europe's bigger leagues when there, but to be fair Marseille are no minnow and were good move for him.

I don't think we'd have a hope in hell of signing him, he's intrinsic for Bielsa's Marseille and at the hub of much of their attacking, now playing regularly in that central attacking spot. His got craft but he's also quick and purposeful and continually produces end product, be it goals or assists. And he's currently making more key passes per game than anyone in Ligue 1.

Yeah no way he'd leave Marseille. That has to be an extremely interesting project atm, and especially for a Frenchman. Will certainly be keeping tabs on them, as the quickness with which they move the ball into dangerous positions, even if it doesn't work out, is just remarkable.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Yeah no way he'd leave Marseille. That has to be an extremely interesting project atm, and especially for a Frenchman. Will certainly be keeping tabs on them, as the quickness with which they move the ball into dangerous positions, even if it doesn't work out, is just remarkable.

Bielsa's methodology is wonderful when it's clicking. Payet's a perfect fit for it.

 

[Barry Mead]

As reported by L'Equipe, OM are ready to let their forward Florian Thauvin leave

http://www.transfermarketweb.com/?action=read&idsel=147630

Interesting little snippet, I'm a big fan of Thauvin and this season he has show a better work rate ethic, dropping back deep at times to help out the rb and still getting forward to put balls across from the flank or cut inside

At times in displaying the extra work ethic maybe he has not always produced the quality pass, cross or finish as frequently as he has, but for me he that is part of developing and he still shows lots of quality in his game even if at times in getting back he can be guilty of a poor touch or misjudged tackle that loses possession

I noticed yesterday Gignac giving him a bollocking for not passing when he hit imo a decent though slightly high shot rather than play the pass to Gignac who wasn't in that good a position to receive a pass anyway. Then later he hit a looping header as he was getting closed by two players so had to lift the cross rather than drive it and again Gignac was moaning.

It looks like an issue between them and I've noticed a few frustrated shrugs of words in previous games for a pass that never came or wasn't perfect. Maybe there's issues between the two, Gignac doesn't show so much with other players

To be fair Gignac in goalscoring form is arguably the more important player of the two for OM at this time and I imagine if they agree a new deal with him then selling the more valuable asset of Thauvin (given age and potential) would make sense given their need to raise funds and the possibility of both players not getting on

I'd be very happy if we could sign him January, he's been playing on the right but can just as comfortably play on the left so perfect to play that side (or more centrally) whilst being able to interchange

On a negative possibility I mentioned Alexandre Lacazette as a striker I think would fit us very well, I was reading a bit of speculation this week that PSG are very interested in him, if so it would make him a tough and probably more expensive target for us, mind you watching Bony yesterday he does look a very sharp player and I have to say the way he has taken to the PL and if anything expanded his game while doing it has made me change my mind about him. Watching him in Holland I thought he could prove one of those Eredivisie players who scored lots there only to struggle in the PL, hands up I was wrong he always looks to be there in the box as a target man, he always reacts quickly but he also links well and is caable of playing and receiving the short sharp passes that create openings, also a very strong physical presence. I wouldn't be unhappy if we could add him January either

 

[Bus-Conductor]

As reported by L'Equipe, OM are ready to let their forward Florian Thauvin leave

http://www.transfermarketweb.com/?action=read&idsel=147630

Interesting little snippet, I'm a big fan of Thauvin and this season he has show a better work rate ethic, dropping back deep at times to help out the rb and still getting forward to put balls across from the flank or cut inside

At times in displaying the extra work ethic maybe he has not always produced the quality pass, cross or finish as frequently as he has, but for me he that is part of developing and he still shows lots of quality in his game even if at times in getting back he can be guilty of a poor touch or misjudged tackle that loses possession

I noticed yesterday Gignac giving him a bollocking for not passing when he hit imo a decent though slightly high shot rather than play the pass to Gignac who wasn't in that good a position to receive a pass anyway. Then later he hit a looping header as he was getting closed by two players so had to lift the cross rather than drive it and again Gignac was moaning.

It looks like an issue between them and I've noticed a few frustrated shrugs of words in previous games for a pass that never came or wasn't perfect. Maybe there's issues between the two, Gignac doesn't show so much with other players

To be fair Gignac in goalscoring form is arguably the more important player of the two for OM at this time and I imagine if they agree a new deal with him then selling the more valuable asset of Thauvin (given age and potential) would make sense given their need to raise funds and the possibility of both players not getting on

I'd be very happy if we could sign him January, he's been playing on the right but can just as comfortably play on the left so perfect to play that side (or more centrally) whilst being able to interchange

On a negative possibility I mentioned Alexandre Lacazette as a striker I think would fit us very well, I was reading a bit of speculation this week that PSG are very interested in him, if so it would make him a tough and probably more expensive target for us, mind you watching Bony yesterday he does look a very sharp player and I have to say the way he has taken to the PL and if anything expanded his game while doing it has made me change my mind about him. Watching him in Holland I thought he could prove one of those Eredivisie players who scored lots there only to struggle in the PL, hands up I was wrong he always looks to be there in the box as a target man, he always reacts quickly but he also links well and is caable of playing and receiving the short sharp passes that create openings, also a very strong physical presence. I wouldn't be unhappy if we could add him January either

I think Thauvin is an almost carbon copy of Lamela, in style and temperament. Both work hard, both have technique and talent but both can sometimes make poor choices, often through trying too hard, both have that youthful exuberance. Both are best playing right drifting in on their left.

I'd have happily paid much less for Thauvin but I don't think we can accommodate both.

Even if you think about playing one on the left, it isn't a good balance of skills.

 

[Barry Mead]

I think Thauvin is an almost carbon copy of Lamela, in style and temperament. Both work hard, both have technique and talent but both can sometimes make poor choices, often through trying too hard, both have that youthful exuberance. Both are best playing right drifting in on their left.

I'd have happily paid much less for Thauvin but I don't think we can accommodate both.

Even if you think about playing one on the left, it isn't a good balance of skills.

I like the energy both show and I think it's important to have two players in those attacking roles that have the pace and stamina to provide that particularly as Eriksen is far less of a player inclined to do too much running and instead likes to orchestrate the play. Yeah both Thauvin and Lamela are inclined to make a mistake in their more defensive aspects as they learn and expand that side of their game. I think they can also make a few poor decisions in attack but no more than the vast majority of players sometimes get it wrong rather than inexperience. I like that both are confident enough to take players on, pacy enough and sharp enough to be able to get to the ball quickly, skilful enough to play the pass, good vision enough to look for options and each capable of both carving chances for others and getting goals.
I also like the idea that having both would me we pretty much always had one in our attack even if one was injured
I wouldn't expect Thauvin to just hit the ground running anymore than Lamela or Eriksen did, but I do think he can offer impact some of the time from early and with the potential to develop into a consistent quality player. I actually don't think we have seen the best of either Eriksen or Lamela yet on anything like a consistent basis, but these are young players who will have poor days and having options that can offer similar positive qualities when one is having a bad day is useful
Personally I'd love it and think it would give us a strong attacking creative three behind a decent striker

 

[Bus-Conductor]

I like the energy both show and I think it's important to have two players in those attacking roles that have the pace and stamina to provide that particularly as Eriksen is far less of a player inclined to do too much running and instead likes to orchestrate the play. Yeah both Thauvin and Lamela are inclined to make a mistake in their more defensive aspects as they learn and expand that side of their game. I think they can also make a few poor decisions in attack but no more than the vast majority of players sometimes get it wrong rather than inexperience. I like that both are confident enough to take players on, pacy enough and sharp enough to be able to get to the ball quickly, skilful enough to play the pass, good vision enough to look for options and each capable of both carving chances for others and getting goals.
I also like the idea that having both would me we pretty much always had one in our attack even if one was injured
I wouldn't expect Thauvin to just hit the ground running anymore than Lamela or Eriksen did, but I do think he can offer impact some of the time from early and with the potential to develop into a consistent quality player. I actually don't think we have seen the best of either Eriksen or Lamela yet on anything like a consistent basis, but these are young players who will have poor days and having options that can offer similar positive qualities when one is having a bad day is useful
Personally I'd love it and think it would give us a strong attacking creative three behind a decent striker

I just think we've made this mistake before, buying players who ideally want to play in the same positions (Eriksen/Holtby/Sigurdson e.g.). I like Thauvin very much, but I don't think he'd be as effective from the left and I don't think he'd be happy as an understudy. I'm all for stockpiling great players if we had unlimited resources and squad places, but we can't really afford to do that, so personally I'd rather we improved positions that need improving before we duplicate our stronger ones.

 

[Barry Mead]

I just think we've made this mistake before, buying players who ideally want to play in the same positions (Eriksen/Holtby/Sigurdson e.g.). I like Thauvin very much, but I don't think he'd be as effective from the left and I don't think he'd be happy as an understudy. I'm all for stockpiling great players if we had unlimited resources and squad places, but we can't really afford to do that, so personally I'd rather we improved positions that need improving before we duplicate our stronger ones.

I've actually seen him play on the left a few times and he actually looks good there, I doubt he would be an understudy once he had a bit of time settling in but equally I think in successful teams there will always be a time when another player gets the nod. I see your point about players for the same position but I have to say I don't think Holtby or Siggy stack up well against Eriksen for that given position in our team, clearly Siggy fits well at Swansea but I think he is doing OK because he fits well, I don't think he would be doing OK had he stayed. Holtby another player that shone in the BL at Schalke but never really fitted with us or at Fulham although with Magath maybe that's not that fair, apparently he had a very good game yesterday but I get the feeling he fits there and should stay there.

With us I think having the likes of Lennon, Townsend, Chadli and arguably Kane in the mix having two players with similar strengths and skills wouldn't be exactly stockpiling and if anything I think Thauvin holds the flank more than Lamella when instructed to so apart from offering interchangeability would actually provide that bit extra stretch in attack rather than say two ams both playing narrower

Ideally I'd prefer us to get Iker Muniain because I want to see us improve the depth of character, drive and desire as well as strengthening a couple of weak areas but equally that's fine if you actually could get either, but if one was gettable and one or other decent options aren't then I'd take Thauvin

 

[Bus-Conductor]

All of what you're saying is probably true, but I have to reemphasize how impressed I was with Payet for the sake of individual performance. The rate at which he makes the first touch, turns, and releases quality (superb precision) slot pass is just incredible. Haven't been this impressed with a CAM on first impression since some Danish fella at the 2010 World Cup.

Just for the record, and I only mention this because I don't think I've ever seen a stat like it before, Payet made 7 key passes in the game v Caen. I haven't seen the whole game so I'm not commenting on the nature of them, I've just never seen a stat like that.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Great result for Marseille tonight with PSG drawing.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

As reported by L'Equipe, OM are ready to let their forward Florian Thauvin leave

http://www.transfermarketweb.com/?action=read&idsel=147630

Interesting little snippet, I'm a big fan of Thauvin and this season he has show a better work rate ethic, dropping back deep at times to help out the rb and still getting forward to put balls across from the flank or cut inside

At times in displaying the extra work ethic maybe he has not always produced the quality pass, cross or finish as frequently as he has, but for me he that is part of developing and he still shows lots of quality in his game even if at times in getting back he can be guilty of a poor touch or misjudged tackle that loses possession

I noticed yesterday Gignac giving him a bollocking for not passing when he hit imo a decent though slightly high shot rather than play the pass to Gignac who wasn't in that good a position to receive a pass anyway. Then later he hit a looping header as he was getting closed by two players so had to lift the cross rather than drive it and again Gignac was moaning.

It looks like an issue between them and I've noticed a few frustrated shrugs of words in previous games for a pass that never came or wasn't perfect. Maybe there's issues between the two, Gignac doesn't show so much with other players

To be fair Gignac in goalscoring form is arguably the more important player of the two for OM at this time and I imagine if they agree a new deal with him then selling the more valuable asset of Thauvin (given age and potential) would make sense given their need to raise funds and the possibility of both players not getting on

I'd be very happy if we could sign him January, he's been playing on the right but can just as comfortably play on the left so perfect to play that side (or more centrally) whilst being able to interchange

On a negative possibility I mentioned Alexandre Lacazette as a striker I think would fit us very well, I was reading a bit of speculation this week that PSG are very interested in him, if so it would make him a tough and probably more expensive target for us, mind you watching Bony yesterday he does look a very sharp player and I have to say the way he has taken to the PL and if anything expanded his game while doing it has made me change my mind about him. Watching him in Holland I thought he could prove one of those Eredivisie players who scored lots there only to struggle in the PL, hands up I was wrong he always looks to be there in the box as a target man, he always reacts quickly but he also links well and is caable of playing and receiving the short sharp passes that create openings, also a very strong physical presence. I wouldn't be unhappy if we could add him January either

Lacazette scored a cracking hatrick on Saturday.

I'm just watching the extended highlights of the PSG/Monaco game and a player who caught my eye was the very young Monaco CM, Kondogbia. Not a firm opinion as I didn't see enough of the game to form a proper opinion, just saw him do a few things and for a 21yo away at PSG he didn't look overawed at all. Big, strong, athletic but also skilful and able and willing to carry the ball forward past the midfield and launch attacks.

 

[nailsy]

Has anyone got an English version of the article in todays L'Equipe about the changes they want to see in Ligue 1?

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Has anyone got an English version of the article in todays L'Equipe about the changes they want to see in Ligue 1?

Basically they are grumbling about the quality of the league, performance of French clubs in Europe and the poor economic state of the french league. L'Equipe are making ten suggestions and asking punters to vote.

Most of the suggestions are pretty ridiculous or pointless and a couple I don't really understand the terminology ?

 

[Chris12]

Lacazette scored a cracking hatrick on Saturday.

I'm just watching the extended highlights of the PSG/Monaco game and a player who caught my eye was the very young Monaco CM, Kondogbia. Not a firm opinion as I didn't see enough of the game to form a proper opinion, just saw him do a few things and for a 21yo away at PSG he didn't look overawed at all. Big, strong, athletic but also skilful and able and willing to carry the ball forward past the midfield and launch attacks.

Heard of him before but never actually seen him play. Think he is highly rated and was so in La Liga with Sevilla and did transfer for a pretty hefty sum for a young midfielder I think if IRC.