Team V Ream Madrid (A)

[TwoSaintsComeMarching]

Modric in central midfield is 'solid' because he keeps the ball better than anyone else we have...

That's not what the definition of a solid central midfield is. A solid midfielder is a player who is a ball-winner and tough-tackler. IMO against a team of Madrid's calibre a solid midfield would consist of two ball-winners. A la Palacios+Sandro against AC Milan at the San Siro.

 

[nightgoat]

That's one definition, but then I wouldn't consider Palacios' distribution to be anything near verging on 'solid', and how can you be solid if you keep giving the ball away?

 

[sim0n]

------------Gomes
Corluka Dawson Gallas Ekotto
Lennon Sandro Modric Bale
--------VDV
-------------Crouch

Have a little faith baby, Madrid can't cope with the big man. I see lots of defensive line ups here with VDV as the lone ranger, not a good approach IMHO. Crouchy to have a big game. Play the best players in their strongest positions and let the chips fall where they may. Looks a little early to throw THudd in at moment. COYFS!!! :clap:

 

[Such Small Portions]

Modric in central midfield is 'solid' because he keeps the ball better than anyone else we have...

I'd struggle to think of a reason to start with anything other than what BBLG suggested in the first post of this thread... (Not including fitness or whatever...)

Yep, spot on - on both counts.

 

[TwoSaintsComeMarching]

That's one definition, but then I wouldn't consider Palacios' distribution to be anything near verging on 'solid', and how can you be solid if you keep giving the ball away?

Rubbish.

 

[nightgoat]

Care to elaborate?

 

[TwoSaintsComeMarching]

Care to elaborate?

No not really, I'm tired. What I will say is that your view of Palacios is misguided.

 

[nightgoat]

Fair enough, but the game at AC Milan aside, Palacios has been very poor this season, mostly due to his consistently poor passing, something which is widely acknowledged both on here and at games... Obviously it's a moot point as Palacios isn't fit to play anyway, but we can't afford to go to Real Madrid and squander possession so cheaply...

 

[Bus-Conductor]

That's one definition, but then I wouldn't consider Palacios' distribution to be anything near verging on 'solid', and how can you be solid if you keep giving the ball away?

Ignorant comment based on no more than your warped personal bias.

Palacios (86%) gives the ball away less than Modric (84%).

That doesn't mean Palacios is "better" or more valuable than Modric, it simply means that your statement is rubbish.

.

 

[TwoSaintsComeMarching]

Fair enough, but the game at AC Milan aside, Palacios has been very poor this season, mostly due to his consistently poor passing, something which is widely acknowledged both on here and at games... Obviously it's a moot point as Palacios isn't fit to play anyway, but we can't afford to go to Real Madrid and squander possession so cheaply...

All I know is that he is a quality player, but circumstances led to a couple of shit performances. Before this recent injury he was very much back to his best.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Fair enough, but the game at AC Milan aside, Palacios has been very poor this season, mostly due to his consistently poor passing, something which is widely acknowledged both on here and at games... Obviously it's a moot point as Palacios isn't fit to play anyway, but we can't afford to go to Real Madrid and squander possession so cheaply...

It's only acknowledged by people who are ignorant of the truth.

 

[nightgoat]

Ignorant comment based on no more than your warped personal bias.

Palacios (86%) gives the ball away less than Modric (84%).

That doesn't mean Palacios is "better" or more valuable than Modric, it simply means that your statement is rubbish.

It's been asked many times, but do you actually watch the games or just read the stats columns? How many times have you been left angered by Palacios stupidly giving the ball away in a comfortable situation compared to Modric? How many successful passes do you think contribute to Modric's pass completion statistic compared with Palacios'?

 

[nightgoat]

All I know is that he is a quality player, but circumstances led to a couple of shit performances. Before this recent injury he was very much back to his best.

Agreed, at his best he's very good, as demonstrated by how important he became in his first season with us, but from the start of this season he was poor... And yeah, he played very well against AC Milan, but I'd still rather start with Modric and Sandro against Real...

 

[ItsBoris]

If you were to compile highlights reel of all of Bale and Lennon's key moments this season, assists, goals etc, the overwhelming majority would come from them being on their 'correct' side... Off the top of my head I can't remember Bale scoring from cutting in from the right, or Lennon assisting from the left, for example...

Maybe that's because they've overwhelmingly been played on their correct side (especially Bale). :shrug:

 

[nightgoat]

Maybe that's because they've overwhelmingly been played on their correct side (especially Bale). :shrug:

Very true, but that's not to say that them swapping sides hasn't been largely unsuccessful...

 

[Bus-Conductor]

It's been asked many times, but do you actually watch the games or just read the stats columns? How many times have you been left angered by Palacios stupidly giving the ball away in a comfortable situation compared to Modric? How many successful passes do you think contribute to Modric's pass completion statistic compared with Palacios'?

84%. I just told you this. Is this trick question ?

I obviously watch games better than you because I don't mistake the odd very poor pass for several.

And this season Modric has given the ball away more than Palcios and quite a few times in dangerous places such as yesterday against Wigan, and other times like Villa away, that nearly led to goals.

 

[Mr Pink]

84%. I just told you this. Is this trick question ?

I obviously watch games better than you because I don't mistake the odd very poor pass for several.

And this season Modric has given the ball away more than Palcios and quite a few times in dangerous places such as yesterday against Wigan, and other times like Villa away, that nearly led to goals.

BC, passing stats aside lol, who has had the better season?

 

[we_all_loved_freund]

The reason why Crouch works in Europe is because he is different to what the defenders are used to and so don't know how to deal with him. Against Madrid he will be marked by Carvalho who has played against him numerous times and knows exactly how to deal with him, as does Mourinho.

I truly hope I am proved wrong but, in my opinion, he'll be completely ineffective if played. I'd prefer to play Thudd and have a genuine 4-3-3

 

[stemark44]

I like this...

what about a Barca-esque formation?

Gomes

Corluka .... Dawson .. Bassong .... Ekotto

Sandro
Pienaar ............ Modric

VDV
Bale ........................... Lennon
​

Really like that system,its the one AC Milan played against us at the lane to great effect.
However we don't have the strikers yet to play it but I sincerely hope we rectify that in the summer.

 

[stemark44]

The reason why Crouch works in Europe is because he is different to what the defenders are used to and so don't know how to deal with him. Against Madrid he will be marked by Carvalho who has played against him numerous times and knows exactly how to deal with him, as does Mourinho.

I truly hope I am proved wrong but, in my opinion, he'll be completely ineffective if played. I'd prefer to play Thudd and have a genuine 4-3-3

Without a shadow of doubt Carvalho will have Crouchy boy in his back pocket.