Well, I would rather have Villa than Ronaldo.. Anyway, we have to wait until the EURO ends or maybe until tonight's game ..

What a brilliant stunt by Casillas.. Once again he prove that he's not from this planet.. Ramos was good but he can be better.. If spain can go on slightly better than yesterday performance, I can't see why they not gonna lift the Euro Cup this time.. As I expected Villa and Torres partnership did crack a bit ( due to the Italians solid back four) .. No clear cut chance for both of them, but one can truly see that Villa done better in terms of off the ball run but his MFs failed to provide.. Silva is growing in his game, lack of accuracy but enough power which force Buffon to make several dives in both bottom corner of his post.. Last night's Italy is a team that physically strong but short of creativity(due to Pirlo's suspension IMO).. while the Spaniards was quite good in terms of creativity but lacks physical attributes which lead to several easy crush of La Roja's hope of penetration..

Anyway, I'm happy to see the penalty shootout ended in Spain's favor cause now the whole world is aware of casillas's greatness.. To beat buffon in penalty shootout and also made several heart pounding dives throughout the 120 minutes will surely opened a lot of EPL fans eyes!.. He's always there when we needed him the most! truly a hero!


Maybe Villa go for no 9 and Ronaldo will take the no 17 as it is useless with Soldado wearing it.. But anyway, the logic is if Ronaldo did make into our squad than there will be no more forward signings.. Think bout this, two of the best performers + Madrid cantera heroes + remaining players in one squad.. Sounds to me we going to that same old galacticos shit again.. The player's egos will mount in the dressing room.. Surely that's not what Senor Calderon is looking for..

This post has been edited by gto87: Jun 23 2008, 04:17 PM

How the hell you don't take Galacticos as a failure.. Yes we won several cups at the beginning but at that moment we're the greatest with some of the world class players together.. It was until Zidane that we are invincibles but after that it's beginning to fade away.. All those glories are the topic of yesteryear and now people will only recall madrid's name in the summer because we have the tradition of making the most shocking summer transfers..

We have a squad that have a very tight bond.. With Ronaldo introduced in the squad, the bonding will fade away when Ronaldo cast his ego spell in each and every heart of Madrid's player.. Sooner or later it'll be like the second successive self destruction plan and we Madridistas continue being frustrated with another god knows how many years of cup drought..
But on the other hand, he can help us win titles, that's for sure but that doesn't indicate that he's the only one that can land us titles.. Any other superstar also can do that, just to be left out of this topic only because lack of publicity.. Before Russia knock out Holland from the quarter finals, how many people do you think knows the name Arshavin? He's the perfect example of my explanation here.. Now everybody wish to have him in their squad..

This post has been edited by gto87: Jun 25 2008, 01:53 AM

You don't see why? Let say all our midfielders and wingers are in top form and some of them have to sit on the bench for a long time just because we depend too much on Ronaldo, you think our dressing room will be the same like now? It's not a big if.. Things did happen to us when Figo wants his position back but Madrid decided to let Beckham play almost all the game which by the way led Figo's departure.. Another thing is Ronaldo is a very hardworker and never seems to be easily satisfied with his achievement even his development is almost down to perfection.. So he will never let his place robbed by somebody like Robben or Robinho(if he stays with us).. Some players will back those two and our management and the other half of players will back ronaldo.. So things will turn from heaven to hell sooner or later.. It's not a big "if" I'm talking about.. This is a fact that will happen to any clubs that that holds many star players..

The things is, with Ronaldo in our squad, it doesn't mean that we have an option on the right as Ronaldo play the
same role as did by Drenthe, Robben and Robinho.. If Schuster push Ronaldo to play as a SS/AMF in order to give Robinho or Robben (assuming that drenthe will still be left out) a chance to play, they might be filling the gap on the right but the three cantera's product(granero, Javi garcia, De la red) will be left out for quite a long time until an injury come between Ronaldo, Robben or Robinho.. I know those cantera's play a different role compared to these 3Rs but IMO schuster won't change his decision and formation just to give these guys some chance to play(same happen to saviola and Soldado and drenthe).. Maybe they will play in the spanish Super Cup but don't you think they deserve better than that?

Ronaldo's transfer is only a matter of time now, but Robinho and drenthe's departure seems to be uncertain..We'll have a bunch of world class talents in the same position playing the similar kind of gameplay.. don't you think that gonna cause a chaos in our team? -that's my main point-..

Another thing is, by doing so we will ruin a bunch of players career! Don't you it's a bit cruel for them.. As a footballer I see this things in a serious way. No Madridista wants to hear people labeling us the "career devastating club"..

So to sort things out, we have to sell Robinho+let drenthe on loan or something(Robben can play as a RW) in order to purchase Ronaldo, so that we don't ruin the young souls that just came to our holy land!


off topic -- Frankly speaking, even if Ronaldo doesn't come I've been losing more and more respect for Robinho. The player who fought his boyhood club to leave and now is ready to departure just b/c he aren't paid a couple of months after he finally done some right things for the club.. WTH


You said it, how if he thinks he's bigger than us if let say his 1st year in Madrid he pull of the same level as his last season achievement with ManU? Hey it's good thing but somehow I can see this kinda attitude gonna annoy some of our players and fans a bit.. Finally, would you be still supporting him if he done the same thing like he did to ManU in this past few weeks?

This post has been edited by gto87: Jun 25 2008, 08:45 PM

Yeah it's quiet evident we have a big hole on the right and my point is even with Ronaldo we won't able to fill the gap b/c Ronaldo plays the same position on the left flank.. We actually improvising that position.. Am I wrong here? Can you explain a bit how we gonna fill the right flank with Ronaldo in the squad maybe I don't get your idea yet..

Haha, you got me wrong totally.. IMO everybody agrees on watching Ronaldo+Robinho+Robben+sneijder+Gago in the MF position.. So to make it possible, Schuster might have to change the formation or somebody's position.. For me, he will change Ronaldo to play as a SS/AMF (CR7 done it in ManU) so that there is room for Robben and Robinho to fill the gap on the right and left.(they'll switch throughout the match).. So this will left Granero, Javi Garcia, De La Red, Guti, Diarra competing for only 2 position in the starting line up.. It's good to have backup, but to have a lot of them is a waste actually.. That's what I meant.. Maybe I'm wrong but there's still a slight possibilities to happen right?

Finally....

Surely got the word out of my mouth.. Thanks.. But, this topic is pointless for some Madridistas that really don't care about the players attitude..

I've been following this rumors about Robinho for quite a time and to be honest at first I was almost lost my respect towards him.. But now, I feel pity for him.. It's like Madrid's didn't even TRY to pay a little bit of respect to Robinho.. things just getting from bad to worst and to be treated as a bargaining chip must hurt him a lot.. No need to elaborate his contribution as he been quite heroic earlier last season..

Hey, for time being the 90ME is not official yet .But, two thing for sure though, he will come(it's just a question of when not if anymore) and we will break the transfer record..

About Ronaldo.. He will play his game means he will score goals and add some flair in Madrid's football.. Why is everybody thinking that the only thing he can do or he should do is scoring goals.. Yes, goals makes the most difference in football matches but does the word assist deserve to be forgotten? Ronaldo assist many goals in his United career.. Don't you guys think that this can also help RVN, Raul or Higuain at some point of game.. Maybe a few realized that he can actually assist more than he score, just that IMO in ManUtd there's no true no.9 and that's why Ronaldo can easily be their top scorer..

I see where you going with that statement...
Yes, agree with you, Madrid really need to offload some of its players after landing Ronaldo.. Maybe Robinho will wear a blue shirt next season... But, I really hope it will not be Chelsea's.. (Madrid's away kit is also blue )

Btw, lately there been several rumours about Baptista leaving an currently the only club that interested with his service is Roma.. It's a right thing to do as Madrid needs to clear some of its MF/ST position to make room for players like El Pipita and Granero..

If I'm not mistaken it's Kleberson right?

Anyway, we did get more than what we payed for R.Carlos, L.Figo, Zizou, Ronaldo, and D.Beckham.. So, I worry less about ManU's 90ME strength because we gonna earn at least 3 or 4 times that number if he do serve us for minimum 5 years.. That's one the reason why ManUtd didn't wanna sell him to any big clubs in the world.. He is both talented an profitable as well.. Now, we hitting a jackpot aren't we?

I don't like him at all.. Now the wind is blowing in my way I guess.. Hope it'll get stronger in 2 months time..

Yeah right.. Another AMF for a squad that already have Granero,Sneijder,Guti,Robben,Robinho and DLR.. What the hack is the board is thinking about.. Although I hate CR7 but he is the perfect buy for us.. Fail to land him doesn't mean we have to land anybody like VDV in our squad..

VDV? he's good but sneijder and Guti are far better than him.. What, a couple of successful game and he's the "perfect CM" now.. I watched him closely for seasons and all I can say he's not a Madrid product.. Sneijder's ball control, set pieces and short passes are far better than him.. Don't even let me start comparing his through pass with Guti's.. I do know his shooting(sneijder is better at range shot) and pace are superior than them but, remember we are looking at a CM/AMF so, providing goals is the main topic now..

My question is why we plan on landing a player like him when we have a better similar version of him.. (sneijder)

I'm not really sure about the amount but I'm sure hell hate this move.. I've been waiting for so long to see him in our shirt.. Maybe it's the right thing to do for now but why not give him a chance or two rather pursuing some AVERAGE player like VDV..

Some people seem to be thinking that only great players can win us trophies.. Didn't we learned it in a very hard way? Or was the lesson is not clear enough that even our bitter rival fell into to the same trap? Ronaldo move is ok.. Because I thought there is still a room for the home grown star.. But, for me-as for now Madrid is heading in a wrong side of development..

Well, ok then.. I agree with you that VDV is above average.. But, will you agree with me that sneijder is better than him.. Don't you think there is too many AMF/CM in our squad for time being.. Can VDV fill the big hole in our RMF position for time being? BTW, do you think a "ronaldinho", a "kaka" or a "juninho" will really love to stay on the bench until god knows when.. Think about it..

I already elaborate about how he played and stuff in my previous posts... If you still felt we really need a player like him, then I would like to hear why..

Destructive they are, the dutch squad, I saw they did the same in Madrid w/o him.. didn't they? Do you actually think VDV is a key player towards the flawless attack? I kinda disagree with you in that..

I hope this "Marca report" is true... This story+Ronaldo's transfer more like an Epic now.. Hate to see Ronaldo's face everyday actually..

The only R10 in the world! ROBINHO!!!

This post has been edited by gto87: Jul 23 2008, 12:42 PM

A bad start for a not perfectly balanced team. Through passes, crosses and a well bonded MF's of Valencia clearly edged us. Except for the RVN's goals, we simply did nothing. Cut the crap about this "home away thingy". Why can't we look great in away matches? I mean mestalla is the place where we beat their ass to death in a 5-1 rampage aite? So why we couldn't do it again? The answer is simple, we didn't play football for the most part in the game. All we did was "chasing".

Our players snatch the ball from Valencia players, and put on not more than 3 passes when finally they end up giving the ball to valencia players again. Then we'll start chasing them again. This continues until Valencia realized they can actually capitalize some of the chances and guess what, they converted 3 times in a space of 35 minutes while we converted only one in each 45 minutes. See the difference?

Our forwards need a simple pass, not a through ball that kills them. Both RVN's goal were done in a very simple manner where Robben and DLR done what their best at-dribbling past players and a long accurate pass respectively. Eventually both made RVN's job as easy as a piece of cake. A simple shot and that's all we need. All I can say is RVN, Robben and M.Torres done a very solid job. That's the bright side. DLR was ok.

The "not so bright side" saw two of our back four are absolute jokers. GH and JG never impressed me in any preseason matches. Last night, they were like some old drunk men, running back and forth doing crap defending which end up bullied each time Valencia launched their attack. I know we don't have enough match fit defenders but hey, isn't that what transfer window is for? So don't blame anybody if we actually have the chance to strengthen our squad but all we did was "Ronaldo". Despite of all his wage demands, Robinho obviously is one of the players that gave away ball cheaply.

The worst part is, what did M.Salgado add to the preseason equation that convinced Schuster to let him start last night's match? Didn't we heard earlier that Schuster is serious about this match? Salgado WAS a great RB, but nowadays, he's not a Madrid's preferred material. Maybe the word OLD should be bold here. For me, he did everything to help Valencia score goals. A perfect "hole" for Villa to penetrate.

And the best part is. There's a 2nd leg match.. , we'll show them what football is really about in bernabeu. Hopefully, we'll play a great football! HALAMADRID!!!

Not satisfied?? Wait until we see them in action in bernabeu.. Should be interesting.. hehe

It's normal to bash a team if they are having some tough time. What is not normal is when people call Schuster to step down. Well I don't wanna remind you about how we have the best defensive record last season though this season the same defensive line looked very fragile. But things doesn't change in one night. Perhaps it's because Casillas and several other defenders were too confident about their defensive approach against the minnows especially Ramos.

Did you guys notice that our opponents tend to attack more on our right flank. Lately declined performance of Ramos was an advantage to even a team like Numancia and Bilbao, let alone The Old Lady. But it's not solely his mistake. He claimed that nobody's there to be his backup and you can see the truth where in last several matches when Ramos starts to run with the ball down at the right flank, there's nobody there for him to pass which made him have less options with the ball, either dribble past the opponent or deliver a cross. A good thing is he's improving but we face a lot of threat due to lack of defenders most of the time due to Ramos attacking role in the team.

Canna and Pepe seem to have problem communicate to each other lately. Pepe was running all over the place covering here and there. It's good for a player in secondary school league but not in the league where the Pros are playing and will simply punish your tiniest mistake with a goal. Subsequently, Pepe must stay calm at times and learn to read the game more efficiently. Just look at other world class CBs and you'll perceive the difference. Canna should be the best role model for CBs in our team but, instead of doing that he himself made several silly moves that cost our team goals. Both of them must communicate better to become if not the best maybe a superior pair from what we're having now.

MFs involved only in a small part of defending where they should defend as a team. You can see last season where even Raul came down to help the defence and it worked. Yeah I know maybe some people can argue with me that there are several MFs trying to defend but guys, there's a big difference between defending and chasing shadows. Obviously, our MFs were chasing shadows............. and Casillas... I never thought I'll comment something about him this soon. He needs to do his magic sooner rather than later. Wonder where's the real Saint we use to see every week last season.

There's a lot of other things contribute to our defensive horror but due to lack of time, it's hard for me to share. Maybe some other time. I'm having my exam tomorrow, just trying to post as much as I can.
Chow~ HALAMADRID

This post has been edited by gto87: Nov 13 2008, 10:35 PM

It's not something to be proud of.. But if your club managed by two clowns that don't even know what they are doing, then you need a result like this to make them start thinking rationally. What's more, they will actually noticed their mistakes in the last transfer window because our problem is too obvious. So I take this loss as a blessing in disguise.
Schuster did bring some stability to the defending areas before, and he's aware of our weakness and asked for reinforcement but never were granted. Did you guys realize that although we were going through a very bad start to the 1st half of the season, somehow we still manage to be just 2 points behind Barca and currently in the 2nd place of UCL's grouping stage. Well, it's because of Schuster is trying hard to make this team survive.

I do aware of those gap between them but I think they did that on purpose. Among all our CBs, Pepe is the fastest but he himself is not fast enough to chase all the through balls, so maybe they did that on purpose to face less danger backpedaling whenever throughballs played. Maybe they can overcome this problem if they discuss it with Diarra and Gago. One thing for sure now, no matter what method they try lately, nothing changed.

Well, had Ramos played as a CB, I'm pretty sure we'll concede less and the board will realize the hole in the RMF position sooner rather than later. It's because of the players like Ramos and Salgado that made the board ignored the hole. They thought it's enough to just suit in a RWB for every single match. Well guess what, people noticed the weakness and now we're risking on having that weakness each week since matchday one.

Well, they should be. We can't depend on El Pipita to be our saviour each time. Let's not forget that we gonna lose him for one or two matches because he's no robot. Sooner or later he'll be injured too. I know it's hard to take, but that's reality.

Arshavin is a creative player and I watched him with Zenit since last season and I got to say, for time being he can be the perfect substitute for Robben and also one of the best solution for our hole in the RMF position. He can deliver great crosses from both right and left side. Sneijder and Guti would be pleased to have a player of his caliber because of his highly rated positioning and reaction for the through balls. I saw him helping out his defense several times and still can play a major part as a forward.

But we have to risk dropping VDV or Guti if he's coming. Hell, I don't care we gonna drop who because, come "Black December" all that important is a winning streak!