Xaviesque

I want just put some things into perspective regards Pep. Some posters here said that he is not a good coach and all the trophies are due to our players, nothing could be further from the truth. That shows how tricky memory can be. As you are supporters of an other club it is no surprise that you are not that close to the FCB recent past, but let me just say one thing: when Pep was appointed we were in shambles, we were a laughing stock not only in Spain, but also in Europe. In the 2007/08 season we had to do a guard of honour for Real Madrid in the classico in the Bernabeau before they played us off the park with 4:1, and that was a Real Madrid which could not get over the QF in the CL: Our players were in open revolt, they did train badly, if they trained at all; Leo was more injured than on the pitch, the socis were trying to overthow Laporta with a vote of mistrust. There was no structure, no discipline, no success. Xavi and Iniesta? Good players, but respected the way they are today? Be honest, did you have heard of them? When Pep came everything,, everything changed. He pushed the old guard out with Ronaldinho, Deco,...:: He made a pact with Eto'o for a last hurry, they did develop a special diet for Leo to battle his injuries; there were new rules for training, eating times,...He redeveloped our playing style, putting XavIniesta as fulcrum, redeveloped Leo's role from a winger to false nine, he introduced the pressing game and tried new things. Yes, he did have lack with the players, but he helped them to develop their potential, he brought youth players in nobody had heard of like Busi, Pedro, usw. To say he has nothing to do with our success is not doing him any justice

The long term problem for CFC might not be so much in coaching terms as in financial terms. The financial frame for the club is restricted as was pointed out by the article on Swiss Ramble. How big will be the transfer kitty for a new manager? The last result for CFC showed a big loss, therefore w/o a considerable increase in income they have to sell players to finance new ones. But they have not much valuable assets: Drogba, out of contract; Torres?, if they get 15 Mio. for him it would be good business, Malouda, Meirelles, they must pay somebody to take those guys of the wage bill.

I would more than surprised if Pep would leave us to join the circus that is your club (sorry). I know that the english media like to portrait him as some kind of clueless teddybear, but that could not be more away from the truth. When Pep arrived we were in shambles, he pushed out Ronadlinho, Deco and other to faciliate the development of Messi. He has a ruthless streak when he thinks somebody is threatening to destabilize the team, he puhsed Eto'o out, who is still one of our biggest legends. After one year he insisted to sell Ibra, who was our most expensive transfer and had an acceptable first season, because he thought it would not work out within the team. The tought of him going to CFC to let somebody like Lampard dictate him team selection and tactics is laughable. The image that CFC is giving: the manager asks us to change, to work harder and we react by refusing and whining to the media but instead of getting backed the board is following every whimp of so called "star players". Which coach which any self esteem would want to take over that circus?

There was an interesting article in the FT about Torres and the problem if a professional has such a slump in form. Very interesting, poor chap

I see that my boy Oriol is not in the line up. Any idea why he did fall out of flavour with AVB? Regarding his age and the situation of a new league I think he did rather well

So would you be so kind to explain to me which effort Lampard put into this goal, apart from just standing there and offering a deflection?

Maybe class is permanent after all. Good to see el nino get his mojo back, he has to, if he wants to go to EURO 2012. Llorente, Negredo and Soldado are breathing down his neck. Meireles? I just do not get this player. and it seems all the luck that Torres is missing has switched to Lampard, who has hardly set the world alight, but is in the right place at the right time, a 2nd time in the row, today and the Wolves game

and in my opinion that does not justify to let Lampard on the pitch the whole game: 89 minutes of incompetence and 1 minute to be in the right place, he should come on as a late sub

I know that Lampard scored, but that was all Torres, who picked up the right pass to create this chance, Xavi could have done no better

Why take out creativity instead of adding some? This guy should come on for Lampard or Meireles

Hah, I see, at least you have not lost your humour, yet

and one more thing: the luck of movment is evident. 3 Wolves players are defending Mata, and what does Meireles do: standing near by and watching. You have to use the space, even more so if the opponent is defending as deep and compact as Wolves are doing

Terrible. The most creative impact comes from Torres, a Striker!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! On top of that Chelsea can account themselves lucky in Germany and Spain that would have been a red card for Lampard. Cole is a senior player and clearly loosing his head. The luck of mental strength is frightening. Good start, but then things do not work out immediatly and they are on the backfoot.

Problem is he has hardly a choice. You have too many player doing the same thing, and a complete lack in other position. That is why I do not understand Cahill transfer. You have Terry, Luiz finding his feet (one of the best today), Ivanovic can play there, Oriol surely could do. Priority should be a creative midfielder and somebody playing on the wing for the first team and then you could think about back-up for other positions.

Big brain fart by Lampard here, no comment