₦airaland Forum

Virus99:
Don't mind those Cules bro.

Xavi and Iniesta were in the same club. They had world class individuals to help them win the Mundial. Torres in front, Sargio Ramos at the back and Cassilas at the goal. In the world cup final, Cassilas put up a beastly performance. 2x he saved one-on-one from Arjen Robben. And even saved a very dangerous shot from Sneijder.

But Modric who did he have ?
single handedly took his country to the Mundial final. Gave Madrid the midfield needed to win La decima.

And while Barca was doing very fine long after Xavi and Iniesta were discarded, Modric at 33 is still playing Elite football!

That is why Modric was able to win an individual award like the Balloon d'or.

If he had a very great team at Country side too, he would have won the World Cup, 3 times back to back.

Luka 10 is greatest midfielder ever seen.
Period fullstop.

At the end, who scored the decisive goal to claim the WC title?

Debroslink:
Henry did it with world class players around him. That's the difference. Henry without Zidane was a disaster for France. Eg 2002 WC.

[s]Forlan led his country to Copa America with a team inferior to Brazil and Argentina[/s]. WC golden Ball best player. WC goal of the tournament

Won golden Boot with Villarreal, [s]dragged Atletico to Europa league title before Simeone's era.[/s]

I respect Forlan more

Same Forlan that had Suarez along side him that scored 4 goals and also won the MVP in that copa America triumph?

Or the same Forlan that had aguero when atm won the europa league

Abeg take it easy when you use the word “single-handedly”

Awesome01:
Guy, must you jump into every discussion on this thread? Na wa o.

Insecurity has a way with people with shallow mindset.


Don't blame him

devvy44:
Same Forlan that had Suarez along side him that scored 4 goals and also won the MVP in that copa America triumph?

Or the same Forlan that had aguero when atm won the europa league

Abeg take it easy when you use the word “single-handedly”

Aguero to Forlan was like Jao Felix is to Suarez today. Hope you understand this.

I ask again... Who led Uruguay to Copa America title and was the captain of the team? Who was 2010 WC best player?

Where was Henry when France practically had to beg Zidane out of retirement to lead them?

devvy44:
Where were Xavi and Iniesta when modric helped Madrid to 3 consecutive Ucl titles?


At 34 they were no longer fit to play la liga

They had already won four UCLs, one WC, two euros, numerous la liga and copa titles. One already had an european player of the year award and they both featured in the top 3 players in the world in a time when Messi & Ronaldo were in their mad prime......then I don't even what Modric was doing. Now even Luka knows his place where these two geniuses are mentioned so there's no point in me arguing this again.

Debroslink:
Aside Suarez, kindly name the great players around Messi in 2017 and 2018 under Valverde.

Bro I only mentioned Messi because your first point about Forlan being better than Henry was because Henry was surrounded by better players and Forlan wasn't and yet He still shone well. Now we all know Messi didn't start playing ball from 2017 infact us being honest, Messi had his best years before that era and then he was surrounded by wonderful players but does that doesn't in any way make Harry Kane or Lewa or Aguero or Athletico Grizz hold a torch to his greatness.

Moura7:
Bro I only mentioned Messi because your first point about Forlan being better than Henry was because Henry was surrounded by better players and Forlan wasn't and yet He still shone well. Now we all know Messi didn't start playing ball from 2017 infact us being honest, Messi had his best years before that era and then he was surrounded by wonderful players but does that doesn't in any way make Harry Kane or Lewa or Aguero or Athletico Grizz hold a torch to his greatness.

Difference between Messi and Henry is... While the great players of Barca either left or retired, Messi stayed put and still keeps winning titles. Messi has been surrounded by average players in the last 4 seasons, yet he's still winning titles upon titles.

When Arsenal stopped buying ready-made stars and to rely on young talents like Fabregas, what did Henry do? He simply ran away.

Henry ran away from leading Arsenal in their new Emirates stadium to become a follower in Barcelona. A place where young Messi, young Iniesta and Xavi were leaders.

Don't compare Henry with Messi. It's an abomination.

Awesome01:
Good points there. However, if Koeman stays he needs to change his tactics a bit to help motivate his players to play for him.

We cannot have an introvert as a captain on the field and also have a quiet coach on the sideline, its remedy for disaster.

Like you pointed "weak mentality" out. Psychologist could be used to raise players morale before and during games.

Yh thanks for at least seeing that I have good points. Most people here dismiss my points with a wave of hand especially if it is involved with not vilifying Koeman and blaming him for all our problems.

Our fans here have refused to acknowledge that Messi being introvert have contributed to our weak mentality or feebleness. We stopped competing in UCL as soon as Messi and Iniesta became captain. They are not to blame alone but they haven't been the best captains when you needed motivation.
This is not to say that introverts are weak minded but sport needs outspoken leaders. We do not have this with Messi. He lowers his head once the pressure goes up a notch. This is not what we need.

Of course we have alot of average players too in the squad that needs purging too.

jpmoriarti:
Our fans here have refused to acknowledge that Messi being introvert have contributed to our weak mentality or feebleness. We stopped competing in UCL as soon as Messi and Iniesta became captain. They are not to blame alone but they haven't been the best captains when you needed motivation.

I quite disagree. There's no motivation you wanna give your teammates when the foundation is weak. Foundation such as bad tactics from coach and poor administration.

Look at Man Utd yesterday. Are you gonna say the reason why they lost was because of Bruno Fernandes' leadership style? Everyone is pointing to Ole's weak tactics as their source of defeat.

Was Puyol not vocal enough? Why didn't his vocal leadership style save us from being trophy less for 2 seasons before a great coach called Guardiola came in to rescue us?

Santiago123:
I am a Barcelona fan,modric better than iniesta,it's quite debatable,but it could go either way really,inista is usually overrated by most of the cules here.
But that's just about it,I don't think modric or any midfielder of the last 15 years comes close to xavi,i can back my claim up,but I believe any intelligent person should know this.

Iniesta is overrated, but Xavi who was being overshadowed for 8 years in Barcelona before Iniesta came up is the best thing shey?

I think you became a Barca fan when Guardiola came in.

Debroslink:
I quite disagree. There's no motivation you wanna give your teammates when the foundation is weak. Foundation such as bad tactics from coach and poor administration.

Look at Man Utd yesterday. Are you gonna say the reason why they lost was because of Bruno Fernandes' leadership style? Everyone is pointing to Ole's weak tactics as their source of defeat.

Was Puyol not vocal enough? Why didn't his vocal leadership style save us from being trophy less for 2 seasons before a great coach called Guardiola came in to rescue us?

If you had said this thing in person and I was present there, I'll not mind giving you a wonderful treat.

Thumbs up brother

Debroslink:
I quite disagree. There's no motivation you wanna give your teammates when the foundation is weak. Foundation such as bad tactics from coach and poor administration.

Look at Man Utd yesterday. Are you gonna say the reason why they lost was because of Bruno Fernandes' leadership style? Everyone is pointing to Ole's weak tactics as their source of defeat.

Was Puyol not vocal enough? Why didn't his vocal leadership style save us from being trophy less for 2 seasons before a great coach called Guardiola came in to rescue us?

You have valid points too. Weak foundations. Mediocre coaching etc

But how do you explain what happened to us in Rome and Liverpool, and how our campaign petered out with a whimper when we were primed by bookmakers to go on and claim the title?

Against Roma and Liverpool, we won 4-1 and 3-0 respectively. How can you explain our inability to see it out just a week later? You gonne pin that to mediocre coaching and weak foundations too? I won't! No excuse to what happened apart from lack of motivation and weak mentality. A Puyol, or Xavi or Sergio Ramos cannot allow that to happen to a team under his captainship. But we have to come expect that from Messi every single fucckkking time.

jpmoriarti:
You have valid points too. Weak foundations. Mediocre coaching etc

But how do you explain what happened to us in Rome and Liverpool, and how our campaign petered out with a whimper when we were primed by bookmakers to go on and claim the title?

Against Roma and Liverpool, we won 4-1 and 3-0 respectively. How can you explain our inability to see it out just a week later? You gonne pin that to mediocre coaching and weak foundations too? I won't! No excuse to what happened apart from lack of motivation and weak mentality. A Puyol, or Xavi or Sergio Ramos cannot allow that to happen to a team under his captainship. But we have to come expect that from Messi every single fucckkking time.

We also lost 4 - 0 to PSG, but what did Enrique do? He pulled Messi to the 3-man midfield and put Rafinha in the right role of the front 3. The result started showing from the kick-off of the 2nd leg when Rafinha assisted Suarez.

It's still mediocre coaches that caused the defeats. We all saw how Valverde and Seiten would just sit on the couch while the whole team crumbled. I'm so aware of the situation in Rome and Anfield. The formation was static, Valverde go just dey look like say eye dey pain am. Seiten was even worse.

Where are Valverde and Seiten today? No top club or will hire such failures.

The board would be appointing coaches that have no track record of successes or trophies in the past. Just because it worked for Guardiola and Enrique, must it work for nobodies like Valverde and Seiten?

But NO! You must pin their failures on Messi. A player who guarantees over 30 goals and assists every season for the past 13 years.

Why don't you blame captain Xavi when Bayern hit us home and away 7-0 in 2013?

Debroslink:
Why don't you blame captain Xavi when Bayern hit us home and away 7-0 in 2013?

The team was emotionally broken having seen the coach suffer cancer and later death. Xavi admitted that the team didn't practice tactics at the time. Also Messi was injured during that period. We only managed to scrap past PSG in the round of 16 that year before getting hammered by Bayern.

By and large, that season was an emotional one for everybody.

jpmoriarti:
The team was emotionally broken having seen the coach suffer cancer and later death. Xavi admitted that the team didn't practice tactics at the time. Also Messi was injured during that period. We only managed to scrap past PSG in the round of 16 that year before getting hammered by Bayern.

By and large, that season was an emotional one for everybody.

See the nice excuse you brought up, but failed to see how the board appointed mediocre coaches in Valverde and Seiten.

Since Valverde was sacked, Mourinho had coached Man Utd and Tottenham, and and now at Roma. He didn't win any league title, but he's still being employed. Valverde won 2 league titles, but NO top club has come for him since Barca sacked him.

No. Let's blame Messi for everything.

Debroslink:
But NO! You must pin their failures on Messi. A player who guarantees over 30 goals and assists every season for the past 13 years.

Messi must do more in leadership. That's all I am saying. Considering his status at the club, he must do more. He gets paid over €80 Million yearly. His outrageous goal scoring abilities does not come free for the club.

With Messi around, we should be better than every other club because none of those clubs have Messi but for the past 4 years, we've got nothing but heart breaks and disillusionment while Messi smiles to the bank every time.

Debroslink:
See the nice excuse you brought up, but failed to see how the board appointed mediocre coaches in Valverde and Seiten.

Since Valverde was sacked, Mourinho had coached Man Utd and Tottenham, and and now at Roma. He didn't win any league title, but he's still being employed. Valverde won 2 league titles, but NO top club has come for him since Barca sacked him.

No. Let's blame Messi for everything.

You see, I am deliberately isolating important points you raised, so we don't get things muddled up.

My response wasn't a 'nice excuse '. That was what happened 2013. I completely exonerate anyone of any blame. When human life is involved, everything else becomes secondary. It was no secret that Vilanova's illness and eventual death, shattered the team emotionally and consequently left the team unprepared against big oppositions like Bayern.
Nothing anyone could have do here.

jpmoriarti:
Despite the numerous short comings of Koeman, if Barcelona fail to tremendously renovate this group of players we currently have, I will say we won't improve much, no matter which coach we have.

About 75% of players in this current squad are playing at a very very low level and I don't think they can give more than that. They are simply players not good enough for the shirt.

Yes even with a new coach we both know we won't achieve success especially in Europe overnight and this squad needs a sensible overhaul with time so you're right on that one. Infact some media outlets have pointed out that the players especially lack of a striker might be the reason koeman is granted another season But bro tbh even if we get world class players in every position I'm still wary of him, awesome01 has typed most of what I wanted to say here, There's a reason why most man united fans attacked ole viciously ahead of rashford or de Gea after the Europa league final I thought we were going to see the koeman that recharged the Netherlands but tactical indecisions and inflexibility, pride, late substitutions and sometimes following the past coaches way of leaving it to Messi and insha Allah (not like we have a choice anyway) have really angered the fanbase, Well l just hope for the best but the right things have to be done whether he stays or not.

Debroslink:
Where are Valverde and Seiten today? No top club or will hire such failures.

Perhaps they are not yet ready for new management. Remember they only both left management just last season. The foundations Valverde and Setien laid in Athletic Bilbao and Betis respectively, is still very much bearing fruit today. Bilbao has reached back to back copa del Rey. It didn't happen by mere chance. Betis are in the Europa league this season.

So I'm sure these coaches will find suitable clubs once they're ready to return to management.

Someone has been scoring all the goals for you.
Making all the assists for you.
Making all the passes for you.
Doing all the dribbles for you.

He should be shouting all the shout for you.



We have Messi and so we should be doing better than other clubs.

And if we don't do better, it is his fault; he is not shouting in the pitch.

It all all makes sense now.

Kilishihunter:
Yes even with a new coach we both know we won't achieve success especially in Europe overnight and this squad needs a sensible overhaul with time so you're right on that one. Infact some media outlets have pointed out that the players especially lack of a striker might be the reason koeman is granted another season But bro tbh even if we get world class players in every position I'm still wary of him, awesome01 has typed most of what I wanted to say here, There's a reason why most man united fans attacked ole viciously ahead of rashford or de Gea after the Europa league final I thought we were going to see the koeman that recharged the Netherlands but tactical indecisions and inflexibility, pride, late substitutions and sometimes following the past coaches way of leaving it to Messi and insha Allah (not like we have a choice anyway) have really angered the fanbase, Well l just hope for the best but the right things have to be done whether he stays or not.

Nobody agrees it takes time.

Nobody wants to wait for time.


To most of us; we are Barca..we Don't need time to form a team.

We assemble a group of good players, probably from heaven; And then go out every season and win.

What are we Barca for?

ddippset:
Someone has been scoring all the goals for you.
Making all the assists for you.
Making all the passes for you.
Doing all the dribbles for you.

He should be shouting all the shout for you.



We have Messi and so we should be doing better than other clubs.

And if we don't do better, it is his fault; he is not shouting in the pitch.

It all all makes sense now.

Well, obviously his goals, assists etc are no longer enough for us otherwise we should be winning important matches and celebrating more titles. He must do more in leadership.

jpmoriarti:
Well, obviously his goals, assists etc are no longer enough for us otherwise we should be winning important matches and celebrating more titles. He must do more in leadership.

guy rest, your argument lacks merit

ddippset:
Nobody agrees it takes time.

Nobody wants to wait for time.


To most of us; we are Barca..we Don't need time to form a team.

We assemble a group of good players, probably from heaven; And then go out every season and win.

What are we Barca for?

Sad but plain truth

Taguchi:
guy rest, your argument lacks merit

Well now, present a superior argument. It is easy to dismiss what I said. Show me a better argument with verifiable facts

Debroslink:
Difference between Messi and Henry is... While the great players of Barca either left or retired, Messi stayed put and still keeps winning titles. Messi has been surrounded by average players in the last 4 seasons, yet he's still winning titles upon titles.

When Arsenal stopped buying ready-made stars and to rely on young talents like Fabregas, what did Henry do? He simply ran away.

Henry ran away from leading Arsenal in their new Emirates stadium to become a follower in Barcelona. A place where young Messi, young Iniesta and Xavi were leaders.

Don't compare Henry with Messi. It's an abomination.

Ran away??....So Xavi and Iniesta also ram away too. Henry won trophies fpr Arsenal and they've never won the epl since he left...infact they had wait almost nine years b4 they could lift a trophy. No one's comparing Messi to Henry, its an insanity. What I'm trying to say is you shouldn't downplay someone's greatness just because he played with other great players. That's even harder cos in the midst of stars he shone brighest. Its easy for a star to shine well in the midst of darkness but can it shine the brighest in the midst of other stars. Forlan went to prime Inter from Atleti and what happened?

jpmoriarti:
Well, obviously his goals, assists etc are no longer enough for us otherwise we should be winning important matches and celebrating more titles. He must do more in leadership.

Ahn Ahn

Is he the only one kelleting salary


Abi is Barcelona an inheritance from his father?

Why you dey yarn like this na?

ddippset:
Ahn Ahn

Is he the only one kelleting salary


Abi is Barcelona an inheritance from his father?

Why you dey yarn like this na?

He is kelleting 80 freaking million Euros and he is 34 yrs. The way I see it, he has everything he needs to be leader of the team in more ways than one.

jpmoriarti:
Well, obviously his goals, assists etc are no longer enough for us otherwise we should be winning important matches and celebrating more titles. He must do more in leadership.

Now I don't agree with this summation. Messi has been all for this team for so many seasons consequtively. Performing at the top level back to back even in his worst season.

Being an introvert does not have anything to do with his performance, afterall he had been a quiet fellow even in the Guardiola/Enrique era and then we were winning all winnables.

My point is that - most of the goals that crushed us this season are counters and defensive blunders, you don't expect a striker captain to be on the ball and controlling the defense same time. The coach should in those situations be signalling or controlling his defenders on their positioning. For example, If Alba overlaps as usual who moves backward to cover for him (tactics), not error prone lenglet of course.

jpmoriarti:
Well, obviously his goals, assists etc are no longer enough for us otherwise we should be winning important matches and celebrating more titles. He must do more in leadership.

Some wonderful things that would have happened If Messi was shouting and barking instructions all over the pitch as a leader;

1. Suarez would have scored more than 1 UCL goal in 3 seasons in the UCL.

2. Busquets would return from being Slowsquets to being Fastsquets.

3. Lenglet would stop scoring own goals and conceding penalties.

4. Pique would be that solid rock of 2012 all over again.

5. Dembele would never get injured and miss crucial matches.

6. Valverde and Koeman would turn to SAF in his prime.

7. The board would never contemplate exchanging Pjanic with Arthur.

8. Messi would shout on his team mates so hard they would take on chances and not pass to Messi.

jpmoriarti:
He is kelleting 80 freaking million Euros and he is 34 yrs. The way I see it, he has everything he needs to be leader of the team in more ways than one.

So because he is kelleting 80 million so all the responsibilities should be on him?

Then those kelleting 10 million should just quit na, let us know that only him is playing.

Since 10 million, 15 million is not money!

ddippset:
Some wonderful things that would have happened If Messi was shouting and barking instructions all over the pitch as a leader;

1. Suarez would have scored more than 1 UCL goal in 3 seasons in the UCL.

2. Busquets would return from being Slowsquets to being Fastsquets.

3. Lenglet would stop scoring own goals and conceding penalties.

4. Pique would be that solid rock of 2012 all over again.

5. Dembele would never get injured and miss crucial matches.

6. Valverde and Koeman would turn to SAF in his prime.

7. The board would never contemplate exchanging Pjanic with Arthur.

8. Messinwould shout on his team mates so hard they would take this chances and not pass to Messi.

Stop all this sarcasm and reverse psychology bossman, U are confusing our friend.