Abidal Out For Eight Weeks

thanks for rounding up all the good news, nic

we need to try caceres in that position along the line

Thnks again Nic !!!

I think Sylvinho is more experienced to sub him .Moreover, he's benifited from long rest.

i think that he would suit that zone.

Abidal's absence is nothing to lose sleep over.He can be easily replaced by either Sylvinho or Caceres !!

I hope you guys are right that he won't be missed. When he was out in November Guardiola generally preferred to play Puyol there, with Sylvinho getting to play in the less important games. At that time we did fine but the team was playing exceptionally well at the time. On Abidal's form over the last four or five months I think he is easily our best option at left back. Sylvinho is better going forward but Abidal is defensively much better which is the most important thing for a defender. As for Caceres I hope he comes good but he has done little to impress since arriving last summer, I think he would be too risky for the big games.

nic,
If Puyol replaces Abidal who would replace him at CB? Marquez? Pique? I don't trust either of them. They tend to make DUMB mistakes around the penalty area. You don't want to give Juninho a crack at a free kick especially with Valdes often clueless defending them . Do you remember last year CL game in Lyon? Juninho scored a free kick from 35-40 meters. He may have scored two in the same game !!

So the best guy to sub Abidal is Sylvinho since Pyoul should be in the heart and centre fo the defence.


Pyoul won't be able to run along the line for 90 mns .

I agree with Nic on this, Abidal will be sorely missed!! This couldnt have come at a more crucial time and it is one of a few positions where we really dont have that much cover. Sylvinho is ok once in a while, but he is old and he is not at the level anymore where he can play big games week in, week out. Puyol can and probably will play there but it means he is not in the centre and that means less organisation, as we saw against Espanyol. We want the captain in the middle and not having him there because he is covering Abidal could hurt us. I wouldnt mind giving Caceres a chance to show us what he is made of, but i have my doubts about him. Great prospect for the future but I dont think he is ready yet.

I think this injury exposes one of the positions where we lack depth. We need to buy a player who could potentially cover either LB or RB comfortably. If Alves were to get injured right now (god forbid) then we are in a lot of trouble. We could also use 2 more players; a left winger and another midfielder in place of either Guddy. Hleb or Keita.

Hilal,
What do you think about the rumour about Asenjo? If he is a quality keeper why not sign him,perhaps as a backup or someone to give Valdes some competition.I think you can never have enough quality players at key positions.Let's face we still have some major question marks regarding some of our players especially on the defensive side.

FCB-Holland, I think Asenjo would be a great buy, definitely a young keeper with a lot of potential. However I would only buy him if he has a realistic shot at getting some decent play time, and not just copa games. He is young and talented so he needs games and I wouldnt want to get him just as a bench warmer.

I think VV is a solid keeper, they all make mistakes, and he hasnt made one in a while. The problem is that VV always choses the worst games to make mistakes in; whereas a keeper like Casillas will make mistakes but not in a CL semi final or when we are one nil down with 10 men. Valdez is good, but I still dont think he is good enough, he is the best out of what is available. I would only take 3 or 4 keepers over him, but i cant say that about any other position in our team. We have the best of the best in almost every starting spot, the keeper should be on the same level.

As for the defense, I dont really have any worries about the players we have, i think they are all either world class defenders or young players with a lot of potential. What we need is not to replace any players but to buy a few more full backs. We have plenty of cover for the centre backs, plenty. What we need is a player like Lahm, he would be perfect. He can play either side, he is excellent going forward and defending. There are enough games in a season to rotate 3 players in those 2 positions allowing them all to get sufficient playing time. Lahm would lighten the load on Alves and Abidal and could slot in either position if either of them pick up an injury. He would cost a lot, but its either one player who can play either side or two players; one for each side. I would prefer Lahm.

To add to what Nic and others have said regarding Abidal's importance defesinvely, he is also able to win headers regularly--something that neither Caceres nor Sylvinho seem capable of.

Puyol must play in center; the Pique-Marquez tandem is not going to work. Come back soon, Gabi...

Hilal,

I think you've got a great point about Lahm. I don't love him tons, but his ability to play both sides would be perfect. As far as Abidal going down, it is a bit of a conundrum. If we had Lahm we would be okay. I don't envy the decision Pep has in front of him.

I think you're right about the left winger, too. I'd LOVE Ribery.

I think, however, we should give Hleb a little more time. He is far better than he's shown. First years at a club are often tough for players. I think he'll come around.

Guddy, though, no gracias. And with Kieta it doesn't seem like we really ever should have signed him. He's just OK, and I don't think that's what Barca should be signing.

Nic-
Is there anyone in Barca B that stands out as an Central Midfielder (do we call it Attacking Central Mid? the mid that's not defensive?)?

abidal is a big blow and if you dont think so, plz stop watching games from last season and start watching this season! or remove your bias and watch objectively. i was a strong voice last year saying how bad abidal was, because he was, but this year he has been sublime at times and consistently good. he is strong, fast, and tall, sure his passing isnt great, but thats not his main job. i worried to have him out.

as for our best option. ive struggled over this a while. i cant really decide. my gut tells me pep will play puyol, which i dont think i agree with. he did play quite brilliantly in that positon a few months ago, but as nic so astutly pointed out, thats when the entire team was looking unstoppable. its different now.

caceres or sylinvho are the only real options. one one side you have a young, energetic, fast player the other an experienced veteran. frankly i still dont know. i think id lean to slyvinho, but make it clear to him he needs to limit his attacking, we cannot have him going forward and not being able to get back. imagine he and alves attacking and then a quick counter. that equals major problems. caceres looked good his lsat games in center back (better than pique the one game), but i remember his one chance at LB here, his attacking play looked confused and akward. the natural left foot of the veteran is slightly safer i think.

anyhow, tomorrow we will get the preview for lyon. like i said, and have said, and will say again. we played amazing in oct/nov/dec, but u win nothing then. feb/march are the times to show what you are worth. pep has a chance now to show his abilities. the lyon game is going to much tougher than we would like, i really think so.

I red your articles about the interwiew of Messi and i'm here to comment it, and say that Messi is one of the player that can solve also only an important match. Also me i wrote today an article that it is an interwiew.
The interwiew is about David Villa.

LINK#comments
i red also your post about the match versus Espanyol and this about the injuried of Abidal, really great work!!!!
Hi Blogger, and to all the readears of this wonderful blog, first of all, congratulations
for the blog and for the season of Barca.
Than i ask to all a please to go to read my
last article (i think that i made a good work in correct english) and i really love if you will read and comment it.
I really love also your opinions that will can help me to make better.
Thanks you very much to all.
Rob.
Nice day for all people.

Abidal's injury comes at a very crucial time in the season. he was having a great season, and he'll be out pretty much until the end of the season. It's a BIG blow.

However, we have Sylvinho, Caceras and Puyol who can cover that slot. Puyol had some great games at LB, but like most I agree that he needs to be in the centre. Caceras is young and has potential so he should get his chance, but not in the big games. Sylvinho is the best bet, but when he plays he should tone down his attacking so that he can deal with counters.

but if this doesn't work Pep ould always dip into the excellent academy and pick out a great LB playing for Barca Atletic.

In the summer we should go for Lahm, he is still young, quick and great with both feet. his attacking and defending is great aswell and therefore would make a great addition to the squad.