Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Is Tata Martino the Right Man for Barcelona Long Term?
That the Barca faithful are already passing negative judgments after such a short tenure is in itself a little concerning.
As of this moment, Martino's debut season record holds up well, compared to that of his most recent contemporaries.
In their first 22 La Liga games, both Pep Guardiola and Tito Vilanova won 19 games, drew two and lost one, to give them a points total of 59.
Tata's 54 points from 17 wins, three draws and two losses is not anywhere close to the disaster that some would have you believe.
Cules want to see more "tiki-taka" and less pragmatism from Tata Martino.
The Argentine is struggling to curry favour amongst the rank and file because of a steadfast refusal to play "tiki-taka" when he believes that there is a more practical way of getting results.
The sharpness and urgency of the Guardiola years has inevitably waned, and the fickle everyday Barca fan has therefore seen fit to direct their ire toward the manager.
It's fair to suggest that the baying masses had already sharpened their knives whilst Vilanova was in-situ.
There were murmurings of discontent during that 2012/13 season concerning Tito's lack of trust in the youngsters in his squad.
For those used to seeing regular promotions from Barca B—there were 22 during Pep's four years—Vilanova's insistence on playing his most senior players as often as possible was probably a chief reason for Barca's mental and physical tiredness at the business end.
Cristian Tello is one of just a handful of La Masia graduates to make the first team in the last two seasons.
The humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich might well have been limited had a clear rotation policy been in place throughout, and Vilanova's most unfortunate illness diluted and deflected much of the criticism that would surely have come his way otherwise.
Aside from unforeseen injuries, the current squad remains fresh.
Martino has done the opposite to his predecessor insofar as everyone in the squad, including the previously untouchable Lionel Messi, has been rotated diligently and used intelligently.
If we want to be picky, there is perhaps a reasonable argument as to why Marc Bartra has been under-utilised.
Yet before the Champions League game in Amsterdam against Ajax, and the Athletic Bilbao game just a few days after, the manager was being lauded and applauded for his acumen.
Marc Bartra could perhaps have been used more in the centre of defence.
The manner of those two defeats did little for his ongoing credibility and candidacy for a longer term appointment in the eyes of many.
A perceived lack of urgency and "sparkle" unmasked Tata's fiercest critics.
The vitriol spouted in his direction has even seen the Argentine confide to close friends that he will leave his post at the end of the season (per Football Espana), however successful it may be.
And successful to this point it has been.
How can the loss of just three games in all competitions this season and still being alive in all of them be considered anything other than a success?
The doom-mongers will have you believe otherwise of course. La Liga, Copa del Rey and the Champions League are well beyond Barca they'll say, but the stats say otherwise.
The best goal difference in all of the top five leagues in Europe, over 100 goals for the ninth season in succession, highest amount of successfully completed passes in the top five leagues (per whoscored.com). We could go on...
A couple of lacklustre performances aside, there seems little to reproach Martino for.
In a day and age where managers are hired and fired on a whim, he deserves to be given the reins on a longer term basis.
Whether he or the club allow his contract to run for the two full seasons that he originally signed up to (per FCBarcelona.com), we can only speculate on at this stage.
But supporters with very short memories should be careful what they wish for...
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Sunday, February 9, 2014
Jose Mourinho Is Right, Chelsea's Eden Hazard Is the World's Finest Youngster
Chants of "Jose Mourinho, Jose Mourinho" echoed around Stamford Bridge as Chelsea leapfrogged Arsenal to take top spot in the Premier League with a 3-0 victory over Newcastle United.
There was even a moment during the first half when all Blues fans inside the stadium took to their feet to give a impromptu standing ovation for their manager.
"Stand up for the Special One," they sang. When Eden Hazard completed his hat-trick with a penalty on 63 minutes, there was an extra name added to their songs of praise. And rightly so.
The affection shown for Mourinho was rousing, a sign of the harmony the Portuguese has brought back to west London. Hazard's applause when he was substituted late on was no different.
Alastair Grant/Associated Press
After a terrific display against the Geordies, the Belgian reinforced his importance to this Chelsea team and the crowd showed that they are only too aware of the talent they have within their team.
So too is Mourinho.
"I have to say yes, but maybe not," was Mourinho's tongue-in-cheek response to Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker when he stated how impressive Hazard has been this season.
Scott Heavey/Getty Images
"This player didn't get one single award from the Barclays Premier League for Player of the Month. I see players getting that award month after month and this kid has empty pockets.
"He's the best young player in the world. Under 23, under 24, he is for sure the best in the world and if he continues in this direction, who knows where he can arrive?"
Hazard's confidence was already booming on the back of scoring his first hat-trick in English football. His manager's words will have put it up a notch or two.
Mourinho has been spouting plenty in recent weeks about Chelsea's title hopes, that his team is a little horse against two stallions in Manchester City and Arsenal.
He went one better after the Newcastle win, describing City as a Jaguar car that cannot have learner plates on its rear.
Clint Hughes/Associated Press
It's all fanciful, providing the media with nothing but humorous headlines. His views on Hazard are the real deal, however.
There isn't another player of his age in world football doing what the Belgian is at the moment.
Hazard is making a mockery of defences, taunting opponents. He was clinical against Newcastle and just five days previous he did the same to City at the Etihad Stadium.
Branislav Ivanovic was the hero of the hour with his goal in the 1-0 win last Monday, yet it was the performance of Hazard that stood out. His probing runs, vision, ability to hold off even the biggest of defenders and drive at the heart of defence.
He is putting teams on the back foot from the referee's first whistle and while Mourinho may be concerned with his lack of firepower where his strikers are concerned, he needn't when Hazard is in this type of form.
At 23 years old, the Belgian is now a senior player at Stamford Bridge. He is demanding possession, making things happen. And if he continues, he is going to deliver Chelsea the Premier League trophy—the very thing Mourinho reckons is beyond his reach.
Lille thought they were doing good business when they sold Hazard to Chelsea for £32 million in the summer of 2012. How they must be ruing that decision now.
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Monday, February 3, 2014
Liverpool's Brendan Rodgers Right Not to Dwell on Kolo Toure Blunder
Toure’s inexplicable pass across the face of Liverpool’s penalty area on 67 minutes was pounced upon by Victor Anichebe, who confidently took his gift and equalised for the Baggies.
Whatever way you look at it, Toure’s error cost Liverpool the three points. It may not have been a pretty victory in the making, but an away trip to the Hawthorns in early February isn’t going to be easy for any Premier League side.
Moaning Gets You Nowhere
Full time and the points being shared was met with disappointment, frustration and some anger by the traveling fans, yet Rodgers, with his calm and collected nature, chose not to dwell on the mistake which cost his side the win.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Rodgers defended his side’s decision to build play from the back even though, coupled with West Brom pressure, it contributed to Toure’s costly mistake.
We like to build the game and construct play from behind and sometimes it will cost you and today was unfortunately one of those days.
Kolo Toure has been brilliant since he's been here. He's been a real leader, an outstanding professional and, unfortunately, it was a mistake.
It’s not the first mistake Toure has made in his career, and it probably won’t be the last either. At 32 years old, the Ivorian international knows what he did wrong and what he can do to avoid making the same mistake again.
He doesn’t need Rodgers to explain that to him.
Kudos for Toure accepting blame for the mistake and to Rodgers for not having a go at him. LFC need to just nuckle down and get 4th spot.
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