You forgot "Super" Dean Ashton;)Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
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You forgot "Super" Dean Ashton;)Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
You left out Dean Ashton and didnt Carragher have a stint there?Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
I left out lots of players. That's just how good Crewe are.
(Though no joy with Carragher on wiki; one-club man apparently)
Here lads hope this will clear up a few things about Barce B.
http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/engli...tbol_base.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FC_Barcelona_B
They are a Spanish version of a League 1 side. Someone like Leyton Orient.
Except there's a much quicker fall off in the Spanish league, so they're probably more like a good non-league team.
Second division crowds in Spain fall to 2000-odd for some clubs; third division (which is regionalised) would be lower still. Leyton Orient at least manage 4500. Below 2000, you're really getting into the realms of semi-pro clubs.
Surely, as a UCD fan who keeps the attendance thread here up to date, you're not suggesting that we should judge the merits of the two leagues based on crowds?
Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Spanish league has a really quick "fall off" - first division to non-league in 24 hours!Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Nope, just pointing out that the division in general probably don't get enough to be fully pro, and then noting from that that the division Barca Atletic came fifth in is only a semi-pro league. (Obviously Barca Atletic are probably pro themselves). But there is a rough correlation between quality and attendances; that doesn't mean that a club like, for example, UCD can't come above their station.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodge
Having been scorned for merely going to watch a team play, I'm now resorting to other ways of backing up my point. I of course await the Dundalk fans' attempt at using evidence to back their points up.
LoI First Division, English non-league. :rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by Ezeikial
For the record, regardless of quality, its a far more interesting game for me than the majority of friendlies that will be played this year.
Absolutely. I enjoyed watching the game. Just making the point not to expect much.
Does it matter if its Barcelona's under 12's girls B team? It's just a friendly like!
Not really, no. Although the Dundalk fans seem very upset for some reason at the notion that they mightn't be getting a team who could compete in the Premiership.
Looking at their squad on the ever reliable wiki they have a few Spanish under age players in there, might be worth checking out their U21's against England to see if there are any Barca boys playing.
The other thing to note about that Barca B team is that they're usually lads aged 17-20 and playing against fully grown men in their league. So while the overall standard mightn't be great you'll be able to clearly see some quality players. When Pats played a chelsea XI in our pre-seaosn we just about out muscled them but some of their play was terrific.
I think the team that played La Liga games for Barca between clinching the league and the winning the CL saw 7/8 of the reserves make their debut. Obviously players like Busquets were regulars in the reserves last year. With platinum fronting the money, I can't really see a downside to Bohs and Dundalk playing them (presuming Bohs euro games aren't affected)
Are platinum definitely fronting the money though?. It was in the Indo a few weeks ago that the Barca reserves were being offered to teams for 30k.
Fair point alright. They're a young team, but they still looked very ordinary on the day. Can chalk it down to a bad day obviously, but I'd like to think I've seen enough young teams of up and coming players battling physical disadvantages to spot a promising player. :p It was actually their technical play I was most disappointed with and which was most League of Ireland-like.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodge
Nope, I assumed they would. Fair cop…Quote:
Originally Posted by Longfordian
30k is a massive outlay.
Six of the squad appear to have already played in La Liga (five of them for FC Barcelona), in addition to two of them making recent Champions League appearences
There also seems to be a host of underage Spainish internationals (from u-17 to u-21), a full Israel international, and Jeffren Suarez who has yet to decide on Venezeula or Spain.
Assulin ST (18) Full and U-21 Israel international €20 million buy out clause
Olazábal GK (19) Spain U-19. Debut for FC Barcelona 2008
Botia DF (20) Spain U-20 and U-21.Debut for FC Barcelona 2009
Mino GK (20) Spain U-21 international
Corcoles DF (24) Spain u-17 international. Champions league debut 2006
Longas MF (24) La Liga debut for Real Zaragoza 2006
Alcantara MF (18) Spain U-17, U-18, U19 international. Debut for FC Barcelona 2008. Winner of the 2008 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship with Spain
Vazquez MF (22) Debut for FC Barcelona 2008. Champions League 2009
Suarez ST (21) Spainish U-19, U20, U-21 international. Declined Venezuelan international call up in 2007. Scored twice for FC Barcelona in last pre-season. Full La Liga debut 2009
Not too far off what you'd be paying for some Legends games though by all accounts.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodge
Your kidding, aren't you?Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
You think that there is a possibility that they are amateur, or part time pro?
You'll find players like that in Ireland too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ezeikial
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ezeikial
Are you serious?Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Bearing in mind that you say these guys are rubbish and are of first division or non-league standard, please let us know where to find a team in Ireland that has six players who have played in La Liga (or at similar standard) in the last few years, two of whom have played in the Champions League with the outright winners (2006 & 2009).
Does anyone really care how good Barcelona Atletic are?
pineapple stu seems to, but then he nailed his colours to the mast very early (and doesn't seem to like his opinion being questioned)Quote:
Originally Posted by Rovers fan
My main aspiration is for a good gate, and secondly to see how potential future Barcelona stars performQuote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
No mention whatsoever thats its Barca Athletic here
http://www.argus.ie/sport/soccer/dun...395.html?r=RSS
:(:rolleyes:
Oh Jesus who gives a crap, it's a local paper.Quote:
Originally Posted by DRDoc
Fact is were playing a bunch of guys in Barca jersies, couldn't care if they play donkey basketball just aslong as it raises a bit of money.
'Connor's close contacts with the Spanish club played a big part in their decision to head to Co Louth.' :D:DQuote:
Originally Posted by DRDoc
Did ya not hear that Seanie's good luck card to the Barcelona players inspired them to Champions League victory?:)Quote:
Originally Posted by sligoman
Away from Barcegate, Charlton have announced friendlies in Ireland between 12-15 July no teams named. It was on Sky Sports News this morning.
Just been on the CAFC website. The teams are Wexford Youths on the 12 July and Bray on the 15 July.
Here's more details
http://www.cafc.co.uk/default.ink
Well Luis Enrique is over the B team and hes taken a bunch of lads over to train for a few days and play us, either way there will be a few players there who where Athletic players last season.Quote:
Originally Posted by DRDoc
I would also like to point out that the way Madrid and Barca B teams work is that if you play well one year your promoted up to the next team the next year so Im sure there will be a handful of C team players there on trial!
Of the lads who played CL, one played for one minute, the other featured in a dead group game they didn't care much about. Doesn't mean much.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ezeikial
A good few LoI players have played in the Premiership or have international caps for Ireland. Colin Healy, Joe Gamble, Jason Gavin, Jason Byrne, Glen Crowe off the top of my head. I've seen enough U-17 internationals play for us to know that it's virtually useless as a means of distinguishing whether a player's any good or not three years later. Allowing players to play for the B team and the senior team means it's easier for a player to play in La Liga; in England, they may look for a lower league team to get regular first-team football, or they might go out on loan for a full season, which precludes the chance of a token La Liga appearance.
:rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by Ezeikial
I stated they were rubbish, on the humble basis of having seen them play. You're the one going into hystrionics trying to disprove that, so you're evidently the one who cares whether Dundalk have brought over a team who could compete at Premiership level or who do compete in a semi-pro league.
I think we're going around in circles here. If you get to the stage where you can argue at above the standard of a five year old (tabloid hysterics, twisting my words, clearly not reading my posts), I'll return to you.
Overheard a Longford official giving out at the match last night about Shams
game against Real Madrid.
He reckoned Real Madrid should play a LoI XI, with the profits divided
between all the LoI clubs.
All fine players and a pleasure to watch.Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Surely even you can see the inconsistencies in your arguement:
Healy, Gamble, Gavin, Byrne and Crowe are similar players to the Barcelona Atlètic squad, who are rubbish, and are at best LOI first division standard!!!
Does that mean that Jason Byrne, Glen Crowe, Joe Gamble et al are currently dragging down the premier division standards, playing above their level?
I really dont know why you are motivated to make such consistent ludicrous statements as you have done in this thread, but it certainly leaves me sceptical about your ability to judge standards.Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
It's a pity that when your nonsense is challenged you feel compelled to resort to personal petulant whinging.
No, because Healy and Gavin played 20-40 games, compared to your citing of a lad who played once for Zaragoza five years ago.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ezeikial
However, I am saying that just because someone played in a top league doesn't necessarily mean they're top quality players.
It's amazing how the internet allows people to twist random stats to make it appear like they know more than someone who has first hand experience of a team.
I don't see why. The league is a competitive environment. If Rovers can arrange and pull off a lucrative earner for themselves then they deserve the profits.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ash
Exactly, no different to any friendly any club organises.Quote:
Originally Posted by Poor Student
With idiots like that involved in clubs its no wonder so many are having problems.
bhs
I should probably let this go at this stage, but I can't help myself - some of the extravagantly dismissive statements make for great entertainment!
Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Of course it would be folly for anyone to pretend they know more then pinapple stu; and also the height of impertinence to even question the guru's assessments or pronouncements!Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Perhaps none of the players mentioned previously were playing on the day.....Alberto Botia, Victor Vazquez, Oier Olazabal, Thiago Alcantara, and Jeffren Suarez all played first team for FC Barcelona in 2008 / 2009. Botia and Jeffren Suarez were also called up for Spain u-21 last year, while Victor Vazquez made his Champions League debut in the home defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk last December.Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Gai Assulin, the 18 year old Israeli full international with the €20 million contract buy-out clause, made his first team debut 2 years ago.
Of course not, but that's very different from earlier statementsQuote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
You have already said
"Barcelona Atletic are rubbish"
"Decent first division standard, no more"
"Wouldn't be out of place on the same pitch" (as UCD, Monaghan, & Mervue)
"More like a good non-league team"
This does not square up with the evidence available.
The development tradition, endorsed by the long list of top quality world-class players who have graduated through Barcelona Atletic, along with the recent first team and international recognition above, suggests that we may be able to see some potential stars of the future shortly in Oriel Park.
If you, pineapple stu, care to grace us with your presence for this game, I'll gladly buy you a pint and the 'chew the cud with you' about the players on view.....
Alas, that would involve going to Dundalk, so I'll pass.
I apologise for thinking that merely watching a team play could actually compensate for the knowledge gleaned from reading the internet and making assumptions from that.
They're a decent team in - importantly - a part-time league (and I fully expect you to misquote that); the expectations of them on the Dundalk forum (and, seemingly, from you) are way over the top. However, you may believe what you want, and sure you'll see them come the game.
I await with boredom your opinions on other stuff you haven't seen, but can find some vaguely relevant info on the internet about.
Bitter, snide and lacking in any graceQuote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu