Friendlies Summer 2009

[Ezeikial]

Barca Atletic are probably pro themselves

Your kidding, aren't you?

You think that there is a possibility that they are amateur, or part time pro?

[pineapple stu]

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.

You'll find players like that in Ireland too.

[Ezeikial]

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.

You'll find players like that in Ireland too.

Are you serious?

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).

[Rovers fan]

Does anyone really care how good Barcelona Atletic are?

[Ezeikial]

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)

Barca Atletic are rubbish.

My main aspiration is for a good gate, and secondly to see how potential future Barcelona stars perform

[DRDoc]

No mention whatsoever thats its Barca Athletic here

http://www.argus.ie/sport/soccer/dun...395.html?r=RSS

[Dunny]

No mention whatsoever thats its Barca Athletic here

http://www.argus.ie/sport/soccer/dun...395.html?r=RSS

Oh Jesus who gives a crap, it's a local paper.

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.

[sligoman]

http://www.argus.ie/sport/soccer/dun...395.html?r=RSS

'Connor's close contacts with the Spanish club played a big part in their decision to head to Co Louth.'

[Ezeikial]

'Connor's close contacts with the Spanish club played a big part in their decision to head to Co Louth.'

Did ya not hear that Seanie's good luck card to the Barcelona players inspired them to Champions League victory?

[SunderlandBohs]

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

[Black and White]

No mention whatsoever thats its Barca Athletic here

http://www.argus.ie/sport/soccer/dun...395.html?r=RSS

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.

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!

[pineapple stu]

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).

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.

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.

pineapple stu seems to, but then he nailed his colours to the mast very early

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.

[Ash]

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.

[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.

All fine players and a pleasure to watch.

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 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.

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.

It's a pity that when your nonsense is challenged you feel compelled to resort to personal petulant whinging.

[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!!!

No, because Healy and Gavin played 20-40 games, compared to your citing of a lad who played once for Zaragoza five years ago.

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.

[Poor Student]

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.

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.

[blackholesun]

> 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.

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.

Exactly, no different to any friendly any club organises.

With idiots like that involved in clubs its no wonder so many are having problems.

bhs

[Ezeikial]

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!

.... appear like they know more than someone who has first hand experience of a team.

I'd like to think I've seen enough young teams of up and coming players battling physical disadvantages to spot a promising player.

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!

When I was watching them......The second thing was that there was no-one within a mile of making the step up to the first team.

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.
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.

However, I am saying that just because someone played in a top league doesn't necessarily mean they're top quality players.

Of course not, but that's very different from earlier statements
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.....

[pineapple stu]

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.

[Ezeikial]

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 grace