James McCarthy M free agent b.1990

**the bear** · 19/04/2012, 9:56 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

That's why I always hold some hope for Ireland no matter who we play.

me too stutts, only 50 days to go

**paul_oshea** · 19/04/2012, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

But that's the way it often is in these games.

Here's a virtual fact: the inferior team will always get at least one good chance to score. If it takes its chance(s) while the better team misses its chances the lesser team will win. Happens regularly. Switzerland v Spain at WC10, Eng v Spain at Wembley last year, Chelsea last night�

That's why I always hold some hope for Ireland no matter who we play.

I actually thought watching chelsea last night was just like watching us, bar a few world class players, and a slightly younger team. They sat very deep. It was interesting to watch and wasn't boring though, unlike when we play, perhaps because Barcelona are truely brilliant in the last 2/3s.

Thats why as good Barca are they are not the complete team. World class midfielders and up front, but back is very suspect. Its a shame in a way.

**the bear** · 19/04/2012, 10:40 AM

can a team that commits so much to attacking ever be not suspect at the back? if they were to improve defensive shape, discipline etc. would it not take away from their attacking play? Barca do most of their defending in the opponents half by putting immense pressure on opposing players before they even get a chance to string a few passes together

**Stuttgart88** · 19/04/2012, 12:01 PM

I think you're both right.

Paul is right that Barcelona actually don't have any great strength in defence, especially in Pique's absence. It's mad that such a big club has so little central defensive cover.

In fairness to Chelsea, they also made it harder than teams usually do for Barcelona to disposses. This is one of Barcelona's key strengths - as Bear says, they cover up their defensive weaknesss by winning the ball back before teams get that far.

Very often the only way to get the better of teams like Barcelona is to capitalise on an error. That's what Chelsea did last night, and Wigan on Monday when Arteta pulled up after a weak corner. It's like winning turnover ball in rugby - it's unexpected so the team in previously possession isn't set up to resist an attack.

I'm fine with our lining up behind the ball, but in my opinion we don't put enough pressure on the man in possession though. It's those occasional "steals" that can be capitalised on.

In my opinion Wigan gave a better example of how Ireland should deploy Trap's preferred tactics. They were excellent without the ball, but quite aggressive with it.

**Stuttgart88** · 19/04/2012, 12:05 PM

My God, that was my 10,000th post!

**Charlie Darwin** · 19/04/2012, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I think you're both right.

Paul is right that Barcelona actually don't have any great strength in defence, especially in Pique's absence. It's mad that such a big club has so little central defensive cover.

I think it's more a case that there are so few central defenders who can adapt to the club's style. Mascherano is a failed experiment in defence. The Ukrainian guy a couple of years ago couldn't adapt. I'd have my doubts about someone like Vidic playing there either.

**shakermaker1982** · 19/04/2012, 12:16 PM

I find it hilarious that a team full of supposed world class stars have to be so negative in their style of play. Barca still created plenty of excellent chances so all the pundits claiming it was a defenceless masterclass are exaggerating a tad.

The Trap wouldn't send us out that defensive against Spain........or would he?

**Charlie Darwin** · 19/04/2012, 12:22 PM

I think Chelsea are capable of playing a more positive game but the fact is that they are a defensive-minded side and that's where their best strengths lie. Arsenal have shown you can match Barcelona playing positive football, but Chelsea's strengths are maintaining a solid shape, soaking up pressure and hitting teams with devastating counter-attacks. That's exactly what Ramires (who is probably the best midfielder in England at this stage) did for Drogba's goal, and Drogba probably should have returned the favour to Kalou in the second half.

Not saying we could do the same against Spain, but can you imagine James McClean charging up the wing with 5 minutes to go and centering for Shane Long to score with a free header? I'd like to think it could happen. Either that or we score in the first five minutes and soak it up for the rest of the game.

**paul_oshea** · 19/04/2012, 12:51 PM

I dont think enough emphasis was put on ramires and most of all his pass to drogba, it was almost physically impossible given how far forward he was leaning - as you saw he fell over after passing in order to get the ball behind rather than in front of the defenders - and where he managed to pass the ball, behind the defenders was the perfect ball, as they were running towards goal, and then lost balance trying to get back onside and turned. It bought Drogba some extra time, as the covering defender had to compose himself and then try and get across to make a block which he couldn't do in time, and i believe had ramiers tried going in front of the defenders with the pass it would have been knocked out or the shot by drogba blocked by the covering defender and/or goalkeeper.

Chelseas key here was how deep they sat, you might have noticed midway through the first half barcelona sprayed the ball around the final third for about 5 minutes, getting nowhere, they realised they needed to pull chelsea out so they started passing back around the centre circle, chelsea mistakenly lost their shape slightly by moving forward and a ball was played over the top, nearly resulting in a goal. This only happened about twice in the game as generally the line was very robust and deep.

In the overall context, barcelona will not miss those many chances in the nou camp, and thats why 2 legs unlike us in the euros the opposing team dont get a chance to right the wrong, ensuring generally over 2 legs the best team goes through, chelsea have to score over there to go through.

**Stuttgart88** · 19/04/2012, 1:08 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Arsenal have shown you can match Barcelona playing positive football.

R5 Live were previewing the game last night saying that arsenal deservedly beat barcelona at the Emirates last season.

I'm an Arsenal fan and can't agree at all. Barcelona were already 1 up and had missed clear cut chances when they had a goal ruled out by an incorrect offside call. Arsenal then scored from both of their only two chances.

They were torn apart at the Nou camp, only scoring from a weird OG from a corner. Yet, right at the death Bendtner missed a great chance to seal the tie. Mad game, football!

I think Trap will use Liege vs. Italy as our template, maybe being a bit more on the front foot versus Croatia.

**Stuttgart88** · 19/04/2012, 1:09 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

chelsea have to score over there to go through.

Yep, Barcelona will have to score 3 I'm sure.

**kev mcq** · 19/04/2012, 2:07 PM

Originally Posted by tricky_colour

1-0 Chelsea and the long ball. ( A mistake from the Spanish Keane).
Still 45 mins to go so my 1-1 is still on.

Is Messi Spanish now

**shakermaker1982** · 19/04/2012, 2:51 PM

I've seen Bilbao give Barca a proper game of football without resorting to 10 men behind the ball and cynical play.

Like Stuttgart says Barca battered the Arse last season at the Emirates but like last night Barca didn't take their chances.

Did Chelsea narrow the pitch last night? It looked bloody tiny on the tv. I suppose if you have 21 players in one half for 80% of the time it is going to look cramped.

One thing that does surprise me with Barca is that then when the Barca gk has the ball and Chelsea had 3/4 players in the Barca half (wow I know) they didn't try and speed the attack up. The Chelsea midfield didn't have time to 'set' yet Barca would play the ball out slowly amongst themselves and almost wait for Chelsea to form their defensive shield. I know these guys are top class players and believe in their football 100% but trying to play through 7 instead of 11 is a lot easier!

**Charlie Darwin** · 19/04/2012, 2:56 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

R5 Live were previewing the game last night saying that arsenal deservedly beat barcelona at the Emirates last season.

I'm an Arsenal fan and can't agree at all. Barcelona were already 1 up and had missed clear cut chances when they had a goal ruled out by an incorrect offside call. Arsenal then scored from both of their only two chances.

They were torn apart at the Nou camp, only scoring from a weird OG from a corner. Yet, right at the death Bendtner missed a great chance to seal the tie. Mad game, football!

I think Trap will use Liege vs. Italy as our template, maybe being a bit more on the front foot versus Croatia.

Well I meant they matched them on the scoreline. Apart from one hammering at Camp Nou Arsenal have always competed with Barca.

**paul_oshea** · 19/04/2012, 2:58 PM

Matched in what sense, they try to play in the same style? thats about as good a match, like a cheap brand of whiskey, it looks the same, but certainly doesn't taste the same. Arsenal have never looked closed to barcas quality.

**Charlie Darwin** · 19/04/2012, 3:03 PM

No, matched in the sense they were in the game right until the last kick while playing their natural attacking game.

**paul_oshea** · 19/04/2012, 3:09 PM

On another day that home game, a bit like Chelsea last night could have been 3/4 goals for barcelona. Arsenal were a pale impression of barcelona, they never came close to matching them, a pseudo-total football impersonation and they were knocked out.

The one thing Barcelona do is miss an awful lot of chances given a world class attack its quite strange, maybe its complacency because they know they will just create more.

**shakermaker1982** · 19/04/2012, 3:19 PM

I suppose they are missing Villa.

Hopefully Iniesta gets a more central role next week.

I think it would be a tragedy if Chelsea sneaked through.

**Charlie Darwin** · 19/04/2012, 3:23 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

On another day that home game, a bit like Chelsea last night could have been 3/4 goals for barcelona. Arsenal were a pale impression of barcelona, they never came close to matching them, a pseudo-total football impersonation and they were knocked out.

The one thing Barcelona do is miss an awful lot of chances given a world class attack its quite strange, maybe its complacency because they know they will just create more.

I wouldn't say it's complacency. Simply, their approach play is better than their finishing. Alexis is not Robin Van Persie, Pedro is not Andy Johnson.

**paul_oshea** · 19/04/2012, 3:34 PM

At that level though, their finishing when under pressure or in quick circumstance is rushed and not clinical like so much more of their play in tight quarters in midfield and their build up play. The passing they make is very clinical, and precise, so why not their finishing, it seems rushed or not concentrated, perhaps under pressure they find it difficult, but at the end of the day, good finishing is like good passing really its about picking a spot and executing the pass precisly to that position. Im putting it down to either being under pressure and rushed or complacent.

But ya villa seems to be precise and clinical under pressure