Comments on: Portugal’s striker dilemma

By: manolo

manolo — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 01:54:19 +0000

Hello to all who wear gold, green and red with pride.
I would like to start off by saying that I agree with fellow fan (nelson) who says that the solitary striker position is a thing of the past. However, that being said, lets set things straight. Pauleta is the reason Portugal eventually lost this past summer to France and more importantly, why we scored soo few goals throughout the tourni. If you look at a true quality striker such as Henry, you truly understand what it takes to be a champion. Eto and he bring the play to and inside the box. I never understood why Pedro had such tremendous success with PSG and club play but not with the national level(when it counted), but the past is the past. If there is one true problem Scolari has, it’s holding on too long to his trditional lineup. It cost Portugal dearly. Portugal and Scolari need to go with the young guns. After this summer’s U21 tournament in the Netherlands, all the talent not called up so far, such as Moutinho, Nelson, Veloso, Mireles,Djalo, Vaz te and Fernandes need to be with the big boys. They need to play the easy games(gimmes)in qualification for the Euro. Gomes is a nice guy and all, but is completely useless, because like Pauleta, he waits up front in no mans land. I say it’s time that Scolari tries a 3-2-3-2 formation or at the very least bring in Pedro Mendes (he desrves a call up) instead of having both Costinha and Petit in the center. I mean, where’s the creativity in midfield supposed to come from??? I was shocked to see them both play against Poland; Petit for maniche? What gives Phil???
My team (at the end of the Summer) would be
Ricardo
Miguel-Carvalho-Andrade-Nelson

-(Mendes or Fernandes or Tiago)

Ronaldo – Deco – Quaresma

Nani – Djalo/or Almeida

Subs: Moutinho / Deco
Veloso /Miguel
Tiago or mireles/Fernandes
The success of the team relies on the Striker position. I especially have faith in Djalo in the long run, but short term, maybe someone from abroad will be needed. Anyone know of a Striker from former colony besides Liedson(too old) who can play for the gold, green and red?

By: Hisham

Hisham — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 08:17:31 +0000

what happened to the player profiles? I have been waiting for those, as I do not have as enough information about Nani, moutinho, vaz te, etc. as I would like to

By: Carlos

Carlos — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 09:17:50 +0000

Oh yes, and I’ve decided to support Sporting now after all.

I hope they can take advantage of their goalkeeper, who is surely much better than Inter’s.

The Italian strikers, however, Ibrahimovic and especially Cruz, are in great form at the moment.

Another thing that could help Sporting is Inter’s lack of discipline, which normally results in many yellow and red cards. They lose their nerves especially in CL games, when they are under huge pressure.

By: Pedro P

Pedro P — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 09:01:36 +0000

Sporting did everything they could to get 3 points out of Munich, yesterday evening, but the best they could do was to steal the first points from the germans, so far. They are now 3rd place…

Now the next clash is in 2 weeks, when Inter receives Sporting, in what I imagine to be a very tight game…

http://www.ojogo.pt/22-253/artigo589088.htm

By: CR19

CR19 — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 20:47:23 +0000

Im glad someone understood what I was suggesting. 2 more years when Deco is a after thought is when he could end up there.

By: Carlos

Carlos — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 20:32:47 +0000

Blackburn has a very brutal squad where it’s always hard to get into the line-up. But the fans really want for a more creative midfield because the Rovers have a load of problems with controlling a match and organizing the defence. Deco would be just exactly right, he could, however, do nothing worse than going to Blackburn for his development.

Inter beat Spartak Moscow 1-nil tonight, and Luís Figo did very well, but was substituted in the middle of the 2nd half because Inter had been leading since minute 1 due to Julio Cruz.

By: CR19

CR19 — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 15:18:11 +0000

Exactly If Deco would ever play in the EPL, the best fits would be BLackburn and Watford.

Although we are starting to realize how important he really is to Barcelona.

By: Luis

Luis — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 15:01:06 +0000

CR19 – Deco at Blackburn? That will never happen. And while Chelsea certainly has a packed midfield, I’m sure Mourinho would find a way to use him. Deco would be an asset on any team. In my opinion, he’s not going anywhere any time soon.

By: CR19

CR19 — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 01:57:36 +0000

Deco has no place on Chelsea. The other mids are too creative for him. BLackburn would be a better fit in the EPL.

By: Carlos

Carlos — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 17:58:35 +0000

Deco is probably going to Chelsea. José Mourinho would love to have him and Frank Rijkaard seems to think he doesn’t need this excellent player, who is one of the best midfielders in the world. However.