Comments on: Quinta-Feira Question Time: Who’s In Your 23? http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/quinta-feira-question-time-whos-in-your-23.html Portugal - World Cup 2010 - South Africa Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:25:58 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Pedro http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/quinta-feira-question-time-whos-in-your-23.html/comment-page-1#comment-143559 Pedro Sat, 10 May 2008 16:43:09 +0000 http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/quinta-feira-question-time-whos-in-your-23.html#comment-143559 What I would´t mind seeing is a shift towards a more 4-2-2 style. Why? Because nowadays we don´t have another JV Pinto + Rui Costa as #8 and #10, that can provide a stronger attacking option to the sole striker, in our usual formation. We had a bit of that with Maniche and Deco but we also had a good anchor (Costinha) with an excellent understanding between the 3 of them, dating back to the FC Porto days. Deco is a good #10 but he has the advantage of recovering a lot plus he also bulds a lot, so I think a duo of him and Veloso would certainly be worth the try. We´re always strong on the wings, so with 2 strikers we could have a bit more grunt in attack. The problem would be a gap in midfield + 4 players that don´t defend - nowadays this is deadly, I think. Anyway, we have the players for this and it could always switch back to the ever versatile 4-5-1, which is adjustable back to 4-3-3 or 3-4-3. What I would´t mind seeing is a shift towards a more 4-2-2 style. Why? Because nowadays we don´t have another JV Pinto + Rui Costa as #8 and #10, that can provide a stronger attacking option to the sole striker, in our usual formation.
We had a bit of that with Maniche and Deco but we also had a good anchor (Costinha) with an excellent understanding between the 3 of them, dating back to the FC Porto days.
Deco is a good #10 but he has the advantage of recovering a lot plus he also bulds a lot, so I think a duo of him and Veloso would certainly be worth the try. We´re always strong on the wings, so with 2 strikers we could have a bit more grunt in attack. The problem would be a gap in midfield + 4 players that don´t defend – nowadays this is deadly, I think.
Anyway, we have the players for this and it could always switch back to the ever versatile 4-5-1, which is adjustable back to 4-3-3 or 3-4-3.

]]> By: Pedro http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/quinta-feira-question-time-whos-in-your-23.html/comment-page-1#comment-143558 Pedro Sat, 10 May 2008 16:34:07 +0000 http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/quinta-feira-question-time-whos-in-your-23.html#comment-143558 BTW Greg, the 4-2-2-2 you propose, seems to me the classic 4-4-2: 2 holding mids with one more mobile, 2 wingers, 2 strikers again with one more mobile and one in the box. ;-) BTW Greg, the 4-2-2-2 you propose, seems to me the classic 4-4-2: 2 holding mids with one more mobile, 2 wingers, 2 strikers again with one more mobile and one in the box. ;-)

]]> By: Pedro http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/quinta-feira-question-time-whos-in-your-23.html/comment-page-1#comment-143557 Pedro Sat, 10 May 2008 16:24:58 +0000 http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/quinta-feira-question-time-whos-in-your-23.html#comment-143557 OK, here are the guys I´m convinced Scolari will call this monday: Nuno Gomes, CR, Simão, Nani, Quaresma, Deco, Maniche, Petit, M Veloso, R Carvalho, Bruno Alves, Pepe, F Meira, P Ferreira, Bosingwa, Miguel, Ricardo, Quim and Rui Patrício. This leaves 4 spots to be filled. Now, last WC06 and EC04, Scolari took 3 strikers. I believe he´ll do so again, meaning there´ll be two guys to choose from Hugo Almeida, Makukula, Hélder Postiga and just maybe Yannick Djaló. This means there´s now only two open spots, for 3 extra needed positions: P Ferreira sub, Maniche sub and Deco sub. Assuming Moutinho will be Deco´s sub, now we need either a midfielder that can also play left back or a left back that can play in the midfield OR he takes only 3 centre defenders and gains one extra variable. I also don´t believe in this. So all this is boiling down to chosing from either Raúl Meireles or Jorge Ribeiro. If on one hand Meireles seems the obvious choice to sub Maniche, on the other we´d be stuck with no sub for left back. In view of all this, I´d say that the choice will fall on Jorge Ribeiro, because he was a left back who has gradually played as left midfielder this season, maybe better even than in defense. If this is the case, the big implication is that Caneira stays home. Caneira has been chosen in the past cos he´s very versatile. He can play left and right back as well as centre defender. All in all I´m very curious to see how it turns out. I also don´t have a suggestion or priviliged choice. It´s the "small blanket" thing... If you cover the shoulders, you´ll get your feet cold. The striker issue... Nuno Gomes is not in top form and we all know his limitations. But the team has a leadership crisis and he´s one of the leaders (Petit, Gomes, Carvalho and CR are the leaders "council" Scolari has tried to implement). Postiga makes one good match for every 3 or 4 shit matches. Hugo Almeida is probably the more complete but he plays better with another striker and doesn´t score all that much. Makukula is for me the obvious striker sub - he´s bloody strong, he goes for goal but he´s a bit clumsy and not mobile at all. I don´t think Scolari will call Djaló just yet... The best duo in defense for me is Carvalho + Bruno Alves. I also don´t think this wll be a problem cos all four are luxury centre backs. Anyway, monday our doubts will be cleared... 8) OK, here are the guys I´m convinced Scolari will call this monday:
Nuno Gomes, CR, Simão, Nani, Quaresma, Deco, Maniche, Petit, M Veloso, R Carvalho, Bruno Alves, Pepe, F Meira, P Ferreira, Bosingwa, Miguel, Ricardo, Quim and Rui Patrício.

This leaves 4 spots to be filled. Now, last WC06 and EC04, Scolari took 3 strikers. I believe he´ll do so again, meaning there´ll be two guys to choose from Hugo Almeida, Makukula, Hélder Postiga and just maybe Yannick Djaló.

This means there´s now only two open spots, for 3 extra needed positions: P Ferreira sub, Maniche sub and Deco sub.
Assuming Moutinho will be Deco´s sub, now we need either a midfielder that can also play left back or a left back that can play in the midfield OR he takes only 3 centre defenders and gains one extra variable. I also don´t believe in this.
So all this is boiling down to chosing from either Raúl Meireles or Jorge Ribeiro.

If on one hand Meireles seems the obvious choice to sub Maniche, on the other we´d be stuck with no sub for left back. In view of all this, I´d say that the choice will fall on Jorge Ribeiro, because he was a left back who has gradually played as left midfielder this season, maybe better even than in defense.
If this is the case, the big implication is that Caneira stays home. Caneira has been chosen in the past cos he´s very versatile. He can play left and right back as well as centre defender.

All in all I´m very curious to see how it turns out. I also don´t have a suggestion or priviliged choice. It´s the “small blanket” thing… If you cover the shoulders, you´ll get your feet cold.

The striker issue… Nuno Gomes is not in top form and we all know his limitations. But the team has a leadership crisis and he´s one of the leaders (Petit, Gomes, Carvalho and CR are the leaders “council” Scolari has tried to implement). Postiga makes one good match for every 3 or 4 shit matches. Hugo Almeida is probably the more complete but he plays better with another striker and doesn´t score all that much. Makukula is for me the obvious striker sub – he´s bloody strong, he goes for goal but he´s a bit clumsy and not mobile at all. I don´t think Scolari will call Djaló just yet…

The best duo in defense for me is Carvalho + Bruno Alves. I also don´t think this wll be a problem cos all four are luxury centre backs.

Anyway, monday our doubts will be cleared… 8)

]]> By: Greg http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/quinta-feira-question-time-whos-in-your-23.html/comment-page-1#comment-143549 Greg Fri, 09 May 2008 13:15:18 +0000 http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/quinta-feira-question-time-whos-in-your-23.html#comment-143549 Andrew: The team, like you said, has its largest question mark up front. There is no two ways about this. PC: It's hard to argue with the evidence you've put forth, but I just kind of want to turn around and say to Nuno "Thanks for all that in the past. It counts for something, but we have to look towards the future of our front line." Pedro Cabral: The speculation is what makes even something as seemingly simple as the announcement of the team that much more exciting. I look forward to the day when Mourinho is bossing the national team and they ask him who he's starting so he can name his starting XI and the opposition's starters, like he did against Barcelona a few years back. Pure genius. Veiga: Why not a Brazil-esque 4-2-2-2 system then? Have Veloso and Deco play right in front of the defense, Ronaldo and Simmy Sabrosa in front of them out wide, and ICK Nuno No Goals and Almeida up front? I agree that Nuno and Almeida together complemented each other in the match against Greece, so this is possibly a viable option. I also do NOT want to see a diamond midfield as I don't think we have a true, 100% effective "attacking center mid" that would be more effective than, say, a 4-3-3 with the wingers and such. Also, in general, Paulo Ferreira came out today and said that Phil has confirmed to him his spot on the team. Andrew: The team, like you said, has its largest question mark up front. There is no two ways about this.

PC: It’s hard to argue with the evidence you’ve put forth, but I just kind of want to turn around and say to Nuno “Thanks for all that in the past. It counts for something, but we have to look towards the future of our front line.”

Pedro Cabral: The speculation is what makes even something as seemingly simple as the announcement of the team that much more exciting. I look forward to the day when Mourinho is bossing the national team and they ask him who he’s starting so he can name his starting XI and the opposition’s starters, like he did against Barcelona a few years back. Pure genius.

Veiga: Why not a Brazil-esque 4-2-2-2 system then? Have Veloso and Deco play right in front of the defense, Ronaldo and Simmy Sabrosa in front of them out wide, and ICK Nuno No Goals and Almeida up front? I agree that Nuno and Almeida together complemented each other in the match against Greece, so this is possibly a viable option. I also do NOT want to see a diamond midfield as I don’t think we have a true, 100% effective “attacking center mid” that would be more effective than, say, a 4-3-3 with the wingers and such.

Also, in general, Paulo Ferreira came out today and said that Phil has confirmed to him his spot on the team.

]]> By: Veiga http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/quinta-feira-question-time-whos-in-your-23.html/comment-page-1#comment-143547 Veiga Fri, 09 May 2008 11:20:03 +0000 http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/quinta-feira-question-time-whos-in-your-23.html#comment-143547 Hey, i think you pretty much capture alot of what people want to see, an attacking squad with lots of youth. But i think Scolari (and commentators in Portugal) have missed a trick by completely ignoring a 4-4-2 formation. The problem is whenver we play it, we do a diamond midfield. But we can do a flat four, because Veloso is an excellent passer who can bust forward if required, and Deco is quite apt at holding back too if needs be (so they could alternate). and we don't have any striker that's good enough to play on their own, and i actually thought that in the last match when Almeida played alongside Nuno Gomes (which lead to the only goal) they were much more than the sum of their parts. and needless to say, Ronaldo is best as a wide player in a 4-4-2 system (his best games for united) since the defence is under pressure coping with two strikers, and so can't allocate as many men on to him. Goalies: QUIM, Ricardo, Eduardo; Defence: BOSINGWA,CARVALHO,PEPE,CANEIRA Miguel, Meira, Alves, Ferreira; Midfield: RONALDO, VELOSO, DECO, SIMAO, Nani, Meireles, Moutinho, Maniche, Quaresma; Forwards: ALMEIDA, GOMES, Makukula Hey,
i think you pretty much capture alot of what people want to see, an attacking squad with lots of youth. But i think Scolari (and commentators in Portugal) have missed a trick by completely ignoring a 4-4-2 formation. The problem is whenver we play it, we do a diamond midfield. But we can do a flat four, because Veloso is an excellent passer who can bust forward if required, and Deco is quite apt at holding back too if needs be (so they could alternate). and we don’t have any striker that’s good enough to play on their own, and i actually thought that in the last match when Almeida played alongside Nuno Gomes (which lead to the only goal) they were much more than the sum of their parts. and needless to say, Ronaldo is best as a wide player in a 4-4-2 system (his best games for united) since the defence is under pressure coping with two strikers, and so can’t allocate as many men on to him.
Goalies: QUIM, Ricardo, Eduardo; Defence: BOSINGWA,CARVALHO,PEPE,CANEIRA Miguel, Meira, Alves, Ferreira; Midfield: RONALDO, VELOSO, DECO, SIMAO, Nani, Meireles, Moutinho, Maniche, Quaresma; Forwards: ALMEIDA, GOMES, Makukula

]]> By: Pedro Cabral http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/quinta-feira-question-time-whos-in-your-23.html/comment-page-1#comment-143546 Pedro Cabral Fri, 09 May 2008 08:08:04 +0000 http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/quinta-feira-question-time-whos-in-your-23.html#comment-143546 Just one more thought relating to Scolari's recent interview: shouldn't his declarations be read as meaning his dropping Miguel (probably to the benefit of J. Ribeiro). I really wonder...What other surprises can be in store (eventually Meireles also dropped to the benefit of Pele). Any thoughts? Pedro Just one more thought relating to Scolari’s recent interview: shouldn’t his declarations be read as meaning his dropping Miguel (probably to the benefit of J. Ribeiro). I really wonder…What other surprises can be in store (eventually Meireles also dropped to the benefit of Pele). Any thoughts?
Pedro

]]> By: PC http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/quinta-feira-question-time-whos-in-your-23.html/comment-page-1#comment-143544 PC Thu, 08 May 2008 23:53:48 +0000 http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/quinta-feira-question-time-whos-in-your-23.html#comment-143544 Sounds pretty decent. Nuno Gomes shouldn't be there, BUT you can't ignore the big goals he has scored for the national team in international tournaments: -Winner vs England, Euro 2000, 3rd goal to complete the 3-2 come from 2-0 down to win victory...classic match -Goal against France, also Euro 2000 -Some other goals at Euro 2000, can't recall them at the moment WC 2002: Okay he totally blew it. Absolutely blew it vs Korea. What a joke Euro 2004: Goal against Spain to send us through...the nation breathes a sigh of relief, Pauleta blows the rest of the tournament WC 2006: Got a few minutes vs Germany, put in a header, additional blowing for Pauleta for the selecao when hes needed the most All in all though, I hope Scolari passes on him. And I think Deco needs to step it up...a lot Sounds pretty decent. Nuno Gomes shouldn’t be there, BUT you can’t ignore the big goals he has scored for the national team in international tournaments:
-Winner vs England, Euro 2000, 3rd goal to complete the 3-2 come from 2-0 down to win victory…classic match
-Goal against France, also Euro 2000
-Some other goals at Euro 2000, can’t recall them at the moment

WC 2002: Okay he totally blew it. Absolutely blew it vs Korea. What a joke
Euro 2004: Goal against Spain to send us through…the nation breathes a sigh of relief, Pauleta blows the rest of the tournament
WC 2006: Got a few minutes vs Germany, put in a header, additional blowing for Pauleta for the selecao when hes needed the most
All in all though, I hope Scolari passes on him. And I think Deco needs to step it up…a lot

]]> By: Andrew http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/quinta-feira-question-time-whos-in-your-23.html/comment-page-1#comment-143543 Andrew Thu, 08 May 2008 22:54:20 +0000 http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/quinta-feira-question-time-whos-in-your-23.html#comment-143543 Yeah, I'm going to have to agree with pretty much everything you said too. I don't have much to say but here were some thoughts I had: I'm most frustrated with the striker situation. If we had somebody really solid I think that could save us a lot of grief and possibly help prevent all those draws we saw on the road to Euro2008. None of those options really thrill me, and while I'd like to take a chance with Yannick I don't know if his recent league form would necessarily translate to success at a big tournament like this...but who knows. Deco has been inconsistent at best this season but lately he has been doing a bit better for Barca. If something happens and he needs to be replaced (I agree he should start though) then it's all about João Moutinho. Experience would be good for him and I think he can handle it. I also vote no for Petit and think Maniche, Quaresma, Cronaldo, and Veloso are all good choices for starters too. Simão and Nani are legit as well. I like Maniche he usually steps up for big games like these. I think the defense you listed is good too. I don't care whether it's Ricardo or Quim, just as long as it isn't Rui Patricio. Yeah, I’m going to have to agree with pretty much everything you said too. I don’t have much to say but here were some thoughts I had:

I’m most frustrated with the striker situation. If we had somebody really solid I think that could save us a lot of grief and possibly help prevent all those draws we saw on the road to Euro2008. None of those options really thrill me, and while I’d like to take a chance with Yannick I don’t know if his recent league form would necessarily translate to success at a big tournament like this…but who knows.

Deco has been inconsistent at best this season but lately he has been doing a bit better for Barca. If something happens and he needs to be replaced (I agree he should start though) then it’s all about João Moutinho. Experience would be good for him and I think he can handle it. I also vote no for Petit and think Maniche, Quaresma, Cronaldo, and Veloso are all good choices for starters too. Simão and Nani are legit as well. I like Maniche he usually steps up for big games like these. I think the defense you listed is good too.

I don’t care whether it’s Ricardo or Quim, just as long as it isn’t Rui Patricio.

]]> By: Greg http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/quinta-feira-question-time-whos-in-your-23.html/comment-page-1#comment-143541 Greg Thu, 08 May 2008 17:25:44 +0000 http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/quinta-feira-question-time-whos-in-your-23.html#comment-143541 Do you mind elaborating on that Deco / Hank? Do you mind elaborating on that Deco / Hank?

]]> By: Deco http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/quinta-feira-question-time-whos-in-your-23.html/comment-page-1#comment-143540 Deco Thu, 08 May 2008 17:03:51 +0000 http://portugal.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/quinta-feira-question-time-whos-in-your-23.html#comment-143540 Ronaldo is slowing going back to his old ways. Ronaldo is slowing going back to his old ways.

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