La Liga 2013/14

[supercity88]

I think they lack that pace and dynamism in the middle of the park. They don't really have much of a balance to the squad. Real's mistake has been that they have fully focussed on attacking talent for the last few seasons when clearly they need investment in their defence. Illarramendi may prove to be that dynamic defensive midfielder they require but they have not really got a settled system. Ronaldo will look to score and is more a striker than a winger which means Benzema is more redundent as a target man. With the players they have they would be better to play Ronaldo as an unorthodox no.9 in a 4-2-3-1 with Bale, Di Maria and Isco ahead of Modric and Alonso. That side would have enough to unlock most sides and score plenty.

 

[Danny Hoekman]

Feel really sorry for the Betis fans. They were a real breath of fresh air last season, despite the financial constraints put on them. With the sale of the heart of their team - Benat, Canas, etc., the loss of the on loan players and the long term injury to Ruben Castro, this season was always going to be a little bit more of a struggle. However, I didn't think they would have struggled this much. The vast amount of new players brought in appear to be second rate in the main. Pepe Mel had done wonders for the club, with his hands tied, and his sacking was vastly unpopular amongst the Beticos. His replacement, Garrido, has been underwhelming to say the least and I fear a desperate second half to the season at the Villamarin. Let's just hope that they can manage some sort of miracle and stay up this season.

 

[pee dubya]

Feel really sorry for the Betis fans. They were a real breath of fresh air last season, despite the financial constraints put on them. With the sale of the heart of their team - Benat, Canas, etc., the loss of the on loan players and the long term injury to Ruben Castro, this season was always going to be a little bit more of a struggle. However, I didn't think they would have struggled this much. The vast amount of new players brought in appear to be second rate in the main. Pepe Mel had done wonders for the club, with his hands tied, and his sacking was vastly unpopular amongst the Beticos. His replacement, Garrido, has been underwhelming to say the least and I fear a desperate second half to the season at the Villamarin. Let's just hope that they can manage some sort of miracle and stay up this season.

For all their struggles i don't think they need a miracle just yet. The table is so condensed if they manage to put a run together soon they can get themselves out of it, one win is all it takes to get some confidence and build momentum. Player by player they're better than the teams around them and most importantly have potential goal scorers and experience in Castro, Molina, and Verdu. Probably should have stuck with Mel though, such a huge change in the squad over the Summer, needed more time.

 

[supercrystal7]

Can't believe how people were saying Real Madrid were the team we needed to avoid in the CL. Celta Vigo should be about 3-1 up here.

No fluidity to anything they do and we had a much better chance of putting them out than we do Barca.

Judging a team based on one game is probably not the best idea. I can imagine a Barca fan watching you against Sunderland or even Hull and thinking the same team. Barca are a better team than Madrid, but Madrid are one of the best counter attacking teams and will exploit your attacking full backs.

Madrid were poor today and as you said should have been about 2-0 down before they scored, but once they got the goal Celta gave up. Madrid did look a lot better when they went 4-4-2 and Ronaldo was an orthodox striker alongside Benzema. Bale looked useful when he came on as did Jesse, but Modic was MOTM. Commentators went on about him, but he is a class midfielder. So would not be surprised if Madrid got rid of him this summer.

This is why I don't like stats that much. Ronaldo got 2 goals today, but had a poor day and only scored when Celta had conceded and given up on the match.

Who's judging them based on one game?

I've seen plenty of them this season to know how flawed they are. I said this before the CL draw.

Fair enough, but most of the top teams have their flaws this year. Madrid still are usually great on the counter attack and have done well in the CL.

 

[Danny Hoekman]

Feel really sorry for the Betis fans. They were a real breath of fresh air last season, despite the financial constraints put on them. With the sale of the heart of their team - Benat, Canas, etc., the loss of the on loan players and the long term injury to Ruben Castro, this season was always going to be a little bit more of a struggle. However, I didn't think they would have struggled this much. The vast amount of new players brought in appear to be second rate in the main. Pepe Mel had done wonders for the club, with his hands tied, and his sacking was vastly unpopular amongst the Beticos. His replacement, Garrido, has been underwhelming to say the least and I fear a desperate second half to the season at the Villamarin. Let's just hope that they can manage some sort of miracle and stay up this season.

For all their struggles i don't think they need a miracle just yet. The table is so condensed if they manage to put a run together soon they can get themselves out of it, one win is all it takes to get some confidence and build momentum. Player by player they're better than the teams around them and most importantly have potential goal scorers and experience in Castro, Molina, and Verdu. Probably should have stuck with Mel though, such a huge change in the squad over the Summer, needed more time.

It's just that the longer this dismal winless run continues, the harder it becomes. I went to a couple of the pre-season games they had over here and was impressed with the way they played. However, as we all know, pre-season isn't the same as competitive games and with so much changes made to the playing staff and having to cope with the demands of the Europa League, it became obvious that things weren't going to continue as well as last season. Rather than give the place a lift, I think the Garrido appointment has underwhelmed the majority of the support, especially as he has replaced a very popular man in Mel. I hope Castro can now get back to full fitness and find the back of the net as consistently as he has done over the last couple of years. I'm hoping to get over to Seville towards the end of the season (subject to City commitments), with Betis then in a much better position.

 

[Malty]

Guess whos BACCKKKKKK? the Worlds Greatest Footballer, Ballon d'Or or not.

 

[dekabreak]

But the best player is playing later today ;)

 

[dekabreak]

Crap team Getafe is.

 

[JoeMercer'sWay]

Feel really sorry for the Betis fans. They were a real breath of fresh air last season, despite the financial constraints put on them. With the sale of the heart of their team - Benat, Canas, etc., the loss of the on loan players and the long term injury to Ruben Castro, this season was always going to be a little bit more of a struggle. However, I didn't think they would have struggled this much. The vast amount of new players brought in appear to be second rate in the main. Pepe Mel had done wonders for the club, with his hands tied, and his sacking was vastly unpopular amongst the Beticos. His replacement, Garrido, has been underwhelming to say the least and I fear a desperate second half to the season at the Villamarin. Let's just hope that they can manage some sort of miracle and stay up this season.

For all their struggles i don't think they need a miracle just yet. The table is so condensed if they manage to put a run together soon they can get themselves out of it, one win is all it takes to get some confidence and build momentum. Player by player they're better than the teams around them and most importantly have potential goal scorers and experience in Castro, Molina, and Verdu. Probably should have stuck with Mel though, such a huge change in the squad over the Summer, needed more time.

twitter gossip that Bryan Ruiz is going there on loan, so that should help if it comes off...

 

[supercrystal7]

Jese just got one of the most unfair yellow cards for diving I have seen recently. Through ball by Ronaldo, keeper rushes out and takes the ball and then the man. Great goal keeping and 100% no penalty. The ref blows for a pen, but after talking with the linesman realises he was about to make a terrible decision. Since he has already blown he decides to book Jese for diving. Awful decision as the keeper has just completely taken him out after getting the ball first.

Madrid still lack fluency and look too static. Ronaldo having to take on more of the creative burden. As usual a bit suspect in the defence and look like they could concede.