Barcelona vs Man United

None taken. I wouldn't try to suggest that Henry is technically at the same level as the likes of Bergkamp, because he clearly isn't. I also don't think that should immediately rule out him not being able to achieve in Spain because there have been a number of good goalscorers in Spain who I would suggest are no more technically gifted than Henry. I certainly don't think he is a technically average player, even if he isn't at the top level in this regard and undoubtedly his physical abilities contributed to his success to a considerable extent. But I think he is technically good enough to succeed in Spain (or was in his prime), and I also think a fast, athletic, reasonably clinical attacking player with above-average technique can do well in the Spanish league.

My impression is that Henry when playing well would have been fine in Spain. Maybe not as prolific as he was at Arsenal, but certainly scoring a respectable number of goals. Of course there isn't any genuine evidence to support that, it's just my impression. As I said, I think his problems now would be affecting him wherever he plays. I think he would be struggling in England now, in a league which clearly suited him.

And I don't see what the cup final thing has to do with it really. He scored plenty of league goals against the teams he played in cup finals, both at home and away. Surely this comes down to the more regular accusation that his mentality wasn't the best on the big occasions, something which isn't rooted in technical ability.

Sheffield gunner wrote:None taken. I wouldn't try to suggest that Henry is technically at the same level as the likes of Bergkamp, because he clearly isn't. I also don't think that should immediately rule out him not being able to achieve in Spain because there have been a number of good goalscorers in Spain who I would suggest are no more technically gifted than Henry. I certainly don't think he is a technically average player, even if he isn't at the top level in this regard and undoubtedly his physical abilities contributed to his success to a considerable extent. But I think he is technically good enough to succeed in Spain (or was in his prime), and I also think a fast, athletic, reasonably clinical attacking player with above-average technique can do well in the Spanish league.

Okay, I suppose that's fair. He could have done well in Spain, I agree up to a point, but I don't think he'd have ever been the superstar he became in England. Never did great in his brief spell in Italy either, which I'd put down to the same 'weakness'.

My impression is that Henry when playing well would have been fine in Spain. Maybe not as prolific as he was at Arsenal, but certainly scoring a respectable number of goals. Of course there isn't any genuine evidence to support that, it's just my impression. As I said, I think his problems now would be affecting him wherever he plays. I think he would be struggling in England now, in a league which clearly suited him.

Let's just say that Wenger sold him at the right time.

And I don't see what the cup final thing has to do with it really. He scored plenty of league goals against the teams he played in cup finals, both at home and away. Surely this comes down to the more regular accusation that his mentality wasn't the best on the big occasions, something which isn't rooted in technical ability.

Well, it could be. Henry could (and probably is) aware that the press surrounding him for so many years wasn't very truthful, and that his game has these limitations, and perhaps this prayed on his mind when the build up to the various finals he's played in would centre around him and his possible impact on the game.

The-Frank-Tavern wrote:cotr your a pleb, how can ronnie be relevant to barca's ability to win this competition at the moment? henry isn't one of the best individual players amongst these squads or anywhere near at the moment. eto'o similarly hasn't been since his injury either. on their day they can be good, but in the context of this game they need to perform at a much higher level than they have shown all season. your basing these comments on historical sh¡t which ain't relevant today.

No. You're the pleb. He was clearly establishing that Barca, based on the squad's reputations should be favourite - he even stated that it was because of the turmoil they've had this season that they weren't

Jesus wept...

Tweedle wrote:

The-Frank-Tavern wrote:cotr your a pleb, how can ronnie be relevant to barca's ability to win this competition at the moment? henry isn't one of the best individual players amongst these squads or anywhere near at the moment. eto'o similarly hasn't been since his injury either. on their day they can be good, but in the context of this game they need to perform at a much higher level than they have shown all season. your basing these comments on historical sh¡t which ain't relevant today.

No. You're the pleb. He was clearly establishing that Barca, based on the squad's reputations should be favourite - he even stated that it was because of the turmoil they've had this season that they weren't

Jesus wept...

And Judas laughed all the way to the bank.

Tweedle wrote:

The-Frank-Tavern wrote:cotr your a pleb, how can ronnie be relevant to barca's ability to win this competition at the moment? henry isn't one of the best individual players amongst these squads or anywhere near at the moment. eto'o similarly hasn't been since his injury either. on their day they can be good, but in the context of this game they need to perform at a much higher level than they have shown all season. your basing these comments on historical sh¡t which ain't relevant today.

No. You're the pleb. He was clearly establishing that Barca, based on the squad's reputations should be favourite - he even stated that it was because of the turmoil they've had this season that they weren't

Jesus wept...

reputation is worth jack sh¡t (look at henry), nor is ronnie as he's injured so what does his comment actually contribute

Even Iniesta hasn't been quite at the high's of seasons past, but because he's such a class act he's still putting in decent performances week in week out. There's something incredibly wrong with the current Barca setup, none of the players look 100% fit or even capable of performing to a high (fitness) level for 90 minutes. Most of them fade after 45 minutes. I don't think this can be soley attributed to individual discipline.

Abidal was a monster when he joined - but now he's come from the best player in the back four to the worst - so much so that 35 year old Sylvinho has been preferred in recent times. Even Eto'o who is usually a monster doesn't look quite up to scratch.

They can't be eating enough fibre.

Maybe their demise is in some way related to the sacking of Tony the Tiger?

The Abidal point is very key, exactly something I was thinking about the other day. The guy is talented, and is a good defender with his positioning, tackling, etc. But his biggest strength is his physical ability, not his ball control or passing vision. He's had almost no injuries in his entire career, and no disruptions this season such as an African Cup. Yet his form has suddenly dropped alarmingly...for me it can only point to one thing, which is a total lack of fitness, preventing him from covering ground and doing as much as he is used to, or wants to.

In a way, I think Abidal's decline this season is a perfect symbol of what is wrong with the team on the medical side. Being a new signing coming from a "smaller" league, motivation shouldn't have been an issue for him at all.

I'm looking forward to this one. I know Barca have a few problems with one or two players but surely they have to turn up for the semi-final of the CL. Could be an absolute cracker worthy of the final itself. Shame it wasn't Man U vs Liverpool in the semi-final. Man U were always going to win that one and Barca have a psychological edge over Chelsea.

The-Frank-Tavern wrote:

Tweedle wrote:

The-Frank-Tavern wrote:cotr your a pleb, how can ronnie be relevant to barca's ability to win this competition at the moment? henry isn't one of the best individual players amongst these squads or anywhere near at the moment. eto'o similarly hasn't been since his injury either. on their day they can be good, but in the context of this game they need to perform at a much higher level than they have shown all season. your basing these comments on historical sh¡t which ain't relevant today.

No. You're the pleb. He was clearly establishing that Barca, based on the squad's reputations should be favourite - he even stated that it was because of the turmoil they've had this season that they weren't

Jesus wept...

reputation is worth jack sh¡t (look at henry), nor is ronnie as he's injured so what does his comment actually contribute

No it isnt. Milan were also in bad form last season but pulled together and played very well against man utd when it countered. This could happen aswell in this game and i think they will raise their game but i wouldnt surprised if i saw the same sloppy performances like against Espanyol. if barca go behind early i can see them just going completly out.

Let's hope we have a real referee for this match !

If Man United continue their diving and referee-bullying cuntish behaviour they might be a man down quickly.....might make the match more interesting

Axeslammer wrote:Let's hope we have a real referee for this match !

If Man United continue their diving and referee-bullying cuntish behaviour they might be a man down quickly.....might make the match more interesting

Messi & Deco don't play for Manchester United

Hey Markus, won't you be sad that the Mancs beat Cruijff's club? I'm sure Cruijff won't be happy about it.

golsud wrote:Hey Markus, won't you be sad that the Mancs beat Cruijff's club? I'm sure Cruijff won't be happy about it.

I won’t be sad, don’t forget Neeskens + Rijkaard are the coaches, I wouldn’t be sad if they lost as well. Plus don’t Barça fans not want Cruijffs influence at their club …

Markus wrote:

golsud wrote:Hey Markus, won't you be sad that the Mancs beat Cruijff's club? I'm sure Cruijff won't be happy about it.

I won’t be sad, don’t forget Neeskens + Rijkaard are the coaches, I wouldn’t be sad if they lost as well. Plus don’t Barça fans not want Cruijffs influence at their club …

I don't want his influence because I want Mourinho but he's still a club legend. He lives here and always talks about Barça, clearly his favourite club

golsud wrote:

Markus wrote:

golsud wrote:Hey Markus, won't you be sad that the Mancs beat Cruijff's club? I'm sure Cruijff won't be happy about it.

I won’t be sad, don’t forget Neeskens + Rijkaard are the coaches, I wouldn’t be sad if they lost as well. Plus don’t Barça fans not want Cruijffs influence at their club …

I don't want his influence because I want Mourinho but he's still a club legend. He lives here and always talks about Barça, clearly his favourite club

Only because your fans made him into some sort of messiah + idol and rightfully so. He only had 1 good season as a player at Barça?, so his legacy must have been secured as a coach

“en un momento dado”

Is it just me or does Evra have no friends at United? I remember him saying in an interview once that all he does after he finishes training is go home and watch movies for the rest of the day. He should go to Roma.

Markus wrote:

golsud wrote:

Markus wrote:

golsud wrote:Hey Markus, won't you be sad that the Mancs beat Cruijff's club? I'm sure Cruijff won't be happy about it.

I won’t be sad, don’t forget Neeskens + Rijkaard are the coaches, I wouldn’t be sad if they lost as well. Plus don’t Barça fans not want Cruijffs influence at their club …

I don't want his influence because I want Mourinho but he's still a club legend. He lives here and always talks about Barça, clearly his favourite club

Only because your fans made him into some sort of messiah + idol and rightfully so. He only had 1 good season as a player at Barça?, so his legacy must have been secured as a coach

“en un momento dado”

It is hard to be consistent when you are a pace merchant.

BM wrote:Is it just me or does Evra have no friends at United? I remember him saying in an interview once that all he does after he finishes training is go home and watch movies for the rest of the day. He should go to Roma.

He's actually the club joker from things i have read. Most of his interviews show some insight into his personality. After England went out to Croatia in the euro's. As soon as the English players arrived in the dressing room on monday, He started singing ''Engerland Engerland'' Didn't go down to well though!

This explains a lot about you lrd.

There's a difference between being a joker and being a piss-taking c**t.

As I am one of the latter I should know

Supermadrid wrote:

Markus wrote:

golsud wrote:

Markus wrote:

golsud wrote:Hey Markus, won't you be sad that the Mancs beat Cruijff's club? I'm sure Cruijff won't be happy about it.

I won’t be sad, don’t forget Neeskens + Rijkaard are the coaches, I wouldn’t be sad if they lost as well. Plus don’t Barça fans not want Cruijffs influence at their club …

I don't want his influence because I want Mourinho but he's still a club legend. He lives here and always talks about Barça, clearly his favourite club

Only because your fans made him into some sort of messiah + idol and rightfully so. He only had 1 good season as a player at Barça?, so his legacy must have been secured as a coach

“en un momento dado”

It is hard to be consistent when you are a pace merchant.

He took Los Burros to school that year

So now Man Utd really have to win because if Chelsea go through to the final and Barcelona win they could maybe actually beat Chelsea I think. And we can't be having that.

I also think barca have a much better chance of beating chelsea than liverpool.

but let's not get ahead of ourselves...

Carlitos Tevez is the real dangerman.

As witnessed many times this season, when Man Utd really need a goal, don't look to Ronaldo.

The Coolest wrote:Carlitos Tevez is the real dangerman.

As witnessed many times this season, when Man Utd really need a goal, don't look to Ronaldo.

As bad as Fronaldo had been this season, and he has been bad, Tevez has truly played like Inzaghi in the big games. Poor throughout but scores the winner.

Jaime wrote:So now Man Utd really have to win because if Chelsea go through to the final and Barcelona win they could maybe actually beat Chelsea I think. And we can't be having that.

Well if we do make the final, you can almost put your house on a certain someone scoring.



And if Barca make the final, you can put your money on a certain somebody not scoring too.

Batman wrote:

who's the black guy in that picture?

Manucho?

Danny Wellbeck.