Real Madrid C.F. 2009/10

Santi Claus wrote:

stinger wrote:Don't really want Gago - we either should get an experienced player (or at least more readt than Gago), or just wait to fully develop Rodwell (unless we won't sell him before of course).

Also - wondering what was the first: article in english press (tabloid "The People") or in As? Would trust this rumour more if it would be first in "As".

The story that AS ran apparently originated from a Argentine newspaper so who knows if that is more or less credible.

Everton would be making a mistake of epic proportions if they would be counting Gago as a replacement for Arteta (how long until he is back?). If they want him as a DM perhaps with playing he can get his confidence back and do a decent job.

Problem is that nobody knows when Arteta (as well as Jagielka) will be back. And I think an idea (hopefully in journalist mind, not Moyes mind) is to use him as a short-term Arteta replacement, I know, I know

Regarding Raul's fading away from the team, it's also interesting to note that recently he's been skipping the "socializing" dinners and lunches that the club organizes and he didn't go to visit Pepe in the hospital after what happened to him (Casillas went there as the "designated" captain). That together with stories about him not warming up at times before the games and making "caras de pocos amigos" during practice is dispelling some myths about Raul's so called "team spirit" and how he would take a substitute role very well. His time on the bench has also shown that on the field the team has much spirit in and capacity to come back in the scoreline, dispelling another myth that Raul was needed because his spirit was very contagious to his team mates and wouldn't perform the same without him.

Most importantly, this is getting Casillas closer and closer to the captaincy, something that should have happened several years ago

Casillas was always going to be the next captain, looks like Raul may actually retire at the end of the season. If we win the CL then I honestly believe he will hang up his boots.

Interesting Goal.com rumour RVN for Carvalho swap deal! Very unlikely, but would be an awesome deal!

Torrente wrote:Regarding Raul's fading away from the team, it's also interesting to note that recently he's been skipping the "socializing" dinners and lunches that the club organizes and he didn't go to visit Pepe in the hospital after what happened to him (Casillas went there as the "designated" captain). That together with stories about him not warming up at times before the games and making "caras de pocos amigos" during practice is dispelling some myths about Raul's so called "team spirit" and how he would take a substitute role very well.

It is disappointing that Raul has not been able to accept that his career is ending with more grace. I understand he is fiercely competitive and that is part of what allowed him to triumph as a 17 year old but I find it difficult to understand that he cannot accept the passing of time. In one moment he replaced Butragueño and now his time has come. It is this sort of attitude that forced Aragones to throw him out of the national team and if he is not careful he is going to damage his legacy in the club. I think he will leave after this year and maybe go to a small English team or maybe MLS. I don't think he will tolerate (nor be tolerated) for another year of sulking in the bench.

His time on the bench has also shown that on the field the team has much spirit in and capacity to come back in the scoreline, dispelling another myth that Raul was needed because his spirit was very contagious to his team mates and wouldn't perform the same without him.

To be honest, I think Higuain perfectly captures the "fighting" "never-say-die" attitude that Raul has typically demonstrated. I think he along with Casillas are the real 'spiritual' leaders of the team.

Most importantly, this is getting Casillas closer and closer to the captaincy, something that should have happened several years ago

For me, Casillas has really taken over the role of captain ever since the 6-1 loss away to Zaragoza in Copa del Rey a few years back and he was the only one who faced the media after the awful display and then went on to invoke the 'espiritu de Juanito', etc.

TM wrote:Interesting Goal.com rumour RVN for Carvalho swap deal! Very unlikely, but would be an awesome deal!

AS were reporting that the deal was available over the summer but in the end Ancelotti wanted to keep Carvalho and Chelsea were unsure because of Ruud's fitness. But I think Carvalho has played in CL? If so, it's pointless.

@Jaime

I think Raul's captaincy has been a relative failure partly because he did not do a good enough job in trying to help the club get rid of the "cliques" that began in the Galactico era. Hierro is also guilty of this though to a lesser extent. We had the Spanish clique of Hierro/Raul/Salgado/Guti, the Brasilian clique of RC/Ronaldo/Baptista, etc. As things began getting complicated these divisions in the team only got worse, and they weren't really fixed until Capello came to instill some discipline. After that Raul's captaincy wasn't too successful mainly because he's been mediocre so it's been tough for him to lead by example.

This is why Casillas would be the perfect captain given that he has a lot of quality years ahead of him and he doesn't belong to any cliques. Just about everybody likes him and he's more of a passionate diplomat.

That being said, the club should really get rid of this seniority system for captains. The fact that for several season we had Guti and Salgado as captains was a big joke.

Being well aware of the "Youtube effect" I must say I'm still amazed that RC can do this type of stuff. Not that I want him back though but this sure brings back memories...