Surprise packages/ failures

So far this season what teams/players have exceeded your expectations in your respective leagues?

And while we're at it, who has dissappointed

In the EPL the failure is obvious to all: Shevchenko - I think even the most cynical of us would have expected him to be much better than he has been, so far he has been pretty average and far away from someone you would regard as one of the best players on the planet.

The biggest surprise is less clear for me, could be anyone from Drogba, Evra, Scholes, Kanu, Campbell, Huddlestone, Arteta, Agger, Diouf etc...

For me the top three in the EPL have probably been Diouf, Scholes and Drogba though.

Diouf at present I think has the second highest OPTA score and has been Bolton's main man in achieving they're present 5th spot.

Scholes, after his eye injury I thought would never ben the same again, but alongside Ronaldo, he has been Man Utds best player this season.

Drogba many thought might not even make it into the Chelsea squad this season but he has been truly world class and on form alone is presently for me in the top 3 strikers on the planet presently.

Eredivisie:

Surprises:

- The biggest surprise may well be the fact that R.Koeman seems actually a decent coach. The foundation of Hiddink were there already but he managed to play just slighty more attacking football. Most of us would have expected Ten Cate to outsmart Koeman, so far PSV are routing to another Eredivisie title.

- There are 3 striker surprises: N'Kufo(FC Twente), Alves(Heerenveen) and Koevermans(AZ). N'Kufo always was a decent striker who usually scored in the big games. The swiss man finally seems to fullfill his full potential and is massivly important to the succes of FC Twente.
Alves was bought from Malmo FC(?) and has set the Eredivisie alight. Not only scoring power but he combines this with vision. One to watch out for in the future.
Koevermans is still very much underrated in Holland. His goal scoring record speaks for himself and despite not playing all the time, he is the AZ topscorer and should be called up for Holland.

- Brazilian duo Alex and Gomes just don't stop continue their development. Any European topclub should look out for them.

Other surprises are: Engelaar(FC Twente), Mendes Da Silva(AZ), Suarez(FC Groningen), de Mul(Ajax) and Kone(PSV)

Biggest surprise for me was:
Sparta Rotterdam wins from Ajax!

Failures:
Before recent weeks Huntelaar was extremly disappointing
Sneijder showing his true self
Feyenoord fans
ADO treats

~This Alves guy, is he Norwegian? and how old is he as well?

Tinseldum wrote:~This Alves guy, is he Norwegian? and how old is he as well?

He's Brazilian and I think 24 but not sure about that.

SURPRISES IN SERIE A:
Inter: Undefeated this season, and have been very impressive this season, a different Inter we are seeing!
Amauri and Rigano: two of the capocannonieri this season so far! Amauri performing so wel for Palermo, as well as the veteran Rigano for Messina
Bianchi: he started his this season with a hatrick, and hasn't stopped! Coming back for an injury that ruled him out the whole of last season, it's now his chance to shine!
Italy: Not really Serie a but they deserve it, many expected Italy to collapse again, but they held it out and won the greatest prizi in international footie... until Donadoni came!
Amelia: The heir to Buffon's place in the Azzurri top, he has managed to only concede 3 goals at home this season, the away matches are a bit different, but this is one promising youngster who is been followed by all the top clubs!


FAILURES:
Milan: Their poor run has cost them heavily and adding to that is the calciopoli deduction! Started the season off well and somehow they have seen the scudetto slip away with there poor form! Who knows what the rest of teh season will have for eth rssoneri!
Inzaghi: The proven goal poacher, has started to fade away, and with each match that goes by the confidence is diminishing! A shock to all and the milan tifosi... Where has supperpippo gone???
Beppe Pillon: After getting Treviso into Serie A two seasons ago, he got offered the position to coach the flying donkey's (Chievo) last season , he managed to keep them flying, leading them into 4th place last season (after the calciopoli verdicts)! But the new season came and everyone was expecting great things for him and Chievo, but he couldn't manage to secure a win for them and soon got sacked!
Adriano: He is totally going in the opposite direction to what Inter are doing! The big forward hasn't managed to bag a goal since April (blue can you confirm the right month, not 100% sure) and was sent to Brazil earlier this season, to find himself! Surely this goal drought can't continue any longer???
All Serie A fans in italy: The serie A attendence shave always been low, but this year it one of the lowest it has been! Why is this, when it is one of the best leagues??

Tweedle, I'd agree on Sheva - he's been such a conspicuous flop that he's let some others off the hook maybe. Surprise packages - defo Drogba for me. Scholes has got back to a level that he's performed at before.

Teams - surprise packages - Man U/ Pompey
- failures - Liverpool/ West Ham

In the EPL- itsPortsmouth all the way for me. And in particular Harry Redknapp.

I dont see why Redknapp has never been looked at for the England job- considering how well his teams have always historically played (attractive to watch), the work he was involved in with West Ham's youth (rio, j. cole, carrick, defoe etc), and currently the amazing turnaround at Pompey.

He knows his stuff; top manager. If it carries on, he really should be awarded something this season

The Real White Powder wrote: I dont see why Redknapp has never been looked at for the England job

'Cos they think he's dodgy and they don't want Venables MkII. But I agree, I think he's been consistently good as a manager.

Just to add to the excellent post by Milanista:

Surprises:
Ibra: One of the best players in Serie A this season.
Mutu, Doni: reborn again
Rosina, Pandev, Quagliarella, and Aquilani - showing their promise
Pantanelli - awesome lateblooming gk
J Zanetti - Has played more minutes, games, and positions than anyone else at Inter!

Failures:
Oliviera - much hype about nothing
Sulley Muntari - world class, seriously?
Lucarelli - is just proving my point why Lippi was right in selecting Iaquinta above him...

Super Milanista! wrote:SURPRISES IN SERIE A:
Inter: Undefeated this season, and have been very impressive this season, a different Inter we are seeing!
Amauri and Rigano: two of the capocannonieri this season so far! Amauri performing so wel for Palermo, as well as the veteran Rigano for Messina
Bianchi: he started his this season with a hatrick, and hasn't stopped! Coming back for an injury that ruled him out the whole of last season, it's now his chance to shine!
Italy: Not really Serie a but they deserve it, many expected Italy to collapse again, but they held it out and won the greatest prizi in international footie... until Donadoni came!
Amelia: The heir to Buffon's place in the Azzurri top, he has managed to only concede 3 goals at home this season, the away matches are a bit different, but this is one promising youngster who is been followed by all the top clubs!


FAILURES:
Milan: Their poor run has cost them heavily and adding to that is the calciopoli deduction! Started the season off well and somehow they have seen the scudetto slip away with there poor form! Who knows what the rest of teh season will have for eth rssoneri!
Inzaghi: The proven goal poacher, has started to fade away, and with each match that goes by the confidence is diminishing! A shock to all and the milan tifosi... Where has supperpippo gone???
Beppe Pillon: After getting Treviso into Serie A two seasons ago, he got offered the position to coach the flying donkey's (Chievo) last season , he managed to keep them flying, leading them into 4th place last season (after the calciopoli verdicts)! But the new season came and everyone was expecting great things for him and Chievo, but he couldn't manage to secure a win for them and soon got sacked!
Adriano: He is totally going in the opposite direction to what Inter are doing! The big forward hasn't managed to bag a goal since April (blue can you confirm the right month, not 100% sure) and was sent to Brazil earlier this season, to find himself! Surely this goal drought can't continue any longer???
All Serie A fans in italy: The serie A attendence shave always been low, but this year it one of the lowest it has been! Why is this, when it is one of the best leagues??

The Real White Powder wrote:In the EPL- itsPortsmouth all the way for me. And in particular Harry Redknapp.

I dont see why Redknapp has never been looked at for the England job- considering how well his teams have always historically played (attractive to watch), the work he was involved in with West Ham's youth (rio, j. cole, carrick, defoe etc), and currently the amazing turnaround at Pompey.

He knows his stuff; top manager. If it carries on, he really should be awarded something this season

Agree completely - its strange how the two managers to come out bad out of the BBcbung allegations have arguably been the best performing managers of the season so far!

bluenine wrote:Just to add to the excellent post by Milanista:

Surprises:
Ibra: One of the best players in Serie A this season.
Mutu, Doni: reborn again
Rosina, Pandev, Quagliarella, and Aquilani - showing their promise
Pantanelli - awesome lateblooming gk
J Zanetti - Has played more minutes, games, and positions than anyone else at Inter!

Failures:
Oliviera - much hype about nothing
Sulley Muntari - world class, seriously?
Lucarelli - is just proving my point why Lippi was right in selecting Iaquinta above him...

Hey thanks! i was going to add most of those names, but I thought it would have been a bit too long!

Bluenine

Bit harsh on Lucarelli - the guy is clearly just having a bad patch of form at present + a lot of strain is being placed on Livorno with the UEFA cup, I mean they hardly have a big squad.

Lucarelli's scoring record in the past three seasons proves that hes got something thet I've yet to see from Iaquinta

And to add, Olivera is a strange one - I'm guessing he was just a one season wonder because its hard to beleive that this is the same player that was firing them in for fun two years ago

Surprises:

1) Kanoute: I was looking at his season totals prior to this year and he has never managed more than 11 goals in a campaign and he already has 12 in 15 matches. Always looked a good forward, but this year he is on pace to hit 25+ goals and is the current pichichi.

2) Abbondanzieri: More as a represenation of the entire Getafe defense, they have been superb this season and he has given them stability in goal.

3) Morientes: I don't know if any body thought he had anything left in him but he's been a good foil to Villa and has chipped in with 5 goals in 10 matches.

Disappointments:

1) Aguero: Maybe not in the sense that realistically I think everyone knew he would need time to settle in but after some of the goals he scored in preseason people were starting to expect him to hit the ground running. Hasn't really been a factor in many games.

2) Cani/Nihat/Pires: Three pretty high profile reinforcements bought over the summer by Villarreal. The latter two are out through long term injuries and Cani hasn't exactly set the world on fire after a great season last year prompting many to call for his inclusion Spain's WC squad.

3) Maxi Lopez: Thought he might be in the hunt for the pichichi after leaving Barcelona but he has only confirmed that he is rubbish with Mallorca.

Tinseldum wrote:

Scholes, after his eye injury I thought would never ben the same again, but alongside Ronaldo, he has been Man Utds best player this season.

Never doubted him.


I'd say Vidic and Evra for us. Agger at Liverpool, Essien at Chelsea (I think people knew Drogba was a very good player), Adeboyor at Arsenal, outside of the top 4 people like Kanu, Lescott at Everton, Doyle at Reading etc.

I almost put Evra, bu thought Scholes had probably been a bit more of a surprise, for me at least.

I agree that I have been a bit harsh by including Lucarelli - but its primarily coz people had started to hype him a bit too much... I think he is a great small club striker, but doesn't have the class to repeat that with a big team at the top level... Iaquinta on the other hand, has the class to do well at any level. I think he is Milan or Roma bound...

Tinseldum wrote:Bluenine

Bit harsh on Lucarelli - the guy is clearly just having a bad patch of form at present + a lot of strain is being placed on Livorno with the UEFA cup, I mean they hardly have a big squad.

Lucarelli's scoring record in the past three seasons proves that hes got something thet I've yet to see from Iaquinta

Oliviera will come good - mark my words.

Milan have other strikers( pippo, gilardino) who have consistently found the back of the net in the serie A but they aren't doing it now. I think the problem doesn't entirely lie on the strikers, the midfield isn't functioning well and that affects the strikers too. Take the performance of their midfielders so far this season:


Pirlo - poor

seedorf - poor

gattuso - poor

brochi - good

kaka - brilliant at the start of the season but inconsistent of late.

This explains it really.

I expect oliviera to start performing when pirlo , gattuso and seedorf hit form.

Jaime wrote:Surprises:

1) Kanoute: I was looking at his season totals prior to this year and he has never managed more than 11 goals in a campaign and he already has 12 in 15 matches. Always looked a good forward, but this year he is on pace to hit 25+ goals and is the current pichichi.

2) Abbondanzieri: More as a represenation of the entire Getafe defense, they have been superb this season and he has given them stability in goal.

3) Morientes: I don't know if any body thought he had anything left in him but he's been a good foil to Villa and has chipped in with 5 goals in 10 matches.

Disappointments:

1) Aguero: Maybe not in the sense that realistically I think everyone knew he would need time to settle in but after some of the goals he scored in preseason people were starting to expect him to hit the ground running. Hasn't really been a factor in many games.

2) Cani/Nihat/Pires: Three pretty high profile reinforcements bought over the summer by Villarreal. The latter two are out through long term injuries and Cani hasn't exactly set the world on fire after a great season last year prompting many to call for his inclusion Spain's WC squad.

3) Maxi Lopez: Thought he might be in the hunt for the pichichi after leaving Barcelona but he has only confirmed that he is rubbish with Mallorca.

I agree with you here. I think there have been some more big disappointments for certain individual players like Zambrotta and Emerson so far. Recre have been a positive surprise and I think Sevilla have had a stronger challenge than many expected. I think they were seen as the 4th place favourite, but are now leading the way with the permission of Barça.

Another striking point is the injury list. Valencia and Celta were especially hurt and there are some high profile absences at Barça and Atlético.

I was thinking about having a combined Emerson/Cannavaro/Zambrotta/Thuram disappointment but decided to have a laugh at Maxi Lopez instead.

You're right about Recre...I didn't mention them only because I thought this was more about individual players.

To be honest, I thought most people were expecting Sevilla to mount a title challenge.

I honestly think that they might come in the top 2 this season

Tinseldum wrote:To be honest, I thought most people were expecting Sevilla to mount a title challenge.

I honestly think that they might come in the top 2 this season

not according to this thread... but I suppose the real experts didn't vote in that one.

http://europeanboard.ephpbb.com/viewtopic.forum?t=184&highlight=La+Liga

[quote="holly hunter"]

Tinseldum wrote:To be honest, I thought most people were expecting Sevilla to mount a title challenge.

I honestly think that they might come in the top 2 this season

not according to this thread... but I suppose the real experts didn't vote in that one.

http://europeanboard.ephpbb.com/viewtopic.forum?t=184&highlight=La+Liga[/quote]

It proves nothing

surprise package: Manu

failure: sheva

I don't think Cannavaro has been a failure at Real... not upto his standards, sure, he has had some bad games... but overall he has had a large hand to play in turning around a leaky defence into what probably is the best in the league.

Samuel was a failure at Real. Cannavaro just took some time to come to terms with a different league/team/atmos. The jury is still out, but I have a feeling that by the end of the season people will call Cannavaro a success at Real.

Just don't make the mistake of comparing Real with Juve/Italy's defence. Its a different team, with different characteristics - I doubt Real will ever be as defensively robust, its a much more attack minded team. Also Cannavaro had Zambrotta, Thuram and Blasi for company at Juve, and Nesta, Zambrotta, and Grosso at Italy. Now he has Carlos, Garcia, and Cicinho!!

Jaime wrote:I was thinking about having a combined Emerson/Cannavaro/Zambrotta/Thuram disappointment but decided to have a laugh at Maxi Lopez instead.

You're right about Recre...I didn't mention them only because I thought this was more about individual players.

Surprise: Martins - Every bugger in the country was writing him off before he even set foot in the country. How wrong they were...

Failure: Apart from Sheva? Maybe Zokora? I was told he would set the league on fire. Gonzalez? Duff!!!

Zokora has been pretty good to say hes just signed for them!

I'd hardly say hes been a failure

bluenine wrote:I don't think Cannavaro has been a failure at Real... not upto his standards, sure, he has had some bad games... but overall he has had a large hand to play in turning around a leaky defence into what probably is the best in the league.

Samuel was a failure at Real. Cannavaro just took some time to come to terms with a different league/team/atmos. The jury is still out, but I have a feeling that by the end of the season people will call Cannavaro a success at Real.

Just don't make the mistake of comparing Real with Juve/Italy's defence. Its a different team, with different characteristics - I doubt Real will ever be as defensively robust, its a much more attack minded team. Also Cannavaro had Zambrotta, Thuram and Blasi for company at Juve, and Nesta, Zambrotta, and Grosso at Italy. Now he has Carlos, Garcia, and Cicinho!!

Jaime wrote:I was thinking about having a combined Emerson/Cannavaro/Zambrotta/Thuram disappointment but decided to have a laugh at Maxi Lopez instead.

You're right about Recre...I didn't mention them only because I thought this was more about individual players.

I have seen u mention this alot but i remember reading last season that real had the best defensive record for the past 9 seasons.

Tinseldum wrote:Zokora has been pretty good to say hes just signed for them!

I'd hardly say hes been a failure

He hasn't set the league on fire like people(including you) were predicting. I've only seen a few Spurs games this season so i can't really judge, i had a look on a Spurs forum and the general concensus was that he is always giving the ball away and isn't a very goood passer.

Martins had a slow start and people were calling him a flop after 3 games.

bluenine wrote:I don't think Cannavaro has been a failure at Real... not upto his standards, sure, he has had some bad games... but overall he has had a large hand to play in turning around a leaky defence into what probably is the best in the league.

Samuel was a failure at Real. Cannavaro just took some time to come to terms with a different league/team/atmos. The jury is still out, but I have a feeling that by the end of the season people will call Cannavaro a success at Real.

Just don't make the mistake of comparing Real with Juve/Italy's defence. Its a different team, with different characteristics - I doubt Real will ever be as defensively robust, its a much more attack minded team. Also Cannavaro had Zambrotta, Thuram and Blasi for company at Juve, and Nesta, Zambrotta, and Grosso at Italy. Now he has Carlos, Garcia, and Cicinho!!

Jaime wrote:I was thinking about having a combined Emerson/Cannavaro/Zambrotta/Thuram disappointment but decided to have a laugh at Maxi Lopez instead.

You're right about Recre...I didn't mention them only because I thought this was more about individual players.

Are you Cannavaro's agent . Capello sorted out the defence, diarra emerson in midfield made them play shit but are more solid due to this.