That's true.

Yup, very true. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Quite a few national teams over the years have done wonders with average GKs for extended periods of time, even winning World Cups (Brazil 2002, Marcos). Club football is different, but Barcelona are an exceptional case in the sense that very rarely have I seen their current goalkeeper be the difference maker.

During a match he spends half the time thinking deep thoughts, and the other half being a class-A preck.

And despite being possibly the most average goalie in La Liga, he was in Spain's Euro 2012 squad.

Yes, he's always been lucky this way. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sleep.gif) His inclusion has mostly got to do with his Barcelona connection, and fortunately Spain has not had the need to call upon his services in a crucial match, just because Casillas is always on form and fitness. So he pretty much enjoys the ride, and free World Cups and Euros.

Valdez is practically the captain of the Catalonia National Team - played 12 matches for them up till now.

I've read somewhere that Catalans dislike Valdes because he refuses to speak Catalan and is pro-Spain. It was ages ago when I read about it, so I cannot cite the source or verify anything.

Oh. Catalans are a funny group. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy.gif) I know their history and all, the wars and battles they had with the main Spanish armies over the ages, but really a symbolic Catalan NT that plays so few matches is just kind of weird to me. In fact, not many other international teams play with them because of FIFA issues, I reckon.

@ Danny

Big players want high wages, Zlatan, Silva, Ronaldinho, and the lot would rather play in Russia than lower their wages. Kaka will only come if he respects the wage-cap set at Milan. And with that, we will have cemented the notion that there is a wage ceiling at this club, as there is at Arsenal or one of the more efficient German teams (by efficient I mean Income/Expense).

Now with that off my chest, I see where your coming from Milan fans staged a protest at the clubs headquarters with a funeral ... So your not far off that bat. But instead of adding salt to injury, why not believe in a young Milan. An Arsenal protegee if you will, something in the making; two or three years down the line and we might be back in it

But buying average players a la Traore,Acerbi,Muntari is certainly not helping our case...:/
El sharaawy is something I can believe in for example.

I love how the Arsenal model is used as an example. Why would anyone want to strive to achieve what Arsenal have achieved on the pitch, which is a big fat zero for I don't even know how many years now. It's just ridiculous. If you want to be successful in today's football then money has to be spent.

+1

But I think we're being a bit too harsh on Arsenal as well. In a span of 10 years they've had 2 major European finals (both lost), won the EPL twice and about 3 FA Cups. Add to all of that the fact that they don't have a world class manager and that a magnificent United existed/exists at the same time - and clubs like Chelsea or City...I don't know. Sure it isn't that much or a big deal. But it isn't as bad as people want it to be.

They haven't won a single trophy since 2005. That speaks for itself.

And they've gained more than 75 points once since 2005, also they've not finished in the top 2 in that period. If we're happy with finishing 3rd and winning nothing, then bring it on I suppose.

I don't get the narrowness? Does emulating a system mean getting the exact same results? The Arsenal example is just an example for Christ sake, you take the positive sides and try minimizing the negative ones.

Well, we cant afford better players I guess ... Or its a matter of Galliani's team being magnificent in scrapping out the talented players from the hundreds under their radar. Like ESE, as you stated.



I know, but it just goes to show how shallow things seem when you don't take in the full picture doesn't it? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)