I was in attendance at the Benito Villamarin yesterday to watch my second team succumb 5-0 to Real Madrid. The less said about Betis, the better, but for me, Madrid's outstanding performer was our former midfield maestro, Luka Modric.
He is just a joy to watch. Intelligent movement, excellent vision, well-executed passes (including those patented outside of the boot crossfield passes). Busy without needlessly wasting energy. He was one of the best players I ever saw at White Hart Lane and it was a pleasure to once again see him in the flesh.
Going on two years since his departure and we still haven't come close to replacing what he gave to the team. Moutinho could have been that man, Eriksen maybe will be in time, but for now we still have a huge Luka shaped hole in our midfield.
PS - Bale's free-kick was great, but he wasn't hugely impressive otherwise. Stumbled over his control a couple of times and overhit a couple of low crosses into the area. Not that I wouldn't have him back, obviously.
An Ode To Luka
posted on 19/1/14
Thoughts re: Pepe Mel
A very good coach. Promotion, 13th, 7th in first three seasons and he was unlucky not to be given more time this season, considering he was being asked to integrate so many new signings and was without his best striker, Ruben Castro, through injury. Things have been much worse since Garrido took over.
Mel likes his sides to play good football, but also varies his tactics home and away, playing a more possession-based style at home, while sitting a little deeper and striking quickly on the counter attack away from home.
He's the sort of coach who should be very helpful to Berahino's progress, having done a good job with the likes of Jefferson Montero & Joel Campbell in recent years.
He formed a close relationship with the Betis supporters, none were happy to see him go (see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TNM_WTurRc) and all would welcome back with open arms. Indeed, the 'Garrido go now' chants yesterday were followed by a chorus of 'Pepe Mel, Pepe Mel, Pepe Mel'
I think he's a good fit for WBA.
posted on 19/1/14
comment by Chronic (U3423)
posted 42 minutes ago
Yeah la liga is a joke though. About five good teams and everyone else is garbage
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That's bullcrap though isn't it Chronic? As if Barca and Real wouldn't demolish the likes of Cardiff. We lost 6-0 to City ffs
posted on 19/1/14
Fantastic to hear, cheers!
posted on 19/1/14
Good article OP
Modric is a special player no doubt about it. The best in the world in the position
posted on 19/1/14
Exactly kent. City hammer teams by 4 or 5 every week, and they're not as good as real/barca
posted on 19/1/14
Actually, this season has a La Liga feel to it when you look at the gap from top 6 to bottom 10 with just about more than half of the season gone.
posted on 19/1/14
no different to what is happening in the PL.
Few top teams and the rest are also-rans
posted on 19/1/14
Thanks for reminding us about what we once had
posted on 19/1/14
"no different to what is happening in the PL."
The gap between the "few" and the "rest" in the PL at this stage of the season is quite shocking.
posted on 19/1/14
La liga is so incompetitive it's not worth watching anymore.
Have Real, Barca and even Atletico even lost a match to anyone other than each other this year?
City have lost 4 games in the prem Against the likes of Cardiff and Sunderland too.