Semi-finals

[Shaggy]

He is Barca's Carragher

Don't get me wrong. He's a good defender, a bit brash at times yes (but so is Ramos). He's just getting on in years, and slowing down. Plus he's not great on the ball, but i guess they need players that can just sit back and defend rather than go forward like Pique and Ramos.

They really need to get a better LB than Capdevilla though. He's useless. I can't believe that in all the Spanish clubs he's the best LB they have :laugh:

Also I like Ramos, don't get me wrong ....I love his buccaneering attacking forays, I just think he empties his position too readily and leaves some gaping holes. Also he's not the greatest defender.

We're nitpicking though really, they're class all over the park.

[Pablo]

Yeah he's a similar type player to Glen Johnson for me.

Carra = Puyol

Johnson = Ramos

[Harv]

Also I like Ramos, don't get me wrong ....I love his buccaneering attacking forays, I just think he empties his position too readily and leaves some gaping holes. Also he's not the greatest defender.

We're nitpicking though really, they're class all over the park.

Im glad someone likes Ramos. I think he's quality. Bombs forward all day long, and usually gets back to cover his position

[Shaggy]

Im glad someone likes Ramos. I think he's quality. Bombs forward all day long, and usually gets back to cover his position

Yeah I didn't mean to sound like I was slating him, I too get a bit miffed when I see every man and his dog slagging him off. I meant he can be got at and Robben's probably the best player around at the moment to expose him...and I reckon Spain could probably do with Ramos being slightly less adventurous.

[Reece]

Yeah he's a similar type player to Glen Johnson for me.

Carra = Puyol

Johnson = Ramos

Lucas = Xavi

[Shaggy]

I thought Nando looked a bit sharper last night by the way.

[Reece]

I thought Nando looked a bit sharper last night by the way.

Yeah likewise. I was furious with Pedro for not giving him a simple goal late on. Would have done him the world of good I reckon.

[Shaggy]

You were furious

I wasn't best pleased but 'furious' would be pushing it a little

[Reece]

I was furious though. That's how much I love Sexy Tits

[SK]

ramos is the most overrated player on the planet, not much attacking play bar the stepovers where he trips at the nearest defender and dodgy in defence, comits a lot of unneccesary fouls.

I find these barca players in spains squad a bit frustrating at times, they over do things, which stops the natural flow of the game, now they get bailed out by the odd messi brilliance at barcelona but they look shaky here at the world cup, far from being all that great. plus i think spain play a too narrow game, which would be fine if the fullbacks contributed the width, but they don't, capdevilla is a defender more than an attacker and i've already made my point regarding ramos.

xabi and villa have been the two outstanding performers imo, they both add that bit of unexpectency to the spainh game, that made them progress.

they're the best team in the world, the most complete in every position, but they are frustrating at times.

[Reece]

ramos is the most overrated player on the planet, not much attacking play bar the stepovers where he trips at the nearest defender and dodgy in defence, comits a lot of unneccesary fouls.

I find these barca players in spains squad a bit frustrating at times, they over do things, which stops the natural flow of the game, now they get bailed out by the odd messi brilliance at barcelona but they look shaky here at the world cup, far from being all that great. plus i think spain play a too narrow game, which would be fine if the fullbacks contributed the width, but they don't, capdevilla is a defender more than an attacker and i've already made my point regarding ramos.

xabi and villa have been the two outstanding performers imo, they both add that bit of unexpectency to the spainh game, that made them progress.

they're the best team in the world, the most complete in every position, but they are frustrating at times.

RE the bit in bold... Ramos spent most of the game last night on the right wing

Also, I hardly think Barca get "bailed out" by Messi. It's not as if they were winning tight games 1-0 last season. They were smashing teams.

[Harv]

Doesn't matter what Ramos does Reece, people love to slate him for some reason.

[SK]

RE the bit in bold... Ramos spent most of the game last night on the right wing

with hardly any effect

Also, I hardly think Barca get "bailed out" by Messi. It's not as if they were winning tight games 1-0 last season. They were smashing teams.

bailed out in a sense that he's the one doing the unexpected things, makes space for other to utilise.

Doesn't matter what Ramos does Reece, people love to slate him for some reason.

that's it, nothing to do with the fact he's an average defender at best, and hardly effective in attack..

[Neil Young]

I think Ramos is good enough. He's certainly not the worst full back in the Spanish team.

[Guest]

I can't believe someone likened Ramos to Johnson. I thought Johnson had an awful world cup and showed how inept he was (his positioning is awful and his attacking wasn't impressive either). Ramos is much better.