Barca look to Eto'o

[Shaggy]

I hope Carra watches the first match on dvd to avoid getting skinned by the shotdummies by the Barca players. You just can't dive into tackles like in the PL.
These technical players are more likely to trick you.
Savvy got him a couple of times last match, and it was real dangerous.

My favourite, most oft-used trick was the 'dummy shot'. I wasn't even aware I did it really, until a team mate started taking the piss. I then started noticing it - every time I faced up a defender, I'd go to shoot, commit the defender, nudge the ball past him and smash it past the keeper

I think I subconsciously nicked it off Chris Waddle.

Interesting fact.

I hope we don't defend too deep. I know the plan is always not to do that, but psychologically it's very easy to slip into that mindset. You can't always control it, no matter what the plan. We've got to avoid slipping into that trap of defending the edge of our box.

[tomasjj]

My favourite, most oft-used trick was the 'dummy shot'. I wasn't even aware I did it really, until a team mate started taking the piss. I then started noticing it - every time I faced up a defender, I'd go to shoot, commit the defender, nudge the ball past him and smash it past the keeper

I think I subconsciously nicked it off Chris Waddle.

Interesting fact.

I hope we don't defend too deep. I know the plan is always not to do that, but psychologically it's very easy to slip into that mindset. You can't always control it, no matter what the plan. We've got to avoid slipping into that trap of defending the edge of our box.

I think Rafa saw how well our high pressing worked at Nou Camp, and is most likely to use it again.

[Neil Young]

I think Rafa saw how well our high pressing worked at Nou Camp, and is most likely to use it again.

Yes, except that Rijkaard probably saw the same and has since changed his system to 3-4-3 which they had never played before and yet have done in, IIRC, all 3 games played since.

Don't you think this might cause Rafa to change tactics and possibly even formation?

[Shaggy]

I think Rafa saw how well our high pressing worked at Nou Camp, and is most likely to use it again.

Well yes, but that was my point. You can plan to have a high defensive line but, when you're defending a first-leg lead, it isn't always easy to actually execute that plan. Rafa may be screaming at them to push up, but it's almost a natural reaction in our situation to drop off and drop off and drop off some more. It's happened SO many times in football.

I'm just praying we're mentally strong and tough enough to ignore the natural human reaction to retreat and keep pressing, keep attacking and not sit on the edge of our own box.

[tomasjj]

Well yes, but that was my point. You can plan to have a high defensive line but, when you're defending a first-leg lead, it isn't always easy to actually execute that plan. Rafa may be screaming at them to push up, but it's almost a natural reaction in our situation to drop off and drop off and drop off some more. It's happened SO many times in football.

Excellent point.
I was also thinking about this as I wrote the above.
The players usually know what to do, but still, they just end up being pushed back.

[tomasjj]

Yes, except that Rijkaard probably saw the same and has since changed his system to 3-4-3 which they had never played before and yet have done in, IIRC, all 3 games played since.

Don't you think this might cause Rafa to change tactics and possibly even formation?

Knowing Rafa he will have done his homework, and will probably guess what Rijkaard has for him. I expect a flexible formation, with even more possibilities on the bench.

Not sure about the formation. Need to have a lie down first.

[Neil Young]

I think:

Crouch and Bellamy will play because Kuyt played for 90 mins on Saturday and neither of them did.

Gonzalez won't play because Rafa is always rotating his wingers.

He's bound to spring a surprise somewhere though. Maybe we'll play 3 at the back.

[dww]

I think:

Crouch and Bellamy will play because Kuyt played for 90 mins on Saturday and neither of them did.

Gonzalez won't play because Rafa is always rotating his wingers.

He's bound to spring a surprise somewhere though. Maybe we'll play 3 at the back.

For a minute there I thought you were going to say Kewell on the left.

[Joe Le Toff]

To be honest I fear Eto'o tomorrow night also.

He's slowly getting back to fitness after a long lay-off but tomorrow night would be the ideal time for him to announce his return to the first team. He has great pace, movement, and the most crucial of the lot, finishing ability, and if we give him half a yard's space then he'll destroy us - no matter how fit he is.

Carra will have to be at his very, very best tomorrow night to keep him quiet, and any attacking move, especially on the break, will have to be closely monitored. They have a number of players that can punish us given only half a chance in Eto'o, Ronaldinho, Deco, Guily and Saviola so we must be at our defensive best if we want to progress to the QF.

I'm already getting nervous - imagine me trying to hold my pint in the pub tomorrow night half an hour before kick-off!

Cut out the service to Eto and he wont score.
Simple.