La Liga 2005/06

[g force]

Bugger - meant to post this last week before the first week of games

Anyhow, new Primera Liga season has kicked off - a few familiar faces have been promoted along with the obvious chocies for relegation.

This season promises to be one of the best in years. Obviously Barca are defending champions (it feels so good to say that), and already have the Super Cup to our name, but IMO this season might be a struggle for us. Okay we've signed Van Bommel and Ezquerro, but really midefield is where we have strength in depth already - we need cover at the back and that, in the end that may spell trouble for us.

Real have made a great signing in Robinho, although letting Solari, Figo and Samuel go and only bringing in one recongniseable midfield player in Baptista seems like an odd choice. Like Barca, the defence is lacking cover.

My dark horses for this season have to be Valencia and Atlético.

Ranieri's long gone and Quique Sanchez Flores could work his magic. The long-term injury to Edu is a massive blow, but i think Valencia now has the manager and the team to really improve. Kluivert isn't a bad signing TBH although he has a lot to prove. But with a very solid defence and a great midfield they could spring a surprise.

Last season was a struggle for the 'other' Madrid team, but they've made some astute signings in Kezman who should link up well with Torres and take some of the pressure off him. Plus they have Ibagaza and Martin Petrov to help steady the midfield. Defence is still a weak spot and will probably stop them from challenging Valencia.

Villarreal should have another decent season, although their defence looks decidely shakey without Reina in goal. Of course a lot depends on the Riquelme - Forlan dream team and if one gets injured, the squad is very thin on quality.

Espanyol faded badly, so I can't see them moutnign mcuh of a challeneg for the UEFA places. Betis aren't a bad team, but apart from Joaquin there's not much going for them. In the best scenario dirty Sevilla would be relegated (if only for the fans constant racist abuse) but they'll survive by beating other teams up.

So all in all, I think the season will end up something like this:

Top 6:

Real Madrid
Barca
Valencia
Atlético
Villarreal
Real Betis

Relegated:

Racing Santander
Getafe
Cadiz

 

[leftistangel]

I saw the Real Madrid game Sunday night and to me they still resemble a collection of players rather than a team. Was extremely impressed with Robinho, he totally tranformed the game when he came on as sub. Thomas gravesen looks out of his depth at that level. Zidane is starting to show his age. Raul is still being picked because he is Raul. And the defense hasn't really changed, though Woodgate could fulfill his promise. Think it'll be very cose between them and Barca.

 

[g force]

That's kinda my hope - I watched the Real game and they were awful, bought on Robinho and were completely different. Then we play an absolute blinder and draw 0-0 after having 22 shots on target and hitting the damn post 4 times! I think we can outscore Real, just depends whose defence holds up.

Raul is just terrible now, he should have been dropped for Owen long ago, but it won't happen. I wonder if he might not go to Atletico in a swap deal with Torres come the end of the season (seeing as he was an Atleti supporter when he was growing up!). Ronaldo looked like a liability as well.

 

[g force]

Good news: Ronny has extened his contract until 2010 So, if anyone wants to even talk to him before then they have to first offer the clause amount in his contract - £100m

 

[Relahni]

My Spanish team is Malaga.

How are their chances in your opinion gforce?

 

[mrkikiet]

those clauses are pish though, luque had one for 70 million euro.

only seen the skysports highlights programme. espanyol were gash, continuing their cracking pre-season, tamudo shouyld have scored, then i would all have been so different. Still don't reckon At.Madrid are going to make the leap again this season.

1.Barcelona
2. R.Madrid (could be 1st if they get and keep woodgate fit all season)
3. Villareal
4. At. Bilbao
5. Sevilla
6. Betis
7. R. Zaragoza
12.Espanyol
13. malaga, although they'll earn planty of money when the big teams visit.

 

[Balbi]

g-force, can you give me anything on Frank Songo'o? We signed him yesterday from your youth squad and was looking for some info from a supporters viewpoint.

cheers mate

 

[jodal]

I watched the Madrid game and they looked fucking awful against a team who's just been promoted. Robinho looked amazing if a bit...ahm...small, he wouldn't last a second in the premiership. Gravesen was chasing his tail and couldn't pass. Becks was nonexistant. The rest of the galacticos were soooo average. If they are gonna win anything this season they need to shape up.

 

[g force]

Indeed the life of an Espanyol fan is one of frustration. De La Pena is still class and Tamudo has been one of the most consistent players in La Liga for the last 3 years.

Admittedly, my Atletico call could be dodgy, but they have the makings of a better team. First games are tough to go on but I think Kezman will score goals for them and more importantly give Torres some help. And Petrov is a very handy player. I think they're certainly better than Zaragoza and Sevilla, maybe not Bilbao.

Okey doke here's my lowdown

Malaga - Well they've got one of the nicest badges.....errr....and the Rosaleda Stadium is a nice play to go see a match. They've got a good manager in Tapia and should be better than last season. Romero is a handy midfield player and they have Counago and Morales up front. I'm just not convinced about the rest of the midfield of the defence to be able to push past clubs like Bilbao, Zaragoza and Sevilla. They have to win against teams like Getafe, Racing and Cadiz, which has been a problem in the past. If they can do that then I reckon 10-12 place easily, if not it could be a struggle.


Frank Songo'o - Very handy player and IMO a good signing. He was never going to break into the Barca first team with Van Bommel, Iniesta, Xavi, Guily etc in his way, so he was released from his contract. I though he might stay in Spain. From the small amount i've seen of him he seems like quite a typical Cameroon player - physically strong, good first touch and pacey. Definitely one of those players who showed great promise 2 years ago but hasn't really moved up to the next level - but that's not to say he can't, but playing for Barca reserves wasn't really helping.

 

[Relahni]

Malaga - Well they've got one of the nicest badges.....errr....and the Rosaleda Stadium is a nice play to go see a match. They've got a good manager in Tapia and should be better than last season. Romero is a handy midfield player and they have Counago and Morales up front. I'm just not convinced about the rest of the midfield of the defence to be able to push past clubs like Bilbao, Zaragoza and Sevilla. They have to win against teams like Getafe, Racing and Cadiz, which has been a problem in the past. If they can do that then I reckon 10-12 place easily, if not it could be a struggle.

Nice one - I've just realised they play in blue and white = shite.......

 

[Balbi]

Cheers pal, it's praise indeed saying 'well, he's not good enough for Barca' if you take the time to scan the squad

 

[g force]

True, but then look at Nunez who "wasn't good enough for Madrid"...errr.. because he was shite!

Songo'o is definitely a good player - just needed a break and he'd never have got that at Barca.

 

[Balbi]

Nunez was rubbish

Franck's one of France's promising u-19 crop, no.7 as well. High hopes for him.

 

[g force]

Yeah...although i'm sure Cameroon aren't too happy about it

 

[Balbi]

I reckon it was a Portsmouth swap deal, because former French U21 Vincent 'Lennox' Pericard

has gone the other way and is now taking Cameroonian citizenship....

(I miss that gold kit it was disgustingly good)

 

[g force]

Could be.

I've just noticed that Boro have signed Fabrio rubbishrightback...sory Rochemback for £1m. One of the worst deals Barca ever did was signing that waster (wages = £1.4m a year ) and I think it says a lot that Sporting didn't even want him after 2 years on loan.

Terrible player.

 

[g force]

Ahh the joys of La Liga

Week 2 saw a few surprises, the obvious being Real's loss to Celta Vigo and Socieadad losing to Getafe. Eto'o scored twice as we beat Mallorca, while Valencia drew in an entertaining game.

No point with a league table at this point, but apparently Real had a bit of a stinker, Gravesen in particular.

 

[T & P]

Do you ever play 'la quiniela' g force? I used to all the time when I lived in Spain, and last year I discovered I can play online from here. Usually rubbish at it- the best I managed last season was 11 correct results and a grand price of €2.75 or thereabouts- but it's good fun nonetheless.

If you're interested in playing by the way you can do so through lotojuegos.com

 

[mrkikiet]

the quiniela has changed this year, with a pleno 15, similar to thunderball.
Madrid suffered at the hands of a dodgy refereeing decision on saturday, but that doesn't matter.
Real Zaragoza Valencia was a cracker. Former favourite coming on to score a goal which draws the game. And Fatty Kluivert was on the bench again.
Espanyol drop De la pena for having a stinking attitude and go on to beat Malaga, who are going to go down this year.

 

[g force]

Valenica are looking pretty handy so far - playing decent football again. Very balanced midfield, even without Baraja and Edu.

Real have looked very ordinary again, maybe just another slow start, but the sale of Figo, Solari and Samuel seems to have upset the balance. I can understand Figo going, but selling a decent midfield player and a great defender isn't goign to work when you have a donkey like Pavon to replace him.

De La Pena has always been a petulant little sod, which is a shame - even Cryuff said he was the best young midfield player in Europe when he was managing Barca. Praise indeed. Maybe he should have stuck to La Liga rather than chasing the money with Lazio.

 

[Jairzinho]

My team in Spain are Athletic Bilbao, and i was gutted that they didnt make the UEFA cup for this year. They were maybe complacent last year, and have suffered losing Asier del Horno to Chelsea and Santi Ezquerro to Barcelona- which is testament to the quality of players that Bilbao produce, for it is one of the greatest clubs in spanish football history, despite being overshadowed by the more glamourous teams. Granted they have not had any European success, but they have rigidly stuck to their Basque-only policy for about 100 years, and especially during this era of globalised football, i think there is something quite admirable in this.
I hope they finish top 5 this year- honestly they play some of the best football in spain when they are on form, and in Yeste they have quite possibly one of the most gifted, creative (but very temperemental) players of Spain. His role is the 'mediapunto'- just behind the striker, and he scores wonderfully spectacular goals. Watch out also for young striker Llorente, and of course the living legends that are Exteberria and Urzaiz. They have a good holding midfield options in Tiko, Gurpegui and Orbaiz, who have all, if i am not mistaken, played for Spain.

 

[g force]

I've always liked Joseba and Urzaiz - legends both of them.

Last night showed Real's major problem this season - their defence is a shambles and Lyon really tore into them. Why they sold Samuel is beyond me at least he could head the ball!

I thought Betis weren't bad - not as good as i've seen them - but they could cause Chelsea some problems.

 

[g force]

Right, so there's some midweek games in Spain for a change! Real don't play Bilbao until tonight, but plenty of other teams had a match last night

Barca managed to draw with Valenica, who it has to be said are looking like a totally different team this season and are palying better than even I expected! Barca took the lead through Guily, then David Villa scored 2 (one a bit of a fluke and the other a 50/50 penalty decision), before Canziares gifted us an equaliser on the 80th minute. Very kind of him

In the other games: Atletico Madrid reverted to usual form to surrender a 2-0 lead and lose 3-2 at Real Sociedad.

Deportivo drew with Betis and Celta Vigo returned to the top by a single point, after beating Villarreal who are currently bottom of the pile

 

[mrkikiet]

there were more teams playing too....

Real Zaragoza maintain their unbeaten record with a 3-1 vistory over osasuna, diego milito scoring his first for the club.
Espanyol lose in santander in a dire 1-0.
Cadiz miss a penalty, blazed over the bar in a 0-0 with sevilla.
Deportive had a goal ruled out for offside.
barca are rocking, rijkaard is going to have to think about making some changes...valencia continue to draw with all and sundry, valdes was very very at fault for villas second.

 

[Dr. Furface]

Last night showed Real's major problem this season - their defence is a shambles and Lyon really tore into them. Why they sold Samuel is beyond me at least he could head the ball!

Woodgate is making his debut tonight - how long do we give him before he's out injured again?!

 

[g force]

Well they really, really need him to shore up the defence - he also has a huge advanteg over anyone in the team - he can head the ball when it's crossed, a skill thats alluded Pavon his entire career.

They've been very careful with his recovery since he last had a problem, so I reckon he might be okay. But, they need to give him time.

 

[Dr. Furface]

Well they really, really need him to shore up the defence - he also has a huge advanteg over anyone in the team - he can head the ball when it's crossed, a skill thats alluded Pavon his entire career.

They've been very careful with his recovery since he last had a problem, so I reckon he might be okay. But, they need to give him time.

You're right. If he can stay fit then he'll be a great asset for them, I'm sure of that. They've taken a big gamble on him, that's for sure, but he has the ability to be one of the best. Would be great for England if he has a good season too.

 

[Rocket Romano]

Woodgate showed flashes of excellence when at Newcastle, just never had the luck

I firmly believe, and laugh all you want, Manchester United bought the poorer defender from Leeds.

 

[Dr. Furface]

Woodgate showed flashes of excellence when at Newcastle, just never had the luck

I firmly believe, and laugh all you want, Manchester United bought the poorer defender from Leeds.

I think you could be right in terms of ability - just about - but apart from his drug-test ban, Rio has managed to be fit to play most of the time, but Woody more often hasn't, so Utd are getting more of their money's worth.

 

[Rocket Romano]

I think you could be right in terms of ability - just about - but apart from his drug-test ban, Rio has managed to be fit to play most of the time, but Woody more often hasn't, so Utd are getting more of their money's worth.

When and if Woodgate gets fit and has a run in the team I think he'll go far, I'd happily have him back at St James Park, though heavily insured.

Its probably too late for him to get into the World Cup Squad even if Ferdinand has being throwing up sever questions of late about his positioning and awareness.

Woodgates a good lad, hes been training hard, working on his fitness and learning the lingo, everyone at Real likes him, Sacchi seems to really rate hims so we'll see