Slide away.

[Oncy]

Barcelona and Messi.

Barcelona have probably been the best club side ive ever seen over the past decade.
Since Ronaldinho signed really they have just gone up and up and up.
And in 2010/11 they were just about perfect. But with the aging Xavi and Iniesta looking a spent force are we looking at the very end of their dominance. In particular with this suspended sentence hanging over them. Are they done now?
Whilst I would take some joy from that because i think they have been horrible arrogant cunts this past few years, seems sad that that team is reaching the tail end of its career.

And alongside that. Messi.
His figures are still good. But steadily declining over the past three years. Since 2011 his goals and assists has declined. He has played a few less games because of injury but is that all it is? 70 goals down to 26 in 2 years is alarming and more than that, when you watch him play these days he looks miles from the best player in the world. He looks leggy and ponderous and the flair, pace, aggression, hunger and unbelievable skill of the past dont seem to be there. The little wizard who dribbled round three or four players has been conspicuous by his absence.
Is it just a blip or is the best player of our generation done? And with that, if we start well in Europe, Suarez has to be up there with player of the season in Europe?

 

[Woland]

Fuck Barca.

 

[Oncy]

Good chat mate. Cheers

 

[Woland]

Seriously. Fuck Barca. They used to go on about being more than a club. They're no more than a racquet. Fuck Barca.

 

[mark1975]

Everyone grows old and all that shit, football's cyclic, it's just gone stale for Messi, while Barca have inevitably hit a wall after several years of domination. It's like when attacking teams dominate, and then Greece win the Euro's, or Gerard Houllier wins the UEFA Cup, and then tactically defensive football is back in.

 

[Rosco]

Like every other footballer Messi won't his peak until he's 28.

Stupid thread

 

[Oncy]

Like every other footballer Messi won't his peak until he's 28.

Stupid thread

Hahahaha

 

[Rosco]

In years to come people will look at Guardiolas history, the fact that the last three doctors at Barca are now banned from sport and draw the correct conclusion

 

[Hansern]

There is something not quite right with Barca this season though, it just not Messi that hasnt been up to scratch.

Looks like he doesnt care and the few games I've seen he finds himself in the middle of the pitch coming deep for the ball. His finishing seems off aswell and the goals have dried up.
Maybe he needs a new challenge?

 

[mark1975]

Hahahaha

I can't believe you're laughing at this, everytime an exception to a rule comes up (the best player in the world, no less), Rosco can't wait to pull out his "I'm right" flag. The peak age also gets a year older with every joke.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

Two years ago - when they were still good - there was already issues ... Messi was takings something like 30+% of their shots. As his injuries over the last two years have increased, they've been unable to deal with replacing that as their team was so geared towards him.

Iniesta is still magical, but they screwed up with hiring Tata & signing Neymar. They needed a better manager (one who would play their better form players - i.e. Alexis instead over Neymar for example the last month or so), and they spent bucketloads on a kid who was always going to struggle in his first year (s?) in a new country and football league.

Are they down? Doubt it - they will bring in Ter Stegen and a few good signings to ensure they can still compete with Atleti and Real. Will they ever be that good again? Nope.

As for Messi - I think Keni mentioned a while back as his pace goes, he'll start controlling the game more from the middle ... He won't be scoring 50+ goals a season again but who knows with that kid ...

 

[Oncy]

I can't believe you're laughing at this, everytime an exception to a rule comes up (the best player in the world, no less), Rosco can't wait to pull out his "I'm right" flag. The peak age also gets a year older with every joke.

I dont think its a joke and ive always agreed with Rosco.
Owen, Rooney, Fowler to name a few peaked early 20's whilst other player peak after 30. The argument that a player rises to 28 and then declines is lazy bullshit spun by people who want to make more money on players. There isnt a surefire age a player will be at his best. Yet that self same argument has been trotted out on here for years.

 

[mark1975]

I dont think its a joke and ive always agreed with Rosco.
Owen, Rooney, Fowler to name a few peaked early 20's whilst other player peak after 30. The argument that a player rises to 28 and then declines is lazy bullshit spun by people who want to make more money on players. There isnt a surefire age a player will be at his best. Yet that self same argument has been trotted out on here for years.

I know, but generally there's a trend of players who are consistently good from an early age, hitting peak level around late 20's, 26-28, I know it's not an exact science, but I don't remember too many people defending the notion that stringently either. Like you say though, all players are different, and different positions dictate differing peak ages and capacities to play at the top level. Goalkeepers and defenders vs quick attackers, for instance.

 

[FoxForceFive]

I now have slide away stuck in my head.

Not complaining like, love that song.

 

[Hansern]

Suarez has his best season in his career so far and is 27

 

[Athens]

I now have slide away stuck in my head.

Not complaining like, love that song.

Me too. It's been ages since I've listened to anything off that album.

 

[Oncy]

Yous are welcome

 

[Woland]

Noel Gallagher wrote it when he was 27.

 

[Oncy]

Noel Gallagher wrote it when he was 27.

He was better when he was 25

 

[Woland]

He's always been a cunt

 

[Rosco]

Your average player peaks between 26 and 28.

Physically gifted players usually peak earlier.

Smart players find a way to make it work into their 30's.

Shearer is the best English example to encompass all categories. Just compare the 23 year old at Blackburn to the player he was at Newcastle.

Anyway really Barca that core is past it and won't be replicated.

 

[the count]

I seem to recall even Ross saying (when talking about Aspas) that the average peak age for an outfield player is 26-29.
It doesn't mean that all players will peak during that period

 

[the count]

Me+Rosco
Nsync

 

[Oncy]

Roger Milla was the tits at 45 likewise Obafemi Martins

 

[Athens]

I'm 34 and still years away from my peak.

 

[Rosco]

Roger Milla was the tits at 45 likewise Obafemi Martins

What?

MARTINS IS 19

 

[keniget]

Messi has got 41 goals and 11 assists in 43 starts and 5 subs this season.

That probably includes a fair few penalties but it's not a bad return for a player in decline.

I've been saying for a couple months now that there is something off with him - the desire, ruthlessness in front of goal and work rate just doesn't quite seem to be there - but there are other factors to take into consideration. The injury problems are the obvious place to start. Then there is also the fact that Tata has changed things and Messi has found himself on the wing at times and further away from goal than he has been in the last couple years. My guess is that he's just been waiting for the World Cup, which is probably more important to him than another medal or two at club level. Next season will be telling with that out of the way.

Barca had a bad summer. I wasn't quite sure about Vilanova as manager but when he stepped down they needed someone inspirational to come in and kinda do what Guardiola / Vilanova did when they came in - rejuvenate the side. Tata ticked a lot of boxes but seems to lack the personality and innovation required. Then there were the failings on the transfer front. They needed to sort out the defence given the fact that Pique is injury prone and Puyol is done but failed. Up front they needed another option and whilst Neymar is a very talented player, he wasn't ready to step up and be a star man.

It'll be interesting to see where they do go from here. Their best has clearly come and gone, there is no doubt about that. They're no longer sweeping all before them and the extra gear (or two) they seemed to be able to change into when the occasion demanded it appears to have gone. That said, I think there could still be a couple good years left under the right man. Xavi can go on a while longer, Iniesta has looked good even this season when others around him have been poor and Messi in the right environment will be brilliant even if he isn't scoring 70 goals a season. The problem this season has been as much mental as it has been anything else. And of course the numerous scandals and off field distractions haven't helped. A very important summer for the club lies ahead.

I used to think of Liverpool as the 'ol faithful wife and Barca as the exciting mistress... how things have changed this season!

 

[localny]

When will this lad peak?
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/meet-joseph-minala---17-year-old-3140299

 

[Modo]

When will this lad peak?
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/meet-joseph-minala---17-year-old-3140299

He's already past it.

 

[mom]

Roger Milla was the tits at 45 likewise Obafemi Martins

his passport says he's still 26. SIGN HIM BEFORE HE PEAKS!!!!