Comments on: 500 days until the World Cup – Enough time for France to get ready? http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/500-days-until-the-world-cup-enough-time-for-france-to-get-ready.html France - World Cup - South Africa 2010 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:09:10 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Jeff http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/500-days-until-the-world-cup-enough-time-for-france-to-get-ready.html/comment-page-1#comment-147359 Jeff Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:27:36 +0000 http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/500-days-until-the-world-cup-enough-time-for-france-to-get-ready.html#comment-147359 Sagna is a reliable defender. If he's in there, right back won't be a position that we're overly worried about, especially with the uncertainty at holding midfield, central defense, and goalkeeper. Sagna is a reliable defender. If he’s in there, right back won’t be a position that we’re overly worried about, especially with the uncertainty at holding midfield, central defense, and goalkeeper.

]]> By: Guy Courtin http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/500-days-until-the-world-cup-enough-time-for-france-to-get-ready.html/comment-page-1#comment-147356 Guy Courtin Fri, 30 Jan 2009 03:01:27 +0000 http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/500-days-until-the-world-cup-enough-time-for-france-to-get-ready.html#comment-147356 I am not convinced of Hoarau, and I am a huge PSG fan. I think he is just a taller version of Trezegol. And we all know how highly Domenech values the franco-argentine. Hoarau is a decent option if you play two strikers, and leverage one (Hoarau) as a pivot, allow him to sit on top of the 18 and flick on crosses, or crash the penalty spot inwards and look to win the game in the air, but that is not how Domenech sees his team or his strikers. Otherwise I think Trezeguet would still be prominent in this team. As for Chalme, not convinced of him. He has not even been called up for any of the national youth sides. Granted he is playing well for Bordeaux. Sagna to me remains France's best option at right back. Clerc, when healthy, is a decent option but I am not convinced that he is the clear #1, he has not been the clear #1 for his club! Another player to keep an eye on is Feghouli who plays for Grenoble. I recently watched him against Lyon and he was clearly the most creative player for both sides, he was on the initial list from Domenech last round of internationals so I would not be surprised to see him make an appearance very soon. We shall see, Argentina will be a huge test...I fear that we will see the same we did the last time these nations met in a friendly when France was dealing with defensive questions - an Argentina victory....ugh. I am not convinced of Hoarau, and I am a huge PSG fan. I think he is just a taller version of Trezegol. And we all know how highly Domenech values the franco-argentine. Hoarau is a decent option if you play two strikers, and leverage one (Hoarau) as a pivot, allow him to sit on top of the 18 and flick on crosses, or crash the penalty spot inwards and look to win the game in the air, but that is not how Domenech sees his team or his strikers. Otherwise I think Trezeguet would still be prominent in this team.

As for Chalme, not convinced of him. He has not even been called up for any of the national youth sides. Granted he is playing well for Bordeaux. Sagna to me remains France’s best option at right back. Clerc, when healthy, is a decent option but I am not convinced that he is the clear #1, he has not been the clear #1 for his club!

Another player to keep an eye on is Feghouli who plays for Grenoble. I recently watched him against Lyon and he was clearly the most creative player for both sides, he was on the initial list from Domenech last round of internationals so I would not be surprised to see him make an appearance very soon.

We shall see, Argentina will be a huge test…I fear that we will see the same we did the last time these nations met in a friendly when France was dealing with defensive questions – an Argentina victory….ugh.

]]> By: Sam http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/500-days-until-the-world-cup-enough-time-for-france-to-get-ready.html/comment-page-1#comment-147349 Sam Wed, 28 Jan 2009 22:55:08 +0000 http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/500-days-until-the-world-cup-enough-time-for-france-to-get-ready.html#comment-147349 Clerc is still injured, and has been since the start of the season - so we won't be seeing him for a while I shouldn't think. I think Sagna is a good player, who always impresses me when I watch him. At LB I would certainly pick Evra who is a much better player than Clichy IMO who's had a bad season and is extremely error prone Clerc is still injured, and has been since the start of the season – so we won’t be seeing him for a while I shouldn’t think. I think Sagna is a good player, who always impresses me when I watch him. At LB I would certainly pick Evra who is a much better player than Clichy IMO who’s had a bad season and is extremely error prone

]]> By: jeanpierre http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/500-days-until-the-world-cup-enough-time-for-france-to-get-ready.html/comment-page-1#comment-147345 jeanpierre Wed, 28 Jan 2009 15:16:38 +0000 http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/500-days-until-the-world-cup-enough-time-for-france-to-get-ready.html#comment-147345 I wud like to see clerc too, checking fff site daily (new ritual about 10 o clock evening during tooth brushing) but still no news @michelle olivier; I like the midfield its nice, and im struggling with the choice (if i wud be domenech) between a midfield like that or benzema and henry up front I wud like to see clerc too, checking fff site daily (new ritual about 10 o clock evening during tooth brushing) but still no news

@michelle olivier; I like the midfield its nice, and im struggling with the choice (if i wud be domenech) between a midfield like that or benzema and henry up front

]]> By: Julien G. http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/500-days-until-the-world-cup-enough-time-for-france-to-get-ready.html/comment-page-1#comment-147344 Julien G. Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:59:26 +0000 http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/500-days-until-the-world-cup-enough-time-for-france-to-get-ready.html#comment-147344 I would be reluctant to go with Chamle. Imho, he's not natural team material, there nothing really special about him. He's been solid for Bordeaux all season but he's one of those players that seem to rigid on the ball and he lacks the natural fluidity of a full back. All though very solid(he very frustrating for opposing wingers/wide midfielders), he can't get up and down the wing (overlaping runs into the box) and play in some well driven cross. He doesn't have the and of the forward play of a fullback. Clerc would be my first choice RB, Sagna I don't think is ready and Clerc has a fair bit more experience. My biggest concern is that France haven't been developing defenders, there aren't any clear cut replacement of our aging CB ex., Mexes and Gallas. Mamadou Sakho has been the only CB we have recently produced... I would be reluctant to go with Chamle. Imho, he’s not natural team material, there nothing really special about him. He’s been solid for Bordeaux all season but he’s one of those players that seem to rigid on the ball and he lacks the natural fluidity of a full back. All though very solid(he very frustrating for opposing wingers/wide midfielders), he can’t get up and down the wing (overlaping runs into the box) and play in some well driven cross. He doesn’t have the and of the forward play of a fullback.

Clerc would be my first choice RB, Sagna I don’t think is ready and Clerc has a fair bit more experience.

My biggest concern is that France haven’t been developing defenders, there aren’t any clear cut replacement of our aging CB ex., Mexes and Gallas. Mamadou Sakho has been the only CB we have recently produced…

]]> By: Eric Escander http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/500-days-until-the-world-cup-enough-time-for-france-to-get-ready.html/comment-page-1#comment-147343 Eric Escander Wed, 28 Jan 2009 05:35:38 +0000 http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/500-days-until-the-world-cup-enough-time-for-france-to-get-ready.html#comment-147343 Well if anyone wants to know who we're up against the list for Argentina has been released and is posted on the Argentina blog. As expected they're comming with their best minus riquelme. Michel I don't get to watch a lot of ligue 1 games but it would be interesting to see how Chalme plays. Abidal on the left I feel would be a mistake, I would stick with Evra or Clichy. I would take out Diarra(assuming your talking about Lassana)for Flamini. That midfield would be full of talent. For the lone striker jury's still out for me because Henry, Benzema, and Anelka seem to be on and off for France as of late. Well if anyone wants to know who we’re up against the list for Argentina has been released and is posted on the Argentina blog. As expected they’re comming with their best minus riquelme. Michel I don’t get to watch a lot of ligue 1 games but it would be interesting to see how Chalme plays. Abidal on the left I feel would be a mistake, I would stick with Evra or Clichy. I would take out Diarra(assuming your talking about Lassana)for Flamini. That midfield would be full of talent. For the lone striker jury’s still out for me because Henry, Benzema, and Anelka seem to be on and off for France as of late.

]]> By: jeff http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/500-days-until-the-world-cup-enough-time-for-france-to-get-ready.html/comment-page-1#comment-147341 jeff Tue, 27 Jan 2009 23:09:47 +0000 http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/500-days-until-the-world-cup-enough-time-for-france-to-get-ready.html#comment-147341 Great comments. Henry has to be in the side, either up front or wide left. I like the 4-2-3-1. Then, either Benzema, if he has his mojo back, up front, or Nasri wide left. That's what I'd like to see. Of course if Henry's injured, then France still have the players to create some offense. Great comments. Henry has to be in the side, either up front or wide left. I like the 4-2-3-1. Then, either Benzema, if he has his mojo back, up front, or Nasri wide left.

That’s what I’d like to see. Of course if Henry’s injured, then France still have the players to create some offense.

]]> By: Michel-Olivier(Slider) http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/500-days-until-the-world-cup-enough-time-for-france-to-get-ready.html/comment-page-1#comment-147340 Michel-Olivier(Slider) Tue, 27 Jan 2009 22:56:06 +0000 http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/500-days-until-the-world-cup-enough-time-for-france-to-get-ready.html#comment-147340 @ guy also gignac and hoarau @ eric what about chalme, his having a great season with bordeaux what i like to see is this ---------lloris--------- chalme-mexes-gallas-abidal ----diarra---toulalan----- ribery----gourcuff----nasri ----------henry--------- @ guy
also gignac and hoarau

@ eric
what about chalme, his having a great season with bordeaux

what i like to see is this
———lloris———
chalme-mexes-gallas-abidal
—-diarra—toulalan—–
ribery—-gourcuff—-nasri
———-henry———

]]> By: Eric Escander http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/500-days-until-the-world-cup-enough-time-for-france-to-get-ready.html/comment-page-1#comment-147339 Eric Escander Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:00:45 +0000 http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/500-days-until-the-world-cup-enough-time-for-france-to-get-ready.html#comment-147339 I'd rather see clerc than fanni on the right when it comes to defense. Though things are still a bit shakey in the back I think things are settling in place. Also having lloris play as keeper should help a lot. I hope we are convincing against Argentina. Any idea on when the squad list will be released? I’d rather see clerc than fanni on the right when it comes to defense. Though things are still a bit shakey in the back I think things are settling in place. Also having lloris play as keeper should help a lot. I hope we are convincing against Argentina. Any idea on when the squad list will be released?

]]> By: Guy Courtin http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/500-days-until-the-world-cup-enough-time-for-france-to-get-ready.html/comment-page-1#comment-147338 Guy Courtin Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:40:02 +0000 http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/500-days-until-the-world-cup-enough-time-for-france-to-get-ready.html#comment-147338 I think qualification will be hard fought. The two matches against Lithuania will be much more challenging than we once thought. Lithuania has already won at Romania 3-0, home against Austria 2-0, so they cannot be taken lightly at all. Let us not forget that during the Euro qualifiers France struggled away to beat Lithuania, scoring late in the game. And struggled in the return leg at Nantes, yes they won 2-0, could have been 3-0 but the goals came late in the game. I think the entire campaign will hinge on these two matches, France will need to at least come out with 4 points, anything less will make qualifying incredibly challenging. I do agree that France needs to shape up their back 4. Les Bleus need to put Mexes-Gallas in the middle of the defense. Allow Evra or Clichy on the left and have Sagna or Fanni on the right. The real issue will be does Domenech play with two holding midfielders or one? I would offer staying with two in front of the back 4 - Toulalan and LDiarra should provide the cover for the defense. Offensively, I totally agree - Nasri and Ribery on the wings with Gourcuff in the middle. Benzema up front. The other option would be to have Henry slide wide left, he has demonstrated an ability to play that role and he has always loved running at defenses from the left flank. I think other attacking players that might be given a bite of the apple - Menez, Savidan, Sinama-Pongolle. Les Bleus will have a difficult mountain to climb, the drubbing they took at Austria will haunt them, Domenech, while he should not be running the team anymore, has at least figured out that Gourcuff needs to pull the strings in the midfield. Now he needs to figure out what to do for the back line. http://thebeantownfrog.blogspot.com/ I think qualification will be hard fought. The two matches against Lithuania will be much more challenging than we once thought. Lithuania has already won at Romania 3-0, home against Austria 2-0, so they cannot be taken lightly at all. Let us not forget that during the Euro qualifiers France struggled away to beat Lithuania, scoring late in the game. And struggled in the return leg at Nantes, yes they won 2-0, could have been 3-0 but the goals came late in the game. I think the entire campaign will hinge on these two matches, France will need to at least come out with 4 points, anything less will make qualifying incredibly challenging.

I do agree that France needs to shape up their back 4. Les Bleus need to put Mexes-Gallas in the middle of the defense. Allow Evra or Clichy on the left and have Sagna or Fanni on the right. The real issue will be does Domenech play with two holding midfielders or one? I would offer staying with two in front of the back 4 – Toulalan and LDiarra should provide the cover for the defense. Offensively, I totally agree – Nasri and Ribery on the wings with Gourcuff in the middle. Benzema up front. The other option would be to have Henry slide wide left, he has demonstrated an ability to play that role and he has always loved running at defenses from the left flank. I think other attacking players that might be given a bite of the apple – Menez, Savidan, Sinama-Pongolle.

Les Bleus will have a difficult mountain to climb, the drubbing they took at Austria will haunt them, Domenech, while he should not be running the team anymore, has at least figured out that Gourcuff needs to pull the strings in the midfield. Now he needs to figure out what to do for the back line.

http://thebeantownfrog.blogspot.com/

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