Comments on: “Le Caviar,” to be Sure! http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/le-caviar-to-be-sure.html France - World Cup - South Africa 2010 Sun, 12 Dec 2010 21:58:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: talia http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/le-caviar-to-be-sure.html/comment-page-1#comment-111105 talia Fri, 15 Feb 2008 06:35:19 +0000 http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/le-caviar-to-be-sure.html#comment-111105 See Laurie? we're not a bad bunch of gals...Sandra is one of the best members we have!! it has been slow but things are picking up again so you should stop by...although right now an inordinate amount of drooling is going on because of some locker room shots of Zizou' bare behind in the most recent journal entry but we're usually more respectful. He has a great ass though.... See Laurie? we’re not a bad bunch of gals…Sandra is one of the best members we have!! it has been slow but things are picking up again so you should stop by…although right now an inordinate amount of drooling is going on because of some locker room shots of Zizou’ bare behind in the most recent journal entry but we’re usually more respectful. He has a great ass though….

]]> By: Jean-Michel http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/le-caviar-to-be-sure.html/comment-page-1#comment-110839 Jean-Michel Wed, 13 Feb 2008 13:34:07 +0000 http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/le-caviar-to-be-sure.html#comment-110839 Are you saying he doesn't have the right players? He's got some of the biggest names in football now. Yes some are young but someone's gotta step up. Everyone should be concerned about results right now. He's had almost two years since the world cup to tweak things. Zizou could have been a playmaker from a left back position if need be but thats him. I think Benzema can play a variety of positions in an attacking capacity. He definitely needs to be on the field. Are you saying he doesn’t have the right players? He’s got some of the biggest names in football now. Yes some are young but someone’s gotta step up. Everyone should be concerned about results right now. He’s had almost two years since the world cup to tweak things. Zizou could have been a playmaker from a left back position if need be but thats him. I think Benzema can play a variety of positions in an attacking capacity. He definitely needs to be on the field.

]]> By: Inara http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/le-caviar-to-be-sure.html/comment-page-1#comment-110765 Inara Wed, 13 Feb 2008 05:21:14 +0000 http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/le-caviar-to-be-sure.html#comment-110765 It's so easy to talk about changing formation and making pretty diagrams, but it's not that simple. I'm sure Domenech and his staff would love to be able to switch between various formations, but you need the right players, and most importantly, you need time to implement these changes. Right now everyone is concerned about results in the short term, so it's not like Domenech has a lot of opportunities to change tactics without losing a couple of games. I mean, he lost a friendly against Spain and look at all the criticism he got. Imagine if that streak extended to three or four games - which is expected if you're going to change from the tried and tested 4-4-2 only a few months before the Euros. From his POV, it makes sense to wait until after the summer for new tactics. Sure, we'd love to see fewer defensively minded players out there, but when you look at the turnover of the squad since the World Cup and how there are so many newer (and younger) players in the squad, perhaps he feels that too many changes can be just as damaging as none at all. And keep in mind that Zizou was a playmaker in a 4-4-2. It would be great to see Nasri with a bigger role in the squad, but he's having a tough time at OM right now with a so-so season and with injuries, and don't forget he's only 19 and just got his first taste of CL football this year. Asking him to take on Zizou's duties on the NT for Euro 2008 is asking a bit much IMO. It’s so easy to talk about changing formation and making pretty diagrams, but it’s not that simple. I’m sure Domenech and his staff would love to be able to switch between various formations, but you need the right players, and most importantly, you need time to implement these changes. Right now everyone is concerned about results in the short term, so it’s not like Domenech has a lot of opportunities to change tactics without losing a couple of games. I mean, he lost a friendly against Spain and look at all the criticism he got. Imagine if that streak extended to three or four games – which is expected if you’re going to change from the tried and tested 4-4-2 only a few months before the Euros. From his POV, it makes sense to wait until after the summer for new tactics.

Sure, we’d love to see fewer defensively minded players out there, but when you look at the turnover of the squad since the World Cup and how there are so many newer (and younger) players in the squad, perhaps he feels that too many changes can be just as damaging as none at all.

And keep in mind that Zizou was a playmaker in a 4-4-2. It would be great to see Nasri with a bigger role in the squad, but he’s having a tough time at OM right now with a so-so season and with injuries, and don’t forget he’s only 19 and just got his first taste of CL football this year. Asking him to take on Zizou’s duties on the NT for Euro 2008 is asking a bit much IMO.

]]> By: Laurie http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/le-caviar-to-be-sure.html/comment-page-1#comment-110757 Laurie Wed, 13 Feb 2008 04:29:24 +0000 http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/le-caviar-to-be-sure.html#comment-110757 I read something before the Ukraine game that said France lose only when they play 4-4-2. (Scotland, Argentina, Scotland, Spain.) Of course, they've won in 4-4-2 also, but... I personally love 4-4-2 because I want to be able to see Benzema and Anelka on the field at some point. (Seriously, I love the France strikers and hate the thought of not having two on the field.) But if that's what it takes to win... I read something before the Ukraine game that said France lose only when they play 4-4-2. (Scotland, Argentina, Scotland, Spain.) Of course, they’ve won in 4-4-2 also, but…

I personally love 4-4-2 because I want to be able to see Benzema and Anelka on the field at some point. (Seriously, I love the France strikers and hate the thought of not having two on the field.) But if that’s what it takes to win…

]]> By: Jean-Michel http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/le-caviar-to-be-sure.html/comment-page-1#comment-110738 Jean-Michel Wed, 13 Feb 2008 01:50:35 +0000 http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/le-caviar-to-be-sure.html#comment-110738 Seems like he's married to 4-4-2 system as well. He experiments with players, why not with a different formation? It has not exactly been a goal scoring system that we'd all hope it would be and no one seems to be really thriving in it either. There is more than enough to be concerned about. Seems like he’s married to 4-4-2 system as well. He experiments with players, why not with a different formation? It has not exactly been a goal scoring system that we’d all hope it would be and no one seems to be really thriving in it either. There is more than enough to be concerned about.

]]> By: sandrahn http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/le-caviar-to-be-sure.html/comment-page-1#comment-110699 sandrahn Tue, 12 Feb 2008 20:49:48 +0000 http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/le-caviar-to-be-sure.html#comment-110699 Laurie, I've been a member of talia's zidane group (it started soon after the 2006 wc) almost from the beginning. You should check out the older postings, great stuff. It's been kind of quiet lately, but it's still running. It's a haven for me since my French is limited and it's the only English-language zizou site I know of. As to the game..... I'm genuinely concerned, as we head closer to Euro 2008. Domenech is not in the same position as Capello is with the England squad. Domenech has an embarrassment of riches to choose from. Stop for a moment and look at those players, it's an amazing squad. There's just no excuse for not winning that game v. Spain. Spain were very very poor. This constant reliance on Vieira, Thuram and Makelele is really frustrating. I don't slate Domenech as much as others do but frankly I have little belief that he can make this incredibly talented group of players into the organized, effective, brilliant team I know they can be. Laurie, I’ve been a member of talia’s zidane group (it started soon after the 2006 wc) almost from the beginning. You should check out the older postings, great stuff. It’s been kind of quiet lately, but it’s still running. It’s a haven for me since my French is limited and it’s the only English-language zizou site I know of.

As to the game….. I’m genuinely concerned, as we head closer to Euro 2008. Domenech is not in the same position as Capello is with the England squad. Domenech has an embarrassment of riches to choose from. Stop for a moment and look at those players, it’s an amazing squad. There’s just no excuse for not winning that game v. Spain. Spain were very very poor. This constant reliance on Vieira, Thuram and Makelele is really frustrating. I don’t slate Domenech as much as others do but frankly I have little belief that he can make this incredibly talented group of players into the organized, effective, brilliant team I know they can be.

]]> By: Seb http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/le-caviar-to-be-sure.html/comment-page-1#comment-110696 Seb Tue, 12 Feb 2008 20:38:15 +0000 http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/le-caviar-to-be-sure.html#comment-110696 Hey Laurie, It's been a while, though I'm happy to see the blog continues to be one of the best reads on the NT. I hope that you keep up the good work! A note on Lassana Diarra. Diarra's been doing well at Portsmouth in central midfield as mentioned in one of the comments above, but my concern with him is that he's a very limited option at the moment. What I mean is, he is very versatile in terms of position (right back, defensive midfield, central midfield, left/right midfield, who knows, even center back), but he is very limited in terms of what skills he has right now. He's full of energy, but his distribution/vision has to be vastly improved. Also, to make use of a clichéd expression, the guy can't hit the broad side of a barn with a shot or cross. Additionally his attitude, compared to when he came up initially while at Chelsea, is a lot less humble and a lot more whiny (referring to his transfer saga at Arsenal). Oh, and a brief comment on Ben Arfa, if I may. Ben Arfa can play on the right, but his preferred position, I think, remains the "second striker" Bergkamp/Gianfranco Zola type attacker (it's what he played when bursting on the scene back at the U-17 EC), which I actually believe could work with him behind Henry. We'll have to see, though, but Hatem will definitely be a starter on Les Bleus one day. Perhaps very, very soon. Hey Laurie,

It’s been a while, though I’m happy to see the blog continues to be one of the best reads on the NT. I hope that you keep up the good work!

A note on Lassana Diarra. Diarra’s been doing well at Portsmouth in central midfield as mentioned in one of the comments above, but my concern with him is that he’s a very limited option at the moment. What I mean is, he is very versatile in terms of position (right back, defensive midfield, central midfield, left/right midfield, who knows, even center back), but he is very limited in terms of what skills he has right now. He’s full of energy, but his distribution/vision has to be vastly improved. Also, to make use of a clichéd expression, the guy can’t hit the broad side of a barn with a shot or cross. Additionally his attitude, compared to when he came up initially while at Chelsea, is a lot less humble and a lot more whiny (referring to his transfer saga at Arsenal).

Oh, and a brief comment on Ben Arfa, if I may. Ben Arfa can play on the right, but his preferred position, I think, remains the “second striker” Bergkamp/Gianfranco Zola type attacker (it’s what he played when bursting on the scene back at the U-17 EC), which I actually believe could work with him behind Henry. We’ll have to see, though, but Hatem will definitely be a starter on Les Bleus one day. Perhaps very, very soon.

]]> By: Laurie http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/le-caviar-to-be-sure.html/comment-page-1#comment-110661 Laurie Tue, 12 Feb 2008 16:55:01 +0000 http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/le-caviar-to-be-sure.html#comment-110661 <em>Most likely, if the word doesn’t end in “E” it would be masculine. The reverse isn’t true.</em> My brain knows this. My fingers would <em>never</em> type a French noun without double-checking. And now I know about the halal thing, so everybody wins. :-) LOVE the Malouda quote! Most likely, if the word doesn’t end in “E” it would be masculine. The reverse isn’t true.

My brain knows this. My fingers would never type a French noun without double-checking. And now I know about the halal thing, so everybody wins. :-)

LOVE the Malouda quote!

]]> By: Doumé http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/le-caviar-to-be-sure.html/comment-page-1#comment-110658 Doumé Tue, 12 Feb 2008 16:44:21 +0000 http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/le-caviar-to-be-sure.html#comment-110658 Laurie, Sorry for not putting the gender of the word "caviar"! Most likely, if the word doesn't end in "E" it would be masculine. The reverse isn't true. We used it a lot in the 80s-90s for a ball that leads to an easy score, who knows now? So good to see our friend Willy back, now Ribéry needs to get well. IMO he might have made the difference if he had been there. But heck, it's a friendly anyway. Henry, Domenech and Vieira all talked about "reinsuring defeat" because they thought they had good things despite the result. And yes it's true. However, Malouda, whom I didn't know was good with words, had this well-turned little comment: "Yes, but I prefer frightening victories to reinsuring defeats" Laurie,
Sorry for not putting the gender of the word “caviar”! Most likely, if the word doesn’t end in “E” it would be masculine. The reverse isn’t true.
We used it a lot in the 80s-90s for a ball that leads to an easy score, who knows now?
So good to see our friend Willy back, now Ribéry needs to get well. IMO he might have made the difference if he had been there. But heck, it’s a friendly anyway.

Henry, Domenech and Vieira all talked about “reinsuring defeat” because they thought they had good things despite the result. And yes it’s true. However, Malouda, whom I didn’t know was good with words, had this well-turned little comment:
“Yes, but I prefer frightening victories to reinsuring defeats”

]]> By: Laurie http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/le-caviar-to-be-sure.html/comment-page-1#comment-110651 Laurie Tue, 12 Feb 2008 15:43:42 +0000 http://france.worldcupblog.org/euro-2008/le-caviar-to-be-sure.html#comment-110651 Thanks, Jeff (433). I saw that about Lassana's goal and actually have a post ready to go up later today. Thanks, Jeff (433). I saw that about Lassana’s goal and actually have a post ready to go up later today.

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