New List. Same As The Old List

Agreed not a huge surprise, which in a way is good, give the side some stability. This “old guard” is not as old as the one we rolled out during the Euros, with players like Gignac, Remy, Fanni, Diaby I think that Les Bleus have some young blood to mesh with the old guard – Henry, Gallas, Anelka et al.

I fear, however, that we may never see Vieira in Blue again. We owe much to Pat over the years, who has been the best holding/defensive midfielder France has seen.

I will not rehash my thoughts, but you can read them on my post – http://thebeantownfrog.blogspot.com/2009/08/frances-list-for-upcoming-world-cup.html

Posted from  United States

too mamy dia’s.
it should of been menez, bodmer, flamini, and corchia instead of a diarra, fanni, evra, and diaby.

Posted from  United States

I agree GFC, he’s trying to instill some of the youth in this team in a smooth way. I remember seeing Italy play a couple of weeks back and they seemed so old, almost unchanged since 2006 it seemed.

Beyond the players themselves (seems we all agree that there is a big pool of talented players to choose from), I wish to see more clearly what style of play we’re trying to put out. Lately I thought the the left side was going very well, a lot of the danger was coming from there, especially from Evra, Ribéry, Malouda, only to have the crosses watched by Anelka who seemed always out of place. The right side wasn’t as incisive. Well it’s good to arrive to the perimeter, but once there, let’s think of something more simple, more natural I guess.
I do think we have to take chances and get some shots from outside the box, to get the opposing defense to open up a bit. Yes, a missed shot is frustrating, but so is a missed assist in the box.
Defensively, I think we’re pretty good in the run of play, a little shaky on corners and free kicks.

Mamy dia’s? huh?

Posted from  United States

I completely agree with Doume. However I think we know the style or formation favored by Domenech: 4-2-3-1. But to Doume’s point – the left side has worked well with either Henry, Malouda or Ribery occupying the wing with Abidal, Evra or Cliche supporting from the left back position. The main issue I see with the right side is we do not have a true right winger these days – Luyindula works well there, but is not at the same level as the above mentioned players. Ribery? Sure but not really his best spot on the field. Gignac? He could, but he is more of a natural point striker rather than a wide player. One player that might offer the solution is Remy would could slot back to the wide right spot in the formation. Another option, would be Menez, however I am not sure he is getting enough run at ASRoma to attract a deeper look from Domenech. A final option would be Nasri, but he has Diaby disease – too often injured.

Posted from  United States

The thought of Gignac at World Cup makes me happy. (Crossing my fingers on a lot of levels.) Also hoping Real Madrid gives Benzema that little spark that’s been missing when he plays for France.

Re: Menez. I was chatting with our Roma blogger, Chris, last night and he is loving him some Menez. Unfortunately I don’t think Domenech will be willing to try him out before WC.

@Thomas
je m’en fiche completement

Posted from  United States

Sadly, No way Menez or any other player we’re dreaming of ever gets called up under Domenech. Anyway, this is probably his WC squad, with Vieira possibly replacing Diaby. Soon these players (the undeserved exclusions) will start taking guys like Ludovic Obraniak’s route and finding loopholes to play for other teams. Bassong’s already did it. I have a feeling Rami will soon too. Also, enough with the “stability” notion. It’s been three years since the World Cup and we’ve seen mostly the same faces, excluding the retirees. Shouldn’t there already be stability?

Posted from  United States

bbbbbbbooooring domenech, i shouldnt have wasted my time on checking the “new” list

at least he has enough brain cells to call up toulalan ribery gourcuff and some others

i think he should leave a diarra at home

@Jao
france have a lot of bassong’s and rami’s already, just look at the list above and the u21. players like obraniak will never make the french squad. so i don’t expect sertic, koscielny, adrien silva, valbuena, timothee kolo, muratori… to make the french squad.

Posted from  United States

Bassong is still allowed t play for france as far as I know. He would be a welcome addition to the squad.

Posted from  United States

So Diaby’s train wreck luck continues. Apparently he’s injured Lloris in training, just like he injured Nasri in training. Lloris may not be available for the upcoming two games as a result. Plus his nutty own goal against Utd. He keeps pulling this kind of stuff. He’s got some kind of curse on him. I love his skill on the ball, he can be very exciting to watch, but more and more he looks like a liability for us (Arsenal).

Posted from  United States