Recent content by PhilS

Roque will score. Barca pulls it out 1-2.

From this match, it's clear Barca is not a top team without DeJong. Lewandowski must always start, even though that is impossible. Same with Balde. Fermin, he's the supersub when a comeback is needed.

Better than Eric? Eric is clearly a better offensive midfielder, but as a defensive CB, no one lets in more goals. Even though this new guy has to be 5th choice CB on this squad, better him than Eric. Maybe Martinez will show improvement, he is quite rusty.

Love the quality depth that this lineup and bench display. If no midfielders have to leave the game. Roberto can come in when a midfielder tires.

Gracias, colchoneros. !Hay Liga!

Is it time to try him in midfield? Gavi's 5th yellow suspension is coming soon, it would be great to put a major talent to play alongside Romeu and Gundogan.

That was his 4th Liga yellow, so suspension coming very soon, way before either De Jong or Pedri come back. Who is next up in midfield? Sport is talking about Felix, but it would be crazy to move him from left forward. I hope Xavi goes to Fermin. Make hime the first midfield sub, this...

This guy will drive me crazy this season! I blame him for giving up the first goal, that was his position that was vacant. But so what? For putting the ball in the net, he is top of the list for fullbacks! He'll give up some, create lots more, huge net positive. Thrilling.

I think he will continue to play 30 or 60 minutes every game, he's going to contribute a lot. But doesn't the team need to sell someone who has significant value in the winter window, to get the moola to bring in Roque? Looking at this roster, it has to be either Raphina or Ferran. And I'm...

I like the way Xavi is rotating the forwards and midfielders. As of now, 9 are playing well enough to start in those 6 spots, and surely this will go up to 10 after Pedri gets fully back. To last out for all 4 competitions, all 10 will be needed. And Lewa surely can't continue to start every...

Finally, there is enough scoring depth up front so that Lewa does not always need to be on the field. Xavi will have to experiment with no-Lewa lineups. In Lewa's old age, maybe he'll decline to second in the Pichichi, with Barca staying top of La Liga.

Gotta start him, I'm betting he'll score 15 this season. But the most important thing is that we have 5 forwards who are all proving they must play every game.

I have no idea if this guy is a RB, but wow! He's going to be a star on this squad, a superb offensive talent, Alves-level. I wonder if he might eventually take Pedri's starting spot. Can't wait to see how he will do against a team that puts a lot of offensive pressure on Barca's right side...

Great job getting rid of players. Every player that needed to leave left. This should help morale a lot, along with going with only 19 players. All 19 should get their chances. Not all will pan out, but least at the get go you can't tell who will fail. I am excited about the quality of...

That's a good bench.