A lot has been made of Barcelona's style of football that is played under the guidance of their manager,Pep Guardiola,he has a plethora of talent at his disposal with the attacking and technical prowess of players such as Xavi,Iniesta,Alexis Sanchez and,of course,the incredible talent that is Lionel Messi. Their passing football has received plaudits from around the world,it's helped them win trophies galore and has helped build a foundation in the Spanish national team that has gone on to win the European championship and World cup respectively. We've witnessed Bilbao's superior passing ability against Man Utd and it was a joy to behold. If anyone has watched or watches spanish football I'm sure you've noticed how many passes are exchanged between their players it's quite remarkable,but football is not about how many passes you make or how little passes you make,it's about scoring goals. This brings me to Stoke and the 'football' that they play and the sucess it has brought them so far.Tony Pulis,manager of Stoke City,has done a fantastic job at the Brittania Stadium,it has to be said.Now,a lot of people have critisized the type of football that his team play with the long balls,the focus on set pieces and the pysical nature of their play,and there is nothing wrong with it,yes it's not pleasing on the eye but it has got them results that's cemented their place in the Premier League and a cup final as well. This season,Southampton have been reconized by most fans,pundits and managers(excluding Gustavo Poyet) as a team playing free flowing,attacking football (most of the time) with a few long balls to Lambert,all this as worked a treat even though we don't pass the ball as well as Swansea it goes to show that all this passing doesn't truly reflect on a teams performance.Swansea finished 3rd last season (won the play-off final) and are doing well in the Premier League and we're in a good position to gain promotion to the top flight. Swansea are know for their passing football,"tiki taka",but yesterday they out passed Spurs and guess what the final result was?yep,3-1 to Spurs. Even though I,like most people enjoy watching passing football I don't think it's right for us to critisize the way some teams like to play their football,namely West Ham and Stoke,the former being less successful than the later.It's all part of football really. What type of football do you prefer?Short or Direct? Stoke v Barcelona,would Barça be able to cope with Stoke's pysical football?
My favourite type of football is that which we have been served up under the Liebherr & Cortese era; WINNING football.
The game would either be a an absolute drubbing for Stoke, or the match gets abandoned because they have so many players sent off. Barcelona make the best defences in the world look stupid. They would have no problems with Huth, Shawcross, Wilkinson etc. If Wigan can pass their way around Stoke then rest assured Barca can.
I'm not so sure.Wigan are more used to english football and they've got taller players. Barça on the other hand...
Play to one's strengths, and bring in players that fit the style. I'm of the opinion that a team that passes it well is more likely to enjoy success in the Premiership than a team with comparable talent playing direct, but Stoke deserves a lot of credit for assembling the right personnel for the style they want to play.
No,I'm not being stupid. On a cold tuesday night I think Barça would struggle against Stoke and let's face,they have struggled against weaker teams in la liga this season. Stoke vs top 4 this season at home:3 draws and 1 win and 0 defeats.
I can't tell if you're being serious? Barcelona would get hold of the ball and dominate the game with 70%+ possession and at least 3 goals. If you think otherwise then I feel sorry for you and can only hope you gain a thread of intelligence one day.
Direct football doesn't have to involve hopeful long balls from back to front. Stoke play at a high tempo and their direct passes are generally thought out and aimed at a particular player rather than just optimistically hoofed upfield. Bilbao play with a similar style, albeit with more skillful players; very fast and direct passing, sometimes towards Llorente, or down the flanks to Susaeta or Muniain, always moving forward. You shouldn't try and emulate Barcelona because only the very best players in the world can pull that off. I appreciate a good long ball. The kind that Becks used to do so well. Not the kind of hopeful, diagonal, left-back to right-midfield hoof that Fox keeps trying to pull off.
Did you see their visits to Osasuna and Villarreal? Evidently not. They'd be favourites, but it would be no sure thing. If Stoke can get results against the Premier League's best teams at the Britannia, then they can at least give Barcelona a good go.
I think Barcelona would struggle,it's my opinion try and respect it. Who do you think you're talking to?You think you're superior to everyone else,what a ****er you are.
Barcelona aren't unbeatable, far from it. They've struggled in La Liga to some lesser teams, and I'm sure Stoke's set piece artillery would cause them problems. There would be a few red cards, and a fair few yellows for diving. Dirty diving spaniards...
So Stoke can get some good results? Barca are the best team in the world 9 times out of 10 they would destroy Stoke.
They're six points off the top of La Liga. If you're not the best team in Spain, you're not the best team in the world. Manchester United are five points clear at the top of the strongest league in the world. How did they do at the Britannia?
They aren't the best team in the world. That will be decided in the Champions League, a tournament I feel Real Madrid will win. Look at AC Milan against them the other day, had plenty of chances to win it, and with a bit more composure, would have.
Careful mate, you've never met this guy and for all you know he could be handicapped in some way. It's wrong to insult the handicapped, and from what I've seen he's showed classic signs of "small penis syndrome".
