Transfer review... August 12, 2004

If I look back at this transfer season, these seem to be the main criticisms:
1) Why did we buy 2 attackers when we are weak defensively?
2) Why did we sell our most "famous" defender?
3) We still miss makalele and Graveson is not the solution.


First off, I think the Real is a "circus" that only buys attackers is a stereotype that is dead and buried.
Our first 2 buys this year were Pablo Garcia (DM) and Diogo (a versatile defender who is primarily a wingback).

I felt the problems in the 2nd half of last year were more at the offensive end than at the defensive end. With Zidane and raul playing like old men, Figo more predictable with every match (and as selfish as ever) we had an attack that was mediocre, predictable and slow. The stunning lack of inventiveness forced Luxa to go with a counter-attacking game, relying on the speed of Ronaldo and Owen. Anyone who saw us labouring to score, hoping that Ronaldo had an "on" day will know that we needed to do something.

Also let's not forget that the first step in defence is keeping the ball and harassing the opposition players in their own half and our ageing Galacticos (except maybe Raul, definitely Ronaldo, Zidane and Figo) failed miserably at that.

Robinho (assuming he does not turn into Denilson) will bring that creative spark that was missing last year even if Raul and Zidane are not back... and I like to believe they will be. Baptista, if he plays upfront, will give us the directness, power and aerial threat that we have missed since Moro left in 2003. If plays in midfield he will still be a strong 2-way player, an attacking force who more than pulls his defensive weight.

We ended up scoring enough goals over the course of the season (3 less than Barca) but it really was heavily dependent on Ronaldo's form (look at how many we scored when he woke p and decided to make a run at Pichichi) or Owen's poaching rather than the result of the total team's play as in the case of Barca where the whole attack was like a harmonious symphony.

The only good creative players last year were Guti and Solari (until he signed a contract) along with Owen. Ronaldo toeards the end maybe (though not by Ronaldo's standards) and Figo in the fit half only.The fact that the new players are young only adds to the feeling that these were good buys, players around whom we can build a team as Figo, Ronaldo, Raul, RC and Zidane start to slowly fade (I feel it's Zidane's turn next, then RC or Ronaldo).

As to the Graveson critics who claim Graveson cannot replace Makalele, we just need to look at the stats post Graveson's arrival. We actually scored more points than Barca in the 2nd half of the season and Graveson was the single biggest reason because the defence had a screen. Hell he even made Samuel look good and for all the talk about how Samuel got better he was still not really much better than Pavon!! He made as many mistakes, was as slow, got drawn out of position more often and fouled even more than Pablo Alfaro!!! I felt that he was a good fit in the more physical Italian league but lost in the more skilful, technical Spanish League.

That's not to say that we don't need a CD but Samuel was not the answer. I hope that Woodgate recovers because he has more technical skills but if not I really hope we buy Sergio Ramos as insurance. Though I really believe that Mejia is one of the calmest young defenders I have seen in a really long time and if Barca can play Oleguer we really need to give Mejia a shot because Mejia has always looked better.

That's another thing we should learn from Barca... how do you introduce young players... Oleguer, Iniesta and this year Messi (I’m certain). While Juanfran, Mejia, Solgado etc. will rot on our bench. Still I have hope for this season.