Season to forget...in review

How many times in life have you been pondering over superfluous questions like “what could have been?”, “if only….” or maybe the idiom “so near yet so far”!! Well, it has been a season of these for my beloved Barça, a season which began with so much hope and optimism, a season which could have been unprecedented in our history, 7 titles!!! “World Champions”, “Greatest team in history”…ah…all that is but a distant dream now!! Coming into the season as Champions League winners and two time La Liga champions, having the most fearsome attacking trio in world football, and a defense which had finally learnt the art of being miserly in crucial situations, and as mentioned, 7 trophies to fight for, to end the year winning only 2 (not to mention, the least important ones) of them, has really crash landed me and all the faithful blaugrana supporters. Disappointing as it is, the dominant feeling I, and most of the Barça faithful including the “faithful” players, have is a lingering sense of disbelief. How can we have the best attack by far, in terms of number of goals scored, the joint best defense, only 33 conceded, and still not win the title hands down? Well, agreed we were caught with our pants down too often in critical moments this season. Player ratings now:

Valdes – 7, got better this year, stayed on the line more often than dance around like a clown in the area, a couple of near post blunders, definitely one of, if not the best, shot stoppers in the world, hopefully will get better…stay
Jorquera – Played too little, but whenever he did play, seemed to concede goals by the buckets
Zambrotta – 4, So much hope on this guy, was supposed to strengthen one of the two weak area in the team, a perfect signing, well he kinda flopped…with rest and some preparation, hopefully will fulfill what we expect from him…stay
Beletti – 4, One of the weak points of last season, he did not play much this year, and he did not look too bad when he did play, but still doesn’t add to the strength of the team….go
Oleguer – 3, lot of mistakes, slow, was better at right back last season…go
Puyol – 6, my hero, looked probably the worst I’ve ever seen him, please get back to old form…no question..our captain..stay
Marquez – 2, he was slipping more and lying flat on the ground rather than running around and making crucial tackles…what a contrast to last year, when he was so solid….really don’t know if he should go or stay…will he get back to form? If he does, he’s one of the best in the world
Thuram – 6, good game, bad game, good game, bad game…looked really solid in all his good games…anyway I suppose this will be his last season…so can stay, gives good experience…but hope he doesn’t complain about playing time and give the coach a headache
Gio – 4, The weakest link last season, looked better this year…same case as Beletti…go
Sylvinho – 4, I like this guy, but go
Edmilson – 2, Very few good games, and that too when he came on as a substitute…a definite must go
Motta – where was he?? Can be so good, but learning too many bad habits and starting to look like Edmilson….looks like he’s gonna go, but I wish he would stay and the staff works on him
Xavi – 5.5, Not the same since the injury, looked back to his best in a few games here and there, but needs to control the game more and keep hold of the ball like he used to….stay
Iniesta – 8, Player of the season for us according to me, only one to look good when everyone seemed to have lost form, still doesn’t give the De La Pena killer through balls though, needs to be played in a position suiting his skills to fully utilize all his talents….stay
Deco – 4, Biggest disappointment of the season for me, gave so many balls away it was untrue, had a couple of good games here and there, made a few goals, but now seems to be living more on reputation than on performance. For all his skills, what appears to be a sheer lack of desire and commitment is seriously hurting us. Heart says stay but head says go…and I want to listen to my head
Giuly – 4, Played quite a bit due to Messi’s injury, was very ineffective, missed some open goals, I like him and there was a time when he scored every other game, but not doing too much now, go
Messi – 7, Injured for a long part of the season, showed he is ready to become the best player in the world, gave moments of joy for us. Now, If only he can keep himself fit. Future of the team, I wish he stays for many, many years to come
Ezquerro – Played too little to be commented upon, should leave for his own good
Gudjohnsen – 5.5, Replacement for Henrik, I believed he was the ideal man for the job. Didn’t play as much as he would have liked, I believe he was made a scapegoat for the team’s failures. He did not play all that bad, could have been better. I want him to stay…but looks like he will be made to go.
Saviola – 5, Was in good form in the middle of the season, but somehow, even though I like him, he is from the dark years, he’s decided to go and I’m not too sad, really don’t want to feel anything about it!!
Ronaldinho – 6.5, Much has been written about his performance this year, to the extent, his weight also came into question. Yes, he is not the same Ronaldinho of last year. He’s lost his acceleration and pace, maybe due to a lack of desire and commitment after winning everything last year. He was not as bad as people made him out to be, huts not as good as everyone wanted him to be. He had some bad games early on where he was non-existent. However, he did score 20 odd goals!! He did produce his moments of magic, but they were more of a standing and great pass variety than beating four defenders with scorching pace. Have we sent he best of him?? I’m not sure, he’s too young to be finished. I still hope, I hope he stays and he is the global symbol of our club, which is important also.
Eto’o – 6, why does he have such a head? He is probably the most important weapon in our attacking arsenal, but he has such a nose for trouble, it’s unbelievable. Probably the dressing room problems that were created by our man were a major cause of the season that was. How do we control a loose cannon like this? He seemed to have changed, but now everyone is wary of him. I can only hope he adopts Buddhism and calms down. I’m really grateful to this guy for the number of goals he’s scored over the 2 magical years…yes grateful. He is the greatest striker in the world without a doubt; I pray he brings positive energy to the team if he stays next year.
Frank Rijkaard – 5, I respect him, he has been a major part of the turnaround, but I’ve always maintained that tactically, he is not that great. His man management skills were his forte, but this year, that too has suffered some major blows. Neeskins is not anywhere near Ten Cate. He tried the 3-4-3 and surprised Zaragoza, but why do it against Real with Oleguer at the back?? Don’t want to him to stay or go, completely undecided on him.

Some thoughts on people we’re looking to sign and youngsters:
Henry – Didn’t want him to come last year, still don’t know how his ego will fit in, If Eto’o or Ronnie go, it might be good if he comes.
Chivu – Don’t know how good he is. Hope he is good individually also and not only in a tight 4 man defense.
Abidal – Want this guy, may not be great, but will reinforce the left side
Yaya Toure – Absolutely clueless on how good he is
Mutu – why?
Boran Krikic – The reason for the why above
Gionanni Dos Santos – About time he came into the team
Crosas – Hope he is good

To sign off, my team for next year would be ( indicates to be determined, Enough of 4-3-3, I’m going with 4-1-2-1-2):