David is correct, I intended the piece to focus on the players that were either on the bench, getting promoted or coming into the club. I tried to stay away from starters, but I did toss in Pedro. He was a starter so that kind of made me break the pattern I was trying to focus on. I guess I did that because I felt if Barca gets back 2010-11 Pedro they will be tough to stop.
I did not include Pique because I thought he was a victim of bad scheming and Alba not understanding the dynamic. In the past Abidal stayed home more and gave Barca a 3 man back line with Busquets sweeping in front of it. This past season I felt that Alves and Alba were up the pitch too at the same time exposing the center backs to swift counters and long balls.
In the past (specifically 2010-11) when Alves was up field I viewed it like this Pique was always covering the right flank. Puyol down the middle and Abidal on the left. Busquets was always running in between the gaps trying to win the ball back. This worked even when Mascherano was put in for Puyol. I have always viewed 2010-11 as the most underrated defensive season of all time. They allowed two goals three times. Lost two matches. Lost by two once and never allowed three goals.
So, I have a hard time pinning it on Pique. I think he got victimized trying to cover up for Alves and Alba making hard run backs. The Milan game was the one that really showed me that as continually got beat up by long balls. Madrid started doing the same thing to us after that.
I never felt like it was Pique playing poorly, but our setup. That all being said I'm not a strong tactical guy. I only get to watch them on TV so I can't always see the shape and I may have formed my opinion based on a few situations rather than what others might have perceived. I would love to hear your thoughts on Pique.
I value your opinion and I'm sure David would agree we would appreciate a RT of the article. I do plan on writing a full team preview next week and recapping my thoughts on the entire starting 11. I appreciate your feedback and the read.
Thanks,
James Garner
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Tuesday Morning Musings on WWE Angles
Last nights Raw was very solid from start to finish. The WWE did not botch up the follow up to a pretty good PPV and that was refreshing. As I wrote yesterday the WWE has a large amount of fresh angles and the immediate future looks bright as they as they continue to handle things in a manner that is pleasing to the crowd.
Brad Maddox made his official debut as the new GM of Raw and I found him refreshing, but at the same time a little canned. In order to be successful the WWE will need to let him be his character and not make him so robotic. The Maddox who is overconfident, naive, and deaf to criticism is the one that will be successful. The one that is just going through the motions will not. Let's hope the WWE realizes this before they take him out of the role. He did make one really good decision last night allowing Cena to choose his opponent at Summerslam.
That was a refreshing twist on what usually is a very boring process. I think we all new Daniel Bryan was getting the shot very early on, but there was also the possibility that the WWE might step out a little bit and take a risk. They could have brought somebody back we haven't seen for a while, maybe they could have had him challenge the Undertaker. Bryan was the safe choice and based on the crowd reaction, a good choice. (I have this belief that a Cena/Taker match at WM30 could be a major attraction if built right. Why wouldn't Cena win that match and stop the streak. Like it or not he is the guy.)
Still this angle needs some sprucing up. I think the HHH and Stephanie foreshadowed that Vince will not be happy with this decision. It's a great chance for Vince to come out and ridicule Maddox and Bryan. That would add some heat, but also I like the idea of Vince taking control of the Shield. It gives the group yet another bump up and gives Vince the muscle he needs to be taken seriously. I can just see a Cena, Orton, Bryan three way with the Shield in the next couple of weeks. It would further everything, the tension between the McMahons, Orton/Cena MITB, Bryan/Cena title considerations, and Orton/Bryan rivalry. It's a also a good chance to flip Orton heel.
Consider this for a second. Bryan wins at Summerslam because of the Shield, but Orton (as a heel under Vince's advisement) cashes in setting up there feud through the fall. Cena and HHH take on the Shield in the fall. Those are all really appealing angles that I think the WWE could do well with. Just don't expect Cena to stay out of the title picture for too long. Last nights call out of the WWE roster showed there are a lot of great talents, but few Championship quality guys that people will pay to see.
Dolph Ziggler and Alberto Del Rio had a great rematch with tons of intensity. I think this match might have capped the feud for the time being. For a guy with HEEL in his twitter name Ziggler is finally really getting over as a face who keeps getting robbed in big matches. Although the screw job last night was predictable the execution was well done. AJ Lee continues to be a relevant character. There was just enough crazy there, but not too much and Big E Langston has fallen into his role very nicely. He's shown to me that he's more than just a big man. He can handle the storytelling just as well. I think he has a bright future and I look forward to the Summerslam match that I'm sure is coming.
I was a little bit surprised that CM Punk chose to go the route he did with Heyman. I was glad he called out Lesnar from the start and didn't act like anyone would be surprised that he was there, but the rest of his promo was a little to straight forward for a guy that usually brings more of a realistic twist to things. Heyman was totally on his A game. He continues to be the best character the WWE has on the roster. He actually had me believing that Punk had let down Heyman's children.
What really surprised me was Lesnar. He came out with a more focus look about him and it made him seem dangerous. His interplay with Punk was great and Lesnar never broke character or laughed like he has in the past. He was on a mission and he made you feel like there is no way Punk can compete with him. That's the key to great heat. Make the heel seem unbeatable, but the plight of the face seem straightforward and heroic. Punk has to win because he was wronged, but Lesnar was so dominate how could he lose? That's how you get buyrates.
He's the real risk the WWE runs here. Lesnar is a big investment. They have put him in four intriguing matches over the past year and a half and he has lost 2 and won 2. A loss to Punk would really start to take some of the luster off Lesnar. Punk can take a loss, so that seems like the easy out, but where do you go from here. It's something I need to think on more. I just don't know how it all plays out yet.
All that happened and a lot more, but the Wyatts again stole the show in my eyes. I love the entrance. It's convincing and twisted. The audience seems to have really taken to the group. There was a really natural and excited pop when Bray Wyatt invited R Truth back into the ring. Like this is what we have all been waiting for, Bray to go into action. If that wasn't enough the very last comment made was about Kane and vultures was interesting. Then it hit me. I think the Wyatt's are here to get the Undertaker. What a savvy move by the WWE if that is the case. The heat would be huge. That would explain why they took out Kane and the possibilities going forward are endless.
Although I think Cena/Taker at WM30 is the best match there is the possibility of Bray/Taker. There are some twists to be considered along the way. Is it best to have Bray get a win before Mania or do you raise the uncertainty factor by having them meet for the first time at WM30. The WWE could make an angle where Bray is after the streak to expose the Undertaker as a fraud hero. You could run with that form now until April. Tell me you wouldn't tune in.
Brad Maddox made his official debut as the new GM of Raw and I found him refreshing, but at the same time a little canned. In order to be successful the WWE will need to let him be his character and not make him so robotic. The Maddox who is overconfident, naive, and deaf to criticism is the one that will be successful. The one that is just going through the motions will not. Let's hope the WWE realizes this before they take him out of the role. He did make one really good decision last night allowing Cena to choose his opponent at Summerslam.
That was a refreshing twist on what usually is a very boring process. I think we all new Daniel Bryan was getting the shot very early on, but there was also the possibility that the WWE might step out a little bit and take a risk. They could have brought somebody back we haven't seen for a while, maybe they could have had him challenge the Undertaker. Bryan was the safe choice and based on the crowd reaction, a good choice. (I have this belief that a Cena/Taker match at WM30 could be a major attraction if built right. Why wouldn't Cena win that match and stop the streak. Like it or not he is the guy.)
Still this angle needs some sprucing up. I think the HHH and Stephanie foreshadowed that Vince will not be happy with this decision. It's a great chance for Vince to come out and ridicule Maddox and Bryan. That would add some heat, but also I like the idea of Vince taking control of the Shield. It gives the group yet another bump up and gives Vince the muscle he needs to be taken seriously. I can just see a Cena, Orton, Bryan three way with the Shield in the next couple of weeks. It would further everything, the tension between the McMahons, Orton/Cena MITB, Bryan/Cena title considerations, and Orton/Bryan rivalry. It's a also a good chance to flip Orton heel.
Consider this for a second. Bryan wins at Summerslam because of the Shield, but Orton (as a heel under Vince's advisement) cashes in setting up there feud through the fall. Cena and HHH take on the Shield in the fall. Those are all really appealing angles that I think the WWE could do well with. Just don't expect Cena to stay out of the title picture for too long. Last nights call out of the WWE roster showed there are a lot of great talents, but few Championship quality guys that people will pay to see.
Dolph Ziggler and Alberto Del Rio had a great rematch with tons of intensity. I think this match might have capped the feud for the time being. For a guy with HEEL in his twitter name Ziggler is finally really getting over as a face who keeps getting robbed in big matches. Although the screw job last night was predictable the execution was well done. AJ Lee continues to be a relevant character. There was just enough crazy there, but not too much and Big E Langston has fallen into his role very nicely. He's shown to me that he's more than just a big man. He can handle the storytelling just as well. I think he has a bright future and I look forward to the Summerslam match that I'm sure is coming.
I was a little bit surprised that CM Punk chose to go the route he did with Heyman. I was glad he called out Lesnar from the start and didn't act like anyone would be surprised that he was there, but the rest of his promo was a little to straight forward for a guy that usually brings more of a realistic twist to things. Heyman was totally on his A game. He continues to be the best character the WWE has on the roster. He actually had me believing that Punk had let down Heyman's children.
What really surprised me was Lesnar. He came out with a more focus look about him and it made him seem dangerous. His interplay with Punk was great and Lesnar never broke character or laughed like he has in the past. He was on a mission and he made you feel like there is no way Punk can compete with him. That's the key to great heat. Make the heel seem unbeatable, but the plight of the face seem straightforward and heroic. Punk has to win because he was wronged, but Lesnar was so dominate how could he lose? That's how you get buyrates.
He's the real risk the WWE runs here. Lesnar is a big investment. They have put him in four intriguing matches over the past year and a half and he has lost 2 and won 2. A loss to Punk would really start to take some of the luster off Lesnar. Punk can take a loss, so that seems like the easy out, but where do you go from here. It's something I need to think on more. I just don't know how it all plays out yet.
All that happened and a lot more, but the Wyatts again stole the show in my eyes. I love the entrance. It's convincing and twisted. The audience seems to have really taken to the group. There was a really natural and excited pop when Bray Wyatt invited R Truth back into the ring. Like this is what we have all been waiting for, Bray to go into action. If that wasn't enough the very last comment made was about Kane and vultures was interesting. Then it hit me. I think the Wyatt's are here to get the Undertaker. What a savvy move by the WWE if that is the case. The heat would be huge. That would explain why they took out Kane and the possibilities going forward are endless.
Although I think Cena/Taker at WM30 is the best match there is the possibility of Bray/Taker. There are some twists to be considered along the way. Is it best to have Bray get a win before Mania or do you raise the uncertainty factor by having them meet for the first time at WM30. The WWE could make an angle where Bray is after the streak to expose the Undertaker as a fraud hero. You could run with that form now until April. Tell me you wouldn't tune in.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
The ROCK should have been a heel
The wwe had a chance to recapture a bigger audience with the Rocks latest run in the company. I got buried last year in the forums for suggesting it, but I always enjoyed the Rock better as the heel then a face. I get it though, he was gone for a long time and mania was in his home town. Last year was good business and a big success.
Despite mania being a success. The product didn't experience a sustained ratings growth after he vanished from tv. There are many reasons but as the Rock made his return I thought the Wwe had a chance to make a big splash.
The story was teeing itself up perfectly. CM Punk turned heel by attacking the Rock over the summer. He then joined forces a few months later with Heyman. Punk wore shirts about being a Heyman guy. It was great tv. Enter bogus referee Brad Maddox. He helps Punk retain against Rybak. At that time we all assume Maddox was working for Punk and Heyman, but it's never confirmed.
Weeks later the Shield starts helping Punk and again it's never confirmed they are working for Punk. To me it was all setting up. The audience was assuming they were all working for Punk and we were just waiting for the big reveal. At this point the Wwe should have inserted the Rock. There should have been a nice lead up to the rumble with no Shield attack situations where the Rock has internal bleeding afterwards.
Vince should still have banned the Shield from ringside. It would have been important for Vince and Rock to have a few backstage interactions where Vince is supporting the Rock. The board is happy the Rock is back. Nothing too over the top.
At the rumble we have a close match. Multiple kick out of finishers and tons of near misses. In the wrap up Rock gets irritated. He loses focus and Punk gets him in the gts. The Rocks legs swing and catch the referee. Punk goes for the cover, but the ref is down. Punk takes this opportunity to ask Heyman for the belt to strike the Rock with. Punk sticks his head between the ropes and reaches out for the belt. Heyman strikes him in the head with it. The Rock rises up and scoops the stricken Punk into a rock bottom. The ref rises to count the 1 2 3.
Heyman and the Rock celebrate over the fallen Punk. The next night on raw Heyman reveals that the Rock and him had conspired against Punk from the start using the Shield and Brad Maddox to keep Punk champion until the rumble. The Rock didn't want to face an animal like Rybak who could damage the Rocks looks, vital to his acting career. So Heyman kept Punk champion and set him up to be easy pickings for the Rock. Punk was easy to fool because he was a Heyman guy. Heyman points out that he works with only big stars like Lesnar and the Rock. Not guys like Punk.
The Rock then would admit that the only reason he came back was because Vince filled his pockets and gave the Rock the freedom to continue to his acting career and make three times what the regular wrestlers make. He didn't do it for the people. He did it for the money.
Another good wrinkle is that Vince is not in support of the Rock. He realizes that he has gotten played by the Rock, but the iron clad contract he gave the Rock to come back prohibits him from taking aggressive action against the Rock under the threat of a lawsuit. So the normal Vince reaction of trying to screw over who ever screws him doesn't happen. Further moving up Rocks status and enraging the crowd.
It could have gone a lot of places from there, but the heat to kick it off would have been huge. It would have been fresh. It would have been different. It would have drawn big money on the road to wrestle mania.
Many will say the Rock couldn't go face because of his acting career, but I don't buy that. I think people old enough to see the movies he's currently in realize that it's entertainment and if they are fans of his movies they would still see them. Also the angle would wrap after Mania where he would be off tv and the heat would subside.
Others would say you can't turn a guy like the Rock. He's a legend. A permanent fan favorite. To those fans I say remember 1995 and Hogan. It's certainly doable and would have been huge. That's what makes it so good.
I guess we can all just wonder and keep enjoying those twitter trends like fruity pebbles and Twinkie tits. I can't wait for the next Rock concert.
Despite mania being a success. The product didn't experience a sustained ratings growth after he vanished from tv. There are many reasons but as the Rock made his return I thought the Wwe had a chance to make a big splash.
The story was teeing itself up perfectly. CM Punk turned heel by attacking the Rock over the summer. He then joined forces a few months later with Heyman. Punk wore shirts about being a Heyman guy. It was great tv. Enter bogus referee Brad Maddox. He helps Punk retain against Rybak. At that time we all assume Maddox was working for Punk and Heyman, but it's never confirmed.
Weeks later the Shield starts helping Punk and again it's never confirmed they are working for Punk. To me it was all setting up. The audience was assuming they were all working for Punk and we were just waiting for the big reveal. At this point the Wwe should have inserted the Rock. There should have been a nice lead up to the rumble with no Shield attack situations where the Rock has internal bleeding afterwards.
Vince should still have banned the Shield from ringside. It would have been important for Vince and Rock to have a few backstage interactions where Vince is supporting the Rock. The board is happy the Rock is back. Nothing too over the top.
At the rumble we have a close match. Multiple kick out of finishers and tons of near misses. In the wrap up Rock gets irritated. He loses focus and Punk gets him in the gts. The Rocks legs swing and catch the referee. Punk goes for the cover, but the ref is down. Punk takes this opportunity to ask Heyman for the belt to strike the Rock with. Punk sticks his head between the ropes and reaches out for the belt. Heyman strikes him in the head with it. The Rock rises up and scoops the stricken Punk into a rock bottom. The ref rises to count the 1 2 3.
Heyman and the Rock celebrate over the fallen Punk. The next night on raw Heyman reveals that the Rock and him had conspired against Punk from the start using the Shield and Brad Maddox to keep Punk champion until the rumble. The Rock didn't want to face an animal like Rybak who could damage the Rocks looks, vital to his acting career. So Heyman kept Punk champion and set him up to be easy pickings for the Rock. Punk was easy to fool because he was a Heyman guy. Heyman points out that he works with only big stars like Lesnar and the Rock. Not guys like Punk.
The Rock then would admit that the only reason he came back was because Vince filled his pockets and gave the Rock the freedom to continue to his acting career and make three times what the regular wrestlers make. He didn't do it for the people. He did it for the money.
Another good wrinkle is that Vince is not in support of the Rock. He realizes that he has gotten played by the Rock, but the iron clad contract he gave the Rock to come back prohibits him from taking aggressive action against the Rock under the threat of a lawsuit. So the normal Vince reaction of trying to screw over who ever screws him doesn't happen. Further moving up Rocks status and enraging the crowd.
It could have gone a lot of places from there, but the heat to kick it off would have been huge. It would have been fresh. It would have been different. It would have drawn big money on the road to wrestle mania.
Many will say the Rock couldn't go face because of his acting career, but I don't buy that. I think people old enough to see the movies he's currently in realize that it's entertainment and if they are fans of his movies they would still see them. Also the angle would wrap after Mania where he would be off tv and the heat would subside.
Others would say you can't turn a guy like the Rock. He's a legend. A permanent fan favorite. To those fans I say remember 1995 and Hogan. It's certainly doable and would have been huge. That's what makes it so good.
I guess we can all just wonder and keep enjoying those twitter trends like fruity pebbles and Twinkie tits. I can't wait for the next Rock concert.
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