tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11295776.post4929757875279875281..comments2023-10-21T03:43:09.730-04:00Comments on The Bean Town Frog: France v Iceland a tale of two halvesGFChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11528949404489200110noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11295776.post-23235664139754355622012-05-30T23:02:02.449-04:002012-05-30T23:02:02.449-04:00Gourcuff just wasn't ready. Had he come back f...Gourcuff just wasn't ready. Had he come back from injury a few months earlier he probably would have been fine. But you can't rush some things, and a major tournament after a rebuilding period is no time to rush a player or try new things.<br /><br />With that said though, yoann definitely suffers from mentality problems. He's a good player, we all know it and we've seen it. But for some reason it just doesn't come out as often as we'd like. Something needs to be figured out, because you don't play like he has simply by accident or on a hot streak. It's in him somewhere, just gotta get it out again.Jeremynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11295776.post-28326102651075219902012-05-29T08:53:21.158-04:002012-05-29T08:53:21.158-04:00Nasri wasnt outstanding but he had a couple of int...Nasri wasnt outstanding but he had a couple of interplays with Benzema and Ben Arfa - one in particular that was, dare I say, Barcelonesc. Nasri can also slot right if need be. <br /><br />What I saw from Martin was a work rate and pace that Gourcuff doesn't have. The Sochaux man pushed the game and pace deep at the Iceland defense.<br /><br /><br />Gourcuff just hasn't had enough time to come back to full health. I agree that he gave up the ball too easily, did not look crisp in his passing and wasn't even taking set pieces .... For these reasons he was dropped. But I think, if healthy, he will play an important role for World Cup 2014GFChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11528949404489200110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11295776.post-43536945951096746082012-05-28T13:32:40.648-04:002012-05-28T13:32:40.648-04:00Martin and Nasri were not outstanding yesterday (o...Martin and Nasri were not outstanding yesterday (or Valbuena) - I think where I was disappointed with Yoann's game against Iceland was that, whereas these other guys also weren't creating enough, Yoann was losing the ball in dangerous positions, losing the ball generally, when it looked like there wasn't pressure to be losing it. That was my impression - that he was looking like a borderline liability. And I'm speaking as a fan of the player. I stop short of GFC: I wouldn't say Yoann should not be in the final 23 - like you said, David, one of these others (Martin or Valbuena) could be dropped instead, and I would understand Blanc's decision.Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01778323457592582216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11295776.post-58733360938261480092012-05-28T10:21:58.291-04:002012-05-28T10:21:58.291-04:00I didn't see Martin or Nasri look outstanding ...I didn't see Martin or Nasri look outstanding yesterday. The funny thing is, they didn't play any better than Gourcuff but who has been getting raked over the coals? It's just getting bizarre because I'm hearing the same things from so many people.Davidnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11295776.post-75402100989703551192012-05-28T09:24:58.500-04:002012-05-28T09:24:58.500-04:00David - I agree that Gourcuff has been held under ...David - I agree that Gourcuff has been held under a major microscope. Fairly or unfairly, it is the reality. Why? He has been deemed the next Zidane (which I think is a completely unfair label, there is only one Zizou just like there is only one Gourcuff) his early rise and move to Milan and his outstanding season at Bordeaux have given the media and fans a glimpse of what his potential is. <br /><br />Unfortunately the past 2 seasons that play has dropped. Injuries have played a major role. His recent scrutiny is also linked to the fact that a player who has not showcased most of this season is being called up for a major tournament...by his old club coach.<br /><br />I hope that Gourcuff returns to his old form, that would be a vital piece for France - a true #10. However...I think that will take a few months not 2 weeks. For that reason I do not think he should head to Ukraine.<br /><br />I do agree that Giroud had a vital part in the French success yesterday.But don't forget that Blanc substitute like for like yesterday, at the end of the game he had Giroud up front with Malouda, Martin, Ribery, Valbuena and Diarra at midfield...so again only one "non-offensive" midfielder. Granted Diarra is more of a pure holding player than is Cabaye. But it wasn't as if Blanc put in M'Vila - Diarra - Matuidi!<br /><br />Let us see what happens in a few days.GFChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11528949404489200110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11295776.post-63579889118956502592012-05-28T07:58:30.538-04:002012-05-28T07:58:30.538-04:00David - I know where you're coming from. Peopl...David - I know where you're coming from. People get really worked up about Yoann - we want him to be at his Bordeaux-era best. I can accept that he could be at a lower level than he was a couple years ago, but still at international level. So in that sense, I think you and I agree.<br /><br />Yesterday, though, I thought he was poor, so in that sense I agree with the Bean Town Frog. I thought he didn't look good enough - his touch was all wrong - the odd heavy touch into touch, if you will.<br /><br />I like Yoann. I retain hope that if he plays in the Euros that he could come up with some good contributions, but based on the Iceland friendly, I would understand if Blanc cut him.Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01778323457592582216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11295776.post-83703960343920357722012-05-28T03:50:18.581-04:002012-05-28T03:50:18.581-04:00Gourcuff is so unfairly judged! It is actually get...Gourcuff is so unfairly judged! It is actually getting ridiculous. Why? Because the media has "taught" most of you how to judge him: A good performance is average and an average match is poor. When other players play at the same level they are left alone but poor Yoann is labelled a failure over and over. The reason France improved is die to Girouds outstanding play and the fact that a more balanced side was substituted in for the later stages of the match. The starting 11 was so heavy on attacking players that players were literally running into each other in the box. Too many cooks in the kitchen. Cut Gourcuff some slack and don't let media created expectations dictate your judgement like it has so many others.Davidnoreply@blogger.com