I’m worried, as I imagine most ATLETICO DE MADRID followers are
or should be after witnessing the pathetic performance of the
team at their opening game of this seasons “LIGA” against Malaga
& losing 3-0.I am so worried,that with 37 Liga games still left to play,
a difficult Champions League Group ahead & with more than 8 months
still left till the end of the season,that the “ghost” of a Champions League
disaster & a possible relegation into the 2º Division is already hoovering
within the Club, even if Directives haven’t seen the ghost as yet.
The team has a terrible defensive & tactical set up, partly due to
the fact that it has a non-existent midfield, that allows gaps & the
opponents to go through straight at the defender towards the goal,
plus there is no creative figure to supply & feed their greatest asset;
the forward line players.
or should be after witnessing the pathetic performance of the
team at their opening game of this seasons “LIGA” against Malaga
& losing 3-0.I am so worried,that with 37 Liga games still left to play,
a difficult Champions League Group ahead & with more than 8 months
still left till the end of the season,that the “ghost” of a Champions League
disaster & a possible relegation into the 2º Division is already hoovering
within the Club, even if Directives haven’t seen the ghost as yet.
The team has a terrible defensive & tactical set up, partly due to
the fact that it has a non-existent midfield, that allows gaps & the
opponents to go through straight at the defender towards the goal,
plus there is no creative figure to supply & feed their greatest asset;
the forward line players.
These are the obvious interpretations. However, the frightening
observation is an apparent loss of ambition & the general settlement
of complacency. Everyone from Coach to players to directives speak
of being content with a 4th or 3rd place on the ladder & reaching
the next stage of Champions would be an outright success, when
there should be at least a “win it all” attitude even if only to mentally
motivate the squad. The Clubs Directives believe that NOT signing
this year – at least players of proven quality & experience in
positions that need reinforcement; right-back, midfield, etc – is a
correct decision as the Club already has a “solid block” from last
year. Wrong, as the injury this weekend to RAUL GARCIA (out for
a month) will prove & creates a “hole” that will be difficult to fill
even if the team has players like Jurado or Cleber Santana, who
by the way haven’t convinced Coach or fans during pre-season.
Lastly, it’s correct there is Maxi, Simao, Forlan & Aguero upfront
to equalizes the imbalance behind them, but who feeds them?
Most of the mentioned are too busy spending more time in the
centre looking for the ball or defending far away from their natural
working area, the goal square.
(Football Directive: Jesús Garcia Pitrach)
It is clear that there has occurred some risky & failed planning from
the Directives (President Cerezo & Gil) who are to blame & especially
Football Director Jesús Garcia Pitrach who maybe close to the
justifiable accusation of being incompetent.We are sure it is difficult
for the man to work with bosses who’s policy this year is austerity
on the economic front, that the options are therefore by definition
limited to cheap players (Goalkeeper Asenjo, future promise at
5,5M€, sub goalie Robert at 1,5M€, Defender Cabrera 1,5M€ & Juanito
who came free) & to recall loan players (Clebar, Jurado, Reyes &
Valera). However, where was the pre-season work when Atletico
had suddenly “from the heavens” 20M€ last week , thanks to
Champions League qualification, to make quality signings that Coach
Abel was screaming for & were obvious that the Club desperately
needed? How can Mr.Pitrach attempt to sign with 10 days left in the
transfer period, with most of the Top players already spoken for or in
action with their Clubs? Where was plan A, B, C & D?
Worrying signs of lack of planning, complacency & lack of ambition
have contaminated the Club at all levels that will only spread &
cause long term chronic illness if Atletico do not get their “shit
together” very soon. SFS predicts a “winter market” signing spree
as an obvious consequence that will lead to no other choice but to
find desperate solutions to a badly thought out pre-season. Again,
why think, act & wait until then? Why not before?
Lastly, it must be frustrating for World Class players like Forlan &
Aguero to watch week after week how their talents are wasted
& their careers “darkened” Internationally & professionally with
the lack of titles & access to the World stage. The Club needs to
assure that their stars are protected & assisted by other stars to
secure harmony & a long term stable team. Without this Atletico
will naturally lose its stars to other teams & halt the desire of other
stars to come to Atletico; it’s a vicious circle, as proven by the NO
of Real Madrid players Gago & Sneijder this year, Benayoun of
Liverpool…etc., – even with players for only a loan!
Let’s hope - & SFS is confident – that the 3-0 loss & performance
last weekend against Malaga was a mistake & a start of season hiccup
that will see the team get better with more games. However, the
danger signs are there & Coach Abel has his work set out for him, a
Coach that was signed only for a year because Mr.Pitrach & his bosses
weren’t too sure if he was indeed the right man for the job. It
seems they were already thinking of sacking Coach Abel for the
future if the team doesn’t live up too expectations during this new
season 2009-2010. Now that in itself is really perverse & a sign of the
poor Sporting & ambitious mentality apparently dominanting the Club!
LATEST - Atletico defender HEITINGA accepts the EVERTON offer &
leaves the Spanish Club. PROBLEM! Atletico didn´t plan & find an
alternative substitute defender, the Spanish transfer window shut
yesterday. Who is to blame for this serious & disasterous situation?
Mr.Pitrach perhaps? President Cerezo?
Incompetent management & someone should be made responsable for
the poor pre-season Team planning.
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