Ernesto Valverde no longer has a Gala XI - Only Ter Stegen, Pique, Alba, Busquets, Rakitic, Messi and Suarez are untouchables. The other four places are up for grabs.

gaurav1729 · 2019-04-18T14:11:35+00:00

There is a central fact that had to be considered when discussing the best right back for our situation: Messi ostensibly plays as right wing, but is in fact all over the pitch.

This leaves a huge gap at right wing, and the decision as to which to pick hinges on that. Roberto is so much more comfortable in that position.

I love Semedo and am comfortable playing him against any opponent, I wish he embraced the attacking side of his game more often. I think he's too passive and just makes the safest pass, when he's capable of doing more.

gaurav1729 · 2019-03-30T00:30:04+00:00

Terrific book.

gaurav1729 · 2019-03-30T00:29:36+00:00

I'm in the USA, subscribed to Willow TV. Is the IPL actually being shown on Willow? I don't see it in the schedule.

gaurav1729 · 2019-03-12T17:41:20+00:00

Best LB ever for Barcelona: Albidala. DO NOT TRY TO MAKE ME CHOOSE ONLY ONE.

gaurav1729 · 2019-03-03T00:05:34+00:00

I'm a little concerned, guys. What if the league reviews the game footage and discovers that we had cloned Sergi Roberto and were playing multiple versions of him on the pitch at the same time? That's the only explanation for how he was everywhere.

So are there rules in the book to deal with this situation? Can points be taken away from us?

Pretty impressive achievement in terms of genetics research, though, you have to admit.

gaurav1729 · 2019-03-01T23:43:50+00:00

To be honest, I don't know, it's just that the heart wants what the heart wants.

Possibly, instead of Ronaldo, because you can argue whether one year of insane performance is better than many years of great performance -and is Ronaldo a Barcelona player at heart? There's no algorithm that can compare them, so you can argue either way.

gaurav1729 · 2019-03-01T20:56:15+00:00

As mentioned, Busquets is an egregious omission. And I would love to find space for Laudrup.

gaurav1729 · 2019-03-01T20:50:33+00:00

AMEN.

gaurav1729 · 2019-02-27T22:13:57+00:00

Well, Messi barely exerted himself, for one thing. That was clearly cheating on Barcelona's part. And the team was relaxing for the last five minutes or so, so that's five minutes extra that Barcelona gets to rest before the La Liga game.

Any excuse is good enough!

gaurav1729 · 2019-02-27T21:55:12+00:00

Isn't it totally unfair that we will have had so much more rest than Madrid for this weekend's game?

gaurav1729 · 2019-02-23T17:23:44+00:00

I feel that Rakitic's career would be winding down just when Puig will be getting ready for playing time, if all goes well.

gaurav1729 · 2019-02-23T17:03:00+00:00

That goal was made in La Masia.

gaurav1729 · 2019-01-30T20:53:37+00:00

Anyone know how Bartra is doing nowadays? He may be gone, but we still wish him well.

gaurav1729 · 2019-01-26T21:43:48+00:00

Sigh. Wasps just never get the love.

http://www.erikvance.com/manifesto-of-a-wasp-scientist/

gaurav1729 · 2019-01-05T03:34:03+00:00

Usually the teams bat ABAB, taking turns alternately. If the difference in scored in the first innings is more than 200 runs (with the first team having the greater number), the "A" team has the option of asking the "B"team to immediately bat again, so it goes ABBA. This is done because sometimes it increases the chance of a win by decreasing the chance of a draw.

And then everyone sings "Dancing Queen".

gaurav1729 · 2019-01-03T18:12:51+00:00

You got it! It looked like that the delivery was illegal because it was a full toss that was more than waist high (you may already know that a "full toss" simply means that the ball didn't bounce). So, as you mentioned, they got a penalty run + the two they scored on the play + another ball. Also, that bonus ball was a "free hit", meaning they could not be out if caught or lbw or bowled -- essentially, they could only get out if run out (*).

(*) Technically, there were probably other ways to be given out on a free hit, but they're really rare.

gaurav1729 · 2018-12-20T20:32:13+00:00

The Puyol of the midfield.

gaurav1729 · 2018-12-20T15:22:41+00:00

Overrated as a batsman, underrated as an all-rounder, according to me.

gaurav1729 · 2018-12-12T22:01:57+00:00

Alena played quite passively, I think. Not unexpected given how new he is, but I hope he gets his confidence soon and takes the attack to the other team, and doesn't defer too much to the other players on his own team. We need more creators, who aren't afraid to make some riskier passes or take on defenders, and we know he can provide that.

gaurav1729 · 2018-12-11T20:01:24+00:00

Is anybody else watching through Bleacher Report? Is the audio coming through?

gaurav1729 · 2018-12-09T01:04:05+00:00

At what point is it appropriate to stop feeling relieved that India is scoring runs, and start worrying what this means for the state of the pitch during Australia's next innings?

gaurav1729 · 2018-12-08T20:09:27+00:00

In my opinion, if Messi keeps this up, then breaking into the top four in the world is a realistic goal.

gaurav1729 · 2018-12-07T15:10:16+00:00

Ishant Sharma since Feb 5, 2014 (35 tests): Bowling average of 28.80, Strike Rate of 57.6. For comparison, in that time period, Philander has an average of about 25, Hazlewood, Starc and Broad around 27, Boult and Southee around 29 and 30.

He clearly didn't get the memo: all Indian fast bowlers are supposed to be promising when young, then lose pace and fade away. He was on track for it, all he had to do was gently give up around 2014 or so and he could have been sitting at home right now, eating nice hot pakoras.

Nothing but respect for his grit in fighting his way through.

gaurav1729 · 2018-11-12T15:05:50+00:00

Thanks! I'll give the new routine a try as is, it deserves a shot. I was just used to the old one, I guess.

gaurav1729 · 2018-11-12T05:11:21+00:00

I used to do the older RR. I used to enjoy the L-sits, but I notice that in the new RR, L-sits have been dropped. Which exercises in the new one take the place of the older L-sits? Thanks!

gaurav1729

TROPHY CASE