en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/1111587 Comments by Happiness http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/totalbarca/working-towards-a-better-totalbarca/#IDComment411780881 I will definitely be sticking around. I appreciate the quality and thoroughness of the coverage of FCB that exists here at TotalBarca. Keep up the great work! Mon, 30 Jul 2012 16:26:30 +0000 http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/totalbarca/working-towards-a-better-totalbarca/#IDComment411780881 http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/totalbarca/working-towards-a-better-totalbarca/#IDComment407978568 I can understand the staff's concerns about the quality (or lack thereof) of comments and how it is dragging down the overall positiveness of TotalBarca. I think everyone whose comments are of negative quality - and you know who you are! - should give their heads a shake and grow up. Not only are the trolls spewing their garbage, but others also hurt this environment with arrogant posts. It is unfortunate that an atmosphere of intimidation exists wherein someone will be jumped on for their possibly naive comments by those self-proclaimed experts and long-time genuine Barca fans. The negativity toward new Barca fans really bothers me. Just what exactly is wrong with someone being attracted to FCB by its recent 4 seasons of magic? Just because some individuals were not fans back in the lean years doesn't mean they should now face challenged (rudely) for the authenticity of their support and interest for the team. There's just too many people around here who come off with a superiority attitude and the vibe from it is unpleasant, indeed. How about some friendliness, and welcoming, and mentoring? There's no need for elitism and cliquishness. I'm sorry that TotalBarca has felt the need to switch over to a FB login for commenting here. That bothers me - firstly, because some of you have made some sort of control actions necessary, and secondly, because our freedom to have a TotalBarca identity is being squashed. I really don't want to bring my FB identity here. As a matter of fact, I don't like the increasing domination of the web by FB. I want diversity, not FB homogenity. I certainly would have preferred some sort of debate and poll about how TotalBarca might deal with negative comments. In that way, the community might have self-corrected. I don't like this imposed correction; and especially don't like the FB aspect of it. I deliberately haven't brought football and Barca into my FB, and now being forced to simply because of people who comment like jerks here and TB is a real drag. I don't know if my ability to comment here is worth changing the dynamic of my FB reality. So... to summarize... I agree that commenting here has become problematic because of the negativity of too many. But I wish that a community dialogue regarding this problem had been launched by TB, instead of imposing upon us this FB solution. Tue, 24 Jul 2012 18:01:34 +0000 http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/totalbarca/working-towards-a-better-totalbarca/#IDComment407978568 http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/news/photo-of-the-day-balotelli-was-almost-a-cule/#IDComment393429592 I agree. I like Mario. I think he's an interesting individual, and a talented player. I think he gets the sharp end of the stick for at least a couple reasons: racism, and because he's got verve. Indeed it is too bad he didn't have the opportunity to be developed in more of a supportive, family-like environment. Nevertheless, I think he's doing just fine, in spite of the crap he faces. I regard his uniqueness as his own style of dignity. Sun, 1 Jul 2012 17:02:28 +0000 http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/news/photo-of-the-day-balotelli-was-almost-a-cule/#IDComment393429592 http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/news/quote-of-the-day-the-spanish-game-defined/#IDComment393425521 Thanks for the article. I think it sums up the "controversy" about Spain (and somewhat Barca) quite nicely. It really bothered me that some of the crowd started booing when Spain had possession against Portugal. I wish instead that they would watch Spain from within its logic, and see how effectively (or not) they execute their style of play. Spain plays like a bullfight - wearing down the animal (opposition) until they finally feel it is ready for a decisive execution. If we look at it in that way, then it is exciting to watch it unfold, the tension rising, until the masterstroke is unleashed. Surely, the artistic nature of such an undertaking is worthy of 90 minutes of patience? Sun, 1 Jul 2012 16:53:10 +0000 http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/news/quote-of-the-day-the-spanish-game-defined/#IDComment393425521 http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/news/official-jordi-alba-transfers-to-fc-barcelona/#IDComment391768747 That's what I was thinking - whose the striker? Most teams when they get a corner, it is a positive thing, a potential scoring opportunity. But corners are nothing for Barca because we don't have anyone to aim for. Yep Pujol on occasion, but generally corners are just an occasion to pass along the pitch to a near player. But with a taller, strong striker, then we might be able to make use of corners in a more traditional sense again. As well, I believe it the positive possibilities of a little chaos. The sort of chaos that comes from a lob into the box, and either a header or gain control of the ball on the bounce. Trust the skill of our players to make something happen out of such chaos. But we don't try for those opportunities because be expect we'll be beaten to the ball by taller, physical teams. Yes, a striker of some stature. Not to completely change our approach, but just to create a further option. Someone like Torres? Fri, 29 Jun 2012 04:00:31 +0000 http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/news/official-jordi-alba-transfers-to-fc-barcelona/#IDComment391768747 http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/news/van-basten-guardiolas-barca-is-the-best-ive-ever-seen/#IDComment381216953 True words about the pitfalls of being attracted to the celebrity life. Those who are strong in themselves, and able to learn from the experiences of others, realize the shallowness of celebrity and the distraction of its spotlights. One cannot help but wonder about Pique's loss of focus/forum with his tasting of the fast life. Fri, 15 Jun 2012 00:56:29 +0000 http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/news/van-basten-guardiolas-barca-is-the-best-ive-ever-seen/#IDComment381216953 http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/news/paul-greengrass-to-direct-documentary-on-guardiolas-barca/#IDComment366056463 One thing that bothers me about this documentary is that he will have to work with existing film and interviews which others have recorded over the past four years. Of course, he can interview people now (or in the future) about the past, however that's not the same as interviewing people in the moment as the accomplishments occur. Similarly, he will only be able to work with the film which others recorded, and basically edit other people's shots. Which is a lot different than contributing his own film perspective through directing his camera as the games were played. Essentially one big editing job. All the aside, but significant nonetheless, I have no doubt it will be an incredible documentary. A must see. I'm sure it will be a definitive recapitalization of the Pep era. Thu, 24 May 2012 00:11:33 +0000 http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/news/paul-greengrass-to-direct-documentary-on-guardiolas-barca/#IDComment366056463 http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/opinion-pieces/i-saw-the-pep-team-play/#IDComment364398921 Thanks for this wonderful homage to Pep era. It has indeed been a fantastic ride. Sad it couldn't have been 4 out of 4 La Liga's and 3 of 4 CL (well, 4 of 4 actually) but we couldn't have been closer. And most acknowlege that despite going out in semis, we were actually the superior team in each instance. And indeed we were. Oh yes we were. I look forward to the future. I trust in Tito. I believe the magic has been passed on, it is not gone. I wish I could have seen the Pep Team with only air between my eyes and their wonderment, but alas I could only watch on tv, and I watched on every possible occassion. Gracies Pep. Visca Barca. And gracies Rasmi. Mon, 21 May 2012 14:08:52 +0000 http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/opinion-pieces/i-saw-the-pep-team-play/#IDComment364398921 http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/news/transfer-talk-drogba-to-barca/#IDComment361501099 I think we only lost our repeats because of a handful of goals. 4 or 5 or 6 key goals turned this entire season. Even those teams who park against us (who some think a Drogba-like plan b would succeed against) only beat us because of the goal they scored. Let's focus on preventing those key goals, and let our current offense do the rest. No way a Drogba-like player is going to prevent those key goals that beat us. Only a stronger/quicker/smarter back line will do the trick. That's where our focus should be. Wed, 16 May 2012 14:00:06 +0000 http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/news/transfer-talk-drogba-to-barca/#IDComment361501099 http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/news/transfer-talk-drogba-to-barca/#IDComment361494458 that's a good one... ^_^ Seriously though... likely Chelsea would be willing to trade Drogba and Torres for Messi. Now that would be a good deal. Wed, 16 May 2012 13:45:05 +0000 http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/news/transfer-talk-drogba-to-barca/#IDComment361494458 http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/news/post-match-review-real-betis-2-2-fc-barcelona/#IDComment360223440 "but it MIGHT be a possible reason.. highly unlikely though." Yes, highly unlikely. I think its absurd to believe that Xavi doesn't want to assist to Messi, and thereby contribute to Barca victory. He isn't deliberately trying to make himself look good (and thereby win Ballon D'or) by not enabling Messi to shine. If any coach suspected that for a second he would bench Xavi so fast. Things change. People age. Couldn't it be that Xavi just doesn't have it like he had it two, five, eight years ago? Mon, 14 May 2012 14:11:17 +0000 http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/news/post-match-review-real-betis-2-2-fc-barcelona/#IDComment360223440 http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/news/valdes-well-be-back-in-force-next-year/#IDComment360216796 We've got some figuring out to do. I thought it was so sad how we finished the season. Sometimes in second half, instead of playing beautiful game, it was a deflated game. Almost depressing how the same plays would repeat, and repeat, ball to wing, back to middle, back to defence, back to wing. Keita looked like a deer in the headlights at times, he'd receive the ball in the middle in front of box, in acres of space, and seem shocked, without a thought for driving forward and shooting, instead he'd just freeze, turn around a pass backwards. Or make a pathetic kick of the ball toward Messi, a careless lob of a pass, with barely a hope and a prayer, that seemed to show about as much commitment as someone shuffling their way to the gallows. How many good players would wish to be in such a space in front of goal unmarked? How many would seize such opportunities, shift into forward gear, with some energy, and shoot? Our players seem like they're stunned in such open situations, because it doesn't fit the program, and so they can't act, in stead they just retreat, only to eventually end up in the same position again, endlessly looping in a lifeless effort. In such instances, like against Betis, our team hardly seemed like the greatest team on planet earth playing beautiful football. And yet, the week before they were magical. And, following such a dismal game, they could come out again in Copa Rey and be inspirational, as if an entirely different team. Such a wide continuum from boring/lifeless/uninspired to captivating/unstoppable/incredible is just too wide. They need to find a way to make things happen in more than one way. And the tv shots of the bench, with Pep and Tito, it was enough to make one cry. Those did not look like happy men, enjoying the beautiful game. It was awful. No sense of celebration, joy, or even appreciation for all they've achieved and can be grateful for. How can the team inspire when they look over and see their coaches looking like that? I wonder what was wrong? Or were they just depressed at what they saw on the field? Mon, 14 May 2012 13:54:03 +0000 http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/news/valdes-well-be-back-in-force-next-year/#IDComment360216796 http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/news/valdes-wins-zamora-trophy/#IDComment360209491 Some commentators say he's excellent one on one, some say "almost guaranteed goal". I don't know. I sort of feel unconfident in Victor. Don't know whether he'll be solid, or full of holes, don't know whether he'll choose smart, or make big mistakes. Against Betis he really seemed poor. That's how it seemed to me. Earlier in season, remember that time he gifted some team a goal by passing straight to them? And he did that a few times, once even to Real Madrid, although I don't think they scored. I've never seen Ikar do that. Those mistakes actually cost us games. And at an earlier point in the season, a lost game (particularly by such a depressing mistake) sets up the sort of negative momentum upon which a Liga is lost. I'd say Victor had a poor year in overall performance, despite the 5th time Zamora. Kind of like a penalty kicker getting golden boot when their team is most fouled against, takes most penalty shots, and 90% of the kicker's goals come from penaltys. Would we say that winner of golden boot was the league's best striker? Mon, 14 May 2012 13:34:53 +0000 http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/news/valdes-wins-zamora-trophy/#IDComment360209491 http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/news/cuenca-i-learn-from-pedro/#IDComment358476640 Illuminati - of course. Isn't it a fact? Like the fact we need defense? Our losses came, not from an inability to score (although against parked bus we sometimes looked at a loss for what to try) but from an inability to prevent successful counter-attacks. Most goals against came out of the blue, when we suddenly found ourselves on the defensive and came up lacking. We need a couple strong defenders, quick and with great situational responsiveness, to help prevent those goals that seemingly come out of nowhere, but in reality beat our current defensive weaknesses... and cost us SO MUCH. If not for a couple goals, we would have done the double repeat of La Liga and CL. Why try to improve what we're already the best at (offense) when everyone agrees that our weakness is defense? Let's put the money where the need is. Fri, 11 May 2012 13:39:53 +0000 http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/news/cuenca-i-learn-from-pedro/#IDComment358476640 http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/news/cuenca-i-learn-from-pedro/#IDComment358466442 Yep we've got a good crop of wingers and I believe in them, Pedro particularly is proven and this year means nothing since he was injured and had so little play time. I think Villa still has lots to offer and I think Affellay will be fantastic once he gets settled in to the rhythm of playing regularly. Same with Sanchez, he's great with movement and goal sense. If these players could have a season to gell with Messi, it could be the most awesome attacking force immaginable. As for a striker, yeah Falcao would be as good as anyone, probably the best choice in fact. As well, he's still relatively young (26), and I like his record with Porto, Athletico, and in big games. Guardiola likes him, having said he's sensational and one of the most talented players in the world. Too bad we didn't sign him BEFORE his stock went up. Fri, 11 May 2012 13:18:33 +0000 http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/news/cuenca-i-learn-from-pedro/#IDComment358466442 http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/news/cuenca-i-learn-from-pedro/#IDComment358459997 Much better than look of man on 24hr alcohol. Fri, 11 May 2012 13:04:59 +0000 http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/news/cuenca-i-learn-from-pedro/#IDComment358459997 http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/news/barca-dominate-2012-iffhs-awards/#IDComment356453629 I think Chicharito might be excellent, provided he got some playing time. He sort of reminds me of Pedro. I think he'd run his heart and soul out for the team, and that he might be capable of really shinning in the tiki taka with his quick feet. Tue, 8 May 2012 13:40:06 +0000 http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/news/barca-dominate-2012-iffhs-awards/#IDComment356453629 http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/news/bojans-future-in-the-balance/#IDComment356446491 Saturday Night Fever disco dancing, I do believe. Tue, 8 May 2012 13:24:54 +0000 http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/news/bojans-future-in-the-balance/#IDComment356446491 http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/matches/the-pictures-fc-barcelona-4-1-malaga-cf/#IDComment353965131 Iniesta certainly has his game face going in these photos. Real focus of concentration. Fri, 4 May 2012 12:17:58 +0000 http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/matches/the-pictures-fc-barcelona-4-1-malaga-cf/#IDComment353965131 http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/matches/post-match-review-rayo-vallecano-0-7-fc-barcelona/#IDComment350933853 Respect to Rayo for actually trying to play football, and having the courage to not just park the bus and see if they could stifle the game. Wonderful to watch the quickness and inventiveness of Barca team unleashed to simply play their game. Sure it was sad not to repeat as CL champs, but no doing so doesn't lessen this team in my eyes. I think we're going to be awed next year because its going to be awesome how dominant Barca will be. Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:16:47 +0000 http://www.totalbarca.com/2012/matches/post-match-review-rayo-vallecano-0-7-fc-barcelona/#IDComment350933853