Official Sporting @ 2001/02 Portuguese League thread: CAMPEÕES!!!

ALCATRAZ · Aug 7, 2001

It would be crazy if Niculae didn't play the season opener for his new team that payed allot of money for him especially against Porto!

There shouldn't even be a question of him playing and it's not like it's an important game it's a friendly that Romania has! Niculae will play against FCP!

Dae · Aug 7, 2001

Good news. This game is very important and can set the tone for the first few months of the season. It's essential to put our best team forward.

ALCATRAZ · Aug 7, 2001

Penguin, I can see that Boston attitude coming out, bro! Your last post is the same exact thing I say every year about the Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins, Celtics, and SCP! I feel your pain brother I feel your pain.....1918!

Today in the Record Boloni described SCP as a mix between Porto and Benfica! Sounded strange but he explained himself by saying that the media says Porto is a team with heart and Benfica is a team full of talent! So Boloni is saying that SCP is a talented team full of heart!

Coach has confidence in his players from the sounds of it and that is a good sign! This should motivate the players knowing that the coach said that about them! I know it would motivate me cuz I wouldn't want to let down the coach after he said that the team was full of heart and talent!

So lets hope he's right and Viva O Sporting clube de Portugal!

Then again Boloni man ain't gonna come out and say No my team blows and sucks ass at the same time and we will be horrible!

Mass Sporting · Aug 7, 2001

I saw the Highlights yesterday from the Benfica-Fiorentina game and Benfica looked real good.I see them fighting neck and neck with us till the end.I also can't count out Boavista because of their rough rugby style play(did you see them against Porto).However they might have the tailor made team for the Portuguese League because more often than not with the little teams they don't allow you to play a wellplayed skillful match.
The little teams rather hack away.I was impressed last year though with our little teams.
Porto,I'm not really worried about them.They haven't made any significant changes and their fans will probably use their champions league play to justify their 3rd place finish

Sporting,We added a much needed striker who will be in the top 3 if not 1st in scoring.
We have a 17 year old superstar in the making(If Figo was as good as this kid at 17,he would have been named player of the year 5 years ago).
I think our midfield is very solid and strong physically which is important in our league.
I think our defense is very good if Quiroga and Beto could play together.I think its our weakest point but still good.
Oh and my guess for player of the year on our teamis JVP.He has shown his brilliance from his Boavista days again.

I think we will be in the top 2.VIVA SPORTING!!!!

Dae · Aug 7, 2001

I agree. I think JVP will be our most important player. He's our playmaker and creator. If he only could finish better he'd be unstoppable.

Oh, somebody who's suddenly been lost in the shuffle is Barbosa, but I have a feeling he'll be needed at some point. He finished the previous season very strong. He and JVP would play nicely right behind Niculae. With Quaresma and Sa on the wings, it could be interesting. Obviously, that means the midfield blah blah blah and probably won't happen, but I'd hate to see Barbosa get wasted on the bench. If Sa doesn't provide offense from teh right side, he could fit in there.

Mass Sporting · Aug 7, 2001

Yes Mr Barbosa,I did forget about him.He was playing great ball also.Too bad he is injury prone,but when he comes back our offense is super potent.

Dae · Aug 7, 2001

I don't mean you forgot Barbosa

, I mean I think Sporting in general has forgotten him. I know he's injured, but even when he returns, there may not be a spot for him.

Dae · Aug 10, 2001

Felipe out of Sunday's match!

Here, dammit!!!

Somebody mentioned this earlier, but here's an article. Felipe will miss the Porto match due to a thigh injury. He wouldn't have started, but I suppose he might be missed if somebody gets hurt. If Felipe can really learn to play wingback, then he becomes very useful as a replacement for either flank position (wing or back). To this point, however, I think he stinks.

ALCATRAZ · Aug 10, 2001

Yeah stinks is right! He admitted it himself he said something along the lines of ......I've never played there before and I'm not that good at defending cuz i'm more into attacking but I'll play anywhere as long as I can see some futebol!

His hearts in the right place he just needs to gain experience! He's young he'll be ah'ight!

Dae · Aug 10, 2001

IMO, this is a player who Sporting bought before Boloni ever entered the picture, but doesn't fit Boloni's ideas for the team. So, he's trying to find use for him. Filipe is/was widely regarded as a top young portuguese talent, but he's a right winger, not a fullback. I seriously doubt this little experiment will work.

ALCATRAZ · Aug 10, 2001

You hit the nail on the head with SCP bought him before Boloni entered the picture! Also I think Quaresma playing out of this world in the pre-season and practices kinda messed things up!

Messed things up in a good way! No one expected Quaresma to be on the top team most probably thought he'd spend at the very least another year on the B squad! Well at least we got a good young nucleas!

Dae · Aug 10, 2001

Quite frankly, we have Tello and Sa who play the wings, but then Quaresma came along and his play demands attention. So, we suddenly have three players for two spots. Throw Filipe and Mpenza in the mix and we have a log jam. Not a bad situation, depth wise, but it could lead to problems when somebody isn't getting the PT like he'd hoped.

ALCATRAZ · Aug 10, 2001

I don't know why Mpenza hasn't been sold or a deal been worked out for an exchange! You would figure with all the forwards/winger types we have and the lack of strikers why don't we try to work something out with some team for a striker?

I dont' mean get rid of Sa and the youngsters like Quaresma, Tello, and Felipe but definetly Mpenza!

Dae · Aug 10, 2001

At one point during the summer, Mpenza was linked with a return to Belgium, but apparently nothing came of it. He's a quikc player and runs the wing well, but it never amounts to much. He's athletic, but I don't see much in his skills.

Santamaria · Aug 12, 2001

Filipe had 16 assists last year fron the right wing. I believe this was tied for the league lead with Joao Pinto.

I love the combination of his crossing and Nicalae's (arieal) finishing. Look for him to win the right wing position from Sa (who would move to utility player role coming on from the bench)

Dae · Aug 14, 2001

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here!!

I agree that the Costinha sending off was essentially BS, but PDC has nothing else to b*tch about. His players played like thugs and he's lucky more didn't get tossed.

This guy's always crying about something.

Guest · Aug 16, 2001

alright guys im a benfica fan, but im also a bostonian and no need to bring up the sox,pats,bruins,and celtics:depress: all i no is sportings got an awsome team, but i think benfica does 2, lets get ready for a big year and good luck

Dae · Aug 17, 2001

Thanks, BK and same to you.

I also think Benfica and Sporting stand to have the best clubs. I thought Porto might have something, but they've been lousy, imo.

The Lisob derby should be a real war this year.

ALCATRAZ · Aug 17, 2001

BenficaKing is from the City I lived in before I moved to Saugus, MA! Home of The Winter Hill Gang and America's #1 fugitive ****** Bulger who was Boss of the Mob who's still on the Lam!

Welcome! I was born in Cambridge but lived near Lincoln park near Union Sq. and near Inman sq. Cambridge!

Dae · Sep 17, 2001

Niculae on ref ambiguity

here!

I gotta agree with the big guy. Consistently bad refereeing is one thing, but to have such differences in calls is another. You never know what's going to be called or why.

Official Sporting @ 2001/02 Portuguese League thread: CAMPEÕES!!!

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