Or maybe more things, I guess. Just a quickie update before Rennes.

-Gourcuff had to rush away from training after a thigh injury. He might not be available for Rennes as he was told not to exert for the next 48 hours. (The above image is from yesterday.)

-Wenger has allegedly said that he will not consider putting in another bid for Chamakh when the January window opens. He claims that he doesn’t need another striker since he has many capable players already (this is true). I think he just wants go wait till Chamakh is free and then make a grab for him.

-Also good news is that Bordeaux (the city) has been selected as the French candidate that will go for Euro 2016. If this does happen there will be a spanking new stadium for Bordeaux and all kinds of amazing things will happen.

I recently spotted an article titled Arsenal Target Marouane Chamakh Isn’t Very Good, and guess what, besides their video proof, I have proof too. I agree wholeheartedly with him. Chamakh is a terrible player. Everything from his ridiculously ludicrous headers to his impossibly insane moments in the air. The man is a beast (and I mean that in the bad way.)

This is why I say so:

1. His hair defies gravity, and he probably uses enough hair gel to fund a small economy.

2. He defies gravity. <— most ridiculous photo I’ve seen of him yet.

3. He gets chummy with Gourcuff.

4. He gets kisses from Triaud.

5. His head is small.

6. He ain’t no arshavin or brazillian.

7. He’s really old. I mean, 25? Come on, he is only functional for like 5 more years.

8. I think he has a nightclub in Morocco? (<– cannot be confirmed)

9. He photographs too well.

10. He’s skinny.

There you go Wenger. 10 reasons why you shouldn’t sign Chamakh on even a free transfer. Do you really want him ruining the lucrative hair gel market, skyrocketing the prices for the average Londoner? ‘Course not. In fact, no club deserves the completely undesirable Chamakh. If Gourcuff didn’t have a slight crush on him, we wouldn’t even want to keep him for ourselves (but obviously, to please Gourcuff we must, and we must pay him a lot of money.)

(If it’s not obvious I was totally stuck on the 7th reason and beyond.)

Can someone else give 10 reasons why Arsenal shouldn’t sign Chamakh?

In other news, I am completely grateful for the international break. I’m going MIA for the next week as I’m packing like crazy and moving. Also, frosh activities and the beginning of school is going to eat a chunk of my time. Similarly, since school is starting and I don’t think I want to fail post-secondary education, I’m going to take it easy on this blog.

Some genius decided to tell Google Translate that Mickaël Ciani = Adam Clayton. Hmm, I wonder why. (You might have to fullview that seeing as I don’t have Photoshop yet.)

As you can see, I’ve been absent for the past few weeks, but hopefully I’m back (for a while before school starts again). I know I missed some very exciting/interesting games. I badly wanted to watch them (especially Lens’ return to L1, but also Nice), but both weekends happened to be very busy. I hate to think that I lost chances to see Ciani’s performance, but there are always other times.

But, just reading some of the reviews, it’s apparent that the two players pushing the squad this season are Gourcuff and Chamakh. In some ways it’s very worrying since one of them will be leaving soon and the other will be leaving in a while.

The most important thing right now is that we’re scoring against some good teams and some good keepers (Ospina has been a real catch for Nice).

As anicho in the comments pointed out, we have a most crucial game coming up this weekend, again OM. I don’t see it online yet, but all of the active L1 Offside bloggers have done a little Top 10, and it seems that everyone thinks that OM will be the team to beat and the team most likely to win the title this season. I see where they’re coming from, but I think we’d like to prove them wrong .

In my opinion though, after some reading around, OM’s play hasn’t been THAT stellar, though it’s just the start of the season and they’re bond to pick up. IF we can beat them this weekend, it will set a tone for the rest of the season for sure. Picking up points is crucial from the start and it’s even more imperative when it is picking up points from our biggest opponents (OM and OL both)

I think I’m a little weary after the Chamakh drama (Arse? West Ham? Fulham? Greek club?). He’s obviously going to leave on a free transfer and Bordeaux will lose potential profit. But the opportunity cost gained in him assisting the title run obviously appealed to them more. I’m pretty sure that they’re not idiots and probably did realize that if they don’t let Chamakh go on his request, he will get significantly pissed and refuse to extend. At this point they can hope that 1. Chamakh scores a shitload and secure a lot of points (6 so far) and/or 2. Chamakh does really well that he will consider his situation to be a good one and stay. I think so far Blanc’s plan is working. I guess we won’t know if he’s going to stay for sure until the end of the transfer window on August 31st. It’s drawing quite close and I’m waiting anxiously.

Other things in the transfer window that are coming up is Fernando’s potential transfer to Werder Bremen for 4 or 5 million euros. I wonder if this Fernando would want this considering his open request to go La Liga.

Anyway, hopefully I will find time to put up a real preview of the game against OM sometime soon. (Seeing as I’m going to be busy this weekend again.) So long ’til then!

I think the Chamakh dilemma coincides with a difficult time in my life. As you might know right now, Real Madrid is in Toronto and that means….Karim Benzema. I’m been a big fan of him for a while now, and it’s a shame that I have to work through the times he’s in Toronto. I can’t decide if I want to go to the airport tomorrow and get an autograph or what. If only I knew when they are leaving! I know which hotel they’re staying at but…

Okay, I’m starting to sound like a stalker, but you understand that the chances of me seeing players of his calibre again is like, never.  (It’s even worse than missing Bordeaux in Montréal….)

But, alas. Chamakh dilemma. Chamakh was in England (reportedly) trying to push through a deal. I can’t say I didn’t predict Chamakh’s relationship with Bordeaux turning bad.  (<– I did, I did. I just can’t find the comment/post where I said it.)

As you may have heard, Chamakh is now accusing Triaud/Blanc of intentionally blocking his transfer out of mean-spiritedness. They have rebuked Arse(nal)’s 6 million bid for Chamakh, and also preparing to block the 7.5 million Arsene “Voyeur” Wenger is thinking of offering. But of course the Wenger is now putting Chamakh off. He states that Chamakh only has a year left on his contract, and in 5 months, Bordeaux will not make a cent off Chamakh (I never said Voyeur wasn’t S-M-A-R-T).

Chamakh seems to think that 6 million is totally reasonable for his qualities. He also promises that if nothing happens, he WILL be playing Lens. I hope that’s a promise he’ll keep.

Also, season starts tomorrow against Lens. I’m excited.

Aha, I found the rest of it! 7 minutes of glory! I gotta go grab my dictionary.

I am angry. Very very very angry. So if you’re having a really great day, please don’t read this. If you’re a Roma fan, again. Or if you’re a Blanc fan, please don’t.

Okay, I understand that this group is a very difficult group to do well in, and for Bordeaux to be so close in points going into the last leg was a very pleasant surprise. But all that aside, an opportunity is an opportunity. You do not go into the match thinking that you had a great time in Champions League and that it was nice to be here. You go in there knowing that you have to win this because you want to get further than just the group stage.

Well today, Bordeaux did not play Roma thinking that. Blanc’s formation (4-3-2-1) was obviously too defensive for a game that is either win or die. I understand that you want to keep a clean sheet, but a draw will not get Bordeaux anything. I’m sure Blanc knew that Roma’s defense would be hard to break down. But what did he do? Add some defensive midfielders to the mix of course. Because Roma are SURELY not going to score with our (shitty) defense. (I’m not pertaining to Diarra, of course).

Second. Why did Blanc start Gouffran? If you read this blog you’ll know that I’ve had problems with this problem since time immemorial. I’ve always sort of ignored it, but this obviously impacted the game today. No, Gouffran is NOT of the caliber to take on Champions League games yet. He’s too unexperienced and frankly ineffective. Now if he was the ONLY FUCKING PLAYER left on the bench that can fill the role, sure. But a player like Fernando Cavenaghi should not be the SUBSTITUTE coming on for GOUFFRAN. Cavé may not be a winger, but with him on the pitch for longer than just 34 minutes would have greatly changed the outcome of the game. I mean, just how do you keep the team’s top scorer and (almost) top scorer of the league on the bench? I’l be shocked if he doesn’t pick Tottenham when the time comes.

Third. Jéremy f**king Ménez, I’m coming to get you. And Thumb-sucking Totti, I’m crashing the party. (That’s right. No Totti, NO PARTY.)

Fourth. The typical it’s all the referee’s fault. Some of the fouls were not fouls. Fernando didn’t touch a single hair on Riise’s body and you give them a freekick? Totti’s goal also came off a Ménez-foul-that-ref-didn’t-see moment. 

Finally. UEFA cup. HOW THE F**K AM I GOING TO CATCH THAT? I get Champions League with enough trouble already. Bordeaux had better get their game together, because with this kind of performance, they’re not going to be able to  keep their top players (Gourcuff, Cavenaghi, Diarra, Chamakh) and things will just go down hill. 

(That said, I actually thought that Ducasse, Jurietti, Chalmé and Diarra played very well. And Ramé is just getting old.. Wendel was quiet. Bordeaux just didn’t have a good game like they hoped.)

Too tired to talk about it. I’m waaaaaay too worried about Valverde’s shaky performance to appreciate this. Ramé, please please please recover for Tuesday.

Goals and Highlights (minus Gourcuff’s streaking), as well as Chamakh’s interview after the jump.

There’s some Cavé/Gourcuff ass patting at the end. Tetu picked right!

]]> http://bordeaux.theoffside.com/bordeaux-team-news/bordeaux-manage-win-over-vafc.html/feed 6 http://bordeaux.theoffside.com/match/champions-league/rame-will-not-start-against-chelsea.html http://bordeaux.theoffside.com/match/champions-league/rame-will-not-start-against-chelsea.html#comments Tue, 25 Nov 2008 23:58:21 +0000 Jennifer http://bordeaux.theoffside.com/match/champions-league/rame-will-not-start-against-chelsea.html

Ummmm, yeah, that basically sums it up.

“If we win it, it will be an achievement.” – Chamakh

Le groupe : Valverde, Olimpa – Chalmé, Diawara, Jurietti, Placente, Planus, Trémoulinas – Diarra, Fernando, Gourcuff, Wendel, Sertic, Traoré – Bellion, Cavenaghi, Chamakh, Gouffran, Obertan.

I was so excited about Ramé returning to training, but I guess he didn’t pass his physical and cannot participate against Chelsea. If Chelsea can squeeze a 4-0 with Ramé in goal, what will happen tomorrow? Jussiê, Saunier and Paletta are also returning. Obertan and Saivet remain injured.

I think the lineup will be fairly predictable, with Cavenaghi starting from the bench (yet again.) As you know, Cavé is very very upset by this setup. He scores in almost every game even when he does come off the bench and is definitely an asset to the team. He does deserve more time on the European level, but I agree with Blanc that he is more of an asset when he comes off the bench to help with finishing. I think comparing Cavé with Chamakh is comparing such different things. Chamakh doesn’t score, but he assists goals and provides the kind of creative impetus that Bordeaux needs up front, along with Gourcuff.

I would love to see Chamakh and Cavenaghi play together because that would be a formidable duo. However, this obviously does not fit in to Blanc’s usual formation with the lone striker up front. In the comments, Julien mentioned that if Cavé does leave in January, it will help with the bills for Gourcuff a lot. I feel the same way, but I’m also concerned with losing our highest scorer. Yes, Chamakh, Bellion and Jussiê are amazing in terms of striking, but I do feel that they just don’t have the finishing quality that Cavenaghi possesses.

A lot of these decisions are up to Blanc to make, including what I think should be a debate: Gouffran or Obertan. I see his need to consolidate what he thinks is a good purchase (gone bad, if I might add); I see the need to allow younger players (perhaps, I mean Homegrown Youth Players That Didn’t Cost As Much As Gouffran Did) to play. One lesson Bordeaux is starting to take from Lyon’s success is the well established academy. Lyon is obviously well prepared for the departure of this generation (Benzema, and already ben Arfa) with the new generation (Tafer, Grenier, etc.). I think Bordeaux’s progress in this step is already evident with players of quality like Saivet, Obertan and Saunier. An alternative to actually buying Gourcuff at this inflated price (when he will leave again in another 2 years, for maybe 5m more) is in two parts: 1. Beg for a loan extension, 2. Invest in (quality) youth players and in the youth system.  But as I’ve mentioned before, most of this is up to Blanc, who may or may not leave for greener pastures at the end of the season. No extension deal just yet.

While I’m at it, I might as well throw a few names out there that Bordeaux are following:
-Dănuţ Coman, Goal (Rapid Bucharest): Bordeaux are (rumoured to be) in talks with this young Romanian keeper
-Yoann Pelé, Goal (Le Mans) Linked to Bordeaux for the next season
-Yohan Cabaye, midfield (Lille OSC): Another one of those young French talents coming out of Lille. He claims to have a preference to Bordeaux (questionable), but also won’t mind joining his old coach at Lyon. Fitting in the Lille-on trend, perhaps.

Wow, this post has nothing to do with Chelsea at all <font size=”1″>and I also just keep talking and talking…</font> Really, a win will be a miracle.

]]> http://bordeaux.theoffside.com/match/champions-league/rame-will-not-start-against-chelsea.html/feed 14 http://bordeaux.theoffside.com/transfer-news/chamakh-finally-scores-as-bordeaux-are-down-to-keeper-3.html http://bordeaux.theoffside.com/transfer-news/chamakh-finally-scores-as-bordeaux-are-down-to-keeper-3.html#comments Sun, 09 Nov 2008 03:40:12 +0000 Jennifer http://bordeaux.theoffside.com/transfer-news/chamakh-finally-scores-as-bordeaux-are-down-to-keeper-3.html

I bring good news and bad news.

I must first say that this was very good game after that terrible loss to Nancy. Goals by Cavenaghi and Chamakh, who was bound to score sooner or later. Gourcuff also had his assist.

But there, have the bad news first — the good news will only be a consolation (unless you happen to support Lyon.)

It wasn’t long ago when I broke out the news over the comments that Ramé’s injury will keep him out for another month. It has barely been 4 days when Valverde had a good game against Cluj. It’s been barely two days since Valverde dared to dream about playing against Lyon and Chelsea, and may I venture, Roma. Well that dream ended in the 44th minute when he received a knock to the head. His injury does seem fairly serious for he lost consciousness right after the knock, but he did regain it a few minutes later and was sent to the hospital immediately.

The main point is, we are now down to option trois, Kevin Olimpa, who had his debut today after Valverde’s injury.

«A guardian must be determined in its sorties or feet, without taking situations lightly, and without thinking that talent is easy. In addition, I have thought of anything or anyone, but just m’arracher at any give and implement the instructions of the coach. I prepared this season in order to have my chance at the highest level. Today I am happy. I do not m’avance Tuesday, as it will depending on the injury of Matthew, but I’m ready. So as long as it continues!»

I’m happy that he took it so positively and I can imagine how nervous he would be if he does start against Lyon, but Guingamp will do him a whole hell lot of good. I’ll try my best to keep the injury news updated.