Topic: Andre Villas Boas

[Suspect Package.]

Apparently this is one of his scouting reports for Mourinho.

http://www.bragafut.com/artigos/art18.pdf

Insane amount of depth and detail. No wonder he's doing so well at Porto.

Bit like that flipchart that Roy did earlier in the season

Boas has a long way to go to match the experience and genius of Hodgson.

And that's interesting, Boas doesn't really rate Shay Given either.

[Suspect Package.]

He's a bit good aint he?

With the way the Champions League is at the moment, a favourable draw could see them challenge i reckon.

All depends whether they can keep Hulk, Falcao, Maicon and Rolando. Then they'll be adding players as well.

There's no doubt Boas is the real deal though, can't wait to see how his career turns out.

to be honest, this is Porto. I can see the board selling their players out from under them. It's what they've always done.

They're already starting, been inviting bids for Hulk.

[kaz1983]

I afraid the star players in the current Porto side will proably sold or a some of them... but yeah I agree that Porto have a good chance of going deep into the Champions League next year.. I would love to see them win or at get to the 1/4's, it would be great for the CL as it's fast becoming a joke... as for Villa Boas I remember reading that he got his first coaching badge at the age of 17 and if wasn't for Bobby Robson having links with English FA he would not have got it as you (or at least then) needed to be over the age of 18 to apply to get your first coaching badge... something along those lines.

[BazC]

But Porto could realistically hope to get to the finals of it with the way they're playing so perhaps the incentives are there. They must be itching to test themselves against the very best teams in Europe. But then again, if a Real Madrid or Chelsea come in for you it'd be hard to turn down.

[doikc]

Wow what a second half. I thought Villarreal in the first half were passing really well very Spanish silky passes, but Porto looked faster on the ball more direct and Hulk!
Most of those second half goals were really poor defending and the marking was hapless! Porto were just ruthless!

Cant wait to see them in the CL breath of fresh air!! He really needs to keep these players who have this incredible winning mentality. If that doesn't happen then that'll be one more test for Boas to identify new players and fit them into his team.

There is allot to admire in this run to the final.

[Solomon Grundy]

Wouldn't be at all surprised if Villas Boas ended up at Chelsea or Man City next season.

[MassDriver]

Wouldn't be at all surprised if Villas Boas ended up at Chelsea or Man City next season.

I will be very surprised as it would be an extremely stupid move. He is building something at Porto and I don't think he will leave next season , not until he's had a good go at the CL.

I would also be very surprised if Man City need a new manager this season. An FA cup win(I think they will swat Stoke aside) and a top 4 finish is not exactly a sackable record for a team that have never played in the CL and haven't won a cup for YEARS.

[Solomon Grundy]

I will be very surprised as it would be an extremely stupid move. He is building something at Porto and I don't think he will leave next season , not until he's had a good go at the CL.

I would also be very surprised if Man City need a new manager this season. An FA cup win(I think they will swat Stoke aside) and a top 4 finish is not exactly a sackable record for a team that have never played in the CL and haven't won a cup for YEARS.

Money talks mate.

Stoke will win the FA Cup anyway.

[MassDriver]

Money talks mate.

Stoke will win the FA Cup anyway.

Porto are not exactly skint , are they?  They are ever present in the knockout stages of the CL and one of the 'elite' teams of Europe. AVB comes across as an intelligent , educated man and I don't think he is that daft.

A little wager perhaps on Stoke winning the FA cup. I say the anti footballing twats won't win it. 20 USD agrees with me.

[Solomon Grundy]

Porto are not exactly skint , are they?  They are ever present in the knockout stages of the CL and one of the 'elite' teams of Europe. AVB comes across as an intelligent , educated man and I don't think he is that daft.

A little wager perhaps on Stoke winning the FA cup. I say the anti footballing twats won't win it. 20 USD agrees with me.

Chelsea and City have more though mate, they play in a stronger league and Porto are historically a sellin club. He wont be keeping that squad together for long. Also he may feel he could achieve more at either of those two clubs. Now i'm not saying it will definitely happen, all i'm sayin is I wouldn't be at all surprised if it did. Especially Chelsea as I believe he did some scouting for them in the past under Mourinho.

As for Stoke winning the FA Cup I feel no need to put a wager on, it's just my opinion based on how City have been playin when they've been clear favourites to win. Which hasn't been brilliant. They seem to play better when they come up against the bigger clubs. Whereas you my friend have just looked at the sqauds on paper and gone for the easy bet.

[MassDriver]

Chelsea and City have more though mate, they play in a stronger league and Porto are historically a sellin club. He wont be keeping that squad together for long. Also he may feel he could achieve more at either of those two clubs. Now i'm not saying it will definitely happen, all i'm sayin is I wouldn't be at all surprised if it did. Especially Chelsea as I believe he did some scouting for them in the past under Mourinho.

As for Stoke winning the FA Cup I feel no need to put a wager on, it's just my opinion based on how City have been playin when they've been clear favourites to win. Which hasn't been brilliant. They seem to play better when they come up against the bigger clubs. Whereas you my friend have just looked at the sqauds on paper and gone for the easy bet.

Fair enough bud.   

[petrichor]

villareal were punished heavily for those lapses in concentration
thought overall play was evenly balanced and the difference was falcao and porto's set pieces

[callanlfc5times]

I'm curious as to what people who have seen Porto regularly this season consider to be Porto's strongest line up? Also how do they normally set up? Do they play 3-4-3? Cheers to anyone who knows.

[Red James]

Thought Villareal had the game last night, especially considering Porto's defensive weaknesses. Then Porto and Villa-Boas proved everyone wrong and fucking hammered them. Not long until he ends up in charge of a top club.

[Midget]

I'm curious as to what people who have seen Porto regularly this season consider to be Porto's strongest line up? Also how do they normally set up? Do they play 3-4-3? Cheers to anyone who knows.

Based on what I've seen (and rated):

        Varela - Falcao - Hulk
          Belluschi - Moutinho
                   Fernando
Pereira - Rolando - Otamendi - Fucile
                     Helton

Belluschi has been injured recently, he's usually been replaced by Ruben Micael or Guarin. Fucile has been injured a lot this season he's usually replaced by Sapanaru. Occasionaly Otamendi plays as a right back and Maicon as the other central defender.

[Spanish Fan]

incredible. even specifies that the wall doesnt jump on free kicks!

This is your typical scouting report in most top clubs I would say. I remember that Agger's goal vs Chelsea in the CH L was home preparation pinpointing a defensive wekness Benitez or his scouts had found on Chelsea's defensive set up for set pieces.

[BazC]

This is your typical scouting report in most top clubs I would say. I remember that Agger's goal vs Chelsea in the CH L was home preparation pinpointing a defensive wekness Benitez or his scouts had found on Chelsea's defensive set up for set pieces.

I was actually surprised it all fit on a couple of pages (though there was small writing I guess!)

[Raul!]

Casillas Cobras
Iniestas Vipers
Xavis Adders
Torres Common Grass Snake

[Ryan M]

I missed the first half of the game lag night. The movement from the midfield and forwards was very impressive. When receiving the ball each player seemed to have plenty of pace. The running from diagonal  positions seemed to be timed to perfection.

I really hope he stays at Porto for at least twelve months, I'd like to see how that team could develop against superior opposition.

[G1 Jockey 4(betfair)]

But Porto could realistically hope to get to the finals of it with the way they're playing so perhaps the incentives are there. They must be itching to test themselves against the very best teams in Europe. But then again, if a Real Madrid or Chelsea come in for you it'd be hard to turn down.

problem with this is he plays a game that is too close to the line for the bigger sides.
he seems to have found a way of playing with what he has which is perfect against sides who cant punish them well enough.

the porto side just before he came wouldnt get embarrased too much against sides like inter man u etc.

this one wouldnt be good enough at the back to play the current way against sides like those.

you gotta admire what he has done so far but clearly his real test is yet to come.


for that reason i think klopp is ahead of him at the moment.

[DM Red]

how close were we to signing Falcao? i remember we were linked when he was about to leave River PLate. If i remember correctly he joined Porto for very little.

[Popcorn]

how close were we to signing Falcao? i remember we were linked when he was about to leave River PLate. If i remember correctly he joined Porto for very little.

3-4m was the price mentioned when we were in for him

[Popcorn]

 I really hope they can keep the majority of their team and aVB for next seasons Champions League.

I'll be on them to win it. Have been saying it for a while but the way their playing their price wont be as high as I hoped.

[Gnurglan]

Was quite surprised with Porto's suicide defending last night. It worked, but they were lucky. Then they found a weakness down Villareal's right and it was game over. Very unlike Mourinho, that's for certain.

[Dr Manhattan]

Was quite surprised with Porto's suicide defending last night. It worked, but they were lucky. Then they found a weakness down Villareal's right and it was game over. Very unlike Mourinho, that's for certain.

I actually think it was more to do with them just playing further up the pitch. First half they got absolutely swamped by Villareal's midfield and weren't competing in that area at all, just sitting far too deep and right on top of their own defenders. Villareal were loving that with and without the ball. Second half they all pushed further up, and as you say they found loads of room down the wings, and even when Villareal had the ball they could do nothing with it.

It was really well thought out reaction tactics from Villas Boas, and Villareal did nothing about it for the entire second half. At 1-1 or even 2-1 they probably should have gone 5-3-2 or 5-4-1 and made sure they were stopping the threat and hitting on the break, at least keeping themselves in the tie for the return leg, but they did nothing and just got hit again and again.

Great stuff from Porto, piss poor from Villareal.

[Juan Loco]

His first choice front 3 reminds me a fair bit of Rijkaards at Barcelona, except a mirror image. Hulk reminds me of the way Ronaldinho used to play, but on the opposite flank. So powerful, so quick-footed. A little ungainly comparatively, and he'll probably never as good, but he's been amazing this year.

[Ecuared]

I remember when the Mancs beat them back in 2008 loads of people here slagging off Hulk saying he was shite. In fairness he had a tough couple games, but he was only 18 then I believe and I thought it was clear he had a lot of potential.

I haven't seen much of Porto this year but from all reports he's been really good. Maybe has an outside shot of making the squad for next world cup?

[Jimmy Two Times]

I remember when the Mancs beat them back in 2008 loads of people here slagging off Hulk saying he was shite. In fairness he had a tough couple games, but he was only 18 then I believe and I thought it was clear he had a lot of potential.

I haven't seen much of Porto this year but from all reports he's been really good. Maybe has an outside shot of making the squad for next world cup?

Outside shot? He's nailed on.

[LiverpoolPT]

He's a bit good aint he?

With the way the Champions League is at the moment, a favourable draw could see them challenge i reckon.

All depends whether they can keep Hulk, Falcao, Maicon and Rolando. Then they'll be adding players as well.

There's no doubt Boas is the real deal though, can't wait to see how his career turns out.

LOL Maicon? He's a sub, and he only does crap, like here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncZNPfFlvQM&feature=related

1st goal, he's the bald...

[Des Equilibrante]

how close were we to signing Falcao? i remember we were linked when he was about to leave River PLate. If i remember correctly he joined Porto for very little.

Hmm... If we were, and we did, would we sing 'Rock Me Amadeus' for him?

[Mr Dilkington]

LOL Maicon? He's a sub, and he only does crap, like here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncZNPfFlvQM&feature=related

1st goal, he's the bald...

I see, cheers for pointing out he's on his backside these days. Whenever i've seen them he's been a starter, and has been quite good.

[wardides]

I see, cheers for pointing out he's on his backside these days. Whenever i've seen them he's been a starter, and has been quite good.

In fairness he has started 20 games this season. So you were right he is a starter but could be replaced I reckon, Otamendi is pretty decent although very inconsistent.

[LiverpoolPT]

In fairness he has started 20 games this season. So you were right he is a starter but could be replaced I reckon, Otamendi is pretty decent although very inconsistent.

He started the season in the starting eleven because Otamendi started without any rythm... Then, Maicon started playing bad, and Otamendi took the place, easily...

[guest]

We were very close to signing Falcao. You could argue we had to prioritise Soto instead.

[FernandoSusoLFC]

AC Milan bid 16 million for Hulk and it was turned down last week, reported by a bbc journo.

[Mr Dilkington]

Pwobs selling Pato to be honest.

Think they'll go for Ganso and Neymar as well.

[Stussy]

Yeah, but could he manage it on a wet Wednesday night at the Brittania. That is the MOST important question you have to ask.

[FernandoSusoLFC]

Yeah, but could he manage it on a wet Wednesday night at the Brittania. That is the MOST important question you have to ask.

I love that saying but don't know the true meaning...?

Its spouted a lot around here.

[surfer. Fuck you generator.]

I love that saying but don't know the true meaning...?

Its spouted a lot around here.

Martin Tyler's Former Monkey ie And.y Gra.y once said that Messi would "struggle in a cold night at the Britannia Stadium", and Barcelona would struggle in the English league as they've never played the likes of Stoke.

So the most important yardstick to measure a player's greatness has become 'could he do it on a cold night at the Britannia'.

[FernandoSusoLFC]

Martin Tyler's Former Monkey ie And.y Gra.y once said that Messi would "struggle in a cold night at the Britannia Stadium", and Barcelona would struggle in the English league as they've never played the likes of Stoke.

So the most important yardstick to measure a player's greatness has become 'could he do it on a cold night at the Britannia'.

GIFSoup