Comments on CROATIAN SOCCER REPORT: CROATIA IN TURMOIL

Bilic deserves the criticism- Capello wrote the bl...

2009-06-14T14:12:10.316-07:00

Bilic deserves the criticism- Capello wrote the blueprint on how to beat Croatia- overwhelm the midfield and pressurize the (right) flank. With Modric neutralized our already useless strikers are forced to come (too)deep out of position to try to recover possesion. This is tactics 101, yet Bilic has responded by doing nothing (except replacing a 36 yr old dm with a 33 yr old dm-brilliant!). Pranjic is still at LB and and he's still using a straight 4-4-2 with a old man and a midget in the midfield. What's more, he had the revolutionary idea of not playing friendlies- his unique contribution to the science of match preparation. Thhe result is that we find out in the middle of a key match that the tactics/selection isn't working. And now? Now he wants to bail on the team before his stock drops to zero and no side wants his services. Good riddance...

I think that this is being blown out of proportion...

2009-06-12T13:01:43.788-07:00

I think that this is being blown out of proportion. Here are my thoughts:

As far as first impressions go I loved Bilic; i thought he was the best thing to happen to the team in a very long time. I hate to say it but my overall opinion of him is only getting worse; if he truly loved the country he'd see us through the bad, as well as the good. Although I still think he's a great coach, and I admire his style, I wish he would stop being such a push over and get behind the plow.

The same goes for the fans -- this is your team; this means you stand by them regardless of whether they're winning games or not. this is how a fan-squad relationship is built and reinforced. Take nothing for granted; hope for the best but always be prepared for the worst. The run is far from over; stop taking the tone of 'scare-tactic' journalists and be realistic here. With the talent we have, i'm confident the team will pull themselves up from the slump they're facing. I just hope Bilic gives them the support they need, rather than contribute to the turmoil

Kranjcar and Eduardo will most certainly be ready ...

2009-06-12T12:08:14.319-07:00

Kranjcar and Eduardo will most certainly be ready in August after they enjoy a lengthy summer vacation.

Ive been reading alot of comments lately about the...

2009-06-12T07:39:02.622-07:00

Ive been reading alot of comments lately about the game last week against Ukraine and the up coming games, but I havent read 1 think about when Eduardo and Kranjcar will be back in the line up. Has anyone heard about that. These two would be a big help.

'Prošao sam liječnički pregled, ali još čekam da s...

2009-06-11T22:20:49.875-07:00

'Prošao sam liječnički pregled, ali još čekam da se klubovi dogovore!'
Potpuno sam opušten, ne želim se opterećivati napisima u njemačkim novinama jer me to uopće ne zanima. Treba mi odmor, a transfer će biti riješen vrlo brzo - poručuje Pranjić

@ Andrew I always cross reference other sites wit...

2009-06-11T15:04:57.349-07:00

@ Andrew

I always cross reference other sites with what Goal.com is reporting. It's much easier for everyone to read Goal.com for everyone on CSR since it us English based.

Just to let you know, goal.com is the worst source...

2009-06-11T13:52:26.239-07:00

Just to let you know, goal.com is the worst source out there. 70% of the things they are write are bullshit. don't get me wrong I do go on there and they are good for quickly having news but most of the stuff is shite.

Some other big club will pick him up. He is on ev...

2009-06-11T13:33:25.488-07:00

Some other big club will pick him up. He is on everybodys radar now that bayern munich had made such an offer for him.

Yes, thank you Darijo. Pranjic's potential Bayern...

2009-06-11T11:15:52.426-07:00

Yes, thank you Darijo.

Pranjic's potential Bayern collapse has been confirmed by Goal.com as well:

http://goal.com/en/news/15/germany/2009/06/11/1318865/bayern-munichs-danijel-pranjic-deal-in-danger

More bad news for Croatia supporters... Pranjic´...

2009-06-11T08:50:00.840-07:00

More bad news for Croatia supporters...

Pranjic´s transfer to Bayern in doubt
http://www.croatiantimes.com/index.php?id=4333

I hope its the end for Juric, he's hopeless. If Vu...

2009-06-10T22:13:41.947-07:00

I hope its the end for Juric, he's hopeless. If Vukojevic was on from the start we probably would have won that match. Kazakhs lost 2-1, it would have been great if they got a draw.

wow, considering how gloomy i have felt since our ...

2009-06-10T20:37:14.292-07:00

wow, considering how gloomy i have felt since our poor performance on saturday, i am actually excited knowing that we are in a tight race with ukraine. maybe this team can show that it performs well under such high stakes. the playoff pressure is already on!

Nice breakdown Ante. Croatia cannot take anyone l...

2009-06-10T20:28:11.506-07:00

Nice breakdown Ante.

Croatia cannot take anyone lightly. We we can beat the kazakhs, but Belarus still has a chance to make this playoff so they should not be taken lightly.

@ Andrew, I feel Croatia does control their own d...

2009-06-10T20:03:39.571-07:00

@ Andrew,

I feel Croatia does control their own destiny. Should we win out (beat Kazakhstan, Belarus twice and England at Wembley) I just don't see Ukraine grabbing maximum points against England or even Belarus. The match will be in Minsk and trust me, after watching Belarus' first loss to Ukraine to a 94' BS PK, they will be ready this time around.

Remember, even if teams start getting knocked out, they are still playing hard to earn a better coefficient and pot for the next go at qualifying.

The gap is shrinking in Europe, there are no more gimme games for the exception of your San Marinos and Andorras.

Ante, if England play there B or C squad then I do...

2009-06-10T17:10:25.201-07:00

Ante, if England play there B or C squad then I do not think Croatia controls its own destiny. Ukraine are fully capable of taking points from a full strength England, now if they play there B team (which I don't think they will) Ukraine will push for the win at home. I don't think that Capello has any revenge on his mind, he simply wants to qualify and have a perfect record.

Close call today by the Kazhaks maybe Belarus will do better when they meet. I don't know if anyone so but Belarus did not look too impressive, they squandered a 2 goal lead in the second half against mighty Moldova. Good sign I hope.

Oh and about Bilic, I don't think he will go but if he does I wouldn't be too shocked nor would I be too upset, his time seems to be running out.

Yes it's pretty much neck and neck. Hopefully Bela...

2009-06-10T15:24:14.236-07:00

Yes it's pretty much neck and neck. Hopefully Belarus will hold down Ukraine to a point maximum and the real England shows up against UKR at the end of qualification. Ukraine also has two meaningless games against Andorra left.

The thing that worries me is that England's next game is against Croatia at Wembley. With a win they would secure a WC berth. What a sweet revenge victory that would be for them...and the play their B/C squads against UKR/BEL the rest of qualifying and we get the bad end of it.

But in the end....Croatia still controls it's own destiny!

Croatia and Ukraine are now tied in points. Get r...

2009-06-10T13:53:21.549-07:00

Croatia and Ukraine are now tied in points.

Get ready for a wild ride!

oh great how depressing. i can't believe Kazakhsta...

2009-06-10T12:35:28.262-07:00

oh great how depressing. i can't believe Kazakhstan gave us a false hope by taking the lead against Ukraine and then losing. Very demoralising. I don't understand why Croatia are not playing a friendly today to test our squad players. A lot of the teams have organised friendlies including Belarus who played Moldova plus France, Northern Ireland etc. Other sides are experimenting, yet our players have gone on hols. We're just not working at this harder enough in my opinion. The talent is there. Croatia has about 40 international class players for this level. We Just don't seem to want to put in the effort. We've took a break twice now whilst other sides have had friendlies.

Juric will be gone soon. Vukojevic played great. I...

2009-06-10T11:21:34.897-07:00

Juric will be gone soon. Vukojevic played great. I really don't see how Bilic can't start him since he was just so much better than Juric in the extremely limited time he was given. I still think Croatia are only a few small changes away from the form they exhibited at Euro '08. That being Krancjar being back, Eduardo coming back, Juric out, and a quick change in strategy.

Celtic are appointing second division coach Mowbra...

2009-06-10T04:25:55.042-07:00

Celtic are appointing second division coach Mowbray who was just relegated with West Brom so that must definitely have been realistic. Bilic must be better than having Mowbray. Bilic prob said no. Personally i think all these teams wanting Bilic has started to do our heads in. I think its gone beyond tolerable. Portsmouth is realistic as its a club with good fans that just has gained money. That's practically perfect for Bilic. He may as well take it and take Prosinecki with him. Also they can pay us compensation.

i think Juric can go honestly. The last thing we n...

2009-06-10T04:18:14.635-07:00

i think Juric can go honestly. The last thing we need is someone who's not even that good unsettling the squad. He's had two good seasons amongst 12 very ordinary to poor ones and is nothing special. He's not playing all that well for Croatia and Vukojevic has more to his game than Juric. My opinion is Juric had to sink or swim. Genoa may even bench him next season as they now regard themselves as big fish so really Juric is not the answer. We have Pokrivac, Leko to back up Vuko in that position. In a crisis there is also Vrdoljak, Vranjes so personally Juric is no great loss. He needs to be asked simply whether he wants to play or end his international career and if he's not 100% positive he should go.
Regards Bilic if he stays fine - if he goes then good luck to him. Its not the end of the world by any means. I think Portsmouth is realistic. Bilic wants to manage in the EPL and i think he wants a club in the South rather in the bitter north or Midlands which is my areas:)

I read a lot of this last night. I don't buy any ...

2009-06-10T03:33:53.310-07:00

I read a lot of this last night. I don't buy any of the Bilic stuff. Last week it was Celic, now its Portsmouth. Nothing to be concerned about.

C'mon you Kazakhs!!!!