[CuleAngles]

A blog style post from me:

He is many people’s favourite scapegoat, but as we head towards the ‘equator’ (as they say in Spain) of the 08/09 season I feel that a lot of credit is owed to our president and most of it is going unpaid. This campaign shows every sign of being hugely successful and just as we look to criticise the man at the top in barren times, so must we give him his dues in times of plenty.

Late last season Laporta showed great steel, whilst everyone around him lost their head, the one man who couldn’t afford to did not. Kipling identified that quality as the true mark of a man; I see it as the mark of a true leader. Laporta lost friends and colleagues as the fervour whipped up by Oriol Giralt and his minions threatened to overwhelm Barça but he never lost his nerve.

This is not an unequivocal apology for Laporta and all he has done; I merely seek to provide a bit of balance against the voices that shout so loudly when the president proves his humanity by making a mistake. At times Joan has acted in a manner unbefitting a president of FC Barcelona, his style of leadership has succeeded in alienating many members of his original board but two years of sporting failure largely caused by others (please not the use of the word ‘largely’ I do not absolve the president of all blame) by no means serves as justification for ousting a man who has provided economic rejuvenation, two leagues, a champions league and a style of football that proves the president’s credentials as a man who is Barça to the core.

Laporta took over with Barça on the brink of financial oblivion and through his restructuring of the club; through his canny choices of personnel and through his enthusiastic leadership he achieved a sporting rejuvenation of FC Barcelona. As we are becoming all too aware, the economy is cyclical, it suffers peaks and troughs. The same is true of football. The key in all of this is how our leaders succeed in keeping us at the peak and how they manage to ensure that we don’t stay in a trough for too long. This is partly achieved by building solid foundations that can be built upon once more if the walls fall down as they inevitably will at some point.

Certain political figures forgot the benefit of solid foundations, content to enjoy life on the crest of the wave whilst not bothering to consider the consequences when they hit shore. Ramon Calderón forgot about his foundations, spending wildly and failing to adequately manage the youth system whilst Laporta has dedicated his presidency to Barça’s foundations. This is why we are seeing the phoenix rise from the flames far more rapidly and dramatically than we dared thought possible in the summer after the side which should have been the second incarnation of the Dream Team found itself resembling a pile of smouldering ashes; the ambiton, the hope and the ability drained away. Because of our solid foundations of financial stability and a Masia replete with talent we were able to bring through new blood from outside and from within Meanwhile the club continues with a consistent and professional policy of contract renewals to ensure that the team has continuity. Through this policy as well as the promotion of La Masia Laporta has ensured that the fans have a side they can identify with. Long term symbols of the Barça of this generation maintain the same spirit, the same style and the same identity. Names such as Etoo, Puyol, Xavi, Valdes have been ever present for much of Laporta’s reign. Few other sides enjoy such stability in their playing personnel and it is only through constructing this long term spine for the team that allows Barça to be regenerated with just a few tweaks of the supporting cast.

We may not have a perfect President but in Joan Laporta we have a man who is now on course to build his second successful Barça side whilst promising to leave a legacy of renewed impetus from socis and penyes as well as a solid business model and a renewed sense of lustre about Futbol Club Barcelona. It’s very easy to knock the man at the top, at times it’s positively fashionable but as culés we have a responsibility to balance the criticism with the acknowledgment and respect that our President has earnt.

[Henry14]

Very nice Adam.

Indeed, people often forget to give credit to the man at the top. He's brought balance to the club and success to sports outside of Football also.

[Metaphysical]

great post.

laporta focusing on la masia is very profitable. it is what sets us apart from other top-teams. the sheer number of la masia boys in our current squad, not to mention the stars across the world, is such a boon for barca.

valdes
jorquera
pique
puyol
sanchez
busquets
xavi
iniesta
pedro
messi
bojan

cesc
merida

reina

arteta

sergio garcia

de la pena

what a production line! it's freakin' phenomenal.

[Henry14]

I'd question your inclusion of Jorquera.

[Metaphysical]

I was gonna leave him out, but he IS la masia and part of our squad, although I think the former is the only reason for the latter.

maybe.

anyway let's not get off-topic.

I think another thing laporta's done that was really impressive was ousting the hooligan element in the club. or, at the very least, making it much harder for them to spread their dickery.

[GJ17]

Top post CA

[LaFuriaBlaugrana]

Excellent post.

Laporta was villianized last season but he stuck to his guns and by always keeping an eye on the club's history it is paying off. He's far from perfect and certainly has an ego but I'd rather him than an opportunist like Rosell any day.

[yusuf423]

I have to give it to him, i was pretty mad that nothing was changed last season but he showed great leadershop in going threw the barrage that the media threw at him.

[Raed]

Great leadershop from the man on top.

[Henry14]

Raed, on Dec 29 2008, 07:21 PM, said:

Great leadershop from the man on top.

Was that a terrible attempt to make it rhyme?

[Raed]

Nope, check the post above mine.

[Henry14]

Oh, in that case, very good!

[viva_la_liga]

Nice backtracking from the same dickweed, bandwagoner that criticised Laporta during the team's troubles. You can write and are very knowledgable, but your own perspective is just as dull as it is arrogant.

[CuleAngles]

I think you'll find that I laid the blame at the doors of Rijkaard, Neeskens and the players. When Laporta has made a mistake I have criticised him for it but I have never been anything other than a firm supporter of his, ask anybody on here, Beast used to give me stick for supporting Laporta but now I feel vindicated.

By the way, how can a perspective be dull? That makes no sense.

This post has been edited by CuleAngles: 29 December 2008 - 08:32 PM

[viva_la_liga]

It can be dull when it is constantly stating the obvious and offers no real insight.