....................................................................................Gudjohnsen: Ronaldinho's Critics Must Eat Their Words
Barcelona forward Eidur Gudjohnsen told Sport.es that Ronaldinho's critics are due a slice of humble pie after his fine performance against Valladolid. However, that 1-1 draw at the Pucela did the blaugrana no favours...
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Eidur Gudjohnsen drew relatively few positives from his side's 1-1 draw at Valladolid midweek, but did opt to praise Ronaldinho, who scored the blaugrana's goal at the Nuevo Zorilla.
The Barcelona forward told Sport.es, "It's hard to say what the problem was [against Valladolid], but something's going on," he began.
"What we can do is work more as a team. The coach was also right when he told us to push harder.
"We can't avoid pressure; when we scored a goal, we eased up too soon, and didn't work hard enough.
"Our away form? It's complicated. It's normal that, as with all teams, we play better at home, but it's true that the gulf between Barça's Camp Nou form and away form is huge."
However, he was quick to insist that goalscoring hero Ronaldinho was worthy of praise for his own showing against the Pucela.
"Within a very short time, all those who have criticised him of spoken ill of him should eat their words," he insisted.
"At Valladolid we saw the best 'Dinho in recent matches: he was back to being the best."
Gudjohnsen's own first team chances have been limited this season as competition for a striker's berth hots up in Catalunya. Indeed, he's been used as a central midfielder on occasion to compe nsate for an injury crisis.
But does he feel he really has the coach's support?
"Well, yes, I don't know. It's hard to focus when you're not playing," he admitted.
"When you're not, you're always looking for good excuses, but I'm going to work to the maximum level in an attempt to change things.
"Did I have offers to go in summer? Yes, but I told my father [and agent] that I didn't want to listen to anyone.
"I was injured and quite concerned about that. It was summer and I wanted to fight for my place in the team. My situation was complicated because I didn't know what happened to my knee. There were many doubts.
"Will I leave in December? I don't know. I don't think so. Right now I want to enjoy the minutes that I have. If it happens, then we'll talk."
Gudjohnsen signed up at the Nou Camp in 2006 from Chelsea.
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Italian Press: Barcelona To Launch Amauri Bid
Reports coming out of Italy suggest that Barcelona are interested in Palermo striker Amauri.
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The Brazilian has returned from a lengthy injury lay-off that saw him miss the second half of last season, and is working his way back towards peak form.
The list of his admirers is long, and includes clubs such as Liverpool, Manchester City and Milan, but latest reports suggest that Barcelona are the ones taking a serious interest in signing him, as early as in January.
Despite having plenty of names, Frank Rijkaard is still lacking bite up front, and it was apparent once again against Real Valladolid.
Samuel Eto'o is still a month away from a return, and will again have to leave for the African Nations Cup, while Thierry Henry has yet to settle in.
Eidur Gudjohnsen has been used in a midfield role of late, prompting suggestions that the Catalans will make a swoop in January.
There is nothing concrete coming out of the club at the moment, but Barcelona have been interested in him in the past.
Frank Barrone
This post has been edited by ucha_SH on 3 Nov 2007, 18:27
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