David in the USA, understand your comments on the Ferreira bashing but I respectively disagree.
First, let me say that I'm the biggest Ferreira basher there is based on the performance of the player. Ferreira seems like a great guy and teammate, I always wish him the best and root for him.

Second, his defensive performance against Bosnia on Saturday was pretty decent. I acknowledge that and I think he can come up with a pretty good performance on Wednesday.

Third, the reason Ferreira gets bashed is for the following:

- Euro 2004 first game against Greece -- a give away pass that netted Greece a goal. After that Miguel played right back in the Euro 2004.
- Euro 2008 agains Germany, Ferreira got destroyed on two goals (1st - failed to back track and mark the runner, 3rd got destroyed by Ballack.
- He has been out of favor at Chelsea the last few years.
- He is weak in the air, unathletic, and plays nervous.

Past performances for country and current form is my criteria for a player. I would say that using that criteria it makes Ferreira a liability.
I think in his prime Miguel from a defending and attacking perspective was better than Boswinga and was our best option until Miguel started to smoke and get a bit fat. I would still go with Miguel over Ferreria given Miguel's current form for club.

Let's hope I'm wrong about Ferreira and he plays well on Wednesday!

Did you guys watch the game? Ferreira did a brilliant job. Of course he's not Bosignwa when going forward on offense, but he did his job defending. I don't know why this guy gets so much strife.

Thanks for a great podcast guys! This is definitely the best english language site and it's getting better by the day.

I still think you guys are too easy on Queiroz. I agree that he doesn't have the players at his disposal that Portugal had in the early part of the decade, but some of his decisions are just bizarre. There is no excuse for Ferreira being in that game, and as much as I like Coentrao, that substitution made no sense.

If we advance, it will be due to the 3 CBs in the middle of the pitch as this team has been pathetic on offense. It's not enough to control possession in the opponents half, you have to create scoring opportunities and this team just doesn't seem to have the skill.

Nevertheless, I'm hoping for the best tomorrow and I think we'll get the result, but it won't be easy.
Forca Portugal!

The Podcast was good and great timing. I think you hit the major points. This is the only soccer forum I post on because it is professional and most contributors have the right attitude. I refuse to post where there are petty rants and arguements, incessant cussing, and insensitivity. The test is that even our soccer rivals can post on this site and the audience is respectful.

As far as Carlos Q, I think we will wait until after Wednesday to cast judgement. I think he has made some poor decisions but I think it is understandable given that we have few first rate type players, lack of depth at certain positions, and players past their prime playing because the young players have not developed. I strongly believe the biggest problem facing Portugal is the lack of young developing talent (e.g look at recent U-17 to U-21 performances and look at Veloso, Moutinho, Atunes, Quaresma, Nani to a certain degree ... the list is long).

Lets hope we can qualify on Wednesday and buy some time to fix the problems for WC 2010. I don't think we can score more than 1 goal and I think it will be enough as long as Duda and Ferreria play decent. The trio of Pepe, Alves, and Carvalho will be the rear guard to sustain our hopes. If I'm Bosnia I would attack the flanks and try to expose the openings.

Go Portugal!

id still like quaresma, quim ,and nuno gomes to be on the team....

Good stuff as usual, gentlemen...

And definitely agree with Rui there. This is indeed the best English site for PT peoplezz.