[silverwhite]

I hope Forget's not referring to Gasquet.

[*julie*]

Originally Posted by silverwhite

I hope Forget's not referring to Gasquet.

[zimzim]

Originally Posted by silverwhite

I hope Forget's not referring to Gasquet.

hope not too

[Puschkin]

Originally Posted by *julie*

When he is asked about the level of the french players at the training, he says some are better than others.
I wonder who he is talkin about?
I find him not really convincing with his voice when he talks about the level of the players. I hope it's just my imagination...

Forget is a "fox", I would not take everything he says at face value, it can be part of the strategy to downplay the chances, it worked well against Germany

[Truc]

Originally Posted by Puschkin

Forget is a "fox", I would not take everything he says at face value, it can be part of the strategy to downplay the chances, it worked well against Germany

He says he is optimistic and doesn't play any "mind games" (since it's the new trend word on MTF these days) in that interview.
He didn't downplay the chances of the French team before the first tie either, people were talking a lot about that tie and maybe the Germans were overconfident, but Forget himself didn't really stir that up imo. When you compare with some other teams...

[Puschkin]

Originally Posted by Truc

He says he is optimistic and doesn't play any "mind games" (since it's the new trend word on MTF these days) in that interview.
He didn't downplay the chances of the French team before the first tie either, people were talking a lot about that tie and maybe the Germans were overconfident, but Forget himself didn't really stir that up imo. When you compare with some other teams...

I can't find a reference now, but I am rather sure to remember that Forget declared the Germans as favourites, with out dismissing his own team of course. And a little bit of "mind games" is allowed in my view . As for the outcome of the tie against Russia, I think it is totally up in the air, 50:50.

[Truc]

Yes, you're right, he said the Germans were the favourites because they were playing at home and had had great results at the AO. But he was just stating the obvious. I don't think the whole stuff with Santoro was a tactical move either to make the opponents feel overconfident.
(But well, being an Argie fan may be a little bit distorting, everything seems so harmonious and transparent in the other teams in comparison!)

As for this tie, I wanted to agree with you, but since Seb isn't playing, I don't fancy the chances of the French team anymore!

[Puschkin]

Originally Posted by Truc

As for this tie, I wanted to agree with you, but since Seb isn't playing, I don't fancy the chances of the French team anymore!

Grosjean not playing is definite??? If so, no good news, but what an opportunity for Gasquet to become a hero .

[silverwhite]

Originally Posted by Puschkin

Grosjean not playing is definite??? If so, no good news, but what an opportunity for Gasquet to become a hero .

I'm tired of saying, "I told you so."

[*julie*]

Clément instead of Seb
It's getting worse...

[silverwhite]

WHAT?

[*julie*]

From l'équipe.fr:
Grosjean forfait

Comme on le craignait depuis hier, Sébastien Grosjean a déclaré forfait pour le premier simple de la rencontre de Coupe Davis contre la Russie vendredi à Pau. Le Français souffre de douleurs dorsales et sera remplacé par Arnaud Clément pour affronter Nikolay Davydenko.



Guy Forget espère toutefois encore pouvoir aligner Grosjean dimanche pour le deuxième simple: «Sébastien n'est pas à 100%. On a envisagé un moment de le sortir complètement de l'équipe, mais comme il est en progrès constant depuis mercredi, je compte sur lui pour dimanche si c'est possible.» Le Marseillais veut lui aussi se montrer optimiste: «Je ne suis pas en état de jouer vendredi, a souligné Grosjean. Je suis encore un peu juste mais l'évolution de ma blessure est assez intéressante et j'espère être en mesure de jouer dimanche. Ce matin, ça allait mieux, j'ai pu servir correctement, je vais continuer les soins. C'est pourquoi on a décidé que je restais dans l'équipe.»
Les capitaines ont en effet jusqu'à une heure avant le début du match pour annoncer qui joue. La paire de double tricolore sera composée comme prévu de Clément et Michaël Llodra.

Seb is still in the DC team and could play on Sunday if he feels better.

[silverwhite]

The doubles is a must-win now if Seb still wants to play on Sunday...

[*julie*]

Originally Posted by silverwhite

The doubles is a must-win now if Seb still wants to play on Sunday...

And I would add one of the Richard singles mathces is a must-win if Seb still wants to play on Sunday...

[silverwhite]

Originally Posted by *julie*

And I would add one of the Richard singles mathces is a must-win if Seb still wants to play on Sunday...

Unless Seb plays first on Sunday...

But that would mean that Richard would have to play the deciding rubber even if Seb wins.