There has been plenty of talk in recent weeks about Barça's form in recent weeks and the question has been asked about who is not pulling their weight in the team. Even one of the club icons Johan Cruyff says that there are players that are not playing at the necessary level and the club certainly has struggled in certain matches like last weekend against Almeria but is this any worse than last season?

It is easy to look back to last year with rose tinted glasses but the reality was that at times the team was not at its best. Obviously they won every competition available but to win any cup competition you need a certain amount of luck and it all came together last season. It doesn't matter how brilliant you are you always need that stroke of fortune such as the ball falling to Iniesta in injury time at Stamford Bridge in last season's Champions League semi-final.

It should not be forgotten that when Barça produced that famous victory at the Bernabeu against Real Madrid last season the title race was very tight, it wasn't as though Barça were running away with the championship and it is the same now. Is there any truth though that some players are under-performing. It's true that there have been a lot of injuries and suspensions recently but also players like Yaya Toure and Carlos Puyol aren't playing at their best.

The debate about Ibrahimovic is interesting. I would say that he has never perfectly fitted into the Barça system of quick passing and attacking at pace. He is a technically strong player, strong and good in the air but that is not the Barça style. Often he slows down the attack and now too often the midfield plays the ball long looking to use his height which also hasn't been that effective.

It is wrong to blame Ibrahimovic though but it is true that Eto'o was a player who fitted more into the Barça system with his pace and ability to combine with Messi, Iniesta et al.