THE WOLF'S DEN - Tana dei Lupi II

[DCGweez]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ric0xTz5 ... ata_player

[AS Collie]

[RomaShield27]

My main issue yesterday wasn't particularly the work rate or effort put in, you always expect players to perform to a certain standard in that department and its fairly obvious early on if certain players aren't putting it in, but nearly all players do. It was more the general attitude taken toward the game, as if we were guaranteed the three points and it was only a matter of time etc., and we were sloppy and careless in possession and not accurate with our passes, while not marking or pressing them in midfield or attack.

What we needed was a proper, professional no nonsense approach to the game. Put in the effort – of course, that comes first – then do your job properly, be it defending, closing down, making the right choices, the right passes, work the opposition and create and finish the chances. We didn't do that to a proper level, and a lot of it has to be laid at the feet of AA for not preparing the team tactically and, probably more importantly, mentally. It may not AA's fault, either, as we all know this team has had its serious problems with mental issues the last few years. There is just not a winners mentality installed in the team, and that is what we needed most yesterday to push us over the line. We didn't need to smash them and play beautiful attacking football, we just needed a one or two nil win and get the result, move on and job done.

[AS Collie]

I don't wanna get into semantics, but for me, I can't say a player or team is making an effort or playing to their ability if they are "sloppy and careless in possession and not accurate with passes, while not marking or pressing in midfield or attack."

It's not enough to show up. We all know that. But it's not enough to just run around and look busy, either. They were absolutely appalling against Pescara. This is a side that could beat Juventus. Stumbling against the league's worst team. There are no excuses. And I wouldn't blame AA. I said it when ZZ was sacked and I'll say it again: it's not always the coach's fault. That dressing room is infested with clowns. I'm not sure who are the worst offenders, but the overall attitude stinks. I don't even think we need an incredibly gifted coach next season, we just need someone to slap some heads and get them behaving like a proper team of professionals.

[DCGweez]

Now rumors swirl of a move for Pioli as coach. Can't say i'd mind it. Ready for a seasoned Serie A coach.

Plus then Maro would get a proper 4-2-3-1.

Also we are linked with Dejan Lovren a 23 year old Croatian defender currently at Lyon.


Silly season stuff already? I know, but what else should we talk about till the run up to the Coppa Finale?

[AS Collie]

Pioli would be ok. More and more though I think the club needs to splash out on a big personality to keep all of the fuckwit players in check. Not sure if he has the star power to make Osvaldo sit up and put down his copy of Vogue.

I'm just looking forward to capitulating by September and being fobbed off by a load of lies about a new stadium. And then getting beaten by ZZ's Inter.

[RomaShield27]

I definitely take Pioli, no question. Has Bologna playing some lovely football, good tactical manager.

I'm not so sure, Colly, I do want a manager with a big personality who can control all the players, for sure, but I'd rather take a chance on a young and talented manager like Pioli (or Montella, ahem) and give him proper time rather than go for a big, marque name like Ancelotti or Pellegrini. We do need more discipline, though, but not just from the manager, but the club too. Things like players missing training or being late back from holidays or not being present when a game is on, fucking fine them to fuck (i'm looking at Osvaldo for all that. There are other examples of small things this season which have annoyed me which i can't think of right now).

Bayern to sign Mario Gotze at the end of the season, deal announced today (suspect timing for sure). One good thing from that – at least now they'll be unlikely to want Pjanic as well (although with Guardiola you never know).

[AS Collie]

I didn't mean to say that someone like Ancelotti would be my preference, merely that given the club seems happy to blame everything on coaches and persist with the same troublemakers elsewhere in the set-up, they should hire one who's equipped with the ego and/or medals to impress the idiots.

If they don't want to do that, they should hire Montella and let him fire anyone who looks at him sideways, speaks when isn't spoken to or is even 1 second late for an appointment.

Pioli, even Pellegrini, might struggle with some of them. I remember Piris, for one, being quite indignant at the start of this season over the fact he was told off for ... shock horror ... spending his partying in the clubs in Ostia.

[RomaShield27]

Yep, club needs to be stricter for sure. That goes for every player across the board, the entire squad and set-up needs to be more professional. And I'd suggest no more Winter 'breaks' to the likes of Florida. I'd be up for hiring Montella and giving him complete control, and anyone who disagrees can catch a l'aeroplanino.

today, he sounds positive about the future:

"I'm very happy at Roma, since I came here Ive saw nothing but good things." "...It's true that until now we've not had the results we expected, but there is a great future and the club will build something great". "The fans in Rome are different from other teams, the tifosi are very passionate, it is a good challenge for me to stay here and win."

Also, David posted about what his best position is the other day: "This year I played a bit of everything. I feel good when we play with two midfielders in front of the defense, Id have to get used to the system of play, but if I have to choose a role I'd choose this one."

[RomaShield27]

"We lacked the unity of a purpose on and off the pitch. That compactness which is the daughter of discipline, the rules to follow, the spirit of sacrifice, the desire to always apply yourself and the belief in what you are doing. I was working for the future.”

ZZ, when asked once again about Roma. Clear swipe at the management. Whatever your views of his managerial ability, hard to deny there is some truth in his words.

[AS Collie]

I wish they weren't spoken by such a divisive individual, because they make sense. They'll end up being lost in debate about loving or hating ZZ. But there's no doubt that this Roma lacks a unity of purpose. I'm not sure it was there under LS. Capello was the last boss who definitely had all of what ZZ mentions there.

They're a shower of fucks, really. Can't even beat Pescara and then they send you the begging letter to renew your season ticket.

"Enjoyed drawing with Pescara? Losing to Palermo? Well sign up for your ticket and make sure you're there for all of 2014's great disappointments."

[maro]

I'd have more respect for Zeman's comments there had he ever shown any sign of taking responsibility for some of his own mistakes; it's trademark ZZ that he implicitly lays all of the culpability at others' doors.

[Italiamia]

I see Edzo is still trying to rehabilitate Zeman. What ever Zeman has to say is totally irrelevant in my opinion. It is easy to talk but hard to produce. Zeman has nobody to blame but himself, but of course, as is his wont, he chooses to blame others. As though his managerial style' and vindictively abrasive personality had no effect on what he calls a 'unity of purpose'.

After the departure of Dr. Frankenputz, the purpose was simply to stop embarrassing themselves and look somewhat respectable. Roma has always suffered from mental fragility. I saw this under both Capello and Spalletti. Roma had the opportunity to win probably 5 scudetti during the tenure of those two coaches. It is all there on video for everyone to see. Whether it is losing to Siena or Empoli, drawing twice to a pathetic Livorno team, or drawing 13 times the year after the scudetto, it all comes down to mental toughness and a desire to punish the opponent when you are in a position to win something. Time and again, we saw those teams fail the test of mental toughness.

What happened at Palermo and last Sunday is nothing new. We have seen it all before.

[DCGweez]

My god, I find myself shaking my head in agreement to all of Gio's post as of late.

What has happened? I must be getting old..

Keep preaching brother!

[Italiamia]

[AS Collie]

I was just agreeing too, DC. Bunch of mental midgets.

And say what you like about ZZ, but he's good for forum traffic. We're all on now

[DCGweez]

I remember ZZ being this way before it just didn't seem so vexing.

Perhaps it's just that self deception seems less forgivable in older people.

Nosce te ipsum Zeman.

[RomaShield27]

[Italiamia]

Try and make a cogent response that is germane to the issue, Edzo.

[RomaShield27]

Germane to the issue? Ok. Guten morgen? Nein nein? Auf wiedersehen pet? Gott ist tot? Heil Hitler?