THE WOLF'S DEN - Tana dei Lupi II

[RomaShield27]

Ah for fuck sake. There's that sloppyness I was talking about. Don't think you can blame the conditions on that one, sloppy from JS. I think we may need a third.

Evening Jeff.

[RomaShield27]

Fucking fuck sake. Fucking Burdisso ball watching.

[ASR1927]

Well 2-2....

2 points dropped so bloody typical.

[Carlo Romano]

Needless, Ed! That's the only word for this result and we were lucky Chievo didn't steal it with a third! Why in hell when we are asked to rise to the occasion, do we so often choke? Maybe the point has come where serious questions need to be asked regarding those we think are capable who aren't when it matters. A psychological issue, yes, but one that can't just be allowed to repeat and repeat! How long have we been saying this for? Nearly three years?

btw, we discovered "Arnold" for Simplicio and "Jack Sparrow" for Borriello are nicknames used by Zampa! I should have known!

[Italiamia]

[RomaShield27]

Agreed, Gio. Once again we don't have it in us to hold on and grind out a victory after being two up and half-time and being comfortable. Say what you want about Chievo, yes they showed good fighting spirit, the fans got behind them and came out fighting and probably should of won the game at the end were it not for a fantastic goal-line block by Mexes, but thats to be expected from any self-respecting team, we threw two points away today all by ourselves. I don't know why this continues to happen to us, but its simply not something that should happen from any top team looking to see out a game. A blunder from JS, terrible positioning from Burdisso, De Rossi seeing red, and just not the same level of desire and effort in the second-half as we seen in the first. Its just not good enough.

[RomaShield27]

[Lupa]

Another day, another two points dropped. When will things ever change?

It was a pretty dire first half, really, although obviously I preferred the scoreline at the half. Two nice pieces of work by Simplicio for those goals. The second half was even more dire, mostly because Chievo got back into the game and then some. I don't know why we can't seem to keep our heads in the game for a full 90 some days.

[Carlo Romano]

In typical Italian fashion, after a poor result I tend to blame my own team's shortcomings for failing, even more than I curse our opposition. I freely admit I can be hard to please and less charitable than others with my opinions after games like that debacle of a performance in Verona yesterday.

For sure, the pitch was awful, a sand box in parts! But I agree with Chievo coach Stefano Pioli that it was the same for both sides. Our mister and several of our players have said the conditions made our ball to feet game near impossible. Yet we dominated the first half and scored two goals. In addition to which, the poor pitch surface didn't stop Chievo from scoring two in the second half, and but for desperate last minute defending, a double block by Julio Sergio and Philou Mexes, nearly stealing the game from us with a third.

We know we don't have the very best players money can buy but they can be and should be capable of beating a side like Chievo in any conditions. So why did we fail? For me, it's more than just our dismal away form. The Italian press yesterday was full of Ranieri's doubts over selection and his opting for a turnover side, wanting to keep Borriello, Totti, and Ménez for our CL match in Romania on Wednesday. I blame "Mister Pasticcione" for trying to defend that two goal lead for far too much of the second half, madness with our defensive record. We should have gone for a third to kill the game! In the end he was obliged to bring on first Borriello, then Ménez to try to win it for us but the damage was done by that point as Chievo clearly sensed they could turn us over.

Spalletti used to moan our squad had flair but no balls. Ranieri calls the fact our lads choke when the chips are down, a psychological problem. Whatever it is, a new ownership with money won't stand for this nonsense and rightly so because talent alone doesn't win any contest!



Needless to say the pagelle give us a set of low ratings which makes two in succession, and the comments by Adriano Serafini are brief and to the point... with the deserved exception of Mexes and Simplicio!

Julio Sergio - 5: Was rarely busy, made a mistake with an awkward bounce of the ball from a shot by Moscardelli to concede a goal. Could do little to prevent the second goal. In the final minute can thank Mexes for clearing the ball off the goal line after he had made the first block.

Cassetti - 5.5: The pitch condition made supporting the attack more difficult but he made the assist for the second goal by Simplicio.

Mexes - 7: Did well to contain Pellissier. The best of him was in saving his team from the indignity of defeat in the final minute with a goal line clearance.

Burdisso - 5.5: Good at forming the defensive line and working the offside trap but lost Pablo Granoche who scored the second Chievo goal.

Castellini - 5.5: Played well enough in the first half, made Moscardelli suffer in the second.

De Rossi - 5: Good in the opening phase but was less effective afterward. Lost his head with a senseless tackle on Moscardelli.

Brighi - 6.5: The poor surface enhanced his characteristics. Was capably incisive on every ball.

Greco - 5.5: Tried not to spare himself, but was uncertain "fighting in the mud!"

Taddei - 5.5: Lost the ball far too often.

Simplicio - 7.5: Scored his first doppietta playing as trequartista for Roma.

Ménez - s.v.

Vučinić - 5.5: Played some interesting balls but couldn't find a winning one. Let his nerves get to him in a continuous verbal duel with Rizzoli.

Adriano - 6: Moved with difficulty trying to get the ball.

Borriello - s.v.

[maro]

Some rather different pagelle to throw into the mix for comparison:
http://www.forzaroma.info/le-pagelle/77 ... guaio.html

[Jamoldo]

Beside what's been said here, and having only watched the 2nd half - Mexes was simply a beast. Not just on the goalline clearance but really handling Pelissier and making a number of Juan-esque smooth well positioned plays.

[RomaShield27]

Mexes has been a beast all season, and for me its really mind-boggling how Ranieri continues to see him as third choice when all three centre-halves are available. Reports this week indicated that he was going to be on the bench again yesterday until Juan was ruled out. I don't understand Ranieri's thinking at all on that one. I know he loves Burdisso and his die-for-the-maglia approach but too often this season he has made stupid mistakes and our defence does not look as solid with him alongside Juan. Mexes and Juan is a much better partnership and gives us a lot more stability. Also, whats the story with renewing Mexes contract? I haven't heard much about that lately. He will be available for any club to sign on a free at the end of this month, like. We need to get that shit sorted (Cassetti and Perrotta's contracts are also expiring but I wouldn't renew them).

Carlo, I agree that our approach in the second-half was all wrong and instead of sitting back looking to defend our two goal lead we should of continued as we were in the first and looked to add a third. You could almost sense that we were going to fuck it up and let them back into it and we duly obliged.

[Italiamia]

Edzo, the situation with Mexes is for me, the single most disturbing thing since Ranieri became coach. I frankly cannot accept the fact that he rates Burdisso over Mexes. I have yet to hear an explanation from anyone at Roma that makes sense. Mexes would have been gone but for the fact that the Burdisso deal with Inter was left so late. I fully expect him to leave this summer. I would not be surprised if he goes in January given the fact that he will be out of contract at the end of June.

[Carlo Romano]

Good question on the contracts, Ed. I can't seem to find the post I made on that some weeks ago but in brief it comes down to no contracts of any kind regarding players and coaching staff are being discussed while we are pending a takeover in ownership.

Gio I'm glad you're online just now. Could you tell us the legalities? I'm almost certain any deals entered into by our present Newco management would become non-legally binding once a new owner took charge, meaning he/they would not have to honour those deals.

[Italiamia]

Carlo, the simple answer is that any contract entered into under the present regime will be binding on the future owner. Unless there is specific language to the contrary, all contractual obligations must be honored.

[vtec]

[Carlo Romano]

For the sake of continuity, the resultati e classifica...





Gio, well now we know...thanks for that. All I can add to your comment on Mexes is that as we currently are, that's to say, on a shoestring budget, we can't afford to lose any of the three of Burdisso, Mexes and Juan. Aside from being cover for each other, each has a unique aspect to his game the others don't, and they can compliment each other.

However, who is to say a new owner wouldn't buy better in the summer and sell possibly any two of those three off? Or Montali may yet have his way and convince someone to renew Mexes' contract.

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Ecco la lista dei convocati diramata da mister Claudio Ranieri in vista dell'importante match di Champions League con il Cluj.

1 BOGDAN LOBONT
2 CICERO JOAO DE CESARE (CICINHO)
3 PAOLO CASTELLINI
4 JUAN SILVEIRA DOS SANTOS
5 PHILIPPE MEXES
7 DAVID MARCELO CORTES PIZARRO
8 RIBEIRO LEITE ADRIANO
9 MIRKO VUCINIC
10 FRANCESCO TOTTI
11 RODRIGO FERRANTE TADDEI
16 DANIELE DE ROSSI
22 MARCO BORRIELLO
23 LEANDRO GRECO
25 GULLIERMO ENIO BURDISSO
27 JULIO SERGIO BERTAGNOLI
29 NICOLAS ANDRES BURDISSO
30 SIMPLICIO FABIO HENRIQUE
32 DONIEBER ALEXANDER MARANGON (DONI)
33 MATTEO BRIGHI
77 MARCO CASSETTI
87 ALEANDRO ROSI
89 OKAKA CHUKA STEFANO
94 JEREMY MENEZ



Text

LaRoma24.it is saying Totti has a temperature (flu) as does Cicinho and a decision will be made late today as to whether our Capitan' can play against Cluj. Pizarro, Cicinho and Taddei are called but are not thought to be played. Ménez and Borriello will start.

[Deini]

Maybe all three should play ina 3-mans defense with Juan the central one.

Hmm why is the son of Dino Viola saying that Angelucci is the only one with a concrete offer and saying it won't be like Ciarrapico all over again...

[Carlo Romano]

Johnny, firstly, the way Riise had been playing before his injury, perhaps a three man backline isn't such a bad idea. We could field a 3-4-3 or even a 3-4-1-2 format. Ranieri isn't the man to implement such an attacking module though and I'm not certain our squad is so adaptable. I think we'd need one more defensively minded midfielder to make it work but it's an interesting theory...what had you in mind?





As for a repeat of Viola or Ciarrapico, heaven forbid. There was a lot to be critical of in the Dino Viola régime and its aftermath. I liken that to the Roman Empire, a rise and fall for not dissimilar reasons. Undeniable success and a decline into something I'd hate to see again. How typical of Italy that a man like Ciarrapico could find his way into politics with his committed indiscretions. Then again, with Berlusconi having been re-elected as he was on the premise, "better the devil we know..." anything is possible.

[ASR1927]

Whether it's the press stirring shit or true I don't know but...

Low morale in Roma camp

Claudio Ranieri is having difficulty lifting his players after Roma's 2-2 draw with Chievo on Saturday.

A number of the team's key protagonists are reportedly disillusioned with Roma's results and Ranieri's decision-making in recent weeks.

There was a great deal of surprise when Ranieri revolutionised the starting XI in Verona, which saw Francesco Totti, Marco Borriello and Jeremy Menez all benched.

Il Corriere dello Sport understands Totti is particularly aggrieved that he didn't even merit a substitute's appearance at the Bentegodi, while David Pizarro, the midfield playmaker, has also taken act with Ranieri's selection choices.

He was a first team regular until a month and a half ago, but appears to have lost Ranieri's faith after his return from injury coincided with a heavy 3-1 defeat to Palermo.

Despite starting against Chievo, it bears remembering that Adriano voiced his concern at a lack of playing time in a magazine interview last week.

His compatriot Julio Baptista is also on the margins of the team together with Alexandre Doni, suggesting that discontent isn't lacking at Trigoria.