THE WOLF'S DEN - Tana dei Lupi I

[Dejan-Stankovic]

[RomaShield27]

[edge_xeno]

[Totti_10]

[Totti_10]

[RomaShield27]

[giallo-rossi.ie]

Ah good stuff Shield, I play a bit of Astro myself. I used to play for the local football (said in Dub accent) team too, but alas the drink surpassed it in priority. We sound like such fucking alcos!! You can't beat the astro though for craic, even if the craic is sometimes spelt crack i.e. injuries. Played last night myself, rocking the new away shirt. Also saw someone there wearing our home jersey from 3 years back. Maybe we aren't in such a few number as we thought!

What's this shit about Pizarro leaving? Isn't he Spalletti's adopted son? No chance. Klaas Jan Huntalaar would be a great signing, but I still want Fabio Quagliarella ahead of most players. I think the guy oozes class and that he'd fit perfectly in here. Toni doesn't seem like he wants to leave Bayern, and if any of their strikers are likely to leave, it'll probably be Lucas Podolski. There's talk of Ruud leaving Madrid. If you want a poacher, they don't come much better. I'm also warming to the idea of Crespo, but that salary cap would need bumping up (or a massive signing on fee included). There's a few La Liga strikers we're liked with too, namely Luis Fabiano and that Mallorca guy, but I can't get too excited about either. I want a proven goalscorer of pedigree this year, European pedigree and in his prime. Or Fabio Quagliarella, just because I have a good feeling about him.

[Totti_10]

Maro, I was wondering if you saw Chris' video post about the under-rated Marco Cassetti? I guess Cassetti will be your test subject. I really enjoy reading Chris' blog and he is such a convincing writer he can persuade his readers of anything. The guy should write speeches for politicians.

[Totti_10]

Quagliarella would be a great signing. Imagine if we had a player with his finishing skills with the amount of chances we create in the box. It gets frustrating to watch the team make a final pass attempt when there is a clear shot on goal.

[Italiamia]

I have to certainly agree with most of the points made regarding the club's postion regarding it's non-Roman players. The only difference is that those players, Totti, De Rossi and Aquilani, are very important to the club. Totti is not relevant to the salary cap discussion in the first place. He is arguably the most talented player in the history of the club and he deserved more money in my opinion. He actually took less than he could have received on the open market and signed over a percentage of his image rights to the club. De Rossi is the future captain and he is one of our best players and he is one of the best in the world at his position. Aquilani is going to be a major player on this team. At this point I am not sure he deserves huge money, but he needs a new contract. Now, do any of us want to see either De Rossi or Aquilani leave the club?

As far as Cassano goes, the club made him an offer of 24 million over 5 years which he rejected. Again, a different case. At the time, arguably the most talented Italian player in the world. Once he rejected that offer, it all went down hill from there. But the point is that for most of our other players the offer is set in stone. With Mancini, even though he has not been performing to his potential, his attitude is the problem. I am not sure he deserves 2.5 million net per year with an escalating salary structure over the life of the contract. On the other hand, because his form has been off more often than not this season, his value on the open market has certainly dropped. Like Chivu last season, there is no doubt in my mind that he is gone. But lets not kid ourselves into believing anybody is going to pay us 20 million for Mancini. I'm not sure we can get 10 for him right now.

Mexes is one of my favorite players on this team. This guy is loyal to the core. He was not going to make problems for the club while he was negotiating his new contract. First of all, he was mindful of what happened as a result of his transfer. He knew the club supported him, paid his legal fees, and suffered as right along with him during that period. He believed he owed it to the club to sign for a reasonable wage. Also, he knew Chivu was leaving and that was an indication to him that he had been confirmed the leader of that defense. Add to that his love of the city and the fans, and you have a player who is very content, loves the club, makes quite a lot of money and has a lifestyle that most of us can only dream about. Mexes is mature and he understands the problems facing the club and he did his part in making it easy for the club to extend his contract.

Believe me, I am not defending our ownership. Far from it, but even though there is a difference between the Roman players and everyone else, those Roman players are very important to the future success of the club. I have no problem with preference towards Roman players. You all know my position in that regard. But what we all know is that the Sensi's have to go. We cannot continue to suffer under the strain of their personal financial woes. Even though Rosella will never admit it, those problems with Italpetroli are hurting this club. We have good players but we need great players to win.

Anyway, from what I know to this point, Soros wants this club and he wants it badly. I think it very interesting that Italpetroli, not the club, issued a press release today stating that an 'informal' offer had been made by Soros. Then, the press reported that the Toti brothers may also be interested in getting in on the fun. Although, Pier Luigi Toti denied the press rumours. I don't know where this is going, but Soros, Roma and Italpetroli are in an advanced stage of these negotiations and if any Italian interest is out there, then they had better get on their horse and jump in quickly because it may be a done deal by next week.

[cg916]

[RomaShield27]

[cg916]

[RomaShield27]

No Cassetti, No Party.

[stefano]

[Italiamia]

[romawi]

[stefano]

[Frenchesco]

[Totti_10]