THE WOLF'S DEN - Tana dei Lupi II

[arthurfonzarelli]

[RomaShield27]

Mexes is a huge loss on a technical basis, Fonz, because despite the few ould mental lapses and losing of his rag he remains our best leader in the heart of defense, the one who takes the most command and control. Neither Juan or Burdisso are leaders in that sense, so not only will need a replacement for Mexes we will also need someone who can organise the back-line and become a leader for us back there. (all this, of course, assuming Philippe does leave: he hasn't said for certain what he intends to do).

On Ancelotti, I don't think he can do anything but deny any rumours of him being linked to us and continue to insist he is happy at Chelski and wants to remain there for as long as possible. To do anything otherwise would be to admit his time there is coming to an end and he would lose control of his dressing room and the respect of his players and ultimately be very unprofessional for a man of his experience. He knows what he's doing. Word has it that Abramovich is planning one last huge investment into Chelski with a host of new players coming in with the aim of winning the CL, and I don't think he sees Ancelotti as the man to lead that charge and so will seek someone else. Ancelotti will be out at the end of the season I'm sure, then he'll likely be coming here.

As for Vucinic, I don't "worship of the man as a football God", Giovanni, lol. Come on. The only player of my lifetime to even come close to me calling that is Totti. Clearly.

That Republica article on him wanting to leave last December and all the other articles of him being unhappy at Roma are pure speculation and have no clear merit to warrant such a theory. Simply because he has a had a dip in form over the second part of the season does not in any way qualify that he wants to leave. If that were true, then we could have easily had stories of De Rossi wanting to leave or Totti earlier in the season. He is married to a Roman girl, has a young daughter, has his sister and her family living and based with him in Rome, and is settled here. He is clearly not enjoying his football at the moment, that much is clear, and he is clearly struggling with some confidence and belief and not finding his top form, but that could be for a host of reasons. He hasn't been appalling by any means, he was decent in the first-half of the season (he remains our third highest scorer with less games than Totti and Borri), a time which he was also struggling with his dodgy ginocchio – something which he has not fully recovered from – and his general play has not really been terrible. The awful misses in front of goal are inexcusable for any striker, but they are understandable for a player who is not on top of his game on desperately unsure of himself. The anguish on his face after that miss last night was clear for all to see. Its a below-par season for him for sure, but I maintain that he is a big part of our future and wants to stay here for the foreseeable future and see no clear reason whatsoever to think otherwise.

[arthurfonzarelli]

Actually I think Burdisso has been a great leader in defense. One who takes charge. Since Burdisso's been with us, I can't really say there's been much difference in what they bring to the table (ie offense, defense, leadership, offside, ball in the air, passing...) The loss would be huge if we didn't have two solid cbs which we do. To me the loss is mostly sentimental. And I'm pretty sure he's leaving. I was in denial but I read an article where he went to see the players at Trigoria to say goodbye. Juan, in any other year is also a rock. He' jsut having his worst year ever with us. Mexes's departure will not be felt if we get a solid cb like the ones that have been mentioned. It's a but of an Aquilani situation. It's not huge but I would rather have him back.

I think you might be right about Ancelotti. It's just that I wish there were at least rumours of a "verbal agreement" to come if he gets let go. That hasn't been the case.

I'm pretty sure Vooch wanted to leave in December and his behaviour kind of betrayed that. On the other hand, he's had a better attitude in 2011, he's just not been lucky. The effort is there though so he will get out of it. The thing is that the new owner likes him so he's likely to stay if convinced.

[RomaShield27]

No, I disagree about Burdisso being a leader in the true sense of the word. He is all heart, shows great passion and always encourages his teammates and urges them on, all commendable qualities, but to me there is a difference in that and being a real organiser and inspiration which is a key component in all great defences. Burdisso is too error prone and too clumsy and is not cool and calm under pressure like a leader needs to be to maintain discipline and orgnasiation, which is what all good defensive units are based on. Mexes isn't particularly great in those aspects, either, like you said, but his presence makes up for that more so than Burdisso. I thought Juan could of been our real leader in the defence but he hasn't really shown those qualities as I expected him too, and he has been downhill for a while now, and thats why Mexes is so important. Plus he is arguably now only coming into his prime. Replacing him (again, if he leaves) is probably the hardest task of all for our new management.

[Lupa]

Well, we haven't won a home game since Mexes went out (including the one he went out in, sadly). I think Mexes is better than Burdisso this year for sure, and he's definitely our best defender in the air. Yes, he has ridiculous moments, but Burdisso has them this year as well (and in fact has reverted often to his 'Inter form'). Juan has been a shadow of himself this year, and I hope he can regain his form. For sure, the management have their work cut off for them in shoring up the defense with the huge space Mexes will leave, and the huge spaces Juan leaves this year when he's on the pitch!

I see there's a headline about Inter, Blackburn and Tottenham in the 'race' for Vooch. I didn't read the article, just saw the headline on my newsreader. The last two teams make Gio's point about the level of team that would be after him. Inter's always just after any Roma player that's leaving. (oddly enough, no word on Mexes, but I think they have enough ex-Roma defenders)

[RomaShield27]

The last two teams have ridiculous amounts of money to spend and so its not about the 'level' of a team that would be after him, but who can afford him. Spurs are well know to be looking for a top-class striker, Harry admitted as much, and had confirmed offers of £30m+ for Giuseppe Rossi and Sergio Agero turned down in December, while Blackburn have flash new foreign owners with more money than sense (they try to lure Ronaldino when he was leaving Milan). If Vucinic were up for sale, there would be a host of top teams from around Europe willing to offer €30+ for him, that is a fact.

Those day return flights to Rome were well worth it:

[Italiamia]

Edzo, yes, I think you worship Vucinic. The fact that you claimed that Menez provided a bad pass on that awful shot Saturday sealed it for me. If you mention his "dodgy knee" again, I'm going to blow a gasket. He's perfectly fit, and has been for a long time now. Just accept the fact that he has had a very poor season. There is absolutely no excuse for not scoring there against Palermo. He had the game on his foot and he totally botched it. Mexes has a Roman girl and two kids born in Rome. He's not married, but he has made the decision to move on. I do not have any idea what this new ownshership group will do with the squad as currently comprised, but I would not be surprised if Vucinic is sold. Although, I doubt that Roma can get 20 million for him now.

Arthur, Mexes is a huge loss for us from a technical standpoint and an leadership standpoint. He is the best player we have in defense, and on a team with very few leaders, he certainly was one. He was also one of the few players that could standup to Totti.

[p_maldini_3]

edzo, 30m for vucinic is a ridiculous price. you guys definitely overpaid for him, but don't expect much of a return on that investment.

[ASR1927]

From goal.com but it's a good read.

Thomas DiBenedetto's business mind makes him the ideal candidate to lead Roma to success

Thomas DiBenedetto created a first last weekend. He wasn’t the first wealthy foreigner to buy a football club. He wasn’t the first American, nor even the first member of FSG (Fenway Sports Group) to do so. But he is the first who has come through on his pledge to buy an Italian club. In taking over at Roma he has broken a taboo of the modern game.
Calcio is often dealt with at arm’s length by many businessmen. From TV executives to potential investors, many see the game in the peninsula as being stuck in the last century. From its old, bland, soulless, half-empty stadiums with their stands a mile away from the pitch and fans who still raise more than an eyebrow at anyone with an accent, to inherent question marks over crowd trouble and corruption, the Italian game is seen as the crazy uncle of 21st century football that many can’t wait to send to the retirement home.

But DiBenedetto, dubbed ‘Uncle Tom’ by Roma fans, has gone through his own period of due diligence in his courtship with the capital club. In a country so suspicious of outsiders in its football the Giallorossi faithful are as partisan as they come, and the regard in which locally-born players like Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi are held is testament to their belief that their club should remain as Roman as possible.


THOMAS DIBENEDETTO | The success story so far

Academia:
Honours degree in Economics
MBA at business school
MIT research fellow
Business:
President - Boston International Group
President - Junction Investors Ltd.
Chairman - Jefferson Watermann International
Managing Director - Olympic Partners
Director - Detwiler, Mitchell and Co.
Director - NWH, inc.
Sport:
Partner - Fenway Sports Group (owners of Boston Red Sox, ********* FC, Fenway Sports Management)

DiBenedetto has doubtless been helped out by the club’s plight in recent times, which has seen the financial troubles going on behind the scenes catch up with the first team squad in the past 12 months. After last year’s amazing Scudetto push, finally equilibrium has seen Roma struggle to compete in the face of the lack of any real investment in players. The club’s supporters had come to realise that the situation was becoming grave and that the ‘perfect’ owner might now be out there. But while he may not be Roman, his previous business ventures smack of a real smart cookie.

Unlike John W. Henry, the principal owner of FSG (formerly New England Sports Ventures) who led the takeover of ********** last October, DiBenedetto is not a big name to the general public. Nor does he have an MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) alum trophy wife 30 years his junior. What he does have though is a trained eye for a good business deal. Where Henry has no academic background of note, DiBenedetto holds an honours degree in economics from Trinity College and an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business. He has also acted as a research fellow at MIT, a position reserved for academics of doctoral level.

"My team is made up of people who know world soccer very well. I think some players will be sold and others will come in, at least five or six."
- Thomas DiBenedetto

This solid footing has seen him take on positions on the boards of several successful businesses in America, including an investment management firm and a business intelligence outfit, as well companies dealing with real estate investment, securities and software. But it is his involvement in the Boston Red Sox baseball club which holds the greatest resonance with his new venture with Roma.
Since FSG bought the Red Sox in 2002, the club has changed markedly. From an outfit known for their failure to win the coveted World Series since 1918 FSG has well and truly broken the duck, presiding over two titles in its nine-year stint in control of one of the biggest names in world sport. While success around the diamond has naturally stolen the headlines, the group has gone about setting the club on a solid footing. Chief among plans is a new spring training facility (a second stadium used only for the hugely important pre-season phase), while after initial movement of players and management in 2002 the owners have done their best to maintain the loyal traditions of the club. There are no plans to move away from the legendary Fenway Park – the oldest baseball park in the major leagues – and there has been no knee-jerk response to recent disappointing results.

DiBenedetto is likely to take on a similar approach to life at Trigoria. He has already stated that a new stadium is high on his list of priorities. There was talk of a move to the Valle Aurelia area of the city two years ago, and the new owner is likely to look into the same site as one of a number of possibilities. Meanwhile, he has also said that five or six new players could come in this summer. Having bought 60 per cent of the club, with Unicredit holding the remaining 40%, he insisted on a €50 million credit line from the bank as part of the final takeover deal. This will help to free some of the financial burden on him and his consortium when it comes to transfer dealings.

In terms of funds, ‘Uncle Tom’ is no Sheikh Mansour. He’s no Roman Abramovich. He’s not even a John W. Henry. But neither is he a George Gillett or Tom Hicks in his conduct. DiBenedetto is exactly the kind of man, with exactly the right kind of background, for Roma. If he goes about his football in the same way as he’s gone about everything else in academia and business, the Giallorossi could be going places in no time at all. As firsts go, this particular ‘foreigner’ seems like just the man Italian football needs.

[romawi]

Mexes is gone, and I disagree about him being a leader of the defense. I think that he's a player that needs someone like Juan or even Chivu next to him. Someone that is less aggressive and a better reader of the game. Still, it's a huge loss on a technical level. Burdisso is just not as good as Mexes, and I disagree with fonz about him being a leader. For me, he's a good back up to have, but Roma could do a lot better.

I think Menez and Vucinic staying will depend on who comes in as the new coach. If Montella stays and insists on the 4-2-3-1, then I think Menez goes, and Vucinic as well. They just don't fit the system all that well, and would be better off playing somewhere else. If we get a coach like Ancellotti, then I can see Menez staying. He'll fit perfectly in the 4-3-1-2. And to be honest, I don't mind Vucinic leaving if we can get the right players to replace him. For me, that would be either Sanchez or G. Rossi. Oh, and yes, 30+mil is a ridiculous price for Vucinic. I think we would be lucky to get around 20mil for him.

[Deini]

Vooch worth 30+ million? Thats delusional. We should be lucky if he can be sold for around 15-18million. Thats a reasonable price for him at the moment IMO. Higher then that is just crazy.. Menez is for me also a goner, just send him to England to his buddy Nasri at Arsenal.

Torn about DDR. While I want to see him captain after Totti retires this isn't his season. Sure the divorce with his wife, also that he doesn't see his daughter enough all helps mentally to make him a wreck. He's got potential and he has a lot of suitors. Not clear what new ownership wants with him. Sell or not, if they do it's a bad start.

[romawi]

Marazico uno dei Sensi
While some were busy beating their head against the wall once or a couple thousands time over (me), others were useful and translated this article which showcases the peculiar way in which the club has been treated the past decade. Read it, you really have to. It's that important.

Seeing €9 million owed to this site's inspiration and, well, this guy each is unpleasant. Further hundreds of thousands owed to other former players paint a vivid picture: Roma has had a very relaxed relationship with settling its debts. It's not something I take pride in, but they're partly forgivable given Roma's financial troubles. Or so we, I, thought. The wages of Roma's directors were public knowledge even before the due diligence, but we didn't know one of them earning €536.000 qualified for a €200.000 personal loan from the club. Or that the club foots the bill for Rosella's pediatrician. Or who the 189 retirees are who Rosella has signed contracts with during the past five years.

This is information we know due to the due diligence carried out by Rothschild. If you're one of the persons mentioned in the Repubblica article, you have two choices: (1) contest the information in Rothschild 's due diligence. Since that probably won't get you anywhere seeing how it's Rothschild and they're kinda like a big deal, you're left with: (2) don't say anything, because you have nothing to say.

As he was wont to thirty years ago on the pitch, Bruno Conti found another way, one seemingly impossible to go down: (3) don't deny any of the information about your loan, just say you feel defamed by being mentioned in that way.

No, that's not how this works. No one was really questioning Bruno in this affair in the first place, but the loan given to him is a perfect example of a club with horrible priorities. Hence its merit as a topic. While owing ex players over twenty million euro and being consistently late with paying current players, loaning out money to a highly overpaid director (with what duties, exactly? One of life's great mysteries) is arguably the worst decision that could have been made. Short of throwing money away, could there be a more backwards way of handling the club's finances? In making his objections to being defamed (by the facts), Bruno Conti used his history in the club as a shield. I wish he hadn't. Don't force me to resent you for creating false narratives for your own benefit. Don't do this. Shut up, pay back the money you owe within the time limit agreed upon (however lax that was). Then we'll take it from there and see what can be done. Just don't go acting like a victim for facts.

http://blogistuta.blogspot.com/2011/04/ ... sensi.html

[RomaShield27]

[romawi]

No better per se, but they have different qualities. Mexes is more aggressive than Juan, and that can lead to individual mistakes on his part. I think they compliment each other pretty well. Having two players like Mexes at the back can be a disaster, but having Mexes and a player like Juan makes strong defensive partnership. Hope that makes sense.

[romawi]

On the topic of Menez,

Roma's Jeremy Menez likely to leave after heated bust-up with Vincenzo Montella
Despite training in Thursday's morning session at Trigoria, the attacker's future at the club is under threat following Wednesday's argument with Montella
By Salvatore Landolina
Apr 21, 2011 2:12:00 PM

Roma attacker Jeremy Menez's future looks increasingly uncertain following a heated argument with coach Vincenzo Montella, marking the latest in a series of unsettling incidents between the two men.

Il Corriere dello Sport reports Montella is less than satisfied with the striker's recent commitment and the tension boiled over in Wednesday's training session when Menez responded to a telling off.

The Frenchman, 23, has struggled for regular action since Montella's arrival after Claudio Ranieri's departure from the Roma bench earlier this year.

Menez has scored just two goals this season and he has come under intense scrutiny. He recently complained about being left out of the team, leading to speculation he could leave at the end of term.

Meanwhile, Marco Borriello's agent, Tiberio Cavalleri, has hit back at suggestions the Italian striker is on his way out.

"I can say that Marco will surely remain at Roma," Cavalleri told Calciomercato.it.

Roma meet Chievo on Saturday, and are currently sixth in Serie A on 53 points.

[vtec]

marco would be a good replacement at napoli should cavani leave. i bet he'd go play in his home town in a heartbeat if he could

[arthurfonzarelli]

[RomaShield27]

Its the hair, Fonz. The hair.

[ASR1927]

To add fuel to the menez leaving fire....

Menez attacked by Roma ultras

There are reports Roma ultras threw rocks at Jeremy Menez’s car as he returned from the Coppa Italia semi-final against Inter.
It has been a tough time for the French forward, who admitted his time at the club could be coming to an end and yesterday was berated during training by Coach Vincenzo Montella.

It is now reported by news agency ANSA that hooligans threw rocks at his car when he was driving home from the Coppa Italia defeat to Inter on Tuesday night.

The report suggests his windscreen was broken and the police have launched an investigation.

Menez was unharmed in the alleged attack.

[Italiamia]

Edzo, you make one excuse after the other for Vucinic. Quite honestly, it's draining to continue to discuss him with you as you cannot be objective. So basically, his knee is bad and the passes in both the Palermo and Inter matches were poor. Do you hear yourself?