THE WOLF'S DEN - Tana dei Lupi II

[maro]

Sure, DCG. I just enjoy watching Greco and Rosi play for us, fullstop. I do think Greco fits this formation and these tactics better than Perrotta and Pizza, say, and can do a job for us, but he was terrible on Friday for sure. I'd rather watch us lose with Greco playing than have us sign Tevez and win with him in the team. That's all I'm saying, really.

Each to his own, gio. Clearly the majority of the media agree with you rather than with me. That's what I was thinking and saying in the shitebox after 80 mins and I'm more inclined to trust that response than a rewriting of it on my part in light of what happened in the final 10.

[DCGweez]

I have no problem with him being in the team but if that guy is a starting 11 guy, then i don't think we have a chance in the league or otherwise. Fact is i'd rather see Florenzi, Bertolacci or Guberti in that spot. I'm not sure they'd be as good initially but i think they could be a long term answer.

Having said that, MF probably ranks behind defense and even attack in terms or replacement priority.

[maro]

Well, he's not, strictly, a starting 11 guy is he - the preferred midfield three is DDR-Gago-Pjanic with a front three from Totti, Osvaldo, Lamela, and Bojan. I like Greco as a part of the squad - one of the back-ups in the middle. That does mean he needs to be given his chances, though, when LE has to call on him. The same is true of Perrotta, I think - I like him as an important part of the squad, even if that doesn't mean he's part of the starting 11 when everyone is available. Anyway, Greco was terrible on Friday but I was still pleased he was given a chance.

[romawi]

I really like this new Roma. It's certainly more entertaining to watch than Ranieri's, and unlike many people, I'm not really concerned with the results at this point. What's important to me is that we play, or at least we try to play, good football every time. Once we start playing some good football consistently then the results will follow.

[Lupa]

the offside may have hit a new low, with some calling for Tevez to Roma.

[DCGweez]

The offside has good contributors but many on there are a bunch of chicken littles who like playing fantasy football.

They sit and wait until we lose then blame only LE and the out of towners while deifying the Italian players. Suggesting Totti isn't the best player in the world is sacrilege. Having said that, i don't agree with a lot of what Chris says but he's a funny guy.

[Italiamia]

[RomaFanatic]

For a very first time, since long time I enjoy watching this club. I was growing tired of watching same typical football over the years.
Italian footy becoming too boring, you can watch it 1 year 2 year 5 years but after 10 years you get tired.All clubs are defensive, counter attacking and boring.We created more chances in the LEECE game then we did the entire year under Ranieri last year.
WITH LE we dont play defensive football.Rather very attacking.When we are down in the game, he sends all forwards to the game and tries to win.Thats why I like him and respect him, and very confident he is the right man to lead this journey.

As for italian talent in the side, the italian talent this days is very poor.Our aim is to win, not to play italians.
For many years Totti and De Rossi were nothing but fake masks for Sensi family. Fake Masks that say " We are losing, but we are playing romans" . Those days are over, we will try to play to win from now on .DI Benedetto & co have no fake masks, they wont give undeserved contracts to those two at the expense of the team.

[vtec]

[AS Collie]

As a foreigner who supports Roma, I don't necessarily think that one needs to have been born in Rome to be dedicated to the team, but the influx of foreign players would worry me if they turn out to be easy or short-term fixes, like they are in much of the Premiershit. Some of Roma's greatest players have been foreigners, foreigners who have adapted to and been assimilated into life here in the capital and who played with more heart than some Romans have in the past (Aquilani ... cough).

Youth systems should be an integral part to every football team, but at this juncture foreign players make more sense to the owners because they want results more quickly to prove their intent to the fans. Long term, the development of young players through the academy should be a primary focus, but the considered purchase of a player with quality will always have its place.

[DCGweez]

It's a tough balance. On one hand it's too expensive to field a team made up of Italians that are world class. On the other I don't want to cheer for a multinational corporation with the name Roma slapped on it and no other tie to the City. That's just a personal opinion though based on my reasoning for cheering for Roma.

If I had my way, I'd see LE kept on. I'd like him to show a bit of modesty and I'd like a tactician brought on as his deputy who's roots lie in Serie A.

I'd like young Italians bought and put in our youth system so that in the future we can field a team that is made up of at minimum 3-4 Italians. But for me, if a guy is born anywhere and he's been with Roma since the age of 15 then i'll be just as happy whether his last name ends in a vowel or not.

Showing patience with LE also has benefits when we go look for coaches in the future. If TBD does one thing with this Roma in the near future I hope it's bring in a sense of stability that has eluded us for many years.

[DCGweez]

Had to post this nugget from today:

Adriano: "I am fed up of hearing That I weigh too much, it's the TV's fault if I look fat."

[RomaShield27]

[AS Collie]

So they all went for a pizza last night. I wish someone called me! This is the kip they went to. It's in EUR, where I rarely have reason to go, but it looks nice.

http://www.casanovecento.it/

EDZO: we can go if you want, but the steak place is nice too, and worth a visit. Is your missus a veggie?

[RomaShield27]

The rumour is Totti organised the dinner last night and then got both Osvalso and Lamela to pay for it. Thats leadership for ya, ey.

Pictures of the team training yesterday from the , including Pizza back in the gym and some crunching tackles on the field. They also have a few on Osvaldo and Lamela in but it doesn't really offer that much. The team have a day off from training today, and Totti went to the Villa Stuart clinic for a check-up on his ankle and got the all clear.

has an interesting view on this little spat.

Todays Il Romanista's front cover shows Totti literally dragging Osvaldo in on a leash:



No Colly, missus ain't a veggie anymore, she used to be but I soon snapped her outta that. That place looks alright.

[AS Collie]

I Carnivori is effin class though! Massive steaks, pictures of footballers on the walls ... saddles ... what more could you want!?! I'm going to that pizza place later to check it out.

"Can I sit in Totti's seat, pwease?"

[RomaShield27]

Spalletti sogna di nuovo la Roma. Non rinnova con lo Zenit
– Mercoledì 30 Novembre 2011 09:03

(Leggo - F. Balzani) - Un contratto in scadenza, un progetto che stenta a decollare e una voglia matta di tornare a casa. Per ora sono solo indizi, ma è risaputo: se sono tre di solito fanno una prova e portano direttamente a Luciano Spalletti.

Il tecnico di Certaldo è in Russia, a San Pietroburgo, a 3.000 chilometri da qui, ma non ha mai dimenticato la sua Roma e sarebbe ben felice di tornare a lavorare a Trigoria soprattutto ora che si respira aria di «rivoluzione culturale». «Serbatemi un posto che prima o poi torno», aveva confidato qualche mese fa ai suoi amici romani. Uno di loro ha confermato in questi giorni che quel «prima o poi» potrebbe essere arrivato. La famiglia di Spalletti d’altronde non si è mai mossa dalla capitale. I due figli (Samuele e Federico) non hanno smesso di frequentare la Curva Sud e sarebbero i primi a essere felici di un ritorno del papà, tanto più ora che è nata la sorellina chiamata, tanto per non cambiare, Matilde Romana.

Altri indizi. Il più importante riguarda il contratto di Spalletti con lo Zenit in scadenza a gennaio 2012. Il ds dei russi, Korneev, sta cercando di convincere il tecnico a prolungare: «I risultati sono ottimi e, fosse per me, gli avrei rinnovato già il contratto per cinque anni. Speriamo possa restare». Infine l’ultimo indizio: la crisi della Roma. Nonostante l’ostentata fiducia a Luis Enrique, la dirigenza giallorossa comincia a nutrire perplessità. Ad alimentarle, il malumore della squadra di fronte alle recenti decisioni del tecnico (esclusioni di Heinze e Osvaldo) e confermate dalle non smentite divergenze col ds Sabatini. «Il progetto va avanti», dicono a Trigoria. Ma con chi?

ROMA - Di armonia non si può parlare, perché anche ieri a Trigoria l’atmosfera era piuttosto tesa. Ma un passo avanti per far calmare le acque nello spogliatoio giallorosso ieri c’e stato: tutta la squadra si è ritrovata a cena a Spazio Novecento, all’Eur. A invitare i compagni è stato Osvaldo, pietra dello scandalo per il pugno rifilato a Lamela che gli è costato 50mila euro di multa e la partita di domenica a Firenze. Anche a Bologna, quando litigò con Mingazzini, fece lo stesso. Tra le 20,30 e le 21,30 sono arrivati tutti alla spicciolata. Nella Mini guidata da Pjanic c’erano Totti, Osvaldo e Gago; quindi è stata la volta degli inseparabili Bojan e Angel (parcheggio problematico il loro). Borriello è arrivato da solo, mentre con Lamela si è rivisto Barusso. Con tanto di stampelle si è seduto a tavola anche il povero Burdisso, messo fuori causa fino alla prossima stagione dall’infortunio al ginocchio. Il grande assente è stato Luis Enrique. Il tecnico non si è visto semplicemente perché non è stato invitato: la cena è servita a ritrovare la serenità, lontano dallo sguardo austero del tecnico asturiano.

TOTTI. Totti c’è. Il capitano, che lunedì aveva subito una nuova botta alla caviglia sinistra, ieri ha svolto l’intero allenamento con la squadra ed è pronto a scendere in campo contro la Fiorentina. Totti ha giocato la partitella al fianco dello «squalificato» Osvaldo e ha assistito allo show dell’italo-argentino: 4 gol (1 su cucchiaio) e 2 assist. Per l’altra squadra il mattatore è stato Lamela (doppietta). Esperimenti in difesa: Luis Enrique ha provato centrali Cassetti- Juan, con Nego e Taddei ai late.

-----------------------

Spalletti's contract with Zenith expires this coming January (the end of the Russian season, I think). They are desperately trying to get him to renew, but he hasn't been willing to do so as of yet. This article hints at a Spalletti return. He supposedly told his Roman friends that one day he would be back. His family still live in Rome and his kids go to school there. Then it harps on about a lack of confidence with LE, tense atmosphere, blah blah etc etc.

I respect LE and his football philosophy and what he is trying to do here, but if Spalletti really does comes into the frame, then sorry, its not even up for debate. Just imagine what Spalletti could do with these resources and a free reign. Just imagine. All hail the Return of the King.

[Lupa]

On the one hand, I think this sort of talk undermines LE and what he's trying to do.

OTOH, it's Spalletti. I'd love to see what he could conjure up with this team.

[RomaShield27]

[RomaShield27]

lol, Lamela was so afraid he hired Barusso to be his bodyguard going to the dinner. At least we're getting something back from paying Barusso's contract.