THE WOLF'S DEN - Tana dei Lupi II

[DCGweez]

I agree. Figured it was worth a link though. It's actually more fluff than usual for a ZM article.

Anyone hear whether or not Kjaer is playing this weekend? If so, it's good DDR got that practice at the back for when we go down to 10 men.

[RomaShield27]

I thought it was quite a good game of football. What it may have lacked in quality it made up for in drama. The atmosphere was great, lots of nerves and jangles, Curva Sud in full voice (if not colour), endless supply of plastic bottles of beer, and lots of abuse aimed at the merda. Like Colly said, the Curva Nord sold out on the Wednesday, so we got Tribuna Tevere Laterale tickets, about half way up, Curva Sud end, good seats. I did say to Colly i was shittin it that the game would be called-off due to a waterlogged pitch or something – and it would be just my luck – but only because the thunder and lightning and downpour the night before was feckin intense.

Does anyone know what the story is with the Distinti Nord section? There were only a few people in it – is it a kids or family section only or whats the story? I don't think tickets for it were on public sale. It looks a bit silly, I think, when you see the Tribuna Tevere and Curva Nord full, then a practically empty Disitinti Nord section in the middle of them. Also, does anyone know the confirmed attendance? Haven't seen, but if I had to guess I'd say about 55,000-60,000?

Our performance was what you come to expect this season: lots of periods of possession and good intentions but no end result yet no lack of commitment. We looked good at times then at others looked liked an amateur pub-team who'd been out till three in the morning the night before. I thought our defending was atrocious – that is to say, our defending as a team was atrocious, individually DDR and Heinze had fine games – but that is to be expected with such a makeshift defence. There were numerous occasions when Juve had a man over, a man free, even a man totally unmarked, and while we done well not to concede more than the one, I honestly feel that on another day, without DDR's marvellous anticipation and such poor decision making from the Juve forwards, we easily could have conceded more. Possibly a lot more. Our defending from set-pieces was also terrible – I'm beginning to wonder if we practise them at all in training.

Viviani impressed and had a fine game for one making his Serie A debut. It was a hard ask to have him play in that role and I thought he stood up to the challenge very well. He hit a few mistimed passes, but that is only natural for a kid playing in such an important role where he is asked to make those passes in the first place, and he showed he's not afraid to make them like when he released Totti with a pinpoint ball in the second-half (which Lamela subsequently messed up). Taddei also impressed me throughout – except when he mishit a clearance in the first-half – and looked like a player full of confidence. Totti was good but looked like a player lacking match sharpness late on, and I liked Greco's tenacity. Osvaldo was disappointing, not least his attitude and body language. Not just with the strop when he was subbed, but he was moaning far too much in the game, giving out to the ref, giving away silly fouls, and generally just acting like a dick. I like him, I think he can be great for us, but he needs a few slaps (and maybe a haircut) to re-adjust his attitude.

It was a decent point to pick up, especially when you consider how form going into the game and the players we were missing, even if it was still not an entirely convincing or consistent performance, and we were probably fortunate enough to hang on at the end. Thank God for De Rossi – just imagine what he'd be like if he actually cared or were a positive influence in the dressing room.

[Italiamia]

I think Tommaso will enjoy your very last sentence, Edzo.

[Italiamia]

Honest to God help me:


http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Squadre/R ... 9121.shtml

http://it.eurosport.yahoo.com/14122011/ ... blema.html

[RomaShield27]

[Lupa]

Speaking of De Rossi, how close are we to losing him? As Collie mentioned above, from a financial point of view it makes absolutely no sense to let leave him on a free. I think Di Benedetto is a smart businessman, so why would he allow something to happen that makes no business sense?

That's not even touching the red and yellow blood coursing through De Rossi's veins, or the attachment the fans have to him. All which makes me wonder ... is it Baldini's call that giving De Rossi too much will cause a situation where he will eventually be treated as 'bigger than the club'? Is there something else going on that makes Baldini want people to stop talking about the situation? (I mean other than the fact that the media turns any Roma problems into a big circus, even when there isn't one)

This thing is just puzzling to me, and with it being so close the winter break with no signature, I have to say I'm more than a little concerned, and wondering just exactly what is happening.

[AS Collie]

Yeah, Lupa, it's worrying. Taking any fan-attachment out of the equation, it just makes no sense money-wise. At the very least they need to sign him up, with an agreement to let him go in the summer for an acceptable fee. If they let the only currently-world-class player they have on their books go for free, then it smacks of poor financial management.

Just for curiosity's sake, I'd love to know how much he's asking for.

[ASR1927]

Or to play Devil's advocate perhaps De Rossi just wants to leave. It is possible he doesn't want to renew. It doesn't make financial sense to let him go but what if he won't sign a contract? It is possible. They can't force him. He has apparently had a tumultuous last few years in his life. Maybe he wants a change? Maybe Baldini doesn't want to talk about it because there is nothing they can do to get him to stay? This isn't me denigrating De Rossi in any way. He is human. Maybe he doesn't want the pressure of being the Roma captain? Maybe he wants to go abroad and earn ridiculous money. Just another angle to consider.

[AS Collie]

[DCGweez]

Totti has said he's thinking about leaving like 10 times. Nothing to see there. He does it to tweak the fans sometimes. He knows if he says he may leave because of fan abuse, then it ends.

Yesterday was the Christmas party at Maxxi. A few interesting quotes came out of it:

De Rossi: "We have a lot less authority than people think. We've given a lot for Roma, Totti has for 20 years, I have for a little less."

Baldini: "Buon Natale, Feliz Navidad, Merry Christmas" (At least the Italian came first?)

[AS Collie]

What they said behind closed doors:

"You call this art? It's mediocrity is only exacerbated by the overly-self-indulgent architectural style of Zaha Hadid. I'm going to Macro."

[ASR1927]

[DCGweez]

If DDR wants huge money then he should go. I'd hate to lose a Roman and a future Capt. But being pragmatic and further exacerbated by the FFP getting teeth next year, we need to fill so many holes than we can't spend money on a guy that will probably be moving to CB in 3 years.

Whatever happens i hope he signs a new deal to facilitate a good amount of cash for us. He deserves to go where he wants and we deserve compensation.

[Italiamia]

I don't think paying the man 6 million a year is unreasonable. He can easily get that elsewhere. In addition, there is no way the man wants to leave Rome and Roma. As I said a few weeks ago, the only way I could understand his interest in leaving is if he has come to the conclusion that he is no longer part of the overall project or that he perceives that he does not really fit into the plan or the system. To repeat myself, again, since the obvious trend is to go to this Barcelona-ball comprised of mostly foreigners, De Rossi may simply feel he has no choice but to leave.

[DCGweez]

DDR is holding out for more money. Good for him, i don't blame him. Get all you can. But let's not make this as if he's being pushed out in favor of some Catalan. That's simply not true.

Fact is the Barca model is to grow guys in house. That's where we are trying to get to. In the mean time, we must remain competitive. There will be growing pains.

There is a trend in world football to place less and less of premium on home grown talent. The fact that only one teams seems to buck that trend (Barca) should be heartening to us.

[p_maldini_3]

whatever contract he signs next will be his last major deal, and for him it will be his last attempt at some serious silverware. the roma 'project' probably won't bring any big trophies within the next 3 years, and who knows when they'll come after that. it's ddr's last chance, i don't blame him if he jumps. it sucks for you guys, but it's the cold truth.

[RomaShield27]

I personally don't think its about DDR holding a desire to leave for pastures new and try a new challenge in a new environment, or feeling that he won't be a key element in the project in the future, but simply more to do with him trying to secure a lucrative contract which a player of his ability and his is prime is capable of getting in the modern football world. Of course, you have the horrible cnuts at ManShitty who are able to toss £8m-a-season on a table without a second thought, but in general, for most top clubs out there, it is a standard enough wage for world-class players. Now we just have to figure it out and iron out all the details with him, and yeh, I do wish they'd all hurry the fook up about it.

[RomaShield27]

[maro]

[Italiamia]