THE WOLF'S DEN - Tana dei Lupi II

[RomaShield27]

I disagree, I don't think Serie A has been that bad. In fact, I think it is on the rise more than it is decline. No question that the standards have dropped hugely in the last decade and was crippled by Caliopoli (and since Roma had three consecutive second-place finishes), but since then, if anything, it is gradually getting better in my view.

Of course it helps if you still are passionate about calcio and still enjoy watching it, despite its many faults. I realise a lot of people have been turned off by all the controversies and decline in standards, and with cause, but personally I'm still a fan, perhaps blindly so, and so remain faithful.

Juventus have of course helped. Regardless of your view of them or however much we dislike them, they are still a huge club who improve the standard of the league. Being the cheating fucks they are and being down in Serie B took away a big player both domestically and in Europe. A lot of Serie A clubs have struggled financially in recent times, but they are gradually sorting themselves out, while at the same time clubs in other leagues are beginning to 'catch up', as it were, and also suffer financially (Spain is fucked, the Premiershit is no longer as lavish bar the big two/three). There are a lot of clubs on the rise and a lot of clubs getting their house in order, and while it certainly not the golden age of the 'lure of the lira', I don't think its all that bad.

[ASR1927]

Sacchi: Roma need time | Football Italia |

By Football Italia staff

Luis Enrique has received a vote of confidence from Arrigo Sacchi, who insists that for his project at Roma to work, the Coach needs more time.

The Giallorossi have set about trying to introduce a new management structure and style of play to their club this season, but in light of growing criticism from the media and sections of support, Spanish Coach Enrique is reportedly considering his future.

Sacchi, who implemented a new style of play at Milan in the late 1980s, believes that the Coach and the project at hand deserve more time, so as to stand a chance of working.

“To make a strong change you need two components that we know are rare - patience and the expertise to evaluate the work in perspective,” the 66-year-old told the Romanista on Monday.

“The reason is for the adaptation that is needed and for the errors that you are likely to commit along the way. It’s because you tend to commit more errors when you are working.

“You must allow the players to grow, but you also need to put someone aside who can see if the project is not working.

“Franco Baldini has very rightly protected [Enrique and the project]. If one wants to innovate but does not have the support of the club, then they will never make it in the world.

“Ditto if you don’t sign the best players, not in terms of ability, but in terms of functionality to the idea. If they are then among the most talented players then all the better.

“But, meanwhile, they need to be functional, and this is the hardest thing in a country where the teams, when changing Coaches, are not teams - they are like the Tower of Babel, a club over which so many have presided but each with diametrically opposite results.”


http://www.football-italia.net/18564/sa ... -need-time

[DCGweez]

I think the last third of the season has been bad with the exception of Juve. No question. 2-7 have been chit.

But in Februaryish if you'd have ended the season then, I'd have said it was the best season in recent years. Napoli and Juve's best seasons in many years. Milan had a very good season, they were beaten by a team that will probably be undefeated. They got farther in Europe than they had in 5 years.

It was our best showing in Europe as a league in many years.

[RomaShield27]

[p_maldini_3]

italy needs to host a EURO tournament to help the clubs build/renovate their stadiums. germany is the best example.

[romawi]

[DCGweez]

#misterrestaperche is trending Second on twitter in Italy right now.

An attempt by fans to get him to stay on his Bday.

[maro]

[DCGweez]

I've seen Sunderland plays some good football but then does Swansea at times. But go watch Stoke.

By no means do I mean to suggest that the football in Serie A has been great but I don't think it's been worse than years past. Or the vast majority of leagues in Europe for that matter. EPL included.

[romawi]

[RomaShield27]

It would be a pity to see LE walk away, but I'm not completely against it either, and I may even welcome it if it meant the return of Montella. Give him the full backing and the finances and see what he can do.

[AS Collie]

[Italiamia]

The stinking media are pretty confident that Iglesias will resign after the Cesena match. Of course, he's not helping matters by saying he does not know if he will remain. Certainly, he must be sick to death of being asked the same question a thousand times.


http://it.eurosport.yahoo.com/09052012/ ... rnano.html

[DavidP]

bradley doesn't look like a bad player, to be honest.

[DavidP]

pictures from training today:

who da fuuck?

[RomaShield27]

For serio, Davey Boy, ya don't recognise SuperMarcoCassettiGol?

We've had this discussion about Bradley before, but sure here we go again. He's is a solid player, for sure, a good defensive midfielder who's also neat enough on the ball. But then again, so is Migliaccio and Cigarini and Biondini and Colucci and Padoin and Galloppa (or Brighi cough cough). Its hard to knock Bradley, but I just feel like he's getting all this special praise because he is an American who's succeeding in Serie A, and now we're looking to sign an American (again no disrespected intended, its just I think its silly to sign an American just for marketing reasons). Would Bradley be a useful squad player for us? Sure, but so would Brighi, or Migliaccio.

[AS Collie]

I just don't like his face. Or his dad's face. And I don't think he's scudetto quality. It's not an anti-american thing, it's just an anti-mediocrity thing. I mean, I'd love to see a Paddy in giallorosso (before my future son pulls on the armband), but I'm not going to call for Aiden McGeady. If we need a yank, how about Clint "Duece" Dempsey. They could play his raps before the games.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1eu7opg ... re=related

[red]

[stefano]

I'd be happy to see Michael Bradley at Roma. Good player.

[AS Collie]