THE WOLF'S DEN - Tana dei Lupi II

[maro]

[Lupa]

Maybe he got into a heated argument about his big belly.

[DCGweez]

And we laughed when Domenech's tarot card reader picked the team without Nasri and Mexes.

[Italiamia]

http://www.repubblica.it/sport/calcio/s ... -40589479/

[DCGweez]

That story is like a week old, no? I believe Baldini already came out and said 100 mill should do for Dan Ross.

[red]

Don't know if anyone noticed, but Man City signed Rodwell from Everton for £15m.

Obviously he's not half the player De Rossi is, but he is a not dissimilar style of player, so I think Roma are safe to assume Man City won't be back in for De Rossi this summer.

[DCGweez]

Florenzi scored in the U-21 3-0 win over Holland today.

[maro]

Romagnoli played too.

[DCGweez]

“Mattia did very well and I am happy, especially as it was a very special game for the strikers against a physically strong defence.
“We showed character and must continue along this path. I liked the performance,” continued Prandelli on RAI Sport.
“We have to understand which young players have the right qualities, as we have to look to the future.

He then added, "as an added benefit without Rubentus players we were able to leave our wallets laying around and didn't have to lock our doors at night."

[RomaShield27]

Ciao lads, hows the form? So, have we gotten rid of Heinze yet?

[maro]

It seems Zeman considered him more of a fullback. Ejit.

[RomaShield27]

Ah, a full-back, of course. I wonder if its cos he couldn't run which made him think we should release him? Or maybe it was the being a psycho part? Or not being able to time a challenge? Or not being smart enough?

So, have we signed anyone else then from amidst all the rumours? That Marquinhos kid was close, or what of Rhodolfo, Uvini, Torosidis? Do we need a new centre-back?

Also, what of the future of Okaka, did we release him to Parma, or co-own or what? And Crescenzi, did he leave?

[maro]

Aren't we already a couple of places better off than we were this time last season? That's a pretty good vindication of the summer spending, no?

[RomaShield27]

Yeh we are, for sure. I wasn't being critical of our mercato, I think its been quite good for sure, I was just wondering if any other deals got done while I was away. At this stage it looks as if Saba may leave it till late in the mercato to secure a good deal on a few final moves before the mercato closes and clubs are more keen to sell, which is of course some shrewd business from him.

Updated the blog entry including the details of Heinze, Pizza, Rosi etc. Still find it hard to believe we actually just rescinded Rosi's contract.

From, looking at that, we do need to add another centre-half for sure. Even if Romagnoli is part of the first-team (and I hope he is) we're still very short. Marquinhos is the name being mentioned as the most likely at the moment but he is quite young as well, only 18 I think.

I was also just thinking I wouldn't mind taking Kjaer back. He's back at Wolfsburg, I believe, with no one seemingly making an offer for him. He'd be good as back-up for Burdisso and Castan, and might be available for a reasonable enough price. He'd be a different player then what we seen under LE.

We also probably need another right-back, do we? Piris is the only recognisable one there, I think, and he's a little untested, while maybe Taddei and Balzaretti can fill in there.

Good to see Destro play for Italia last night, he looked sharp. Also good to see Florenzi, Viviani and Frascatore play for the Azzurrini (highlights ).

[maro]

No, I mean we're literally a couple of places better off - in 15th, I think, whereas this time last year we were probably 17th.

[RomaShield27]

Oh, you mean in the table, because of the points deductions. Ha, right. I thought you meant compared to this time last season in terms of not having brought in enough key players before the mercato deadline and give them time to settle etc.

[maro]

Even without the deductions, swapping Cesena and Novara for Samp and Torino was always going to count in our favour.

[DCGweez]

I've heard a few people commenting on Kjaer being ripe for the picking. I think it's quite the opposite. Clearly Wolfsburg have a valuation they are sticking to.

[RomaShield27]

Daniele De Rossi's 'midfield masterclass' video from UEFA.com:

http://www.uefa.com/trainingground/index.html

Also, a Destro v Engerland vid:

[DCGweez]

http://www.vocegiallorossa.it/?action=r ... um=twitter

Heck ya! Just thinking we could use a Young, mediocre untested S. American central defender.