THE WOLF'S DEN - Tana dei Lupi I

[RomaShield27]

Thanks for all the messages lads. Looking forward to that smiley story, Fonz. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

I'm due to go to Rome this Thursday for five nights – it was a holiday booked before Christmas and I was planning on going to the Palermo game. Obviously now I am a bit unsure of whether to go or not, but my mother is insisting I go as my father would of wanted it as both he and my mother had gone there just back in early December and so he was telling me 'all the good places to go' (as if I've never been before, like). Its hard now with the timing but we shall see.

No Juan/Panucci/Cassetti and probably Ferrari in our defence tomorrow...? Ouch. Like Glad, do we think Spalletti believes Andreolli is ready for a start? Surely, if he is fit, he must, as why else would we have bothered bringing him here in the first place? I read somewhere that Spalletti may risk a half-fit Ferrari instead, but it would be good to see Andreolli in action, finally (just to see if he can live up to all of Chris's hype, like).

And how about while Catania are in town, we stike a deal with them that will see Vargas stay in Rome...? Please?

And on that note, I have to say I'm fairly disappointed with the lack of transfer activity with all Italian sides during this period. I would of thought there would of been a few more deals done. Get the finger out.

[g.smiley]

So guys, who here would welcome gila into the squad? I would. If he recaptured his parma form SerieA would be in trouble boy.

[marco]

i'm all for gilardino coming but i think that it would only really be considered if he was a regular starter (otherwise there's not much reason for him to leave milan) and that spalletti would be entertaining a new formation with two strikers. interestingly enough, gila's prolific form at parma was as a lone striker in a similar formation that prandelli used to use. i'm not sure if that is a coincidence or not but i cannot remember him ever having good games when he had to share the service upfront.

i still think roma should consider kidnapping vargas before catania leave rome on sunday. i've been reading various hypothetical scenarios involving vargas and one that seems to make sense is buying vargas (or yet another one of those convoluted co-ownership / rent-a-player / buy-now-dont-pay-til-june 09 deals) and loan out antunes (18 month loan deal to fill the void left by vargas) and/or curci (to sweeten the pot and assuming that they actually could use an 'international' keeper) to catania.

[stefano]

I would and I think that would. What do you think he would cost?

[morra10]

you can probably get him for 12-17 million.

[marco]

...or doni + $$

[marco]

not that i'm eager to get rid of doni.

[p_maldini_3]

get mexes into the deal, straight swap

[marco]

i still think we should dye kuffour's hair blond and include him instead. galliani wouldnt know the difference....until about 2 minutes into his first game.

[p_maldini_3]

na, galliani will give him another 2 year contract extension and say hes just not fit. and its just some thyroid gland problem. send him to brazil. and he'll be fine. you wait and see.

[pocari_fenrir]

anyone fear that Kuffour might actually start for us tomorrow??

[cg916]

Hey, I didn't hype Andreolli or make up the hype. I'm just the messenger. Though I was impressed the few times I saw him in the Azzurrini kit - which as we all know means shyte - and there is a reason they agreed to a 3.5m co-ownership valuation on a kiddie defender, even with the Internazionale FC tax.

I'd bet the house on Ferrari starting tomorrow. Spal has enough trust issues without the words "long term back issues" and "unproven youngster" entering into the equation.

[Italiamia]

[romawi]

No one up for this game? 1-0 Guily off a Taddei shot that came off the post.

[Kroo]

Mancini has got to be kidding me.

[maro]

Mancini you flamin' muppet. A great opening burst but the boys are playing too light-weight. What was Crapeau's word for it earlier in the season? Trying for the pretty stuff rather than producing something with a bit more end-product. Fewer backheels and more substance, boys. Catania are slowly clawing their way back into the game.

[maro]

Giuly's a bit in and out of the game, too, in a way Simone rarely is. He could have had a hatrick in the first 20 but has drifted out of things a bit.

[Kroo]

Yea maro, the scoreline would have been much too different had the boys finished some of their chances. Vucinic is having a great game in my opinion, great vision, shows good signs of confidence. He actually drops back to midfield helps in the building of the play, I like that. Lets finish this game off before its too late. FORZA ROMA

[maro]

Yes. Kroo, agreed on all counts. Vooch is having a terrific game. I texted him before the match asking him to pull his finger out and put on a performance to cheer Shield up. All he needs is a goal or three now. Mancini's been very poor, which is diappointing after a couple of excellent games. No doubt that's sometimes just the way it is with a winger - sometimes it comes off and sometimes it doesn't and he's been drawing a lot of defensive attention which has left a bit more space for Vooch. Still, if Mancini can lift it too then Catania are there for the taking because they just can't quite cope with our movement and pace. On the other hand, we're showing a distressing sloppiness at times and have been a bit lucky that Catania haven't profited.

[maro]

Mancini you homosocial muppet.