THE WOLF'S DEN - Tana dei Lupi I

[Jamoldo]

1. Don't think foriegn ownership of clubs is bad, ownership is a case by case basis, and must be treated as such. Look at guys like Spinelli and Zamparini and what they are doing to their clubs. They are most certainly not bringing staibility or tranquilita to the clubs, and I think that Palermo should really be doing much better than they are with the talent and resources they have... And while old man Franco's heart might be in the right place, his family runs our club like a village macelleria.

2. Understand about the concern regarding Inter's lack of Italians in the starting 11. I don't think we can compare it to the Prem because Italy has plenty of quality players who have technique, and Inter has made choice to purchase expensive foreign talent, when the domestic market can in many cases, provide something similar. Milan has plenty of Italian talent, as do Roma and other sqads, and while Inter are running away with the league (for a number of reasons). I don't think it's because they have a better starting 11 than everyone else, they just have, in my opinion, 25 guys who could be in the starting 11, and in a long season, that helps. England on the other hand... Well there's a dearth of "technique" players and every manager says it, and buying British is often seen as overpaying. I remember this well from early in the season, when Sven Eriksson was asked about his tactics for City (thrilled they beat Manure yesterday), compared to England and he simply said, "England does not have an Elano."

Look at fees for the likes of Gareth Bale, Marcus Bent, Craig Gordon etc. Foreign talent is cheaper and guys like Wenger (say what you will about him) buy talent from aborad cheaply, and play some lovely football, and surprise, they're in 1st place. Not much (or any) English in them, but it's all academy stuff and not Inter/Chelsea-esque purchasing. Even Manure, they buy lots of players young (maybe not youth team young, though they've got some promising youngsters), and develop them... Lots of foreign talent once again though.

In other words, English player's lack of skill/bad youth training leads to foriegn purchases to maintain high standards or paying a lot for British talent. Italian players are better trained and more skilled and teams therefore, can often stay within Italy to find players for reasonable cost if they want to.

I am sure there are tons of holes in my arguments, but this is just the basis of my stance. I think that protectionism and quotas (of players) will only hurt leagues in the long run. While the prem might not have a lot of English players anymore, the standard of play in it has increased quite a bit. It's just sad that the English youth system is in shambles. From what I know, People Spain, Holland and Germany don't seem to be complaining too much about foreign players and what not. Ownership though, that's a different animal.

Bagg I like the idea.

[RomaShield27]

I was watching Inter's game last night and turned it off after Cambiasso's 'goal'. It does make me sick that they have gotten calls like this on a number of occasions, but I agree with Italiamia, Inter are not cheating. I don't believe they are doing anything illegal or receiving acts of favoritism or anything like that. It is just bad refereeing. That Cambiasso goal was a close call for the linesman to make. Yes, we have the benefit of multiple replays, but it was very close on first viewing. It is just dodgy that Inter have received several calls like this over the last few weeks, but again, it is just bad refereeing. I mean, what has anyone in the FIGC or Lega Calcio got to achieve in favoring Inter and making the ref's favor Inter? Is Moratti making dodgy phone calls? Is he bribing Galliani? I don't think so. It is just the Italian way to cry conspiracy at every opportunity, but to me it just down to bad calls by referee's and linesmen in very tight situations. It happens, these men are only human. If it continues happening, I may change my tune, but until then, Inter are the best team in Serie A and thats that. Anyway, I'd rather focus on Roma.

A good win the other night. We may not have bounced back from an embarrassing defeat and won 7-0, but who cares, we won all the same. Seen the highlights and it was enough. Next week against Juventus will be crucial, not least for our morale going into the CL game.

And I agree with SPqR, Vargas is an animal, we simply have to buy him at the end of the season.

[oily]

stop disrespecting dr.moratti please

[maro]

I take it Oily has given up on 'his' beloved Liverpuke (cough cough) this season and is trying to emerge as an Interista by association? I agree on Vargas, Populusque. I watched a chunk of the game last night as well as a fair bit of the Coppa game against Milan and in each case I was impressed by his defensive qualities. I guess he could be held partly responsible for Suazo getting in in that channel but I tend to blame that rather more on the positioning of the two centre-backs. He looks like the whole package - pace and power going forward with good technical quality, and solid defensively, with a good bite to his tackling and strong enough under diagonal balls. At the very worst, an excellent alternative to Max at his best.

[Italiamia]

[vtec]

[SPqR]

[arthurfonzarelli]

[marco]

[Zoff82]

[marco]

[stefano]

[RomaShield27]

Vargas on Roman road
Monday 11 February, 2008

Catania President Antonino Pulvirenti accepts that star man Juan Vargas will leave in the summer and hopes that the Peruvian chooses Roma. Vargas has been one of the revelations of the season and has won the attention of some top scouts during his second season in Sicily. The talented wing-back has been linked with Juventus, Roma and Manchester United over the last few months, but it seems that the capital club may have the advantage.

“Vargas is ready for a big club,â€

[RomaShield27]

Robinho risks missing Roma trip



Robinho is a major doubt for the first leg of Real Madrid CF's first knockout round tie against AS Roma after suffering a stomach strain.

Two weeks
The Brazil forward injured his abdomen in the early stages of Madrid's 7-0 defeat of Real Valladolid CF on Sunday. He underwent tests today which have confirmed that the 24-year-old will be sidelined for up to a fortnight.

Question mark
The lay-off leaves Robinho out of the weekend league fixture against Real Betis Balompié, and in serious danger of missing the UEFA Champions League trip to Roma on 19 February. The former Santos FC player has scored eight goals in 21 Primera División outings this season, his third at the Santiago Bernabéu.

[oily]

maro/italimia .. i never said i was a fan of inter ;p i'm just here to defend my comrades lomba and caos, as they seem to lack the Khrushchev-factor in the debates.

cant wait for the game next week... torres WILL be playing

and shield.. madrid isnt exactly a one man team.. i dont missing robinho will affect them

[oily]

[SPqR]

[oily]

[Bagg10]

[Italiamia]