THE WOLF'S DEN - Tana dei Lupi I

[cg916]

Mathieu I believe is on a free - actually frozen out of the squad because he refused to sign an extension I think, could be wrong; and if rumors are anything to go by, Domizzi can be had for Espo's half and the change in Rosella's couch. So those would be two frugal signings.

This popped up on Mathieu's google search, bit more pace than I thought:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03B4yTqArxI

[maro]

Yes, I thought that might be the argument - given Ferrari will be leaving on a free, we may be able to reshuffle our options at the back without spending too much cash (sorry, logically that makes little sense, but you know what I mean). I'd lost track of where Mathieu's contract was at. One of the other things he'd give us is a bit more physical presence at the back. We have some lovely, cultured, technical defenders, but when we send out something like Cicinho, Mexes, Panucci, and Max, what with guys like Pizza and Giuly ahead of them, we're extremely light-weight. I sometimes wonder if this is why Mexes has looked so recklessly physical at times this season. I suppose what I'm really hoping is that Spags has enough faith in Andreolli to take a little punt on him as our third CB next season.

[cg916]

Mathieu does have some technical abilities as well. An absolutely gorgeous left foot - something I'm sure everyone here is all for - and has played the deep-lying sprinkler role in the past. Many of his characteristics are different than Chivu, but he does have that ability to launch the counter from the back. I've been a fan for awhile, mostly due to his vast array of skills which allow him positional versatility. But it has been quite some time since his name was mentioned in the same sentence with Roma. Who knows.

As for Andreolli, I wish I was joking when I say my hopes have gone from seeing him fulfill the hype to not retiring in 2-3 years due to injuries. Long-term back issues along with being prone to niggling injuries? Ugh.

[maro]

Yes, I wasn't meaning to sell Mathieu's qualities short. I think he's an all-round, excellent, versatile player who would add a lot to our left side. He was clearly the best player in that Toulouse side on the few occasions I got to see him. I just meant that the biggest differences between him and Max (who also has a more cultured left foot than we've seen at times this season) are his age and his physique. I can never quite make up my mind whether we need two similar fullbacks or two quite different kinds of fullback to balance our side - I'm always drawn to thinking that a more solid, defensive player on the left would complement Cicinho on the right, allowing him to get forward more often and adding that bit of power and strength Cicinho clearly lacks (as, equivalently, a little more solidity on the right complements what Max brings on the left); and yet, on the other hand, the side always looks most balanced when we can attack down either flank and when we get the same kind of threat and attacking quality from both fullbacks.

[pocari_fenrir]

[Messinterista]

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[pocari_fenrir]

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[pocari_fenrir]

[stefano]

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[maro]

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[maro]

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[maro]

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[Jamoldo]