THE WOLF'S DEN - Tana dei Lupi I

[giallo-rossi.ie]

[RomaShield27]

[aba_bab]

[RomaShield27]

This is the fickle world of footballers, Aba. They love they're club one day, hate it the next. I too did like Giuly while he was making the odd appearance for us springing from the bench, running his little legs off like a grown man in a (little) child's body, and although I knew he wasn't completely happy at not getting more playing time and perhaps training too hard (ha, yeh right, you would think if he really did want to play more the natural thing would be too train even harder), and I was a little surprised he had a go at us when he left for home. A little surprised, but not all that shocked. Its the norm these days for egotistical and vain footballers to have plenty to say when they leave a club and join another, blaming everything from the manager to the training to the colour of the grass, and its rare to see high-profile players leave on good terms. Ronaldinho is a recent obvious exception to this rule, as he had kinds words for Barcelona and its fans when he left for Milano, and I'm sure he'll get a good reception should the two clubs meet anytime soon (in the UEFA Cup, perchance). For the other side of the coin all you have to do is look at Adebayor, the man who all summer was flirting with both Milan and Barca and saying both were great clubs and he would be open to joining either, only for when no move materialised what did he do? Celebrate his goal in the pre-season friendly against Real (or was it Juve?) by running to the crowd and kissing the crest on his jersey. Yeah, he loves Arsenal. Its laughable. There was no need for Giuly to make those comments buts its not all that out of the ordinary and nothing new, really, just the nature of your modern ball player, short oompah loompah one's included.

[Carlo Romano]

It seems Pradè is only interested in negotiating for Malouda while he is in London.

I can't say I'm so surprised...as I said a few posts back, there's no guarantee Ljungberg will ever recover his best form and Bosman transfer though it would be, his salary would be more than we are likely to pay.

Shield & Aba, I too will miss Giuly but it's not like he is a world class star, he's replaceable with not too much difficulty. Let him moan. Who cares...

[Italiamia]

It looks like focus is still Malouda and Baptista. Even though those Qualgliarella rumors are out there again. I don't have any confidence in Pradè. As one article I read today said, "La Roma e il mercato dei no", which perfectly sums up this summer for Roma. There is still time, but I am afraid that by the time Christmas comes around, we are going to be talking about the 2009-2010 season. Of course, nothing will change even then with this ownership. To me, this whole summer has been a great embarrassment. We look so unprofessional. Running around just looking for somebody, anybody to say yes. The thing is nobody respects Pradè, and they know he is only acting on Rosella's orders. Bruno Conti should be the guy responsible for transfers. Pradè is not like Franco Baldini. Baldini knew the game. He played the game professionally. People respected him and he knew everybody. Pradè is a hack in a suit. He is Roman and Romanista but to me, he simply lacked the experience and gravitas required for a d.s. of a major club.

[Carlo Romano]

Ita, isn't part of our problem perhaps that Totti is our only real fuoriclasse name in playing terms? There's a limit as to what or whom one guy can attract!

That aside, as most of us know only too well, despite their titles of sporting director and technical director, Pradè and Conti are both answerable to La Principessa and though, as you suggest, the Conti name on its own would command more respect in business terms than when connected with Pradè, his hands are nonetheless still tied! He is limited by instruction! We are rated 2'nd tier CL standard and many of us here would agree that until la famiglia Sensi moves out, we are cursed with carrying the cross of doing well to even maintain our present place...

To me this is just Roma's history repeating itself...sad to say! Always as if we've never quite known just how to take the final step up that separates the successful from all the wannabees! Over time, we've had better breaks certainly than the Napoletani and Siciliani but that's no bloody consolation to us at the moment!

[Dejan-Stankovic]

[RomaShield27]

Not really...

Baptista too costly for Roma
FI – Saturday 9 August, 2008

Roma’s negotiations for Julio Baptista have hit problems with Real Madrid and the Brazilian, both based on money. The Brazilian’s agent has declared he is open to a move to the Olimpico after the arrival of Rafael Van Der Vaart placed him lower down the pecking order.

The Giallorossi are in talks with Real, but the difference between demand and offer remains far too great. Although the Merengues have reduced the price-tag from £11m to £9m, it is still beyond Roma’s bid of £7m. On top of that issue, Baptista has reportedly also made it clear he is unsatisfied with the wage and contract terms put forward by Roma.

His agent is expected in Rome over the next few days to continue negotiations, but with Newcastle showing an interest, Luciano Spalletti could miss out on his target.

[RomaShield27]

Tottenham-Roma: i convocati
www.ilromanista.it – AS ROMA | oggi - ore 13:09

I convocati di Luciano Spalletti, allenatore della Roma, per Tottenham Hotspur - AS Roma, in programma domani pomeriggio alle 15 ora italiana.

ALVAREZ
ANDREOLLI
AQUILANI
ARTUR
BRIGHI
CASSETTI
DE ROSSI
ESPOSITO
JUAN
LORIA
MONTELLA
MEXES
MLADEN
OKAKA
PANUCCI
PENA
PERROTTA
PIPOLO
PIZARRO
RIISE
VIRGA
VUCINIC

[RomaShield27]

[vtec]

[Totti_10]

Benfica picked up Jose Antonio Reyes on a loan deal with an option to buy. I think he could have been a good player for Roma. I know he has struggled the last couple of years but Roma's style of play would probably suit him. I wouldn't buy him outright but if a loan deal was available that would have been a good pickup. Hopefully we are able to conclude the Baptista deal soon. He will add some necessary power to the squad. He brushes off tackles and wins balls in the air. He would help a great deal. If we sign Baptista would we really need a player like Malouda? I would rather a young stud like Menez. Between Vucinic, Totti, Baptista, Perrotta and Riise we have more than enough cover for the trequartista, left mid and "striker position". Baptista is not what any of us would call a striker but he can fill in Roma's system. I'm actually more concerned about the right side than the left. Remember this squad relies on a specific system with the ability to interchange players and their positions. It really is the ideal system for a squad like Roma. We have to get cheaper alternatives who do a lot of things and can fill in many positions on the pitch. The club can't afford to get great one dimensional players.

[RomaShield27]

Jesus fekkkkin Christ I was just readin up a bit on the latest comments over on the Offside ('A Gift Awaits') and its enough to want to make you pull your hair out and do a Bobby De Niro Taxi Driver kinda job. Chris professes how good Baptista would be (he would be good, yes, but relax like), and so an onslaught of Perrotta ensues. A taster:

"Anyone who can come to Roma and make sure that Perrotta never sees the green of the stadium until we’ve got three starters in a hospital is worth signing. Bench Perrotta."

[AlCapone]

[Totti_10]

[aba_bab]

[maro]

[p_maldini_3]

[RomaShield27]

Yeah I hear ya Maro. Its like lets replace Perrotta with the big flashy Brazilian who scores loadsa goals. Except, though, he doesn't (Perrotta actually scored more goals than him last season). The attraction of high-profile player transfers and new players arriving can really lead to some people getting carried away, or just plain talking spupid. The Offside is grand but its been slightly infected with RA disease, I fear, a result of its increasing popularity, perhaps. Thank God nothing like that has happened here... (ahem). Perrotta is a World Cup winner and we all know the qualities he brings etc. etc. Anyway, I'm quite happy with the arrival of Baptista. He has been unsettled for the last few seasons and perhaps needs a new home and regular football to get back to his best, and I'm sure thats something which Spalletti can help him with. I don't see him strolling into our starting 11, though, and will take time to settle, very similar to Cici's arrival last year, but his versatility, strength, and aerial ability are all welcome additions indeed.

Baptista looks wrapped up: http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_ ... ug10j.html

€10, Esposito and Andreolli for Quagliarella? Hell yes: http://romanews.eu/news.asp?newsID=7023&pag=2

Al, good stuff on the interview. In fairness, I'd be interested in hearing what he has to say. As our fourth choice left-back he should have lots of times for interviews.

Anyone watching the game? Any streams goin on?

LE FORMAZIONI

TOTTENHAM (4-4-2): Gomes; Zokora, Assou-Ekotto, Dawson, Woodgate; Bentley, Jenas, Modric, Giovani dos Santos; Berbatov, Bent.

A disp.: Bale, Huddlestone, Lennon, Gilberto, Gunter, O'Hara, King.
All.: Ramos.

ROMA (4-2-3-1): Artur; Cassetti, Mexes, Juan, Riise; De Rossi, Brighi; Aquilani, Perrotta, Vucinic; Montella.

A disp.: Pipolo, Panucci, Loria, Esposito, Alvarez, Virga, Mladen.
All.: Spalletti.