THE WOLF'S DEN - Tana dei Lupi I

[SPqR]

please stop talking about booze on these boards today....I vomited my guts out 8 times this morning from consuming too much last night....

[stefano]

Hair of the dog, Vin.

[Frenchesco]

Hi Guys...Merry Christmas to all and hope you will have a good time celebrating this new year.
Just went to have a look on bullshit.com and I hope whoever wrote this shit is just kidding....MEXES TO milan MY ASS!!!
The day could not start any worst.
I know the guy has said many times times his love for Roma but we never know...all those rumours always frighten me.
Pls tell me it's just some more bullshit as we have read over the years...
Spalletti could not agree to that right???

[Jamoldo]

Frechy, given our lack of depth in defense, such a move would be suicidal, at best, I would say. It's pure garbage and Roma is a club that given its finances and the front office's ability to mismanage (maybe they did OK this past summer with signings, give it some time) transfers and contracts, that will always be subject to such rumors, particularly with the likes of the big 3 circling above us. Until we reach that level (or nosedive down) it will always be that way because we will challenge in our best years and always have a few great players that will be attractive to others. It's not as if we're a big club, like say the big 3 that can afford to pay large fees and weekly wages to a significant number of players, if need be.

That being said, and I know its garbage, but the junk on Channel 4 about us possibly swooping for Ruud or Podolski... While I might have taken Ruud 2 years ago (who wouldnt), I'd take Podolski. Yes he's not a striker per se, but his finishing ability is good, he's left footed and can play in a variety of roles from forward, to support striker to the wing. And he's in Bayern's fringes and cheap (relatively speaking). Oversimplified analysis of crap gossip? Totally. But I can dream, can't I?

[Jamoldo]

Also some interesting rumblings on laromasiamonoi... Fontana has left Palermo's training retreat (ritiro) and apparently is between Parma and Roma. Here's to hoping for the latter. A top notch backup keeper with experience. We're also interested in Pazzini who's not getting any time at Fiorentina courtesy of a blossomoing partnership between Mutu and Gilardino (still wish we had landed him a while back) but also behind Osvaldo. Oh and we might be offering Vucinic a new contract until 2014 on much better terms with Spalletti's blessing even though his current contract only runs out in 2011...

[pocari_fenrir]

we're also linked with Miguel (Valencia) and Juanito (Real Betis), both defenders and nearing the end of their contracts i believe (have to double check on Miguel). Mathieu (Toulouse) will also be free at the end of the season but no new links regarding him for this window yet.

Pele (Le Mans) will probably not be moving to us despite sitting on an expiring contract. someone made it a point that he would be pursuing a place in the France NT and he wont be playing over Doni. Fontana would be nice, but id like to see Artur and Bertagnoli leave, we almost have more keepers than strikers.

also interesting bit on how one of Aquilani or Pizarro will leave.

[Jamoldo]

My my my, sure is awfully quiet around here. You would think that with people on break/holiday, particularly those at home, would be posting more, though I'm well aware that its not January yet... I think Miguel would be a great pick up at the age of 29. He'd give us a few good years in a starting slot to develop or bring in someone (Rosi?).

[Frenchesco]

I don't see any keeper coming in and hope for the return of Curci next season. This situation is really hard to manage for Spalletti having Doni who is now, (because of his playing time) superior than Curci the home talent. I m not sure whether Curci will really improve and get more confidence while playing but I do hope he can come back and get his place in the starting 11 if not next season then in the next 2 years.
I don t see why we would buy a keeper now but if we were to, then I would strongly recommend Pele. He is a huge talent and he should be the future of the French national team. Whichever the team is going to play for, the guy is going to succeed.

[Jamoldo]

Frenchy, I'd be up for keeping Curci on loan to a lower or mid-table Serie A side since his time will surely come (Doni's penchant for screwing up at the most critical times notwithstanding), and he could use the Serie A experience.

If we were to get Pele I am sure he would want some kind of significant role, and unless we become world beaters on a semi-consistent basis I don't see us having two great keepers in the side since both will want to be playing regularly or part of a championship challenger. Look at Cudicini in Chelsea. He could easily start for most sides, but he's behind Petr Cech, one of the world's best in an incredibly deep squad, yet he has stayed because he knows well the squad is deep and will challenge in a number of competitions. I am surprised that someone like Wenger has not made a big bid for him in years past, seeing how Almunia isn't what I would call a great keeper.

[pocari_fenrir]

[Jamoldo]

Pocari, I think Sagna's a great player, at least one with tons of raw potential and having seen him live (only once though) his pace and ability to get down the line and really pose a threat in attack is frightening. However, he's young and needs to get more experience (this is where Wenger I think failed in letting Flamini and Hleb go), but I think as many young players do in such a tough season (with so many commitments), burn out mentally. I don't think Eboue's the same player he once was but given Arsenal's policy of only playing youth I can see how his confidence might have been shattered and his play as a result suffered. If Wenger lets him play for a few years he'll be huge, I think. However, I think Gallas is the real issue. It's Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde with him isn't it, and that's not great when you're supposed to anchor the defense...

Agree with you on Pele and Curci though. I'm hoping that Curci breaks out next season and we dump Doni (providing he doesn't become a world beater then, either). After all, lets look at Abbiati who spend a few seasons at Atletico Madrid when Dida was starting and now he's back and in the first team.

Thanks for the wishes, I was trying to keep it quiet, no one at work knows... Usually I just celebrate it in conjunction with NYE... Any plans on your part?

[stefano]

Happy birthday, Jam.

[RomaShield27]

[Jamoldo]

Thanks Shield and Grasso. Pocari, I guess one of my co-workers knew about it and quietly got me a cake (only 5 people in today), it was a really nice gesture. So much for my plans. I've been working through the holidays (well 24th was a half day, 25th and 26th off, 31st is a half day with the 1st off), since I used up my leave to go home for Thanksgiving last month.

Shield, for NYE I'm meeting up with some friends and we've got a table at a pretty nice restaurant, for 100 USD its all you can eat and drink (off the menu) for 4-5 hours. This includes Champagne and wine (you'd better believe I'll be choosing a bottle for myself)... You guys?

Shield, I'd like the experience of Fontana in the second half of the season since it just might be needed. Another set of calm nerves to keep Doni and the defense cool in training or if he has to, in a match, particularly if we have another rough patch. At this juncture I think his experience alone would be worth the 6 months. In the summer we can re-evaluate (ie. let him go)....

[RomaShield27]

That sounds like a good plan for NYE, Jamil. To be honest I find NYE over here blown way out of proportion and most people now are sick of the whole having to have a massive bash to celebrate the night, when really all it is is just another night out. Last year for example we just went to a pub and then back to a house party which was pretty unspectacular and the same as any other night. Tomorrow I'm going over to the girfriends sisters house for a quiet party with family and a few close friends, so nothing really all that big, which suits me perfectly. Had enough late nights the last week to last me for a while.

Perhaps Fontana's experience off the pitch and in training would be useful but I don't know if its all that key to having a good season. Doni has been in solid form and Artur has shown that he can step up if needed, although if we were missing Doni for a crucial game (i.e. CL) then yes I would worry, but I just don't know how reliable we could expect Fontana to be when he is really needed. Having Curci back to compete, not just act as backup but actually compete, is what I want for next season.

are saying that reports in Italy say we made an official bid to take Osvaldo on loan rejected, but they would be willing to let him go if we made an offer to buy him outright.

[maro]

Happy birthday, moldy. How old are you this time round? Fortunately my plan to make it through the year without getting crucified continues to hold up.

As far as the transfer rumours go, I think it's pretty clear what we need for the near future: a new 'keeper of genuine quality; a cultured, strong, hard-working fullback; another option across the trequartista line, comfortable in wide positions; a new centre-back; and perhaps a true striker. I'd go for Curci, Rosi, Cerci, Andreolli, and Okaka. Fuck yis all.

[Jamoldo]

Shield, I'd love for Curci to continue his development so that he can compete week-in, week-out for a starting position (though many, myself included) would argue that once you've got a starting keeper you should stick with him for stability and consistency. In that sense I dont think that Curci would be happy since Spalletti will probably stick with Doni. Not at this stage in his career when he should be getting time and developing more. What a waste for him to reject loan moves the last two years though. So in this case, I'd say keep loaning him out, even abroad (if he agrees) to good teams, ala Abbiati and Atletico.

It's not like Curci is Steve Harper of Newcastle (you knew this was coming). The guy could be a number one at many clubs, but for some reason has stuck around... Why other clubs have not actively tried to get him is beyond me because when Shay Given has been out he's more than done the job and has made a case for himself for a starting position (which he's had on occasion). That being said, I think Given is one of the world's best (at least as a shot stopper, questions about his ability to come out and get crosses) and I have the utmost respect for him. He did Ireland proud this weekend and anyone who watched the game against your favorite team in the EPL would know that 5-1 was an unfair score... to Liverfekkin'wankscum. Had it not been for Given's first half heroics it would and could have been double digits.

Thanks Maro, I'm 25.

[maro]

I'm not sure Macclesfield Town and Cambridge United could afford Harper's wages, moldy, though lord knows they'd have enough to cover the transfer 'fee'.

[maro]

Pauly, what do you mean by "songs" here, I wonder? Do you actually mean choral music, or do you just mean "piece"? If the latter, I suspect it'll be something like Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture. It could, I suppose, be something like Shostakovich's seventh symphony, the 'Leningrad', though I'd be surprised and clearly that's 20th- rather than 19th-century. If it's specifically choral, I don't know. The 'slaves' chorus' from Beethoven's 'Fidelio' is very famous and famously uplifting and I suppose the final movement of the ninth symphony, with the 'Ode to Joy' might fit. Mahler maybe? I don't, though, know Mahler at all really and so couldn't pick anything particular out. The words didn't go "red, the blood of angry men" did they?

[RomaShield27]

I don't think Maro shares your enthusiasm for Harper, Jam, and I'd have to say I'd be leaning more toward his view on that one, but your point gets across. Harper is, by English goalkeeping standards, a reasonably good backup keeper to have in your (english) squad, but I see no reason why we couldn't bring Curci back next season and why he wouldn't want to come back and fight for that number one spot. He has been playing very well for Siena this season and if he continues down that path I still haven't given up hope of him coming back and making Doni our reserve. Although it will cost us to do so as he is gone on co-ownership, so really it depends very much on how Spalletti judges were he is in his career and if he is ready for the number one spot. And lets not forget he remains, at this point in time, the heir to Buffon for the Azzurri, so he's not exactly in the same boat as Harper. Incidentally, there's rumors of the Arsewipe making a move for Given going around again (I know they have surfaced every transfer period since Lehman left, but you never know). This wouldn't be good for us as he would be eligible for the CL.