THE WOLF'S DEN - Tana dei Lupi II

[Carlo Romano]

Ed, I honestly can't make up my mind as to whether Baptista just has ideas above his station as regards his worth in playing ability and salary! Or whether he really would be content to see out his contract with us and being paid for doing next to nothing. As we know only too well, we can't force him out, nor can we afford to pay him compensation which is what we'd have to do to break his contract.

Gio & Deini, are you guys completely sure about the Nico Burdisso ordeal being finally over? Today I've been very busy and I haven't had a chance to read around, but what I'm seeing is Inter now pushing us to €8.5mil for him and because Ranieri has had a good old moan about it, Rosella is trying to find the money. I sincerely hope she does if the deal isn't already agreed. So what was all that about last week, a supposed agreement over the phone between la Sensi and Moratti on a price around €5.5mil?

Everyone who has commented on our CL group...yes we ought to take second place but remember Basilea, to give them their Italian spelling, saw us off in the EL earlier this year. I hope il mister doesn't make the same mistakes twice!

[stefano]

No one else is worried about Cluj?

[Carlo Romano]

Steve, we can't underestimate anyone in that group. When I said we ought to finish second I meant just that, it's not as straightforward as it appears at first glance. I haven't seen the fixture list but I'm thinking I wouldn't like to see us needing to go to Romania under pressure as in only a win will do...

[loazzi]

I am all for Baptista being sold EXCEPT if that opens the doors for Behrami, in which case I'd be happy for Roma to pay for Baptista to just sit in the tribuna every Sunday. Hell, I'd even chip in to buy him a nice piece of focaccia and a bottle of San Pellegrino every Sunday just to keep that Lazio-tainted Fuck away from Roma.

On a different note, glad that we got Burdisso, but for 8 million? Is it just me or couldn't we have gotten him two months ago for 6 million? Nice job Prade! I hope Ranieri can figure out a good rotation that involves Juan, Mexes and Burdisso all getting quality playing time. I also wonder whether Ranieri intends to use him as a RB at all.

[Italiamia]

[Italiamia]

How about this from foxsports regardng group E in the CL:

AS Roma: "The Giallorossi are Italy's second best side at the moment, but what does that really mean? Unfortunately, Serie A football is no better than third (maybe even fourth) on the continent these days, and even though Inter Milan won the Champions League final a year ago, there was no real sign of an Italian renaissance at club level. Claudio Ranieri is an experienced boss, Francesco Totti still one of the stars of the game and there is firepower from the likes of Julio Baptista and Adriano, as well. Defensively, Juan proved himself at the World Cup with Brazil and Philippe Mexes has been a consistent force in Rome, but this is a side starting to age (Daniele De Rossi, John Arne Riise, even Totti are past their best days). In a tougher group that might be more of a factor; in this section finishing second should be quite possible."

http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/cham ... groups-e-h

[Carlo Romano]

Gio, yes I had a chance to finally do some catching up...LaRoma24.it are saying it's €8mil.

I know this, Ranieri would have been very angry had Rosella not somehow managed to accomodate his wish to bring Nico back to us! I said so here some weeks ago that I don't care what may be said about Ranieri extending his contract with us but if we go into a mercato with no money next summer, who would bet against Signor Claudio telling our presidentessa just where to stuff her contract!

[maro]

Most of all I'm worried about Roma.

[RomaShield27]

[Italiamia]

[maro]

[stefano]

[Italiamia]

[maro]

I just mean that Roma playing anyone worries me since we're more than capable of beating ourselves whomever we're playing. So, yes, playing Cluj worries me, as does playing the Basils and the Munchins. The one thing that makes me less worried is just that it's not a group with a particularly strong third seed - which is generally what's worried me the most in the past.

[Carlo Romano]

Gio, for God's sake who the hell does Fox employ to write something like that? I must concede whether I want to or not that Serie A is nowhere near the force it was in the 1990's. The journalist got that part right. But to even hint at Adriano and Baptista having the firepower we need...with Baptista's lack of outfield ball control and with Adriano's lack of pace, they both have to be put in positions where they couldn't miss! As for that softcock Pradè, he's been travelling all over the damn place at Roma's expense this summer! Why would he stop now? As you say, making the most of it before it ends!

Tommaso, how apt! The number of times we have been our own worst enemies...


loazzi, let's face it, Marco Branca did his job for Inter. He wasted our time and kept us hanging on, knowing full well he could squeeze us. A fuckin' mutt like Pradè hasn't the cojones to conduct that kind of business or the deal would have been made ages ago.

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[Italiamia]

I never heard of Jamie Trecker. Here is what one soccer fan said about him: "He substitutes controversy for talent. Hyperbole for insight. Over-reaction for analysis. He's basically your typical BigSoccer poster who is actually paid to issue idiotic opinions based on little fact."

[Carlo Romano]

[RomaShield27]

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