THE WOLF'S DEN - Tana dei Lupi II

[RomaShield27]

[maro]

I suspect you have your beer goggles on when assessing Vooch's form; I don't like the way Totti's contributing at the moment, though, certainly. Totti needs runners and movement off him, though, and the team we set out today, as too often this season, was one which was light on movement and attacking runners. As red said after the Bayern game, if you're going to play that defensively, you're better off playing Vooch and Borriello simply because they're more likely to create something on their own with their greater pace. Totti is the spark of genius in the machine and at the moment there's no machine and so no genius. This is especially true if you take Menez off for Brighi - because it meant we had no link between midfield and attack.

[Italiamia]

[Lupa]

[maro]

CLAUDIO RANIERI A ROMA CHANNEL

Perchè la sostituzione di Menez con Brighi?

Volevo più profondità e penetrazione con Brighi. A Jeremy gli avevo chiesto di non venire troppo incontro e poi lo abbiamo fatto con Brighi. Noi ci siamo messi paura su due contropiedi loro, non siamo stati più compatti e abbiamo preso il gol.

An attacking move, apparently, Lupa. No Totti no party? No Perrotta no Totti-party?

[maro]

edzo is suggesting Vooch should have started instead of Totti rather than as well as him, Avocado.

[Giacomo]

Yes, Vucinic should have played alongside Borriello with Menez behind, and Brighi alongside Pizarro and De Rossi in midfield, with the 4 defenders behind them.

Today's was a straightforward selection with Perrotta out, an absence which made no difference.

The more important question is why did Ranieri do what seemed irrational, ie. starting Totti instead of Vucinic and substituting Menez with Brighi? I wonder if he realises how Spalletti felt now?

[Giacomo]

Also , it is incorrect to claim that Vucinic is in poor form. He played very well against Cluj, one weak shot in an excellent scoring position excepted.

[Lupa]

[red]

Napoli thought it was a fantastic idea.

[Giacomo]

Maybe one other person on the pitch thought it was not the worst idea!

[maro]

How many minutes has Vooch played for us over the past four weeks?

[maro]

In 8 games he's played 241 minutes? 2 and 2/3 games? Is being fit not a prerequisite for being in form around here?
http://www.gazzetta.it/speciali/risulta ... ato=seriea

[Giacomo]

60 or so against Brescia, 15 against Inter, 60 or so against Cluj in addition to today's game.

The point is that he is now fit or, at least, his exclusion cannot be because of fitness, something Ranieri did not mention.

Today's should have been a straightforward selection in normal circumstances.

[Giacomo]

He looked fit enough on Tuesday - maybe lacking some sharpness, but still - and I can think of no reason why he could not have started today, that is without the post-Inter problems with which Ranieri had to contend.

[maro]

And picking Vooch and dropping Totti to the bench is "a straightforward selection"?

[stefano]

I'm glad I missed this morning's game. Unfortunately, I'm unable to say the same for the commentary in this thread.

[Lupa]

[maro]

All the really good stuff was in the shitebox. These artichauts are good.

[maro]

Yes, Lupa, exactly.