THE WOLF'S DEN - Tana dei Lupi II

[RomaShield27]

LE FORMAZIONI UFFICIALI

Sampdoria (4-4-2): 85 Curci, 8 Zauri, 6 Lucchini, 28 Gastaldello, 3 Ziegler; 11 Koman, 17 Palombo, 16 Poli, 8 Guberti; 9 Pozzi, 89 Marilungo.
A disp.:1 Da Costa, 26 Volta, 5 Accardi, 12 Tissone, 7 Mannini, 10 Pazzini, 41 Macheda.
All.: Di Carlo.
Squalificati: nessuno.
Diffidati: nessuno.
Indisponibili: Semioli, Cacciatore, Padalino.

Roma (4-3-1-2): 27 Julio Sergio, 77 Cassetti, 5 Mexes, 9 Burdisso, 17 Riise; 20 Perrotta, 23 Greco, 33 Brighi; 94 Menez; 9 Vucinic, 22 Borriello.
A disp.:32 Doni, 3 Castellini, 87 Rosi, 4 Juan, 30 Simplicio, 16 De Rossi, 10 Totti
All.: Ranieri.
Squalificati: nessuno.
Diffidati: Brighi, Burdisso, Cassetti, Rosi, Vucinic
Indisponibili: Lobont, Taddei, Pizarro, Adriano

Arbitro: Rocchi di Firenze.

[RomaShield27]

[RomaShield27]

Good first-half performance and display from the boys, buts it all for nothing if we don't replicate it in the second and put this game to bed. Its a pity we couldn't of added a second. Samp have been very bad and you'd expect them to raise their game, plus they have a few impact subs in Pazzini and that little shit Macheda who you'd imagine would come on.

Its a 4-4-3 with Vucinic surprisingly lining out wide right but it has been quite effective and our front three have linked up well. Menez isn't perhaps as effective out wide as he is in the middle but he's done good. Vucinic has been spectacular, needless to say, with some nice touches and a quality goal, he still needs to keep his concentration more and not lose the ball as easily sometimes. Our midfield three have been very impressive too, with Greco in particular really standing out. When he plays with confidence like that he looks so assured on the ball. Not sure why Juan was left out at the back – tactical or fitness reasons? Didn't hear of any injury. I think we might see him for Cassetti at some stage.

How come Perrotta is the captain ahead of Mexes today? Is that the pecking order it has always been, or has it changed recently due to other circumstances.

[RomaShield27]

[RomaShield27]

Jeez slow day in here. Where is everyone?

Apparently Mexes, when being interviews by Sky Italia at HT, said he has a small injury but will play in the second-half, but then Ranieiri said after:

“The doctor came to me and said Mexes had a muscular problem, so it was better not to risk it.”

A pity, we could of done with him out there, but i guess thats the way it goes, and who would of thought Juan would fuck up, twice.

The from RomaNews give Juan a 3. Mexes our best player.

Full game up in the for all those who didn't see it. Highlights .

[pocari_fenrir]

Wow Juan fucked us, twice... what did i say?? Not that great of a defender. I saw the highlights too; just what was he doing and what was he even thinking?! Or was he thinking for that matter??

[Lupa]

Just saw the highlights. That was ugly from Juan. Several weeks ago, didn't someone here say that Juan was having some family problems when he wasn't available for a game? Is his head just not in the game these days? Sure looks like it.

Nice magic from Mirko.

[RomaShield27]

Juan came out yesterday and took for his mistakes, saying "I basically lost the match by myself". Its good to hear such words from him. I don't recall hearing anything about he having family problems, Lupa, it could be an explanation alright. Who was it that said it?

Just seen this on

Totti rift with Ranieri – Monday 10 January, 2011
Roma captain Francesco Totti has been overheard criticising Claudio Ranieri and not for the first time this season. The 34-year-old talisman was unimpressed at being used as a stoppage time substitute with Roma 2-1 down away to Samp on Sunday. Before going on, Totti turned to the bench and reportedly said: “Hey, is the game starting now?”

Earlier in the week, Totti had spoken of “sad faces” at the club's training ground in Trigoria, leading the media to believe that all is not well in the capital. Asked to explain his decision after the game, Ranieri said: “I thought there was more than three minutes left.

“I told him that a moment of magic would be enough to get a point. I know that he isn't happy about it, but I always believe in a champion like him. This is a mark of the esteem in which I hold Totti. It's not a lack of respect. I didn't bring him on earlier because the three up front were running like madmen. He is our captain and a reference point for the club. Francesco gave everything when he came on. It didn't go well, but it's not his fault.”

--------------

Not really great words to hear from out Captain. Even if Totti did sort of mean it is a joke, as been suggested today, it still isn't the sort of behaviour you would expect from a man in his position. Totti is Totti and he isn't going to change now, but its a shame for all that he can't have a little more dignity in this stage of his career. Looking back at the game again, he also did seem to have a little kick out at Palumbo in that incident when chasing down the ball near their goal. There wasn't much in it, but it was there, and it all goes to show that he is clearly not happy with not being a regular starter in this team, and it doesn't look like its going to get any better, unfortunately. I sort of feel sorry for Ranieri, its a very difficult situation to manage.

BTW, Tom, are you on strike from posting here again? What is it now?

[maro]

?? I haven't posted since like Saturday; nor, strictly, would it be possible for me to be on strike again. For me, Claudio gets 100% of the blame for any exacerbation of the Totti problem yesterday.

[RomaShield27]

Sorry, no probs, just wondering. You were about a lot yesterday so I was expecting a critiquing or two from you. Awfully quiet here, no? I know what you mean about Ranieri getting the blame. He did say that he thought there was more time left but i'm not sure that is all that believable. He should of brought Totti on earlier for sure, but it doesn't really excuse Totti from saying those words, though, does it? Do you think he should of come on after they went ahead, or even before that, presumably for one of the front two?

[ASR1927]

I agree Ranieri should have brought on Totti sooner perhaps right after they went ahead. I no expert on tactics but maybe for another one of the mid-fielders since we were behind and had nothing to loose. I agreed with Tom that Menez should have been left on as he would have probably got Luchini sent off sooner with the runs he was making. He was giving them fits.

I am however constantly disappointed with Totti's behaviour unbecoming of a captain and club legend at times.

It was big of Juan to admit he fucked up... I wouldn't have expected him to mess up so bad in a match. Usually he is rock solid.

[vtec]

ranieri will alienate totti and francesco will go to inter as their assistant coach

[ASR1927]

Shit stirrer....

[RomaShield27]

Here's more shit to stir. Totti might leave to go to the MLS:

TOTTI, voci su un clamoroso trasferimento negli USA
http://www.romanews.eu

Totti è sempre protagonista nel mondo giallorosso. Si parla molto di un possibile malumore del Capitano in questo periodo, ma c'è chi si spinge oltre. Secondo calciomercato.com, infatti, poco prima di Natale, Totti sarebbe stato informato di un interessamento per lui da parte di un club americano (si fa il nome dei Los Angeles Galaxy). Non ci sarebbero però state, fino ad oggi, offerte ufficiali. Anche su Sky Sport si è parlato della clamorosa ipotesi del trasferimento negli USA, ma è stato anche spiegato che non c'è nulla di concreto e che il calciatore starebbe aspettando di incontrare la società.

[p_maldini_3]

news reports from milan are saying that mexes rejected roma's contract offer? what do you guys know about that?

http://www.milannews.it/?action=read&idnotizia=42598

[pocari_fenrir]

Tec, shut up... any place but Inter

Shield, i agree that it's unbecoming behaviour of our captain, but i cant pull myself to blame him. He's been with us since he was young and has played every game he can. Whenever he was fit, he started, he just loved to play from that first minute. While we can sit around and debate his willingness to perform every game, i doubt he will be getting used to playing from the bench ever. The other troubling thing is that Ranieri is terrible with managing his players. Although he is getting the best out of Menez and factored in Borriello, he has done well to alienate some of our core players. Im up for a switch at the end of the season.

[Lupa]

[RomaShield27]

[RomaShield27]

[maro]

Where did you read that about Totti and DDR. The last I read earlier in the afternoon had them both as almost certain to start.