QUOTE (Fishdoll @ Aug 31 2010, 10:09 AM)

I'm not entirely ready to jump on the rainbows-and-lollipops bandwagon just yet. Still think the personalities involved may lead to trouble sooner rather than later. Am going to take a wait and see attitude.
totally fair point.
its basically: you can't knock the financial aspects of these moves, and for that it is a positive. What remains to be seen however is whether the attitudes will be an issue. For this, there is rightfully room for skepticism.
However, for the eternally optimistic (which I can't help but be): Our dressing room is such a united one.
- Last year this time we were ambivalent to start: Unsure what Ronnie was capable of, still reeling from the blows — both from a mentality and technical standpoint — of Kaka/Carlo/Paolo's departures, and didn't necessarily know what Leo was all about. We had an underwhelming window with Huntelaar, and kept hearing statements from our board that we were content with what we had.
-But the squad responded, and basically maximized the potential it had. Ronnie encouraged us, and we gained confidence in what we could do, with a mentality of just trying to do our best. We recognized our limitations. and this has seemingly fired Dinho up — which considering he showed he still had it when not fit, bodes really well considering he is now fit, and armed with new artillery up front.
This year is different. Allegri has us inspired and believing in his decisions. These could fire up the squad. It's going to light fire in guys like Rino, Zambro, Seedorf, Nesta, Pirlo. Rino will keep Robinho in line. Boateng could prove himself in a big way, but at the very least give us serviceable depth in a position we needed some in. Robinho and Ibra will realize they are part of a real team - given their age, and the journeyman careers they've had, they may just have a more mature disposition entering Milan. Ronaldinho will have a real chance to come good on his bold declaration that it is his duty to make Milan succeed — if his commitment to fitness that we've seen recently is any indication, he's on course to do so by leading by example.
Robinho knows the situation he's entering, and can be promised around 30 minutes of playing time each game until he proves/Allegri figures away for him to feature more. With his talent, even with the time it takes to adapt to Serie A, he will have magical moments this season linking up intuitively with Dinho/Pato/Ibra. He could enjoy himself. So could Ibra. And we could be Scudetto favorites and CL Semifinalists for some years to come.
I still can't get it out of my head that knowing the way our management thinks, a huge offer for Pato would be a whole lot more tempting in future summers to come. The way they sold Kaka, I could see them doing for him. Hopefully UEFA sanctions change market operations, and allow us to protect our stars.
*PS - hey acid, good to see you around!
This post has been edited by vnata001: Aug 31 2010, 09:12 PM