This happens whenever we have some young guy on the roster that doesn't play a whole lot.

I've seen a ton of the "play Merkel" contingent on here as of late and it's rather tiresome, actually.

But, I don't get what your point is. You think Merkel is a potential Vieira or Davids? I really don't think so, we haven't seen so much to be sure, but the few matches he played it was (IMO) clear as day that he's not ready yet.

Sorry if you think I've discredited your opinion, but it's just that I don't think the problem you stated is a Milan curiosum.


Indeed. It's more of a slogan then a real statement.

Don't play Merkel.

It's not about what he's done, it's about what those that play ahead of him do... or actually don't do. If those guys were playing well you would not hear about Merkel at all.


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Agreed,I would rather play a prospect,and let him learn and adapt to the Serie A instead of playing players past their prime who don't offer anything better.

Agreed


I'm all about giving him a chance, but he's just not ready for high pressure situations, and playing him in games away from home where he is put under immense pressure is just not ideal, look at how he crumbled against Catania once they singled him out as the weak link in midfield

While what you said is true, how do you think he will improve? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) We have to feed him to the fishes one time or another. If he makes a mistakes or two, in no way should that hurt us more than when a veteran with finished leg makes a mistake in a big game. For all it's worth, I'd take his crumbling against Catania than Seedorf against Tottenham standing there ball-waiting, any given Sunday. Seedorf (or anyone else for that matter) is the bigger crime. At least, the youngster will learn from the experience and who knows, maybe improves.

Of course, if we did not have stupid coaches these past few years, they would have integrated and eased these players into the first XI without much trouble. Had at least one of them play/start in all matches, at least easier ones, and we'd have had some sort of a new generation ready by now. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) When we have talentless hacks like Bonera, Antonini, Abate (depending on who you ask) playing regularly, and making mistakes all through the season, it would not have hurt trying Strasser, Merkel (he is quite young still, I'll give you that), and other such players. There was absolutely no point in loaning out the likes of Astori and Paloschi.

If we had played our youngsters the right way these past few years, we would not have been asking the question of whether to give them some game time in a tough away match like Chieve - they would either be ready by now, or not. In the case of the later, they'd be out of the club if the management found them weak.

Kind of see both points in this. Merkel is young, has talent (though not as good as people make out) but he has got potential, he isn't going to get better by sitting on the bench though. He has to get time on the pitch, if Milan feel he's anything for the future, if not he needs to go out on loan somewhere (where we actually get him back after).

This is kind of the problem with Milan now with the lack of youth, we don't give them a real chance, bar Pato. As I've said before with Gourcuff as a good example we just let him go without a wimper, ok so he's not absolute top-notch but would he be playing in our team instead of Seedorf now? Of course he would.

Though this constant bombardment of Merkel being some saviour is a bit OTT, we've seen him, as I said he has talent/potential but he's certainly no superstar yet. Yes he should start games but people really need to reset their expectations. Just like this 'Ganso' rubbish, it takes years for them to develop, from what I've seen he is not Kaka V2, I highly, highly doubt he would be here a few weeks and be one of our main starters, just look at Pato it's taking him time to develop. I heard all this hype with Augusto a few years back and he's hardly set the world alight.

Actually, I don't think a player can be developed only by playing him. In fact, playing Merkel at this stage would be pushing him into a burning flame.

I fail to see how they can get better at playing in matches... if they don't play in matches though.

As I said if we feel he's not ready for us yet, we send him out on loan.

Last game, I blame han ... If we loose this one, I blame the penguins!

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You're the one that opened the Tottenham thread and made us lose!!!

Oh btw, is bet365 working for anyone? I'm getting a this apge cannot be displayed message

MILAN: Abbiati, Abate, Nesta,Thiago Silva, Antonini, Gattuso, Van Bommel, Merkel, Robinho, Ibrahimovic, Cassano.
CHIEVO: Sorrentino, Frey, Morero, Cesar, Mantovani, Fernandes, Rigoni, Pulzetti, Costant, Pellissier, Thereau.

i asks me to put some money in the account not been using t for quite long now

Rite now it is not even opening

This post has been edited by CrazyMilanFan: Feb 20 2011, 02:52 PM

Why no Pato again??!! Allegri is a real piece of work! And Rino really?? He really should have gotten a time out, I'm all for standing behind the player and that he was provoked, but playing him just 3 days after that fiasco?? Ridiculous!