We played dreadful against Bologna, so I'm not confident even if it is only Siena.

I know. My point is that it's better it happened against Siena than against Napoli or Juve, as acid said.

Surely. Yes, it could get worse, always. Still, I just hope we won't once again loose points.

I doubt it. There's only two games left before Christmas break, and I'm sure the team wants to close the year with as many points as possible. Even if the defense sucks, midfield and attack will make it so that Siena never get dangerous.

Ha, there are two disclaimers already then. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) One from you, and one from Ash who started this thread.


Exactly. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) And with Juventus and Roma sharing the points last match, the team will be doubly motivated. Shtick could have hit the fan if they walked away with three points and increased their lead at the top. Now, even with a makeshift defense, the team will still be in its senses seeing we play home, against the boys from Siena.

The winter break, hopefully heals most of our players up, and we should hit our stride come January. Then the CL.

The problems against Bologna were mostly sparked from the mentality in which the game was approached with

And from the Seedorf-MvB-Aquilani suicidal midfield.

I don't think that's much to do with it at all. That's a very basic midfield set-up which is deployed by most top sides. Imo we should be playing a more versatile midfield than 2 DMs and a single playmaker, like any other top side would. Having Boateng in the midfield 3 would have made more sense, but Allegri is hard headed, so the day we'll see Boateng moved permanently into his natural position is the day I walk on water

In games like this, we should be able to go a more attacking and dynamic route, thus meaning removing the extra DM.

What was upsetting to see on my part was the complete lack of effort from the team. Just completely lathargic as if we've already won it without having to lift a finger. That is the attitude that has gotten us into big trouble in the past. In an other reality that midfield should have had no problem cutting through Bologna, but like usual we made a meal of it because the players simply couldn't care less and were expecting the win to be gifted to them, mind you, the ref almost tried to do just that (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

Poor fella bit harsh on good old Walter (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

NOT ANOTHER ONE OF YOU!!!

Acid look, your long lost soulmate!! Another spelling nazi

Good post. I agree 100%

It's not much about the set-up rather than who the interpreters are, i.e. two 35-y-o's and someone like Aquilani who's not good defensively. I think Nocerino is crucial to our game, because he adds that something which a guy like Seedorf never will at his old age. The guy covers spaces, pressures the opponents, tracks back, is deadly at inserting from the defenders' backs and he's even pretty skilled. A complete midfielder IMO, someone we cannot make do without.

Seedorf offers very little. He's excellent at possession and handling the ball, but the guy fails at everything else. He'd be alright I guess if we had someone like De Rossi alongside Nocerino that would cover his back. But playing him, Aquilani and Van Bommel, especially against a team like Barcelona, is out of this world. I still haven't figured out what Allegri was thinking there.

Yes,Nocerino has been so integral for us.He's much more than a defensive midfielder,well said.
If we can get a couple of Nocerinos' for like 500k each,i'm all for it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

wouldnt be surprised if we get another silly draw. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) Na, he's more of a Walter Payton fan. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) There is only one grammear police, and that's me!