Poor Zaps (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

How did he look like a fool??? He was marking his man! Like I said, Maccarone did an amazing trick. Anyone, even Nesta or Thiago could have fallen for that. But Bertolacci was just walking when Saponara was running inside the box, and De Jong reacted late.

And what the hell does the leadership role have anything to do here? Did Zapata bunk the offside trap because of that? I wouldn't trust two slow and static CBs like Mexes and Alex together, but two fast and mobile ones like Zapata and Romagnoli is more than fine. They might not complement each other perfectly, but it's the best we can afford, and you're not gonna convince me otherwise.

Have to say I think X is onto something here.

With no Muntari, Bonera or the like to slaughter any more, Han needed (even if he didn't realise it) a new figure of contempt.

No one would claim that Zaps is Maldini, but the guy IS a fine defender even if his passing is occasionally loose. For sheer brute force defending he's rather good, as well as strong in the air and quick - helps for tracking back against counters.

Yes, he probably needs an alpha leader next to him to be at his best, but so what? Specifically speaking I'd argue he needs a foil, a player next to him with the attributes he lacks, like leadership and positional sense, or composure on the ball. But then Mexes sucks next to Alex and vice versa.

Defences are about the right two kinds of defender next to each other, if one is missing the other suddenly loses a great deal of their game.

But this, all this is getting away from the point: Zapata is absolutely the least of our concerns and will do a job if picked. Hopefully whoever else is picked does too, be it Ely, Romag, Mexes or Alex.

Sorry, but yes, he did. He could have done better. And an awesome trick from Maccarone? Come on now!

Who said anything about Alex and Mexes playing together??

I said Alex should partner either one of Zapata or Romagnoli, because both need someone who can lead the line next to them, Romagnoli because of his inexperience and Zapata because that's just the way he is.

And you can be as fast and mobile as you like but if there are positional errors and passing errors you can't recover from all of them simply because you're quick.

Also, the thing with the offside trap I was talking about him not only not being able to be the reference point at the back for the others, but HE'S the one that's making these errors. Add in a young and inexperienced guy next to him and you'll have trouble at the back.

And fyi, I'm not trying to convince you of anything! I'm simply stating my opinion that I think it's a mistake to go with both Zapata and Romagnoli and I think we should go with Alex and either one of those 2, simply because I think that would make a better pairing. I hope that I am worrying over nothing and they do well because Miha seems to be sticking with them for now, but I don't think that will be the case. Simple as that really, I'm not trying to get you to join my anti-Zapata cult like you and Danny are trying to make it out to be


Again, you're being ridiculous with your conspiracy theories with regards to how I feel about Zapata. If I needed a player to whine about there are plenty others to choose from in this team. Believe me!

As I said a million times now, Zapata has flaws in his game that for me tend to be a bit of a stretch to overlook when thinking of someone who can be a starter for us. It's nothing personal but I just don't trust him and that's basically it really.

Also, I already said that I'm fine with either him or Romagnoli starting, but not together as for me that is worrying. Again, this is just my opinion, and Miha will more than likely go for what you 2 are advocating, I just hope it doesn't go wrong for us.

And one more thing, you're saying it yourself here in this post. For a proper pairing to really work the 2 CBs need to have all the attributes required of a top CB even if it not individually but as a pairing. It's why I think Mexes and Zapata worked so well together and I know for a fact it's why you think Alex and Zapata could also work well together. I think Romagnoli could be good next to Zapata as well, but his inexperience and Zapata's sometimes shaky defending and suicide passing could be a problem as unlike when he has Mexes or Alex next to him Romagnoli is not experienced enough to bail him out. And he could also be the one commiting the mistakes and Zapata is simply not the type of players who is there and usually well positioned to cover for unexpected occurences

Anyway, we should move on as we're never going to see eye to eye on this. I hope I'm wrong, but I'm afraid that I most likely won't be.

It seems like Alex has been completely cast aside by Miha anyway, so I don't know why I'm wasting time on this, if things go wrong we can just blame it on the midfield...

Anyone can make an awesome trick, it doesn't require you to be a world class player. You just don't want to admit that Zapata wasn't at fault there, or that at least he was the one at least at fault.



Do you hear yourself? You moan about Zapata as if he's the next Acerbi and yet you say you have nothing against him. Getting all technical and stuff just to make a point that doesn't exist. If Zapata plays alongside Mexes it's fine, but if he plays alongside Romagnoli then it's a disaster. Football is not a science, Han. Form and moments play a huge part. And playing a crappy Alex and a just recovered Mexes is way riskier than playing Zapata.

But remember, it's just me with the 'conspiracy theories' Han (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

No, I'm not, he was at fault there, imo, but okay blame De Jong...

Do you hear yourself?

My points about Zapata come from having watched him enough to appreciate the type of player he is but accept that he comes with limitations. Limitations that have cost us points in the past.

It's not a science. It's common sense that you'd want someone at the back who can lead the line and be a point of reference to the others, especially when the other CB is an inexperienced 20 year old who's never played in a derby of this magnitude.

Also, where did you see me saying that we should play Mexes in all of that? Just like with the Alex-Mexes bit you're putting words in my mouth to try and prove your point and make mine look stupid and/or invalid based solely on my sheer and utter hate for Zapata (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

Sure, form and moments play a huge part, and from what I've seen in both matches so far is that neither Zapata nor Romagnoli are in any sort of particularly good form, so I don't get what point you're trying to make here...

Like I also pointed out in the other thread, Alex has looked off the pace, sure, but he's the type of player who takes initiative and takes charge of the situation. Zapata doesn't and if we're up against it when we play Inter expect that to really hurt us.

You both have them Danny, just because I don't agree with you about a player it's suddenly a conspiracy that I hate him, and it's not just you, many here tend to go down that route just to try to prove their points (me included at times). Can't it be a very simple explanation like for example I don't rate Zapata all that highly and his mistake prone nature gives me runners of the unpleasant variety when he doesn't have someone to hold his hand playing next to him especially? I have nothing against the guy, you guys are saying hat he's my Muntari, but I can assure you, he's not. I just don't feel comfortable with him starting, that is all. MY GOD!!

So, you're willing to play a completely off-form Alex who's been crap so far because he has the attributes of a leader instead of somebody who is a starter for the Colombia NT and in far better shape? Logic.



Oh come on, as if you wouldn't drool over the possibility of your precious Mexes starting ahead of Zapata. Don't act so innocent.



It's one thing not liking a player and another constantly whining about him as if he's our worst player or something. I was completely on your side regarding Muntari because the guy was absolutely terrible, but Zapata doesn't deserve such treatment because he's far better than you make him out to be.

In short, Han's talking shite. I defended Muntari but lost patience with him after a couple of years. Zaps has been here over three and never been deserving of half of the cr*p Han's been giving him.

And yes, I would have to agree he's turning this into a pro Mexes anti Zapata tirade.

The rubbish you're talking Han is why your anti Zapata crap is f*cking boring beyond words.

You've admitted being wrong before - you accept Monto is now terrible, you accepted Niang had matured - why can't you actually accept Zapata is not half as poor as you imply.

As I once said to you, you take his flaws and highlight them, ignoring his strengths, but take Mexes' strengths and highlight them, ignoring his flaws.

You're not being fair.

Guarantee you'd see a different Alex in competitive action. I understand Han's logic on Alex here, and I understand your derision, but Alex, in competitive football for Milan, has basically never once let us down on his own terms.

This summer he wasn't motivated as he thought three times he was leaving - his head was all over the place. Name a footballer who can focus on their current club despite being linked out? Classic recent example is De Gea. He got outright dropped over it.

Just don't think he'd be poor in a competitive match - the guy has been a pro all his career.

I'm really done with this you're both acting ridiculous and basically defending all your points by "han hates Zapata so we're right he's wrong".

Whatever. I seriously hope this doesn't come back to bite us in the @ss.

My hesitance on Zapata comes from cold hard facts of him costing us points in the past thanks to his mistakes. But yes, I'm a biased hater. What-thefuck-ever (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

And really you defend your already wishy washy points by saying he's a Colombian NT player (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) So was Armero FFS!

Don't forget to slam the door.

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