[Fillipo Simone]

Important derby. Very curious to see how it goes.

[acid911]

Finally a sensible post, shevchenko_007. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/king.gif) I have been reading both sides of the arguments, and for better or for worse, both parties are sticking to an extreme. Stats don't lie and neither do facts: Ronaldinho was our best player in terms of numbers last season, AND, he usually falters against big sides in must-win matches. Not just teams in the CL, but also in the last leg of the league earlier this year, when he said that we have to win these last 6 matches and treat them as knockout final. Guess, what we fared poorly in almost all of them, and Roma leapfrogged us.

All in all, I'd be inclined to call it an honorable draw, though personally I'm on Han's side - we can't discredit Ronaldinho completely, but again, he is the present, not the future, not someone we can build the club around for another 5 years. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) And you raised some very good points and, I agree with almost all of them. It's about time we broke the status quo - young players should have taken the reins two years from now, but we still have veterans starting those who played the 2003 final.

For my money, the reason we falter against big teams and in high-profile matches is that the midfield is completely sucked dry out from the game. X-Off calls it pace, Han calls it old legs of the midfield players, and that is the stone cold truth. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sleep.gif) I have been watching recorded old full matches, from 2009-10 season, and even this year, in all big matches, the team is scrapping for breath against the Reals, Manchesters, and inters.

And that is the reason why R80 falters, he just does not get the ball. A player like him will creating something out of nothing provided he gets adequate service. Same goes for strikers and forwards. A broken midfield puts constant pressure on the defense, and makes the attack as impotent as a room of eunuchs. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) The moments where we had a solid buildup attack (in big matches) can be counted on one hand. That's the reason for 0-4 (x2) and the recent 0-2. And like it or not, that's the reason for Ronaldinho's failings against big teams. He has to track back and get the ball, and pass the ball accurately (with opposing players on his tail).

Sure he has his flaws too, and he is no way near the player he once was, but still he is Top 10 material any given Sunday. The only time I would blame him is if he gets ample service and fails to make anything of it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) And there have been moments like this, hence the jury is still out on this!