[han2503]

Couldn't have come at a worse time, but that's just our luck this season.

Wtih the suspensions Allegri will not be tempted to rest either Ibra or VB. However, Seedorf and Robinho need to be given a rest imo. Both ar playing badly atm, and some time to regroup would do them a world of good.

[Fillipo Simone]

Now, now, let's see what's to say...

I don't think we'd be any different now if we had Pirlo.

This left me speechless. Don't you understand that we have a creative problem? Don't you get that Pirlo, even an off-form Pirlo is miles away from players who do the creating job for us, especially Emanuleson and Boateng? No, I refuse to agree that Pirlo hasn't been good for the past three years: last year he had serious injuries and Allegri clearly didn't provide any motivation to sign a new deal and get mentally stronger. Isn't it hard to watch him bring the opposition from spot 8 to spot 1? Don't you regret it when you see him play that good with Juventus? I sure do.

How should he react, though? what is it he should be doing that he's not? we have a first team out injured, his hands are tied. the fact that Ambro gets to play in these games says it all really...

I've said it a million times: more preparation, more tactical thinking. Allegri mostly just pushes a player to a fixed spot and then expects for example Emanuelson to do a Boateng. Ancelotti was the master of preparation; in many ways he was wrong or too stubborn, but he knew how to think, how to set a trap and tactical maneuver. Allegri...no. With him it's almost the same, Ambrosini or Nocerino, Boateng or Emanuelson, the initial idea remains while things look different only because of the individual differences. He has zero ability to surprise a oppositions coach. Like Acid said, the read him like a book - from the small things like the fetish with making (too) late subs to bigger tactical things.

[acid911]

This left me speechless. Don't you understand that we have a creative problem? Don't you get that Pirlo, even an off-form Pirlo is miles away from players who do the creating job for us, especially Emanuleson and Boateng? No, I refuse to agree that Pirlo hasn't been good for the past three years: last year he had serious injuries and Allegri clearly didn't provide any motivation to sign a new deal and get mentally stronger. Isn't it hard to watch him bring the opposition from spot 8 to spot 1? Don't you regret it when you see him play that good with Juventus? I sure do.

Totally agreed. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) I still think, and will do so for the foreseeable future, that we kept the wrongs players. I'd personally have shook hands with Seedorf, and smilingly parted ways, and kept Pirlo. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sleep.gif) Heck, give him a two-year contract if anything and see what goes. Find a middle ground.

And speaking of grounds, one thing which I haven't brought to notice is the San Siro pitch. I'd dare say, if it hasn't been said before, that the grass there is cursed. Wretchedly cursed. inter has had their fair share of injuries, we have had a whole lot of them. Quite a few of our players fall down like flies when we are playing at home. For what it's worth Ronaldo (the real one, thank you) suffered two of his worst setbacks and injuries here in Milan.

Maybe it's the ground, the soil that needs work, the way the pitch is laid out, whatever. But it's not helping!

I've said it a million times: more preparation, more tactical thinking. Allegri mostly just pushes a player to a fixed spot and then expects for example Emanuelson to do a Boateng. Ancelotti was the master of preparation; in many ways he was wrong or too stubborn, but he knew how to think, how to set a trap and tactical maneuver. Allegri...no. With him it's almost the same, Ambrosini or Nocerino, Boateng or Emanuelson, the initial idea remains while things look different only because of the individual differences. He has zero ability to surprise a oppositions coach. Like Acid said, the read him like a book - from the small things like the fetish with making (too) late subs to bigger tactical things.

Thanks for elaborating, totally agreed again on all counts. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/goodheart.gif) If we can somehow lure Capello in, then let's do and get it all over with after the Arsenal first leg. I'm all for Allegri, he's still in my good books, unlucky with injuries, not as good a man-manager, but it's this Small-Club Mentality™ that ticks me off the most. Utterly predictable, and very easy to be outfoxed by any decent coach who is willing to study him.

I'll wait for the 15th of this month to see, but I have my suspicions, that we'll not lose to Arsenal, but to Arsene Wegner come the end of the two legs. At this point in time, I'm expecting QF exit from the CL and a 2nd place finish in the league. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cry.gif) That is until miracles happen (plus we get a whole bunch of our players back in fitness and form). But then again, I've always believed that miracles don't happen - you have to be a miracle.

When we should be 5 point ahead, we're 5 points behind, give or take. Leagues are rarely won like this!