[Danny]

Quite simply this is a thread about the players and management, and ratings out of 10 thus far in the season, taking everything into account. It includes only the most significant players, not fleeting appearances like Saponara. Feel free to agree, disagree, and add your own.

Abbiati: 4 He's had a very poor season for whatever reason and the fact we've not missed him at all says everything.

Gabriel: 6 Let's face it, he's done darn well since he came in. Hasn't let his side down even if he's not set Milanello utterly alight either.

Amelia: 5 Very average goalkeeper, pure squad material. Only playing CL due to Gabriel's ineligibility. Shame really, I used to rate him very highly.

Abate: 8 A generous 8 for our best defender this season. He's got forward brilliantly, and defended as well as his limited ability allows him. Has shown heart, desire and willing despite circumstance.

Zapata: 5 Very below his previous standards, he's not been horrendous but has been often too close to it for comfort.

Mexes: 7 Not been at his rather good consistent best but still been very solid and scored a goal or two as well.

Constant: 3 He's been a nightmare. Cost us 3 points V Parma and clearly running on empty. Should not be getting selected.

Zaccardo: 5 Not rank rotten but nowhere near the standard Milan squad players even need to be. He's been so mediocre we've actually missed Bonera.

Silvestre: 6 Not really played enough to judge but what we've seen has been ok, with one goal added to the mix.

Urby: 6 A much better LB than Constant even if neither is a great LB, he should have been playing in DS's absence.

De Jong: 9 Shambles V Barca aside one of our best players this season. He's got very little wrong, and has used the ball as well as a DM can. Full of hunger and one of the few with the right attitude.

Monto: 6 Definitely below his best, he's struggled so far to assert himself. He's managed to have a few better matches but overall he's definitely not in form by his standards.

Poli: 9 Been excellent. Quite simply he should always play, but finds himself on the bench more often than not.

Muntari: 5 Pure and total frustration. Lousy on the ball, careless, terrible passer and a liability, but scores vital goals and makes some very intuitive last-minute blocks. But shooting aimlessly from 35 yards? Infuriating.

Noce: 6 Been used as a makeweight in midfield to shore it up, and tbh has been ok at that limited role.

Kaka: 9 Ignoring Torino away he's been absolutely magnificent. I'd say 'old Kaka' but this modern Milan would make any good player look 10 times better than they are. That said he HAS been good and has overtaken Robinho as our most important attacker.

Robinho: 8 Another one ridiculously ditched when in form, and it's cost us points. He's been very, very good and the ONE decent thing about that match in Turin was his linkup and understanding with Kaka. A class above.

Birsa: 6 Not Milan class but has a few bright moments now and again and scores a few goals. He at least has a decent attitude.

Matri: 5 He has definitely tried, even if it hasn't come off for him. His signing has been a borderline failure but the goal in Parma suggested maybe the confidence might be about to return.

Niang: 2 Absolutely dire this season. Stinking selfish immature attitude and playing the game like he's the only player out there.

SES: 3 Before injury he was dismally off form anyway. In a very bad way, one easy goal in Amsterdam aside. One wonders if he can ever gain momentum again. Or fitness.

Balotelli: 4 Not been half the force this season he was last, and increasingly letting his petulant side take over. His attitude V Fiorentina was of a player who simply didn't care. Could be the Milan honeymoon is over and he's ready to move. But then, who'd take a moody primadonna who requires a personal babysitter to keep him out of trouble? In danger of throwing his talent away.

Allegri: 3 Been a real shambles this season. Dropping Poli and Robinho, persisting with a shockingly out of form Constant. He's just been making a lot of bad calls and looks like a man who doesn't want to be at this club any more.

[Fillipo Simone]

So poor he plays for Italy? I think you're being a bit harsh! I'm not saying he's Cafu but if he was really as poor as you imply he wouldn't be Italy's first choice in that position now.

I do accept that years of Mesbahs, Constants, Antoninis your standards do go down a bit but they are all left backs.

At RB Abate has basically been our first choice since 2009 - before him our standards there had slipped a little since Cafu left - Oddo and Zambrotta were hardly marquee. But certainly we've been more blessed at RB than LB.

Well, Italy isn't blessed with fullbacks either. Who is his competition really? Maggio? Who has been picked over Abate as well in a few important occasions (not that I agree with Prandelli).

As for our RB's, well - we had good player, but offensively none of them could do the trick. Just think of the line: Helveg - Šimić - Costacurta - Stam - Oddo - Zambrotta. Some of those named used to go forward, but they were usually slow (age) or defensively better suited (except maybe Oddo). You also got Contra and Cafu who used to be good or great with going forward, but didn't exactly stay long with us.

I think Mexes is still our best defender, Abate is different because he is a FB, but defensively he has been incredibly consistent this season

Agreed.