[han2503]

I agreed with the bolded part. But then what you said about Merkel, applies also for Seedorf. I don't get why you are not worried about Seedorf.

IMO it should be 1 of Seedorf and Merkel, and 2 more defensive minded players like Flamini and Strasser.

Seedorf is a very intelligent player and he knows how to handle himself, giving Merkel a role were he's not familiar and also has to cover defensively is a big no no. I would be more worried about players like Zlatan, Flamini and Robinho in a game like this then I would be about Seedorf.

Flamini is an obvious choice. And imo we need a creative edge in there, to me that is Seedorf, Merkel is out of the question for me. Then it's Janku or Strasser, both would offer very different things, depends on how Allegri wants us to come out, whether he wants us to push forward or try and frustrate them a bit then hit them on counters with Pato and Robinho's speed. If it's the former then Janku would get it, if it's the latter then Strasser would do a better job.

It all depends. Personally I'm expecing the usual out of Allegri, some dumb @ss move in tactics or selection that will cost us.

[CHU-LIP]

Seedorf is a very intelligent player and he knows how to handle himself, giving Merkel a role were he's not familiar and also has to cover defensively is a big no no. I would be more worried about players like Zlatan, Flamini and Robinho in a game like this then I would be about Seedorf.

WOW! You still believe Seedorf is a good player. That's amazing.

Merkel is familiar with playing such position. You really think Seedorf isn't a worry about covering defensively? He has been sucking as much as possible when it comes to that the last few months EVERY game he has played. Of course, Merkel is also a question mark to defensive cover, that's why only one of them should play in midfield. Since Seedorf has been that awful, I would go for Merkel.

[han2503]

WOW! You still believe Seedorf is a good player. That's amazing.

Merkel is familiar with playing such position. You really think Seedorf isn't a worry about covering defensively? He has been sucking as much as possible when it comes to that the last few months EVERY game he has played. Of course, Merkel is also a question mark to defensive cover, that's why only one of them should play in midfield. Since Seedorf has been that awful, I would go for Merkel.

You give Merkel WAAAAAAAAYYYYY too much credit over absolutely nothing! While I've seen Seedorf in this type of game over many years now at Milan. Seedorf made a career out of playing in the midfield, pushing forward and helping out when needed, compare that to Merkel who has never really had a good game there, his best appearances were when playing in the AM position where he had no defensive responsability.

Seedorf is not a player who will get pushed around like Merkel would. I've sen Merkel commit horrible mistakes when pressured, while Seedorf always has a cool head, imo that counts for a whole lot in a CL match. Seedorf had 2 really terrible performances this season, no one is saying otherwise, but other then that he's been good. You're making it out as somehing it's not to have an excuse for advertising Merkel for some reason which I am not aware of.

[CHU-LIP]

You give Merkel WAAAAAAAAYYYYY too much credit over absolutely nothing! While I've seen Seedorf in this type of game over many years now at Milan. Seedorf made a career out of playing in the midfield, pushing forward and helping out when needed, compare that to Merkel who has never really had a good game there, his best appearances were when playing in the AM position where he had no defensive responsability.

Seedorf is not a player who will get pushed around like Merkel would. I've sen Merkel commit horrible mistakes when pressured, while Seedorf always has a cool head, imo that counts for a whole lot in a CL match. Seedorf had 2 really terrible performances this season, no one is saying otherwise, but other then that he's been good. You're making it out as somehing it's not to have an excuse for advertising Merkel for some reason which I am not aware of.

AHA! I knew you were living in the past! I FULLY AGREE with Seedorf making career in midfield in CL, and so, and he has been awesome many years. But now it are different times! He is older, and WORSE!!!!!

Where do I give Merkel so much credit? I also questioned him in my last comment! I just think Seedorf is finished, so different from the awesome Seedorf in the past. So I choose Merkel. Make room for a prospect, when the old one can't do it anymore.

Merkel never had a good game??? WUT?!?!?! He has had better games than Seedorf, man, Seedorf has been bad OVER AND OVER again these months, especially in the 3 man midfield Seedorf was ALWAYS awful this season, Merkel done there so much better. Merkel pwns him!

This post has been edited by CHU-LIP: Mar 7 2011, 04:17 PM

[Jack Sparrow]

I just don't get that last part. Which better games?? Bar the Sampdoria cup match...I'd actually say Strasser has been 3 times the performer that Merkel has been if you look at discharge of their respective playing duties as the criteria.

[Guest_Suhail 3_*]

we will probably see both merkel and seedorf feature alongside flamini, perhaps we ll also field janku as we dont really have any options left. The more i look at the spurs line up and midfield the more i fear this could get humiliating

Lennon Modric Palacious Bale
VDV
Crouch

god help us

[CHU-LIP]

I just don't get that last part. Which better games?? Bar the Sampdoria cup match...I'd actually say Strasser has been 3 times the performer that Merkel has been if you look at discharge of their respective playing duties as the criteria.

I agree with you there mate, Strasser pwns both Merkel and Seedorf easily. Strasser has been very solid whenever he played. It's just, Seedorf has been THAT bad, so many games in a row now, that also Merkel pwns Seedorf. Merkel, sometimes having a bad game, sure, but he also had better games. Overall, easily better than Seedorf.

And Merkel is growing, Seedorf is declining (he has A LOT this season). Give trust in the youngsters (when the older ones are letting down) (as in: Merkel over Seedorf).

This post has been edited by CHU-LIP: Mar 7 2011, 04:47 PM

[Fillipo Simone]

And Merkel is growing, Seedorf is declining (he has A LOT this season). Give trust in the youngsters (when the older ones are letting down) (as in: Merkel over Seedorf).

Gee, you'd be a pretty bad advertising agent. With that kinds of slogans Don Draper would have fired you instantly (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[CHU-LIP]

Gee, you'd be a pretty bad advertising agent. With that kinds of slogans Don Draped would have fired you instantly (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

[Guest_Suhail 3_*]

Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri is determined to rock Tottenham's Champions League hopes, and is confident they will collapse in Wednesday's last 16, second-leg affair by claiming they are not the strongest team in Europe.

Allegri feels Tottenham, who boast a 1-0 aggregate lead heading into the game at White Hart Lane, don't have the strongest of foundations on the continent.

"We should not have made mistakes against Tottenham at San Siro, but they took advantage of a counter attack to beat us," Allegri told Radio Crc.

"However, despite playing good football, they are not among the strongest teams in Europe."

Allegri sounds confident ahead of the return leg, but the Milan coach has his own problems to deal with as he sifts through the debris of a broken midfield.

"Andrea Pirlo and Massimo Ambrosini are both injured, and thus for half of our midfield we only have a limited number of players available," he added.

"Plus, the players who arrived in January are cup-tied."

And his message of transferring their Serie A winning form to Europe couldn't be clearer.

"It's not always possible to play 95 minutes of spectacular football, but what counts is winning," he said.

Source - http://www.goal.com/en/news/1716/champions...n-the-champions

[acid911]

I am with CHU here, it's not just about the names, it's about giving any youngster (be it Strasser or Merkel, or anyone else for that matter) an opportunity if the need comes up, such as this. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I guess it all comes down to dieing, who are you willing to die with? An old player who we know what he is capable of, or a young blood who just may come out good. Even if he doesn't, I'd much rather be willing to get knocked out because of the mistakes of a younger player than an old veteran - at least the younger player will learn and take something out of the experience.

Once again, it is not about the names. Merkel and Strasser probably should not have been upgraded to the first team just yet, and likewise Seedorf should not have been our number 10 after say 2008-09 season at most. But like I said you can swap the names out and put anyone else in for all that matters.

[han2503]

AHA! I knew you were living in the past! I FULLY AGREE with Seedorf making career in midfield in CL, and so, and he has been awesome many years. But now it are different times! He is older, and WORSE!!!!!

Where do I give Merkel so much credit? I also questioned him in my last comment! I just think Seedorf is finished, so different from the awesome Seedorf in the past. So I choose Merkel. Make room for a prospect, when the old one can't do it anymore.

Merkel never had a good game??? WUT?!?!?! He has had better games than Seedorf, man, Seedorf has been bad OVER AND OVER again these months, especially in the 3 man midfield Seedorf was ALWAYS awful this season, Merkel done there so much better. Merkel pwns him!

Merkel owns Seedorf??? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) Talk about going Over the Top!!!

I said he never really played well when he was in the midfield 3! Big difference. His best performances were when he played behind the 2 strikers, when he plays in midfield he ends up looking like the inexperienced, average player he is. You're making him out to be like some Messi in the making FFS!!! Merkel has had a couple of decent games nothing else, to trust someone like him, in a position that is not his own and that would put him under immense pressure would be a mistake of massive proportions.

Living in the past? Sorry to disappoint you but had we had a better choice in midfield neither Seedorf nor Merkel would get anywhere near the pitch if it were up to me. Netiher one of them is good enough at this point in their career. But looking at the bigger picture, and as the lesser of 2 evils, Seedorf wins hands down over Merkel.

Merkel has found it difficuilt in little away games, how do you think he will fair in an away CL game were we're already starting on the back foot?? Not pretty!!

I'm all for giving kids a chance, but WTF?? I still want us to at least give this thing a shot and not go out ala last season at OT. And Merkel would surely help in that, his indecicive play, his hesitation, trying to dilly dally with the ball near our own box and then ending up getting himself into heaps of trouble, sorry to ruin your paty, but I'm 100% sure Seedorf wouldn't do any of that sh!t.

Also saying Seedorf has declined a LOT this season based on 2 performances is ridiculous! I remember him getting booed constantly in the San Siro n 06/07 because of similar performances, but when the going got tuff especially in the CL, he was the one who delivered

I just don't get that last part. Which better games?? Bar the Sampdoria cup match...I'd actually say Strasser has been 3 times the performer that Merkel has been if you look at discharge of their respective playing duties as the criteria.

Agreed

[Fillipo Simone]

I can't agree. It's simply that, other then age, there's no real quality in Merkel (yet). That's why this turned into an age-debate. I've seen Merkel play, none of his matches impressed me, most of the time his defending was poor, so I don't think he can be good against Tottenham in a CL match. That's to much pressure on someone who isn't Messi.

[CHU-LIP]

''Merkel has had a couple of decent games nothing else'' - han

And that's enough to do better than Seedorf nowadays.

''Also saying Seedorf has declined a LOT this season based on 2 performances is ridiculous!'' - han

I was talking about a whole lot more games than 2.

The only thing we seem to agree with is that choosing between Merkel and Seedorf is not what we want. We won't agree with who to pick though. For some reason, you have faith in Seedorf, in my opinion too much based on the past, and too little faith in Merkel. In an ideal world we had Pirlo. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cry.gif)

'' sorry to ruin your paty, but I'm 100% sure Seedorf wouldn't do any of that sh!t ''

The last many many many games Seedorf has played, he has done very bad things for the team, every game of them, losing possession over and over again, so please don't act like Seedorf is not a liability and Merkel is the only one of the two who is likely to screw up. Like acid said, rather a prospect learning from his mistakes, than Seedorf seeing Seedorf playing almost whole the game awful like he has been doing too many games in a row now.

This post has been edited by CHU-LIP: Mar 7 2011, 08:33 PM

[Guest_Suhail 3_*]

Milan ace Robinho is convinced that his side can beat Tottenham in the Champions League this week.

The Rossoneri arrive for Wednesday’s White Hart Lane clash a goal down after their 1-0 San Siro reverse.

“I honestly believe we can win in England,” he told UEFA.com. “Our goal is to comeback from England having qualified for the next round of the Champions League.”

Milan were pretty disappointing against Spurs last month and Robinho has called for more focus from his teammates.

“We will have to change our attitude and be even more focused,” he added. “If we concede a goal things will become even more difficult, but anything can happen in football.

"Unfortunately, we lost the home leg in a difficult match. And we conceded a goal when we were playing better. But that does not mean we cannot win there.

"They play in a different way, focusing on physical strength, plenty of crosses into the box. I think they will play exactly the same way again."

Robinho joined Milan late in the summer transfer window and he has eyes on winning the greatest prize in European club football.

"It is a great competition and unfortunately I haven't had the opportunity to win it,” he added.

"So I hope to become a European champion here with Milan. It is a competition I love playing in, a difficult one, the toughest in European football. We hope to win it this season.



source - http://www.football-italia.net/mar07s.html



bit of optimism or call it dillusional from robinho