[han2503]

We seem hell bent on conceding at least one goal in each game, we have done everything to try and gift Chievo a goal aside from actually putting it in our net ourselves FFS!!

So many passing errors that could have resulted in goals

[Forza Milan!]

We seem hell bent on conceding at least one goal in each game, we have done everything to try and gift Chievo a goal aside from actually putting it in our net ourselves FFS!!

So many passing errors that could have resulted in goals

Yup. Another team and it could have easily been a different result. Chievo squandered quite a few opportunities towards the end.

[X-Offender]

We played relatively well in the second half, but too many individual mistakes could have cost us a goal or two.

[X-Offender]

I just realize our next game is due the 19th cos the NT matches. Hopefully Pippo will have clearer ideas after the break. Too many changes and too much confusion in these first six weeks.

[amancik]

One thing I don't get is what is going on with El Sharaawy. I mean before the season started, we were talking about how he's gonna be our main man. Now he's struggling to a hold a place in the first 11. I mean you guys saw him in the few minutes he got, he was quick, he almost set up a goal ... granted he didn't play well against Juve but the whole team didn't. Not sure why he's not starting to be honest.

[han2503]

One thing I don't get is what is going on with El Sharaawy. I mean before the season started, we were talking about how he's gonna be our main man. Now he's struggling to a hold a place in the first 11. I mean you guys saw him in the few minutes he got, he was quick, he almost set up a goal ... granted he didn't play well against Juve but the whole team didn't. Not sure why he's not starting to be honest.

Don't know, I'm just as confused as you are.

Pippo obviously deems Honda a winger for some strange reason, or he just wants a lefty on the right side and that's his justification for playing Honda there. But I think his dilemma is that he doesn't know how to fit all of Honda, SES, Torres and Menez into the same line-up.

Also, Bonaventura imo has cemented his spot as a starter in my eyes, and I think the same can be said for how Pippo feels about him

So this creates one big dilemma with regards to how you could fit all of them in.

[X-Offender]

Bonaventura was great today, easily MVP.

Regardless of what formation we play (4-3-3, 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1), Pippo always plays Honda and always on the friggin' wing. That's something I'll never be able to understand. My guess is due to a lack of proper wingers, but then you can easily play 4-3-1-2 with him behind Menez and Torres.

The guy is obsessed with using the wings and will even play you out of position. Reminds me of Allegri. He was so fixated on playing 4-3-1-2 at some point that would even play Urby-goddamn-Emanuelson as AM as long as it meant playing that way.

[Danny]

Ratings:

Abbiati: 6 Decent enough, didn't have a lot to do overall.

Abate: 7 Bombing up and down, continuing to have a fine season.

Alex: 8 Cannot be dropped. Our best defender now.

Rami: 5 Accident-ridden and making too many errors. Was bailed out by Alex repeatedly. Kind of a David Luiz player - offers a lot as an attacking defender but he isn't good enough at the back. Jack, you wanted the Alex-Rami defence, well you got it. I am absolute that Alex-Zapata is our best defence, or even Alex-Mexes. Anyone but f*cking Rami. Turning into another Bonera.

DS: 6 Not an expecially good display from him - seems, sadly, to be going backwards a little at the moment.

De Jong: 6 Worked hard in the middle but those around him didn't help him out enough.

Muntari: 5 The 5 is for the goal. Otherwise words fail me on a truly pitiful, lazy, and frustrating display.

Bona: 6 Decent, but not great. Was made impotent by a stubborn Chievo devence.

Honda: 6 Great goal, but this cutting back inside is not helping him or us. He needs to be central FFS.

Menez: 7 Fits and starts of good play. Increasingly involved in the second half, but far far too quiet in the first.

Torres: 5 Bad night for Nino. Didn't work hard enough or get himself into good positions, and showed a lack of appetite.

Subs:

SES: 7 Energetic in his brief cameo. A good run led to the free kick from which Honda scored. Kinda an assist!

Poli: 7 Hard working closure in midfield. Why Muntari keeps starting ahead of him is beyond sanity.

Essien: 5 Meh.

Pippo: 6 He set out a reasonable team, Rami and Muntari aside, but there was absolutely no bite in the team first half. It just did nothing but play the ball around in midfield and defence. Second half was a lot better, and clearly what he said at HT worked so fair play. And the subs worked too. But start that slowly v better teams and we'll have our backsides handed to us.

[Danny]

One thing I don't get is what is going on with El Sharaawy. I mean before the season started, we were talking about how he's gonna be our main man. Now he's struggling to a hold a place in the first 11. I mean you guys saw him in the few minutes he got, he was quick, he almost set up a goal ... granted he didn't play well against Juve but the whole team didn't. Not sure why he's not starting to be honest.

El-Sharaawy's problem is his first touch. It's just hopeless. He has so much energy and he's quick, but his composure is poor and he also doesn't score goals now. He's also injured too much, meaning no one wants to build their team around him given he'll end up out any moment.

Menez scores goals, and is offering more than SES has been.

[Jack Bauer]

Lucky not to concede today. Muntrai created two very good chances for them and even with the occasional goal here and there, he's just not worth it. I'm not concerned about the attack, defensive stability is what we need to improve.

[CrazyMilanFan]

One thing I don't get is what is going on with El Sharaawy. I mean before the season started, we were talking about how he's gonna be our main man. Now he's struggling to a hold a place in the first 11. I mean you guys saw him in the few minutes he got, he was quick, he almost set up a goal ... granted he didn't play well against Juve but the whole team didn't. Not sure why he's not starting to be honest.

i dont know if it is related to getting ful fit.. or maybe for the time being in order to avoid injuries he is being used an as impact player. Overall he is good yesteday hopefully he is remain fit and improve.

[kurtsimonw]

I'm traveling and can't watch but it is pretty entertaining to see you guys rag on Muntari and then have him score haha.

Match threads have become unbearable.

[Danny]

Match threads have become unbearable.

That said he IS bloody awful. I defended him endlessly the past two seasons but his attitude now is truly appalling - doesn't concentrate, has no awareness, has no composure. He absolutely p*ssed me off v Juve and he did the same last night. A goal, welcome though it is, isn't compensation for almost costing us 12 at the other end.

[kurtsimonw]

That said he IS bloody awful. I defended him endlessly the past two seasons but his attitude now is truly appalling - doesn't concentrate, has no awareness, has no composure. He absolutely p*ssed me off v Juve and he did the same last night. A goal, welcome though it is, isn't compensation for almost costing us 12 at the other end.

The majority of the squad is poor to be honest. It's easy to hide behind bias and make excuses for players that you like, but the fact is not many are good. All 5 CBs aren't good enough. MDS had an awful season, Armero has consistantly been labelled overrated and not good enough by many on here. NDJ aside, it's a who's who of medicore midfielders. Menez has never been great, Torres is an awful forward and SES has barely played for 18 months.

Lopez, MDJ and Abate are the only players who play well and even Lopez has barely played. People can say I'm bias, underrate players, etc. but that's just an excuse. I say it as I see it. han has criticised me for not liking Abate, but he's been good for a while, so I'll say as much.

Just my opinion.

This post has been edited by kurtsimonw: Oct 5 2014, 12:18 PM

[X-Offender]

The majority of the squad is poor to be honest. It's easy to hide behind bias and make excuses for players that you like, but the fact is not many are good. All 5 CBs aren't good enough. MDS had an awful season, Armero has consistantly been labelled overrated and not good enough by many on here. NDJ aside, it's a who's who of medicore midfielders. Menez has never been great, Torres is an awful forward and SES has barely played for 18 months.

Lopez, MDJ and Abate are the only players who play well and even Lopez has barely played. People can say I'm bias, underrate players, etc. but that's just an excuse. I say it as I see it. han has criticised me for not liking Abate, but he's been good for a while, so I'll say as much.

Just my opinion.

No, I completely agree with you. This team, for what's worth it, is only average to decent. Aside from a few individuals, the rest are very average players that would never start in a big club. The fact that we have a rookie coach doesn't help either.

That being said, it doesn't mean that we can't demand the maximum in every match, and starting players like Bonera and Muntari is not doing that. I don't know if you saw the game last night, but Muntari was abysmal, so we have every right to criticize him. If that makes the match thread unbearable to you, that's your own problem.