[han2503]

Hugely important fixture. Every one of our direct opponents won today so dropped points here will put us in a really bad spot

[Danny]

Our advantage is two games in hand over all of them. But yes, if we don't win this one I'd probably say goodbye to European football already.

I'm worried about us teetering on the edge of a huge form dip.

[Forza Milan!]

Our advantage is two games in hand over all of them. But yes, if we don't win this one I'd probably say goodbye to European football already.

I'm worried about us teetering on the edge of a huge form dip.

Not sure about that. If anything, I have seen improvements in key players, like Bertolacci (whom I had written off) actually performing quite well, Locatelli getting better and better, and so on. In fact, in what little market we have, mids or central defenders are no longer a priority AFAIAC. Not sure if we can credit Montella for players stepping up. However, he has been able to instill a team spirit that had been missing for quite some time, and the players seem much more willing to fight back when we are down or in trouble.

Now, I grant you that the team remains inherently weak, and all it takes is a bad day and/or some bad luck and we will drop points. So EL is going to be challenging, and CL rather unlikely. But I don't see a reason to be pessimistic at this stage, at least not yet.

[Jack Sparrow]

I think what's happened from a mentality perspective is that players are feeling a sense of accountability. They no longer look at individuals to save them - everyone is putting in a shift. In effect, Montella has sold a project.

Bear with my controversial opinion for a moment - I wonder if this new Italian-ness of the team is unifying us a lot. And if so, will Mirabelli and co. completely derail it. None of the names they're talking of are Italian and I'm a bit concerned.

I agree with F.Milan that midfielders are not a priority. We have Bertolacci, Locatelli, Kucka, Mati, Sosa, Jack - all for three spots in the midfield.

It's on the wings we're thin - Montella has no faith in Honda and Jack is seriously overworked.

[Fillipo Simone]

Are any wingers in sight?

[Jack Sparrow]

Deulofeu is the only name linked especially now that Juventus have landed Orsolini, someone who we were very interested in.

[Fillipo Simone]

I hear Mirabelli has contacts with Insigne.

[Danny]

Are any wingers in sight?

Depay has been linked. Still is.

[Danny]

I think what's happened from a mentality perspective is that players are feeling a sense of accountability. They no longer look at individuals to save them - everyone is putting in a shift. In effect, Montella has sold a project.

Bear with my controversial opinion for a moment - I wonder if this new Italian-ness of the team is unifying us a lot. And if so, will Mirabelli and co. completely derail it. None of the names they're talking of are Italian and I'm a bit concerned.

I agree with F.Milan that midfielders are not a priority. We have Bertolacci, Locatelli, Kucka, Mati, Sosa, Jack - all for three spots in the midfield.

It's on the wings we're thin - Montella has no faith in Honda and Jack is seriously overworked.

Midfield isn't a priority? You've named 6 players, only one of whom is convincingly good enough (Jack). Locatelli has struggled for me in the past couple of months (I do rate him though), Berto is mediocre, Kucka seems injured on and off and patchy with form, Mati is tripe, Sosa is rumoured to be on his way out already! Indeed the only one player you didn't mention who seems kind of OK is Pasalic.

It's an area where we're well stocked, yes, but with squad quality players. On no level are those options good enough for Europe.

[Danny]

Not sure about that. If anything, I have seen improvements in key players, like Bertolacci (whom I had written off) actually performing quite well, Locatelli getting better and better, and so on. In fact, in what little market we have, mids or central defenders are no longer a priority AFAIAC. Not sure if we can credit Montella for players stepping up. However, he has been able to instill a team spirit that had been missing for quite some time, and the players seem much more willing to fight back when we are down or in trouble.

Now, I grant you that the team remains inherently weak, and all it takes is a bad day and/or some bad luck and we will drop points. So EL is going to be challenging, and CL rather unlikely. But I don't see a reason to be pessimistic at this stage, at least not yet.

It's not the team that's inherently weak, it's the depth. There's no scope for Montella to try something else when his tactics don't work. He doesn't have the options. We're running on fumes - the break didn't help that much. And you'll need to name more than two (neither of whom I currently agree with)- feel free to elaborate on the 'so on' bit ;)

Defence is still a priority. One injury to either Paletta or Romag and we're f*cked.

[Fillipo Simone]

Defence is still a priority. One injury to either Paletta or Romag and we're f*cked.

By that logic were thin in almost every department. One injury to Donna and we have Storari; an injury for Jack or Suso and we have Honda, Sosa or whoever.

I think we have to take the risk when it comes to our defense. You're right, Zapata and Gomez are not starting material, but there's no time for finding the right 3rd defensive ingredient in January. We should concentrate on the creative department - a winger or a midfielder IMO.

[Forza Milan!]

By that logic were thin in almost every department. One injury to Donna and we have Storari; an injury for Jack or Suso and we have Honda, Sosa or whoever.

I think we have to take the risk when it comes to our defense. You're right, Zapata and Gomez are not starting material, but there's no time for finding the right 3rd defensive ingredient in January. We should concentrate on the creative department - a winger or a midfielder IMO.

Indeed. Reality is that in what's left of the transfer season we will get at best one player, and not a superstar either (and that's if we are lucky, we may get nothing). With that in mind, a winger is the priority right now IMHO. Yes, we are "thin" all over, I get that, but we are not gonna be able to fix it, at least not until the Summer.

[han2503]

We're falling apart!! FFS wtf are they doing??

[Nova]

Back To reality.

[maldini03]

Pasalic on that first one was in an awful position keeping Belotti on and guarding nothing. The second one was just a mess. This Torino team is definitely tough. but there are cracks in their defense which we are not exploiting. Bacca is the better finisher between he and Lapa but he is awful with buildup. The guy can't hold up the ball or make good passes.

Thats a bad penalty call....... but the ball doesn't lie.

This post has been edited by maldini03: Jan 16 2017, 09:18 PM