Milan v Chievo October 25th ...

Originally Posted by Jim_UK

Yes it does matter! What's easier for a young player? To play in midfield, put in good performances and be carried by 4 other midfielders when things don't go so well? Or be your team's main striker, to lead the line and carry the majority of responsibility for your team winning? For an 18 year old bursting onto the scene IN A DEMANDING LEAGUE (for those who didn't read that the first time i mentioned it!) it's easier and more common to find young first choice midfielders than young first choice strikers. So your whole argument that Gilardino didn't do so well in his early seasons at Verona and Parma is for my money null & void as he was clearly still learning the art of a striker.

Look...you again didnt get the idea. What I was saying is that there are young players (strikers, midfilders, goalkeepers, defenders) with consistently good performance. It doesnt really matter how old are you, if you have talent - you ll play good...if not...then it doesnt matter wheather you are 18 or 29. So my examples of attacking midfilders are relevant.

Originally Posted by Jim_UK

lets see ... Raul has been poor for over 12 months and is finally coming back to some decent form, this is the leading goal scorer in CL history don't forget so i'd say he has some pedigree. Crespo was rubbish for a while before he came to us and then again while he was with us. Morientes was awful at Liverpool for 18 months, yet has recaptured his form at Valencia. RVN suffered a dip in form for a few months. These things have happened to more established players than Gilardino, they came back, so can our man!

Being poor is different from having "0 - goal period" for so long, considering that Gila was always in the starting line up..only now the situation is changing for him.

Originally Posted by Jim_UK

What does Phillips and Beattie have to do with Egoistka declaring that all of Gilardino's goals for Parma in his last 2 seasons for them were down to luck? I'm not denying the fact that some strikers have good seasons and then for the rest of the time they aren't as prolific. But saying all of his 50 odd goals are down to luck? Get real!

I didnt say 50 odd goals...I said why he scored them. I think Gilardino is one lucky goal time wonderer. Its like some singers who ve done only one song, but so great that people still listen it in 20 years time and like it.