Looking forward to another Cupless season

Carlo defensive? I think we're unbalanced because we are fielding too many offensive players and midfielders out of form can't cope with that.

Surely one point which is Carlo's fault is that he wanted the team to start very well: if these are the results, i'ma bit worried.

But personally i don't see why every time we have a problem Carlo should leave: it's so cheap as well as addressing all the defnsive faults to the defenders. They are as responsible as the midfielders, who take part to the defensive phase, and they are completely out of form (Gattuso, Seedorf) . I agree Stam has disappointed but i think it's not matter of age, but confidence.

Until the PSV match those players many of you claim to be too old were the best defence in the world; have you got a bit of balance in your view? I understand many are discouraged after Istanbul, so am i, but we should wait a bit to have such a dramatic view of our season.

While I agree with you entirely Giovanni, I have to bring to your attention, and to all others here in this thead, portions of my post-Sampdoria Post, which I wrote without the benefit of watching the match, nor reading reviews:

Originally Posted by Warro Bantan

But about the match in question, I can only surmise, that the team couldn’t compensate for Ancelotti´s weird team selections, or maybe a mistake of the aging defense who cant seem to police a set piece properly, much less keep a clean sheet.

Harsh sounding though this criticism is, it is not unfounded, nor is it premature, as I have questioned our transfer policy from the pre-season, while applauding the purchase of Gilardino, I was looking for more defensive acquisitions, another centre back, and an understudy for Cafu perhaps?

Now, it seems to me that for two seasons running, we have been poor at set pieces. With Stam and Nesta playing CB, there is no way attacking players should be getting to crosses before them, or any of our other defending players. This MUST be as a result of the lack of training in this area of defending...if it isnt, then what is it then?

We have older defenders, yes, undeniably so, and as such, we should be conceding goals near the end of matches, when their older legs can no longer match the pace of the younger attackers, but this isnt the case, but it doesnt weaken my argument that we needed an infusion of blood into the team, specifically in defense.

A younger defender or two would prove invaluable come the mid to latter stages of the season, when our older defense will begin to show their age, as last season showed, we definately underperformed, losing matches we had no business losing.

Lets add the fact that we have a midfielder in Gattuso who shouldnt be on the Milan first team, yet invairiably gets a start, and in important matches to boot...combine that with an underperforming Clarence (since he cut his locks, he just hasnt been the same player...but I am a Jamaican, so what else would I say?) , and add an underutilized Rui Costa, and you get a middle that is quite simply unable to provide consistent service to our forwards...

Which brings up another point...what are we doing with Vieri? Please...he belongs with some other team, he has very little skill on the ball, and misses goals that my 12 year old would finish with aplomb. He has now gotten the unfortunate moniker of "eeediat Vieri", from me, and I am sure he will have another Bierfoo...ahem Bierhoff-like season.

Pippo, as much as I like him, is practicallyt finished, though I hope (for Milan´s sake) that I am wrong. I have just read where he returns to Milanelo on Friday to resume training with the squad...and honestly, I prefer him to Vieri any day.

So, as to another trophyless season, though it is early doors yet, I am remain unconvinced by this incarnation of Milan, and with Carletto´s gemini type personality switches (in his case, between shrewd tactician and utter imbecile) that we can win any silverware. What we can be assured of, however, is plenty of thrills and spills before season´s end, and the plummeting of the guillotine...no prizes for guessing whose head will roll.

If anything I would poitn towards Cafu not looking as lively anymore, he hardly have got in crosses the games this season. all could change of course, but his game style is more prone to get exposed with age than the one of Maldini.

one mistake has clearly been don't sign a proper right back like Cassetti or Mesto..in January i'm sure we'll make some moves as it seems Lecce is about to sell some players due to Semeraro's family step back and quit to the ownership.

Gio, you mean Giandomenico Mesto, right? Isn't he at Reggina?

Or Massimo Oddo... and/or Kompany...

as far the situation of the team, we know there's still a ghost around (Istambul)
Just like things changed for worse after visiting PSV and losing 3-1, I believe Milan
will now have a game where they will have to fight and come from behind a revert
the trend, gaining back the confidence...

All these players are phenomenal, mental/emotional condition is the key... teams like Real Madrid have lost it for over 2 years... Milan may have lost it for 4 months now, but has a lot more character and desire than others, so recovery time will be shorter...

keep the faith...

From the Guardian:

http://football.guardian.co.uk/break...290802,00.html

Since the beginning of May, Milan have only won two of their last 10 matches -- including their dramatic defeat against Liverpool in last season's Champions League final.
Their start to the new Serie A season has hardly raised their fans' spirits

Tell us about it why dont ya?

Originally Posted by Milanium

Look at this: age means slowness (ever more), Carlo to keep drilling on set pieces, do you mean to KEEP? or START? because so far... INEFFECTIVE..."This may take a little time" do you see us in a steady PROGRESS, not!!!... In a little time you know what? we'll hit BOTTOM...
"Milan currently have some problems" which are?...

Yes, players get slow with age, but can you point out particularly when this has been a big problem for the side this year, as I am yet to have seen us particularly troubled against pacy players.

I mean to "KEEP" drilling on set pieces. There may not be an apparent improvement yet, but I doubt Carlo and the players would make such a big deal out of it if they didn't intend to work on them. I'm willing to wait a few weeks before I lose patience on this issue.

Well, it looks as though Carlo has been given a few weeks to a month (realistically) to start sorting out the problems, so if we hit bottom, say bye bye to him.

Problems:

- Poor at set pieces
- lack of confidence in the side
- Poor form of some key players
- Tactical unbalances in the side between attack and defence

There are probably others I forgot off the top of my head.

Kaka should NEVER be compared to Maradona ever again. Here's the difference between the two, Maradona didnt take games off, he gave headaches every game and left guys puzzled every Sunday....Today, Kaka was non-existent, I even asked my father if I had missed him being substituted during halftime. There have been many games where he has played well, but there have been a ton where I dont even know if he's in the lineup, no comparison to Diego...

LOL...i can give u a list of games where maradona took the "day off".......even greats have bad games.....although one should not always place such tags on great talents becuase it may come as a big burned...but in kaka's case he has always shown to be level headed and his upbringing has made sure he keeps his feet on the ground....

let's just leave the game to the fact that we got beat..simple as that...it happens

I think our current run of poor results has nothing to do with Carletto. In my opinion, it is the lack of concentration shown by the players.

1. Sure, we should take your word for it. I'd be really impressive if you where even close with him in skills. By the way I am a better actor than Jack Nickolson.

2. Maybe you should elaborate on this? I mean like giving some motivation or something like that?

3. This is nothing else shows your poor judgement on players. I agree that Stam have not been as good as I hoped for, but to choose him and before him Tomasson!!! We got Tomasson for free and he scored a lot of important goals, there are loads of players worse than them, anyone should know that.

4. Things would always have been "different", in what way we will not know. If you argue someone was at fault, don't talk about how it would be different with others, instead talk about the performance and what was done right and wrong.

5. What in particular makes you think he is "defensive", could it be because we both score and let in quite a bit of goals. Is that your sign? Or is it because we attack mostly in the games? Or could it be because we mostly use offensive players? How does this "he is defensive coach" go together with your complaints about the defense?
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i never heard that gattuso is skillful..i might not last 90 minutes in football field but my skill is certainly better than gattuso, most of my friends also have better skill than gattuso, what type of skills r u talking about here? dribbling? passing? crossing? i think your statement that u have more acting ability than jack nicholson is far more laughable than my skill is better than gattuso.
i think the poor result so far is caused by istanbul because the players feel discouraged..even gattuso played less enthusiastically. the players knew that it was their arrogance and complacency that costed milan CL title..and it haunts them... u can see the difference if u compare how milan played in the first half with second half! actually i believe some liverpool players who claimed that milan players celebrated so loud during half time that they could hear it! so childish!
tomasson scored few important goals not alot! most of his goals were lucky goals.
ok..i tell u how stam's awful performance in CL costed us. did u see how gerrard scored the first goal? stam got all the time in the world to close him down, instead he just watched gerrard headed the ball in! i am sure his mind was already thinking about lifting the trophy!
we are defensive in terms of team selection, in one match i saw ancelotti fielded gattuso and ambrosini together. actually i never blame the age factor for this setback in defence..it was the lack of motivation and enthusiasm! as usual milan's worst enemy is themselves!

I have little time these days to keep up with every current topic but when I do drop by occasionally it's great to see "familiar faces" like kris, Gio, AC83 and trini holding the fort

Iaquinta and Cassano r both facing problems with their contracts. These r suitable replacements 4 Inzaghi during the Jan transfer window. According 2 tribalfootball.com, we're gonna offload Stam and get Chivu and Felipe. Milan should get rid of Costacurta and Simic not Stam. What about our back-up 4 Cafu? We were supposed 2 get Cicinho or Oddo, that didn't happen. Cicinho is going 2 Real in Jan after the World Club Cup. Now what!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by ASHWIN

Iaquinta and Cassano r both facing problems with their contracts. These r suitable replacements 4 Inzaghi during the Jan transfer window. According 2 tribalfootball.com, we're gonna offload Stam and get Chivu and Felipe. Milan should get rid of Costacurta and Simic not Stam. What about our back-up 4 Cafu? We were supposed 2 get Cicinho or Oddo, that didn't happen. Cicinho is going 2 Real in Jan after the World Club Cup. Now what!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

yes i agree well said Iaquinta is the better choice though i think

Originally Posted by ASHWIN

According 2 tribalfootball.com,

And you really believe the drivel that poses as that sites content? You gotta be kidding me!

Originally Posted by Rando

1. i never heard that gattuso is skillful..i might not last 90 minutes in football field but my skill is certainly better than gattuso, most of my friends also have better skill than gattuso, what type of skills r u talking about here? dribbling? passing? crossing?

2. i think your statement that u have more acting ability than jack nicholson is far more laughable than my skill is better than gattuso.

3. i think the poor result so far is caused by istanbul because the players feel discouraged..even gattuso played less enthusiastically. the players knew that it was their arrogance and complacency that costed milan CL title..and it haunts them...

4. u can see the difference if u compare how milan played in the first half with second half!

5. actually i believe some liverpool players who claimed that milan players celebrated so loud during half time that they could hear it! so childish!

6. tomasson scored few important goals not alot! most of his goals were lucky goals.

7. ok..i tell u how stam's awful performance in CL costed us. did u see how gerrard scored the first goal? stam got all the time in the world to close him down, instead he just watched gerrard headed the ball in! i am sure his mind was already thinking about lifting the trophy!

8. we are defensive in terms of team selection, in one match i saw ancelotti fielded gattuso and ambrosini together. actually i never blame the age factor for this setback in defence..it was the lack of motivation and enthusiasm! as usual milan's worst enemy is themselves!

1. Sure i find it toally believeable that you have more skill than someone that trains several hours per day. Technically there is nothing wrong with Gattuso, I suppose you are of the incorrect belief that doing flashy things is the same thing as technique. You don't need great ball skills to do flashy things, you don't even need to be a good footballer.

2. It's both drivel.

3. So you are saying they are discouraged about that loss when they should instead want to make up for it, to win what they didn't win. Complacency sets in when you win, not when you lose. Arrogance? What about unluck? It is simple, had Sheva put in his chance then we would praise them like there was no tomorrow, there is a think line between succes and failure. No the correct answer to my question would be that they lost confidence due to it, losing a lead and failing is not good for confidence if anything it is that.

4. Milan have been better in the second half for most of the games I seen the last three years, in some games it have been a big difference.

5. This was denied, but whatever turns you on.

6. he scored many deciding goals coming on as a sub, we got him for free. don't be silly there are many much bigger failures in Milan or does your memory not stretch beyond two seasons?

7. Maybe. the only clear mistake on a goal was Gattuso on Gerrard though. Still, how does that classify Stam as the worst purchase ever? Dugarry? Ayala? Moreno? Davids? I could list many more...

8. IN one match? so we are defensive because we used two defensive midfielders in ONE match, when most teams ALWAYS use two defensiveminded midfielders? And when we usually use just one defensiveminded one? That's just silly.

A little note, compared to the much praised team of Barcelona we have begun the season clearly better. Food for thought.