Winter Mercato

Originally Posted by zafrul

I tend to wonder what's Milan ulterior motive behind keeping all these players until they are way pass their prime... is it a long term plan to make Milan 'a better choice' for players, that it's not all about 'i'll use you and kick you the moment you start to drop'... maybe some kinda of Jerry McGuire 'show me the love' kinda tactic... or was it show me the money?

Well, if Gila starts to score after Pato starts playing... then i suppose give the boy all the credit!!!

By the way, I know it's pointless to start debating about transfer, but heck, it's fun, Mr. Inzaghi has kidney stones, he's out for a few days? Don't they operate that crap and take it out?

Ronaldo's out of shape and can hardly run, Inzaghi has some kidney problem... shouldn't Milan SERIOUSLY look into getting a striker?

It seems the fans are the most stressed people around, thinking, debating, analyzing on who should we buy... but i get the impression the dudes at Milan are chilled out, "Nah, we don't need anyone, just chill bro, we'll get 4th place"...

In the summer, Milan dudes went around beating their chest shouting "we'll sign a world class player" and we got jack! ... during the winter everyone shuts up... i wonder how will this mercate turn out...

I think the motive is to portray (and probably the truth) Milan as a family; that you won't easily get sacked because you play poor for a season (well, someone points out about Laursen; I guess there is always exception).

In psychology, there is something called psycholgical safety, the idea that whether the environment allows you to make mistake and be honest about your mistake. Research shows that psychological safety is related to positive outcomes such as learning and creativity.

It's not hard to see why Milan is defending their players; this is to create a psycholgoical safety so that they'll learn from their mistake and be creative in their future endeavor.

Of course it also creates great reputation about Milan to players from other clubs, so when you have to choose between Milan vs. another top-tier team you'll prefer Milan because of the excellent environment that everyone speaks of. Recent examples (e.g., shevchenko) seem to support this view. Given the ridiculous amount of pressure on some of the top players to produce, Milan seems to provide the perfect enviornment to thrive.

Many other positive externalities about keeping your players even if they are of low value; but only if you have the $$$ to keep them of course. These are just two points I can immediately think of. You can add more if you like.

Oh another one: the idea that the longer the players play togehter, the better the teamwork (which is very essential to football I'm sure you will agree...)

Alright... that's it from me for now. - J

Originally Posted by hishamilan

guys ! i am sorry to go off point, but it is my point of view that we are bunch of dreamers who love milan and spend a lot of time speaking and debating on who is coming and who is leaving and many of us know for sure that these talks are pointless while others think that maybe galliani enter out forum and read our posts and do what we want.....!!!!! i am not saying that this posting isn't fun, but some people just are over reacting and ....!!! any way some local newspapers stated that ac milan has an egyptian goalkeeper in its youth programs ... something which looks very fictious but very nice so i am asking people who won't be mad from this post to check this up for me ( his name is mohammed el-ashram and he is 16/17 years old ) ... also folks who will not be mad ... since i will sit to the computer a lot i hope somebody could give me an easy free link to download the latest football manager , does it work on windows vista? , is it fun any way?... sorry again for going off point.... viva milano

Hey dude, some where in this forum there's a thread "are people here mostly obssessed with Milan?"

I think the answer is yes!

Where else are you going talk for hours about Milan with people around the world, and talking about transfers is fun!

You just asked about Football Manager, you'll be lying if you don't admit that the best time of the game is when you kick the last ball of the season and it's TRANSFERS time!!!

You are damn right, it's pointless talking about transfers (as we most probably won't influence anything)... but that's football dude (i don't care what the americans say, it's not soccer!), it brings people together, spent countless hours talking about crap, because we love this game and all of us here definitely love this team called Milan (yes, i think Karim and Tony29 secretly loves Milan deep down inside)

Carlo is going nowhere. Don't believe the international media bollocks. How can Ancelotti be sacked after what he achieved it's beyond me..

He's the most successful manager of the last 5 years. Looking at how these media work, i wonder why i put much effort in legal studies. I could pop up in the morning and invent every story, and being paid well for this as well !!!!!


Yes he has been the most successful manager in the last five years. This makes him the most qualified candidate to lead Italy in WC 2010.

Looking at Italy's draw in Euro 2008, it's not outrageous to say the Azzurri may not even advance of their group. If that happens, it will be upheaval in the country. Donadoni, since the first day he stepped up to the job, hasn't been given the respect or fairness from the media and he will be gone the next day after Italy get eliminated if this likely scenario happens.

Enter Carlo, as said before very successful at a major club, good tactician, good at finding roles for players...Italy presents the next fresh challenge for him.

Look at our beautiful club, Giovanni. It's stale, predictable, slow, uninspired at times. Very simple, the players no longer hear the message. Billy a while back on the Milan Channel even said it. There's no injustice like Calciopoli to motivate the men, the players have won everything. It's very difficult these days to find something to galvanize the side. It's time for a complete reshuffling, rebuilding, rethinking. Starting from the top. I'm absolutely not having a go at Carlo, I'm extremely thankful for everything he has brought us, but time is up.

Lippi is out there, rested and ready to start the machine going again. Jose Mourhino, his impressive coaching credentials, striking good looks, likeable arrogant personality, he's hungry for a new challenge....

So save your energy people! The Ancelotti/Maldini era is ending. Enjoy the next half of the season and never forget the joy they've brought us.

The new era of Milan begins in June.

Originally Posted by goose

So save your energy people! The Ancelotti/Maldini era is ending. Enjoy the next half of the season and never forget the joy they've brought us.

The new era of Milan begins in June.

Hey, I like that idea.. or thought...

Next time Milan play like crap and I feel like crap too, I'll remember this!

Originally Posted by Jeff

But of course, people will start giving Pato all the credit instead of Gilardino. Trust me .

I do trust you, no doubt about that!

It's a totally different case between to hate Gila's performance and to hate Gila 'personally'.

Originally Posted by Jeff

Gilardino:
1) World Cup 1: He started against US and scored.
2) World Cup 2: He came as a sub against Germany and dribbled past 2 defenders (including Ballack) and shot, hit the right post.
3) World Cup 3: He passes the ball to Del Piero who scored the winning goal.

INzaghi:
1) World CUp: scored a goal against Czech Republic.

***

"As you say Gila needs a fast player to create openings for him, and Gila what is suposed then to do? to score easy goals from 1meter or 2 meters?Even Gattuso can do that role! Thats the most easy thing for a striker...!"

Gila is now replaced with Inzaghi:

"As you say Inzaghi needs a fast player to create openings for him, and INzaghi what is suposed then to do? to score easy goals from 1meter or 2 meters?Even Gattuso can do that role! Thats the most easy thing for a striker..."

Not sure if Inzaghi needs a fast player to create openings for him, but he does overall better when there is a fast player next to him (in my opinion).

Yes, INzaghi score easy goals from 1 to 2 meter.

NOt sure if Gattuso even know where to stand in front of gthe 1-2 meter if you insist.

****


Why do we need INzaghi at the beginning then? He is not fast; indeed, his fame is not that great only after coming to MIlan (I think, but I ma ybe wrong?)

****

The concept of key player is a difficult one to explain; I'll leave you with the idea that football is a team game.

Yes, Kaka is our 'key' player but he wouldn't be without his teammates. Why am I so sure about that? Look at Shevchenko.

Milan's system is now built around Kaka (not Gilardino, INzaghi, Pirlo, or anyone). but you need the system. Going anywhere else in the world, and Kaka will be back to normal.

And if Kaka leaves, Milan will find another central player, somehow, just like what we did after Shevehcnko left.

I think I offered enough evidence about Gilardino. He is not the best striker in the world, but he is also not as awful as someone of you portray.

***

IN fact, there are other weak links in our team, such as Gattuso who is so so responsible for losing so many balls in mid-field; Oddo who simply never knows how to cross these days; Serginho who is responsible for defensive errors; or even Kaka for shooting in tight angles when INzaghi/Gila are in better positions (but this is a minute one).

I guess I"ll just choose to stay mute about these issues; I"m just a bit concerned about Gattuso's passing skills and Oddo's crossing (his defense is not as bad as some think). These are critical issues because Milan relies so much on ball control and wing back. Haven't anyone seen this problem?

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what i have seen from Gila's abilities is that he is a player without fantasy,without tehnique, he can't drible,he is not fast,he is not clever,he doesn't find spaces to take the ball,he doesn't score, he can't handle or control the ball and he don't know what to do with the ball when he has it.
Jeff i know, you know, and everyone know that Gilardino hadn't do his job right at Milan!He is not performing well! He had hes chances for 3 years but he still has not changed.Are you proud of what he has done with us?Are you proud that he is a Mlan player? I don't!

Originally Posted by Gio

- Zambrotta : he is the player we'll sign. Forget Alves and all the others. Milan history is not made of crazy signings in defence. The highest price i wold pay for a defender is 10-12 M.

What about Nesta?

Boruc has signed a new contract extension with Celtic, so i guess we can almost certainly rule him out of any move.

When you think of all the players we could get inside of Italy (Frey, De Silvestri, Zapata, Vargas, Dossena, Cigriani, Amauri, Rosina), we can get some good quality players here. Add that to Zambrotta and you have a fine selection of affordable talent.

Originally Posted by Jim_UK

What about Nesta?

Every rule has its exceptions

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On another note: guys, can you keep your messages shorter ? It's not properly a rule of the forums, but it would be polite (IMO) not to discourage those who follow the discussion with ecessively long posts

Rosoneri? Gila isnt fast? he doesnt score? he doesnt know what to do when he has the ball ?

EVERYTHING you said he cant/doesnt do he did and still does it, but maybe i'm watching/talking about a diffrent Gila ?

He has 5 goals to his name? so how the bloody hell didnt he score? that means, he did open spaces for himself...
also, when he has the ball and cant pass a defender he passes to Kaka/seedorf or whoever and tries to run through the Offside-trap
and in Germany vs Italy, HE DID Dribble, and he still dribbles in Serie A
he's not fast? then why did he beat lazio's goal keeper to the ball like 3 times?
and how the hell does he run from 40meters out to the penalty area faster than almost all Milan plays if he's slow, HAS WINGS MAYBE?

And yes, i am proud to have Gila in Milan!

Originally Posted by Jim_UK

What about Nesta?

Boruc has signed a new contract extension with Celtic, so i guess we can almost certainly rule him out of any move.

When you think of all the players we could get inside of Italy (Frey, De Silvestri, Zapata, Vargas, Dossena, Cigriani, Amauri, Rosina), we can get some good quality players here. Add that to Zambrotta and you have a fine selection of affordable talent.

I think we can add even more players to that list.

What do you guys think of Fiorentina's Manuel Pasqual as LB option?
He would also give us the possiblity to move up Janku to the midfield when Seedorf is not playing.

Originally Posted by _Ace

... but maybe i'm watching/talking about a diffrent Gila ?

I think you are... he dribbles?? Surely you are talking about diff Gila.

I heard the Giovani dos Santos and Barca have disagreed about his future wage/salary and that some English clubs (Chelsea and ManUtd) are tying to sign him, if its true then we will be very stupid if we dont try to get him.
The source is Arabic so I am not going to pass it, and there source is The Sun is it realible?

Originally Posted by peters

I think you are... he dribbles?? Surely you are talking about diff Gila.

He dribbled three on his first move in the Inter game.

Jeff, I dont buy fully into the "psychological safety" argument. If that were the case, then why not give more freedom to Gourcuff. He seems to get a chance seldomly, makes tactical mistakes (because of age and rustiness), and then gets chastised for it, and benched the next game. Wouldnt you say he is the one who most needs the "psychological safety"?

I think this goes beyond psychological theories. Our managment is simply too "romantic" in their view and are unable to let go of the past and of players who are simply past their prime. IMO, we should have allowed Dida to go when his contract was up. His form was very much on the way down then, and we could very well have given another GK a shot. The same applies to a lot of our so-called "fringe" players---Favalli, Brocchi, Simic, Cafu, etc..I would very much rather sign young, promising players and have them back-up our starters, rather than have past-their-prime veterans who offer no long-term solution. I dont think it would be unreasonable to wave goodbye to players above 32-33 years old who are past their prime isnt it? Seems like all other clubs do it, including us until recently, where we tend to hold on to players for way too long.

Originally Posted by rt9

Jeff, I dont buy fully into the "psychological safety" argument. If that were the case, then why not give more freedom to Gourcuff. He seems to get a chance seldomly, makes tactical mistakes (because of age and rustiness), and then gets chastised for it, and benched the next game. Wouldnt you say he is the one who most needs the "psychological safety"?

I think this goes beyond psychological theories. Our managment is simply too "romantic" in their view and are unable to let go of the past and of players who are simply past their prime. IMO, we should have allowed Dida to go when his contract was up. His form was very much on the way down then, and we could very well have given another GK a shot. The same applies to a lot of our so-called "fringe" players---Favalli, Brocchi, Simic, Cafu, etc..I would very much rather sign young, promising players and have them back-up our starters, rather than have past-their-prime veterans who offer no long-term solution. I dont think it would be unreasonable to wave goodbye to players above 32-33 years old who are past their prime isnt it? Seems like all other clubs do it, including us until recently, where we tend to hold on to players for way too long.

rt9:
1) I think it's a good argument about Gourcuff and the concept of psychological safety (having a theory to be falsifiable only make the theory stronger ). It will be important to examine why, above all, Gourcuff is not provided the safety-net. Several possibilities come up:

a) Ancelotti doesn't trust his ability.
b) He is overrated.
c) There is no room to let him experiment when compared to others who have a stronger pedigree than him.

etc etc...

2) The argument about getting romantic is again not without flaw. First, one of the assumptions underlying your argument lies with the word 'value'. Speciifcally, youare talking about value as the utility on the pitch. However,we may well be unaware of the utility of the player off the pitch. this, I suspect, is one reason why Ba is given a contract (to aid Gourcuff?); or why Milan is obssessed with Brazilians (no argentinian has come after Coluccini, except Redondo I suppose?)

Further, it's unclear how 'keeping' these 'old guards' can be related to Milan's success in the champion league. Perhaps the 'romance' theory you put forth may especially be useful in Champion League, but less useful in Serie A (where stamina for a season, hunger for success is the key).

Anyway, lots of other possible reasons; I'll let you simmer on that .

- J