Worst Transfer season ever!

Originally Posted by Debs

I don't think anyone is being "destructive" in stating their disappointment, in fact I think most people are being quite matter of fact in saying, "hey, we needed players of a certain caliber and we didn't get them and we look kind of weak in not being able to land those players." The real destructive posting comes during the season when the boo-birds and naysayers cut the team up one side and down the other over losing, tying, not winning by a large enough margin, missing shots, playing too passively, playing too aggressively, letting a player go past them, having too many players on an opponent, not having enough people back on defense, having too many people back on defense.....

Well, I think you get the idea. During the season you'll see posts from people who are never happy with the team no matter what. Right NOW I think we're blowing off steam b/c A) our management did indeed say they had a big surprise signing in store for us and B) at least as I look at it, we fans are feeling trepidation over the upcoming season. Seems perfectly normal for us to be feeling a little uneasy as the season starts, b/c right NOW we have alot of unanswered questions, the main one being....how will this squad perform?

Transfer season and what it brought or didn't bring certainly isn't the end of the world, I totally agree. What's going to be...no, let me re-phrase that....what some people are going to make sound like the end of the world is when we lose a game, be it in league play or in CL play. Stuff like that bothers me, stuff like this transfer season bothers me...but it's still my team. Nowhere in my postings have I ever said i will not support my team, and no one here has said that either!

Yeah you`re right, it wasnt so good from my part to use the word destrucitve here since everybody here is constructive in its way couse we all have one common interes thats the love for Milan, so I`ll re-phrase that, try to be more Optimistic rather than Pesimistic..

thanks debs

Originally Posted by SANT

From Graeme's post (too much to quote it here again), the best thing I can rescue is the idea of Enzo Maresca... did Juve sell him to Sevilla, or is he there on loan?

He has done really well there... helping them win UEFA Cup and Supercup... scoring in both finals on top of everything...

but please, please, stop talking about Torres...

Wiki say Juve sold Maresca to seville for 2.5 mill euros, thats a steal! hes value now has to be more! i wonder if theres a thing in his contract about him returning to Italy? he might be interested in a return, considering hes hoping to get into the national side!

OK everyone stop pissing and moaning about this so called unsuccesful transfer campaign. The success of a team should be measured by the 11 players on the field at any given time, and the manager. There have been calls to replace sheva by a world class striker and according to many, Oliveira just doesnt cut it. Well how can you judge him by looking at stats and not even seeing him, givehim a bloody chance will you. And anyways Pippo Inzaghi is a great finisher and his experience can help Gila and Oliveira and Borriella. We have 4 strikers so theres nothing to worry about! As far as I was concerned many of you were ina fantasy world with regard to tevez and mascherano. tHe was NEVER officialy linked to us, but to the english clubs. And torres as far as i can tell was oonly linked to Man Utd and chelsea, so there. And our midfield? Pirlo and Gattuso were outstanding in the worldcup. Ambrosini and Brocchi is good backup, and Ambrosini will come out of injury soon. I dont even have to talk about kaka. Why are you judging the defence because of their age. Cafu is still sn outstanding performer and Maldini and Costacurta, though old are required to stay back all the time so whats the problem?


![/quote]
the way i look at it next season we will need at least

Goalkeeper

GK to replace Dida---- Buffon £25 mil / Amelia £10 mill

Defenders

CB to Replace Billy-- Chivu £15 mil / Barzagli £10 Mill+ (gallas now at Arsenal)
LB to replace Serghino--- Zambrotta £10 mill (he will be 30) / Pasquale £8 mill
RB to replace Oddo--- Oddo £6 mill + take Mazoratti back from loan.

This is without thinking about Maldini and Simic!

Midfield

-- we need a tall defensive midfielder, considering Ambrosini spends more time injured than playing....

Maresca or someone.. considering both Diarra and masherano have moved on! And now another cover for Pirlo, that is if he desides to extend his contract!

Forwards

If inzaghi leaves next season we will be in trouble!

Torres £25+ ( his price might go up)
Huntelaar £15+ ish?
G Rossi £?
QUOTE]
Youre playing fantasy football here mate. We dont need any LB's when serghino leaves, we still have Janku, Kaladze and Favalli. I assume we will be bringing in someone else in CB when those 2 retire, but It dont have to be those 2. We dont need midfielders either, weve loaned out sammarco, bloudek and foggia who are all promising, hopefully theyll fit in next year. Also we dont neccesarily need a goalkeeper either. Before Dida came Abbiati was the number 1, and hes on loan too.

Also people what about the youth academy? is it just there to look nice? The academy has at least 50 youngsters and at least 1 or 2 would turn out to be promising.

So in conclusion if you want to measure success by money spent I suggest you move on to the chelsea or Real madrid forums, you will fit in nicely there. Thats just my opinion and I am not bothered 1 bit by the transfer window. If youre not so pessimisticc youd see the silver lining too.

Originally Posted by joumasepoes

So in conclusion if you want to measure success by money spent I suggest you move on to the chelsea or Real madrid forums, you will fit in nicely there. Thats just my opinion and I am not bothered 1 bit by the transfer window. If youre not so pessimisticc youd see the silver lining too.

ur having a laugh mate, ive been supporting milan since i was near enough born,i even lived in Milan... i didnt just wake up yesterday and decide that i support Milan on a whim or something... just because i crititise the club, it doesnt make me a lesser fan than u.. i dont measure success by money spent, but if you spend peanuts you get monkeys!

i watched at least 20 Live Milan games last year, and whenever Cafu was injured we struggled to create more, thats why i think we needed another attacking RB..against Lyon we struggled at times to win the ball in the midfield because Diarra overpowered Pirlo and Kaka....

Ancelloti will not prob not play Janku as a LB, he didnt last season... Favalli next season will be in the 35 club, it might be wise to invest in a player who can stay with us 5/10 years....

Originally Posted by joumasepoes

Youre playing fantasy football here mate. We dont need any LB's when serghino leaves, we still have Janku, Kaladze and Favalli. I assume we will be bringing in someone else in CB when those 2 retire, but It dont have to be those 2. We dont need midfielders either, weve loaned out sammarco, bloudek and foggia who are all promising, hopefully theyll fit in next year. Also we dont neccesarily need a goalkeeper either. Before Dida came Abbiati was the number 1, and hes on loan too.

Also people what about the youth academy? is it just there to look nice? The academy has at least 50 youngsters and at least 1 or 2 would turn out to be promising.

So in conclusion if you want to measure success by money spent I suggest you move on to the chelsea or Real madrid forums, you will fit in nicely there. Thats just my opinion and I am not bothered 1 bit by the transfer window. If youre not so pessimisticc youd see the silver lining too.

has no one heard the expression "a stich in time saves nine"
I think that's the major, major problem with out policy the last 2 years. We lack squad depth, but if the first team players we had were really sturdy then that would be ok, they're not though. Maldini hasn't played since christmas, and is 38, so recovering fully is not even a certainty. Costacurta has been wanting to retire for 2 years now. Cafu was injured much of last season. So was Pippo.

we have a lot of players with injury concerns, add to this their age and extended recovery times and that is a big problem. We've already had to juggle the sqaud about, playing Brocchi at right back, and we've only played 2 games this season. Does that mean if Bonera is out or has played every single game we have to start chucking midfielders in defense?

Also, your use of "would" in the statement about youngsters is optimistic in the extreme. You can't assume we have anyone of top calibre in your youth system, we haven't produced anyone of top level for years.

to top off our defensive woes we have 3 options for strikers, every other top team challenging in the CL and the league has 4, we are the only exception. Add to this one of them is totally unproven at this level, the other has yet to score a CL goal and the other is 33 and injury prone, and I'd say we have a problem.


when the games come round I'll still obviously be supporting, but I won't be entirely shocked when we fail to mount a real challenge this season.

Originally Posted by meazza

has no one heard the expression "a stich in time saves nine"
I think that's the major, major problem with out policy the last 2 years. We lack squad depth, but if the first team players we had were really sturdy then that would be ok, they're not though. Maldini hasn't played since christmas, and is 38, so recovering fully is not even a certainty. Costacurta has been wanting to retire for 2 years now. Cafu was injured much of last season. So was Pippo.

we have a lot of players with injury concerns, add to this their age and extended recovery times and that is a big problem. We've already had to juggle the sqaud about, playing Brocchi at right back, and we've only played 2 games this season. Does that mean if Bonera is out or has played every single game we have to start chucking midfielders in defense?

Also, your use of "would" in the statement about youngsters is optimistic in the extreme. You can't assume we have anyone of top calibre in your youth system, we haven't produced anyone of top level for years.

to top off our defensive woes we have 3 options for strikers, every other top team challenging in the CL and the league has 4, we are the only exception. Add to this one of them is totally unproven at this level, the other has yet to score a CL goal and the other is 33 and injury prone, and I'd say we have a problem.


when the games come round I'll still obviously be supporting, but I won't be entirely shocked when we fail to mount a real challenge this season.

If only reality was as easy as Football Manager...

I see MIlan very differently from some of you, and yes I agree that transfer is not a sightly scene this season but there are several things you need to take into consideration very importantly:

1) Milan played as a team and still plays as a team. This is very very critical and I hope some of you will realize the importance of this: when you have 2 teams that are of equal strenght, theoretically, then what differentiates 2 teams beside luck? The answer is obviously tactics and teamwork. I'm not goign to comment on Ancelotti's tactical skills here, that's too much and will surely be discussed if Milan lose a game or two (lol); but teamwork is something that MIlan has been trying to build for quite a number of years.

Fortunately, we still have the like of Nesta, Kala, Dida, Pirlo, Gattuso, Seedorf, Inzaghi and probably now you can include Kaka who have been playing together for quite some time. Looking at Inter, you'll notice that they have all the quality but lack teamwork; perhaps the TIM trophy can already tell us something this. Although Inter has brought so many so-called star, these stars have failed to work together; nor the assumption that these stars will eventualy click is valid. Just look at Real Madrid back a few years ago (or even now).

In other words, Teamwork has been the second best strength of Milan.

2) Milan's best strength, though, lays on its ability to keep ball possession: If you watch the friendly game two days ago, you'll be amazed how amazing these players been able to pass around the ball with ease even with pressure, and it's simply a beauty to watch. Ok, bash Gattuso if you want, but I consider Pirlo and Seedorf (who is a bit slow unfortunately) to be one of the best ball-keepers in the world. Gattuso, Pirlo and Seedorf IS indeed one of the strongest midfields in the world.

3) Attack is worrying, and it's true that Milan has brought in an unproved player from Real Betis. I agree that there are certain worries over there, but I also remember the year when Milan bought Rui and Inzaghi with huge fees. End result? Injury-plagued. But yes, the attacking option is one needed to be answered.

But wait, why would you consider him worse than Adriano who has really not proven himself at all at Inter except for a few games of brilliance which other attacking players can also sometimes produce?

Questions remained to be answered

1) How will Milan opt for the attack is an important question Ancelotti needs to solve. In other words, will Milan be able to cope with the leave of Shevchenko?

2) Kaka's performance this year will determine Milan's results this season. Not Inzaghi, nor Gila, nor Oliveria; but Kaka.

Originally Posted by Jeff

Questions remained to be answered

1) How will Milan opt for the attack is an important question Ancelotti needs to solve. In other words, will Milan be able to cope with the leave of Shevchenko?

2) Kaka's performance this year will determine Milan's results this season. Not Inzaghi, nor Gila, nor Oliveria; but Kaka.

1) We have different players now than Shevhcenko, as you would expect when such a player leaves a club. I think the pair of Inzaghi and Gilardino is very exciting, with Inzaghi being the most typical goalscorer and Gilardino the extremely hard working-guy that always gives his all for every ball. But of course Gilardino isn't a stranger to scoring goals either, if you take away penalties, he scored more league goals for Milan last season than Shevhcenko did. Also Ricardo Oliveira is an exciting player who can do well, and Borriello showed some promising things during the TIM tournament on Friday.

2) First you say that Milan's best strength is teamwork and ballpossession, and then suddenly Milan's performances and results this season depends on Kaka? Of course Kaka is a very important player for us, but I'm extremely happy that our team is so much more than him alone. Saying anything else would be an insult to the other players and to a big club like Milan.

We'll be fine!

Forza Milan!

Originally Posted by Arildonardo

1) We have different players now than Shevhcenko, as you would expect when such a player leaves a club. I think the pair of Inzaghi and Gilardino is very exciting, with Inzaghi being the most typical goalscorer and Gilardino the extremely hard working-guy that always gives his all for every ball. But of course Gilardino isn't a stranger to scoring goals either, if you take away penalties, he scored more league goals for Milan last season than Shevhcenko did. Also Ricardo Oliveira is an exciting player who can do well, and Borriello showed some promising things during the TIM tournament on Friday.

2) First you say that Milan's best strength is teamwork and ballpossession, and then suddenly Milan's performances and results this season depends on Kaka? Of course Kaka is a very important player for us, but I'm extremely happy that our team is so much more than him alone. Saying anything else would be an insult to the other players and to a big club like Milan.

We'll be fine!

Forza Milan!

I Hope I"ll have the degree of optimism that you show.

WHen I say that Kaka's performance will be very important for us, what I mean si that teamwork and skills are 2 pre-requisite that we already/definitely need to possess. If we are to go even further, I believe that we'll have to rely on Kaka's creativity, speed etc. Milan is a strong unit; but Kaka is one who can make a difference. That's what I mean here and I hope you understand.

Originally Posted by Jeff

I Hope I"ll have the degree of optimism that you show.

WHen I say that Kaka's performance will be very important for us, what I mean si that teamwork and skills are 2 pre-requisite that we already/definitely need to possess. If we are to go even further, I believe that we'll have to rely on Kaka's creativity, speed etc. Milan is a strong unit; but Kaka is one who can make a difference. That's what I mean here and I hope you understand.

I see no reason not to be optimistic, after all the season hasn't started yet. Give the guys a chance!

Of course I understand what you're saying. Kaka is one of the best players in the world, and we need him. No doubt about that. My point was only that we have a good group of players who will always play as good as their team-mates let them. That's what teamwork is about. We also have other very creative players than Kaka, namely Pirlo and Seedorf. And hopefully Gourcuff...

Let me just interject here that all summer I've been hearing (well, reading) posters here moaning and carrying on about "what will Milan do without Shevchenko?" or "how will we replace Shevchenko?" And all summer I've been trying to point out that Milan is about the team, not about any individual player. It may take him awhile to settle in, but eventually you'll see that Oliveira is the perfect type of player to pair with Gila/Pippo up front. I have a lot of confidence in all three and I fully expect them to work well together and pick up the slack. As has been mentioned, there is still not a finer midfield in the world. I recognize that Milan will need to do more to address the defense in the near future. So does the Milan management. They are not idiots. But if the right deal wasn't available, there was no need to make one in haste. They have brought in Bonera, who is a good player -- good enough to have been hanging around on the fringes of the Italian national team -- and he can provide cover across the back line. He's not a superstar, but every player doesn't have to be one because it's about the team, not about the individual. The team that Milan has in place is an excellent team. Good enough to advance to the knockout stages of the Champions League and good enough to challenge for the Scudetto despite the penalty. The defense can be further addressed next summer or, if necessary, in January. There's no reason for all the panic.

Originally Posted by Rick

Let me just interject here that all summer I've been hearing (well, reading) posters here moaning and carrying on about "what will Milan do without Shevchenko?" or "how will we replace Shevchenko?" And all summer I've been trying to point out that Milan is about the team, not about any individual player. It may take him awhile to settle in, but eventually you'll see that Oliveira is the perfect type of player to pair with Gila/Pippo up front. I have a lot of confidence in all three and I fully expect them to work well together and pick up the slack. As has been mentioned, there is still not a finer midfield in the world. I recognize that Milan will need to do more to address the defense in the near future. So does the Milan management. They are not idiots. But if the right deal wasn't available, there was no need to make one in haste. They have brought in Bonera, who is a good player -- good enough to have been hanging around on the fringes of the Italian national team -- and he can provide cover across the back line. He's not a superstar, but every player doesn't have to be one because it's about the team, not about the individual. The team that Milan has in place is an excellent team. Good enough to advance to the knockout stages of the Champions League and good enough to challenge for the Scudetto despite the penalty. The defense can be further addressed next summer or, if necessary, in January. There's no reason for all the panic.

I agree with all you`re points, it makes sense, but if possible re-explain this phrase Good enough to advance to the knockout stages of the Champions League,I dont want to make wrong conclusions,

Originally Posted by Arildonardo

If only reality was as easy as Football Manager...

sorry mate, but you're just recycling come-backs to other complaints rather than offering any sort of genuine assesment.

name me the team aiming to challenge in europe and the league with only 3 strikers?

was I dreaming or was brocchi forced into right back in the CL qualifiers, with a left back in the centre and 40 year old who has wanted to retire the last two seasons? these three positional problem have all be solved by one player have they?

Did we win anything last season? tell me which of our summer signings is going to change this? Oliveira may well be good, but he's not Sheva. Or perhaps you're counting on our team maturing because 38 is the age most players hit their peak.

Everyone Should Be Ashamed When The Team He Love Is Convicted For Match Fixing!!! If you think that this is minor issue, I appologise. For me sportmanship is above all. Even above AC Milan.
I truly love AC Milan, and I am sad when the love for this club is measured in dollars for transfers.
And for those who are lazy to read posts: This transfer season is disaster because AC Milan didn't replace corrupted officials! And not for not spending big money for stars!

Why is it whenever someone expresses their concerns about the squad, the constant reaction by the "All is fine" brigade is that whoever expressing these concerns MUST want "big name star" players. I don't see many people calling for a glut of star players, they just want players to improve our squad.

Everyone has their opinions and all that, but i don't see how our midfield is the strongest in the world. PSV, Lyon, Barca ... their midfield's were all superior to ours when we played them. Our midfield isn't physical enough and it isn't fast enough and this will seem harsh as Seedorf has played well in pre season, but i don't think he's that amazing at keeping the ball. Maybe i was just unlucky, but the times i saw him last season he was horribly inconsistent.

So what if we have an injury to our midfield 3? None of the other midfielders are even close to replacing them in terms of skill. We're fine for brute force in Brocchi & Ambrosini, but in terms of creativity and finesse we have no one. But it's ok we don't need reinforcements to the squad apparently.

I won't bother going into detail with the defence as it's been done 100 times before, but it's the same scenario. If you play a certain style, you need the back-up players to be of that same style and offer the same qualities as the first choice defenders. Ours do not.

I just find it totally amazing that so many people are happy to gloss over the glaringly obvious weaknesses in our squad. Wether you like it or not at some stage we're going to have to buy a huge amount of players to replace the ones that don't quite cut it or about to leave/retire.

We all seem pretty agreed about needing a right-back to sub Cafu, now with Cafu gone next season, doesn't that mean we would need 2 rb's? As whoever the new rb would be, would be expected to play the whole season and if whoever this new guy is gets injured, we'd still have no suitable replacement. Favalli is a stop gap, Serginho may leave and i can't see Jankulovski accepting another season with us if this season he's played sporadically again, so that's at least 1 left back. We would need at least 1 cb if not two. There's 4 players already. We would need a new gk, if we were that sure of Abbiati we wouldn't keep loaning him out all the time. Even if he does come back we would need a suitable stand-in as no one can argue Kalac or Fiori are good enough. That's a possible 5 players.

Will Ambrosini stay another year? Will Brocchi still be with us? Whether you like to admit it or not the midfield needs new blood and it could be quite conceivable that we would again lose squad players which would need replacing. Don't even think about suggesting Foggia or the like could play there, we know that won't happen.

Well that's 6 players right there. This is without mentioning the strikers or other players that might leave. We could pick up some freebies again, sure that would be economical but lets face it, if you want to get quality players (wether they're stars or not) you have to pay quite a bit. So now all of a sudden we could be spending a fortune and maybe, hopefully, it'll sink in to those who don't realise it that buying 1 or 2 of these players this summer would have saved us in the long run.

So it's not about Football manager or any of that Bull!