++ [ originally posted by Ian ] ++
Alright, I'd be willing to accept the excuse that he needs time to adjust, if he hadn't come in performing very well. His first quarter of the season, as you said was very good, that proves that he didn't need to adjust. He has lost form, and given the fact that he's only been in great form for a total of one season, it isn't unreasonable to believe that Appiah was a flash in the pan.
Well like I said, we should give him another year instead of just throwing him away. I know he is not that good of a passer, but skills can be improved. Anyway, if he is teamed up with Maresca, Appiah could let him do the passing.
My worry is that our midfield can not support a natural playmaker. You state that Milan has Pirlo and Kaka, but they've also got Seedorf, Rui Costa, Serginho, etc. Our midfield does not compare well to that,
I do not understand what you are talking about there. Milan actually in a sense has 4 playmakers, wasn't Seedorf used to be considered as a playmaker? I think our midfield is well suited for a natural playmaker, it has not changed that much from since Zidane left except for the departure of Davids. If we get a player like Rosicky, he will be well supported by Tacchinardi to do the tackling, and Nedved will help open up space and provide the darting runs for Rosicky to pass to. In a way it mirrors Milan:
Rosicky=Kaka
Nedved=Seedorf
Tacchi=Gattuso
Maresca=Pirlo
Almost mirrors of each other, so why would it not work?
Sorry mate, but why would we want to bring in a player who hasn't played well in England or in Europe for years and is over thirty? Doesn't make much sense.