We have the second best defence in the league, so far, this season. We also have a very healthy goals scored haul. I am one of de ceglie's most consistent critics, but am happy for him to try break back into the back line, whilst we continue with our status quo. Chiellini was playing poorly at CB before he was moved to LB, so to blame his bad patch of form on the positional change seems incorrect. The real bonus of that move has seen Bonucci storm back into the limelight and improve game upon game. Barzagli has also proven top drawer and the two have developed a solid understanding. Which should be allowed to continue to blossom. Giorgio's form did seem to step up a gear before the international break but regardless, I judge defenders, whether fullback or centreback first and foremost on their defensive zeal. Scrapping in midfield and high up the pitch is a completely different skill to scrapping at the back because the players most likely to evade challenges, twist and turn, make intelligent runs, are generally found higher up the opponent's line-up. Presently we have by far the 4 most solid tacklers in our backline. Vidal would be next in the pecking order to me, not pepe. even pirlo seems far more adept at timing and covering than simone.
Pepe has played in all of our serie a games, and he has played wide in midfield, alternating between a traditional winger and a wing forward. It was clear to me, and likely others, that far from Pepe losing chances of starting games, he would actually be more likely to play. Because Conte, above all else, demands the exact same tenacity, determination, heart and spirit which epitomized him as a player. Krasic and Elia have their major potencies in other areas, and as for estigarribia, he is a relative unknown to everyone and also more of a punt than a signing rooted in a certainty of his potential value to us. It seemed most likely that giaccherini and/or pepe would be involved in the starting XI, with perhaps only one of them employed opposite a player with less bite but much more skill on the other flank. Conte's preferences, for industry over flair in most areas of the pitch are perfect for a team which over the last few seasons has lost all confidence and belief. Strength and solidity with a demand to play the ball, keep the ball, but also obey the directions given in training by Conte and his coaches, to the letter, when on the field of play. The grinta has returned. As well as a big leap forward in terms of players comfortable on the ball rather than treating it like a hot potato. Pirlo, Vidal, Marchisio back in the middle and vucinic...all of them, like the ball. As does lichsteiner.
Looking at our squad, there are three positions which need improvement/renovation more than any other. In terms of importance they are:
a RB to play apprentice/challenger to Lichsteiner. (motta did so much wrong last season that he should never be allowed back in the team. Sorenson is a more natural CB and if he plays then we lose all offensive thrust from the RB area...which leaves...???). Caceres suggested he would like another chance at Juve recently...
a starting top drawer left back or apprentice/challenger to CHiellini. (de ceglie can leave in january, perhaps on loan, or co-ownership, unless he gets a chance before then and makes the most of it, if he does that...i am content with the LB options of chiellini and de ceglie, but if not, we MUST move him out and bring someone else IN)
a backup/challenger Regista...presently, we could shoe-horn Vidal or marchisio into this role, but their passing range is nowehere near as beautiful and expansive at that of Pirlo. However...we do have gabriel appelt eligible to play from january the first.
'“He’s a phenomenon. Not only for his technical and tactical skills, but for his strong personality as well”
“We seek young players with these qualities because we know playing for Juve creates pressure and huge responsibilities" (mauro sandreani, our head scout, a few days back, speaking about gabriel)
From the little of him I have seen, and the accolades he was awarded in his last season in Brazil (best newcomer, 2nd highest rated midfielder), he appears the perfect understudy to Pirlo. Very confident on the ball, loves to tackle/intercept, physically robust for such a young age, an eye for goal, great technique.
So...the only definites I see, are a RB and LB. As we do not need to spend any $ elsewhere, and amauri will be leaving, i assume also that there is a good chance of toni and iaquinta leaving, perhaps maybe motta and de ceglie...we could easily afford to buy a specialist LB and specialist RB.
Pepe is in Conte's plans as a winger/wing forward. That much is clear. I would rather see him continue there, and hope that Elia gets his chance and takes it, so that we can mix a little more flair and fantasy into our industry, which is more for entertainment sake than a neccessity, for we have played some gorgeous football already. even the little goblin giaccherini has at times looked more talented than merely another pepe.
I say NO THANKS, to the idea of converting Pepe. For there is no need, and he has played a major part in our success so far this season, playing much higher up the field than at fullback.
Pepe has played in all of our serie a games, and he has played wide in midfield, alternating between a traditional winger and a wing forward. It was clear to me, and likely others, that far from Pepe losing chances of starting games, he would actually be more likely to play. Because Conte, above all else, demands the exact same tenacity, determination, heart and spirit which epitomized him as a player. Krasic and Elia have their major potencies in other areas, and as for estigarribia, he is a relative unknown to everyone and also more of a punt than a signing rooted in a certainty of his potential value to us. It seemed most likely that giaccherini and/or pepe would be involved in the starting XI, with perhaps only one of them employed opposite a player with less bite but much more skill on the other flank. Conte's preferences, for industry over flair in most areas of the pitch are perfect for a team which over the last few seasons has lost all confidence and belief. Strength and solidity with a demand to play the ball, keep the ball, but also obey the directions given in training by Conte and his coaches, to the letter, when on the field of play. The grinta has returned. As well as a big leap forward in terms of players comfortable on the ball rather than treating it like a hot potato. Pirlo, Vidal, Marchisio back in the middle and vucinic...all of them, like the ball. As does lichsteiner.
Looking at our squad, there are three positions which need improvement/renovation more than any other. In terms of importance they are:
a RB to play apprentice/challenger to Lichsteiner. (motta did so much wrong last season that he should never be allowed back in the team. Sorenson is a more natural CB and if he plays then we lose all offensive thrust from the RB area...which leaves...???). Caceres suggested he would like another chance at Juve recently...
a starting top drawer left back or apprentice/challenger to CHiellini. (de ceglie can leave in january, perhaps on loan, or co-ownership, unless he gets a chance before then and makes the most of it, if he does that...i am content with the LB options of chiellini and de ceglie, but if not, we MUST move him out and bring someone else IN)
a backup/challenger Regista...presently, we could shoe-horn Vidal or marchisio into this role, but their passing range is nowehere near as beautiful and expansive at that of Pirlo. However...we do have gabriel appelt eligible to play from january the first.
'“He’s a phenomenon. Not only for his technical and tactical skills, but for his strong personality as well”
“We seek young players with these qualities because we know playing for Juve creates pressure and huge responsibilities" (mauro sandreani, our head scout, a few days back, speaking about gabriel)
From the little of him I have seen, and the accolades he was awarded in his last season in Brazil (best newcomer, 2nd highest rated midfielder), he appears the perfect understudy to Pirlo. Very confident on the ball, loves to tackle/intercept, physically robust for such a young age, an eye for goal, great technique.
So...the only definites I see, are a RB and LB. As we do not need to spend any $ elsewhere, and amauri will be leaving, i assume also that there is a good chance of toni and iaquinta leaving, perhaps maybe motta and de ceglie...we could easily afford to buy a specialist LB and specialist RB.
Pepe is in Conte's plans as a winger/wing forward. That much is clear. I would rather see him continue there, and hope that Elia gets his chance and takes it, so that we can mix a little more flair and fantasy into our industry, which is more for entertainment sake than a neccessity, for we have played some gorgeous football already. even the little goblin giaccherini has at times looked more talented than merely another pepe.
I say NO THANKS, to the idea of converting Pepe. For there is no need, and he has played a major part in our success so far this season, playing much higher up the field than at fullback.
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Didn't even notice that...Lo-Pan u need ur own blog bro
