[tmontana52]

With the summer nearing the end and a handful of friendlies already played, i think its about time we start thinking about what starting 11 we will be fielding this upcoming season. Also what formation will Spaletti stick with.... 4-2-3-1 (his best friend) ......4-3-1-2(diamond midfield that worked well last year) .......or the new 4-2-4(???????)

My prefferd lineup would be the 4-3-1-2

Doni
Motta - Mexes - Juan - Riise
Aquilani - De Rossi - Brighi
Pizzarro
Vucinic - Totti

Or the 4-2-4 if its used like this

Doni
Motta - Mexes - Juan - Riise
De Rossi -Pizzarro(Brighi)
Taddie(menez) - Guberti
Totti - Vucinic

[DDR]

We're awfuly understaffed as always. We have no decent second keeper. We need a central defender badly, especially since Andreoli said he prefers to go and play with continuity. However eve if Andreoli stays, with how often Juan breaks and how often Mexes picks up cards a decent defender is needed. An alternate to Taddei, and I don't want to see Menez looking lost on that side of the pitch. Another striker, preferably not a washed up 35 year old Argentinean that managed two goals last season.

(X)
Doni

(Cicinho - X - Andreoli - Tonetto)
Motta - Mexes - Juan - Riise

(Brighi - Aquilani)
De Rossi - Pizarro

(X - - - - - - - - - - Menez)
Taddei - - - - - - - - Guberti

(Baptista - X)
Totti - Vucinic

The ultimate would be if our worthless medics could keep Aquilani together so I can see him a starter.

It could also be wise to try and convert Cicinho into playing Taddei's position. He's struggled with it in the past, but Menez, Brighi, and Perrotta are all completely invisible when placed there.

[zako]

Doni
Cicinho Mexes Juan Riise
Brighi De Rossi Aquilani
Taddei
Totti
Vucinic

[Wolfff]

4-2-3-1 with Motta (Cicinho), Mexes, Juan (Andreolli), Riise (Tonetto); DeRossi (Brighi), Pizarro; Guberti, Totti, Cerci; Vucci/Baptista

My brother watches Roma alot and he thinks at this point not even praying with the pope could get you guys a half decent season coming up. I think that lineup is decent enough though, assuming Baptista or Vucinic turns into a goal scoring machine

[Grazie]

Doni

Motta - Mexes - Juan - Riise

De Rossi

Pizzaro - Guberti

Baptista

Totti - Vucinic

I'd like to see that put into action. Enough with playing Baptista out of position, he's an attacking midfielder who makes deep runs into the box. That's how he scored 50 goals in two years and if we expect to see that again then it's time to play him properly.

[Vulpinous]

Originally Posted by Grazie

Doni

Motta - Mexes - Juan - Riise

De Rossi

Pizzaro - Guberti

Baptista

Totti - Vucinic

I'd like to see that put into action. Enough with playing Baptista out of position, he's an attacking midfielder who makes deep runs into the box. That's how he scored 50 goals in two years and if we expect to see that again then it's time to play him properly.

good call. Even Menez can sub in any 3 of the attacking roles, if and WHEN needed, which will be frequently. Okaka is good too, just give him the opportunities. Rome wasnt built in a day. I prefer Brighi before Pizarro, but I know Luciano spaletti loves pizzaro. We can use defensive reinforcements but other than that we have a really good starting 11, posssibly on par with juve and inters. WHEN completely healthy.............

[Forzaabruzzo]

Originally Posted by Vulpinous

good call. Even Menez can sub in any 3 of the attacking roles, if and WHEN needed, which will be frequently. Okaka is good too, just give him the opportunities. Rome wasnt built in a day. I prefer Brighi before Pizarro, but I know Luciano spaletti loves pizzaro. We can use defensive reinforcements but other than that we have a really good starting 11, posssibly on par with juve and inters. WHEN completely healthy.............

If anything, I'm just happy that we at least have depth in mid. Knowing that we'd still have guys like Perrotta, Taddei, Menez, Brighi, and Cerci on the bench to rely on in case we need them is quite comforting to say the least. Overall I think we will have a really solid starting 11, even in spite of the fact that we aren't acquiring in anyone major. Once again though, the key will be the squad's ability to stay HEALTHY. Injury problems like the ones we had last season will once again lead to disaster, no question about it.

[Grazie]

Originally Posted by Vulpinous

good call. Even Menez can sub in any 3 of the attacking roles, if and WHEN needed, which will be frequently. Okaka is good too, just give him the opportunities. Rome wasnt built in a day. I prefer Brighi before Pizarro, but I know Luciano spaletti loves pizzaro. We can use defensive reinforcements but other than that we have a really good starting 11, posssibly on par with juve and inters. WHEN completely healthy.............

Menez is definitely a talent for the future and could be special if used right. He has too many injury problems though so we may not see too much of him again this year. Okaka has lots of potential but I wouldn't mind seeing him go on loan again this year to gain that much needed first team experience.

Brighi is good and I hope he builds on the potential that should have been early in his career. If he can, then I would play him over Pizarro but only then.

Originally Posted by Forzaabruzzo

If anything, I'm just happy that we at least have depth in mid. Knowing that we'd still have guys like Perrotta, Taddei, Menez, Brighi, and Cerci on the bench to rely on in case we need them is quite comforting to say the least. Overall I think we will have a really solid starting 11, even in spite of the fact that we aren't acquiring in anyone major. Once again though, the key will be the squad's ability to stay HEALTHY. Injury problems like the ones we had last season will once again lead to disaster, no question about it.

Well said. Menez can replace Baptista, Taddei can replace Baptista/Menez/Pizarro/Guberti, Brighi can replace Guberti/Pizarro/De Rossi. It's really good to have some strength in depth but I think we need to reinforce the defence by bringing in Burdisso on loan if possible and trying to make that extra defensive capture to strengthen as well. I would not mind bringing in Royston Drenthe from Madrid because he'll be cheap and offers cover at both full back position, as well as the wings if need be. He's versatile, young, cheap and has lots of potential.

[Forza_Totti]

Originally Posted by Grazie

Brighi is good and I hope he builds on the potential that should have been early in his career. If he can, then I would play him over Pizarro but only then.

For me...i'm very happy with DDR+Pizarro as our DM. I like Brighi playing more up field bc he can do a lot of the 'plumber" work in the midfield. Pizarro is out little creative play maker. I don't like this 4-2-4/4-4-2 system with more then 3 attacking players. The only way i wan to see Gubi, Julio, Totti and Mirko on the field at the same time, is if we're losing 2-0 in the second half. Otherwise, i would rather Roma adjust to compensate for the depleted back line(Which will happen).