re: Roma v. Liverpool, ESPN2, 5:30 CDT

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Ended with a cross from well outside the box, not exactly Rodgers-esque.

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Desperation attempt I would say

Hopefully the addition of Borini and Carroll will result in a more impressive offensive attack this weekend. Eccleston and Morgan aren't exactly world-beaters, but I agree. Our offense has been poor.

I'm really not sure. It's hard to say whether the Euro guys will see the pitch in the first half or second half. Regardless, I expect the lineup against Tottenham to be similar to the one against Roma (in whichever half the Euro players don't play). Wouldn't be surprised if Agger and Skrtel started together.

I'm hoping to see:

Sterling-Carroll-Borini

At least temporarily.

Also:

--------Lucas----------

----Gerrard------------

----------Aquilani------

Would be nice to see.

I hope Rodgers uses the Euro players in the Europa match. Especially considering how un-convincing the second team has looked.

He still has a long way to go, I think that's clear. He had some silly challenges today, but he looks extremely aggressive, which might be the most important thing to notice. He knows how his knee feels more than anyone on the planet, and if he is going confidently into tackles, that makes me feel a lot better. His distribution also looked a lot better than Spearing's and his presence on the ball is miles better. But I agree with you. We'll see where the doctors (and Rodgers) gauge his progress throughout the rest of preseason, but I would be shocked if he was starting anytime in the next month. Like you said, a full 90 could be months away.

Just got back from the match. Cool atmosphere though due to work I arrived just after kickoff and had to head back to NY immediately after the match.

Cool that when Bradley scored it seemed like almost everyone there, Roma and Liverpool fans, were celebrating.

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Note: I know this is basically 3rd team vs much closer to Roma's better players.

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I heard the announcer say that, but I can't imagine #43, #77, and #91 are in the first team all that often.

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Yeah, Roma had more regulars than Liverpool but Roma had a few kids mixed in too like the 17 year old kid Romagnoli at CB.

Otherwise we were mainly just missing De Rossi and Stekelenberg (and I guess Destro who just signed) but also there will be three first choice starters brought in before the summer is over at RB, LB and CB. Taddei and Heinze will be depth and Rosi will probably be sold and Jose Angel almost certainly.

Pretty upbeat about how the team is playing under Zeman so far. If we can just get the defensive needs met in transfer market it should be a good season.

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Way too early, but do you feel you'll at least end up in the CL this season with a chance at the league title?

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Well, I think we're a lot stronger this year than last. Last year it was a dead heat between Roma, Napoli, Inter, Lazio and Udinese coming down the stretch run for 3-7. I think we've improved more than any of those but there's still a lot of question marks from the mercato (Inter buying difference makers, Napoli losing Cavani etc).

I think, at this point, I like our chances more than anyone's and think Roma, Inter and Napoli with Cavani may even challenge AC Milan for 2nd.

However, while there's always hope, I think Juve is going to spend a lot to bolster their attack and only a Pirlo injury may keep them from repeating.


Our attack is probably going to be the most dangerous in Serie A (as well as one of the top few in Europe) in terms of quality and depth. However, the success of the season depends on the three missing pieces on defense being found in the mercato. It does seem that we are chasing the type immediate help at RB, LB, CB we need (Torosidis, Balzaretti, Ogbonna/Rolando) while the 18-20 year olds we have develop for a year or two more.

Not to say these are the exact players that we'll eventually end up getting but, since we are making offers for them, I hope for some similar purchases. Three players added to the defense on that level probably makes us favorites for a 2nd or 3rd place finish depending on Inter's market.

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Wm, what do the people on your Italian Roma message boards think about Bradley (in light of the recent friendlies)?

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Bob must be friends with the American owners.



I'm joking of course. When he was first bought there was a sizable minority thinking it was more for marketing and frustration that players like Bradley and Tachtsidis were the aim instead of, say, M'Vila.

However, that's changed pretty rapidly and less just for the goal and nice through balls but more that he completely looks comfortable in the fast, one touch passing attack of Zeman.

In general, all the Roman fans love him. It also helps a lot for the fans that unlike Stekelenberg and others he seems to have worked really hard to learn Italian. He actually speaks it pretty well. I'm jealous as it took me a couple of years to speak as well as he does now. Roma is a big club in a way but one with more of a "hometown" small club feel among fans that most so things like that really go a long way.

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Stekelenberg

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Was unbelievable in FIFA 2011

Any link to highlights?