QUOTE (Fillipo Simone @ Oct 16 2011, 08:25 PM)

Really? I think it's partly a myth. He used Strasser and Merkel only in a dire situation, where he could chose either to put Thiago as DM, which he did and failed, or play one or both of them. The moment Seedorf, Rino and the rest returned, they almost disappeared. Paloschi has been shipped off, Vila and a few others as well. I wouldn't call it giving youth a chance...
In regard to the myth, you are partially correct in that, comparatively to coaches like Guidolin, Rossi, Miha(...) he is far more conservative, but i do feel a part of that is the influence from upstairs. Berlu, as i would be lead to believe, enjoys watching his old-school gladiators fight and show off their class for all to see and enjoy. His motives at this point are more for self-glorification then actual progressing the club IMO. That's not to say out with berlu, or OCCUPY SAN SIRO, because there is value in loyalty. What coach before Allegri dared play a 17yo? While i would agree that Strasser was a last resort due to the over saturation of DMs in the squad, he rewarded Allegri's faith by playing, after some initial confusion, above the level of Rino & Ambro. Also i would disagree that Thiago was a bad DM, he is amazing and granted it is much more convenient to have a world class CB then a DM with a good passing range and good 1v1 defending, but injuries forced allegri's hand. Not to mention that often times, when merkel was introduced, we had Janku and Oddo on the bench. I have always found Janku to be a valuable asset on the bench as a LM only and Oddo's inclusion usually pushed abate to RM. between these two bench players, he had 2 offensive substitutions that would please Baldy&Horny, but instead he opted for Merkel, as he did with Ragatzu in Cagliari. He does have an eye for talent and when in control, rewards it. As for our younglings being shipped off, I can't help at being more optimistic. There is a high grade valuation on our primavera products. We sent Verdi and Odu to Torino, which is the 21rst Serie A team, where Verdi especially is playing an important role (not sure about Odu...). We have Albertazzi facing some of the best forwards in the world, same for Didac. As for Paloschi, i'm sure he only wanted to stay if Cassano left. Besides he gets to develop alongside Pellissier, a pretty good poacher in his own right.
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Safer to play Pippo? No, I don't live in a dream world - Pippo isn't build to play as a starter or regular sub any more. When we are fully recovered, it is questionable if Pippo should be even on the bench. Yet, I am sure that a fair modus vivendi can be found. Why does playing Pippo necessarily mean excluding youth? Why not put in a match which is clearly won a motivated Pippo along with Valoti and El Shaarawy for example, and not Emanuelso who is always give the chance, but never does anything remotely useful?
By safer i mean hat there is no situation that is above him. He won't overdo it and will remain composed till the final whistle. That is why he is a "safer" selection then say Valoti, Comi or Ganz. I think he excludes youth indirectly. I think it has been made obvious that Allegri just wants the best squad possible regardless of esteem, legendary status, or big name recognition. This is why he has struggled IMO at the beginning of both seasons when Headshine&Viagra are giving him advice (ronaldinho being "misplaced" in midfield, playing ibra and the Brazilians at the same time...). Allegri also sees the players differently then Carlo's latter years and Leo. He sees the potential as well as the current form, which is why Emanuelson gets the time he does. In Ajax, he was very offensively involved in most of the game. So to him, if he is going to make a time-killing sub or a "why the F not" sub he'd rather throw in a kid to get said kid's confidence up instead of the guy closer to 45 then he is 30...
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I'm not talking about Pippo being regularly played. I'm talking about games he could have been played, but due to Allegri's treatment, he was played 8 or 10 minutes mostly, while being warmed up for 20 minutes. He's unnecessarily torturing him. Forget history and past moments when it comes to starters or team systems - sure - no one should be privileged; yet, the treatment Pippo get's IMO is beyond giving youth a chance rather then the oldies or forgetting history.
Allegri has his own legacy to make. Why would he show the old trophy winners if they cannot physically offer what a new player can. Again, this goes against his personal interest and it would cloud his opinion on the kids if he never got to see them. We should be thankful he has not been complacent with this team and is always looking ahead. I'm not saying we are blessed to have him but he does have his qualities. But i do believe management has a hand in his tactical inflexibility as in cagliari, he would often change tactics 2-3 times a game(!!!) i've seen 4-5-1, i've seen 4-3-3, i've seen 4-3-2-1, i've seen 4-3-1-2.
Don't worry though, the Coppa is coming, i doubt Pippo won't be thrown a bone