The LOTW Diary

Italia on the Ultra Defensive

The ultras of Italy are running scared if the GIFC are to be believed. Looking at the measures to reduce fighting at the fitbaw it’s more in-likely corrupt Local Authority figures who have been issuing safety certificates for years that should be more worried.

Looks like there pension funds will no longer be topped up by Italian club officials. The heidie of the GIFC says

"We will not allow fans to go into a stadium that does not respect the current safety norms," said interior minister Giuliano Amato.
"In stadia like that of Catania I will not admit anyone, I am firm on this. That game shouldn't have been played.
"Hence, only those stadia that meet the security norms will reopen to the fans, the other stadia will be used to play in but without fans until they meet guidelines."

Now for us, the Milano hoops, it’s scary that the San Siro doesn’t meet safety standards. In fact it’s scary that only 5 grounds in the whole of Italy do. Now reports suggest that the San Siro only needs a lick of paint to meet the requirements but it begs the question how decrepitated are the other stadiums?

Reading reports, some don’t have turnstiles, CCTV is very rare and the clubs take no control over ticket allocation. Also pay on the day gates are commonplace for large volatile games due to the fact that nae bugger goes to the games.

Massive TV deals mean that attendances have been dropping in serie A but that’s no excuse for club officials and local authorities for letting the stadia seep into disrepair. Most stadia are now of early 80’s standard here and according to the ger at ma work Livorno’s stadia was worse than the old Broomfield.

Now while improving the stadia is a start it won’t eradicate the problem. Germany has safe grounds but massive club hooligan problems. England and Scotland while trouble is rare in grounds toon centres up and doon the land still have trouble wie casuals.

Making the stadia safer will help the Italian game as more people will return to games but the problem won’t go away. It will just move elsewhere. The already organised Ultras will find ways to out fox the polis. Bringing Italia stadia into the 21st century is a start but bringing political views and local differences into the 21st century is something Europe has failed to do.

So why should Italia be any different?

Aiden Fients, Dummies and Signs

Enough of those pesky Ultras. Aiden has signed a new contract wie the bhoys who have acted quickly to heid of at the pass another Shaun the Aston Celtic subby situation.
Frainkie MacAvennies love child said

“I’m delighted to agree this new contract with Celtic and commit my future to the club.

"I’ve enjoyed my time immensely with Celtic so far and I’m now looking forward very much to the future and the challenges that lie ahead.”

Love players wie Aiden’s ability. He is the most natural talent we have produced since McStay. He still has a lot to learn but he has progressed leaps and bounds under GS. Trips to the gym seem to part of his training routine and this beefing up has lead to him being a more disciplined player. He has chipped in this season wie a few goals and also a few match winning performances.

Now, him and the Deek may be used as a tag team from now to the end of the season. One starts wears the team doon, then the other comes on and finishes the joab. Two guys with their ability vying for the one spot is great for the club.

Naka, Naka, Naka or Lubo?

But Aiden is not the most creative talent at the club. Naka, Naka oh Naka. After a virtuoso performance at the weekend, when he makes playing fitbaw look so easy and a joy to watch, again the commentators who said he was a luxury, lightweight and one who would disappear when the going got tough got there collective microphones rammed up their arses.

His performance against Livi followed a performance against Dundee Utd a few weeks back which was up there with anything I have seen at CP. He is born to play in the CL as nights like Man U have proved. But a question remains….

Is he better than Lubo?

Lubo maybe never scaled the heights in Europe apart from a master class against Juve when even the Juve fans- and players- applauded him of the park, as Naka has but domestically he has done something Naka hasn’t done yet.

He was a collective pain in R*ngers arse. For the seasons he was here he kept his best for them. The 3-0 at Ibrox with the outrageous dummy in the box then a divine finish. The 5-1 game also. He stepped up to the plate in the heat of the glesga derby. He was also reliable in big games domestically

Something Naka still has to do. Games against Hearts and R*ngers, Naka has sometimes been found wanting. He sometimes disappears in the kick and rush nature of these games. When grabs one of these games by the scruff of the neck then the genius of Nakamura will rank as better than Lubo.

Hopefully he will be around long enough to make me eat may words……

Forza the hoops who are not checking their travel insurance just yet for a refund on plane tickets to Milano