I've heard that Gatt played decently at RB for Molde at some point when the team was injury plagued. I'm only stating this in response to those who are worried about the lack of depth at the fullback position. Obviously he is preferred on the wing, but if necessary he could play RB. Also, I'm much less worried than many of you about klinnsman not calling in new CBs. Looks like he is focusing on wing play this friendly by integrating new attacking players. I fully expect the backline to receive attention soon.
Gomez is a winger at the Mexican league level only. The Mexican league lacks international quality wingers. Why do you think Mexico kept playing Dos Santos even though he was a Bench warmer for years at Tottenham! When Gomez plays for the US it should be as a striker only. Gomez as a winger may work against some weak CONCACAF teams but, against better teams it is asking for trouble.
Gatt at FB was not considered a success. He plugged in to cover for a few injuries, but Molde fans didn't want him staying there. As for CB...when? The Hex is here.
If we're really that desperate at CB, why not Jones. He has Bundesliga experience as a CB. Its just a bandaid, but it would give Klinsmann time to identify a few more condidates.
I'll be honest, I want to see us play a fast paced high powered style. I am sick of players out of position, and a boring at fake attempt at playing a possession game. It is simply not our style and does not fit the culture. We need to run teams into the ground, pound them when they are down, take players on etc etc. That is what I feel is the identity we need to have not the boring Tiki taka stuff which is not appropriate and we can almost never get the player pool for.
I have advocated for this and I believe Mr. Martin has also. He looked fine for the few games he played there with Schalke. I think he would be a much better prospect than Edu. We have enough mid options to make it work. Seems pretty natural if he is gonna try a middie IMO. I guess he just doesn't want to take him out of the midfield, and feels that Edu is good enough to get it back there...which I don't agree with. Edu Is what he is. A stay at home D mid who shouldn't handle the ball much. Why he continues to overestimate this guy is baffling to me.
You are right, the hex is upon us! My bad. I wrongfully assumed a friendly date in January. I guess I just don't find it as shameful as others that, out of all those options, Klinnsman still rates Bocanegra and Cameron over everyone else in the available CB pool. We all speculate who might be successful there, and surely it would be nice to have seen some of them sooner (or now?), but even if we did, do you think it would have changed Klinnsman's plans (which I hope he has)?
why are so many people here still counting on Gooch? he has barely played this year and has been trash when he has. Not to mention his last stint with USMNT was awful, he is old, and always dealing some kind of injury...he is pretty much irrelevant imo
30 is old? He is good enough and just needs the right type of players around him to get the best out of him.
Defensive midfielders who don't leave too much space between them and the central defenders. His main problem from what I've seen is when he wins the ball and has no one to pass to immediately he makes mistakes.
I don't think it would have changed his plans...unless a player just grabbed the opp wholeheartedly. I do believe in giving yourself as many options as possible, and in attacking your greatest weakness ASAP, and as aggressively as possible. That's just the corporate manager in me, but the management principles apply everywhere. Put people in positions to succeed, that cater to their strengths. Don't try to turn folks into things they aren't. Address your weaknesses immediately and never stop looking for a solution. As u may imagine the first year under JK has not been fun for me to watch. He's moving along recently...just can't get CB out of my head.
I understand your concerns and agree that too many games have been wasted trying out players that most of us here believe aren't good enough. I don't think Edu is the perfect cb but I do believe he is one of the better ones we have so far, as to his weakness, yes as speed picks up he does make more errors but as cb his game becomes more compact and simplified. He is probably the fastest one we have out there, the Mexico game proved that, in fact he was the one bailing out either Cameron or the fullbacks. I think JK has noticed that and plans to continue his experiment. I agree that all of this experiment should have been done long ago. To late now, no need to cry over spilled milk. Time will tell if this CB problem will be our undoing.
Edu has started on the bench the last couple of games, calm down he won't start. JK is saying what he wants his players to strive for; but he understands the realities what happening with each individual player. This is a courtesy to Edu who's going through a bit of a rough stretch. EDIT: Just to be clear; I wanted to see other CB's too, but lets's not scapegoat Edu. But Jk is probably right, at CB you need a lot of experience and the same guys would have definitely started. The January camp and the next GC are for grooming the next upcoming CB's.
I agree with your assessment of Onyewu. I would like those who disagree explain why a top team like Malaga would even ponder taking him on loan (over someone else)?
I don't see Klinsmann starting any of Gatt, Gyau, or Mix. A lot of people (maybe myself included?) would like to see Gatt get significant minutes, but I'm not counting on a start. Starting MF and FW are probably going to be six of Bradley, Jones, Williams, Edu, Herc, Jozy, Boyd, Sacha, and maybe Agudelo. I don't see any option that doesn't call for a center forward, central midfielder, or young player starting on the wing. I would prefer to see the experienced guys start and the young guns to all come in around the hour mark (depending on how the game is going of course) like Klinsmann's first Mexico game.
"I'm not going to solely blame him for the loss to man city" - well you're a freaking footie genius, mr. author. that's funny, full stop.
Lichaj is considered third string by his manager. if not for injuries I would imagine he wouldnt be playing. If the other two fullbacks in front of him get healthy he will be loaned out this winter. his manager doesnt rate him.