Thoughts on 'Dolo

[kinstlinger]

I'm gaining confidence in young Mr. Cherundolo back there.

His crosses are better; his positioning is better. He moves forward confidently.

If our pool of defensive possibilities includes Pope, Boca, Gibbs, Convey, Berhalter, etc. his size isn't such an issue.

If he keeps playing well in international games, who knows - he might be headed for Europe ;)

[FC Tallavana]

I'm gaining confidence in young Mr. Cherundolo back there.

His crosses are better; his positioning is better. He moves forward confidently.

If our pool of defensive possibilities includes Pope, Boca, Gibbs, Convey, Berhalter, etc. his size isn't such an issue.

If he keeps playing well in international games, who knows - he might be headed for Europe ;)


He plays for Hannover 96.

[kinstlinger]

Um.. yeah, thus the smiley face.

[DaMa]

I think he knew that :P

[unitedunited]

other than pope, he is the only one on our back line who played through the 2002 WCQ cycle, and I think that counts for something when the guys find themselves in mazatenango, saprisssa, azteca, the office etc.

whatever happened to gregg berhalter?

[FC Tallavana]

I think he knew that :P

Don't give me more credit than I deserve. I actually didn't know for sure. Perhaps I can get into the next emoticon training seminar to keep this from happening again.

[FC Tallavana]

I'm gaining confidence in young Mr. Cherundolo back there.

His crosses are better; his positioning is better. He moves forward confidently.

If our pool of defensive possibilities includes Pope, Boca, Gibbs, Convey, Berhalter, etc. his size isn't such an issue.

If he keeps playing well in international games, who knows - he might be headed for Europe ;)

I think we are starting to understand why the 96ers seem to have such a love-hate relationship with him. He can go for extended periods playing solid and then go and screw something up so bad you're ashamed he's on your squad (what I've heard). Hopefully he's moved on from that. I too have confidence in him but it is somewhat guarded because of his reputation.

[Nimbus2000]

He's still the only outside back who can beat guys on the dribble when he's given orders to push forward......and Convey isn't a back he's an experiment at back. Add to that that he's also far and away the best crosser of the ball and one needs to look for reasons not to play him...the best being we play a superior opponent against whom we plan to bunker.

Actually, I take that back. Sanneh can, or used to be able to, beat guys on the dribble. I'd say a Sannehesqe player is who you want in a bunker scenario.

[Calcio]

Given Bruce's willingness to adjust the line up to the situation, I think we'll see a 2-headed right back (2-headed monster) in qualifiers through 2006.

When Bruce doesn't expect lots of pressure from the opponent's left side, and he really needs quality attack from the right back, we'll see Cherundolo. When Bruce needs the right back to defend first, run and stretch the opponent's defense, and any good service is gravy, we'll see Frankie (yes, I remember Robben).

Bruce's comments lately about Cherundolo and Hejduk make it clear he has confidence in them. They both work hard, do what's asked of them, and by all appearances are pleased to do that. I think the right back is in pretty good shape. Now about the left side (just like pre-Korea) . . .

[mschofield]

What does Frankie offer right now that Dolo doesn't? Speed, about equal. defensive tenacity, ditto. Tactically, technically, Dolo is better.
Maybe Frankie is a better fighter.
But Dolo has been very good against very good competition, esp in the last half season in the bund. I like frankie as player, and thought he was great in 98, okay in 02. but he seems more and more like a poor man's version of dolo these days.

[MLSNHTOWN]

What does Frankie offer right now that Dolo doesn't? Speed, about equal. defensive tenacity, ditto. Tactically, technically, Dolo is better.
Maybe Frankie is a better fighter.
But Dolo has been very good against very good competition, esp in the last half season in the bund. I like frankie as player, and thought he was great in 98, okay in 02. but he seems more and more like a poor man's version of dolo these days.

The only thing that Frankie now offers over Dolo is that Frankie can play left back as well.

[Scotty]

I like 'Dolo a lot.

In fact, I would like to see him moved up to a right midfield position. This would be good for several reasons. It would allow Donovan to play more centrally behind the strikers, as he does for San Jose. And 'Dolo's speed and crossing abilities are ideal for a flank midfield position, much better than any of our other right-sided player's.

The quesiton this raises is: Who takes his place at right back?

Sorry, but I don't like Frankie there. Too many positional errors and lapses in concentration. Sanneh, perhaps. But he still has a way to go before he gets back to his 2002 WC form. I would really like to see Albright continue to develop and claim this spot. But it may be too soon for him with the next qualifiers just over a month away.

[Deuteriumoxide]

----Gibbs-Pope-Bocanegra
Stevie----------------Beasley


Go forward young men, go forward.

[isolde]

I think we are starting to understand why the 96ers seem to have such a love-hate relationship with him. He can go for extended periods playing solid and then go and screw something up so bad you're ashamed he's on your squad (what I've heard). Hopefully he's moved on from that. I too have confidence in him but it is somewhat guarded because of his reputation.

As a fan who follows H96 games I can assure you that Dolo DOES NOT have a love-hate relationship with H96. What happened at H96 was the defence allowed too many goals under the previous coach, during that time, Dolo was not the one who was to blame. In fact, he was pretty consistent including a amazing save by kicking the ball out of the goal line! Dolo has been pretty consistent at H96 and a regular starter under the old coach and the new coach. If any thing, I think there was one game he made a mistake and he was benched next game if I rememer correctly. In Germany it is highly competitve environment, if you made a mistake, you sit. What I like Dolo is that although he is not big and not tall but he is fast and he knows how to position himself smartly.

[lmorin]

As a fan who follows H96 games I can assure you that Dolo DOES NOT have a love-hate relationship with H96. What happened at H96 was the defence allowed too many goals under the previous coach, during that time, Dolo was not the one who was to blame. In fact, he was pretty consistent including a amazing save by kicking the ball out of the goal line! Dolo has been pretty consistent at H96 and a regular starter under the old coach and the new coach. If any thing, I think there was one game he made a mistake and he was benched next game if I rememer correctly. In Germany it is highly competitve environment, if you made a mistake, you sit. What I like Dolo is that although he is not big and not tall but he is fast and he knows how to position himself smartly.
I have come to like him and think he plays a lot like Volz who did quite well in the same position for Fulham this year. Lots of defensive good stuff, great tackler, plus a major contributor to the attacking effort.

[NoSix]

Now about the left side (just like pre-Korea) . . .

Just move Bocanegra there and slot Gibbs into the middle. Gibbs is a stud, too, and Boca is a major improvement on any of the other LB candidates at the moment.

[babytiger2001]

Just move Bocanegra there and slot Gibbs into the middle. Gibbs is a stud, too, and Boca is a major improvement on any of the other LB candidates at the moment.

Agreed-- and if Bocanegra's good enough to play the left back spot for Fulham, and do so with influence and distinction, he's good enough to play the position at international level.

I have no problem with Boca at left back.

[m vann]

I've started to gain quite a bit of confidence in Dolo and that's amazing considering a few years back I thought he was going to be a flop. He just goes out there and plays and despite his lack of size is a pretty solid man marker and it's helped playing in the Bundesliga and marking strikers that have 5-6 inches and 25-30 lbs. on him. But what really is impresses me is his ability to move forward. He seems very comfortable on the ball and can be dangerous sending in a cross or sneaking in behind the defense. He might just be the best option on the right if Bruce allows and encourages his backs to move into the flow of offense. I'm rooting for Dolo and I'm looking forward to him having a great season for the much improved Hannover.

[striker]

I have come to like him and think he plays a lot like Volz who did quite well in the same position for Fulham this year. Lots of defensive good stuff, great tackler, plus a major contributor to the attacking effort.


If I were Volz, I am not sure that I would appreciate this comparison!

[ag944]

What does Frankie offer right now that Dolo doesn't? Speed, about equal. defensive tenacity, ditto. Tactically, technically, Dolo is better.
Maybe Frankie is a better fighter.
But Dolo has been very good against very good competition, esp in the last half season in the bund. I like frankie as player, and thought he was great in 98, okay in 02. but he seems more and more like a poor man's version of dolo these days.

I've always like Frankie because of his 150% kick-ass commitment, but.... I think Chris Albright may take his position away. Albright's a lot more skilled, pretty darned fast, and an offensive threat like Frankie. I've been pretty impressed w/Albright playing for the Galaxy, and he really started making stuff happen in the Poland game when subbed in.

----Mark