Does Convey need a break from the National Team?

[appoo]

I'm asking because while he is improving as a left back his form is about at its worst, thinking off hand to how well he played against Wales. Is he jaded perhaps? As far as I can tell he's been playing straight since for around 2 years now and he;s still only 21. I know that Donovan and Beasley have seemingly gone thorugh without much problem but player development is different for anyone. And IIRC even Donovan went through a mini-slump, caused by burn out. Then he went on a little break and was immediatly better.

So this woudl be my suggestion. Keep him away from the US National team for the rest of this year but promise he'll be back for the HEX. He's isn't an essential player to be the likes of Jamaica, El Salvador, and Panama. Maybe even ask Novak to give him a month off as his club form hasn't been very good either (but really not at all that bad). The reason I suggest this is that perhaps he'll be rejuvenated. Its almost like he is now trying TOO hard. I mean that attempted finish he had at the end of the match was probably one of the worst shots I've ever seen from a professional player.

But in the end, I think a rejuvenated and in-form Bobby Convey is the best thing for USA and DC United. If that means sacrificing a month for DC and 5 months for USA, so be it. If we can get this kid to start reaching his upside the consequence of losing him for that long compared to reward is almost negligible. The other thing is I fear what happens to a 21 year olds confidence level if he continues to struggle like this. It'd be a MASSIVE loss for USA if he turns into the Soccer version of Rick Ankiel.

[ptm9]

So this woudl be my suggestion. Keep him away from the US National team for the rest of this year but promise he'll be back for the HEX. He's isn't an essential player to be the likes of Jamaica, El Salvador, and Panama. Maybe even ask Novak to give him a month off as his club form hasn't been very good either (but really not at all that bad). .

Two words about Nowak giving Convey a month off: Fat Chance.

Unless a national team coach is getting kick backs on transfer fees, like Luxemergo did in Brazil, he is not going to promise any player a free pass to the WCQs.

[mette72]

Convey needs to sit for a while. He is stinking up the left back position, and I really don't see the "improvement" that people are talking about. Sit him, and make him earn it.

[diablodelsol]

Perhaps its the national team that needs a break from Bobby Convey.

Keep him away from the US National team for the rest of this year but promise he'll be back for the HEX

Honestly, what has Convey achieved so far for the MENS national team, or in MLS playing against other MEN, that would warrant a vacation until the hex and an open invite back?

He's been a good to excellent youth player who thus far hasn't been able to take it to the next level. He's young...there's still time. But the idea that Bobby Convey has done anything to guarantee his place on the senior team is a ********ing joke.

[Cweedchop]

Convey needs to sit for a while. He is stinking up the left back position, and I really don't see the "improvement" that people are talking about. Sit him, and make him earn it.

Knowing full well that you are a Convey basher, how exactly does one "earn it" by sitting?

Taking copious notes? A series of lectures from Cle Kooiman on DVD?

I'm curious as to the method of how one learns from the bench.....

[appoo]

Yes, I'm aware of people think Convey sucks. Thats not why I started this thread. I wanted to talk about things like burnout and what might a break do for his game. We forget he's only 21, the only real precedent we have for him is Donovan and Beasley. We also might run into this type of thing with Gaven. So when he's not the best player in the world by this time next year we might not be stunned and think he is crap

ptm, I would imagine he'd be a better player for DC United if he got this time off. Rather than be consistantly mediocre (for him) why take a month off and see if he can come back at the top of his game. For DC United

[T Nitty]

Time off from DCU? No. That won't happen. We're not exactly deep in any position. The only way I could see him getting a break is if he goes across the pond and doesn't start.

I really do think he needs some rest, though. Or at least a change of scenery. I'm sure he's doing everything he can to increase the level of performance, but it's really up to the coaches to realize it's only hurting him. If Bruce gives him a break, he shouldn't waste Convey's time by sitting him on the bench, either.

In my completely un-qualified opinion, Bruce should keep him out of the lineup for Jamaica, Boston, and maybe the next game.

Anyway, here's to Bobby's return to form.

[JoseP]

ptm, I would imagine he'd be a better player for DC United if he got this time off. Rather than be consistantly mediocre (for him) why take a month off and see if he can come back at the top of his game. For DC United

Try that line at work and see how it works. "Hey boss, I haven't had long break in quite some tim? Would you mind if I took a month off? I'll be much fresher and, probably, a better employee if I had that time off. Oh, and, of course, you will be paying me while I'm off."

[Ringo]

Knowing full well that you are a Convey basher, how exactly does one "earn it" by sitting?

Taking copious notes? A series of lectures from Cle Kooiman on DVD?

I'm curious as to the method of how one learns from the bench.....


perhaps performing well for your United would be a good place to start? the bench for the u.s. men doesn't mean the bench for dc united. i don't think a break from club soccer is good for anybody at his age. the game is tough. get used to it and fight through it. he'll be fine. but perhaps appoo is right -- maybe he does have too much on his plate.

It's like people were saying about Landon as recently as a year ago (I believe) ... he seemed to take the callup for granted. Like Appoo said, he got his batteries recharged and his game has never been better.

of course, if he gets a transfer to england (big if) and if he makes the first team (another big if) he could be going through a tim howard like spell of 18 months or so with no break. of course, that and the travel across the pond would give bruce a good excuse to sit him. not that he needs one, i guess. he's the coach after all. can do whatever he darn well pleases.

also appoo ... you mentioned the wales game. missed an open netter in that one, too. just wanted to remind you. :D

[appoo]

also appoo ... you mentioned the wales game. missed an open netter in that one, too. just wanted to remind you. :D
Oh I remember it quite well. Now figure out how many american's have the ability to make the run he made to create the oppurtunity :).

A great play that shows off both the brilliance and frustration of Bobby Convey.

[lmorin]

Convey is a work in progress. Personally, I think he is greatly improved on the defensive side of things. I think what we all want to see is simply a little more thoughtfulness and patience when he presses forward. The ridiculous shots and long balls to nowhere must go. They are thoughtless and indicative of someone who feels he is under enormous pressure to do something, anything, just do it! Not!! Although I am not convinced this experiment will work out, it just may. If BA sees that possibility, too, then he must keep giving Convey chances to show improvement at the Nats level. Good DCU play will not be adequate. Must be frustrating for BA to see Convey's opportunities to go a-glimmering time after time.

[smith07]

Both he and DMB have been rumored to be moving over to club teams in Europe. Bobby would be fighting for first team football. If he succeeds and DMB struggles to get on the pitch, Bobby could come back stronger than ever and play left-midfield with some improved defense from his stints at left back now for the national team.

[StillKickin]

As has been mentioned, Donovan went through a slump last year about Confed. Cup time, tired, worn out, burned out. And what did Bruce say? "He's gotta play through it. If you want to be the best, you gotta play through it." Which is exactly what Donovan did. I don't know what you mean, Appoo, by saying Donovan took a break, because he didn't. He played in every game, went straight into the gold cup, had his 4-goal game, etc.

I'm not saying that's what Bobby needs to do, because as you pointed out, each player is different. Hence, Bruce's advice might have been directed to Donovan specifically and not players in general.

Course, Donovan wasn't as out of form as Bobby appears to be, either.

[StillKickin]

Oh I remember it quite well. Now figure out how many american's have the ability to make the run he made to create the oppurtunity :).


Oh, I can think of at least one.

[MLSNHTOWN]

I agree with the general sentiment that he needs a bit of break. I would hope the left back debate has been somewhat silenced now. But I am sure it might still be a viable option for Arena. That being said, I don't know that we can give it to him.

In my mind we typically start a four man midfield usually composed of Donovan, Beasley, Reyna and Armas/Mastro. Assuming we start McBride/Mathis up top and Wolff, we need:

1. A super sub option off of the bench - Someone who can bring a ton of offensive spark to the game. In midfield, I think it would clearly be Convey right now. Mathis if he is on the bench would be the first option, but he might just be starting soon ahead of McBride with Wolff up top.

2. A midfield option if we want to go to a five man midfield - Zavagnin/Mastro can bring in a 2 d-mid option. Obviously Mathis can slip into an a-mid slot with Wolff and McBride up top, but I think that Convey might be our best option.

To be quite frank, I would love for Josh Wolff to stay healthy for the next 8 years. I would love the same for John O'brien. The good news is we get to play those guys when they are healthy. But we can't rely on them to be there all of the time. As a result, Convey will have a role. The role will be minimized when an O'brien and Wolff are healty, but he has a role.

With regards to the premise that we can afford to rest our players in the semis, I would vehemently disagree with that. Everyone needs to go back and look at some of the results from last years semis. Arms grow out of people's forheads on the road. Qualifying in the semis won't be easy. I hope that we are the CONCACAF power that many of us think that we are, but the semis are dangerous. No resting anyone. All players who are deserving, make the team. It is world cup qualifying, we can't afford to f it up.

(I didn't say this against Grenada because we clearly outclassed them).

[Ringo]

Oh, I can think of at least one.

DMB had a pretty good run against Grenada. of course he screwed up making it Convey-esque by actually making the shot.
oh well, no one's perfect. :D


my thought: whether convey needs a break or not ... he's young, he'll fight through it. but if bruce is going to play him at an outside back (and for the time being, that appears to be the plan) he'd be better served playing there with his club team. chris albright is a good example. DC united probably won't play him there ... a team in europe might. i think he has the skills to be a good outside back, but he looks as comfortable at left back as a wnba player in high heels.
get thee to europe, learn the position and call us when you're ready. :)

[SamsArmySam]

get thee to europe, learn the position and call us when you're ready. :)

Yep. Convey needs a contract with a club team that plays him at left back in a 4-4-2. It's not going to happen at DC United, so that means a move to Europe.

On the Nat side, time off may be coming. He hasn't developed enough at the LB slot to play for us in a majority of the qualifying matches. It'll be interesting to call for Bruce, though, if Convey isn't picked up at the start of the European season. Does he risk playing him to keep him Europe-eligible, or does he sit him in the riskier qualifying matches (or all of them) in this round and only play him in friendlies?

[GringoTex]

Yep. Convey needs a contract with a club team that plays him at left back in a 4-4-2. It's not going to happen at DC United, so that means a move to Europe.

When the Spurs tried to sign him, it was as a midfielder. Europe's not investing in Convey based on Arena's odd leftback experiments. They're coming after him for the position he plays: midfield.

[johnnygol]

When the Spurs tried to sign him, it was as a midfielder. Europe's not investing in Convey based on Arena's odd leftback experiments. They're coming after him for the position he plays: midfield.

I totally agree, Spurs want him in the position he performs the best (midfield) Bruce Arena is trying to make him play out of his natural position because he needs a leftback. Convey needs to go to Europe and get his game to the next level .

[T Nitty]

As has been mentioned, Donovan went through a slump last year about Confed. Cup time, tired, worn out, burned out. And what did Bruce say? "He's gotta play through it. If you want to be the best, you gotta play through it." Which is exactly what Donovan did. I don't know what you mean, Appoo, by saying Donovan took a break, because he didn't. He played in every game, went straight into the gold cup, had his 4-goal game, etc.


Yeah, you're probably right. If he turns it around... super, he's a pro, so that's what he's supposed to do. If not... well, there's plenty of other guys that will gladly take his spot. Hopefully, The Bruce will recognize if/when Bobby is past the turn-around point.