Introducing the Spector & Cooper factor

[GringoTex]

I realize this is still premature, but signs are increasingly indicating that Spector and Cooper are going to make the Man U squad this season.

Spector: http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/sport/football/manchesterunited/s/124/124357_spector_set_for_reds_chance_.html

Copper:
http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/040720/1/54mm.html


Arena will certainly want to bring them in if this happens. What opportunities will he have for experimentation? Do we have any friendlies scheduled to test them out? Will they have to be tested in important qualifying matches?

[Bruce S]

I realize this is still premature, but signs are increasingly indicating that Spector and Cooper are going to make the Man U squad this season.

Spector: http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/sport/football/manchesterunited/s/124/124357_spector_set_for_reds_chance_.html

Copper:
http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/040720/1/54mm.html


Arena will certainly want to bring them in if this happens. What opportunities will he have for experimentation? Do we have any friendlies scheduled to test them out? Will they have to be tested in important qualifying matches?
if they are playing and performing well, I am sure he will bring them in.If they have 1st team jersey numbers but continue to play for the reseveres, I am pretty sure he won't bring them in. Hell, Simek at Arsenal has a first team jersey, not apparently near a call-up.

[Parmigiano]

if they are playing and performing well, I am sure he will bring them in.If they have 1st team jersey numbers but continue to play for the reseveres, I am pretty sure he won't bring them in. Hell, Simek at Arsenal has a first team jersey, not apparently near a call-up.

Likewise Whitbread at Liverpool.

[denver_mugwamp]

I always thought that young players with European squads are at a huge disadvantage since they're not everyday players and it's hard to evaluate them. If Eddie Gaven had signed with an EPL club, then he's probably still be in the reserves or on the bench and he wouldn't have caught the Bruce's eye. Conversely, if Spector and Cooper were in MLS, then they'd be playing regular and their games would be on Bruce's TIVO.

[onefineesq]

I always thought that young players with European squads are at a huge disadvantage since they're not everyday players and it's hard to evaluate them. If Eddie Gaven had signed with an EPL club, then he's probably still be in the reserves or on the bench and he wouldn't have caught the Bruce's eye. Conversely, if Spector and Cooper were in MLS, then they'd be playing regular and their games would be on Bruce's TIVO.

They are clearly at a huge disadvantage in the short-run. Whether that is true in the long-run becomes a much more debatable prospect. Actually, I'm pretty glad that we have sort of a mix of young guys here and there, learning different styles of play and undergoing different seasonal schedules. Remember, it was only a couple of weeks ago that all of the European powers were bellyaching and whining that their main guys schedules cost them a shot at the Euro title. i just hope that in the future, when MLS becomes a little more competitive in a financial sense, that there are some Americans who choose to play over here, in order to give us the best of both worlds.

[texgator]

I always thought that young players with European squads are at a huge disadvantage since they're not everyday players and it's hard to evaluate them. If Eddie Gaven had signed with an EPL club, then he's probably still be in the reserves or on the bench and he wouldn't have caught the Bruce's eye. Conversely, if Spector and Cooper were in MLS, then they'd be playing regular and their games would be on Bruce's TIVO.
Right on, man. And I hope young American soccer players are paying attention. You got to believe that this had something to do with Szetela opting for MLS over Europe. You just can't beat regular first team minutes against top flight professionals, even with what must be amazing training and coaching in the EPL reserves.

[Dead Fingers]

I always thought that young players with European squads are at a huge disadvantage since they're not everyday players and it's hard to evaluate them. If Eddie Gaven had signed with an EPL club, then he's probably still be in the reserves or on the bench and he wouldn't have caught the Bruce's eye. Conversely, if Spector and Cooper were in MLS, then they'd be playing regular and their games would be on Bruce's TIVO.


Bruce is very aware of the two. But as he recently said in one of his US Soccer interviews that they are not playing regular first team ball, so he would not be called up yet. I think Bruce does a couple maybe more trips to Europe a year to look at our players. Heck he was even interviewed by Preston's web site last year.

[texgator]

Sure, he's aware....and he probably calls up the Reserve Coachs regularly to discuss their progress. But that kind of exposure pales in comparison to what young MLS players get. Now, not every young player considers playing for the National Team ahead of their club career. Some might chose to go to Europe anyway.....but I think that is rare.

[FC Tallavana]

I realize this is still premature, but signs are increasingly indicating that Spector and Cooper are going to make the Man U squad this season.

Spector: http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/sport/football/manchesterunited/s/124/124357_spector_set_for_reds_chance_.html

Copper:
http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/040720/1/54mm.html


Arena will certainly want to bring them in if this happens. What opportunities will he have for experimentation? Do we have any friendlies scheduled to test them out? Will they have to be tested in important qualifying matches?

I can't get the Cooper link to work but I believe you are talking about Fergie rejecting a Cooper loan to a D3 side because he "has plans for him this year." Honestly, as much as I would love for Cooper to make the 1st squad this year, I doubt this is what Fergie is thinking of.

Rather, I have a hard time thinking any ManU reserve would be loaned out to a D3 squad. Much less, the leading scorer. Where it a D1 club that called asking for a loan, Fergie would surely give his blessing. Reserve matches at United are a few levels above D3 matches so what is the incentive?

That said, if Cooper does manage to get some Cup starts, I would think he should get a look at a 'Euro-based' friendly.

As for Spector, another story entirely. Spector will have the opportunity of a lifetime during the CW tour next week. He will see loads of minutes against three of the biggest clubs in Europe. Should he pull a Howard and perform well, he WILL figure into the def. rotation for the 1st team this season. He isn't likely to be a fixture but he should play enough of a role to get into the USMNT picture.

[Scotty]

This is an interesting development for Cooper. This is the second time that Tony Adams has tried to secure his services. I think that a loan move could be good for him, although I would rather see him in division 1 or higher. But it's obvious that Ferguson has specific plans for Cooper. Already this summer Man Utd has unloaded two other reserve team strikers, Johnson and Nardiello:

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123535&page=1

So it seems almost certain that he will be a first choice starter for the reserves this season. But it will probably take a total injury crisis among the strikers for him to see first team action, at least in the league anyway.

[AndyMead]

The question for some of these players becomes. Do they stick it out and make the first team like John O'Brien, do the cut bait and come home like Landon Donovan, or do they get trapped in the netherworld of the first team bench like Jovan Kirovski?

[Deuteriumoxide]

The question for some of these players becomes. Do they stick it out and make the first team like John O'Brien, do the cut bait and come home like Landon Donovan, or do they get trapped in the netherworld of the first team bench like Jovan Kirovski?


Maybe Cooper but Spectors name is just too cool for that ********.

[sch2383]

I believe Spector is on the fast track to first team play, mainly in Cup matches but with one roll of an ankle, he could be in the 1st team regularly. I think Cooper is a little further back, if for no other reason than the quality of the players infront of him. He will get his chance, probably in cup matches like Spector, but his window is smaller (this season anyway).

[Father Ted]

I think we may get to see them on United's US Tour especially Spector between now and the end of the month.

[juventino3]

I think Cooper is a little further back, if for no other reason than the quality of the players infront of him.

Especially if they pick up Rooney. Van Nistelrooy, Saha, Rooney, Alan Smith, and Solskjaer don't leave much room for first team action.

[cleat/less]

so spector is a definite for the us tour. does anyone know cooper's status? I saw that he scored the game winner in keane's ireland charity match on a mostly young man-u team?

[sch2383]

Especially if they pick up Rooney. Van Nistelrooy, Saha, Rooney, Alan Smith, and Solskjaer don't leave much room for first team action.
But remember, OGS only has a year or two left at this high of a level.

[lmorin]

But remember, OGS only has a year or two left at this high of a level.
It remains to be seen if he can return to pre-injury form. The failure of ManU last year was caused just as much by the way below normal play of OGS as it was to Rio's absence. His play last season was not good enough for the Premier League and, if it continues, he will be displaced early this season.

[Dr Jay]

Especially if they pick up Rooney. Van Nistelrooy, Saha, Rooney, Alan Smith, and Solskjaer don't leave much room for first team action.


Rooney has a broken 5th metatarsal and will be out for at least 2 months - don't be surprised if its longer.

I don't see him being transfered under these circumstances.

[Bruce S]

I guess Cooper is not on the roster for the trip to the USA.On the Man U site.