Rimando/Perkins Revisited

[ursula]

Any questions now on who should start? Anyone got a problem with the fact that Nicky is playing well enough now that even if he makes a slip he'll still be starting?

[voyager]

Nicky's done well enough to solidify the starting position. I think Perkins will get some time in the next few weeks due to the # of games United has to play, but the starter spot is Nicky's to lose. He seems much more confident already this season. As you said, even with a few miscues he will most likely be the starter. I mean, this is DC United, not Manchester United. ;)

[grumpydcu]

Any questions now on who should start? Anyone got a problem with the fact that Nicky is playing well enough now that even if he makes a slip he'll still be starting?

Being a long time Nicky basher, I certainly do have a problem with him starting. His lack of command and direction (indecision) right in front of the net put the team in unnecessary awkward situations twice in the first half against Pumas. If Olsen or Stokes had waited for Nicky to give directions, the ball would have been in the net before Nicky's brain was in gear.

Maybe he is gun-shy from his many previous errors, but he can not have the confidence of his teammates. Perkins may not be the answer, but someone must be found before our Nicky goes into one of his bad patches again.

[Blacksheep]

Before you can really judge Nicky's performance so far this year, you have to be challenged first. There has been no real challenge since the first game against Harbour View. We seen alot of mistakes in that game and no that was not our 1st game - we have been in preseason since February and have played alot of games. Nicky must get alot sharper. Petke saved our asses on Wednesday - he was everywhere in the back. Perkins is still young but has really shown that he still deserves the chance to start. Besides how can you judge between the 2 when you haven't seen Perkins play this year. Preseason he had a great game against SJ, but how soon we forget- In the CCC he had to play with virtually no starter, so give the kid a chance.

[Jegao Paraiba]

I like Rimando.
I like Perkins.

For now Rimando is probably better than Perkins.
But I'm not sure that means he should start.
Because the regular season in MLS means so little, coaches can take a longer-term view.

Rimando is small.
His organization is poor.
His service leaves a lot to be desired.

Perkins has more of a keepers build.
He's very inexperienced.
He can get a lot better.

Nowak knows best, though. Rimando has a lot of heart and we've been sucessful when he's on the field.

I guess I'm on the fence here.

[ursula]

Before you can really judge Nicky's performance so far this year, you have to be challenged first. There has been no real challenge since the first game against Harbour View. We seen alot of mistakes in that game and no that was not our 1st game - we have been in preseason since February and have played alot of games. Nicky must get alot sharper. Petke saved our asses on Wednesday - he was everywhere in the back. Perkins is still young but has really shown that he still deserves the chance to start. Besides how can you judge between the 2 when you haven't seen Perkins play this year. Preseason he had a great game against SJ, but how soon we forget- In the CCC he had to play with virtually no starter, so give the kid a chance.


Actually I was thinking seriously that Freddy Adu should get some time in goal. I can think of several reasons for this:

1) As we know it's hard for Freddy to crack the starting lineup ahead of Gomez or Esky or Moreno or even on the wings. yeah I know this is plain stupid on Nowak's part but why not in goal?

- Fred is approaching Nicky's size and with the extra upper body pounds and his quick reflexes he'd bne a natural.

2) Eventually of course he'll become DCU's a-mid (before going abroad) and then the Nat's a-mid. So now he's serving an apprenticeship and getting him to play GK will give a unique insight on how "the enemy" a GK thinks. Just think how he'll be able to exploit that to his advantage in the future!

3) Besides DCU should put it's best XI out there every time and Adu's one of those. I seriously doubt that either Nicky or Troy are...



I'm sure there are many more reasons to start Freddy in goal and until that idiot Peter Nowak wises up I'll be at every game with a HUGE sign expressing my educated views!











Just my opinion of course....

[DoctorD]

Actually I was thinking seriously that Freddy Adu should get some time in goal...


Genius!

Why do the folks who get paid to coach club and national teams fail to notice these obvious things we BigSoccer posters do???
:)

[Claymore]

Of the two, I'll take Perkins, if only because Rimando has such a glaring flaw in his game. I literally hold my breath on corner kicks or when balls are crossed into the area with Rimando in the net. I've seen 16 yr old keepers with a better command of their area.

[DutchFootballRulez]

Actually I was thinking seriously that Freddy Adu should get some time in goal. I can think of several reasons for this:

1) As we know it's hard for Freddy to crack the starting lineup ahead of Gomez or Esky or Moreno or even on the wings. yeah I know this is plain stupid on Nowak's part but why not in goal?

- Fred is approaching Nicky's size and with the extra upper body pounds and his quick reflexes he'd bne a natural.

2) Eventually of course he'll become DCU's a-mid (before going abroad) and then the Nat's a-mid. So now he's serving an apprenticeship and getting him to play GK will give a unique insight on how "the enemy" a GK thinks. Just think how he'll be able to exploit that to his advantage in the future!

3) Besides DCU should put it's best XI out there every time and Adu's one of those. I seriously doubt that either Nicky or Troy are...



Well, see Adu doesn't do enough work Off-the-ball, and you don't want to see your keeper making runs on the left-wing.

[sch2383]

I think Perkins has the greater potential of the two, but he does have a lot to work on in terms of distribution, communication, and just overall skill. If Nicky goes down, I have no problem with Perkins stepping in there. That said, right now, Rimando gives us the best chance to win, so we should go with him. And yes, he shouldn't get pulled for making an error because if that is the policy both keepers would lose confidence and become afraid of taking the necessary chances.

[ursula]

Well, see Adu doesn't do enough work Off-the-ball, and you don't want to see your keeper making runs on the left-wing.

Right. Good point. Damn good point.

So on second thought, let's put David Stokes between the pipes.

[Claymore]

So on second thought, let's put David Stokes between the pipes.

I'll bet he's better in the air than Nick.

[Cweedchop]

I'll bet he's better in the air than Nick.

Ya know, there have been times recently that Nick hasn't been a complete tool in the box.

You make it sound like Rimando drops everything that comes his way. :rolleyes:

While I don't disagree with you that Nick needs to improve commanding his box, there was a time a few years ago that his distribution was god awful. Now he seems to have the best feet in MLS and his distribution to his teamates downfield has improved ten fold.

I thought Nick commanded his box against Chivas quite well in fact. But I guess that doesn't count for some reason.

[beltwayrob]

Both keppers are perfectly capable of handling the job in the box. Sure they both need improvement, but thats what coaches are experience are for.

Perkins is still a little more raw in the Nicky, the kid will soon be a GREAT keeper but for now, I still take Nicky over Troy.

[Claymore]

I thought Nick commanded his box against Chivas quite well in fact. But I guess that doesn't count for some reason.

Consistency is the key. We'll see how he does the rest of the season.

[Daniel le Rouge]

My basic objection to Rimando has always been the same--his tendency towards horrific mind-melting errors of judgment that usually end up with the ball in our net.

Since the start of the regular season, he's had exactly none of those. As long as he keeps that up, I can be reasonably happy with the most athletic keeper in the league who's also the best with the ball at his feet.

Does he have to be perfect? No. But he does need to keep his head out of his arse. As long as he does that, and as long as we've got reserve games for Perkins, I can live with the situation.

Hey, it's not like our starter is Johnny Walker, for crying out loud.

On the other hand, I'll be the first guy to call for booting him to the bench (or actually, the pavement) if he starts losing concentration.

One thing I think people should be wary about: This idea of controlling his box. I think that's a bad idea for Nick. It's when he tries too hard to impose himself on the box that he starts doing stupid sh!t. Let the defenders do their job, and don't get in their way, that's my advice. Play to your strengths. Stay on the line and stop shots. Every time he runs out and starts waving at crosses in a misguided effort to "control his box" my blood pressure skyrockets.

[Cweedchop]

One thing I think people should be wary about: This idea of controlling his box. I think that's a bad idea for Nick. It's when he tries too hard to impose himself on the box that he starts doing stupid sh!t. Let the defenders do their job, and don't get in their way, that's my advice. Play to your strengths. Stay on the line and stop shots. Every time he runs out and starts waving at crosses in a misguided effort to "control his box" my blood pressure skyrockets.


I agree with this. It's when he goes into traffic that indeed concerns me as it mostly doesn't bode well for him when this happens. I think this is where his lack of size hurts him the most.

However, I have noticed since his return from injury last season, he has improved in this area (MLS Cup aside) and doesn't take the chances he used to take almost regularly.

If he picks and chooses his spots, then I can live with what he can do in the net.

I've said this a hundred times already but I guess I just don't see any type of star quality in Troy Perkins whatsoever. He is a good average keeper, but not much more than that I'm afraid.

[Sundevil9]

I've said this a hundred times already but I guess I just don't see any type of star quality in Troy Perkins whatsoever. He is a good average keeper, but not much more than that I'm afraid.


I'm with you on this. I don't think I've ever seen a really good, or spectacular save from Troy. If you go back and look at the times he was scored on last year, he's almost always just standing and watching it go in. He doesn't have the ability to 'steal one'.

[ursula]

Consistency is the key. We'll see how he does the rest of the season.

Right. First mistake by Nicky and it's Adu time baby! If not then Nowak should be fired.