Please explain the Noonan thing to me

[BigKris]

I don't say this to be a jerk, so apologies in advance if this comes off that way. I understand that, to a lot of other folks, Noonan has come out of the recent camp looking good, and a lot of folks have him tipped as the 22nd or 23rd guy on the WC roster as a result.

With all due respect to Pat, I don't get it.

Would someone who was impressed by Noonan's recent performances be so good as to make the case for me? Based on what we've seen from him, why is Pat Noonan a valuable addition to our WC roster?

Thanks.

[afgrijselijkheid]

Would someone who was impressed by Noonan's recent performances be so good as to make the case for me? Based on what we've seen from him, why is Pat Noonan a valuable addition to our WC roster?

Thanks.

1-he's versatile (can play F, AM & CM)

2-strong physically in the possession game

3-good vision

however, i doubt he gets in the mix unless somebody like EJ or reyna goes down (knock wood)

[Zathras]

The case rests on his skills.

He has good ball skills and he can finish; he doesn't seem to panic in front of the goal and stays cool.

His lack of speed has always been viewed as his major flaw, however he appeared okay against Japan.

That's basically it in a nutshell. I don't claim to be for or against his inclusion in the world cup.

[bbsbt]

The case rests on his skills.

He has good ball skills and he can finish; he doesn't seem to panic in front of the goal and stays cool.

His lack of speed has always been viewed as his major flaw, however he appeared okay against Japan.
Actually, he has lots of speed... but not quickness.

[USFansinGermany]

1-he's versatile (can play F, AM & CM)

2-strong physically in the possession game

3-good vision

however, i doubt he gets in the mix unless somebody like EJ or reyna goes down (knock wood)

Agree with your post except for the last bit...the way I see it Arena is taking 8 MFs, and Donovan, Beasley, Convey, Mastroeni, Reyna, Dempsey, and a DM (JOB if he's healthy, otherwise Zavagnin or Olsen). The 8th spot will be a winger and probably comes down to either Noonan or Klein (Ralston, Mapp, maybe Olsen if Arena likes him on the flank, could also come into the picture but in all likelihood it's down to those 2 guys).

[Revs-West]

Disclaimer - Check my name...obviously I am a Revs fan.

Pat has proven time and again that he can get by defenders 1v1 in the box. He also provides some size to a team that runs a bit on the small side. He is a very accurate passer and tends to make his own luck when trying to find a target. Inexplicably, he makes things happen and the Bruce likes him. He has a football intelligence that his team-mates play well from.
/end homerisms

[afgrijselijkheid]

noonan is two weeks into a hamstring injury, meaning he could be gone for several weeks still

aka he probably ain't goin' unless we have a problem

[Bajoro]

[QUOTE=Revs-West]Disclaimer - Check my name...obviously I am a Revs fan.
.../QUOTE]

And I'm NOT a Revs fan.

I find him very composed on the ball especially in tight spaces. He's a good dribbler. Beats his man one v one. Connects well with quick combos.

Frankly I don't see why more people don't rave about this guy.

Then, I saw him in person against Japan. I thought he was one of our best players.

[ritsoccer86]

is arena going have to choose to have noonan or ralston? is it going to come to that? if i had to choose, i wouldnt know!! wow....speechless here

[Martin Fischer]

1-he's versatile (can play F, AM & CM)

2-strong physically in the possession game

3-good vision

however, i doubt he gets in the mix unless somebody like EJ or reyna goes down (knock wood)

With all due respect, not even close. He is not quick (and the way Arena uses outside mids in a 4-4-2, he may not have to be), but he has, if not the best, close to it, dribbling skills on the USMNT. Watch the Japan game and you will see why he is all of the sudden in the mix. He is also a good crosser and, at the MLS level anyway, a good finisher.

Now, maybe his lack of speed will negate his skill against better defenders, but this is what he offers.

He may go as the last MF/Forward anyway, but JOB not being fit would give him a great chance as he is more versatile and a better player than Klein.

[wsmaugham]

[QUOTE=Revs-West]Disclaimer - Check my name...obviously I am a Revs fan.
.../QUOTE]

And I'm NOT a Revs fan.

I find him very composed on the ball especially in tight spaces. He's a good dribbler. Beats his man one v one. Connects well with quick combos.

Frankly I don't see why more people don't rave about this guy.

Then, I saw him in person against Japan. I thought he was one of our best players.

I like Noonan, and he had his best nat's game against Japan. It's too bad he doesn't have international pace, especially considering Arena has played him out wide.

[theprophet]

The only thing I can see that Noonan lacks is speed. Apart from that I see him as one of the best skill players we have. Unlike many of the golden boys of bigsoccer Noonan can beat his man on a regular bases and he does it by skill.

I guess the better question is why isn't he qualified for the team, i think he can play an important role in many games at the world cup. I know wolf and Noonan don't play the same roll but I would much rather have a player like Noonan on my bench the Wolf. Not only does Noonan seem to always get a goal but he also creates them.

[Celticbhoy14]

Let's see...he can play forward and midfield...hold the ball...shoot with both feet...he's big...

I seem to remember Euro forwards and midfielders (read Pols and Gerry's) climbing all over Donovan, Reyna, McBride, etc. and stopping attacks in the WC02...

Noonan and Dempsey should be locks...they'll probably bump one of their teammates (Ralston/Twellman) but they should both be in...they're physically built for the European game...

[afgrijselijkheid]

With all due respect, not even close. He is not quick (and the way Arena uses outside mids in a 4-4-2, he may not have to be), but he has, if not the best, close to it, dribbling skills on the USMNT. Watch the Japan game and you will see why he is all of the sudden in the mix. He is also a good crosser and, at the MLS level anyway, a good finisher.

Now, maybe his lack of speed will negate his skill against better defenders, but this is what he offers.

He may go as the last MF/Forward anyway, but JOB not being fit would give him a great chance as he is more versatile and a better player than Klein.


with all due respect, were you trying to quote my post?

1-i didn't say he was quick
2-i mentioned his ability to set up goals
3-i said he was strong in possession
4-i said he was versatile

as for his chances, they would have been much better had he not injured his hamstring at the wrong time

[goussoccer]

Quote from Martino on one of the videos: "Pat can open a can of soup with his right foot." I had to laugh. Awesome touch on the ball...one of those guys who just always seems to be lucky to have the ball bounce his way in tight spaces...after awhile you have to assume it isn't luck, but it certainly doesn't always look pretty or slick.

He can play on the left or the right midfield and while not blazing in speed, he can get back and cover fine. (This is a big improvement from his first year, trust me.) Plus, his vision is superior....

Watch the Japan game, he was something. The run where he jumps over a Japanese player is typical Pat - he should have been cleanly beat, but somehow, he gets a little break and then pries the damn door open.

[wsmaugham]

The only thing I can see that Noonan lacks is speed. Apart from that I see him as one of the best skill players we have. Unlike many of the golden boys of bigsoccer Noonan can beat his man on a regular bases and he does it by skill.

I guess the better question is why isn't he qualified for the team, i think he can play an important role in many games at the world cup. I know wolf and Noonan don't play the same roll but I would much rather have a player like Noonan on my bench the Wolf. Not only does Noonan seem to always get a goal but he also creates them.

I think from Arena's perspective, you answered your own question above. Wolff has gobs of quickness and very good speed. He has the ability to separate from any defender, unfortunately it's a crapshoot how well he'll do from there. Noonan is fun to watch, he rarely gives cause to groan, but he seems prone to being marked out of games (see WCQ's). Again, he did look good against Japan, so maybe he's figured some things out.

[ursula]

I agree with all of the above. I'd add that he can create better than most, including several locks for the team.

Will he get the last spot? Hard to tell, but I will say that folks are discounting Ralston's chances a bit too much these days: out of sight out of mind. I expect to see Steve called up for Germany. At any rate Noonan, Ralston, Klein, Olsen, Zavagnin look like the guys fighting for the last spot in the midfield.

[wsmaugham]

I agree with all of the above. I'd add that he can create better than most, including several locks for the team.

Will he get the last spot? Hard to tell, but I will say that folks are discounting Ralston's chances a bit too much these days: out of sight out of mind. I expect to see Steve called up for Germany. At any rate Noonan, Ralston, Klein, Olsen, Zavagnin look like the guys fighting for the last spot in the midfield.

Bruce definitely likes Ralston. This pick worries me though, as I see Ralston as a major liability v. high lvl competition.

[ritsoccer86]

id take noonan over ralston...i mean no offense to ralston but i'd take both with me to WC but i'd have to take noonan....for some reason in all the games iv seen, he happens to surprise in a big subtle way that most players dont. his skill is just phenominal. isnt soccer about skill and not speed? but with today's game, its the pace that dictates the game..

[afgrijselijkheid]

I agree with all of the above. I'd add that he can create better than most, including several locks for the team.


yes, but can he do it translate on the much higher level? we do not know as of yet