Bradley on Adu: The Latest

[Lloyd Heilbrunn]

Per Goff


Bradley, on Freddy Adu's progress: "Freddy is growing. We see everything, so we see the things, the moments, that are special. When Freddy has the ball in the attacking part of the field, he is capable of doing some great things. But we are also making sure that he understands that there is more to the game than that. When he comes into the national team, he understands that when he walks in that door, nothing that has been said about him, written about him, means anything. The only thing that matters now is that he can show the rest of these guys that when the games get very hard, he can help our team be successful. And he understands. ... So you see a young man growing, learning, handles himself a little bit different than he did probably a year ago. And now he just need to keep this going. Some days, it may mean a lot of playing time. We have to see. ... We still know that the progress with Freddy has got to go at the right speed. It cannot be accelerated unless it's earned the right way."


Oy Vey:eek:

[dcpohl]

What is it with coaches and wanting to hold this guy back? Every time he's on the field the offense springs to life.

[Maximum Optimal]

Per Goff


The only thing that matters now is that he can show the rest of these guys that when the games get very hard, he can help our team be successful.

I would be happy if this was the standard that was applied equally to all of the players in the national team pool. I can understand experimenting in friendlies. But in the games that matter start the eleven and dress the eighteen that can best help the team be successful when the games get very hard. Just do it Bob.

[Nutmeg]

God forbid we have a player who really wants to attack.

Let's beat it out of him until he steps in line and becomes a good soldier like the others we've molded into our image.

[FC Tallavana]

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

If I was Adu I would have already told Nowak and Bradley to shut the f' up.

Adu doesn't need the national team. In fact, he would be better off at his club if he didn't waste his time with the nats. But he loves the country and he loves playing for the nats.

Combining that with his clear ability and he should be the absolute last player any coach we have should be calling out.

[USvsIRELAND]

If you don't give him minutes how can he earn more time?

In the time he spent on the field in the past 3 games he has shown to everyone, journalist and fan alike, that he deserves to start.

He has shown that he could be our best attacking player after Landon, and we look completely different when he's on the field.

[diablodelsol]

First page.

What is interesting is the number of American soccer journalists over the last week praising Adu's play. Now Bob basically calls them idiots. Hopefully they'll take the gloves off.

[FC5280]

yay first page

Freddy needs to play. That simple.

Freddy in the hole with EJ and Landon up top.

[oldguyfc]

We seem to have another mysterious response from Mr. Bradley. He's becoming the Karl Rove of the soccer world.

[m vann]

You guys read way to much into things. I take Bob's comments to say that he's keeeping Freddy in check making sure he understands the fundamental principles behind his tactics. I know, I know sometimes we don't understands Bob's tactics! I'm sure Bob wants to let Freddy run wild at some point but he can't publically say that. I mean he can but sometimes it might have reverse effect by giving a player free reign and the player in turn thinking he's above the team. Freddy will be where we need him to be come the World Cup. Don't worry. We will start to see him integrated into the starting line-up sooner than later.

[oldguyfc]

Telepathic optimism.

[Swazicar]

I take Bob's comments to say that he's keeeping Freddy in check making sure he understands the fundamental principles behind his tactics.

The most fundamental being, "Thou must not score"?

[Prime Time]

You guys read way to much into things. I take Bob's comments to say that he's keeeping Freddy in check making sure he understands the fundamental principles behind his tactics. I know, I know sometimes we don't understands Bob's tactics! I'm sure Bob wants to let Freddy run wild at some point but he can't publically say that. I mean he can but sometimes it might have reverse effect by giving a player free reign and the player in turn thinking he's above the team. Freddy will be where we need him to be come the World Cup. Don't worry. We will start to see him integrated into the starting line-up sooner than later.

Basically BB is saying Freddy is growing and that he also needs to learn some other things so he can be more of a complete player like defending a little bit better and not giving the ball away in dangerous spots.

[m vann]

The most fundamental being, "Thou must not score"?

You know what I mean, working in a team concept which Freddy in some capacity or another sometimes fails to remember. But don't take that as a negative it's just a learning curve. Twice last night and a few other times in the past 3 matches he simply tried to out dribble opponents and got stuffed trying to do too much. He's gotta learn when and where to do that. But learning faster will require more minutes which we are all advocating.

[oldguyfc]

Basically BB is saying Freddy is growing and that he also needs to learn some other things so he can be more of a complete player like defending a little bit better and not giving the ball away in dangerous spots.

What are you, Bradley's publicist? :)
It might be nice if Bradley actually told us what he means, but then, that might take some actual forethought from someone who seemingly doesn't believe he needs to responsibly answer any question at all.

[m vann]

Basically BB is saying Freddy is growing and that he also needs to learn some other things so he can be more of a complete player like defending a little bit better and not giving the ball away in dangerous spots.

Yes. That's it in a nutshell. He just needs slight improvements and once he sorts those out, look out! Adu has been thrown into the fire once (during is time in MLS) and luckly it didn't burn him worse and he pulled out ok. We can't afford to stunt his growth internationally we have to be patient. These three games were a trial run of sorts for Freddy and he passed with flying colors. Now it's onto the next phase.

[diablodelsol]

Basically BB is saying Freddy is growing and that he also needs to learn some other things so he can be more of a complete player like defending a little bit better and not giving the ball away in dangerous spots.

I'll give you the defending a bit better to avoid an argument, but I'll go back and watch these matches again with your second point in mind. I am willing to be there is a certain central midfielder on this team that gives the ball away a hell of a lot more often than Freddy Adu. Someone who cemented his place in Bradley's lineup after about 20 first team appearances in Europe.

[onefineesq]

I would be happy if this was the standard that was applied equally to all of the players in the national team pool. I can understand experimenting in friendlies. But in the games that matter start the eleven and dress the eighteen that can best help the team be successful when the games get very hard. Just do it Bob. Quoted for damn truth.

[oldguyfc]

I would be happy if this was the standard that was applied equally to all of the players in the national team pool. I can understand experimenting in friendlies. But in the games that matter start the eleven and dress the eighteen that can best help the team be successful when the games get very hard. Just do it Bob.

And quoted again.........instead of giving us psycho-babble bullshit that has nothing to do with the way the player (Adu) has performed when you've actually put him on the field.
Does Peter Nowak know how to hold a grudge or what?

[Swazicar]

You know what I mean, working in a team concept which Freddy in some capacity or another sometimes fails to remember.

Fair enough, but if the US fails to score goals--as it apparently cannot with the line-ups BB has been running out there--it'll be hard to win games, both now (when they don't count) and later (when they do).

You seem to want us to put faith in Bob. OK. I just don't see a lot of reason for having faith.