Gerba vs Friend

[Jogakanata]

I want your opinion on who you think Canadas top striker is.

[SoccerNewf]

Listen, Gerba has had his moments, but when it comes down to it, he is no where close to Friend. Depending on who the match-up, sure Gerba might get the start. They have different styles of play, but I mean Friend tore it up in the 2nd Bundesliga and Gerba hasn't shown those kind of numbers at that level, he has done well, but not just not as good as Friend.

[guppy]

It has a lot to do with how they are used. Tho I can't really answer this question because I haven't seen Gerba play all that much. But I want to say something about Friend, as I have seen a number of his games for M'gladbach, and he hasn't been used on the CNT the same way.

On the CNT he's been used more as a decoy and not a real part of what is going on.

Friend is like Dichio on steriods, but they got to get him the ball. On M'gladbach they have Neuville to run it down the wing and cross it or Marin to zigzig in the middle and slip it to him. These are technically-gifted German players that can break free and make an accurate pass. M'Gladbach also use him to gain control of long balls and then make a quick pass but on the CNT he plays too far forward to do this.

On his club team typically a player runs it down the wing and Friend and Rosler, well-spaced, edge in for the header.

I don't see any of this on the CNT ...

Any of this style I mean. I wouldn't expect to see Rosler edge in on the CNT. Ha ha

[BearcatSA]

Prior to the Jamaica game a few folks wondered if we would be seeing this debate taking place if we didn't get maximum points and, as such, we are having this discussion here as well on other forums.

My feeling about the situation is that, if we are needing to get some goals, I would like to see both guys on the field at the same time in the latter stages of the match instead of a straight substitution of one player for the other.

[SoccerNewf]

The thing is, as were getting at, was the game against Jamaica did not play to Friend's strength. We need more set-up so that we can make that play into the box to Friend. There was too much trying to lob the ball up field and hoping the forwards could do something with it, that just isn't Friend's game. If we play to his strengths, he can do a lot of damage.

[guppy]

Ya the problem as I see it, or potential problem, is if he is alone they bury him. So then it's like you got no striker at all, and Dero and De Guzman gotta do the scoring .. meanwhile they work their butts off as it is to bring the ball up.. I dunno ... we'll see. The Honduras game will reveal all.

I will say one thing, Mitchell does the best impression of a boy who lost his dog that I have ever seen. I sure miss Hart and how enthusiastic and positive he was.

[BearcatSA]

On his club team typically a player runs it down the wing and Friend and Rosler, well-spaced, edge in for the header.

I don't see any of this on the CNT ...

Any of this style I mean. I wouldn't expect to see Rosler edge in on the CNT. Ha ha

I understand your point but it seems this edition of the team doesn't play with true wingers in the sense that they are consistently wide on the flanks and then try to take it to the byline and cross, if that's what you are referring to. Of the current squad the only guy that has a fair bit of experience in that type of wing play may be Hume.

[Scorpion26]

Ok so we got two but what's good with Occean and other strikers?
Damn I hope we get it right next time we got to get some wins.

[BearcatSA]

I will say one thing, Mitchell does the best impression of a boy who lost his dog that I have ever seen. I sure miss Hart and how enthusiastic and positive he was.

Hart still does the rah-rah job from the touchlines, doesn't he? Mitchell's demeanour isn't as big an issue for me as it is for others here and on other forums.

[guppy]

Of the current squad the only guy that has a fair bit of experience in that type of wing play may be Hume.

Right, ya, the header that he did score against Brazil wasn't run down the wing, it was delivered to Friend's head from long range by Klukowski ... No surprise then that long range balls from Klukowski were launched a number of times in the Jamaica game, as well, in the first half when Friend was in the game.

I know that in the M'Gladbach games the run down the wing by Neuville and others causes alot more disruption to the defense and gives more openings for Friend than a long ball from Klukowski ...

It's a different system and that's what I wanted to explain (not very well, but best I can). They're not using him the same way that brought him so much success. Can he be successful anyway? I dunno.

[BearcatSA]

^Well, I understand your point. When looking at Friend, think back again to the Brazil match. How was his (and the rest of the team's) offensive performance different in May than it was last week?

[guppy]

^Well, I understand your point. When looking at Friend, think back again to the Brazil match. How was his (and the rest of the team's) offensive performance different in May than it was last week?

Friend's probably not much different. He did score, yes, and he made a great pass to DeRo that led to a chance where Dero tried to chip it over the keeper ...

But whatever they did with Friend in that game would have not escaped Simoes.

Of course in the Brazil game they played with reckless abandon but it was the same tactically ... Brazil wasn't trying to escape with a point. Canada had more space to rock and roll because they were given more space. There's not many games to go by. I want to see them against Honduras. After that, we'll know everything.

[CanuckFan]

Friend had played 90 minutes in his Bundesliga debut on Sunday, a huge game for him and his club. I suspect we will see some better play in Montreal, when the team has not just flown in the day or two before.

[BearcatSA]

Friend's probably not much different. He did score, yes, and he made a great pass to DeRo that led to a chance where Dero tried to chip it over the keeper ...

But whatever they did with Friend in that game would have not escaped Simoes.

Of course in the Brazil game they played with reckless abandon but it was the same tactically ... Brazil wasn't trying to escape with a point. Canada had more space to rock and roll because they were given more space. There's not many games to go by. I want to see them against Honduras. After that, we'll know everything.

You have mentioned the key things. Versus Jamaica he certainly faced tighter marking but as CanuckFan points out I think we will see a sharper outing by all our players.

[toepunt]

Like many other cases, Friend is a guy who was good in his teenage years. But ever since he is going downhill. Against strong opossition he cannot deliver. He does not have the confidence to take defenders on and when he attempts to do so he just doesn't have the skill. At a club level he may get away with his shortcomings, but not on our national team. He should be dropped from the team and the position given to Gerba.

[Moaca]

Like many other cases, Friend is a guy who was good in his teenage years. But ever since he is going downhill. Against strong opossition he cannot deliver. He does not have the confidence to take defenders on and when he attempts to do so he just doesn't have the skill. At a club level he may get away with his shortcomings, but not on our national team. He should be dropped from the team and the position given to Gerba.This post is so clueless on so many levels I don't know how to respond. Maybe Ed will have the patience.

[guppy]

Like many other cases, Friend is a guy who was good in his teenage years. But ever since he is going downhill. Against strong opossition he cannot deliver. He does not have the confidence to take defenders on and when he attempts to do so he just doesn't have the skill. At a club level he may get away with his shortcomings, but not on our national team. He should be dropped from the team and the position given to Gerba.

He was SECOND in scoring in the Bundesliga 2 last year. That must have been awful for him, a real drop from his teenage years. And for the first time he's playing in the Bundesliga ...and scored a goal in his first game. More 'going downhill' from his golden Kelowna days.

[guppy]

Of course the Bundesliga can't compare to 'strong opposition' like Jamaica.

[BearcatSA]

Like many other cases, Friend is a guy who was good in his teenage years. But ever since he is going downhill. Against strong opossition he cannot deliver. He does not have the confidence to take defenders on and when he attempts to do so he just doesn't have the skill. At a club level he may get away with his shortcomings, but not on our national team. He should be dropped from the team and the position given to Gerba.

Is that you posting this, Ali?

[Moaca]

Friend 3 games/2 goals, Occean 18 games/9 goals, Iain Hume 4 games/2 goals. Ali G could be outta the mix vs Honduras as he is yet to play for the MK Dons.