Kirovski and the EPL

[Eliezar]

Kirovski has gotten himself in a great position playing for a manager that believes in him and in one of the top leagues in the world.

Just curious as to the general feeling about how he will turn out? I think this is very likely to boost him into a position to remain on the national team and he could possibly be much better in 2006 than in 2002.

Will he float or sink in the EPL?

[spot]

I'm hoping that he'll prove me wrong, and will demonstrate the ability that so far has proven to be little more than a myth.

[nobody]

Hard to say. It is also tough to imagine a better situation for Jovan. This is really his sink or swim chance. If he can't cut it in the Premiership on a newly promoted team with a coach that loves him; he will show himself to absolutely not be good enough to play at Premiership level.


His competition for playing time should be realitively low compared to most Premiership teams and he's got an in with the head man to start with. All in all, I think he will likely do fairly well. I can't see him lighting up the league, but I imagine he'll earn a lot of time on the field. His coach will know better than to rely on him to play much defense or score too many goals, and in a limited role I figure he'll hold his own.

I think the bigger question for his international future is whether or not Birmingham stay up. if they hang around for a few years, it could be good news for Jovan's internationally. It would be very hard indeed to ignore a solid starting Premiership player when making out a US roster. If they go right back down, his Premiership experience will be a three year old memory by the time the next World Cup comes around and he'll just be another guy hanging around the lower Euro divisions as he was this cycle.

[MarioKempes]

Kirovski should have a sour taste in his mouth about missing World Cups 2002 and 1998. If he doesn't have the hunger now, he will never have it.

[Shaster]

You have to remember that he plays in one of the most difficult position in the world--Withdrawn forward and attacking midfielder.

How many teams will let a young kid to lead their attack? No way, especially if you're from America. He got screwed by not getting work permit in Man. U. because he is one of their own (like JOB in Ajax) so he may get the trust to work his way out. I don't know why he didn't get enough help from US NAT to get those meaningless friendly numbers--like what Cobi did.

I think this is Javan's second chance. He did his first one in Crystal Palace and passed the test.

[peledre]

Originally posted by Shaster

How many teams will let a young kid to lead their attack? No way, especially if you're from America. He got screwed by not getting work permit in Man. U. because he is one of their own (like JOB in Ajax) so he may get the trust to work his way out. I don't know why he didn't get enough help from US NAT to get those meaningless friendly numbers--like what Cobi did.
Cobi was in the states and was easily available for all those meaningless friendlies. Kirovski was 3000+ miles plus an ocean away from the states and not quite as readily available to play in all those games.

[dark knight]

Originally posted by BuffloSoldier
Keep in mind that the 75% is for the "A" competitive matches--qualifiers, FIFA tournaments, World Cups, etc, only.

No friendlies enter the equation.

[whip]

Well he is making money....Good for him, about him on the USA NATIONAL TEAM?? Bruce Arena have give him all the chances to prove himself but to be on the national team, he does not have the COJONES nor the skills to run with the WOLVES

[The Wanderer]

Originally posted by MarioKempes
Kirovski should have a sour taste in his mouth about missing World Cups 2002 and 1998. If he doesn't have the hunger now, he will never have it.

You hit the nail on the head. He's got the money, the EU passport(Portugues wife, great credence to Nutmeg's belief that they're nice and easy:) ), and now he's in the Premiership like he always wanted to be. It's all up to him now and staying free of injury.

[Deimos]

Originally posted by whip
Well he is making money....Good for him, about him on the USA NATIONAL TEAM?? Bruce Arena have give him all the chances to prove himself but to be on the national team, he does not have the COJONES nor the skills to run with the WOLVES

Wolverhampton plays in the 1st Division, so he won't be playing them anyway.

[dheck]

Originally posted by The Wanderer
He's got the money, the EU passport(Portugues wife

Despite reports all over BigSoccer, Kirovski does not have an EU passport. Kirovski had to apply for and then appeal for a British Work Permit (http://www.bcfc.com/today/view/breaking_news_detail/0,,10412~255806,00.html) in order to join Birmingham City. He would not have had to do that if he had an EU passport.

[Father Ted]

Originally posted by dheck


Despite reports all over BigSoccer, Kirovski does not have an EU passport. Kirovski had to apply for and then appeal for a British Work Permit (http://www.bcfc.com/today/view/breaking_news_detail/0,,10412~255806,00.html) in order to join Birmingham City. He would not have had to do that if he had an EU passport.

If he does have a Portuguese wife, why does he not have a EU passport yet?

[SoFla Metro]

Originally posted by Father Ted


If he does have a Portuguese wife, why does he not have a EU passport yet? We're still trying to figure that one out. That's apparently how he got his work permit with Palace a few years ago, but the same basis got his work permit with BC denied, only to be reversed on appeal.

Maybe Buff has some extra info.

[dark knight]

Actually, I don't think it's known how he got the permit the first time around - wasn't he near the required 75%?

[Martin Fischer]

By my calculations of the standard -- appearances in official matches in the last two years -- Kirovski could claim 65% at the time he joined Crystal Palace but less than 30% for this application. So it is possible that he was considered close enough, especially if he was injured for some matches, to get the permit in the first place. The second approval is a bit harder to understand, other than the English are just sweet people.

[Nutmeg]

Originally posted by The Wanderer


You hit the nail on the head. He's got the money, the EU passport(Portugues wife, great credence to Nutmeg's belief that they're nice and easy:) )...

It's not belief. It's knowledge.

[dcc134]

Originally posted by Father Ted


If he does have a Portuguese wife, why does he not have a EU passport yet?


Because when you marry someone from another country you don't automatically get citizenship from that country, which is generally required to get a passport. What he does get from have an EU wife is the ability to avoid the 75% rule to earn a work permit. Liken it to a green card in this country, you can live here, and work here, but you can't vote etc.

[Eliezar]

Which begs the question as to why he was turned down and they had to appeal.

[passtheblizz]

I think that if Jovan stays injury free, and keeps playing well in the EPL, there in no reason why he couldn't make the team in 2006. He was on the bubble this year, like it or not, and chances are he will do nothing to get better. If he gains some strength in the air, he could be very dangerous. He is a skilled passer, and can also finish pretty well. He is cursed playing for the USMNT, and never seems to play well. I think a lot of that has to do with his ability to anticipate his teammates movements, and when he doesn't play all the time with guys, he tends to be out of sync. He is very impressive when comfortable, however, and delivers incisive passes into and around the box.

[yellowbismark]

Related to Jovan Kirovski news:

I just found out from my father that Zivko Kirovski, Jovan's father passed away a couple days ago from complications of a brain tumor.

RIP Zivko