Rewind with Bobby Convey :: Interview :: USSoccerPlayers.com

[fatbastard]

from US soccer players (.com) (http://ussoccerplayers.com/latest_soccer_news/400716.html)

Hadn't seen this, sorry if it is old - there is an audio part too, but I can't listen at work.
On how his leadership role has changed over the year at DC United
This year, I am going to look for a little bit more responsibility and do more for the team. It was great showing me what to do and how to play. This year, I want to show I am a national team player. Hopefully, I can help my team out more than just running up and down the sidelines. I think this year it will change. I played every game pretty much with the National Team last year, and got a lot of international experience. Now I need to show it and step up with DC United and hopefully become one of the leaders on the team. Before with those guys, I did not have to. I got a chance to develop which was great. Hopefully, it will lead up this season where I can step it up a little bit.

[American40]

On how a possible transfer to England motivated him

Obviously, that was a big motivator for me because I was denied my work permit. I wanted to go to the World Cup and show I could play against the best young players in the world my age and help lead my team to the quarterfinals. It was a big letdown for me this summer to not be able to go to England. Hopefully, I will have a chance next summer to go back when I can get my work permit next year by playing enough games with the National Team.

[TCompton]

Well, he definitely sounds mature. I think that he probably is ready and able to do very well for United this season, but... if he's going to gone for the World Cup Qualifying matches, the Olympic Games, and then off too England, I'm not sure where he plans to put his time in.

As a fan, I want Bobby to play for us. But when I think about what effect his absence do to other obligations may have on his ability to lead the team, specifically as a central midfielder, I'm a little hesitant to give him that opportunity.

I hope that our new Coach comes in straight away and either says:

"Bobby is a central midfielder, and we'll deal with his absence when it occurs. He is not the only one who will make DC United a championship quality team again. He is one of many people who will contribute to United’s success and we will use him while we have him."

or

"Because of Bobby's commitments to this Country and the uncertainty of his future in this league (given his willingness to leave mid-season), he will be positioned on the left side of the midfield and not in the attacking central midfielder role that will likely control the pace for United’s attack all season. In doing so, we will be giving him the opportunity to hone his skills and showcase his abilities in the position most likely fit for him on an English Premier League side."

[tab5g]

Originally posted by TCompton
I hope that our new Coach comes in straight away and either says:

"Bobby is a central midfielder, and we'll deal with his absence when it occurs. He is not the only one who will make DC United a championship quality team again. He is one of many people who will contribute to United’s success and we will use him while we have him."

or

"Because of Bobby's commitments to this Country and the uncertainty of his future in this league (given his willingness to leave mid-season), he will be positioned on the left side of the midfield and not in the attacking central midfielder role that will likely control the pace for United’s attack all season. In doing so, we will be giving him the opportunity to hone his skills and showcase his abilities in the position most likely fit for him on an English Premier League side."

If the new coach comes in a says something similar to what you outlined in your second option, I will not like that coach.

Option 1 for Bobby and DC United in '04 just seems like the simple and obvious choice to make.

[TEConnor]

Any prudent and wise coach that we hire would plan and build the team around everybody but Bobby. If he indeed plans to leave at the earliest opportunity, then long-term, we need to assume that he will and make plans contingent on his departure. Therefore, a central midfielder is a necessity for off-season acquisition. I'd like us to see if Quintanilla can continue to progress also and use him as a Bobby fill-in when the late-summer transfer season rolls around.

Cheers,
Tim

[Sandon Mibut]

I think putting the central midfield role in the hands of someone who is looking to leave at mid-season is a mistake.

I mean, between the Olympics (assuming we qualify) and the anniversary of Bobby's WP application, Convey is likely gone sometime in July and won't be back. Before that, he'll likely miss some games with either the full or U23 national team.

If we get 15 starts out of him, we'll be lucky. At the same time, he'll be taking up six-figures of cap room. That's too much for a player who won't be available all season and who is looking to leave for England the first chance he gets.

Plus there's the whole disruption of locker room and on-field chemistry. I mean, if the team gets into a groove with Convey as the playmaking mid, what happens when he's gone? And, who steps in to fill that void?

The team needs a central creative midfielder but they need one who is going to be here all season. The odds of being able to replace Convey mid-season with someone capable of stepping in and being effective are slim. Yes, it could happen, but if that player is out there and available, I would rather the club get him this winter and give him a full spring training and entire season with the club.

For the record, I don't begrudge Convey's ambition to play overseas. In fact, I'm happy to see him go and look forward to going over to whatever city he's playing in and watching him play over there while wearing a DCU jersey with Convey on the back of it. (Gotta represent.)

But, that's not gonna help the team win any games next year. Personally, I think the best situation would be for Convey to be transfered during the window that starts tomorrow. I know he can't get to England but he could play elsewhere in Europe and get transfered to the EPL as soon as the various work permit and FIFA rules allow it.

Barring that, if he comes back, he should be the left wing. First of all, it's not like there's another proven alternative at LM on the current roster. Second, it's a lot easier to integrate and replace a left mid than a central mid.

I love Bobby, but if he's not commited to being here all season, he shouldn't have the most important position on the team.

[Knave]

Originally posted by Sandon Mibut
I think putting the central midfield role in the hands of someone who is looking to leave at mid-season is a mistake.

...

If we get 15 starts out of him, we'll be lucky. At the same time, he'll be taking up six-figures of cap room. That's too much for a player who won't be available all season and who is looking to leave for England the first chance he gets.
A few things: First, we don't know that Convey is going to Europe. There are lots of players whose European prospects are talked about in the press and on the boards, there are lots of players who talk themselves about going to Europe. Sure. But when you get right down to it very few of them go. Even the best have a tendency to stay in MLS. Maybe that'll all change this year and Beasley, Bocanegra and some others will go but I'm not holding my breath. More likely than not Convey will be around for the entirety of the next MLS season. He'll be gone no more than any other top MLS player. Not to play him in his strongest position (as demonstrated with the U-20s) would be foolish. Or do you think that the Crew shouldn't organize their offense around McBride, or that Chicago shouldn't have Bocanegra in the core of their defense, or that San Jose shouldn't have their attack center on Donovan? If Convey is available, Convey should play his best position just like any other top MLS player with national team commitments.

Plus there's the whole disruption of locker room and on-field chemistry. I mean, if the team gets into a groove with Convey as the playmaking mid, what happens when he's gone? And, who steps in to fill that void?
About the first question, are you so sure we'll get into a groove with anybody but Convey? I suspect we won't, particularly because, as you allude in your second question, it's not like there are many viable attacking alternatives on this team. Dema needs other players around, Q2 (IMHO) doesn't have it and Stewart should be playing at withdrawn forward, not at midfield. So as I see it this team won't go anywhere without Convey stepping up and taking a leadership role in the midfield. If this team doesn't go anywhere this season my sense is that'll be worse for team chemistry than Convey's unlikely departure mid-season.

The team needs a central creative midfielder but they need one who is going to be here all season. The odds of being able to replace Convey mid-season with someone capable of stepping in and being effective are slim. Yes, it could happen, but if that player is out there and available, I would rather the club get him this winter and give him a full spring training and entire season with the club.
As I said above, it's foolish to plan this club’s next season around the possibility that Convey leaves at mid-season. I understand the paranoia about Convey leaving but that paranoia, I think, is poorly founded. Sure he wants to leave, sure he already had one offer, but that doesn't mean they'll be beating down his door to sign him next year any more than any other top caliber MLS player. And how many of them go to Europe?
Barring that, if he comes back, he should be the left wing. First of all, it's not like there's another proven alternative at LM on the current roster. Second, it's a lot easier to integrate and replace a left mid than a central mid.

I love Bobby, but if he's not commited to being here all season, he shouldn't have the most important position on the team.
This whole bit of reasoning hinges on the mere possibility that we lose Convey for the season. Well, that can happen with any player though injury. Imagine back in the day someone saying let's play Etcheverry at left-mid in case he gets injured and is out for the season. It's a lot easier to integrate and replace a left mid than a central mid. Now does that make any sense? No. We don't know the future. We don't know that Convey is leaving. He's here now and should play in central midfield because that’s the position that will give his team the best chance of winning.

Lastly, keep in mind that if Convey does go to Europe we will be guaranteed an allocation and with that we’ll have the resources and ability to find someone to replace him.

[Marco10]

Why assume Bobby has to lead from the center? Ralston, Cobi, Olsen, Chung etc. all "lead" from outside.

Why assume Bobby's strongest position is central MF? I happen to agree for the most part, but he's yet to prove that supposition in MLS. He has played well there from time to time, usually alongside someone else, but he has consistently played well on the outside (barring a sad end to this past season). McBride, Boca, and Donovan have proven they are the best in the league in the positions they play, so they quite rightly get teams built around them. It is a gamble to assume Bobby will a dominant player in the center next year.

More importantly, what will the next coach think of Convey? Nowak may well see him as a younger version of himself at the center of a 3-5-2, but that alignment may also cause a need for some drastic roster changes and/or exacerbate the weaknesses in our present roster, esp. the lack of true D-mids. Or Osorio might well envision a team that attacks wildly on the outsides, and plays conservatively in the center. So, he'd want Bobby as a winger. So, far and away what the new coach envisions is way more important than what Convey, or for that matter what we fans might want.

FWIW, I think Convey paired with Stewart (or Dema or Q2) in the center of a 3-5-2, and backed by a true D-mid would be good for him and the team as far as that goes. He has been wasted a bit out on the left. BUT that means we need to find a true D-mid (unless Carroll or Namoff steps up a lot) and we need to find a replacement for Bobby on the left. Not to mention that we would have far too much salary tied up in defenders, etc. I'm not sure the team is willing that much of an overhaul just to get Bobby into the center.

[gnat]

Originally posted by Knave
A few things: First, we don't know that Convey is going to Europe. There are lots of players whose European prospects are talked about in the press and on the boards, there are lots of players who talk themselves about going to Europe. Sure. But when you get right down to it very few of them go.

While this is true, there are still major issues to consider:

1) Unlike like others that have "talked" about going, Bobby has been on loan during one off season and then had a second club that was going to purchase his contract until the FA said no (i.e. there is real interest, not just sniffing about).

2) He is, based on the article, going to try again this summer. That means we'll see him miss probably 2 to 4 games while it is all being worked out. These games will come at a critical point (unless DCU somehow regains the form of their last two cup runs and has it all but sealed by midseason) to if/how DC will make the playoffs.

3) While I think Bobby is far more mature than most adults I deal with on a daily basis, his performance post trade fiasco last year showed that he couldn't keep his disappointment from impacting his game. What this means is that on top of the 2 to 4 games during a bid to get traded, we'll likely see another 4 to 6 games with a lackluster performance from him.

When you then add the call-ups for both U-23, Olympics, and USMNT, I would say that seeing him in 15 games is asking for a lot. Given all that, you don't make him a key part of the team regardless of position.

I like the kid and I enjoy watching him play, but my vote is waive* him and focus his roster spot and salary on someone that can fill other holes and will be more dedicated to team all season long.

* I say waive since I can't believe any MLS team in their right mind would trade anything for him given that he is making his plans known. Sadly (for him, and that we would have given up a great player) I think a waive would put a dent in the possibility him going to EPL this summer.

This whole bit of reasoning hinges on the mere possibility that we lose Convey for the season. Well, that can happen with any player though injury.

There is a big difference. No player goes into a season saying "i'm going to get myself a season ending injury this mid-season". Bobby has done the equivalent of this.

The point isn't if he is actually get into the EPL or not. The point is that he is going to try which means lost time and his mind (from day one) is going to be on doing what he needs to do to get there, not what he needs to do to get DC to the playoffs/cup.

Lastly, keep in mind that if Convey does go to Europe we will be guaranteed an allocation and with that we’ll have the resources and ability to find someone to replace him.

All well and good, except that it will take time to find his replacement and then more time to work them into the team. All in all, if we are lucky they might show us something good by the playoffs.

-dave

[DigitalTron]

Originally posted by Knave
A few things: First, we don't know that Convey is going to Europe. There are lots of players whose European prospects are talked about in the press and on the boards, there are lots of players who talk themselves about going to Europe. Sure. But when you get right down to it very few of them go. Even the best have a tendency to stay in MLS. Maybe that'll all change this year and Beasley, Bocanegra and some others will go but I'm not holding my breath. More likely than not Convey will be around for the entirety of the next MLS season. He'll be gone no more than any other top MLS player. Not to play him in his strongest position (as demonstrated with the U-20s) would be foolish. Or do you think that the Crew shouldn't organize their offense around McBride, or that Chicago shouldn't have Bocanegra in the core of their defense, or that San Jose shouldn't have their attack center on Donovan? If Convey is available, Convey should play his best position just like any other top MLS player with national team commitments. While Sandon makes some very valid points, I agree with your analysis Knave. The spectre of Europe hangs over all good players heads. But in the end, the Mathis' have stayed, and even the brightest lights like Ruiz, Donovan and McBride are still here.

MLS is a very tight league talent-wise. To me there is no doubt but that you must play Convey in a position where he can most effect the game, and he's shown that this is in central midfield. He showed it in 2001 when he was finally put there, and he showed it again in 2002 when he played there, but inexplicably, Hudson avoided the obvious talent in favor of experience, and it resulted in him being fired for lack of achievement as a coach. I doubt the next coach makes that mistake.

For me the question isn't whether Convey will play centrally or out wide, but rather will Stewart stay or be moved. If Stewart remains, I doubt that the US teams take both Stewart and Convey at the same time very often. When Convey is away, Stewart can run the midfield. When they're both at United, Stewart nominally plays right midfield (with Olsen at left midfield) with the freedom to roam wherever and help Convey create. This simply cedes the entire right flank to Reyes, who is one of those rare players that can handle it. If/when Convey leaves, be it the summer of 2004 or the winter of 2010, it will merit an allocation to fill the creative midfield spot he vacates.

Right now, Convey is more talented than his cap number, so he's a great value. Those type of players are crucial to the success of any MLS team.

If Stewart leaves, then I expect either a high-priced forward to fill his salary slot, or a central attacking midfielder. If it is a central attacking midfielder, it will mean Convey is the substitute for him in the center and starter out wide left. Olsen will then be right midfielder, and Kovalenko will likely be traded or used as a Dmid. If Stewart's slot is replaced by a forward, then Convey starts in the center and the team looks for a viable sub in that position (Dema? new SI? Cerritos? Quintanilla?).

But Knave is right, planning for Convey to leave just isn't the best use of your resources.

There are a lot of clubs that have "interest" in Convey, including Spurs, Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich. But at present, only Spurs have made an acceptable offer. Now Spurs are in a relagation battle, treading water until they replace Pleat (the Director that is high on Convey) with a full-time coach (rumored to possibly be Celtic's Martin O'Neill) and Spurs just made a 2.5 million pound offer for an Irish National left winger. They may yet come back for Convey, but it's hardly a sure thing that they will. Yes, Convey could be gone soon, but then again, it is more likely that he'll be here the entire 2004 MLS season. I think Knave's reasoning is the right reasoning.

-Digital

[John L]

Convey sounds very mature and very much in control of his career plans

Whats the problem the so many have with wanting to play with the best players in the world in Europe? Shouldn't every young player want to play with the best?

Seriously, which kind of players would you rather have? - Players who are really good and who have the desire to play with the best and will look seriously at offers from European clubs and may not stick around for years and years - OR - Players who aren't that good and are content to play in the backwater of world soccer? - (ok - maybe not "backwater" but definitely a smaller pond)

And Convey should not be the only one in the U.S. who's interested in his going to Europe - So should MLS & DC United

The MLS needs to MARKET their best (and most attractive !!) young players to in the U.S. - Thats Adu, Convey, Olsen (and I'd even include Santino here), plus, Beasley, Donovan, etc - And any other YOUNG player on the National Teams - And MARKET them to the U.S. sports buying population - Especially those 12-25 who buy the bulk of sports products - And especially girls, now that the WUSA is out of the picture

Face it - This is a business and the MLS is going to have to start making good business and MARKETING decisions about their best AND MOST ATTRACTIVE players - MLS needs the publicity and revenue that would be generated by the buying publics interest in these young guys

And then when the time is ripe - SELL THEM TO EUROPE FOR MONEY!! - Don't let their contracts run out so they can sign in Europe for no transfer fees - Don't hold out for HUGE fees and think you have to make a killing every time - But get something out of them before they can go for free - THATS WHY THE TIME IS RIGHT NOW FOR CONVEY!! - He's the right age and right stage of his career and now has the International reputation - Not necessarily as an established senior player but certainly as a player with a huge potential

The MLS needs to balance marketing their best young players to the young US public with selling them to Europe before they can go for free on their own - Not an easy thing to do, but something that needs to be done well - And the more young players that go to Europe and do well (AS FIELD PLAYERS - PLEASE NO MORE GOALLEES AS THE BEST THE US CAN SEND TO EUROPE!!), the easier it will be to sell other young players at the right time

And this is not all bad for DC United either - If DC United gets the reputation for a club that gets their best young players noticed on the international level and go onto to Europe, that will only serve to attract the best young talent in the US - Granted MLS controls drafts and allocations and players don't have the total say in where they're going to go - But they will gravitate to DC United and we will be the better for it

[Hedbal]

It's clear that Bobby wants to take more responsibility for the attack in a post-Marco (I hope!) DCU squad, and that seems to mean moving him inside, even though he will find it easier to move to Europe as a winger. As for who would replace him on the left, I suggest Olsen, with Reyes taking Ben's place at right midfield in a 3-5-2. In this formation, you don't want your outside defenders constantly going forward, which is Reyes' strength, so he would be a bit hamstrung playing in the back. With Martins out at the beginning of the season, you might pair Earnie with Cerritos up top, and back them with a midfield of Olsen, Convey, D-Mid (Namoff? Carroll?), Kovalenko, and Reyes. You could also have Ivanov at D-mid, with Namoff left back and Nelson (if here), Prideaux and/or Stokes filling in the other slots.