OJs back, can he help

[Bizarro Spur]

Hello all,

I've been reading this board for months now, and I'm finally getting around to making my first post. I've been very impressed with the insight most of you show about the team.

Looks like OJ Mabizela is ready to fight for his spot in the back four.

http://www.skysports.com/skysports/article/0,,7-1123656,00.html

Do you guys think he has the talent to help in the back? I'd love to see him get a chance.

I was at the Pompey match a few weeks back and the defense (note the American spelling) was dreadful! Deano couldn't have stopped my 81 year old Grandad. Then again, Grandad did play left wing for L'pool in 1946. :-)

Other impressions of the Pompey match:
1. Dalmat - Keeps you on the edge of your seat when on the ball, exciting! Too lazy to play defense.
2. King - Looks lost at Dmid
3. Brown - Non-stop hard work
4. Keano - dynamite
5. Defoe - 7mil well spent
6. Keller - love him, but no distribution - liability
7. Jackson - Hard Worker, lacks experience

I really like Davies, Carr and the rest of the team, but they all looked mediocre at best during the Pompey match.

Sorry for rambling on...I've been bottling up my comments for a while now.

Let me know what you think about OJ.

-Bizzaro

[DigitalTron]

Welcome aboard Biz!

Great to see you posting, and happy to have you here. :) As boards on bigsoccer.com go, we're fairly laid back, but occasionally rival supporters get us stirred up a bit, so don't take us too seriously. :D

I don't know much about OJ, but from what I do know, he certainly has potential. Problem is, that we have Gardner, King and now OJ that have the size, athletic ability, and can even play the ball with their feet a bit (particularly OJ) to add to the attack. But unfortunately, they're all a bit raw, and it seems OJ is the rawest of the bunch right now. They need to be paired with an experienced central organizer, and unfortunately, Richards is all we've got. He tends to run hot and cold himself.

I agree with you that King is mediocre in midfield, but given our lack of Dmid, he's not such a bad option. Brown or Redknapp would be the only other options, and neither is really the answer there (although Brown has done better than expected). IMHO, that's those are the two biggest missing pieces, a true veteran organizer in the back, and a dominant ball-winning Dmid. The spine of our team is weak I think.

I'm a Carr fan, but he's been disappointing this season, and extremely unlucky. I think we've lost like 3 or so games just from shots that deflected off of Carr alone! Poor guy. I agree about Davies, but before he got injured he was having a sluggish start. Now that he's playing up to par again, he's our star midfielder, and one to build for the future.

If we don't move for Konchesky or another left back, I'm kind of hoping that we try to convert OJ into a left back, because he can really contribute to the attack and he has good defensive instincts and willingness to get stuck in. I doubt his left footed crossing is up to snuff, but it's not like we have any real options there anyway. In any event, OJ does need to get a chance, and if it's not with the first team then I hope he stars for the reserves.

By the way Biz, if you're in Richmond, you ought to come up and see some DC United games.

-Digital

[chriswalk27]

Welcome Bizarro.

I wish more fans who read the boards would start to comment. I think you were insightful and gave us something to talk about until the next game.

I agree about Richards but he isn't in match shape yet so give him some time.

Dalmat is exciting but as you said doesn't play defense and worse in my mind doesn't try to play defense.

I think King will improve but even if he doesn't he probably won't be in that role for very long as Spurs should bring in someone to fill that role in the summer.

Brown, Keane, Keller, Defoe and Jackson you have spot on.

O.J. To tell you the truth I don't have a clue. My guess goes along with Digital's and think he might be playing next year but he needs time and reserves or a short loan deal to get him more experience.



Chris Walker

[soccernutter]

Welcome Bizzaro. Always good to have another supporter posting.

I haven't a clue about OJ. They hype surrounding him seemed rather good. I hope he pans out.

[The Double]

Welcome Bizarro. I would like to see OJ get some burn next match, as I think he has a lot of potential.