The Yanks Abroad forums are full world-wise, astute, and level-headed lovers of the beautiful game. The USMNT forum is full of 12 year olds with posters of Benny Feilhaber on their walls, typing on the computer until Mom needs it. You've made the correct decision Ghost. You will be safe here.
I was just teasing with you, Ghost, as I'm sure you already know. You speak the truth. The USA Men's forum has become especially toxic in the last few months. I'm glad that the YA board has remained fairly classy.
But Benny is soooo dreamy... Anymore news on Our Man Frankie? Nothing in the paper today that I saw...
According to the Star Simek will not be rushed back into training, but should be available near the beginning of the season. Brian Laws has said Frankie will not be rushed back into action. http://www.thestar.co.uk/sportheadlines/-Wednesday-take-it-easy.4224491.jp
Well deserved by Frank. He was a good soldier at Arsenal, but couldn't crack in there. Went to Shef Wed, and immediately impressed and became a fixture. It'll be neat to see him at Premiership level. On the National front. Cherundolo is going to have a helluva fight on his hands going forward.
I'd love to see Simek move to Villa. He's so solid and so consistent. Never going to "wow" people but he sure is a textbook defender if there was ever such. His worked his butt off at Wednesday and was a fan favorite. No doubt he could replicate that at Villa. My only concern at this moment is his ankle. I hope it is fully healed and the long lay off hasn't put him on the slow track for recovery. He needs to be fully healthy so he can compete for the RB spot for Villa, if this is indeed true about closing a deal soon.
Actually, he won't need to be fully healthy to try to nab that RB spot. I don't think Villa has a true RB on their roster right now. BTW This is really cool, if it comes to pass.
also, if he is on the first team roster, there will be many opportunities to impress over what will be a very long campaign... I think that the best thing about this is that Villa are a quietly growing and well run club... and Martin O'Neil is pure class as a gaffer... and the place is owned by an American
yea but even if Simek makes it at Villa, why would Bruce err....I mean Bob pick him over Cherundelo? I mean he even has Drew Moor as a backup. (and even Frankie Hedjuk).....Why use Simek when you have those guys who are clearly better options! /sarcasm off!
One thing I do wonder about Mr. O'Neil is why he keeps his roster so short. Mellberg has left for Italy, and I think there are currently only five defenders on their roster! The Aston Villa website "squad" page clearly hasn't been updated in a bit either. I suppose that means more PT for Simek, if he does sign.
One of them is out until September too! He is just really slow to act in the transfer window. The first Intertoto game is a week from Saturday and we have 1 goalkeeper, no right backs, and 2 healthy centerbacks! Plus our captain has been barred from training! Supposedly there are a few transfers on the verge of happening but you'd think he would have a few in by now! If he were any good at transfers he'd be at one of the biggest clubs in Europe because he's great at everything else.
Right now Aston Villa barely has enough players on professional contracts for a premier league gameday roster. The subs bench has been expanded to 7 players. Current Villa roster has 19 players with Gareth Barry about to leave. Where is this money they were going to get from Lerner to sign players? Do they really need the Barry money to come in before they can get Sidwell?
Not that it really matters, but I wonder if picking up Simek was really part of a bigger plan, or simply a stopgap. Offtopic, but who is O'Neil looking to replace Barry with? I've heard the rumors of Robinson coming in at GK, and an attempt for Bentley (probably won't happen)...
Sidwell has been all but transferred for over a month. The latest rumor is that Finnan will be part of the Barry deal, so it would be good for Simek or another young RB to learn from him for a year or 2 and then take over. We have been linked to every RB in portugal, Chimbonda, Hoyte, several CCC RB's, one from Italy, the Greek one from Atletico Madrid, but most of it is made up crap. It'll be interesting to see who he gets. I don't think money is an issue. Lerner spends a lot on the Browns, they gave away the shirt sponsorship to charity, Lerner recently donated $10m to an art gallery. I just think O'Neill is slow. He is old-school and likes to do all the transfers himself so I think he's stretched thin.