Man, that was exciting! Too bad I've got a headache from watching those awful streams! Between the buffering and the back & forth like a ping-pong match, I'm dosing-up on Tylenol! There are thoroughbred race-horses that are good, running in the slop. They are called "mudders." IMHO, Aris are not "mudders." Aris does have heart for hanging in and not giving up. I have a feeling that I will enjoy watching them when there is a good, dry, pitch and can really see the quality of the passing/teamwork.
I watched the match and am curious, how do you feel Adu played? I have an opinion but would prefer to hear others first.
I think adu played steady, and reliable. He didnt lose position, made decent plays, but also didnt stand out too much.
Adu is really good with the ball, creative and dangerous, his defense needs some work though, he watches too much instead of marking. EJ surprises me a lot. The guy is dynamite that will explode, hes a danger wherever he is! Gz to both! Go USA, Vamos Aris
two things that stood out for me. 1) he seems to hold the ball up very well. not easily knocked down or given up the ball cheaply. 2) his defensive effort had improved greatly since, at least from what i see from his two appearances.
@Bolo None of us here is going to judge his performance on a pitch like this one. So I'm not going to say anything regarding his performance. But, I'd like to highlight the fact that he tried a lot today and that's what Cuper (and every coach) likes to see in his players.
My observations Opportunities: Close out harder on your player and force him into bad passing angles under pressure. Fill voids in the middle more when play is on opposite side of field in this kind of game. Don't be so disciplined in maintaining width on a field like today, your team won't be able to change field effectively. Step up intensity generally, stop worrying about making mistakes. Positives Much stronger, maturing has had a very positive impact on ability to play through contact. Foul magnet Very disciplined (see opportunities), but on a dry pitch keeping width will be and advantage later. Excellent passing once again, should be a forwards dream to play with. Good defensive support effort, marking players all the way back to the end line.
Yeah, but wasn't Adu on the pitch for a 0-0 game most of the time, and his sub on with Aris trailing 0-1. When you're down, you have to chase the game, right?
Game is next wednesday 17 February [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ca9ti-HSyfY&feature=player_embedded"]YouTube- xanthi aris 1-1 cup (10-2-10)[/ame]
Not on a field like that...you go in hard the opponent goes around you and is kind because it is impossible to change direction fast enough to recover. Deny the desired pass and force the player to go in a direction they don't want to. If Cuper says stay wide, you stay wide. Nobody was attempting to switch fields today, they were playing route 1 all the way.
Adu and EJ moving to Aris is the best thing to happen to BS in ages. Thanks to all the Aris supporters for joining the forum. And for having such a cool team.
I think Freddy played pretty well. Solid defensively, VERY good at holding up play, at times with multiple defenders on him, and again he had a pinpoint 30 yard ball to a player behind the back line which almost earned Aris a penalty. Not bad...
I agree on the first point, I just thought he was a little too cautious. Regarding staying wide, again I agree in principal but once it became clear they could not switch fields back *and* playing on the sideline was very difficult, I think he should have cheated in more as circumstances allowed. Just an opinion and not taking away fro m what I thought was an extremely solid first start.
Congratulations my Greek Aris brothers!!!! Drink up and be merry! MOre games means more chances for our Adu too! So drinks all around!