F*ck. Why can't our players stay healthy? Right before crucial qualifiers, just take it down a notch. Don't get hurt. 2 weeks, 2 months, he's not going to play in WCQ, and if he doesn't do that, I bet you he's not going to the WC.
True, but results against Tottenham and the like aren't going to decide their season, and they're not going to face Harry Kane - 84 goals in 123 EPL games every week either. They did give up 3 goals in 23 minutes here, but they'd only conceded 3 goals in the previous 6 games. According to the match reports, they were overwhelmed but they didn't roll over either. Next up is Swansea (A), followed by United (H), Liverpool (A), West Brom (H) and Bournemouth (A). The games against Swansea, Bournemouth and - to a lesser extent - West Brom will tell a hell of a lot about their season
Posted in Academy but sadly, and selfishly. I now kind of want the 'Udders to be relegated so we can swipe DW as the next US manager. Brings in Danny to show MB what some bite looks like in the CM. Unfortunately DWill will probably be too old for next WC (if we qualify).
Naah. Williams is only 28 (since March). He'll be 32 at the next WC, which is a pretty good age for a DM. He'll still have a good deal to offer going forward, especially now that he's playing at a higher level than Michale Bradley
I think the US will be looking at options beyond Williams and Bradley for the farce in Qatar. I love Williams, but counting on 32 year olds for the Hex is one of the reasons we're outside looking in right now. Country (crap tactically, but high energy football) is a young players game. For club, where details matter much more, 32 can still be prime, IMO.
For sake of the conversation, and I feel like I consistently say this about Danny (probably due to him getting Jurgened- AKA played out of position), he is not a 6. By his own admission and if you watched him the last few years at Reading he is an 8. Now, at 32 yes, that may be a time to hone his skills as a straight up 6. But for the record, not a 6 (currently).
True enough about too many guys on the wrong side of 30 in the team, but all successful sides have experienced veterans to anchor things and show leadership, and the latter involves more than crunching tackles and pointing and shouting at people: getting on the ball and looking for the ball when someone else has it, supporting who is on the ball, knowing when to pass the ball quickly and accurately in the right areas and when to kill the game off, among others. That's something that comes mostly from experience. There does seem to be a puzzling lack of quality players in the 23-27 age range, so the average - certainly median - age of the outfield players could drop to about 24-25. Someone with big-game experience in neutralizing and then imposing your game plan on far superior opponents - which is what his Huddersfield career will be - is going to be even more important in this cycle as the over-30s are shown the door.* *That includes Bradley IMO
Haha. Maybe I should have clarified that I didn't necessarily mean him to be a direct replacement. Just hoping that Bradley is phased out sooner than later.
You guys are setting yourselves up for disappointment. While Williams has his qualities, and can do ok in a bottom-feeder in the EPL, he needs a certain type of player right behind him. We don't have that certain type in the NT. He may prove an improvement on Bradley, heck my grandmother could prove an improvement on him. Just don't count on it making much of a difference in games that matter.
I don't think he will be a huge difference maker. He is very solid. We need a solid player in the middle right now. Honestly, I think the way he plays is pretty "American". Which we have gotten away from. The gritty, in your face, win every 50/50 ball, pragmatic hard-nosed toughness. That was our identity for so long. I think Danny has those qualities.
Here's a thought, that hadn't occurred to me till now. Wes McKennie in behind him. That could be attractive.
FWIW Danny Willams started an Instagram account strictly to show off his fashion sense. It makes me even more sick that we never called him in. His fits are amazing. Best dressed in our pool. No competition. His account is: https://www.instagram.com/chilliams_lifestyle/
god dammit, he's also a very handsome man. would've loved to have seen his impact on american culture at large if a) we'd made it and b) he'd been a (big) part; he has a cool mix of suave/urbane/*sophisticated/***boi that i don't think america would've known how to have handled...
I always thought his super angular face and haircut made him look something like an alien. But he's just looking dope in these. We've come a long way: