Per Goff Howard Steve C. Onyewu, Demerit, Boca Dempsey Bradley Clark, Donovan Altidore Findley The issues here are Onyewu's health, Clark over Torres and Edu, and Findley over Buddle. I think he got the latter two decisions wrong. We'll see. England Green; Johnson, Terry, King, A. Cole; Lennon, Lampard, Gerrard, Milner; Heskey, Rooney. I worry most about Lennon. He might kill us.
England's big surprise is Milner? Will he be playing the Barry roll so they don't have just Gerrard and Lampard in the middle?
Clark again?!?!?! How in hell is he starting? Uggh. Such misery. Edu or Torres. Edu for the bite, i can get w/that, but Clark? Clark? They seriously think Clark is going to help? Misery there. Findley, i get even though i think it's nuts w/his confidence shot, but who knows, his speed could be a key. We'll see. I hope I'm wrong, I just think it's insane to start clark. Don't disagree w/anything else. Clark's a red card waiting to happen, will constantly lose possession, will not scare any of the English attacking players, and his only asset is an inaccurate cannon. Hope he pulls a Heydude/Sanneh and has the game of his life somehow.
Bob went fairly conservative with the tried-and-true recipe for our success. Not a shock in the end. Go get 'em, boys!
"When we have no offense"? I'm fairly certain that won't be a problem, and we've got two good options at forward on the bench (Buddle and Gomez) in whom Bradley should have a fair amount of confidence.
Clark is the only problem I have. I think Torres and Holden are both better. The good thing is Clark can't play the entire WC and eventually he will lose his spot in this tournament. Over all I can deal with it.
Bradley you are stupid. so neither of our forwards will score, putting even more pressure on donovan and dempsey. Clark is probably our 5th best midfielder and yet he is starting
Jeez..what's the over/under before Clark gets red carded??? I say the 40 minute mark... Findley just proved last week he can't finish against the Aussies, how the hell is he going to finish against this side??? <sigh> Let's hope Herc comes in at the 60 minute mark to provide a spark.
agree 100%. torres and buddle should start over clark and findly. if this is obviously not working the switch needs to be made early...another decision i don't have faith bradly will make. here's hoping he looks like a god damn tactical genius and i don't know a damn thing.
I also have feared Clark's card issues in this game. Physical game, South American ref, FIFA standards. Once he gets his yellow, will he even be able to be effective? I don't like the decision to start him, but Bob's going with comfort and defensive steel, at least in the first 60 minutes. If we're still in touching distance, he can try to steal the game by introducing Torres, Holden and Buddle/Gomez. We have Boca in there, so we don't need to go like-for-like if Gooch needs a sub. Not sure who would slot in there, but maybe we go 3-5-2 then.
I just don't get the Clark inclusion. Edu would be a better enforcer in this match and Torres offers a different look altogether, but Clark is just an uninspiring pick. I'm not sure Buddle and Altidore would be a good match up front, although we won't know to we try. I like Gomez off the bench. I would have preferred Finley off the bench against a tired, big England back line, but at least I understand Bob's thinking on this. But Clark!?!?
bob was at the friendly warm up games right? he watched clark give the ball away every time he touched it and provide nothing in terms of quality, possession or spark? and he saw torres hold the ball nicely, pass under pressure and be the one creative spark in the centre of midfield? was that just me then ... and findley. rsl benchwarmer. whiff master extraordiaire. sure, why start buddle who can hold the ball up, has exquisite first touch and control and actually knows how to put the ball in the net with both his head and his foot. bob is really not a very good coach. i hope this is his last tournament with the USMNT no matter how the team does. i am tired of his idiotic team selections.
That's the lineup I both predicted and feared. I wholeheartedly, and "headedly" hope I'm wrong. If so, and we get a result, I'll say kudos to you Bradley. If not, and we don't, I'll say f you Bradley, I'll do it myself (Major League, scene 59). How devastating are the Davies and Jones injuries (in addition to Onyewu) potentially, now? They've forced Bradley to make two decisions that could cost us. Without them he'd have more no brainers. We'll see if that's what he required.
This game's ref, some Simon guy from Brazil, is very card happy, a very controversial one...Hope Clark won't lose his head too soon...Rooney next... Watch your mouth also: http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...ppy-to-chat-despite-swearing-ban-1998171.html
This is really the first time that Bob Bradley has pi$$ed me off with one of his roster decisions. I'm pretty much speechless. What has Clark done in the last month to deserve the nod?
i think that is pretty obvious. he got borensuck to share his pictures of bob and that goat from a chivas post game kegger.