Looks like Gatt made his second start in 2-0 defeat to Lustenau - played full 90. Anyone find highlights? How did he do?
Josh Gatt just scored his first league goal tonight. http://www.scra.at/nc/aktuelles/details/archiv/2010/10/22/article/11//drei-punkte-1/
The club should have them ... but they don't seem to. or maybe I can't navigate in German. http://www.scra.at/nc/aktuelles/details/archiv/2010/10/22/article/11//drei-punkte-1/
Here is Josh Gatt's Goal: http://www.laola1.tv/en/us/soccer/a...-sv-groedig-scr-altach/video/0-153-35447.html
It's kind of like the MLS thing - Euro ball is more tactical but the higher end NCAA is arguably more athletic and, due its subs rules, a lot faster.
Wow! Here is a kid that left home and a college career to follow his dream and play in Europe and you downgrade his playing environment. I say way to go kid! Time will tell how this all works out but no one should be knocking you for taking your shot!
Acknowledging that the standard of play in the Austrian second division isn't all that high doesn't mean that Gatt is being denigrated.
It's a newbie thing. To say that the Austrian 2nd division is 3rd tier is probably too generous. It's probably on the new Bundesliga III level, which is 4th or 5th, if you count the best of the best, aka world's richest clubs, as the top tier.
Here's a post that was made earlier in this thread by a German poster: "Mmmh, second tier in Austria is close to Amateur soccer." And commenting on the quality of play in that league doesn't automatically equate to slamming Gatt.
There is nothing wrong about going to Europe an playing. Regardless of what people equate his level to he is playing in a professional environment year round. There is something to be said about that.
Newbie or not, defining the league he plays in as "Tier this/that" is really not, in my opinion, showing the young man any respect. He is playing professionally in Europe. He is 18 years old. Like I said, time will tell where he ends up but as of now, I am impressed that he took this path and wish him nothing but success.
Is the proper way to show him respect to pretend that the Austrian Erste Liga is a top-notch league? I completely agree. Gatt is a teenager in a pro environment and he's getting first-team playing time. He's on the right track. There's nothing contradictory about saying that and also understanding what the Austrian second division is.
Not really sure what the big deal is, its been discussed before. These types of comments come up in various threads. When you track as many YA's as we do on this forum its not uncommon. If Gatt can play well then he should be picked up by a German team according to German posters. It seems to be where Austrian players go. Now that doesn't mean he'll be in a much better enviornment league wise. Most German teams loan players out to the second team or another team in the same type of division I think its about the 4th tier IIRC. I don't think anyone is slamming Gatt, they are just pointing out the level of the league, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
Agreed. We're talking about a stepping stone for a very young player. He's getting playing time there, he's adjusting to Europe, and he's visible for other teams; he just shouldn't be there anymore in 4 years.
Or to put it another way, there's probably more 'talent', if we were to define that as guys who'll make solidly into six figures playing football at some point, in the ACC, but it's less refined.