Any of our Dutch friends able to read-between-the-lines with Verbeek's quotes/comments? The translations are so bad. When I read the referenced article it just says Altidore's going to rest Thursday but when I read what the Dutch posters have put up it sounds like Verbeek's sending a message that he's still not satisfied with Jozy's commitment to training and fitness. I'm imagining something like this: Verbeek: "Jozy, you're doing better but with best possible fitness you will dominate. Jozy: "I'm working harder than I've ever worked." Verbeek: "Harder is not hard enough. You're still not at the level I expect." Jozy: "I'm sure I'll get there." Verbeek: "You will, immediately, or you will be watching soccer instead of playing it."
Verbeek once told the press that the only match preparation Altidore has is sleeping. Verbeek is not happy about that. Motivation issue I guess.
As a PSV fan you know it worked for Romario (famous quote "I'm a little bit tired"). But maybe Romario was alittle bit tired because of his extra field activities
Yikes...there's a lot of unflattering comments about his play under that article too, if my translator is in any way accurate.
Verbeek is just not happy with him at the moment. "I went for Altidore as a starter enough times" "When it comes to footballing, I'm not satisfied with him, as so for outside the field." But Verbeek is really direct, he is just saying what he thinks in a honest way. So don't take these words too serious, for foreigners it might look like he's had it with him but that's not the deal.
I hope the coach thought that Altidore was the type to respond to public pressure. Sometimes I think coaches should keep a bit more in house, and not let the media get a hold of stuff like this. But whatever he thinks is the best.
It appears Jozy showed up to late for a pre-game video-analyses for the Austria Vienna game tomorrow.
Indeed. Altidore is AZ's co-leading scorer across all competitions with Rasmus Elm, but everybody seems to hate his play. In any case, a disciplinarian like Verbeek will probably be good for him in the long run. I hope he reacts positively to this.
That sounds like a lot of the same problems he's always had. Not training hard enough, showing up late. I can't say I'm surprised, but I am disappointed. Not sure how many times I need to say, "I hope he learns."
verbeek is a sort of a drill instructor, calvinist dutchman extreme. ex boxer. verbeek was always telling the press, altidore wasn't 100% fit, maybe it lasted too long and didn't do enough for it. but this is good for him. he will get his chance again. a coach like this at a young age is good for him, if he can educate him, he will reap the benefits for the rest of his career.
Clearly,this is all Mike Bradley's fault. He spoiled Verbeek into thinking all Americans were soccer robots. And a post facto apology to Ives.I thought he was just throwing Jozy under the bus on his way out of Harrison. Guess not,huh?
Well at least now if Jozy's playing time starts to dwindle we will have an actual reason why instead of us just guessing. Jozy makes me pretty mad sometimes. He is a professional footballer! He makes so much more money than most people who work 8 hours a day in their not so exciting jobs. Jozy is living his dream by being a professional footballer. How hard is it to show up to practice 3-4 times a week on time and actually try while he is there? That just makes me mad. I'd give up so much to have the chances Jozy is wasting.
I think its harder than it seems. Those top level practices are by all accounts extraordinarily tough mentally as well as physically. tougher than games. I think this coach is demanding complete and total mental focus throughout the practice and games, and that is something that actually takes practice and learning. Jozy hasn't climbed that ladder, he's just been coasting on his talent by all accounts. He is not going to suddenly switch on, he is going to have to go through a painful learning experience on how to focus. I reccomend zen meditation. (only sort of kidding.)
He has been in the professional arena for 5-6 years now. At an age when he should be working every second of every day he is not. He is paid well. His life is football. From the minute he wakes up to second he goes to bed. There are no excuses for not being on time and working hard.