This is going to give me a headache. Ives just wrote: http://njmg.typepad.com/sbi/ He says Bruce revealed today there were major setbacks in the talks with whoever, and that the team would likely not sign anyone before the start of the season. No idea if Bruce is playing with the press, or if Ives is accurate, or what. I think I need to stop checking these boards/blogs for a while...oooooof.
I would believe that major setbaks means that Delgado's suspension stands and that they can't sign him. I'm really dissapointed that we aren't signing anyone.
I'll be OK with not signing anyone to our 2nd DP if we: - get an experienced, good forward for this season - sign someone either in the summer, or for 2008 that's a major talent Anything less than that and I'll be disappointed. I like our team right now. But we need a forward, or a major signing.
What the hell is wrong with me that I now feel more positive about us getting a 2nd DP then I did before? This off-season sucks
Wow, what a letdown! I was really looking forward to a decent signing! The DP notwithstanding, how can we head into the season with no real proven forward?? There has to be someone out there the Red Bulls can get. Oh well, I hope Schopp isn't too seriously injured, and VanDenBergh takes his preseason form into the regular season with him!
Well, if it means we won't get Delgado then I see this as a positive non move right now. I agree we need a real forward to finish however. Can't expect a 17 yr old with 3 lifetime MLS goals to be our go-to guy full time. It would be unfair to the kid.
Hehe, it just means that it was Delgado. Whatever, I'm pumped for the season regardless. Bring it on, Brucie!
Well at least they have that 2nd D.P. in the back pocket. Not a problem they will use it for someone else. When the time comes they will spring into action. Right now I like our side and so far it looks like Dave Van den Bergh will be the one to help with the goals upfront along with Altidore at the moment.
I'm puzzled by the "I like our team now" comments. I mean, we lost Youri an Amado. They were replaced by Claudio and Dave van den Bergh. Claudio is solid, and Dave is a good enough player, but at a journeyman's level. We have a 17 year old at striker. We got a goalkeeper but that hardly is going to make a huge difference. Please explain to me, other than wishful thinking, how is this team much better than last year and worth for non-fans to go to Giants stadiums to see them in bigger numbers than last year? I just don't see it. Better discipline? Yes. Better comaderie? Yes. Marvell improved? yes. But overall, are we that much better? And don't forget, other teams didn't stand still; they have improved. I hope I am wrong, but unless we sign someone big this will be another "wait for next year season".
Better everything except forward. You cannot underestimate the difference between Johnston and Arena and between Amado and Reyna. Player morale has to be through the roof compared to last year. We got rid of a double dose of cancer.
I guess so, but Bruce was going to spend DP kind of money for this guy? Help me to understand why! http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/soccer/02/23/bc.soccer.ecuador/index.html
Besides the fact that you can't really overemphasize things like a) Better discipline and b) better comaraderie... c) Bruce is a far better coach d) they've brought in better trainers e) there's a better organization all-around (new training facilities, etc) Now, as to players, it's still the pre-season. But with that in mind... f) Claudio is great, not just solid. Watched him down in Bradenton. His vision is amazing. And evidently his leadership on and off the field is being praised by all - something you can't put too high a price on g) Wynne looks like he's improving by leaps and bounds h) DVB looks like he'll be a great pick-up. He's our leading scorer so far. i) Dane Richards is wicked fast, good ball skills and vision. He's really fun to watch, and I, personally, am looking forward to see him develop further j) the continued development of Altidore k) having a guy nicknamed the Walrus in goal. Kidding aside, he looks great there, and was really running the backline l) the "team" - everyone on the Bulls is talking how this now feels like a team, not a bunch of individuals. HUGE difference. Have other teams improved? Sure. But I like the team we put together, the new attitude, the new coach, etc. A big signing would be tremendous. But the new team is better than it was, and I'm excited for it.
Bolding the last part of the quote. This is what has been missing for a good while here. No more circus on & off the field. Time for some hard nosed football and finally things are going in the right direction.
Additional factors: Altidore, Kovalenko, and Schopp all joined late last year. We traded Meola for Wattereus. I think, makes us stronger. We traded Guevara for Reyna, hands down, makes us stronger. We traded Hendersen for van den Bergh, do I need to say it again? Regan replaced Canero. Stammler matured, Wynne matured, Parke and Mendes also. Dunivant is healthy. Now, add all the team support mentioned above, stir in a world class coach, and simmer until summer transfer window, when we bring in a DP striker to finish the season strong. Why do you think we're much happier about the team this year? Are we all delusional?
There is one angle that has me VERY happy we are waiting to sign the DP: We've made quite a few changes in our lineup and overall team strategy to go with it. I think it's much better for Bruce to watch the current team for half a year to assess what type of player is most needed during the run for the cup. (Ok, I'm pretending that we all don't see that we're still weak up front.)