From what I've seen of Joey over the past 3-4 years he's now best as a DMF but is a---adequate-- left sided player in a pinch. Two years ago when Joseph was out with an injured hand, Joey stepped in for him and carried the Revs deep into the playoffs. As you all saw last night, the guys heart and stones are as big as his body. He's a player that the steadily raising skill level in MLS has passed by but his pure effort and grit and leave it all on the field attitude kind of makes up for his marginal skills. As I posted above, if Joey can stay sober he will serve LA well of this and maybe another season or two. He's not a psycho. He's a old school hard-scrabble trench warrior which clearly has been something missing from the LA lineup
Let me join the others who've changed their mind about Franchino. He played an outstanding match last night. I've no doubt now that he is a positive addition. We haven't had a real fighter in the middle since Pena. Nice to see some steel again. Whatever his faults, none of which were evident last night, he is an intimidating presence and made a huge difference, especially with a Houston midfield that basically owned us in the first half. I don't know how fit he is, bit I would like to see him go 90 minutes as soon as possible. Welcome back, Joey.
My first response to my season ticket partners that Joey looked a little heavy, but you could tell by how well he motored around out there... - I too called him "Bulldog' - We seem to have a lot of leftys on the rooster now--- Bulldog, Jazic, Randolph-who else and can you or do you, put them all on the field at same time?
I remeber back at the Rose Bowl people calling him frapuchino so that nickname has been around a while. He looked very useful last night. I think him vs. Marsch will be worth watching next weekend.
getting Franchino still in his prime with all his talents is a gift from GOD !! I always looked at his work ethic and his desire to win as a key to the success of New England. He is tough and seems to be at the right place at the right time kind of player.. Kudos to Lalas, and SHAME on all you haters that questioned this immediate need that was filled with a pro, period. the D needed a gamer and we got it.
One decent move by the FO is not gonna make up for all the other stupid moves they have made. Make two or three of these in a row and then we can talk.
After hearing Ruud praise Joey at the press conference, does that mean (.. .. sniff .. .. ) GOODBYE PETE?
yes, pete is now a $155,000 fourth or fifth choice player. mcdonald, pires, tudela, gordon and now franchino are all ahead of him in the pecking order. pete to columbus for ???
OMG!! I Hope it becomes reality! I HOPE IT BECOMES REALITY!!! Bye-Bye Pete, Its time to go visit Sigi in Columbus.
I don't know, I am not a huge fan of his but He bleeds Galaxy colors. Maybe after this year redo his contract. Veteran like him could be very usefull in developing this young player heavy team.
I've not read this entire thread, so I may be restating: I thought Joey had a SOLID game. He communicated well with his mates and held his ground when challenged w/ the ball. A few rusty steps aside, I was very happy with him.
Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised to see Pete's contract revised next season. He wants to be in LA, Lalas wants him to bein LA, so I suspect that'll happen. BTW, despite the fact that I'm a big believer in the fact that Pete no longer has ability to play at the MLS level, it'll still be a bit sad to see him go. He's rightfully become a bit of a scapegoat because of his poor passing and failure to hold up the ball, but he's been a part of the team for a long time, and you can't say he ever slacked or gave bad attitude or anything. He's done, he should be done, but that doesn't mean we can't appreciate the years he's given.
Trade him to Chivas then. Don't get me wrong....I like Pete. He's a great guy and he's been a big part of the Galaxy organization for almost a decade now. But he simply doesn't have a place in this team anymore. Our love affair with him should be well over. We are essentially paying a deep bench warmer money that can go to several very talented, promising young players or one solid MLS vet. It's just time for Pete to go.
And so did Chris Albright which I may add took a paycut just to stay in L.A. and then got screwed, In addition, Tyrone Marshall who left in tears to Toronto and in interviews still states that he misses playing in LA. and who can forget the fan favorite Kevin Hartman but did Lalas "CARE" on their desire, heart and passion they had for the team? I dont think so. So its only fair to get rid of Pete!
Ya know, I've been a defender of Pete for quite some time. He does a lot of the important little things that help a team out, and I think people fail to appreciate. Yeah... Maybe it is time for him to go somewhere else.
That was his story. Yet when the salary list came out a few weeks back it turns out he is making more money this year.
When a particular player is getting paid close to 140K for just doing "Little Things", thats a problem. You leave the little things to the rookies and the bench warmers, not Pete.
I agree at this point... However I still think that Pete was under-appreciated from a very early point in his career with LA. I feel bad for the guy, and my first reaction is always to defend him.
And that is why we are where we are right now. Lets face it Becks plays here but bleeds ManU we all know this. The other players are too young to or have not been here long enough to truly love the club. I would say off the top of my head I can name Lando, Pete, Gordon, and maybe Cronin that I can claim really love our team. That maybe part of the reason we are having problems.
Unfortunately my friend you don't have the experience with the team to qualify. I am not saying that you keep him for the same pay I say cut it and offer him basically a type of mentoring of the young players. He has been part of both of our Championship team. At one time he was even concidered for the national team. I do however see have lived what happens when you gut a team and the effect it can have on a franchise. All you have to do is look at the Dodgers when Ruppert Murdock tore the team apart. Selling guys who love the team and came up in the farm system just to be sold next year. Dodgers like the G's are suffering from the lack of real team guys.
Don't know about you, but this really bugs me, as it doesn't seem Ruud makes the player signing decisions, from LA Times: It appears that Gullit is not totally in the loop on the transaction front. Last week he was asked about the acquisition of defenders Scott Bolkan and Vardan Adzemian and their subsequent loan to the Portland Timbers. Gullit looked blank. He had never heard of either player. Troubling signs that things in Lalas-land really have not improved over the chaotic last two seasons. Small wonder, too, that the dark storm clouds of rumor about coming upheaval and change continue to gather on the horizon