What the heck is Hack smoking making this statement? Roger has played 37 minutes all season, that's not what I call an opportunity, not even close. How many times has Jack, our currently undisputed best player, disappeared for 37 minutes or more? And that's not even counting the fact that Roger's 37 minutes are broken up over 3 games. This statement just exudes so much BS it's not even funny. If I was Roger I'd be furious. Leo gets 2 games as a starter, that right there is an opportunity. Trotting Roger out for the last 10-20 minutes and hoping for a miracle is not an opportunity. What a very Hack-like thing for Hack to say.
Union Tally This statement to me speaks volumes about Hack take on Roger. To me this tells me that its not on the field but rather off the field that is costing Roger playing time. So the question arises what is he doing/not doing "off the field"? All I have been saying all year, how else are we going to know what he does or doesn't have unless he is given a legit shot. 37 min over three games is not. Soumare got a shot played well, Leo got a shot and proved he is not ready yet.
If that is the case then why even mention off the field. Is Roger secretly pulling an Adu every night.
Quite simply, Hack believes that Roger Torres is a poor defender who has not improved on the defensive side of the ball. Like it or not, a midfielder who is good offensively but poor defensively does not fit into Hack's system.
Maybe it's committment issues? Meaning is he fully comitted to being a professional footballer? Does he put in the extra work and time (gym, after practice, film room, diet, etc.)? I don't know, I'm just speculating.
The thing is, Roger met Hack's challenge in the preseason and was our best player there. He still didn't earn time. If I was Roger, I wouldn't be too motivated if nothing I do can get me on the team. Though to play the devil's advocate, you have to build around the players we have. We don't have any midfielders outside of Carroll who can defend. Maybe Hack needs to rethink his system.
I don't think we will know the truth unless we get a player (current or former) to give their take on Roger. He has talent but could it be his age and being far away from home that is impacting him in some form? Being 20 in a foreign country where no matter how much your teammates like you and get along with you there is still a cultural difference. Who can Torres really relate to on the team? Fernandez could be the closest? Can't resist see bold - coughiminjuredbutmynameislahoudandiplaydefensetoocough now to find where Gabe is staying (probably with Mike) to get the dirt on Roger......
And why is Torres' failing uniquely punished? Should an AM create chances? Marfan never does. Should a winger be able to cross? Cruz can't. Should a CM be able to complete a pass? Daniel can't. I'm struggling to think of anything Fernandes has shown he CAN do, other than translate.
I've noticed that, since Cruz has been moved to the left, he will more times than not knock the ball off a defender and have it go out for a corner. Seeing as we are pretty good on set pieces lately (knock wood), I'll give DC44 mucho credit for helping set them up.
You forgot the asterisk. We did not deserve most of those goals. The other teams all earned their goals.
It doesn't need to be deeper than that. It may all relate to fitness as much of defending is putting in the effort to transition quickly and cover ground. If you don't have the appropriate fitness, it becomes hard as an attacking player to do either one adequately. And yes, there is definitely an off-field aspect to a professional athlete's fitness. Proper nutrition, rest/recovery, workouts, etc, working on weaknesses, etc. I remember an interview with Michael Bradley when he was asked what he did in his free time after a training session. He basically said that all he did was prepare himself mentally and physically for the next days training session. Not veryexciting but so it goes for pro athletes. I haven't seen much of Torres (who has?) but was at the Columbus game when he came in late. My impression of his few touches was that he played like a youth player in his decisions. Small sample size, I know.