BS can do what they want. Dude has a lot of quality when he's on his game. We'll see what version of Brooks develops from this 1/2 season exile to Portugal.
Done deal: Welcome to Hoffenheim, Jay!#TSG have signed John Anthony #Brooks. The 29-year-old moves to Kraichgau from Benfica and has signed a contract until 30th June 2024. pic.twitter.com/vxire79B86— TSG Hoffenheim EN (@tsghoffenheimEN) January 26, 2023
1st day: Er ist seit heute bei der TSG, hat "maximal Bock" und ist bereit für Samstag 🔥In Matchday begleiten wir Jay bei seinem ersten Tag in Hoffenheim ⤵️— TSG Hoffenheim (@tsghoffenheim) January 26, 2023
Starts. 🔹 STARTELF 🔹Wir gehen rein! #TSGBMG pic.twitter.com/KPwQCiLx8s— TSG Hoffenheim (@tsghoffenheim) January 28, 2023
Niiiice. Hoff haven’t won a match since mid-October hopefully Brooks helps them immensely in that back line. They could use a couple wins here soon to push themselves away from that relegation playoff zone
That 4th goal showed why Brooks doesn't have the speed to cover the counter. It was almost the same play as in the USA vs Canada game.
That was exactly my thought! Pretty much same as goal by Canada. Looks both like lack of speed and urgency. The urgency is what gets me.
Hoffenheim looking like a relegation candidate, for sure. Only thing in their favor is that there is a lot of misery below them. Their defensive woes continue.
For the record I was crapping on Brooks long before it was hip. I dislike defenders who move like 18 wheelers.
Starts in cup: 🔹 A-U-F-S-T-E-L-L-U-N-G 🔹S11-Debüt für Umut #Tohumcu 🙌#RBLTSG | @DFB_Pokal pic.twitter.com/ihMXLTWs6P— TSG Hoffenheim (@tsghoffenheim) February 1, 2023
Didn't watch, but they lost 3-1, which is probably for the better: they need to focus on surviving the league.
I watched the 1st half during lunch. Hoffenheim were dominated from the opening whistle. It was almost like a test match. Horrendous play. Brooks had a little fault of the 2nd goal when he couldn’t step fast enough to close down shooter after the ball took a deflection off a fellow defender, Reacted slow but I don’t know if it would have made a difference. There was a lot of “meh” play from Brooks. Better than Saturday’s play but still not great.
He used to have one of the best long left footed cross in the game. Haven't watched him in a minute, however. Not sure if I can force myself to watch now, but I probably will... with one eye closed, the other squinting.
He used to be good passing from the back too. The big issue was that a fast attacker could blindside him.
Funny enough the passing became a reason I got labeled as a Brooks hater. He had a solid end to the season last year but he's always been so up and down as a player I've asked if his passing is really worth the defensive issues. Again rooting for him to prove me and others wrong but I have long since wondered if the US fanbase turned. Too much of a blind eye to Brooks's weaknesses
There is a rather large segment of our fan base that equates playing in Europe with being a good player. Scratch that, playing is not even needed. You just need to be there.
There's also not much use labeling someone "good" or "bad" when they are playing in a multifactor competitive professional environment. Put Brooks in a 3 man back or even a 2 CD system with a fast, agile partner, even a smaller "stopper" type and let him defend set pieces, and be a major outlet, especially to a fast RW, with a decent holding midfielder in front of him, he's going to look better than if you expect him to be your last-man-back anchor, playing a high-line and mopping up counters. He's always suffered from big-man lack of agility/quickness, but has better long-ball touch - and even tight space touch - than most big men. But if you expect him to be Romero, you're going to be disappointed.
I always thought fit was the reason GB dropped him. Ream too until his renaissance. earlier in the cycle the team was playing sort of that 4 back 3 back fusion and Brooks and Ream were a part of it. Once they switched to a pressing, high line, two CB and two attacking outside back system they needed quick and fast CB's and Brooks was no longer a good fit. He could be back in the picture if he regains form and depending on what the new coach does.