*doing quick math* 3:30 a.m. PT, and therefore 10:30 p.m. Melbourne time here. Since I'm at work, I have no chance of seeing this game, even if it is on ESPN International here. Bugger.
and just as I make that post PSV goes up 0-1 goal scored by the best name in soccer: Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink
and just as I make that post PSV goes up 0-1 goal scored by the best name in soccer: Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink
According to Soccernet, Ajax now lead 2-1, on second-half goals from Wesley Sneijder (51st minute) and Nicolae Mitea (61st minute).
FT, and Ajax wins 2-1. JOB only went 52 minutes, looks like a tactical switch with Koeman bringing van der Vaart off the bench and putting Maxwell at left back.
A tactical switch that takes O'brien off the field? hmmm... Hopefully that was all it was. I'd hate to hear that the guy has picked up another injury, however minor. Being subbed in the 52 minute is a strange move in a 1-0 game.
Maybe, that's why Koeman is the coach and you're not - Van de Vaart had the assist on the winning goal. It was 1-1 when JOB was subbed out.
First of all, excuse the *#*#*#*#*#*# out of me. Second of all fine. I didn't realize it was 1-1 when the sub was made. But still, being subbed that early in the second half in such a tight game is not a move you see too often. I just expressed my hope that it was only tactical, and not due to any new injury or fitness troubles Johnny O. may be having. S'all. sheesh
It takes a while to come back to full match fitness, and perhaps Koeman was thinking about not killing the guy so early into his comeback. That and deciding to make the switch could have been based as much on the fact that Maxwell could also play LB, allowing him to slide VdV in and save JOB at the same time. But again..who knows. I don't think starting and playing 52 minutes is the death knell for his career or anything.
Watching the last 30 minutes of the 1st half, and O'Brien looks very solid...is a technically fine player...compact, does the simple thing, but delivers balls so well.... Almost a shame to "waste" his overall talents on outside left fullback, but it is an appealing option for US Nats, in a 4 man backline...his height would not be a problem there... With Convey coming on so well, I'm thinking Convey a candidate for middle now...prefer Johnny's experience on outside back left... Think the switch was tactical or to let John get his legs as we go along...quality of match is easily Premership, and I think the 2 teams are upper Premership quality....right below the big 3- or bordering.
Do you think that Ajax would put JOB in a more of a midfield position, whether it be defensive midfielder or winger? I haven't followed the Eredivizie too closely this year, so I'm not too knowledgeable about Ajax's squad. Also, would you all agree that JOB is playing at much less than 100%?
Just saw JOB 7 minutes in 2nd half.. Had one bad scene where he just plain got beat, but so did about 3 other guys in the sequence...ball off the post.. next scene, he recovered well to prevent a cross, and won a goal kick.. He looks pretty good to me...announcer noted that Ajax was going with a 3 player back line after O'Brien's sub, but regardless it did look tactical.. I think JOB COULD play a lot of places for any team, really in any league...he's that technically sound (center mid/distribution, defensive center mid, left outside fullback, left mid) depends on team and their needs, talent
speedcake, no offense intended. Given that Van de Vaart is one of the top players in Holland and also just coming back from injury, Buff's original surmise that it was a tactical switch seems eminently plausible. All I'm saying is, pending additional information, let's not add fuel to the fire of the conspiracy theorists on here who tend to run amok any time a YA gets subbed out during a game.
Also, Sikora got injured on the assist and was rolling around in pain the second the goal was scored. It is very possible Koeman figured he'd need to take off Sikora, put VdV on for JOB to try to get a winner, waited to confirm Sikora was coming off and then subbed in Mitea for him. Anyway, I don't read too much into it. Per the announcer, JOB played in the last 4 games, of which 3 were shutouts. Not bad.
no problem here! And since no one has reported seeing him limp off, or any other such sign of injury, I'll assume the best and drop it!
well i hate to cause a panic but JOB seemed to get his studs caught in the turf a little when going down for a tackle (which happened right in front of me) and was (excuse the phrase) 'clutching his groin' as he left the pitch - it all seemed very minor and i would not worry about another long term injury and yes... johnny O did have a few hairy moments yesterday, but was probably MOTM last week and is playing at 100% - oh... and is skills are hardly wasted playing LB for AJAX
You are going by competition in Olympic qualifications versus professional competition in Dutch league play?
I think it is a riskier proposition for Convey to play left back, and O'Brien in the middle, then vice-a-versa... Sure, Convey still has to prove he is center-mid material (I think this coming season with DC will be telling), but I think he's going to pass now (indications are)...Bobby seems to have figured out how to step up his game over last 6 months (including scoring, and being a more dominant overall player)... I am not comfortable with Bobby at left back in international environment, however O'Brien's savvy ball-skills and distribution (to Beasley streaking down wind, or to a McBride uptop) would be welcome coming from back....I think Beasley/O'Briend combo would be quite solid defensively internationally... On an international level, I see left-back as more important position (then club)....we need better ball skills on defensive backline (none of Pope, Boca, Gibbs, Sanneh, Vanney or Berhalter are strong with ball at foot), and we need the ability to build out of the back vs. hoofing it up, and losing possession in international matches....Having O'Brien as an option (working out of back), playing triangles out....I think would be very beneficial for Nats.... Within a year, I think Bobby will be Johnny O's match offensively, and maybe distribution wise...but not defensively....just my opinion, and again Bobby needs to continue to step up...
btw JOB twinged his back on the play i referred to, but nothing major i think - a good photo of john in the match report on www.ajax-usa.com