While many have been of questionable value and have received a lot of criticism from many here (myself included) the signing of Donovan Ricketts has been absolutely brilliant.
He is an excellent shot stopper. I love him. He may also be the worst distributer of the ball I have ever seen. I rarely see keeps kick the ball out of bounds, especially on a dead ball and he did it like 2 or three times last night. Middle of the field Ricketts!
He kicks a few balls out of bounds on occasion, but he is nowhere near the worst. In fact, he's pretty good, and excellent with the ball at his feet.
Absolutely correct. Excellent with his feet and his throws are incredible. In another life he could have been an NFL QB.
I mentioned last night while watching the game, after he'd miskicked a few, that I wish he would throw it more. He is deadly accurate and can throw about as far as he can kick. He was incredibly quick last night.
Ricketts didnt make it big in english football because of his kicking. From goalkicks the keeper is instructed to kick the ball not out of play but towards the touchline in the opposing half, its a tactic, should the ball go out it is seen as statistically advantageous to your team if the ball does goes out for a throw-in in your opponents half, as your team has pushed up closing down space and your opponent has 1 player less on the field, well thats what mark schwarzers goal keeping coach said to me and i dont think he was taking the p1ss. I still dont see it but thats what he said. You watch keepers taking goal kicks they never kick for the middle intentionally.
The best 'distributor' we've had in recent years was probably Steve Cronin... ...I can live with a few Ricketts mis-kicks!
And Kevin Hartman has gotten better, but it was always an adventure when he had the ball at his feet.
I remember watching a game a season or two ago where the commentator mentioned that Ricketts also grew up playing Cricket - little wonder he's got such a powerful throwing arm! Plus, if you look at the way he throws the ball compared to your average American GK, you can totally see the influence since he throws balls in a looping "top to bottom" fashion instead of "side to side" like GK's who grew up playing Baseball or American Football.
Ricketts might not be the best distributor but I would say he is the best shot stopper in MLS period. In fact he could probably make the jump to Europe and be fine.
Actually, Ruud Gullit drafted Franklin - it was the only contribution he made to this team, and it is his only positive legacy. Bruce did draft Omar and AJDLG in the same year though, which almost counts as two ROYs in my book.
I remember that draft - Ruud made news because he didn't even go to the draft. I believe Paul Bravo can take credit for Franklin, although Ruud did start him.
Ruud also turned Buddle into a beast, or at least was around during his transformation. My favorite transaction of his was bringing in Franchino. I remember their being a quote from him about having never seen him play and had only seen a few highlights before bringing him over. Classic Ruud.