http://www.ussocceruk.com/modules.p...e=article&sid=185&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0 Bergan is reporting that Andy Williams, along with Balboa and Paule have been released by the Metros. I hope this doesn't start talk about bringing AW back.
well he certainly wouldn't fit with Nowhacky in there to run down the middle, but Balboa ... how healthy is he?
Balboa could be, if healthy, the veteran we need on our defense. Plus i wouldnt mind seeing a couple sweet bike kicks from him.
Balboa was released because he would not take a pay cut. I don't think he is worth more than Carlos and he is also gone because of money. I don't see how he would fit in here. Why would they give up one expensive aging defender for another?
I dont think I would mind bringing in Paule, he still has got some talent and would fit right in if his salary is low enough. Williams and Balboa are worthless to us now. I hope Balboa can either find a position on a squad or atleast a coaching or media job. Hopefully, this is the end of AW in MLS!
I hope we get a seasoned, accomplished central defender to help 'calm and control' the back line. Well...isn't Alexi looking for a job??? ;-)
I guess I like AW more than the rest of the board. He probably couldn't play as an attacking midfielder for Nicol, but he'd be a big upgrade over Harris imo.
No way. Wolde's workrate as a "defensive forward" was a big part of the Revs' success last summer. SN's ability to get Wolde to "embrace the position" was key, imo.
Actually, I was thinking that AW would be redundant to Nowak and JMM. That is assuming that we keep Serna.
Pope is a class veteran that will organize NY's defense well, but i agree that NY needs to add some experience to their line. Balboa would've partnered well with Pope, but he hasn't played in almost a year. So I'm thinking that NY has something in mind for replacing him. Otherwise, NY has Pope, Ziadie, and then a handful of rookies. am i forgetting anyone?
Wow, that's a little extreme, no? I actually think AW is a very talented guy, although not necessarily what SN wants. I'm somewhat surprised he wasn't picked up by Chicago, Dallas, or Colorado - someone who doesn't have a creative midfielder lined up. I concede that with the midfield employed by Nichol, Nowak is likely to be more effective. Still, it seems a lot of our hopes are riding on PN's health. AW would be worth an SI slot if Nowak were injured. If AW could play left wing, he'd be worth it now. The thing that bugs me though, is why aren't more MLS coaches interested in him? Is there a knock on him WRT attitude, or some other intangible? Is it only his lack of a green card?
Seems to me AW has had plenty of chances on several teams and in many different system and it never seems like he fits in. He obviously has a lot of talent but he has never seemed to fit in anywhere.
Think back to two seasons' ago, when the most common complaint heard on these boards was the Wolde was lazy. It was Nicol who got through to him (that and his contract being negotiated down) and who's to say he couldn't do the same thing for AW? AW has more talent than Wolde, no question. Maybe you could say Wolde fits in better with this squad- that is an easier case to make- but I'd like to see Andy get another shot, especially since we have SI slots available.
Yeah, that's what I thought! I felt that Williams was the best thing on the Revs in 2001 and the best thing on the Metros in 2002. He's got more creativity in his big toe, than most MLS'ers have in their whole bodies. And while he isn't a tremendous hustler, he played a lot more defense than Valderrama, Etcheverry or Cienfuegos. I see it as an incredible coaching failure that no one in MLS has been able to succeed with him.
I would rather see our SI slot be used to get an experienced center back than to take a chance the SN can get more out of AW than othe teams have been able to. We have a pretty good offensive team on paper. There is a lot of flexibility with the current personnel and if Serna stays that creates even more options. I am much more concerned about the back line now that Llamosa is gone.
Seems to me that since he's a 24 (?) year old professional athlete who's had a crack at several MLS teams and coaches, maybe the failure lies somewhere else.
that makes two of us. Ive always seemed to notice how AW hasnt really been put on the right team in the right situation. I specifically remember one game last season where he controlled the game for us [revs]. however noone could finish! more importantly he has never really been given a chance to play his game, a #10 game. that is where he is at his best. most clubs already have a #10. thats why he hasnt really had a permanent home.
Glad to know I'm not the only AW supporter out there. Why would we dump poor Braeden Cloutier to pick up Ross Paule? Since SN probably knew Llamosa was at least a big question mark, wouldn't we have drafted Shalvar Thomas rather than Noonan if we were going to need another center back? I have to think SN has thought this over and considers Shalrie Joseph ready for prime time, i.e. first off the bench for Pierce/Kante. If we really have the cap space, and SI slot to take anyone, I would vote for an absolutely dominating left back and let JF duke it out with WG and BK for the left wing spot or a left-footed Ralston to play that spot. For all that, why not let AW try out for that position?
Jay Heaps is at least 26, and Nicol is at least his 4th MLS coach. Some players just need to get into the right situation. If we didn't have Nowak I'd want him back. I'd also look at Paule, but isn't his game pretty similar to Hernandez's game? He might prove to be more versatile, but I don't know if he'd break our lineup.