For some reason, I'm struck by the contrast of Landon emphatically swinging his fist during a warm-up friendly after scoring a goal, vs. Bradley yesterday who scored in a real match, but did no celebration at all...just picked ball out of the net, and ran back to the center circle as fast as he could. Even turned down a teammate's congrats. Maybe this loan was more about a mental test for Landon to himself 'am I good enough'? The games early on helped him prove to himself that he was. So therefore, Landon has lost a little edge + desperation to prove himself. He's not as motivated and more satisfied (than 6 weeks ago). Landon judges himself by his own standards, and not always the highest. That might be a big difference between him and Bradley. Landon may possess more talent, but Bradley has more drive. Bet on the drive over talent in the long run.
I think that's the first time I've ever seen 20 seconds of stoppage time in a 0-0 game. Wow...the ref is catching a lot of flack from the fans and deservedly so.
After that bad pass Landon played much better and was getting into the game. Not enough time to make an impact. What a waste Podolski was, really what's the point of putting him in at this point? how can the ref not add any additional time after 6 subs? WTF was up with that, he looked gassed at the end of the game. That was definitely ********ed up that he didn't add any additional time. I've never seen a game with that many subs end at 90 minutes. Ref sucked big time today.
have to agree with you here ..... LD always had the talent - but I just don't see the drive or killer instinct even at this midpoint in his career ... it is a shame but seems like he only is willing to stick the knife in deep to the Tri Colores. I think LD is coming back to LA and that Klinsman will be gone at the end of this season. Probably time to think about somebody else other than LD to wear the captains armband. perhaps a psychologist can look at it but perhaps Bradley's drive comes from the fire in his dad and the son watching and observing from an early age .... I mean we know that Mikey gets these occasional yellow and red cards for brutal tackles ... he strikes me as much more intense and like Beckham than Donovan is.
and Landon did have a sense of urgency with this loan? Where was the fire? The urgency? The 'I got to make this happen'? Bayern may be a mess, but since the REAL games started, Landon just hasn't distinguished himself. Looks to me like he's not cut out for big club pressure. He needs to go to a Fulham, Portsmouth or something like.
He had 10 minutes and had some good touches, WTF do you guys want from him? Podolski was invisible for 45 minutes. I just don't get you guys. He played OK, he had 10 minutes and had one poor touch and played pretty decent after. Againg you guys are being way to critical of today's outing. I just wished he had more time because I think he did have that fire today, just not enough time to show it.
In those Man U youth skills videos, there was a clip of Roy Keane talking with a bunch of Man U youth players, U12's or so. Roy says in his best brogue, " We know all of you have talent as you wouldn't be here if you didn't. But talent isn't enough to make it to the Sr team. It takes desire." The way he annunciated and emphasized the word "desire" was almost chilling.
Well having just watched that, it is a shame they didn't put Landon in the game at all. I mean, as tired as Bremen looked in the final 15 it would have been a chance for him to make a difference. With his speed and a bit of attitude, he could have gotten behind what was becoming a rather ragged line. There was Bmunch, the players all urging each to have a go, and what a chance that would have been for him. Ah well. he didn't get in. AS I SAID, HE DIDN'T GET IN.
Well, considering that Donovan hasn't regularly worn the armband for club or country for at least a year, it seems a bit hard to take your conclusion seriously.
LD is a skilled, neat and tidy player who is going to be one of the fastest on the field. However, the game sometimes requires a little blood and guts and that isn't LD's game.
You have put your finger on the exact problem, but so what?? Landon has been absolutely no worse than anyone else on the team, except possibly Ribery. Are they good enough for Bayern?