I was unable to see the game, so I'm just going on reports and what's being said and this is as much a question as a statement. Anyway, it seems like we lack anyone to control the center of the field without Reyna or O'Brien, something that has been noticeable in other games this year, especially against quality teams like Argentina. While I do think Donovan's best position is as a forward, should he be dropped back into the center of midfield for now in order to give us a player who can hold the ball in the center of the field? The only other options I see that could be effective doing this are Convey and Martino, but neither of them has as much experience at top level as Donovan. Any ideas?
Since you didn't see the game, you don't realize that Convey WAS the center mid. After Twellman and Mathis were brought in, Donovan moved back from forward to play there as well. To tell you the truth, Donovan is not a "holding" midfielder. He takes quick touches on the ball and doesn't like to play that far back. He did deliver a beautiful 40 yard crossfield pass right to Mathis that I thought should have been a goal. The thing is, he just won't create the kind of danger at midfield that he creates up front. His assist was so good, Beasley would have had to whiff the shot not to score....
Donovan has avoided taking that responsibility well past any point of genuflection to the "elder" statesmen. He's one of them now, and could take those reigns if he so chose. Kyle Martino seems like our best hope in that role. He's going to have to work very hard, most likely in Europe, for him to be an effective #10 in 2006. That's why I want Martino out there for a good 30 tomorrow, and the full 90 against Cameroon.
Donovan plays the attacking midfielder for San Jose this year. San Jose has a very good team. I think they have no choice for this tournament.
Re: Re: Donovan in midfield? [R] it all really depends on how they play it. if he's in the midfield, but given the freedom to make his runs forward, you'll see plenty of that danger. in fact, i think it's where he's most dangerous pushing through from the midfield because it increases the likelihood of his being unmarked. also, it gives him more opportunity to get involved. his cross to beasley on the goal was stellar, but i thought he disappeared for most of the Turkey game when he was up front. he had many more touches once he came back to the midfield. that should be an objective of ours.
Re: Re: Re: Donovan in midfield? [R] Landon is so much more dangerous when he gets touches near the PK box. He doesn't get many at center mid. He is fouled before he gets there. Landon has an aggressive "go forward" mentality that is hard for him to curb. The desire is there for him to "chase the play" and that often takes him out of the center when he's in the midfield. Landon disappears too much in the central mid position. He doesn't play the Reyna style "center hub of the wheel" positioning. It throws off everyone else's game as well. You end up seeing Chris Armas with the ball and forced to distribute. The results are ugly.... To the guy that said Donovan plays attacking midfield for SJ.....er no. You probably saw him there against Chicago on TV, but I think that was the only time this season he as played in the midfield. Yallop only did it because of massive amounts of injuries. SJ simply didn't have another center mid that day. Now if you're going to play a 3-5-2 with two d-mids, then he might be more effective. I wouldn't bet on it....
Since I first saw Donovan play I thought his natural position was an offensive mid. He can run all game, and I feel this is his mentality he would rather pass for a goal then shoot for a goal. I don't think he is selfish enough at times to be a true striker. That doesn't mean he can't play striker pretty well. I think he does attack in the flow of play, and is dangerous when he does that. The next comming of Platini. My personal view is that were he belongs. Richie
Just as we argue back and forth should he be AM or forward, so does Bruce Arena. In a very recent interview Arena basically said he's not sure where to put him, he's so versatile, he can play both. Therein lies the problem. If they decide once and for all where to put him, then he can realy concentrate on how to play that particular position and excel at it. He's said in interviews that yeah, he'd welcome the challenge to become the "hub of the wheel" position - which means he knows that's not what he's doing right now. I really think it hinders him in developing at either position. All through no fault of his own or Bruce's; it's just that with no one else really stepping up to the plate to take over and with him being the best all-around player, he has to fill in.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Donovan in midfield? [R] i think he's most dangerous when he's in the open field and able to use his speed to make runs. much more opportunity to do this coming out of the midfield, and also much more freedom for him to go left or right or straight up the middle. he also has very good vision to play balls in - witness the long ball to Mathis. also, your giving an answer based on how you frame the question. where is written that the AM has to be a hub-of-the-wheel, hold-the-ball position. call it AM, call it a withdrawn forward, call it whatever you want. he's better being able to run onto the ball or into open space. your point about Armas is well taken, although more of an argument for getting Armas out of there than for hampering Landon.