Rev fan here. I was interested to hear what is going on with Gbandi- is he training again? All healthy?
Gbandi was training toward the end of last season. By the time the Burn held a two week camp leading up the post season game they played in New Orleans he was at about 80%. Straght line speed is coming back, starting to "get stuck in" and make tackles, maybe a little bit behind on the cutting (which is mental). But there are glimpses and flashes or brilliance... moments that make me droll. The potential is still there and hopefully he will be 100% by training camp. I do know that he as been working on strength and fitness drills all winter. http://www.3rddegree.net/
he looked like a man among boys in college. Hope it works out. I was surprised that am ACL took that long. It was more than a full year. What was going on?
He had a set back part-way through. The pins in his knee were coming out on their own and casuing a great deal of pain. He had to have them taken out a bit early which required him to shut down hard rehabbing for about 3 weeks. Or at least that is the second hand un-doctor info I got from the Burn trainers.
what position does he usually play at practice? I heard he likes to play as a marker in the back as well as in the middle.
Where does he like to play? I don't really know. Usually in training he has been out wide in midfeild or defense, on the left for the most part but sometimes on the right too. I do see him trying to take on players on the dribble and run into space. He reads the defense and shape well and usually takes advantage. He fits in well with the Burn system of outside backs and mids attacking forward into space. He looks fast and appears to have the ability to run the length of the field. He has the game to be a central mid in my mind too. It will be interesting to see where he fits. By far his biggest problem last time I saw him was fitness. He has not kicked a ball in anger in a while. The MLS fitness level is extraordinary and he will have to work long and hard to get to that level. I have seen him several times working very hard in rehab trying to get strength and fitness back. He seems to be a very determined young man. In all honestly I am very excited to see him when training starts. This is going to be a very interesting training camp.
Really? I'd figure the biggest broome pimp on these boards would be popping mach-3's for their razor blades by now. Just joshin' If Gbandi has truly recovered from a longer than usual lengthy rehab, I'll be glad to see those flashes he displayed in college & 4 the Jr.Nats. If he has enough brass to get "stuck in" & make those cuts on that pseudo-grass, then we'll all be in 4 a treat. Esp Pauli.
Perhaps I am just pessimistic, but I do not think Gbandi will be ready for opening day. Further, I think it will take a few games of him coming off the bench to get ready for the MLS before he starts. After a few months, though, I think he will be great. A stiff defense begins to inspire nightmares in opposing strikers. Assume I am right, and it takes some time for Gbandi to get ready. Who starts? Broome proved himself capable last year, but now that we have Thomas, does Jeffries start him? Can he play outside, or does T-Bone move outside? I have no doubt that Morrow can play any position in the back line, but he needs to be in the center, positioning everyone. My guess is Broome will start, with Thomas getting some good minutes at the end of games. Once Gbandi is healthy, Broome will gladly give up that spot, and start to compete with Chivas for the starting left wing.
That is possible, but he will have to beat out Chivas first. His hight and size are definite advantages. I also think Jeffries will put the best players out there. That may mean keeping Chivas on the left and playing Davis as a forward with Vaca in the middle and ROB on the right.
Once Gbandi is starting, Davis is third on the depth chart on the left wing. He better find somewhere else to play.
Are you writing to me, Jeffen? If so, you have misunderstood my post. Of course, Gbandi will probably see 100% of his time at left back. I am merely saying that the depth chart at left wing will be Chivas, Broome, then Davis. With those three on the wing, why would anyone consider moving Gbandi forward?
Bet ya a shiner Broome plays LB & Davis will starting @ LM by all-star weekend. IMO chivas would be great as a quick offensive burst from the bench.
If that's a Shiner Blonde, you're on. I hate bock. Let me get this straight. By All Star week end, you think that David will start at left mid, and Broom will start at left back? Is that once, or a regular line up? Just give me the beer at the first game. No way that will happen. It's Broome who will coem off the bench for the quick burst.
My appologies, but yes I did misunderstand you. However, not that I read you clearly, I will still bet you $1, but this time that Davis is ahead of Broome in the left mid pecking order. Broome is one of my favorite players, but I think Davis is a whole lot better. Somehow, somewhere, I believe Davis will start. He is just too good a player not to. Either way, the Burn are very deep at midfield. Adding Thomas as a back made it even deeper by allowing for either Broome to push up as left mid or Gbandi playing left mid or d-mid. That gives us huge possiblities with Chivas, Pareja, Vaca, ROB, Deering, Stone, Gbandi, and Broome. All of them are legitimate midfield starters, with maybe the exception of Stone (but give him a year or two and he will be legit as well.)
By all star weekend, Gbandi will be the left back and Davis the left mid. The only way that does not happen is if Davis ends up starting at forward or center mid.
Yes, Gbandi will be the left back. Davis will not start ahead of Chivas unless Chivas is hurt or in the dog house or otherwise taking the day off. Davis will not start ahead of Chivas on a regular basis. We all know Chivas lead the team in assists last year. This is not why I say he will start. Simply, you need someone who can go right aorund defenders. Chivas can. Davis can not. Davis will start. This year, I think. Just not where you expect him to. This year he plays to spell other players, or for injuries or suspensions. I think Davis is a solid player. I think he will get better. I find it questionable, to say the least, when people write that he is the second coming. A lot of people seem to think so. I hope they are right, and I am wrong. I fear the years ahead, however, will prove me right.
that's what I meant to say, along w/ my assertion Broome will start until Gbandi gets "stuck in." shiner blonde you say, how about summer stock?
Gbandi may start at left back, but it will take him at least half a season (if not all of it!) to wrest it from the death-grip Broome has on the position right now. I sure hope he turns out better than Broome, because Broome is a fantastic left back. Also the idea of Broome coming on late every game to blister tired opposing players with his speed is very exciting. Frankly, I'm not convinced Gbandi will be able to put Broome on the bench, but I've never seen him play. I also agree that Davis will not be taking Chivas's spot anytime soon. I do expect him to get time at left mid in those games where Chivas is tired or simply ineffective. We will be the only team in the league with enough depth to make lineup decisions based on who is in-form without any drop off in ability. My gut says that Jeffries biggest hope is not that Davis can replace Chivas, but that he can replace Oscar. I don't think Jeffries believes Vaca can take us to the promised land as a-mid. I'm not sure I do either.
Blonde. Not Summer Stock, unless it is accompanied by a Blonde. Shiner Blonde, that is, to stop all the sexual posts before they start. Jam, I think you are right about Gbandi. Even after he is healthy, it will take him some time to get used to the speed of the game. This is one of the reasons I think Lee Morrision will make the team. If the Burn needs defensive help late in the game, Gbandi will not be ready. As for Broome, he has done a great job, if we forgive him the game against San Jose last year, but I think he would be happy to give up his spot in the back to compete with Chivas for his natural position. Two very different kinds of players. Good for the Burn, bad for the opposition. Just as Davis and Vaca are. I can't really see Davis as a schemer, while Jose is a natural. Jose will never score a lot of goals, he will be an assist guy. Davis strikes me as a guy who will drive to the goal, and not make the creative passes Vaca will. Actaully, it might be interesting, if the Burn get a nice two goal lead, to pull Deering, send in Davis, and play Vaca and Davis both. If it works, then that is something the Burn can do if they are losing to jump start the offense.
pardon me...(Gbandi) if this thread has been on here numerous times, but i have not. just wanted to check in on the status of the golden boy and see if he's ready for pre-season. Chris Gbandi...if you didn't catch that.