PBP: Howard, Donovan: Everton @ Arsenal, 1/9/2010[R]

Donovan must have impressed: they are already selling counterfeit Donovan Everton jerseys on Ebay.

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=donovan+everton+&_cqr=true&_nkwusc=donvan+everton&_rdc=1

 

I'd love to buy one if those weren't the most horrid shirts in the Prem right now...

 

players coming into the Prem (no matter how much they cost) rarely make an immediate impression... and coming off 6 weeks without a serious game, that is even more impressive...

 

The thing you have to remember, and you have to read between the lines a little bit, is that this loan is sort of LD's way of garnering interest and beginning to prove to Euro clubs, who might be skeptical given his track record in Germany, that he's worth the money MLS will ask for him. I don't think this was really intended to be situation where Everton would buy him at the end of the loan, the option isn't there as he's contracted to the Galaxy. But if he continues to play well in this loan, and has a great WC, I think there will be a number of offers over the summer than MLS will have to pay attention to. Everton might be one of those but I suspect the price tag might be a bit high for them. From LD's perspective, the worst that can happen is he goes back to his fat new contract with his home town club that he's said he's happy at. Pretty good situation.

 

Longest gameday thread ever?

 

I think it may be looking too far ahead so I'm hesitant to really put a jinx on things. But the way I see it, if he does do well at the end of the loan I wouldn't be too surprised if Everton made the attempt to have it extended like some other clubs have done with these situations in the past., to the end of the season. If it's legal and an option, it'd be difficult to blame them for trying. Granted, MLS would probably decline this but I wouldn't be surprised if it came up - should the player get better, more fit, contribute more, etc. etc. And even from Donovan's perspective, that could be a good build up to the WC as well should he stay healthy. Maybe that's the key to all of it.

 

wait until Adu's debut with Aris, if he doesn't flop.

 

I doubt it. Everything was set up for Donovan: got a (somewhat) unexpected start, all the other games were cancelled, top opponent, broadcast on tv, and an abundance of internet streams. Even with all the help from our new Greek contingent, I don't think Adu can get anywhere near that type of exposure, therefore unable to create a thread with so much input as this one.

 

With Adu he doesn't even have to play to get 1000 posts, all teeth gnashing and insults. Lovely stuff, great threads to ignore.

 

is next week's game v. Man City on FSC? Jeesh I hope so....those streams today were driving me crazy.

 

Yes hadn't thought of that...I suspect you're right about MLS saying no though.

 

yea it is...12:30 eastern time

 

One of the few pundits on either side of the Atlantic that I listen to. Good to hear.

 

does anyone have a link to video of Donovan's best chance on goal? wasn't able to watch.

 

I watched the game at a local pub, came back here expecting to see all hell breaking loose, but am pleasantly surprised to see that most folks are in general agreement about LD's performance and the discussion has stayed pretty civil (with the exception of a few knuckleheads of course).

And I'm glad to see most folks rating LD's game positively. I admit that my rating is a little less positive, with a few very positive moments (the corner of course), along with some tentative play and difficulty getting on the same page with his teammates (which is very understandable given the circumstances: new team, weather, opponent, etc.). But I'm probably being a little too critical.

I definitely agree with the folks saying he needs to get stuck in more on defense, although I it's a little harsh to fault him for his header that preceeded the first Arsenal goal. I thought he did well to react and move quickly to the ball and get a decent amount of power on it; it would have been nice if he could have hit more towards the outside, but given the angle he came at the ball I think he did OK and was unlucky that it went straight to an Arsenal player.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/e/everton/8450314.stm

Post-game video interview with LD

 

Thanks to usry723 who is teaming up to help keep YA highlights available to everyone!

http://watchsocceronline.blogspot.com/2010/01/donovan-specific-highlights.html

 

soccernet's take

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=722991&sec=england&root=england&cc=5901

 

I would swear this was photoshopped if had not seen it live this morning. Way to get stuck in.

 

Also check out the BBC interview with Moyes. He has some very nice things to say about Donovan (specifically, that he wanted to keep him on longer but Landon was cramping up a bit).

 

The English call that a blizzard?

 

hey we know SA's WC will be in winter.... any chance whatsoever of snow there? (if it ever does?)

 

Sounds like LD cramped up a bit around the 60-65 minute mark (Moyes said he told Donovan he would have kept him on the field longer if not for that). Will be nice to see Landon gain more fitness in the next few weeks and see if his performance improves even more.

 

Moyes discusses Landon a bit more in this interview with Sky.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_5850371,00.html