Re: Jemal Johnson joins MK Dons Wolff and Eddie Johnson had call-ups before without deserving it. Why not Jemal Johnson? We need fresh blood
Re: Jemal Johnson joins MK Dons The Beasley comparison is decent, but not without flaw. Jemal has one glaring strength that Beasley lacks - the ability to absolutely paste the ball from distance (30 yards). I've never seen Beasley do that. As m vann accurately points out, Jemal can crack it from deep with accuracy. That is a rare skill in our pool. I disagree with one element of m vann's post: I think Beasley is the better crosser. DaMarcus' crossing is actually fairly underrated. Jemal serves a nice dead ball which is how he's earned about 3-4 of his assists this season, but I'd give the slight edge in crossing to Beasley. Beasley is also a better defender and will give more of an effort on the defensive end than Jemal. That said, aside from the elements I've pointed out, stylistically they are somewhat similar. Both rely heavily on speed and play at a fast pace. Jemal doesn't have a bunch of tricks up his sleeve on the ball, but he simply knows how to get past defenders with his pace, and from what I've seen, he seems to maintain close control on the ball. Don't get any illusions that we're suggesting Jemal is in any way a better player. Beasley deserves to be where's at, but I think Jemal Johnson has the ability to be an asset in our pool.
Re: Jemal Johnson joins MK Dons JJ and JPP upfront for the gold up would be crazy. Both have a lot of pace and know where the net is. I can dream.
Re: Jemal Johnson joins MK Dons When you dream, do you really dream about English third division players?
Re: Jemal Johnson joins MK Dons Isn't the gold cup around the same time was WC qualifying? Why shouldn't guys like JJ get a shot. He deserves it. I hope Bob is watching him.
Re: Jemal Johnson joins MK Dons There are two world cup qualifiers in early June. Then the Conferderations Cup will commence. The Gold Cup is in July, then World Cup qualifiers will pick up in early August. I would imagine that BB will let the first teamers rest or go back with their clubs instead of playing them in the Gold Cup. That will open up spots for fringe players to get called in, and I'm sure Jemal would have a shot. However, Bob knows that having a legion of fully fit, in-season players in tune with his system will be a must for Azteca, as the core members of the team will be in pre/early season. Ergo, I think the Gold-Cup is probably going to be very MLS-heavy, and light on the lower divsion euro prospects.
Re: Jemal Johnson joins MK Dons The next "Gold Cup" is technically a nothing tournament, right? That is, Confederations Cup qualifying isn't at stake?
Re: Jemal Johnson joins MK Dons I think it is. Thats why I'm saying why not give some of these lower league guys and mls players a shot. Give them a few caps and give the regulars some rest/time off.
Re: Jemal Johnson joins MK Dons Why would you play Johnson up front? He's been playing on the wing with MK Dons for the last year+.
Re: Jemal Johnson joins MK Dons I would love to this kid play on the right of midfield, or more second half withdraw striker. His finishing sucks, but his dribbling is amazing and his long-range shots. Hopefully, Bradley gives Jemal a chance in the Gold Cup.
Re: Jemal Johnson joins MK Dons Just got back from England and seeing the MK Dons Saturday! Didn't know about this kid until than and was going to start a thread. Just a few pointers about him at least from the game: the crowd seemed to like him and called him JJ which is a good sign because it says he's performing up to the standards of the fans. Secondly he played on the left wing and was able to whip in a couple crosses so although he took the corner with his right he's able to use both feet decently. I didn't see any shots as he only played 8 minutes but he did get a few dribbles in and he had some pace (not the speed some on here claim he has like lightening) and was able to hold off defenders. He constantly moved around the flank and toward the middle and was always calling for the ball so he was confident. He lost it once that I can remember but wasn't given much in the way of passes. All in all he looked decent but at 23 and in League 1 unless he really develops I can't see him getting near the national team from the first look. Albeit MK look like they're heading up this season to the Championship and I'll have my Uncle send me some reports when he sees the matches (I stayed with him hence the reason he took me to a game).
Re: Jemal Johnson joins MK Dons I watch some highlights where Jemal scores wonder goals that no one else in our pool seems capable of.
Re: Jemal Johnson joins MK Dons olephill2 was refering to JJ's ability to score and take chances from distance. All of the guys you mentioned have scored from distance but probably not at the clip JJ has. It's not necessarily a strength of those guys, side from maybe Dempsey, and it is one of JJ's best assets. I wouldn't mind having a player in our pool with those attributes. JJ has had a very good season and might be worthy if a call-up this summer. We'll see how things pan out over the rest of the season for him. JJ, in all likelihood, will be a Championship player whether MK Dons are promoted or not.
Re: Jemal Johnson joins MK Dons m vann captured my thoughts. I was referring not to JJ's ability to score goals, but his ability to unleash absolute rifles from distance. Save for Donovan's third goal against Ecuador in 2007 and Robbie Rogers' awesome shot from deep against NYRB last season in MLS, I've not seen anyone in our pool tattoo the ball from distance the way Jemal Johnson has shown the capability to do repeatedly. That alone makes him unique in our pool and in my opinion worthy of a call-up, even if he is a League One player.
Re: Jemal Johnson joins MK Dons That's a Bradley strength. He may be doing well, but let's consider -- in the current national team, Freddy Adu's barely there. This is some serious competition.
Re: Jemal Johnson joins MK Dons But JJ has something Freddy doesn't. Regular PT[/rim shot] Sorry, I couldn't help it. I'm a smart@ss. Back to lurking...
Re: Jemal Johnson joins MK Dons that's b/c they are too scared to possibly waste chances... i would love a field player who'd rip a shot from distance... if anything it could lead to a rebound shot.... Clark likes to take long shots, not always accurate, but he'll rip it if given the chance.. Bradley will take a rip from time to time...