Not sure what this makes me think but.... Last two games without Toni in lineup (knee) - 0 goals Previous four games with Toni - 7 goals Maybe it is a product of a renewed defensive toughness, as they have only given up one goal in those last two and had allowed 12 in those previous 4. Maybe it is a combination of both.
And maybe there's legitimate chemistry between Toni, Ali and EJ. Although 'chemistry' is not easily quantifiable, in some cases, it just can't be denied. The compliment is theirs.
Well seeing Toni, EJ, and Ali playing up front is more exciting that watching Kries and Rhine. Add ROB and Davis in the midfield and you might have a fun team to watch.
I'm beginning to lean in the direction of keeping Toni, as long as he doesn't cost an outrageous amount. He may not be the best forward in the league, but at least it would be one less hole to be plugged in the off season. We could scratch forwards off our emergency needs list and get busy on the most glaring weakness of the team, central midfield, particularly defensive central midfield.
Toni is a Senior International due to the amount og money he makes. I do not have exact numbers but I believe the number above which you have to be SI and can't be Transitional Int is $180,000 or $200,000. I am not saying all SI's make that amount, only that if you make that amount you have to be an SI, and can't be a TI. So really all discussions of Toni being a bargin or a good price are probably off base. Toni is expensive.
I thought the cutoff between Transitional and Senior international was 75K. If Toni was ~100K, we should keep him. If he is closer to 200K, we may not be able to afford him.
If he makes 100K or even near it, he aint worth it. No way no how. I thought he was in the under 100k class for sure. If he's not, CUT HIM NOW.
why no? Hell if he scores he can have Curtis' spot. No offense to Ali becuase I think he's a great player, but we need the ball in the net people.
I was completely baffled when I heard they were bringing him in at such a high salary. And after seeing how bad his bulbous belly was laboring down the field... But, with the Kreis injury and the resulting chemistry that came about with Ali and EJ; I was enthusiastic. Surely MLS could swing a renegotiation with a feasible contract... But no, I no longer have faith that HSG, nor MLS - in trying to keep ANYthing intact. But hey, maybe we can dump ALL the higher paid players and go with youth and relative unknowns. After all, the misery that is Dragon deserves no more?..
Ball in the net.......Isn't that the bottom line?? Sure ain't seen much of that this here year, have we??
Keep in mind that it took Toni some time to get in shape, start to gel with his teammates, and finally benefit from the athletic combination of himself/Curtis/EJ. Another tribute to the most miserable season in Burn history when he got hurt.