http://www.dcunited.com/index.cfm?section=main&cont_id=178789 Excellent report, excellent news. Thanks, Diceson!
Very interesting discussion about Bobby's strengths and weaknesses and where we'll see him play, at least for now.
Interesting comments from Ray: What is your thinking with Bobby Convey? Will he play outside or centrally? "I still have questions whether he can be a dominating central midfield player. Yes, he can be a very good, flighty, energetic interior midfielder, but he's not as demanding or responsible enough with the ball at this point. That's part of the Catch-22 with MLS. It's like nature or nurture. It's in your nature, or you're going to nurture that out of a player. That's a question I wrestle with sometimes." "I like Bobby inside, I like him outside. If you had a gun to my head and said, 'Where's the best place right now in this team?' It's probably inside. That's why I made the move Saturday." "As an outside flank player, Bobby is not disciplined enough for 90 minutes, and that was my big contention with him on Saturday. Inside he's got a little more cover defensively. He's aware of it." "For the time being he's going to get the opportunity to run this team from the inside of midfield. Believe me, in my opinion that's the most important part of a team with Marco Etcheverry playing in it. You have be ultra responsible and ultra demanding of the ball behind Marco. You've got to have that responsibility and energy and that demanding of the ball to be that whole 'get it, give it' type of player behind Marco. You can't just take off and play 'McDonald's Soccer' - like in the park with a kid running with the ball. That's pretty to watch. And then the team goes the other way, and you're caught with your knickers down, and people are saying, 'It's because you're playing with 3 at the back', it's not. It's because people in the midfield aren't responsible." "Once Bobby Convey gets that into his game he'll be a world-class player, and that's what I've been telling him. People are watching from all over the world. But when Newcastle United, or Manchester United, or Real Madrid come and watch a player, and he's cutting corners in a defensive situation, they will look at him and say, 'No thank you'. So, that's the part we want to get into Bobby's game. He's going to have the responsibility for the next few games of being a very important part of the central midfield position. And he will have to produce."
Thanks Diceson. I still can't read anything said by Ray without reading with an english accent. Great article.
I'm think there is a "NOT" missing in the following sentence (makes no sense otherwise): "For the time being he's [not?] going to get the opportunity to run this team from the inside of midfield." Tim
No, read the last bit. I think he is with Marco being right behind the forwards and Bobby behind him. Sounds like 3-5-2 with ?? on the left wing. Nick Petke Nelsen Prideaux Dema Ben Bobby ?? Marco Earnie Tino
In the 2nd half of the Colorado game, Dema played on the left wing, so maybe move him to left wing and put in our Hairy Chested Peruvian Chino. Of course, this is until Ivanov is healthy, then plug him in the backline and move Nellie to D-mid.
Well, I take it back then...chalk it up to Hudson Rambling. About Hudson, gotta love a guy who loves his dog... Tim
Guys, The quotes are transcribed from our conversation with Ray Hudson on the Soccer Show from this past Monday.. It was classic Ray Hudson with some rather unprintable gems he threw out there.. I implore everyone to listen to the archived broadcast at www.wust1120.com.. Click on the Week 2 link
I think we need to be more than a little concerned about Convey. Ray's comments about Bobito are what I basically said about Convey's game against El Salvador with the U-20s. He didn't DEMAND the ball in that game, and he didn't work to get the corners and free kicks necessary to win with 10 v 11 (or 12). I'm hoping that Bobby acts the way he talked earlier in the season when he said that he wants to be "The Man". It is very exciting when Convey decides to play all-out. I hope to see more and more of his contributions in the games to come. I can hear the "he's only 19-20 years old" comments, but they don't wash, IMO, in the context of a 3 year professional footballer. C'mon, Bobby! GM
Hilarious....yet....disturbing....Much like most things Ray says.... Great show as usual. You guys really do a great job keeping us up to date, especially those of us away from DC. Thanks !
Good points. I generally agree with the assessment Hudson has made that Convey needs to demand the ball more, and improve his defending. But, the bottom line is that if he's given a chance, he'll facilitate goals for United, and that's what we need. He was great against Dallas at the end of last season. I hope we see that again. -Digital
Mr.Diceson really does a great job bringing Rays passion and insight into all of our little viewpoints...remember people,Hudson lives,works and sweats with these players,not just for the time we get to glimpse and cheer at them.There are so many examples of clubs around the world that their fans see different roles for certain players...It happens when you`re good...but my question is,if Bobby is so effective at this central mid position,why has he always been an outside player for his club and the national team...and who has played him MORE in the interior than Hudson in Bobbys protime?