Novak to NE? Rumors are that the revs are interested in acquiring Pioter Nowak...Chicago is way over the cap and is having a huge fire sale (sorry, couldn't resist). Word on the street is that they could possible get him for a pick. Considering all the games the revs might be playing with US Cup and Concacaf cup, a central mid rotation of Cullen, Hernandez and Nowak would do nicely: some wisdom and experience to go with some youthful legs.
Peter Nowak? I certainly have had nothing but the greatest of respect for this guy since he came into MLS. Of all the Euro players who have trod U.S. pitches since 96 he has put in the most milage with the greatest degree of application, skill and intelligence. He is the consummate professional to go with the experience and wisdom of a soccer solomon. And that latter part is what worries me. I just cannot see him at 38/39 continuing to play at the level he played at when he was 37/38, to say nothing of 35/36, or before. I would have loved this guy under any terms four years ago but not now. The thing I particularly like about the presnt Revs is the bulge that we have of players who are either in or approaching their physical prime. Outside of Llamosa all of our key players are between 22 and 30. For an MLS team that is quite an achievement and it bodes well for the future. If the rosters were bigger and the senior foreign and salary caps larger, I'd say yes in a heartbeat. He could be our Zola or Cannigia for a season. But under the present circumstances, unless SN/et al know better (and they well may) I'd say pass....... JIM DOW
Stats for 2002 GP GS MIN G A PTS SHT SOG FC FS OF CK C E CP 16 16 - 1377 - 3 - 4 - 10- 23- 9 -14- 43 - 5 -45 ---3 -- 0 -- 12 We could do much worse for a year. And he could stay healthy all season as well. He's still a motor and has great desire.
Novak to NE? I'll bet Novack in a Rev Kii would make people stop calling for the return of Andy Williams. As an oldy-but-goody myself (huge smile) I wouldn't worry about his ability for this season and mayb e even next,
I'd like him a lot, if he weren't such a whining cry-baby. But then, that was the Chicago style, wasn't it? Maybe he won't be so infantile in a Revs uniform.
We could do much worse for a year We could also do much better with a much younger player and one that doesn't cost nearly as much. Don't get me wrong, there are many aspects of his game I like, but at this point in his career I think there's a good chance it would be taking a step backwards for the Revs. The Magpie
I like the idea a great deal!! While his age is a concern and a contract shouldn't commit us long term, his near term impact could be huge. Finding that high work rate, highly skilled, attacking midfielder has been a problem for a long time. That is not an easy piece to find. I think about Twellman - Serna with Ralston and Nowak behind them and then Danny Hernandez behind them and I get goose bumps. The biggest concern is Danny being willing to play defensive mid when Nowak is in the lineup and whether SN thinks there are better solutions for us at this position than Nowak. The only other position I am looking for real help at that I would see using this SN slot for instead of attacking mid would be left back. This means goodbye APC...or will we trade Serna?
Aficionados- APC and Serna are most likely history...Novak will probably have to play in MLS for half of what he was making in Chicago. The revs need an older steady hand. All the good young Rev players will benefit from his knowledge...close games are won with experience.
I can agree with you about the need for experience, and in looking at the curent Revolution line-up, Nowak's work-rate would seem to be a good fit. You just have to weight the pros with the cons here. If Nowak is not hampered by injuries and he comes at a cut-rate for the Revs then yes, I think the Revs would be wise to take more than a casual look; it would be nice to have a central player who'd make runs forward. Then again, if at best we'll get one year out of him if that... I'd rather look to other options. Besides, no matter the cap concerns, Peter Wilt should look to keep Nowak in Chicago for the remainder of his career, even if its at a reduced rate. Hell, make him a player/coach. If there's evera player who's a reflection of his franchise Nowak is it and he deserves to end his career there. The Magpie
I recall clearblue posting a rumor last season that most of the folks I usually consider to be "in the know" poo-poo'd. It turned out to be true. If I see Nowak in a Revs uniform this season, clearblue will go to the top of my "Reliable Sources" list. As for Nowak, in form, I think he would make a great addition to the team. I echo concerns about age, fitness, health, etc, but I trust SN and his staff.
He still has the skills and work rate. However, I don't think he could stay healthy for a full season. Take a pass.
Clearblue's had the scoop in more than a couple situations, so I'm inclined to believe him. That said, the Nowak rumor is less interesting to me than the mention of Serna being out. Considering that the company line has Serna on board and happy, this is a big deal, both cap-wise and attack-wise. Who's going to score for us besides Taylor? How's the team going to be improved? Shalrie's a nice step up defensively, but we need more. Our ninth round draft pick isn't going to cut it - we need new, proven talent - talent beyond the respected but aged Nowak. Frankly, going into next season with the same team we had in October makes me more than a little nervous. Remember all those parallels between the 2002 Revs and the 2001 Patriots? Let's hope the 2003 Revs don't take the 2002 Pats lead. A much lauded New England defense could lead to losing a lot of 1-0 nail-biters - haven't we suffered enough?
This team is not that far away from a trophy. Let's not blow it by picking up a guy one injury away from retirement. For the first time in franchise history, we don't have to rebuild the team from scratch going into a new season. We need one, maybe two players. Someone who can score to help Twellman, and possibly a left midfielder.
I absolutely love Peter Nowak on a whole range of scores but I just cannot see him lasting another season. I know, I know there are all sorts of ageless miracle central midfielders who have played on and on and on from Ricardo Bochini in Argentina to Roberto Mancini in Italy, Trevor Brooking in England, even Dunga in Brasil. But Nowak's game is based around boundless energy and ceaseless running mixed with vision, grit and skill. I doubt if the latter three qualities are much impared but I really worry about the first two. I think the return of Andy Williams matched up with Daniel Hernandez and Leo Cullen is a much better alternative at this juncture. But then, what do I know? JIM DOW
Some gotta give I think that unless we got Arthur Anderson accounting the REVs would be above the SI limit... Chacon, Serna, Kante will be 24... Griffiths has a green card?
Owing to the FIRE's cap situation, I'm sure there are a lot of offers for (pick almost any two of the following) Armas, Brown, Nowak, Razov, Whitfield, Wolff. Therefore, any kind of trade rumor has legs to some extent. All of the following have been brought up as a thread somewhere on BS: Wolff to Metros, KC, or DC. Armas to Metros. Nowak to Metros, or NE. Any of these scenarios could happen with or without Stoitchkov who will be out of contract and could go (to DC?) in a separate deal. Will Nowak be traded? Highly unlikely. Are Sarachan & Wilt listening to offers for him? You bet. Could someone make a silly offer for Nowak? Sure.
granted, nowak has energy and grit. but there's no way i'll root for the whiny disposition he brings to the field. i get so sick of watching he, razov, and stoitchkov bring that style onto the pitch. on that front, i'm not really looking forward to having serna around either. personally, i liked the blue collar relatively level-headed play that we saw under nicol last year i don't really think we need the other team taking extra hacks at some of the other talent on this squad as retaliation for the antics that are brought to the table by the likes of p.n.
Williams has talent, no question about it, and yes, that talent would be an upgrade over what we have now at Attacking Mid (especially since we don't really have one). But the thing that bugs me about him is has he ever played a key role on a good team? The Metros were a total mess last season as were the Revs the year before. Nicol likes hard nosed players and I'm not sure Williams fits that description. Nowak, on the other hand, certainly does, but age and cost are the key factors. Guys his age always seem to get hurt a lot. As much as I like him, I think we can do better at this point in time.
I've always wondered about the rap Andy Williams gets re. not being "hard-nosed." I've watched a number of tapes and live matches where he is constantly in the middle, getting whacked around, digging for the ball, generally being completely involved. Certainly, a significant amount of this is because he often has the ball in his possession but I, for one, don't see him as being faint hearted in the slightest. JIM DOW
Regarding Andy Williams Fact - He has more than enough talent to consistently be in one of the top 15 players in the league. Fact - His desire to work to achieve the above accolade isn't there. Why else do you think he's been traded so many times? Guaranteed he doesn't last the season in New York under Bradley. Fact - I guy his age, playing pro soccer should not be perpetually 4-6 pounds overweight. Have you ever seen anybody in Europe overweight in the middle of a season? Tons of talent but severely lacking in willingness to work to get the most out of it. Pitty
I wouldn't mind getting Novak, but I wonder if he would be willing to come here? He fit in well in Chicago, and NE doesn't have the same eastern european flavor on the team or in the community. If they try to deal him, he might just say, "fine, I'll retire". Lee
Giving up any pick after the 1st round is okay with me (they're a crap shoot anyway), and with a reasonable salary, I don't see much risk - and a major upside. Nowak, despite his whining, is a class act who REALLY knows the game. He could be the tutor to turn Hernandez into the offensive mid that he seems to want to be.
Late word on the day that Nowak may indeed be OUT of Chicago today for cap compliance reasons. Supposedly there's a question as to whether or not they can waive Hristo because of contract terms and there aren't any buyers at his current price, meaning they might not be able to get his number off the cap in time for today. No idea where Peter goes if he moves, but this rumor could have something to it afterall... Wonder what the price would be? If something happened it was probably a last minute fire sale (pun somewhat intended) and hopefully not too pricey. He's worth our #9 pick in my opinion.