Re: Just let charlie know Hopefully Nowak will keep him on the bench, and save you (as well as just about evey other US fan watching the game) the trouble.
For those of you keeping tabs on Charlie from Sweden, you'll be happy to know that he redeemed himself quite nicely in the US's 1-0 win over Honduras tonight. Charlie came on in the second half and the US attack immediately perked up. He played with speed and determination, drawing two penalties (the first of which he took himself - and missed badly, sigh). Davies was really a handful for the Honduran defense tonight, who had no choice but to pull him down as he made strong turns with the ball.
Davies was absolutely shocking tonight. He missed a penalty and he's just bad. This tournament confirms he will never be playing for the national team.
The first PK was fully earned, the second, not so much. The contact that "earned" it happened not only after he had pushed the ball well forward of himself, but as he was either falling or diving forward.
The GK had the ball in his hands with the first PK, too. That was an idiotic play by the defender, I guess the CR had to call the PK because the fool had both arms wrapped around Charlie and tugged him to the ground, but if that defender didn't exist the keeper would simply have picked up the ball before Charlie ever got there. For an ex-wrestler, man he falls down easily.
I think he picked it up as Barrett was bearing down, but pulled up because the keeper had it. Maybe he was practicing to be a WWE wrestler
Re: Just let charlie know Compared to someone named Barret Davies was class last night but that isnt saying much. He's got good speed and adequate touch on the ball, and combining that with his ddecent dribbling skills he's not too far from becoming a good striker/winger. He just needs to be smart about his diving, and tonight he kept it into a minimal and earned the team two pks. Sure he missed the pk so did trezeguet in the wc finals in 06, missed pks doesnt qualify anyone as a bad player. I would to see a combination of him and Altidore on top next match, that should keep any backline busy for the next match. The potential is there he needs to learn to play smarter.
Re: Just let charlie know Thx for the updates. Good and bad news... I wonder how many years we will say that...
Compared to the other forwards he was great. He came in and pressured Honduras with his speed and created 2 great chances.
I thought he was much better last night than he was against Cuba. The missed PK was as much a matter of him having just gotten on. Somebody in another thread argued that it was a poor decision by Nowak to have him take the PK. Incidentally, I'd be surprised if Nowak made the choice--I assume at that level that decision gets left to the players on the pitch.
I'll be shocked to learn that a coach at this level does not decide who takes the PK (assuming that the designated PK takers did not take a pass for whatever reasons).
or it shows what I know. I have never coached at this level. However, I don't think LD (for example) takes all the PKs for our national team because all his teammates think he can take a better Pk than they can.
yea... Gilberto was Arsenal's pk taker last year when Henry was out... a lot of times tho, the captain decides...
and in Arsenal's case, IIRC, the person who earns the PK does not take it (the reason being that said person may be too excited).
Davies looks good....he is still in preseason form but he was finally used as a striker and played well. Hopefully he starts uptop with Altidore next game.
I forgot to add, he also missed all of his penalty attempts its funny tho, he still ended up with 10+ goals last year, even tho he was crap