- OTTAWA CITIZEN http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/sports/story.html?id=ec471d29-90e4-4fd0-89e7-23f806eb2bc4 - TSN http://www.tsn.ca/soccer/news_story/?ID=229361&hubname=soccer
Some good points in the articles, but it's too early to be hitting the panic button. Yes, last season could have been better (though one point not brought up, as far as total points at end of season are concerned, this was not the worst season for an expansion team). Keep in mind we got killed by injuries last year as well. At one point, the six top players on the team were injured. This was a major contributor to the goal drought. The core team is better than last season's record suggests, though this point does demonstrate that depth is a major issue to be dealt with. TFC is not looking like playoff material for this year either, but I'd hate to see a habit of sacking managers and coaches in rapid succession get formed. That will only make matters worse. Part of the problem: we're required to have a certain percentage of our team be Canadian, and much of the top Canadian talent is not currently avaialble. Some focus on trying to woo some of them home will be a key part of getting the team into contention. Or milking the rules regarding landed immigrant status...
I completely agree with Polygong. Yes everyone wants to see the team be successful, but a New York scenario of picking up and dropping managers/coaches season after season would be terrible. I figure the first 3 years of this side (club) will be the real building time and growing pains in terms of what will happen for management/players and how the development strategy evolves for the team with MLSE. Completely, different sport, but look at the Jay's when they first started. It takes time and freedom to develop.
In my honest opinion, Jamie Bell is a bit of a tool as are many of these critics I've read. Many of the points he and they alike attempt to make are not even accurate, i.e. attributing Maurice Edu's success to Chris Pozniak, as if Chris was somehow this grrreat player and in losing him TFC is heading down the wrong track. No true disrespect to Chris after having meet him and thinking he was a good guy and all, but gimme a break Jamie Bell! It's the same sh*t over and over; a bunch of critics filled with skepticism and cynicism. And stop comparing TFC to the Leafs because besides ownership, there is no comparison....just go ask the Raps; who evidently he failed to really mention because...well, that just wouldn't be skeptical and cynical coming from someone who is just looking to stir the proverbial pot. Just my 2 cents!
I for one will be very bummed if we finish behind San Jose this season and/or don't represent Canada in the Champion's League. If TFC doesn't do anything to improve the talent before the season starts then I plan to protest by not spending a dime @ BMO field. Everything's so bloody expensive anyways.
Nonetheless, I for one was very disappointed to see Poz go. He wasn't a budding star but he was good young Canadian talent. The fact that he was not protected in the expansion draft and Lombardo was. That makes me believe that Mo's critics may have a point. True enough. MLSE at least admits they know nothing about footy or basketball, they just have to learn to admit the same about hockey.
Lombardo wasn't protected in the draft. So there is nothing to be critical of. Unprotected players: Boyens, Andrew Attakora-Gyan, Nana Braz, Adam Canizalez, Maycoll Djekanovic, Srdjan Gala, Gabe Guzman, David Hemming, Tyler Lombardo, Andrea Lumley, Stephen Melo, Joey Nunez, Cristian Pozniak, Chris Reda, Marco Stamatopolus, Kenny http://blog.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2007/11/the_full_expansion_draft_list.html Which leaves the following guys as protected / exempt: Jim Brennan, Jeff Cunningham, Danny Dichio, Todd Dunivant, Maurice Edu, Tyrone Marshall, Ronnie O'Brien, Carl Robinson, Collin Samuel, Greg Sutton, Marvell Wynne. There is nobody on that list that I would have exposed to keep Pozniak. Senior Internationals had to be protected under the rules.
Compared with other teams in MLS, TFC appears to have done very little to improve their chances at making the playoffs this year. Settling on the draft is not a bad way to build, but it would be good for the fans if more was done...example: FC Dallas needed a defender, so they went out and signed one of Mexico's best. What has TFC done?
Well, although the second article is fairly interesting, I don't entirely agree with it. First, I'm not sure the loss of Pozniac will make much of a difference to TFC. Poz was a decent squad player, but nothing more than that. Second, I'm not quite as enthusiastic about the draft picks...yes, the two defenders seem ok on paper, but you don't know what impact they will have on the first 11 as yet. The part I do agree with so far is the lack of signings that are going to strengthen the first team choices. I just think that, although we have a good first 11 that can beat anybody "on their day"...we have too many players who have a history of being injury prone/are past their youthful prime(!) and I'm sure we will need more strength in depth through the season if we are to get anywhere. As soon as we get 1 or 2 fairly decent signings, I will start to get a little more optimistic! If we don't get those signings, I think we will struggle due to lack of squad depth.
I agree with T-boy about feeling optimistic when we get a few more promising signings. Let's face it a new coach and some good draft picks does not a playoff team make. I do believe having MoJo where he is was the best move. I'll have to reserve judgment on Carver after the season is over. Although I would have preferred to see a coach with MLS experience at the helm. I felt that Bob Gansler would have been a great choice, to bad he didn't work out.