hey, wanted to know what you DC fans think is the situation at forward with curtis seemingly playing really well, and quaranta getting back to 100% health...
i think Santino is playing unselfish cerebral soccer this year. I hope he stays healthy and plays within himself.
For now, I'd just as soon see Stoitchkov start with Curtis again, but sub him out sooner. Santino has been out a long time. Give him some time even later, say around minute 75. Meanwhile tell Ali to run, run, run.
I say start Ali. He was unlucky to have his goal called back on Saturday but he did have that nice back-heel to etch which set up esky's goal. He's been working hard, taking on defenders and shooting when he has the oppotunity. If anything, he's got to be motivated to play his best and score since he knows he may be back on the bench once Quaranta fully recovers and Stewart and Convey return. Ali's not the best but he's shown more than some of the other DCU players.
Agreed. The Curtis-Stoichkov pairing was very good this past week. It's the first time in quite a while that the forwards decided to work together. To me, Tino seems to be the one to replace Hristo....but I don't want to keep Alecko on the bench, either.
Well, that's a good question. Hudson thinks the world of Quaranta. And, with a goal and 2 nice assists, he's been better than most of the other frontline talent (at least in terms of impact). But my take is that the Stoichkov-Curtis pairing worked very well against Columbus. No, I'm not in the tank for either of those guys. But what each of them brings to the table seems to compliment each other (and fill team needs) rather well. And, b/c Curtis is expected to run, run, run and Stoichkov can last 65 minutes if the wind is blowing in the direction he's going both need to be subbed. So those subs are probably Eskandarian and Quaranta. I ultimately think that Eskandarian and Quaranta are the best starting pair. But I'm not the coach. Oh...and there are a bunch of foreign players (potentially Jamie Cureton of Reading) coming in for trials. So who knows?
First, I'll predict that we don't sign any new forward. Second, I agree that ultimately Esky and Q1 will be the normal starting pair up front. However Hudson will probably still start Ali and Hristo next week. One must keep in mind that Alecko's two goals came when C-bus was pushing most everyone forward to try to tie, a very different situation Curtis faced. The Q1/Hristo decision is less clear cut and will tip sooner in Tino's favor (over the next several games). When he gets back, Earnie will play in the midfield. Where, I haven't the foggiest (though I have my opinions).
I say, start Hristo and Ali. Santino may have been well enough to come into the game late, but I doubt he's 100% or capable of going for a long period of time. At half, take Hristo out and play Santino with Ali. Around 75 minutes, put Alecko in for Ali (or earlier if Ali appears to be having a rough game.) Either way, Ali deserves to start because he's been doing what he needs to and has been asked to do. I think when Hristo starts the game, he doesn't have the added pressure of being asked to change the flow of the game. He seemed a little more subdued with the start and he doesn't have to play against tired defenders who are more likely to spark a fire under the Mad Bulgarian. In the end, Santino and Alecko will probably get the start, but right now, let them come in to face tired defenders.