Serna next year?

RevsRule, I disagree.

I think a tandem of Serrna and Twellman is exactly what we need. I've heard the same rumors about his ego and attitude, but, he hustled his a** off the few games that he played. I think that's what Stevie Nicks wants out of his players. Although Wolde hustled too, but, he is not the goal poaching finisher that Serna is. I think APC lacked the desire/motivation to defensively track back. I think both Serna and Twellman have this quality and they would be a formidable pair.

I agree that Taylor is more valuable to the team, but, we need an effective strike partner for him.

 

I've heard some tidbits that suggest that:

a. Serna will be back
b. Serna's been doing quite well in training
c. Serna's mercurial nature could be a thing
of the past come the 2003 season

The Magpie

 

This is on the mark - contrary to reports, the Revs love Serna and the thought of the problems he and TnT will create have them thinking bigger in 2003

 

Wow! If Nicol gets Serna's head screwed on straight, he'll become one of the all-time great MLS coaches. Hernandez was also considered a slight headcase, and now he's become a big contributor to this team.

I'm very impressed with Nicol's coaching ability, but his personality has got to be absolutely incredible. First with DH and now (hopefully) with Serna, he is able to get players motivated and working together, not the easiest thing to do.

Nicol, I salute you!

 

I hope you are right. what points to c.?

 

Maybe Stevie Nicks is to MLS what Phil Jackson is to the NBA. The Zen coach of the new millenium who is able to bring tranquil harmony from chaos and entropy. Everyone say

"Ohmmmmmmmmmm.........."

Feel the karma. Be the REV's......

 

Au contraire, i think Twellman and Serna share the attitude problems. Has anyone else noticed how frustrated TnT gets if they dont give him the ball? Thats a great team player. After the Revs started winning in those last 6 weeks of the season, Has he really scored consistantly like he did during the rest of the season? I think not. I think TnT is starting to get one of those "Im and invinceble forward" attitudes. Im not saying hes a bad player, but i want the Taylor that started the season, not the Taylor that ended the season.

As for Serna, I dont know what the deal is with him, but if he and Taylor get along, then we will be unstopable. Now all we need is a #10......

 

Hernandez is far from being classic "headcase." For one, he's very engaging and doesn't run from anything. Two, he says whatever's on his mind, and that's a quality that I've found to be indigenous with the ultra-competitive in professional sports [In that same vein, I wouldn't want him on my bad side - that's for damn sure].
Headcase? Nah...
Firebrand? Yeah...
Tom Hill, Emlyn John Lewis, Tim Bresnahan, Tony Biscaia, Mike Marshall, et al: Your thoughts please.

 

Re: Re: Serna next year?

A very, very interesting observation - this isn't the first time I've heard this, too. One noted Revs observer said virtually the same thing to me about three weeks back.

 

Re: Re: Serna next year?

He certainly seemed to take that attitude when Griffiths came aboard. At the time the Revs were desperate for a left mid, and they threw Griffiths right into the fire. Every time he hit a ball that didn't go to Twellman, TT had a hissy-fit yelling and waving his arms. Regardless of whether it was a good play or bad (there were both), I thought it was a pretty classless display.

Still, many (most?) great goal-scorers are selfish, greedy s.o.b.'s - the singlemindedness is one of the things that makes them successful (i.e., the time Twellman pushed Heaps out of the way to get to a header - as long as you "finish", no problem).

 

I tend to agree with Magpie as far as Serna is concerned. All I'll add to this point is that I think Diego Serna has issues that can be addressed, and that I think the organization would be best served if they made an effort to address those issues this winter, and that I do think they'll make that effort.

Hernandez doesn't strike me as a headcase at all. I think Danizinho is right in that he's ultra-competitive, and that he lacks that filter in his head that most of us have that prevents us from saying pretty much whatever pops in there.

However, from my limited dealings with him, he's a nice guy. I think the trade caught him completely by surprise, and that he might have been a little p*ssed off about it for awhile, but I think he'll be back next year, and I think he'll be happy to be back.

As for Twellman, let's not forget that he scored eight goals in those last six weeks that led us into the playoffs. And I WANT him to be frustrated when he doesn't get the ball. Great players want to make great plays in big games. Michael Jordan ALWAYS wanted the ball in big games. That's why he was Michael Jordan. It doesn't surprise me that his scoring slowed down in the playoffs. Considering he's our only consistant offensive threat, I'm surprised his goal-scoring pace didn't slow down sooner than it did. And why should any of us be surprised that opposing defenses tightened in the postseason?

 

Agreed. There can be a fine line between demanding the best of your teammates and whining like a spoiled brat. Without knowing the specifics of what TnT is saying, etc. it's hard to know which direction he is going. But from everything else that is known about his personality I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and think he's just driven and being demanding.

KF

 

I wonder how much Diallo's going to Saudi Arabia (versus Europe) as well as the general lack of transfers into Europe has helped Serna's head. That combined with our run to the finals.

 

I hope Serna comes back! When you think about what the Revs lacked on Sunday, a player of Serna's capabilities comes to mind. Serna, when his body and mind is healthy, is one of MLS' top 10 strikers. Why scour the planet looking for a partner for Taylor when you already have him. SN just needs to keep Serna's head in check which I know is easier said than done. I also hope we can grab a MLS veteran forward to come off the bench and a young kid with more potential and speed than Fuller.

Roger

 

Serna is really good, and I can't help but smile when I think about he and Twellman up top. This is assuming, of course, that Nicol can get him into proper form. I trust him. Is there anything that Stevie can't do?

As for Twellman, I noticed what others have said. He's been a bit more whiny about not getting the ball every time. Granted, he showed that he's our guy, but displays like some of what we've seen shouldn't happen.

 

I'm all for giving Serna a shot beside T next year--what a combo that could be--but man, what's this "What has Taylor done for us lately" tone I hear in this thread? We would never have made the final without him--never.

The big question, to my mind, is who goes if Serna stays? I don't see Harris or APC in Revs-white-and-blue next year.

 

Regarding Hernandez, I've found him to be refreshingly honest. That kind of candor can get you in trouble with your teammates (and it did in N.J., right?), but I never heard him say anything inflammatory about any member of the Revs. And all in all, he seems like a good guy.

As for Twellman, the first thing I noticed about him in practice in April was how intense he was to get the ball, and how angry he'd be if he missed it. I asked a few people if that kind of "greed" might look bad coming from a rookie, but they essentially said that's the mentality a striker needs to have.

I honestly think Twellman means it when he downplays his stats and his personal accomplishments -- but he sure as hell wants that ball so a) he can score and b) the team can win.

 

Hmmm...

Am I the only one who is still worried about Serna next year? I mean, I get the appeal. In terms of ability, he's scary - big, fast, tough, opportunistic, with good touches and a deadly shot. A focussed, selfless, happy Serna teamed up with Twellman would be any Rev fan's dream forward.

If anything, I'm concerned that the dream might blind the Rev staff and tifosi to the damage he could inflict if the current good feeling doesn't last.

Still, hearing Magpie, Dan, and Mike's positive outlook almost makes me dare to hope.

With Serna and Hernandez on the bus, the remaining puzzles are left wing, center mid and (IMO) left back.

 

Re: Hmmm...

I have a feeling most of these guys are getting the partyline when it comes to Serna, or being white-washed by someone more closely aligned with Serna than the front office. If its either of those two, I can understand, but don't believe it.
The dude has been missing since his knee injury, and his head wasn't even in New England the few games he played here.
From the locker room, though, there is no real potential there for a team player, and he is as good as gone.

 

Re: Re: Re: Serna next year?

Anyone would go nuts playing with Griffiths. He plays 1-1 with his head down and managed to play half a season without completing a single pass. Of course, in 15 games he attempted 2 passes. He is , sadly, completely useless as a pro player. He is Sunsing revisited.

 

Re: Re: Serna next year?

just shutup....do you think that maybe teams started making him maybe a little bit tighter?

 

If Serna and/or Twellman weren't ambitious then I'd really be worried. We had a player like that in Joe Max Moore and he gave us three years of wonderful play before he went to make his pile at Everton. Sadly, he got hurt and the gravy train is winding down but who can blame him? And, to the point, he gave 100% when he was here. Both TnT and Serna can do the same. Of course, I would love my favorite players to stay and some will but EVERYWHERE, including Barca, Real, ManU and others, players move to get a better deal, fit, coach, mansion, whatever. It is the nature of the business.

That said, based on just a couple of games together, Serna/Twellman is mouthwatering in terms of potential.

Who has to "like" either of them as long as they play effectively and don't screw up their teammates.

JIM DOW

 

What a pity you can't get Serna and Chacon performing together like they did for the beautiful Fusion. What a site that was to behold.