SPECTOR ARTICLE-SouthLondonPress-9/9/05

Fifteen words and most of a sentence before using "massive" or "brilliant." Could be a record.

 

A young man with a very firm grasp of reality. Maybe we here should listen to him when he states that getting into the charlton side is step one, playing there throughout the season is step two and then, only then, does he hope that BA might take a look at him for the cup. Maybe this sort of logical progression, sensible outlook, can serve as an example to us all.


Nah. Start him now, Bruce.

 

Start him now Bruce? Are you nuts?
Sure he was full of promise a couple months ago, but that's ancient history. Sure maybe he wasn't starting because he was injured, but he's healthy now and if he still can't get on as a starter, we may have to face facts that he isn't going to be the defender we all expected. It's too bad as he looked like the real deal, but apparently now is washed up.


Ok, on the serious side. One of the things I've always liked about Spector was his confidence and composure with the ball at his feet. He's looked like a good defender but there are tons of defenders out there with the physical tools. What sets Spector apart was his mental game - particularly for a young player.
It's nice to see that carry over into an interview where he lays out a logical progression for his career.

For what it's worth (not much), I do think he's got a chance to be on the World Cup roster in Germany.

 

Jon is a great talent no doubt.

Unfortunately, his POOR performance in the 2nd round of the under-20 tourny should give BA some pause before adding him to the final '06 WC squad.
I'm certain BA would want a more experienced fullback on the bench in Germany, not someone who could fold like Jonathan did in Holland.
Granted, he is smart, skilled,quick and will get some first team time with Charlton, but the stakes are going to be too high to put him on the field next summer.
He WILL be our 1st team LB in 2010, 2014 and probably 2018! Jonathan will be Great!

 

I am getting so sick of this bashing of USMNT possibles. Did the KID have a good game v. Italy? No. Did he have a bad game? Absolutely. So let's talk about the cause for his poor performance......He was injured in the first game for the US team and was playing his first game back from that injury. So while he had a bad performance, one shouldn't judge him based solely on the performance. Period. Plus he was playing CB, not right or left back like he would with the USMNT. Plus it is not like Vanney tore it up v. Guatemala or Hejduk has been fantastic with the USMNT backing up Dolo. Everyone has their positives and negative performances.

 

Actually, he was injured and should not have played in the game, you are right. But the manager wanted to play him... obviously felt that Spector at 50% was better than any other altenative. Don't get me wrong though... I think the coach was nuts for doing that.

 

Hopefully we start to learn that lesson. Poor Nate Sturgis had to sit for a 75% Spector despite having a very good tournament. I'm sorry but we have the depth not to play injured players.

 

Anyone who thinks a curly haired mullet looks good cannot possibly have a firm grasp on reality

 

Jonathan could have shown his grasp on reality by telling Sigi - Hey I'm clearly not up to par - let Nate play instead. Jonathan DIDNT do that and it showed his lack of maturity & experience. God forbid he pulls that off in Germany next summer.

 

Sturgis sat while Dalby played. Ugghh.

 

What people fail to mention is that Spector has a mullet. And it's very, very important to have someone with a mullet on any soccer team. The lack of a mullet has been holding my Metros back for years.

Of course, Gooch has that hideous cornrow/mullet thing going. That might count. Either way, you have to admire someone with the guts to combine the two worst hairstyle of all time. That takes some balls.

 

And I suppose if you met him face-to-face, you would inform him of your low opinion of his hairstyle?

http://photobucket.com/albums/b74/sachsen/US vs Mexico 9-3-05/?action=view&current=Gooch.jpg

 

And if Pedro Martinez had told Grady Little he needed to come off the field, the Red Sox would've won the ALCS a year sooner and probably taken the Series. Was Martinez too young and inexperienced?

Bottom line is that no competitor is going to say he's not up to play. That's the coach's responsibility. That's why European soccer writers and broadcasters speak of players "failing a fitness test" before a game.

 

Back when I was a journalist I asked Ron Artest if he knew he was the dirtiest player in college basketball. No offense to Gooch, but I'm pretty sure I'd find the sack to ask about his (ridiculous) hairstyle if the situation warranted.

ps - Just because someone is large, black and wearing a do-rag doesn't make him intimidating. Particularly when he's hugging a pudgy little cracker like the one in the picture you linked.

 

What's the worst that could happen? He's going to fly off the handle and punch you for asking, at which point you can turn around and sue him for a cool mil.

 

That "pudgy little cracker" is my son.

Asswipe.

 

This is Post of the Year material. Or at least, post of the last few hours.

 

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