And Jeff has looked lost at sea when he starts. Sometimes it ain't who starts, it's who finishes. Jeff finished last night, and I bet he ain't giving it back.
And that's all he did. Yeah, allright, he scored. We needed somebody to step up and put the biscuit in the basket, and he did it. Props to him. But had Ritch come on and scored, would you be calling for him to start? Jeff is more effective when he comes in late in games.
And then near the end of injury time, we saw Jeff go 1 v 3 instead of splitting the defenders with a pass to a begging Freddy Garcia. Kudos for being there to knock the ball in with his knee but that's not enough for him to start. Buddle and McBride along with Paule, Maze, Martino and Garcia are actually used to playing as a full team. Also, on the goal replay, you can see McBride being held by one defender (Jolley?) and Martino in the box being held by Williams. That explains why Cunningham was able to waltz in unmolested. Finally, Hejduk's cross from the right was the best cross from that side since, well, since ever.
I have been a pretty big Cunningham supporter here, not necessarily because I think he's the greatest but greatly due to the fact that so many people here just nitpick, using every little mistake by players. I think Cunningham is our most dangerous offensive players although he can be predictable. Having said all that, benching a player after one not-outstanding match is a dangerous precedent to set and will only cause problems down the road. Players don't play well when they expect each mistake to be their ticket out of the line-up. I think Buddle should remain the starter until he proves unworthy. If he's lethargic and ineffective as a starter over the course of three or four matches then make a change. One off match should not force a player to the bench unless there are other reasons (not trying, poor attitude, etc.).
I think T-Bone's cross from that side to the diving McBride against DC United two years ago was a little better.
Spent the weekend in Cinci. Felt like a month. Same old same old with Jeff; essentially the argument is this: "Since the way Jeff is being used results in goals, let's change the way he's being used" This is not what is normally called logic.
Came on in the 62nd and was pretty effective. What more can you ask? He beat a tired defender for the goal. Isn't that the idea? JC tends to walk a lot near the end of games he starts - he was lenty quick on that last goal. If anything Buddle was holding too long when he was in the game. If he score 16 and never starts a game would that be OK?
Absoeffinlutely. Everyone here knows how much that guy frustrates me. I mean, I have literaly thrown things at my television because of his play. But Bill said it best. I'm sure Cunny wants the start, but what's wrong with being a super-d-duper sub? I know his speed scares the shite out of tired defenses.
Cunningham contributed more then just the "goal that one else else could score in the far more amount of time they were permitted on the field" Do not forget the throughball that caught even me by surpise which gave Garcia a perfect route to goal but did not even think to shoot. Let McBride come in with 10 left. Rob
the two things that i noticed most in the game: 1. martino needs to withstand the hacking better...he was working his ass off, but not getting great results. 2. buddle was a no-factor...lost, tired, whatever...he just wasn't there. buddle should still start over cunny, for all the reasons that have already been stated. (one more for good measure: ) 3. timmy howard had some fabulous distributions into the stands.
Cunningham and Buddle should start together; McBride should take a seat. It's as clear as the writing on the wall that says: ZERO IMPACT IN THREE GAMES. Love how your leading scorer comes into the game late, saves your ass with a heroic goal, and this becomes an opportunity for half of you to criticize him all over again.
Based on what? Oh yes. You must be one of those sports fans who are fixated merely on goals, and not on other ways McBride can contribute on the field. If McBride is so bloody ineffective, why the ************ did he get to play for Everton in the past few months? You are almost as bad as Segroves when it comes to McBrideBashing™.
If McBride wasn't a forward, I guess I wouldn't be fixated on the Crew only scoring 2 goals in 3 games. And him not being involved in those two goals, or really many chances, even. Of course if your leading scorer wasn't sitting the bench, coming on to deconstruct opposing defenses, and (two days ago) score a game winning goal only to be ripped by his own team's fans, I might not comment at all. It just amazes me how McBride can do, essentially, nothing at all and be a hero, while Cunningham gets you three points and is the villain. P.S. Everton got their forward depth back, and McBride wasn't going to play anymore, so we got McBride back. Good for us. He'll never match Joe Max Moore's EPL impact. I'd take Cunningham over McBride anyday - have I surpassed Segroves yet?
Yes, and NOBODY has called Cunningham a villain or McBride a hero. JC didn't get three points on his own. Mcbride and someone else were being aggressively held away from HEJDUK's cross. McBride adds more defense and all around play than JC. JC had a good game, perhaps because Buddle wore down the defenders or maybe not -- who cares. Will he get a start? Who knows? Is he terrific coming in thge game in the 60th min. -- YES. We know: Buddle and McBride completely dismantled DAU and looked great together. JC looked great coming in in the 60th + in the LA and Metro game. McBride had a great run at Everton and was one of the stars of WC '02. JC did not make the WC'02 team and was not picked by some German teams he tried out with. Buddle scores goals and is good in the air (LA) and with the ball at his feet (DAU). JC rarely plays a head ball on goal. JC is an excellent dribbler and frequently tries to dribble through a buffalo herd...occasionally with success. JC scored 16 goals last year. the TEAM (yes, the goal is to win the game -- not get JC 32 goals) seems more deadly with JC, and maybe Westie, coming into the game with 20-30mins to play. The defenders look like they have lead boots vs. a fresh JC and West. What did I leave out?
My only comment about Martino... ...it was ABMOD that he was dealing with. I'm surprised he didn't end up injured.