The "I Can't MFing Believe Andy Williams Is On Our Roster" Thread MLSnet lists him on our preseason roster. Andy Williams, who maxes out at about 24%. Andy Williams, who has yet to learn the concept of the word "pass". Andy Williams, whose attitude toward professionalism and teamwork is met with a begrudging grunt, at best. Most importantly, Andy Williams, who has tried and failed at (3? 4? 5?) multiple MLS clubs under even more coaches and systems and situations and still no one has gotten the picture yet (least of all Andy) that he can't be a starter in this league, and he's wasted his development years slacking off. Maybe even more importantly, Andy Williams, he who wants too much money. Yeah, I know, it's just preseason, and it's more than likely just a throwaway trial (I suppose he has to train with SOMEONE), but it's still unnerving. Ah, who am I kidding. You know I was gonna complain about this eventually
so are infants. call me crazy, but i have a feeling that this move is simply one of those short-term rebuilding things. kinda like signing richie williams.
Ahhhhh yes. Your logic is sooooo great and your intelligence is so vast, of course I value your opinion. Actually i think i would value the opinion of Liams sperm before yours..
Re: The "I Can't MFing Believe Andy Williams Is On Our Roster" Thread Well, his version of "Moon River" is ok, and.....oh you mean THAT Andy Williams
I told ya Liam, he's a "Rent-A-10". I actually think he's a decent fit for the Fire...at least as good as Paul Daugherty, Billy Walsh, or Sam George was.
Can't say that I am thrilled with the possibility, but I did see this on the Fire web site: "10 goals and 41 assists in 98 career matches with Columbus, Miami, New England and the MetroStars." Those aren't bad numbers for a No. 10 particularly since he was not on the most talented teams. It may be that DMB can make the switch inside, but with call-ups, injuries etc., I don't think it would be a bad move to pick this guy up unless he is some type of clubhouse cancer.
I'm not sure how many years the guy's been in the league ( 5?) but FWIW at least 30 of those assists came with his first season and this past season. In between he's not put up much.
Does anyone have any personal knowledge of Leighton O'Brien? How good is this guy? I am not too hyped up on Andy Williams, though if he would come cheap, why not have him (again, if he weren't a liability in the locker room or in practice) as another option. I'm hoping that O'Brien is better then Williams though and works out. On another note, I kinda hope Woly sticks. He seems to make good things happen. It would be nice to have him around early in the season when Razov is out and who knows where Faria is.
I always thought Long John never got a fair shake in MLS. OK, so he isn't Michael Owen (although his goal in the A-League Championship game was truly world class) but his success with the Rampage showed that when he's allowed to play his game and not forced to play a role he's not suited to, he can be effective.
watched O'Brien for a couple of years when he played for the San Diego Flash in the A-League. (presuming it's the same O'Brien.) he's a nice player, but if he's gonna be your a-mid, you guys are in deep doo-doo. to me he's sort of the hard working central mid type in sort of a billy walsh or whoever similar mode. no way he is an attacking mid type for MLS. of course i could be totally wrong. but for me, andy williams is 10x the player o'brien is, at least in terms of technical skill. williams won't work as hard on defense, no question, but if you're looking for an offensive spark, i'd take williams in a second.
Okay, Andy Williams has some limitations. A lot of limitations. Yes, he dribbles into crowds, won't track back alot or as consistently as you'd like, isn't a great passer (at least in terms of the ability to hit through balls that dissect defenses). That said, he'd be a great pick. 3 reasons. 1. He can do a decent job as an A-mid. Obviously, he's not an all-star. But he'll look for the ball, he's got technical ability, knows the league, can create chances for his teammates. Right now, the Fire (IMHO) have a starting 10 that is as good or better as any other in the league. It's the 11th spot (the A-mid) plus depth that are what I see as issues. Getting a credible (even if limited A-mid) makes a huge difference for this team. 2. DMB gets to play outside mid. At that spot, if healthy, he's a force. He'll score, create changes, defend superbly and create matchup problems for every team in MLS. But at A-mid, he's more likely to get injured (more contact), is forced into roles that aren't his strength, and you lose some of his assets (like him tracking all the way back to the backline or even being behind the backline--ala the recent USA friendly against Argentina). You can't have your A-mid tracking that far back--they need to stay close enough to the forwards to link up with them. 3. The callup situation. A couple friendlies, Gold Cup and Confed Cup--maybe 12 international matches in all this summer (if the USA makes the finals of the Gold Cup). DMB probably gets called up for all of them. So if he's your a-mid, then you're talking about him missing a bunch of matches. This way, with Andy Williams (the Jamaican, not the singer) as your A-mid, then Mapp can be DMB's sub for injuries and national team callups (and Mapp will have his own issues with callups if the youth WC is held this summer). Figure Andy Williams is in Chicago for 1 year (until some of the deferred money is gone and the cap mess is straightened out and some of the youngsters--Capano, Mapp, Jacqua--mature and can contribute a lot more). Then get the A-mid you really want (and one that fits Sarachan's system). For now, Andy Williams is a decent fit. Last year, you couldn't even have afforded him. But with all MLS teams now at or near their cap, and he's out of a club, he'll sign for less than his going rate.
Strike Two for Liam Liam, You are on your third pitch when it comes to "insight" this offseason. "The fire would never trade Nowak".... SWOOSH strike one.. "The Fire would never sign williams"... allright Ill give you the benefit of the doubt.He his not officially signed.the ball is zipping down the third base line.. we'll have to wait and see if its fair or not... BUT from where I am sitting it looks pretty FOUL to me. so it looks like you just may be sitting on two strikes.Two very nasty strikes at that. maybe we should put a gag order on you before... never mind I wont give you the opportunity to reply that the Fire would never do that.
Dear Fire Fans: I want to assure all of you that if asked to sign with the Fire, I will fulfill to the best of my abilities whatever role is asked of me whether on not that is A-Mid, D-Mid, right back, left back or waterboy. The opportunity to play for an organization with the class and integrity of the Chicago Fire rarely arises in any footballer's career and I hope to make the best of my opportunity and if asked to play, play to win a title for the fans. Sincerely, AW PS to Alf: I'd have to play a long time to a very high standard to earn the right to fill those shoes.