it seems like williams is telling the press (walt) his plan for this year before he told the coach. i just think that's kinda funny. maybe he could join a NFL team for the winter?
2-3 years, my ass. That would be one of the worst mistakes the Crew ever made. Does anyone else find it odd that Busch would have a conversation with Stoichkov, I mean how would one of the classiest guys in MLS wind up in conversation with a steaming pile of dog crap?
Mark Williams: "...The only thing is just the refereeing. It is a lot different from what you see back in England. They are not consistent here in when they will give a yellow card. Back home it would be a free kick. You have to be a bit more careful in your tackles." "I am coming to grips with that at the moment. It seems like every time you make a tackle here you get a yellow card automatically." I seriously don't know how to comment. A total loss for words...
Hahaha. Of course my feelings on him are subject to change, but he has not done anything for me to dislike him. I know it was a while ago but I still love that hit he put on Mathis in his first game against NJ. Mathis did not have a shot on goal the rest of the game. Other then the occaisonal Clark tackle I have always felt our back line were a bit soft and would have never thought to send a message in the begining. I am not 100% sold on the guy yet but I like him.
Yep. And he's directly responsible for both goals tonight. Imagine had this game really meant something.
# week contract If he's here in 3 WEEKS - it would be a waste of Crew resources. D-2 (Stoke City?) here he comes.
Foreigners take a while to adjust to different leagues. MLS is a lot less physical than what he is used to, and the officiating here is much more harsh. You DO get yellow cards when it should be free kicks, and reds when it should be yellow. I say let him train over the summer, increase his fitness, and let him spend more time with the team. I can't believe so many have written him off so quick.
He's already fit, he stated so in Kraut's interview. And fitness has nothing to do with his speed - he couldn't keep up with Stoichcrotch in the first half of a match. Dooley adjusted pretty quickly. I think why he has been written off is because he was used by Greg and brought in as a key part of our defense to have an immediate effect, and didn't actually seemed to hurt the Crew in the late season, which added to the many reasons why the Crew did not make the playoffs some people still believe Dunseth was a better choice for the future (I don't) the teeny boppers think he's ugly As part of his adjustment period he still caused a PK in today's game and nearly raped a DC player in the last one I imagine in some strange bizzaro world people hate him because he bangs something better looking that what they are banging, or have to pay to bang, or well - ick... He'll be back. But IMHO Williams was brought in to make an immediate difference (failed miserably) and not as a development project (else he would have appeared next season, or after trying out and getting his first suspension, sat for the rest of the season).
For that alone, and the fact that he was brought in to be an immediate leader and impact player, I think he should be gone. Grouchy's right, he's not a development project. What this team needs is to develop for the future, not bring in old has-beens or nerver-weres to patch holes.
You know, the more I think about it, the more I would've laid into his ass for just flat out suckitude. I don't give a sh1t that he outweights by 30-40 pounds. That slow piece of sh1t couldn't catch me anyway.
I spoke with Williams after the match, he said he's probably going to go on a 3 month loan to Crystal Palace. MLS is still working out the details, so nothing is official yet. He also mentioned how MLS was more of a style and technique league and the First Division is more of a physical league, and he's getting used to it. Said something too about needing to get in better shape for next season and that not playing over the summer really hurt him in Columbus, but that he expects going on loan will help a lot.
First time in history a European has cited MLS style and technique in a favorable manner versus their home country? From a non-Crew fan perspective, I agree with those who think he should not be brought back. The SI spot and salary cap room could be better spent elsewhere.
But, if he has years left on his contract, who in this league would take Williams, his salary, and remaining years on his contract on the gamble he will improve? Face it, we be stuck wid him. So, assuming he has at least a year or two left before we can run him out of town - do you, and if so, how do you build your defense around him?
There are two possibilities. I believe the quote saying that he has a three year contract is if and only if MLS takes the options on his contract. He probably has a contract that would guarantee him the last few games of this season and next season. I doubt he's assured of much more. So, he'll either get fit while on loan and come back. If he's going to start, you got to get Clark out of there... too much age in the CB. Pair him with Akwari and see how it goes during the preseason. Second option is that he might become a player/assistant coach.