Sir Landon Of Donovan

[ToxtethBlue]

How has he regressed? He was good for us last season, games against Stoke, West Ham, Liverpool and Aston Villa spring to mind where he was a constant threat and really effective interchanging between the right wing and striker positions. People seemed to ignore this because of his spat with Moyes.

His hold up play and awareness have improved, he's no Berbatov, but then Berbatov's level of technical ability isn't the average for a Premier League player. Victor is as good a footballer as Andy Johnson was, if not better and he has pace and power to go with it.

I've seen Altidore in slow paced International games, his first touch is worse than Victor's, it's like a Baby Elephant trying to control a ball.

 

[Tennessee Blue Mike]

Anichebe is a better player than Altidore, no question.

Maybe at the moment. But Jozy's upside will far eclipse Anichebe. In fact Victor has went backwards imo perhaps due to the bad luck in injuries but he doesn't show in some games and doesn't seemed fussed.

Both still are in the learning stage. But to me I have Vaughan ahead of Victor in positioning and with Yak back his playing time will be limited. I assume he will loaned out if not sold next term.

 

[Rook]

Landon is not a leader and Bocanegra is the USMNT captain. However he's learning how to be a leader on the pitch and will be captain of the team maybe for the WC.

Interesting subplot of the Beckham-Donovan soap opera. I think Beckham saved Landon's career. Landon for years didn't look he even liked football, was soft, coasted by on his talent and acted like one of his nicknames Premadonavan. However a change occured in Donovan in late 08. Beckham had tuned out that season and was so utterly dreadful that he wasn't one of MLS's 20 best players that year and acted like he was bigger than the whole team. I think watching Beckham, Donovan saw a little bit of himself in Beckham's act and said to himself that I don't want to be that kind of player. Since then he's rededicated himself, works his socks off, picks himself right up after tackles, and takes the role of the USMNTs spokesman off the pitch.

The difference between 06-07 Landon and today's version is well its like watching 2 different players.

 

[TX Bill]

Hate this to be my first post, but you're going to need a female perspective...
For the USMNT, the "heart throb" would most definitely be Carlos Bocanegra and there are probably several others in front of LD. Landon is the most well known player. He is probably the one (only?) name/face that non-soccer fans in the US would know. US players can pretty much walk around any city in the US completely anonymous. I have seen Howard mention in interviews how nice it is to come home to Jersey and have no one know him.

Reminds me of that old Jorge Campos commerical (tried to find it but couldn't) where he's speaking in Spanish (if I recall correctly) with English subtitles while driving a car in America talking about how in Mexico, everyone knows him but in America, no one knows him.

A guy pulls up next to him at a stop sign and looks at him and then just looks back towards the road, not recognizing him.

I think it was a Nike commerical after the '94 or '98 World Cup.

Anyone remember that one?

 

[Garbaggio]

i didn't like his response to the goal, after that point it seemed like he for the most part hung his head and gave up, he wasn't making nearly as much of an effort, and neville seemed caught out a couple times because landon wasn't there showing for him.

most american fans see landon as a leader on the pitch, as he's captain for club and country, and i think it would have really lifted the team if he had showed some more character and really risen to the occasion, but he seemed to give up and do just the opposite. i was never a fan of his before, but he had been winning me over up until this game. and i'm not just reacting because we lost, its the lack of resolve in the face of a one goal setback that dissapoints me.

Not sure what you're talking about here. His great run around 3 players and cross to the back post was after the goal. He could have been more involved, but if he's not receiving the ball in the dangerous spots he's running to then there's not much to be done. As far as tracking back, the only defensive letdown I can remember is when Insua palmed the ball away from Donovan and LD called for a handball rather than chasing him to the end line.

 

[Garbaggio]

19 year old Anichebe is without question a better player than Jozy. Anichebe has regressed though. I guess its not all his fault he's been hurt and being put on the wing when he's being subbed in.

Haven't seen enough of Anichebe (that's my way of being diplomatic) but Jozy has been a monster in his last three games in the Prem. Can't say I see your side yet.

 

[footballcrazyinmontana]

Landon is not a leader and Bocanegra is the USMNT captain. However he's learning how to be a leader on the pitch and will be captain of the team maybe for the WC.

Interesting subplot of the Beckham-Donovan soap opera. I think Beckham saved Landon's career. Landon for years didn't look he even liked football, was soft, coasted by on his talent and acted like one of his nicknames Premadonavan. However a change occured in Donovan in late 08. Beckham had tuned out that season and was so utterly dreadful that he wasn't one of MLS's 20 best players that year and acted like he was bigger than the whole team. I think watching Beckham, Donovan saw a little bit of himself in Beckham's act and said to himself that I don't want to be that kind of player. Since then he's rededicated himself, works his socks off, picks himself right up after tackles, and takes the role of the USMNTs spokesman off the pitch.

The difference between 06-07 Landon and today's version is well its like watching 2 different players.

You are correct Carlos is the US captain, there are lots of tangable and intangable reasons for this. However, someone that is the all time goal scorer for his country. One needs the support, cooperation and respect of an entire national team over an extended period of time in order to reach such a goal. Carlos is an exceptional leader and is willing to take on some of the headaches that go with being a world football team captain. Physically, Landon doesn't exactly intimidate opposing sides. However, if Carlos gets worked up and gets in an opposing team's face for a bad challenge on a teammate that is a different story.
That being said, If you watch the US team play, there can be no mistaking that Landon is a leader on that team.

Sorry for the ramble all.

 

[footballcrazyinmontana]

Everton: The greatest side in world football

I have wanted to post this for a while. I have been tremendously impressed with not only the Everton team, but the entire Everton family. If Landon Donovan was ever going to succeed in Europe, it had to come at a team with the atmosphere and class of Everton. It is obvious the fans are passionate, but realize that life goes on outside of football. I don't think people realize how difficult it is to be a successful footballer at the highest level. In many top sides, mates within the team are worried about how many goals they score or how much they see the ball. Often, stars on a team are worried about landing a big contract and this affects team chemistry. Though world class talent will shine eventually (I am NOT saying Landon has world class talent because he hasn't proven that yet) one's ultimate success has much to do with how supportive a team/organization is of a player as well as how supportive fans are when a player goes through a rough stretch. Landon feels at home playing at Everton and it is because of the quality and class of Everon and its supporters. No matter what happens with Landon or Tim in the future I will always be a Everton supporter, albiet from afar.

 

[footballcrazyinmontana]

Off topic--Anyone watching the 'super bowl'

It is interesting because I find myself as passionate, if not more passionate about World football than american football. Anyone out there (outside the US) like American football?

 

[Nordecke]

i didn't like his response to the goal, after that point it seemed like he for the most part hung his head and gave up, he wasn't making nearly as much of an effort, and neville seemed caught out a couple times because landon wasn't there showing for him.

most american fans see landon as a leader on the pitch, as he's captain for club and country, and i think it would have really lifted the team if he had showed some more character and really risen to the occasion, but he seemed to give up and do just the opposite. i was never a fan of his before, but he had been winning me over up until this game. and i'm not just reacting because we lost, its the lack of resolve in the face of a one goal setback that dissapoints me.

I seen one incident where he let a cross go into the box and not do anything to stop it.. that was about it as far as giving up on anything..

He played well.. I can honestly say Donovan has most likely never seen an atmosphere like that which was at anfield, imagine the bubbles in his gut, the preasure knowing that every American soccer fan is watching his every move/ touch of the ball in one of the biggest derbys in the world.. his positives outweighed the negative and honestly our whole side played poorly...

P.S. Azteca is the closest thing Donovan has seen in regards to fans taking over a game...

 

[OHIO Patrick]

I seen one incident where he let a cross go into the box and not do anything to stop it.. that was about it as far as giving up on anything..

He played well.. I can honestly say Donovan has most likely never seen an atmosphere like that which was at anfield, imagine the bubbles in his gut, the preasure knowing that every American soccer fan is watching his every move/ touch of the ball in one of the biggest derbys in the world.. his positives outweighed the negative and honestly our whole side played poorly...

P.S. Azteca is the closest thing Donovan has seen in regards to fans taking over a game...

I think your also forgetting about Costa Rica, and is that not the place know for the fans throw bags of Urine mixed the Feces at US players.

 

[DualityNSNO]

I think your also forgetting about Costa Rica, and is that not the place know for the fans throw bags of Urine mixed the Feces at US players.

:blink: :blink: :blink:

 

[Reidy's Bottle Of Grecian]

It is interesting because I find myself as passionate, if not more passionate about World football than american football. Anyone out there (outside the US) like American football?

least attractive of all the 'ball with hands' games.

superleague is far better,
rugby union is better
aus rules and gaelic is better
ffs even handball is better.

fact, if i put on a lid and shoulder pads i would have no qualms whatsoever about stepping onto the field in a 'gridiron' game, i was brought up playing rugby league being either the hooker (in the middle of the scrum) or scrum-half having to retrieve the ball from the back of the scrum, with boots and very long studs very much in evidence, how much safer i would've felt with a full face helmet on.

 

[pfim]

least attractive of all the 'ball with hands' games.

superleague is far better,
rugby union is better
aus rules and gaelic is better
ffs even handball is better.

fact, if i put on a lid and shoulder pads i would have no qualms whatsoever about stepping onto the field in a 'gridiron' game, i was brought up playing rugby league being either the hooker (in the middle of the scrum) or scrum-half having to retrieve the ball from the back of the scrum, with boots and very long studs very much in evidence, how much safer i would've felt with a full face helmet on.

Ehh, I'd like to see that as well...

 

[Felix]

least attractive of all the 'ball with hands' games.

superleague is far better,
rugby union is better
aus rules and gaelic is better
ffs even handball is better.

fact, if i put on a lid and shoulder pads i would have no qualms whatsoever about stepping onto the field in a 'gridiron' game, i was brought up playing rugby league being either the hooker (in the middle of the scrum) or scrum-half having to retrieve the ball from the back of the scrum, with boots and very long studs very much in evidence, how much safer i would've felt with a full face helmet on.

There is a place for every sport and I don't expect English, Europeans, or anyone else in the world to even remotely like gridiron. To explain every rule is maddening if you didn't grow up watching the game like I did. Before I fell in love with the beautiful game I watched a lot of NFL, mostly the Cowboys. There have been some fantastic games in the NFL, this past superbowl was not bad, but it is not for everyone. To compare gridiron to rugby is comparing rugby to hockey. They both are contact sports but have different rules, different hits, and different speeds.

I can appreciate every sport for their difficulty and precision but American gridiron is just so very specific to each position. A running back, a lineman, a wide receiver, a quarter back... each and all completely different jobs that completes the team. The simple fact is some of the NFL players are beasts, almost superhuman, for the speed and size of each player is quite scary. Believe me, the helmets and pads are needed, the full contact of a 300+ pound wall of a human slamming into a poor 200 pound quarterback is crunching indeed.

The World Cup is what turned me on to the real football. Watching nations play each other almost becomes war without a shot fired which I love to see the passion in. This resulted in me watching specific players in certain clubs and from there it just became THE sport to watch even though I had been playing it all of my life. I grew up playing football without ever seeing a single European game but was a natural at defending. Only after was I able to see the pros do it and how much more challenging it all was at that level. Great stuff indeed.

So I am sure you all will defend Rugby and what not till the day you die because it is what you understand and what you like. I will defend the NFL as being a valid product worth watching and can be fun to experience live if you get into it. There is a time and place for everything and thank god for diversity on this planet because if not it would be extremely boring.