***Soccer Post*** Jones/Bradley in the MF together

Fresno Bob

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May 7, 2009
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I haven't seen either of the last 2 friendlies. Anybody have thoughts on what they saw with these 2 together?...or just about Jones specifically? I'm guessing last night's match vs. Colombia is probably on ESPN3 but not too sure I want to watch the whole thing based on looking at the stats.</p>
 

Liverdawg

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Apr 22, 2008
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Jones is pure class. In my mind he has the job after only two games. Even in his short time with the team he showed more imagination than any other player I have seen. He and Bradley could be a dominant defensive midfield team. Jones had one slip up that led to a goal for Poland, but other than that he looks really good. The only negatives are that he has a history of making some stupid challenges and he can fly of the handle fairly easily. He is also going to be 33 in the next world cup, which isn't too old for a defensive midfielder but I hate that we didnt have him in South Africa. Having him and Bradley holding up the midfield should give Bob Bradley the freedom to experiment with forwards and wingers some. But who knows what's in Bob Bradley's head.
 

patdog

Heisman
May 28, 2007
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Liverdawg said:
But who knows what's in Bob Bradley's head.
I don't think even Bob Bradley knows what's inBob Bradley's head. We'd better get used to mediocrity, becausethat's allwe're ever going toget from Bradley. Of course, until we get rid of Sunil Gulati, a Bob Bradley is about as good of a coach as we'll ever have because he doesn'twant to hire anyone that's any better.
 

NapoleonDynamite

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Feb 29, 2008
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Jones looked good in his ability to move without the ball, tackle, anticipate where the ball should/would go and do all the "intangibles" that good Euro players do but some of the American players struggle with. However, in the first half, the midfield looked like my niece's under-7 team with 4 guys bunched together and bumping into each other while playing a 4-5-1 or something. It seemed like every time I looked up there were at least 3 white shirts within 3 feet of the ball and nothing happening on the wings. Pretty easy to defend a team playing like that. Jones, Bradley and Edu seemed to be trying to play the same position.

Second half was better when they went back to a 4-4-2 and Jones did some nice work on both ends. His yellow card involved a good ole Latin American flop and was b.s. I still didn't get the sense that he and M Bradley had a good feel for each other but hopefully, that will come in time.

Still, there is nobody threatening up top for the US - and without Donovan the attack was toothless. However, I give props to Bob Bradley for throwing stuff against the wall, formation-wise, and playing a bunch of new guys. These games have no meaning so best to use them to try new things, I think, and see what works (or doesn't).

Liverdawg - Are you excited about the Red Sox taking over at Anfield? Can't get any worse... I'm still amazed that Tom Hicks ever made a single dollar in anything - he's TERRIBLE running sports teams (see: Liverpool and Texas Rangers). Always amazed at guys like him making millions of dollars, supposedly, in business but then look like Lonny Tinkle when they run sports franchises.
 

Liverdawg

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Apr 22, 2008
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Hicks and Gillette are either insane or the bravest SOB's on Earth. They picked one crazy fanbase to 17 over. As for the new owners, I just hope Torres et. al. will stop using the off-field turmoil as an excuse for their terrible performance.