Tony Menezes

[stacks]

what do you guys think about tony m?

i think hes a dependable defender and could make the premier or 1st division easy, why didnt yallop pick him for the first game?

the problem with the canadian team now and in the past os they never have the best players on the field.

[soccerbeast]

Talk to Frank Yallop about that one he picks the team. I would put

Menezes in next game, but then i want to win....Frank?

[nolando]

I am one of his biggest fans but I don't think Tony is necessarily Premiership quality.

[BearcatSA]

He's 29 years old and is currently playing Div 2 in China. Why isn't he playing at a higher level?

[MikeD]

Menezes was once taken on trial by Luton Town and they tried to sign him but he couldn't get a work permit because of Canada's low FIFA ranking (I think this was 2000 - after he left Brazil). I think that, if he'd been able to sign with Luton, he'd now be climbing the English football ladder much like Jason DeVos has done.

In any case, after his attempt to get into England failed, he wound up in China a few months later. Apparently the foreign players make good money there, even in the Second Division. Without a doubt, he's making better money in China than he was making in Brazil after he was blackballed for leading a players' strike when his club failed to pay its players for months.

[soccerbeast]

Another player who should be given another chance. the one thing

nolando is forgetting is that Concacaf is no where close to Premiership standards.

[nolando]

quote:Originally posted by soccerbeast

Another player who should be given another chance. the one thing

nolando is forgetting is that Concacaf is no where close to Premiership standards.

Come again?? I am arguing FOR including Menezes in the lineup but am skeptical about him being Premiership quality. What are you on about?

[Jarrek]

Hey Soccerbeast,

You really, really need to read your messages carefully, and when you reply to them, really think when you're typing.

[Cheeta]

See this is where we get ripped off by the poor domestic football coverage.

A lot of us remember Menezes in quite high regard. He was a perfect partner for any of our more traditional center halfs (who I soooo love. I'm a dinosaur. I'm a dinosaur). Excellent head for the game. Good dribbling ability. Quick. Had quality ball distribution. And may as well have Don't Panic writen on his forehead.

Realy was our only good sweeper until he fell off the face of the earth by going to the Far East. And perfectly suited, and I mean perfectly suited for what we'll see against our CA opponents.

He played in both those Canada B matchs and unless you where at the matchs you'd have no idea as to whether he's as sharp as ever or is slipping into a down side.

Yes they were casual friendlys against sides coming together for the 1st time from holiday but you can still develop an impression.

Now whether Tony's in game shape, mentaly and physicaly, or not I have no idea. For me Chineese football may as well be played on Mars. If he's not and we're into a 4-4-2, oh boy.

I for one think he'll change the whole look of that backfield. Could be just that missing ingredient which turns a pile of crap into angel food cake.

[Cheeta]

P.S. Oh yeah. That's the worrying part. Why didn't Frankie call Menezes for match #1??

Frankie couldn't have know JDV was going to pull up lame. So he left Menezes out in favour of Watson and Pizzolitto. His back line was set and it didn't include Menezes for some reason.

So either A). Menezes was unavailable for whatever reason. . Frankie didn't see what he wanted to from the man during the Hearts/Millwall friendlys. Or C). Frankie goofed and underestimated the Guats and overestimated Onstad.

Hope it's door "A" Monte, because the thought trains which develop from options B & C are discouraging.

Yet again though, I think the Menezes I remember, even on a so-so day can be more effective defending and more importantly make eveyone else in the back line more effective defending than many of our other options against Honduras.

[MikeD]

I agree with Cheeta, but will Franky really drop Mark Watson for Menezes? (I take it as a given that Jason DeVos will play when healthy.) To me, this is another test of whether Yallop has the guts to drop his old buddies or not.

[canso]

Maybe he'll drop his buddies, and maybe he'll play them all in a cluster at the back, 3-5-2 anyone?

[Winnipeg Fury]

Menezes had scouts from England at the match vs the US. A club was keen on him, but unfortunetly Menezes had the worst match of his international career and Canada was pounded 4-0.

[nolando]

quote:Originally posted by Cheeta

See this is where we get ripped off by the poor domestic football coverage.

A lot of us remember Menezes in quite high regard. He was a perfect partner for any of our more traditional center halfs (who I soooo love. I'm a dinosaur. I'm a dinosaur). Excellent head for the game. Good dribbling ability. Quick. Had quality ball distribution. And may as well have Don't Panic writen on his forehead.

Realy was our only good sweeper until he fell off the face of the earth by going to the Far East. And perfectly suited, and I mean perfectly suited for what we'll see against our CA opponents.

He played in both those Canada B matchs and unless you where at the matchs you'd have no idea as to whether he's as sharp as ever or is slipping into a down side.

Yes they were casual friendlys against sides coming together for the 1st time from holiday but you can still develop an impression.

Now whether Tony's in game shape, mentaly and physicaly, or not I have no idea. For me Chineese football may as well be played on Mars. If he's not and we're into a 4-4-2, oh boy.

I for one think he'll change the whole look of that backfield. Could be just that missing ingredient which turns a pile of crap into angel food cake.

Cheeta,

Lots of shared sentiment, but for the record Menezes did NOT play the second B friendly (I was at both and at practice) and in retrospect was absolutely in the same category as Pizz and Reda, which is to say a definite step down from our big three. I always though Tony should have tried J-League Div. 2. It might have meant less money (strange sounding but sometimes true with Japan having stopped tossing so much of it at foreigners) but I personally think he would still be on the radar in terms of world soccer. In addition, most J2 games are on TV, Japanese soccer respects and to a degree favours Brazilian soccer, many decent and internationally recognizede foreign coaches still work the Japanese leagues, and they have proper relegation and promotion between J1 and J2, meaning he could be on primetime TV within a year showcasing his talents in no time. China, and especially lower divisions by comparison, must be soccer Siberia (or Mars) as far as most European (or even MLS) scouts would be considered.

[Guest Dave]

Nolando: Just curious re your comment about our "big three."

Assuming you mean Central defenders, who were you referring to? DeVos obviously, and probably McKenna. But who else? Surely not Watson? Maybe Klukowski? Or were you referring to all defenders, hence including Stalteri, Jazic, etc?

[BearcatSA]

I have had this argument/discussion about brains and savvy being able to overcome lack of pace but I feel the same way as Cheeta if we are committed to a 4-4-2 formation. Four years ago, with two man markers in front of him, Menezes was terrific as a sweeper, with his timely interceptions, superb defending support, and his excellent composure and passing out of defence.

Two years ago when I last watched him play his lack of pace was disturbing, and I think we were playing 4-4-2, I can't be certain (must have been that 4-0 game previously mentioned). Maybe he was injured(?).

All the experience and guile in the world won't help you if you are a central defender without a modicum of pace, especially when playing in a zonal marking four man back line. A number of years ago I remember watching Everton's Dave Watson, in what was his last game, getting roasted by Arsenal's Overmars a number of times: granted, the Toffee's legend wasn't getting much support from a poor team around him but at that point of his career he had the turning radius of a blue whale and wasn't even quick enough to foul the Dutchman!

And if you want a more recent example, ask Man U fans about their fond memories of Laurent Blanc's stellar work in central defence.

I realize these are extreme examples but you know the Hondurans are going to be using quick forwards against our centre defence. May be we have to go back to a formation that features a sweeper, two marking defenders and holding/shielding midfielder in front them? I'm just looking for ideas.

If Menezes starts, plays well, and makes "angel food cake," as Cheeta states, that would be awesome, but then why wasn't he called up for the first game? If he doesn't deliver, then Yallop will really look like he is clutching at straws.

My hunch is that Yallop will play De Vos and Watson in the centre of a back four.

[nolando]

quote:Originally posted by Dave

Nolando: Just curious re your comment about our "big three."

Assuming you mean Central defenders, who were you referring to? DeVos obviously, and probably McKenna. But who else? Surely not Watson? Maybe Klukowski? Or were you referring to all defenders, hence including Stalteri, Jazic, etc?

Sorry Dave, the big three at the moment have to be Devos, Stalteri and Jazic, Guatemala performances (or absence)aside. At least in my mind. In training in Van and in the Belize walkabouts they were a clear step above, an opinion that seems to be supported by their club level. It would be nice to have seen McKenna establish himself as the clearcut fourth, but that doen't seem to be realistic for this round.