Radzinski leaving Xanthi for Lierse SK

[BearcatSA]

quote:Originally posted by redhat

He's a class act, and we seem to forget that he was one of Canada's best footballer

internationally, like Alex Bunbury. (Even better than a few recent so-called Canucks.)

I could still see him play for our MNT and perhaps subbed off at the half. The last

goal by Julian was the result of Tomasz' play ...

Agreed.

[Bxl Boy]

Press conference in Lier, with some declarations of Radzinski

http://www.lierse.be/nl/news/radzinski-met-lierse-terug-naar-eerste

And video interview

http://www.lierse.be/nl/video/interview-met-radzinski

All is in dutch, sorry no time to translate

[Grizzly]

quote:Originally posted by Javier

i should retain his position, as long as he performs, he is a class act, though, and he will be important is an icon of canadian football, show some respect, and he stil has it was the best player of his team, ad one of the best of the greek tournament, w big foreign players from argenitna /brazil and the rest of the world

Those calling him a class act seem to forget he was once called to the Gold Cup and didn't show up without telling anyone. Then there was his several year boycott of the team at the time we needed him most and had few options at striker. Never met him and maybe he is a great guy but when I think of the character and dedicated guys who have played for the national team he is far from one of the first guys that pops into my head. I generally like how he plays and appreciate anyone who plays for us but he will never be in the category of player for me of the guys who showed up no matter what whenever called such as Stalteri, Forrest, Onstad, DeGuzman, etc. Onstad has always disappointed me as a player but he is certainly a class act. When Radz gets dropped from the team I will not be disappointed as long as it is warranted by his playing level.

One benefit of him playing in Lier though is it will be far easier for him to get to North America than from Xanthi. Xanthi is in the middle of nowhere, as near to Istanbul as to Athens and not terribly near either. In Liers he is near Brussels and several other major airports where he can get a direct flight to Toronto or Montreal.

[BearcatSA]

quote:Originally posted by Grizzly

Fair enough. Just wondering, but would you put Brennan into this latter category?

[SthMelbRed]

^Brennan has clearly NOT showed up whenever called and should not be in that category for obvious reasons.

[Joe MacCarthy]

quote:Originally posted by Grizzly

Those calling him a class act seem to forget he was once called to the Gold Cup and didn't show up without telling anyone. Then there was his several year boycott of the team at the time we needed him most and had few options at striker. Never met him and maybe he is a great guy but when I think of the character and dedicated guys who have played for the national team he is far from one of the first guys that pops into my head.

Yup, people around here have short memories. The funny thing about Rad though, was that his loyalty to the NT increased when he had the most to lose (Everton and Fulham). Once he recommitted, I don't recall him turning down any invites without a legit excuse, if he did at all.

I find those who played footsy with the NT invariably would suffer from the curse of Brad Parker, with a few notable exceptions.

[SthMelbRed]

If you're Tomasz Radzinski, you probably feel that you've played your cards to perfection over your career. When he was playing for Germinal Ekeren, he turned down Lennarduzzi and Osieck plenty of times. Many of those times, he had phantom injuries. However, he felt it was most important for his career that he make the commitment to his club career at that time, rather than as an international. His approach got him his transfer to Anderlecht, where he had the chance to shine in the Champions' League. His CL performances got him a transfer to the financial promised land of the Premier League. He is almost certainly the most accomplished Canadian player ever, in terms of his club career. Once he reached the point where he had enough clout as a player that he could press his case when being called by Canada, he has shown up consistently. While none of this puts him in the class of Craig Forrest, Paul Stalteri, or Alex Bunbury, it does mitigate some of his less-than-appealing behaviour towards the national team earlier in his career.

[Bxl Boy]

When Radzinski was in Anderlecht, even the youth players, that were neither on the field neither on the bench, couldn't leave for others continents to play... even with the belgian national team ! There was huge pressure at that moment, so imagine how it was on one of the most important players of the team !

[Grizzly]

quote:Originally posted by SthMelbRed

^Brennan has clearly NOT showed up whenever called and should not be in that category for obvious reasons.

Agreed. While Yallop did a poor job selecting the team and getting everyone onside, I think Brennan also bore a great deal of responsibility in his not getting selected. He also chose his club side over the national team in last year's Gold Cup. Compare this to someone like Imhof who just flew over right after a match from a 1st Bundesliga team where he has stiff competition for his spot to sit on the bench against Jamaica. And this despite there being several years in which he was neglected and not called to the team.

It is sometimes sad that not every player gets his due equal to his committment and character. Osieck was in principal right to say that Radz should never again play for the national team after his Gold Cup no show but had to go back on it because we just didn't have good enough players to replace him. Radz may have matured and be worthy of playing on the team but the bottom line is that we play these guys because they are good players not great guys. Some of them are great guys but there are those who have definitely shown more committment than others. As much as I am no fan of Onstad as a player, this guy has shown up for every coach even Ossieck after the comment that he was going to tell him that keepers are allowed to use their hands. Compare this to the numerous players who would not play under Ossieck who will always have an asterix by their name as far as great national team players are concerned. Look at Nsaliwa not showing up for the final WCQ game last time because he wasn't called previously when he should have been. I understand why he was pissed off but a player of top character would have shown up and that is the type of player I respect the most.

[Grizzly]

quote:Originally posted by SthMelbRed

If you're Tomasz Radzinski, you probably feel that you've played your cards to perfection over your career. When he was playing for Germinal Ekeren, he turned down Lennarduzzi and Osieck plenty of times. Many of those times, he had phantom injuries. However, he felt it was most important for his career that he make the commitment to his club career at that time, rather than as an international. His approach got him his transfer to Anderlecht, where he had the chance to shine in the Champions' League. His CL performances got him a transfer to the financial promised land of the Premier League. He is almost certainly the most accomplished Canadian player ever, in terms of his club career. Once he reached the point where he had enough clout as a player that he could press his case when being called by Canada, he has shown up consistently. While none of this puts him in the class of Craig Forrest, Paul Stalteri, or Alex Bunbury, it does mitigate some of his less-than-appealing behaviour towards the national team earlier in his career.

One might make that argument but none of this is very convincing given the same player committed to play in the Gold Cup and just didn't show up, not even having the decency to inform anyone that he wasn't coming so a replacement could be found. Nor is Radz the most accomplished player ever, he was a good player in several lesser league and a mediocre EPL player. JDG has already accomplished more than Radz and several others are at least equivalent.

BXL a lot of players face club pressure, that is why there are FIFA rules requiring clubs to release players.

[BearcatSA]

quote:Originally posted by Grizzly

Agreed. While Yallop did a poor job selecting the team and getting everyone onside, I think Brennan also bore a great deal of responsibility in his not getting selected. He also chose his club side over the national team in last year's Gold Cup. Compare this to someone like Imhof who just flew over right after a match from a 1st Bundesliga team where he has stiff competition for his spot to sit on the bench against Jamaica. And this despite there being several years in which he was neglected and not called to the team.

I brought up Brennan because a long while back there was a thread discussing his situation of four years ago: during the WCQ group stage I was under the impression that FY didn't call him up at all but in that thread I got the impression from other posters that he was called up but declined the invite. Am I recalling this correctly? If that was case then I think your last sentence which you applied to Nsaliwa could also apply to Brennan as well. It makes me re-examine my lauding of his leadership skills.

But that's the past, for any of our MNT candidates. To me, it's about what you can do and are doing now, so I agree that we are playing them because they can help us without (hopefully) being a distraction outside of the pitch.

[Joe MacCarthy]

IIRC the rumour was JB wanted to be guaranteed a starting position, something which any decent coach (Frankie Goes to Hollywood included) couldn't or shouldn't do.

As for Rad the other rumour was that his parents encouraged him to come back into the fold, sort of payback to the country that gave them a home.

[BearcatSA]

quote:Originally posted by Joe MacCarthy

IIRC the rumour was JB wanted to be guaranteed a starting position, something which any decent coach (Frankie Goes to Hollywood included) couldn't or shouldn't do.

As for Rad the other rumour was that his parents encouraged him to come back into the fold, sort of payback to the country that gave them a home.

With regards to JB, that's the conclusion I came to after reading the discussion about his absence, so I guess I did recall this correctly.

[Grizzly]

quote:Originally posted by Joe MacCarthy

IIRC the rumour was JB wanted to be guaranteed a starting position, something which any decent coach (Frankie Goes to Hollywood included) couldn't or shouldn't do.

As for Rad the other rumour was that his parents encouraged him to come back into the fold, sort of payback to the country that gave them a home.

Yes, I think he and a couple other players wanted some guarentee they would play. While I agree no coach should do this, I think the reason some of the players were demanding this is they had the perception and in my opinion the correct perception that Frankie was not making decisions based on merit but on who he personally knew and liked. Nevertheless, the players who are tops in my eyes are the ones who would have shown up anyway. I agree Bearcat that we have to play the best players and that this is immaterial to the team right now but when the discussion is about who we as fans hold in highest regard these are important issues.

[Bxl Boy]

The Fifa rules didn't exist at that time

And, yes, this is why they were introduced, a good decision

[BearcatSA]

quote:Originally posted by Grizzly

Yes, I think he and a couple other players wanted some guarentee they would play. While I agree no coach should do this, I think the reason some of the players were demanding this is they had the perception and in my opinion the correct perception that Frankie was not making decisions based on merit but on who he personally knew and liked. Nevertheless, the players who are tops in my eyes are the ones who would have shown up anyway. I agree Bearcat that we have to play the best players and that this is immaterial to the team right now but when the discussion is about who we as fans hold in highest regard these are important issues.

I guess I was just waiting for someone to throw Brennan on your list along with Forrest, Bunbury, et al and then I was going to call b*ll**** on it, but SthMelRed expressed my sentiments.

[greenfield]

quote:Originally posted by youllneverwalkalone

I thought he looked very old and tired against Jamaica and that Hume would really give us much more in attack.

I have to agree here, and would like to see Issey/Hume start and Radz to come off the bench. I have no issue with wanting to be closer to your family, and if he can continue his form in Belgium, he should remain on the team.

[SthMelbRed]

quote:Originally posted by Grizzly

One might make that argument but none of this is very convincing given the same player committed to play in the Gold Cup and just didn't show up, not even having the decency to inform anyone that he wasn't coming so a replacement could be found. Nor is Radz the most accomplished player ever, he was a good player in several lesser league and a mediocre EPL player. JDG has already accomplished more than Radz and several others are at least equivalent.

BXL a lot of players face club pressure, that is why there are FIFA rules requiring clubs to release players.

I have to disagree with that one line. Julian has performed at a very high level in Spain for the past two years after a spotty first season there. He was immense last year. His years in the Bundesliga were also good. His career should go from strength to strength over the next three or four years. He hasn't yet done what Radzinski has done.

Radzinski was one of the most impressive players, period, in the Champions' League for Anderlecht the year before he moved to Everton. He was Everton's best player in his first year in England. He would have continued to be a key player for them, except he fell out with Moyes over telling Rooney he'd be better served moving to Man U. Even still, he was a regular at Fulham for a couple of years when he was already past his prime.

Jules may end up surpassing Radz's club accomplishments before he's done, but at the moment, he's not there yet.

[redhat]

Radzinski was even in the first 5 minutes of the movie, "Bend it Like

Beckham." Therefore, he has done more than any Canadian football

player has ever done to date.

I remember the alleged incident where Radzinski apparently turned

down the call-up, but I don't see that as a reason to brand him

negatively. McKenna and Lars have done the same, and yet I will never

think of them that way (negatively). Yet both players have answered

the call recently.

At his age, Radzinski has the experience to contribute and the

team knows it. Maybe making it to the World Cup is next in his

list of accomplishments.

[Keegan]

quote:Originally posted by redhat

Radzinski was even in the first 5 minutes of the movie, "Bend it Like

Beckham." Therefore, he has done more than any Canadian football

player has ever done to date.

I remember the alleged incident where Radzinski apparently turned

down the call-up, but I don't see that as a reason to brand him

negatively. McKenna and Lars have done the same, and yet I will never

think of them that way (negatively). Yet both players have answered

the call recently.

At his age, Radzinski has the experience to contribute and the

team knows it. Maybe making it to the World Cup is next in his

list of accomplishments.

Seems some of those guys are glory hunters. Join up when the squad is playing well and not showing when it seems a lost cause.

Radzinski was also in Goal! The Movie when Newcastle faces Fulham.

[Jason]

quote:Originally posted by Soju

He also has the big D on his side, Desperation. This is his final chance to fulfill his dream of a World Cup appearance. The Radz is hungry.

I totally agree. Radz has not exactly been selfless during his career (not that it is a requirement). When it was better for his career to focus on club and ignore country, he did that. He worked his way up to some big clubs and contracts. When he was on the bench and needed playing time, he was now available for Canadian matches. Now that his career is on the wane, the one accomplishment he is missing is appearing in a World Cup. So I think he will be a loyal soldier in chase to make this happen, which is good for the MNT.

Jason

[Soju]

I don't understand how anyone can say JDG has done more than Radz, can someone who thinks so please elaborate because I don't see it at all. JDG is considered a standout in La Liga. Radz was top man in Belgium and a standout with Everton. Radz has played and played brilliantly in the Champions League, JDG hasn't. Radz is still doing what his position requires of him, scoring goals at his current age. Will JDG be dominating a midfield in his thirties? Time will tell. Now if you want to compare their careers in a Canada shirt, let's consider the circumstances. Radz was our main offensive threat and got horrific service, always! He cringed, I cringed, we all cringed. We used to be baaaaad at passing. Granted he missed long periods due to his selfish club commitments, but when he did play he saw very little of the ball. Imagine if Everton Radz was playing with our current crop of players... Anyway enough of these apples and oranges. When both of their careers are over and we're all old men we can sit back and say who had a better go, but until then I don't think it's fair to say.

[paul-toronto]

I am a fan of Radz. In the last game in Montreal vs SGV; against Brazil, he was excellent..he has incredible awareness when he is on the pitch.

Look at Ali Gerba and the league he plays; he gets subbed in.

However, as a general rule, I prefer that DM would use players in higher leagues with only the odd exception (like RADZ). I also thought he starting more MLS player who are obviously in mid season form than Euros just out of training for the August/early September games. To make this point, anyone notice how teams like West Ham are basically average in pre-season form when compared to their MLS opposition (I think they played Columbus)...as Celtic was in last year's all star game. This should be a key part of the decision making process on starters for the team...it seems kind of obvious to me.

Brennan, Jazic (galaxy) should have been starters last game versus Jamaica and svg....maybe its a tougher call for Sept 6/10 games as Euro seasons are now moving.