masster Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 I think it is fair to now have this conversation. Opinions have been expressed in a lot of other threads. Yes or No? Should he be an automatic call, and if so, do you start him? My opinion: Some people may say I am making too much out of 1 game. I don't think it is just one game though. My opinion of Grande goes back to the first time I saw him in 2004. Given the current situation under Mitchell, I don't think there is any question that Grande has to be part of the squad. We don't know what other players are going to refuse call-ups or who is going to make themselves available. Everything seems calm when Grande is on the ball and there is no telling how important that is. Even if Mitchell was fired tomorrow and the player tensions subsided, I still think that Grande has to be in the picture. The next question is would he make your starting 11? I think it all depends on the formation. I think one of our biggest problems has been ball distribution out of the back. Grande would help enormously in this regard while freeing up JDG to move further forward. JDG is an automatic starter at CM. Can the 2 play together? There certainly wouldn't be much height there. What happens to Hutchinson then? I still think we need a shield in front of the CBs but is there room for Imhof? So many fucking questions!! Too bad we don't have any friendlies to figure this out. [] Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
youllneverwalkalone Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 He definitely passes much better than most of our other options. Montreal as a whole looked very organised last night. Which, I suspect, made him look better. When I see a team looking that organised I wonder what if we played more domestic players? What if we played all domestic players in WCQ? Would this starting 11 get killed? Or could they get more than 2 points: --------------Sutton------ Braz--Serioux-Pizzi Bastardo-Brennan Harmse---Nash-------Grande----Rocco -------------DeRo------------------- -------------Gbeke------------------ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmcmurph Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 If called by the current group running things will he go? His plate will be full this year and at 31 it may be time to get as much rest as he can over summer. At 31 should we be looking to younger players? In 3 years will he be available for WCQ? Who would he compete with for a spot? Hutch? I have been very impressed with his playmaking. The ball leaves his feet and gets to an OPEN teammate the majority of the time. Yes it is at USL1/CONCACAF level but as we've seen he rises to higher levels as required. Given his level of play he should get an invite. If he chooses not to then that is fine with me but he has definately earned the courtesy of a call. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrennanFan Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Grande has insane technique and vision. If we were in the Hex he would have just earned a callup. But to start? Right now, I'd field this: --------Friend-Radzinski Hutchinson--deGuzman--deRosario -------------Imhof Klukowski--Serioux--McKenna--Stalteri ------------Hirschfeld We cannot start Grande over a regular bundesliga starter. Out of all our absences in WCQ, we missed Imhof the most. His defensive presence would have let deGuzman be the #10 he was hell bent on being, without screwing us over. Hutchinson is no defensive central midfielder, thats just not his game. Playing both deGuz and Hutch in the middle, is IMO, what killed us in WCQ. We needed a pure holding midfielder in there. With Imhof out, Serioux was the obvious choice, and with a Brennan-McKenna CB pairing, we'd be in the Hex. Grande is our first sub in central midfield. Hope he gets to play in the Gold Cup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soju Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 ^Not Gerba up front? I thought you hated Friend? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrennanFan Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 I don't hate Friend, I just don't trust him. If Gerba was playing regularly for MKD it would be a no brainer. The main thing is I want a 2 striker pairing and I think Friend-Radz would work better than any other combination. Friend-Gerba is worth a try though, and for that I'd move Radz to left mid, bench Stalteri and put Hutch at RB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheKottonmouthed1555362307 Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 If Hume is healthy it would be foolish not to play him. since he may not be healthy. Radz and Friend with Gerbs backinbg them up seems like the smartest move. Grande really showed his worth last night but I still not sold on his Pace. He will find spot on the club the whether he is a sub or a starter. -----------Hirschfeld----------- Stalteri-Edgar-Mckenna-Klukowski ------------Serioux------------- De Guzman-------------Hutchinson -----------De Rosario----------- -------Freind-----Radzinski----- Subs: Gerba, Hainault, Imhof, Grande, Hume, Nakajima, Begovic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canucklefan Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 quote:Originally posted by TheKottonmouthed -----------Hirschfeld----------- Stalteri-Edgar-Mckenna-Klukowski ------------Serioux------------- De Guzman-------------Hutchinson -----------De Rosario----------- -------Freind-----Radzinski----- Subs: Gerba, Hainault, Imhof, Grande, Hume, Nakajima, Begovic. I totally agree with Serioux playing in midfield. Trying to create some play as a center defender is a sin. In that position you have big responsabilities and you can't afford to make fancy moves, but trying those moves in midfield is the right place. The only question is if there's a better deffensive midfielder? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keano Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Last night Grande continued the consistently better-than-USL-standard performances he has been delivering since basically his return to the club. He is a tenacious anticipator of opposition play and a skillful distributor on counterattack. I don't think there's any way he can possibly not be at least the first sub at CM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jeffery S. Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Grande against Spain gave us an impressive goal, one the fans at El Sardinero applauded appreciatively. He has some talent, and is coming into his own. I am amazed how old he is though, seems just yesterday he was a kid at Brescia. Or maybe he was not that young then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearcatSA Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 I thought Grande was a good addition during the 2004 WCQ and I like his type of player, similar to what Nash did during the 2007 Gold Cup, though the Whitecap man was eventually exposed for lack of defensive pace, IMO. Both players thrive at switching the point of attack through shorter, easier first time passes or, with more time, longer probing distribution to the flank midfielders. I think I'd prefer Grande at the moment because he's the better defensive option of the two. That said, I think our biggest problem was the lack of a really strong ballwinner in front of the back four. We got nailed on too many counter attack goals during the last WCQ (especially with three in total in the two matches against Honduras) and we needed a more assertive player there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vancouver Fan Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 quote:Originally posted by youllneverwalkalone Would this starting 11 get killed? Or could they get more than 2 points: --------------Sutton------ Braz--Serioux-Pizzi Bastardo-Brennan Harmse---Nash-------Grande----Rocco -------------DeRo------------------- -------------Gbeke------------------ I'd be worried about our right side players ability to avoid ejection. It is an interesting question though. Certainly capable of getting 2 pts. on heart alone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearcatSA Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 quote:Originally posted by youllneverwalkalone He definitely passes much better than most of our other options. Montreal as a whole looked very organised last night. Which, I suspect, made him look better. When I see a team looking that organised I wonder what if we played more domestic players? What if we played all domestic players in WCQ? Would this starting 11 get killed? Or could they get more than 2 points: --------------Sutton------ Braz--Serioux-Pizzi Bastardo-Brennan Harmse---Nash-------Grande----Rocco -------------DeRo------------------- -------------Gbeke------------------ If you gave this group the same amount of prep usually available to our MNT prior to matches, than I don't see much in the way of positives. I was impressed by Montreal's organization, especially on the road during the Champions' League, but they are a club side, able to train together daily and weekly, as opposed to a national team, which gets together for a few days or perhaps a week if two matches are scheduled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
youllneverwalkalone Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 ^But most top international sides -the Czech, & Croats, & Uruguayans aside- have a significant number of players in the domestic league which, I think, replicates a bit of that club familiarity. I mean, a guy like Nash or Gbeke has played with most of those guys at club level. Personally, my starting 11 probably wouldn't have any of the domestic players, but after that performance I feel like I might be wrong. If friendlies weren't more precious to us than the Holy Grail itself, I'd love to see a few games for the Europe based "A Team" and then a few games for the domestic based "B Team." We could assess the chemistry/familiarity factor a little bit. Whether we like it or not (and we should like it I think) more and more of our players are going to be coming out of the domestic system in the future, after our so-called "Golden Generation" that grew up in Europe. The U20 squad is very representative of this trend. Getting back to Grande, one other question I have is whether success in the Champions League might translate into a few more of our players going to Mexico. I would think Sandro wouldn't be a bad candidate. It's a really good paying league, and should be an alternative for more of our players. Maybe even coaches? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 Vancouver Fan and youllneverwalkalone both got shout outs in my most recent blog entry on an entirely domestic national team http://canadianstretty.blogspot.com/2009/02/domestic-national-team.html As for Grande I agree with TheKottonmouthed, he deserves a spot in the squad, but probably not on the starting XI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheKottonmouthed1555362307 Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 quote:Originally posted by canucklefan I totally agree with Serioux playing in midfield. Trying to create some play as a center defender is a sin. In that position you have big responsabilities and you can't afford to make fancy moves, but trying those moves in midfield is the right place. The only question is if there's a better deffensive midfielder? Imhof or De Guzman but De Guzman when with Canada becomes more of a Winger or Attacking Midfielder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canucklefan Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 I think De Guzman could do better in our NT as a winger or an attacking midfielder than playing as a defenssive midfielder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearcatSA Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 quote:Originally posted by youllneverwalkalone ^But most top international sides -the Czech, & Croats, & Uruguayans aside- have a significant number of players in the domestic league which, I think, replicates a bit of that club familiarity. I mean, a guy like Nash or Gbeke has played with most of those guys at club level. Personally, my starting 11 probably wouldn't have any of the domestic players, but after that performance I feel like I might be wrong. If friendlies weren't more precious to us than the Holy Grail itself, I'd love to see a few games for the Europe based "A Team" and then a few games for the domestic based "B Team." We could assess the chemistry/familiarity factor a little bit. Whether we like it or not (and we should like it I think) more and more of our players are going to be coming out of the domestic system in the future, after our so-called "Golden Generation" that grew up in Europe. The U20 squad is very representative of this trend. Getting back to Grande, one other question I have is whether success in the Champions League might translate into a few more of our players going to Mexico. I would think Sandro wouldn't be a bad candidate. It's a really good paying league, and should be an alternative for more of our players. Maybe even coaches? Thanks for the thoughtful and respectful reply, YNWA. There must be a lot of cabin fever going around considering some of the testy posts I seen elsewhere on this forum. I always saw the January camp in Florida as a "B" camp for domestically based players, completed with one or two friendlies, but you're right, these Holy Grail friendlies leaves the manager having to concentrate on getting his best available players out and mixing them into a winning cocktail. And to Mitchell's or any MNT manager's defence, it's a difficult task to determine whether a guy playing higher level European club football would consistently be a better fit than a guy who has been on USL1 team on a hot Champions' League run. And as you know similar discussions have occurred in various threads on this forum. Ideally, I would like to see more of our core MNT players based domestically and being part of a successful program. Who knows, maybe this GC we we'll see a heavier than usual group of domestic players called up, so we'll get a chance to see what happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
halfnhalf89 Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 i would prefer tam nsaliwa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keano Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 From having watched every game last season, while Sandro's strength is quick short distribution, a lot of that comes off counters that he himself has initiated on won balls. He actually can defend quite well. If De Guz was deployed in a more offensive role with Grande behind him I'd be quite excited about that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearcatSA Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 quote:Originally posted by Keano From having watched every game last season, while Sandro's strength is quick short distribution, a lot of that comes off counters that he himself has initiated on won balls. He actually can defend quite well. If De Guz was deployed in a more offensive role with Grande behind him I'd be quite excited about that. The only way to find out is to see him in action again with the MNT. So we'll see if he gets the call for Cyprus and the GC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoccMan Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 Yes Grande is 31, however, in this day and age 31 for a pro athlete is not as old as it use to be. He needs to be given serious consideration for a place on our national team once again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devioustrevor Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 31 is still pretty old for a footballer. Remember, at the '06 World Cup Zizou was just a shell of the former player he used to be and he was only 33. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearcatSA Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 quote:Originally posted by devioustrevor 31 is still pretty old for a footballer. Remember, at the '06 World Cup Zizou was just a shell of the former player he used to be and he was only 33. I have always believed in selecting the "in form" guy. Besides, at the very least his style of offensive play would serve as a model for a younger up and coming deep-lying midfielder of his ilk. He's an experienced pro, got some chops in Italy in his younger days, currently having an impressive run in the Champions League, had to overcome knee problems to get back to a higher level: lots of savvy to pass on to others. I wouldn't have any problem with his selection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keegan Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 quote:Originally posted by devioustrevor 31 is still pretty old for a footballer. Remember, at the '06 World Cup Zizou was just a shell of the former player he used to be and he was only 33. All players are different, all people are different. Some players can play until their late 30s others fade out in their late 20s. If he is playing well at the moment then he should be called. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.