lattes Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 Ok, so Eckersley is 'on loan' to us from Burnley. 1. Did we have to pay transfer fees for that or is Burnley putting him here to gain game play experience? 2. Does anyone think there is a chance he will stay here after Jan 2012 either as an 'extension of loan' or as a bonafide member of TFC? I ask because I watch him play and the drive he has is insane, I think he is the hardest working man on TFC and a hell of a talented defender and playmaker. You can see the gears going reading what play the opposing team is making and then countering it and making a play. He is also tough as they come, I think the guy eats steel and sh!ts nails. Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killgod Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 1) When it comes to loans we definitely have paid Burnley for his services. In MLS all loan agreements must come with a buyout price, leading into your 2nd Question.. 2) There's a good chance. Eckersley seems to love the playing time and the organization has mentioned they are making attempts at purchasing his rights. I do agree he's a fantastic worker and hard nosed player, perfect fit for MLS. He does make a few poor plays per game with the ball and I believe fans overlook that, although usually his tenacity allows him to make up for it so I guess it's not so much of a big deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lattes Posted August 27, 2011 Author Share Posted August 27, 2011 Thanks! I REALLY hope he stays, he could become a TFC icon, unlike some he 'shows up' to every game. Unfortunately defenders rarely get much glory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted August 27, 2011 Share Posted August 27, 2011 Thanks! I REALLY hope he stays, he could become a TFC icon, unlike some he 'shows up' to every game. Unfortunately defenders rarely get much glory. I have no doubt that Ekersley would become a TFC icon. Like Dichio before him... Talentless pluggers. You did watch the Dallas games didn't you? You thought Ekersley played a strong match, did ya? I'll never understand that towns fascination with mediocrity... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lattes Posted August 27, 2011 Author Share Posted August 27, 2011 I have no doubt that Ekersley would become a TFC icon. Like Dichio before him... Talentless pluggers. You did watch the Dallas games didn't you? You thought Ekersley played a strong match, did ya? I'll never understand that towns fascination with mediocrity... If you are comparing to someone like Pique on Barcelona he isn't in his league, but he ISN'T in that league. Compare to MLS and he rocks. Apples to apples, he is an amazing defender. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted August 27, 2011 Share Posted August 27, 2011 If you are comparing to someone like Pique on Barcelona he isn't in his league, but he ISN'T in that league. Compare to MLS and he rocks. Apples to apples, he is an amazing defender. I was comparing him to a pylon. Apples to apples. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RS Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 I have no doubt that Ekersley would become a TFC icon. Like Dichio before him... Talentless pluggers. You did watch the Dallas games didn't you? You thought Ekersley played a strong match, did ya? I'll never understand that towns fascination with mediocrity... Not unlike some of the chaff from FCE you've lionized. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 Not unlike some of the chaff from FCE you've lionized. Chaff? Like who? Saiko? Hamilton? At least they actually produce on the field. Saiko, an Edmonton kid, leads the team in goals(and assists) and his last goal was a highlight reel. Hamilton, from Calgary is MOM in almost every game he's played... Ekersley, from Blimeytown Englandshire, regularly loses position, over commits, doesn't see the field well and plays on the the worst defence in the MLS. Theres a good reason why it looks like he's working so hard out there... Ekersley is OK at best. An Icon? good god! He's a plugger and I don't think we need to go overseas to for that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuzzAndSting Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 I have no doubt that Ekersley would become a TFC icon. Like Dichio before him... Talentless pluggers. You did watch the Dallas games didn't you? You thought Ekersley played a strong match, did ya? I'll never understand that towns fascination with mediocrity... I don't agree with you with regards to Ekersley's talent but I do agree with your comment about Toronto sports fans. Steve Simmons wrote in the Sun today about how he doesn't understand Jays fans love affair with the recently traded John MacDonald. See below. "An odd love affair for Jays fans On the short list of the most beloved Toronto athletes, there will always be a place for John McDonald. As a career utility infielder without much of a bat, McDonald somehow found a way into the hearts of Jays’ fans, just by being the everyman shortstop who showed up, rolled up his sleeves, asked what needed to be fixed and got the job done. His popularity, at times, has been a mystery, even to those he played with and for. But the emotion from the public was genuine. Strange, the way this city can be, fawning all over a McDonald, yet distant in a way from all the brilliant years of Carlos Delgado. We love effort. We love try guys. We love professional athletes with humility. The assumption is McDonald will return to Toronto next season as a free agent, back in his familiar perch, back in the only city in major league baseball that would consider him a hero." Ekersley seems to be one of those "try guys" and for the record I think he's slightly above average for the MLS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 I don't agree with you with regards to Ekersley's talent but I do agree with your comment about Toronto sports fans. Steve Simmons wrote in the Sun today about how he doesn't understand Jays fans love affair with the recently traded John MacDonald. See below. "An odd love affair for Jays fans On the short list of the most beloved Toronto athletes, there will always be a place for John McDonald. As a career utility infielder without much of a bat, McDonald somehow found a way into the hearts of Jays’ fans, just by being the everyman shortstop who showed up, rolled up his sleeves, asked what needed to be fixed and got the job done. His popularity, at times, has been a mystery, even to those he played with and for. But the emotion from the public was genuine. Strange, the way this city can be, fawning all over a McDonald, yet distant in a way from all the brilliant years of Carlos Delgado. We love effort. We love try guys. We love professional athletes with humility. The assumption is McDonald will return to Toronto next season as a free agent, back in his familiar perch, back in the only city in major league baseball that would consider him a hero." Ekersley seems to be one of those "try guys" and for the record I think he's slightly above average for the MLS. I usually hate Simmons, for so many reasons and not just soccer reasons but I really have to agree with him on this one. It's the strangest thing. The love affair they have with mediocre athletes. There has to be a book in there someplace. At least a doctoral dissertation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Brethers Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 Cult hero is the phrase that journalist wants to use. The hard workers are usually well liked by the fans if they get stuck in and do a reasonable job, just the way it happens Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOGAKANATA Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 I think the tryguy/nice guy thing is a Canadian trait.....but Toronto gets pegged with it because they have professional teams in all the major sports and all those teams are poor. Toronto's and Canadas football culuture is still very much built around the Uk get stuck in mold,so we celebrate and overrate players that fit that mold. But just in our history we(as in Canadian) are nice, polite peace keepers and that attitude reflects in our attitude towards sports and competition in general. Remeber the big stink that was made when the luge dude in the Olympics started gettin cocky with his win:rolleyes:. In Canada we tell kids not to showboat, and boast and it reflects in our athletics. Sorry if I'm a bit off topic, but this issue is one that bugs the hell out of me. On topic: Ecks is not god, but Tfc should try and keep him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oranje Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 He’s only 22 and his never-say-die attitude coupled with the right guidance can lead to him being a very dependable staple on TFCs backline. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul-collins Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 Ecks is not god, but Tfc should try and keep him. I think the moneyball analysis is what we should be using on Eck. Is he brilliant? No. Is he worthy of the time (ie are TFC getting value for money?) I think yes, given the structure of the league and the availability of talent at his price point. If TFC chooses to allocate more $ to the position, sure they can upgrade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lattes Posted August 30, 2011 Author Share Posted August 30, 2011 He’s only 22 and his never-say-die attitude coupled with the right guidance can lead to him being a very dependable staple on TFCs backline. You hit the nail on the head, I will take 11 boys with tenacity and a good degree of natural ability (given) over 11 'naturals' who won't show up to practice any day, 2-3 years down the road the boys with tenacity will come out much stronger players 9 times out of 10. Eck will become an icon, and he will deserve it because he WORKED for it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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