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Kwasi Poku


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55 minutes ago, costarg said:

No, lots of players change position throughout their careers for many different reasons.  Yet, I can't name anyone that's played CB, FB, M and striker in a calendar year though.

I don't feel playing 4 different positions in that short a time is a benefit to his development, I think it says more about the system around him more than the player himself.

Are you making a new point, or are you still saying Poku has been lost in our system?

Regardless, the kid is in a pretty amazing run of form, so I don't understand the hand wringing over his development. Not that I find it particularly relevant, but when did he play CB?

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52 minutes ago, Aird25 said:

Are you making a new point, or are you still saying Poku has been lost in our system?

Regardless, the kid is in a pretty amazing run of form, so I don't understand the hand wringing over his development. Not that I find it particularly relevant, but when did he play CB?

No, still the same point, just answering your questions.  You can just as easily go back to my posts to understand my points.  1st, I questioned if this is the guy who triggered Marsch's comments about late or missed development.  I also mentioned concern about him being played all over the place.

Next post, I explained my definition of "lost in the system".

3rd, I said I understood he signed his first pro contract at 19.  Which seemed late to me.

I also asked you a few questions, which you seem to completely ignore just to go off on your "Everyone hates CPL tangent".

Once again, no one is trying trash CPL.  I even mentioned him going through an MLS academy and him slipping through that as well.  Just like I'm not blaming CPL for not finding Bombito.

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35 minutes ago, costarg said:

No, still the same point, just answering your questions.  You can just as easily go back to my posts to understand my points.  1st, I questioned if this is the guy who triggered Marsch's comments about late or missed development.  I also mentioned concern about him being played all over the place.

Next post, I explained my definition of "lost in the system".

3rd, I said I understood he signed his first pro contract at 19.  Which seemed late to me.

I also asked you a few questions, which you seem to completely ignore just to go off on your "Everyone hates CPL tangent".

Once again, no one is trying trash CPL.  I even mentioned him going through an MLS academy and him slipping through that as well.  Just like I'm not blaming CPL for not finding Bombito.

I don't see Poku as someone that has been lost in the system, but I'm open to an explanation into why you do.

I presume this is your post where you explain your definition of lost in the system, "The guys that got stuck on a bench the crucial development years (18-20).  The guys we just didn't spot or scout correctly.  The ones that had to move elsewhere, including the ones that went on to play for other national teams.  The guys we just didn't have good enough coaches to get the most out of.  The guys that couldn't quite crack the TFC academy/squad and moved elsewhere to emerge as solid pros.  The guys we never heard of cause their parents couldn't afford to sign them up to one of the academies."?

Poku hasn't been stuck on the bench, he wasn't a missed scouting report, he didn't have to move elsewhere, he hasn't played for other national teams, we've obviously heard of him...the only one of your criteria that remotely fits is not cracking TFCs first team, but that's a failure of one club, not our system. He's been a regular on one of the best teams in the country for ages

For me, he's played for Canada as a teenager, he's only ever played within our pro structure, he's been an important player for Canadian clubs for years, and he's having a fantastic year. I don't think I've gone off on a CPL bashing tangent in this conversation, but I do consider the league a critical element of our development as a soccer nation.

Edited by Aird25
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19 hours ago, Aird25 said:

I don't see Poku as someone that has been lost in the system, but I'm open to an explanation into why you do.

I presume this is your post where you explain your definition of lost in the system, "The guys that got stuck on a bench the crucial development years (18-20).  The guys we just didn't spot or scout correctly.  The ones that had to move elsewhere, including the ones that went on to play for other national teams.  The guys we just didn't have good enough coaches to get the most out of.  The guys that couldn't quite crack the TFC academy/squad and moved elsewhere to emerge as solid pros.  The guys we never heard of cause their parents couldn't afford to sign them up to one of the academies."?

Poku hasn't been stuck on the bench, he wasn't a missed scouting report, he didn't have to move elsewhere, he hasn't played for other national teams, we've obviously heard of him...the only one of your criteria that remotely fits is not cracking TFCs first team, but that's a failure of one club, not our system. He's been a regular on one of the best teams in the country for ages

For me, he's played for Canada as a teenager, he's only ever played within our pro structure, he's been an important player for Canadian clubs for years, and he's having a fantastic year. I don't think I've gone off on a CPL bashing tangent in this conversation, but I do consider the league a critical element of our development as a soccer nation.

I could still be missing something, but if he did get signed at 18/19, that is "late".

He was 19 first time he represented Canada, that's also late.  

Scouting & coaching - he's played D, M and up top within a year, like I was saying it seems his coaches know they have a gem here, but not sure where or how to play/develop him.

The TFC trial.

Either way, I have no doubt he breaks the CPL xfer record. 

My wish list moving forward, like Marsch was saying:

  • I hope we find these guys younger.
  • I hope he doesn't look too raw/undeveloped when he hits the next level.
Edited by costarg
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1 hour ago, costarg said:

I could still be missing something, but if he did get signed at 18/19, that is "late".

He was 19 first time he represented Canada, that's also late.  

Scouting & coaching - he's played D, M and up top within a year, like I was saying it seems his coaches know they have a gem here, but not sure where or how to play/develop him.

The TFC trial.

Either way, I gave no doubt he breaks the CPL xfer record. 

My with list moving forward, like Marsch was saying:

  • I hope we find these guys younger.
  • I hope he doesn't look too raw/undeveloped when he hits the next level.

I think it’s more a question of he was, for two seasons, a mediocre player who had no real spot on the team. I think it’s actually a testament to Forge’s coaching that they did so much to test this guy out all over the pitch instead of cutting him when his original position wasn’t working. 
 

If I remember correctly, Kone was still playing striker not too long before he was signed by Montreal. I believe he only became a CM at CS St. laurent

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14 minutes ago, InglewoodJack said:

I think it’s more a question of he was, for two seasons, a mediocre player who had no real spot on the team. I think it’s actually a testament to Forge’s coaching that they did so much to test this guy out all over the pitch instead of cutting him when his original position wasn’t working. 

This inspires me!  

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1 hour ago, costarg said:

I could still be missing something, but if he did get signed at 18/19, that is "late".

He was 19 first time he represented Canada, that's also late.  

Scouting & coaching - he's played D, M and up top within a year, like I was saying it seems his coaches know they have a gem here, but not sure where or how to play/develop him.

The TFC trial.

Either way, I gave no doubt he breaks the CPL xfer record. 

My with list moving forward, like Marsch was saying:

  • I hope we find these guys younger.
  • I hope he doesn't look too raw/undeveloped when he hits the next level.

Perspective maybe, or context? The majority of our current national team players weren't called to represent Canada when they were younger than Poku, and the majority of them had to leave Canada for a pro opportunity, often at a much later age. I hope we start to find the best players in Canada earlier on, and provide them with the necessary training to move them on too, but highlighting a player that has actually been discovered and developed by Canadian clubs and national teams as someone that's been lost in the system is wrong imo 

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2 hours ago, costarg said:

I could still be missing something, ...

Is he doing massively better than Woobens Pacius last season or Tristan Borges back in 2019? Seems to have a knack for being in the right place at the right time so I wouldn't be surprised if he moves to some other league by next summer but not sure where the 1M transfer fee stuff is coming from if transfermarkt is correct about him being out of contract after this season:

https://www.transfermarkt.com/kwasi-poku/profil/spieler/939647

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6 hours ago, Aird25 said:

Perspective maybe, or context? The majority of our current national team players weren't called to represent Canada when they were younger than Poku, and the majority of them had to leave Canada for a pro opportunity, often at a much later age. 

But this is exactly the point I'm (and Marsch) trying to make.   We're on the same page too, just looking at it from different angles.  The status quo isn't good enough if we want to compete at the highest level.  Too many guys (Bombito, Laryea, Tajon, Poku.....) started their competitive and pro careers too late.  We need to improve that.  Once they do hit the big stage we clearly see there is a rawness and unrefined side to the obvious talent.  Some coaches are ok with talking that on, others can't be bothered.

I just also want to mention, I do feel the college route is great in the sense the players have an established safety net and comfort knowing the next phase of their career is covered.  It's not all bad. 

6 hours ago, Aird25 said:

highlighting a player that has actually been discovered and developed by Canadian clubs and national teams as someone that's been lost in the system is wrong imo 

I wasn't trying to highlight Poku's route, I was asking if Marsch was also implying him during his Bombito spiel before/after the Forge game.

What I did highlight was feeling a 21 yr old playing so many positions in so little time does not bode well for his development.  I feel at 21, we should have a good idea of where he's best suited.  We've seen FB/wingers, wingers/strikers, FB/CB's, but for someone to play all over the park like him in so little time is highly unorthodox and questionable.  Even with all the talent I suspect the next level will be a challenge for him in that sense.

Edit, just for more perspective.  I've never seen this for a pro with 4000 minutes:

image.png.dbdf02e6f6f297fa80267dd29b4d85bb.png

Someone a few pages back even mentioned CB, but it doesn't show up here.  I cannot confirm.

Edited by costarg
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  • 3 weeks later...
6 minutes ago, Dominic94 said:

Must be very close if he’s being held out

No disrespect to Halifax but they probably (correctly) thought they could get the win without him.  And if that is the case it may not have been absolutely imminent.  

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1 minute ago, narduch said:

Its still a vague statement that doesn't really say anything.

Regardless, it still qualifies as news when the league's brightest young star is held out due to transfer interest. Maybe should have been posted on the OneSoccer twitter account, not the league one, but there's always a lot of overlap as I'm sure it's the same social media intern that does both.

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