Comments on: Others’ Thoughts on the Galaxy, and on Beckham’s Debut

By: Jay

Jay — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 04:32:37 +0000

Pre-Beckham I’d say Gray is the only guy that could possibly do the job. Not because of his ability, but because he’s seen it before, Ching has a similar style. People put the ball where they want it, and Ching gets his head or foot on it. That style is the reason some people’s reaction to a Ching goal is “Where’d he come from?”

By: Laurie

Laurie — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 18:49:04 +0000

Jay, you’re completely right on the fact that I’m still struggling to get a read on Pavon’s style of play. Of all the players whose skills aren’t being utilized without Beckham, I think he tops the list. I’ve only seen highlights of his play for Honduras, but that was impressive. In my mind, just from the little I’ve seen, he has skills maybe along the lines of Milan’s “Super Pippo”? Is this how you see it? Or does he bring other skills altogether?

Pre-Beckham, though, I think we agree that we have nobody who can utilize his talents.

By: Jay

Jay — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 17:54:21 +0000

It seems tome most of you are unaware of Pavon’s style of play. If you watch him playing for his national team, and watch him, not the ball. You’ll notice that he creates his chances when he doesn’t have the ball. He’s seems to be just waiting for the ball on the Galaxy because nobody has a clue on how to pass to him. I suspect Beckham will change that.

Guide to Pavon:
Do not pass the ball TO him. Put the ball where you WANT HIM TO GO… he’ll get there.

Buddle played well. After seeing all the combination that Yallop has put up top I say Pavon-Buddle has been the best so far.

By: Diane

Diane — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 15:01:51 +0000

“…team created to work around [fill in any name] skills…” we’ve all noted that this last few weeks should be an object lesson in that folly.

I liked both the kiss and the watching England analogies, especially the fact that they invoke such polar opposite pictures!

By: Laurie

Laurie — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 04:38:20 +0000

Chris, thanks for the reinforcement on Buddle — I was wondering if I was the only one in the universe who saw cause for hope.

I do disagree about Donovan and Pavon having the same skills, though. In my mind, Donovan is much more of a creator of opportunities. Pavon just receives them. That was the only thing he was brought in for, in my opinion — to receive opportunities created by Beckham and drive them into the goal. I’m reserving judgment on him till we see whether that works or not.

In my mind, this entire team was created to work around Beckham’s skills. Because of that, we have plenty of people who can get the ball to Beckham, and several who can receive the ball from Beckham, but nobody else who can bridge the gap. This would have been fine if Beckham had showed up in April. It’s not so great when he’s showing up in mid-August.

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 02:43:17 +0000

My thoughts: Buddle DID do well, though some finishing practice is DEFINITELY in order…Gray, though sloppy at times, is one of the few players not afraid to run at defenders…saying that, why does the galaxy have TWO forwards who are of the exact same put-it-in-front-of-me-because-I-can’t-create-off-the-dribble in Pavon and Donovan? Without midfielders to serve quality through balls, these two are LOST. We saw a glimpse of what might be when Becks sprung LD down the left side late in the game. When becks plays a full 90, I do feel we’ll see a better side, especially from the fwds, who will not want to look asinine wasting quality balls sent into the box.

By: Roberto

Roberto — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 00:49:18 +0000

Beckham is overrated by he ignorant public, but he is even more underrated by football fans. He looked really sharp in the middle last night, and I think he will actually elevate his career in MLS (compared to Real Madrid). He is a class act, ON THE FIELD and off.

By: Laurie

Laurie — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 23:40:02 +0000

P.S. You and I are going to have to agree to disagree on the Martino-Vagenas question. (Although we can probably both agree that Martino sucked yesterday. I think it was temporary.) And for the record, I’ve seen Vagenas referred to elsewhere as “Passback Pete” due to his penchant for sending the ball backwards.

It’s all a matter of perspective.

By: Laurie

Laurie — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 23:31:24 +0000

Doug, I knew that comment would bring you out of the woodwork.

By: Doug

Doug — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 23:21:55 +0000

WIthout Vagenas? WIthout Vagenas, we get the lame performance of last night. At least Pete isn’t afraid to take the ball downfield instead of panicking, turning around, and passing back to the goalkeeper just because an opposing player looks at him.