Comments for No moves for Landon Donovan at http://www.wsc.co.uk , comment 0 to 7 out of 7 comments http://www.wsc.co.uk Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:14:51 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.wsc.co.uk/content/view/3839/38/#pc_915 I disagree with the notion that Donovan isn't world-class, he is.......he just isn't a world-class playmaker, which is the role that he keeps being saddled with for the US team. But he is a world-class wide player, he could play for a lot of very good teams in Europe.....but it never really worked out for him, but I don't think it was a lack of physical skills in his case but commitment. A lot of people think landon gave up too easily when it came to his first two stints in Germany. He basically came back with his tail between his legs at the first sign of adversity, at least that was the consensus. I think that's partly of result of American soccer still being a middle-class pursuit. If he was a player from more modest means and who had the pressure of his family depending on hi, I think he wouldn't succumbed to homesickness so easily. Not that I blame him for wanting to be a big fish in a small pond in southern california and marrying an actress, but a lot of other people seemed to. - radmonkey Tue, 15 Sep 2009 03:46:51 +0100 http://www.wsc.co.uk/content/view/3839/38/#pc_910 He admitted to having a poor WC 06, and people seem to use that as evidence of inconsistency. But the truth was the whole side was mediocre in that Cup. If you actually look back at the guy's performances internationally and domestically, he's actually been incredibly consistent, 06 notwithstanding. I never understood the amount of criticism and, in some cases, out and out hate for the guy. I think there's little doubt he's now proven to be the best field player the US has produced to date. And we should all pray he stays healthy for '10--we have very little offer without him. - mab Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:28:24 +0100 http://www.wsc.co.uk/content/view/3839/38/#pc_909 He gets a hell of a lot of stick in the U.S., but in general he is by far the most consistent player in the U.S. side. He seemed to be totally awed and intimidated during the 2006 World Cup performance - as did his teammates. Physically and mentally he was out of it. His best chance to star overseas would be if he was a role player surrounded by quality talent. That seemed to be the situation w/ B. Munich, but it didn't work. Wish we had more players w/ his work ethic and skill. Probably best to keep him the U.S. where he is playing regularly. - Cal Alamein Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:11:38 +0100 http://www.wsc.co.uk/content/view/3839/38/#pc_908 Consistency is fairly recent feature in Donovan's game. It's only since perhaps 2008, when he scored 20 goals, and maybe later that he's shed a lot of his reputation as a gutless wonder. Between that MLS' usual restrictive shenanigans in the transfer market, it's not really surprising that he hasn't gone anywhere. The problem is that he really has to be sold to a team that's willing to meet what is absolutely going to be high transfer fee, which a) no one probably feels he's worth and b) is not in line with the playing time he might be afforded at a large club with deep pockets. - MaxJ Mon, 14 Sep 2009 08:49:32 +0100 http://www.wsc.co.uk/content/view/3839/38/#pc_906 The stats clearly speak to his qualities, but I also think that those stats are padded by CONCACAF qualifiers and CONCACAF Gold Cup games. Now I understand that one can only do one's best against the opponents that exist, but his inability to shine in Europe (even this last time when he was on loan to Bayern) and his failure to truly lead the team in the WC, means that he will never be viewed as world class outside the US. In his defence, Bruce Arena's failure to sit Reina in WC 2006 seemed to hinder Dononvan, who needed to be the midfield general; however, since that time, he just seems to go missing for far too long. The great midfielders (and he is really a midfielder, not a forward) get the ball; they will not stand for drifting out of the game. So, what am I saying here? He has been a very good player for the US and in MLS, and I think we play so much better when he plays well, but he is just not world class and until the US has some truly world class attacking players, we will never truly shine against top sides in competitions that really matter (e.g., the World Cup). - danielmak Mon, 14 Sep 2009 04:39:18 +0100 http://www.wsc.co.uk/content/view/3839/38/#pc_904 He really is such a quality player. It's a shame MLS is holding him for ransom. However, I also suspect LD is very much sensitive to his surroundings, his securities - everyone has seen his hand ritual when starting a match or taking a pk - and will need the time to adjust to change that he hasn't yet received on his forays to Europe. - dylan Sun, 13 Sep 2009 14:49:54 +0100 http://www.wsc.co.uk/content/view/3839/38/#pc_903 Greatest American player ever. - Firesox Sun, 13 Sep 2009 13:14:14 +0100