tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2882710161507930120.post6322123359841653702..comments2009-11-09T08:58:00.317-05:00Comments on Hooligan Talk: Americans Abroad re-issue: Jozy Altidore (Hull City)Will Doddshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904715340620162568noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2882710161507930120.post-30579535277431039732009-08-08T23:11:39.574-04:002009-08-08T23:11:39.574-04:00I'll agree with you that by a textbook definit...I'll agree with you that by a textbook definition, La Liga may make him a better forward. But, as you said, leagues differ from one to the other. Also as you pointed out, the EPL favors strength and speed, while La Liga is more about finesse. Saying he'd be a better forward in La Liga is a hard concept for me to agree with, only because a "better" forward differs from league to league. But, I understand you explained it as your bias, and obviously your opinion would sway towards La Liga, as you follow it. They're just simply not comparable; it's like the worn out "apples and oranges" expression. He could put up huge numbers in the EPL and be fantastic by EPL standards, but with La Liga, he could learn touch and finesse far better than any other league could teach him, and be fantastic by La Liga standards. So, if he put up numbers in England, or amazing touched in Spain, which would make him the better player? The answer is neither; because it's just too hard to compare, and it comes down to opinion. And, it's for that reason, that I feel as though either way he turns, La Liga or EPL, he'll be a fantastic player, and a great American export either way. The only reason I'd like to see him stay in the EPL isn't because I feel as though he'll be "better," because as I said, "better" just can't be argued because it depends on what one really looks for in a player, and the preference of playing style/league. <br /><br />And Diego, I wasn't looking to offer a rebuttal of any kind, just giving my two cents on how I feel Jozy would be a fantastic forward in either the EPL, and he'd learn the ropes there, or vice versa with La Liga. And, just as your bias wants him to come back to La Liga, I'd like to see him develop in the EPL. But, as I've said, he's a sure shot either way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2882710161507930120.post-53246986770283561542009-08-08T18:46:01.979-04:002009-08-08T18:46:01.979-04:00Alright, I'll bring my bias here, but I'll...Alright, I'll bring my bias here, but I'll justify it.<br /><br />I want to see Jozy back in La Liga. I think a year or two in the English game will make him a formidable presence in front of the net, but let face it: you don't go to the Premier League to improve technically as a player. English football favors speed and strength over touch and finesse.<br /><br />As I said, I hope that a couple of years in the EPL help him hone his offensive presence and develop a striker's instinct, but if he returns to Spain, I believe he will develop his technique much better than he would in England, making him an all-around striker instead of the more one-dimensional type favored in the EPL.<br /><br />If all of that happens, here's my selfish, biased reason for having him in La Liga: he'd be another top player plying his trade in Spain. As a Spaniard, I want La Liga to return to the top of the rankings. Although some say it already has with Madrid's acquisitions of Kaka', Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, and Xabi Alonso, and Barcelona's deadly attacking trident of Messi, Henry, and Ibrahimovic, I'm still not convinced. All of that's on paper. When Spanish teams dominate the Champions League as the did earlier this decade and as England has in these past few years, I'll be convinced.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12062864933299400803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2882710161507930120.post-55941858266006656112009-08-08T00:40:02.961-04:002009-08-08T00:40:02.961-04:00As I said before, I'd love to see Jozy stay in...As I said before, I'd love to see Jozy stay in the EPL. I developed a strong liking for his playing style while watching the Confed Cup. Also, while his best season may not be with Hull, I'd love for him to stay with the EPL so that his "best" season can be with a team that I'm familiar with, (I don't watch much soccer outside of the EPL, the occasional MLS, and, of course, international matches). If he stays in the EPL, I'd be more than certain that any club would be able to utilize him, and season him to be a great player to his peak whilst in the EPL. Even if he stays with Hull (which I don't see likely), all of those clubs should and will be able to develop him as a big name forward. And, like you (Will) said, it'd be a great American story, as well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2882710161507930120.post-43649321895201908082009-08-07T10:07:01.753-04:002009-08-07T10:07:01.753-04:00Altidore actually requested a move away from not j...Altidore actually requested a move away from not just Villareal, but from Spain altogether. I think he's kind of bitter after his experience last year. His two priorities at Hull this year: 1) Develop a better first touch, and 2) develop a more-consistent work rate. He may struggle at first, but over time he will become a great export for the Americans. I'd kind of rather see him stay in England. How about you guys?Will Doddshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05904715340620162568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2882710161507930120.post-23186127889024724332009-08-07T01:26:17.080-04:002009-08-07T01:26:17.080-04:00Ah, I'm sorry. Forgot that Jozy was on loan. I...Ah, I'm sorry. Forgot that Jozy was on loan. In that case, I see him going back to Villareal after Hull, for, as you said, Villarreal's lack of forwards comparable to Jozy. I still feel as though his best season is yet to be (obviously), but I don't think his best season will be with Hull.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2882710161507930120.post-31301705547963083632009-08-07T00:28:59.991-04:002009-08-07T00:28:59.991-04:00Quick note: recall it is a loan. If Altidore bloom...Quick note: recall it is a loan. If Altidore blooms into the powerful forward he has the pontential to be, Villarreal could very well include him in their squad next season. I was very disappointed to not see Altidore on the pitch last season--I really do want him to succeed in Europe. I was very surprised to see him being loaned off this season as well. Villarreal released Guille Franco and sold Nihat to Besiktas, leaving Guisseppe Rossi and Joseba Llorente the striking responsibilities... I thought that Villarreal would hold onto him this season and use him as a sub for these two strikers, since the other forwards they have signed are, in my opinion, of lesser quality and potential than Jozy.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12062864933299400803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2882710161507930120.post-70980876791354261182009-08-06T23:03:23.434-04:002009-08-06T23:03:23.434-04:00Altidore will do well at Hull. I remember watching...Altidore will do well at Hull. I remember watching him in the Confed Cup, thinking "If only an EPL team could get a hold of him.." But, I agree, in that he probably won't be at Hull for long. I can see him being the big fish in a small pond there, only to be fished out by a better club. He'll more than likely see the peak of his career with the better club, in my opinion. As a young player, he's got time to get to his peak, but it looks as if it's right around the corner. As I said, his performance in the Confed Cup was really promising. Also, I was glad to see Hull didn't get relegated. I don't know much about them as a club, but their fans seemed very passionate in their final match of the season when they learned they wouldn't be relegated.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com