During training camp yesterday, now-first-string GK Shuichi Gonda and last year’s leading scorer, FW Shingo Akamine got into a nasty collision, resulting in minor injuries to both. Both are working on rehabilitating the injuries, and both plan to participate fully in today’s session.
Not related to the blog entry at all, but have you heard any word/rumours about if we are getting a third foreign player?
If not (and we start the season with just Cabore and Bruno) do you think that shows a lack of ambition from the front office?
And speaking of Bruno, where do you think he fits this year? Centre-back or holding midfielder?
Y.N.W.A.,
No word on a 3rd foreign player. I don’t think it shows a lack of ambition, I think it shows faith in our Japanese talent and I’ll take that any day of the week and twice on Sundays. Remember that we mostly played with only 1-2 foreign players at any given time last season, as Bruno was largely out with injuries. Cabore scores goals and makes chances and Bruno is a solid defender, and I’m satisfied with that.
As far as your other question, I’ve got Weekly Soccer Digest open on my desk and in their Up-or-Down preview on FCT they felt Bruno was important enough to be given a mini-featurette. They forecast him taking a role such as that of Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan & Italian international), mainily feeding passes to Kajiyama. They predicted a 4-3-3 formation with Konno and Bruno backing up Kajiyama in the midfield.
Thanks for your reply dokool, and nice work on your preview, I certainly hope you’re right with your prediction of where we’ll finish!
Regarding your comments, I’d like to take you up on your “Remember that we mostly played with only 1-2 foreign players at any given time last season, as Bruno was largely out with injuries” point, as I feel a third HEALTHY foreigner could’ve/would’ve made the difference in us finishing in the top four, rather than sixth. OK, we have some talented Japanese players, but if we have the option of going with three foreigners (which almost all of the “big” clubs do) then why aren’t we? Alright, you didn’t rate Emerson, fair enough, I admit he underwhelmed me at times too, but I feel we need a 3rd foreigner to really kick on and hopefully climb up to the 3rd spot you’ve predicted for us.
Cheers.
>Y.N.W.A.
You may be right about that. Don’t get me wrong, I would love to see a 3rd foreigner on the squad as well, but if we’re going to load up the roster with foreign players I would prefer they play more of a defensive role than on offense, but mainly because I dislike the hired-gun offenses that many teams run as I feel it hurts the NT’s offensive capabilities.
That siad, if you check out my latest post, it seems FCT may have something in the works for that 3rd slot after all.
Oh, and since I’m not exactly sure where you’re following this blog from, should I expect to see you on Saturday at Ajinomoto? Drop me a line on BigSoccer or TRSN!
Thanks again dokool,
Are we getting David Villa on loan?!
Let’s hope we have some good news regarding a 3rd foreigner soon.
Yes I’ll be at Aji Sta on Saturday, after going to every home league game except the Kokuritsu loss to the Spews (had to go to a friend’s wedding, thank god I missed it!), a friend and I are getting a season ticket for the first time. Very excited about the start of the season! Up the Gasmen!
>Y.N.W.A.
No clue about David Villa, I’ll post more on the Valencia thing when there’s more to report but it appears that their club is in desperate financial straits and might be looking for a cash infusion more than anything.
Glad to hear you’ve joined SOCIO! Email me at dokool@aishiteru-tokyo.com and maybe we can meet up at the stadium.