Freddy Adu

[DigitalOne]

Any of you Footballing experts think this kid's any good?

[DigitalOne]

I assume he stinks, then?

[SpockBert]

heard a lot about him, sadly a few nasty things too, theres a few people who don't believe his age and want his bones scanned! As well as being supremely talented he's quite a big lad for his age.

Wouldn't be surprised if theres already a big group of European clubs waiting to sign him. Problem is he can't sign a professional contract till he's 17 and even then he wouldn't get a work permit untill he's played a load of international games for the US (unless Man Utd go after him and they bribe the right people to make the deal happen...allegedly!)

The whole work permit thing stinks, my team Spurs were after a US player called Bobby Convey, he was pretty much 1st choice for the US national team for 2 years yet he wasn't granted a permit.

Man Utd go for Tim Howard who played less games then Bobby, and is 3rd choice keeper, yet he gets a permit.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

</rant>

[jamble]

ManU also managed to renew Quinton Fortune's contract despite him hardly playing any games.

As for Adu, it's difficult to hear anything objective about the kid now because he's on a million dollar Nike deal etc so much of the press over here is reported through agents etc.

I don't understand how he's allowed to play professional first team football in the MLS at 14 though?!

[gerbick]

he got his high school diploma via an accelerated course(s)... the whole thing about him being big for his age. scary thing, I thought he was damn right small, but just "built" for his age.

anyway, the soccer world outside of the US won't hype him for likely no other reason than he's an American.

that's right.

[slinx]

Hey Gerbick,

Being English, I am the first to admit a lot of my compatriots have a dim view of football (sorry, I just can't call it soccer ) in the States, but just wanted to let you know that this is the most part nothing but conventional ignorance, as the MLS is not widely accessible to British viewers.

I however take quite an interest in overseas football and think that judging by the bright potential of the American youngsters coming through, you can see the benefit of some top class coaching in recent times and Eddie Pope is a fine example.

The last two WC performances have also reflected an upsurge in the national teams fortunes.

Soccer aside... ;o)

I also had to say I have been checking out the links in your FK signature, particularly the Photoshop battles. As a designer learning his trade, there is a lot of inspiration there... but also the harsh reality dawning on me with what kind of standards I have to try and live with!

Some of the earlier threads the images are no longer available though, which is a shame.

If you are a football fan though, you could check out my site (my first true project) at www.croftersfc.co.uk, and if you have any feedback from a design point of a view to offer it would be most welcome.

Cheers, Steve

[Markp.com]

Originally posted by slinx
I also had to say I have been checking out the links in your FK signature, particularly the Photoshop battles. As a designer learning his trade, there is a lot of inspiration there... but also the harsh reality dawning on me with what kind of standards I have to try and live with!

Some of the earlier threads the images are no longer available though, which is a shame.

Awwwww! Gerb... someone likes you!

[ViRGo_RK]

I didn't realize we had so many smilies devoted to love.

[slinx]

/holds hands up

... was a bit cheesy... fair one!

/looks for the 'blush' smiley

[Markp.com]

Originally posted by ViRGo_RK
I didn't realize we had so many smilies devoted to love.

What about all those you used in that PM to Gerby the other day?

[slinx]

Ha! Just had a quick scout at your game markp, top drawer.

Driving games just arent my forte, 2D or otherwise, else that would've got me all night...

[ViRGo_RK]

brownie points!