I wouldn't sell Poku. He's shown glimpses of what he can especially in the game against Toronto, but he's also to inconsistent. Vieira said that he has to train harder on and off the ball which makes sense but when the kid is in his element he's reminds me of a younger Yaya.
Lampard I'm not even going to bother saying anything because we're mostly all thinking the same thing that he should be cut and Pirlo I wouldn't mind him going either. They're both old and even Pirlo has already complained that the MLS is to physical. I understand bringing these two guys was more of a PR move but at this point it's really starting to look bad that they can barely play a full game or even be at full fitness in regards to Lampard. With their salary cap we could bring in some youthful players that could really turn it around.
Let's try a little reality here.
We're not all thinking the same thing about Lampard. For one, he's one of the best midfielders to have ever played the game. He's been hurt for far longer than expected, sure, but he's back on the field now and can potentially make major contributions for at least this year if not longer. Mid-30s is not old to play but it does mean that if you get hurt it can take a lot longer to heal, which is maybe what happened. I'm not demanding you like him or that you "forgive" him or the club for the alleged conspiracy theory "debacle" of his arrival but if you're thinking we ought to get rid of him because he's no good, to me that's just nuts. For a team that's not living up to expectations why would you want to cut someone who was arguably one of the best players in the world? You don't have to like him but he's here and he can now play.
And now on to Pirlo. That's a total mangling of what he was talking about. He wasn't saying "wow, that was too physical can someone bring me a lemonade and a beach chair." He was saying "wow, these players all run around like nuts running over and through each other in a far too physical a manner and I sure wish they'd stop beating on each other and learn how to actually play the game."
And Poku, too. I really like the guy, he's dynamic and entertaining. But when two completely opposite coaches don't play him you've got to start wondering if he's as good as we think he is. Maybe he is, maybe he ain't. More importantly in the long term, maybe he can be someday in the future. Same with Shelton. That day is not today though, it seems.
I've been accused on the forum of being too hopelessly optimistic about the team. Probably accurately, at that. But I'll be at the match on Thursday and I won't be booing Lampard when he comes on. When you've got potentially future world class young players going on social media wondering what's wrong with the supporters for booing current world class players, well, perhaps it's time to start questioning the heart of the supporters and not the heart of the team.
And again, I'm not at all demanding this turn into a Lampard lovefest. Think of this as my usual popping out of the woodwork to remind people that Lampard's world class even if you don't happen to like him for some inexplicable reason.
*shakes cane* Why, if I was 30 years younger I'd come down there and thrash you dang whippersnappers for all this nonsense and complaining. Now get off my lawn.