Donovan Loan saga thread

I agree with the comments above. Showed that he had the quality to belong, showed that his pace really is world class, but he obviously didn't want to be more aggressive than he was "supposed" to so tended to err on the side of caution. He also needs a bit more time to understand defensive positioning in the team shape.

Still, considering he's only been with the team for a week and hasn't played since November, it was an excellent showing.

 

The media is raving about his performance. The first goal was off his corner kick to Osman. He apparently caused Arsenal all kinds of problems on their left flank (Donovan was on the right).

Wenger praised Everton. Media says Everton was definitely the better team. Media is praising Donovan and implying Everton is much better with him out there. Only one game though.

He appears to have matured and gotten off on the right foot at Everton and with the media. He's slightly still a bit full of himself, but he's talking the talk and walking the walk finally.

 

A summary of quotes from the English press regarding Donovan's performance against Arsenal.

I watched the match and was surprised to see Donovan in the starting XI. He played well before, IMO, he ran out of gas. He did not dominate the match but he was influential. Traore must have been happy to see Donovan head to the bench because there were times that Donovan made Traore look really poor. His game had some rust on it and a few times LD made the right pass but was a touch slow in pulling the trigger. Somewhere between the 55th and 60th minute it started to look like he had not played a match for a couple of months and Moyes made the right decision to pull him.

The big upside to this debut is if it normally takes time for a player to settle into a new league with new teammates then Everton should expect good things from Landon in the coming weeks. It will be interesting to see how Donovan does when he plays a team that would rather kick the crap out of you than play football like Arsenal.

 

Reports are about as I expected.

Match fit? Dunno as that's really an issue. He'll be ready for 90 in a few weeks.
From all accounts he should have been pulled and there went his chance to break Simon Elliot's record on MLS to Prem playing time. You'll recall, of course, that Simon went directly into Fulham's lineup and played all 90 for 5 consecutive matches, several months after the Crew was done for the season.

Bottom line: He'll do fine.

 

Damn, we were that bad that Elliot had to play for the full 90?? :wink:

 

Donovan did confirm in an interview that the reason he left the match was cramping. He did not look out of shape but it will probably be a couple of weeks before he gets his full match fitness back.

 

Actually... yes.

Coleman's midfield cupboard was bare. It was down to reserves and academy players. Simon did well till some of the starters got healed.

 

Here are nearly 12 minutes of Donovan only highlights from his Everton home debut from this weekend.

http://watchsocceronline.blogspot.com/2 ... m-his.html

 

Donovan looked like he fit in well on the right for Everton. He had a couple of nice combination plays and a couple of nice corners. His passing still looks a bit rusty and he had a 1 v 1 chance or two he could have done better but overall it was a good first outing for LD at Goodison.

 

He was gassed again tho - much of the reason for the 1v1 mishaps. I would say he was done at about the hour mark, but he did ok for the final 30.

I would have liked to see him put in a few tackles, but we need him healthy so I suppose I should cut him some slack.

 

I am happy about the last two performances of LD. This is a good fit.

 

Thought Donovan had a fantastic game yesterday. He was a menace on the wing and lethal on crosses and corners. How about that corner he put right on Fellaini's noggin that he rattled off the bar?

Apparently, his first impressions have been positive too.

I hope for two things. One, and unfortunately it has to be said, is no injuries. Second is, if he keeps on like this, and he is in a good enough club to be able to do that, is that he stays in England rather than return to Manhattan Beach.

 

To be fair, they played two clubs that allowed Everton to play their game. If he can not only survive but excel against the Stoke, Blackburn and Bolton types, that'll really show something. But good start for Landon, I'm pulling for his success....and continued stay beyond the loan period. Moyes is the best fit he could have found in the Prem.

 

Donovan got the start against Sunderland today (game still in progress). He scored a goal in the 19th minute and nearly had a second that was cleared off the line. He was just taken out a couple minutes ago.

I will post some highlights later once I find something after the game.

 

http://videos.sapo.pt/Fo6k4mKysIHEPW4SyQQw

 

If LD actually honors the terms of his loan agreement, then I will be very surprised and disappointed. There's no need for him to return to MLS until after the World Cup - if MLS support the USMNT, then they'll modify the loan agreement to mirror Becks. He needs to finish out the year at Everton.

He looks quality and finally to have found his niche - and Everton is no small potatoes. For the sake of US Soccer, I'm over the moon for LD's play and Moyes' confidence in him from the get go.

 

That's a nice goal.

 

I agree. No reason for him to come back before WC. Other than to avoid having to eat a few words about Beckham.

I went to the toffeeweb forum after reading this, earlier.
I was gonna post on there but then decided screw 'em.
Recall... After McBride's loan deal to PNE and Everton, he renegotiated his contract. What he got there was freedom of mobility in honor of his years of service to MLS. Where MLS had asked 3 million before, he was sold for considerably less.

Somehow I think there's also a favorable release clause for Mandon

 

What terrible defending by Sunderland -- Landon made them pay for their mistakes.