Kellermann-Strauss Forum » uch to be desired. The decision to allow

The Kevin Payne era at Toronto FC was symbolized by bold promises but few results. The talk of major additions and drastic improvement never really materialized and ultimately played a role in Paynes departure from the club, but following his exit the promises continue. MLSE President Tim Leiweke has talked about Toronto FCs intent to sign two Designated Players next year and the approval from the Board of Directors to spend $26 million. After Head Coach Ryan Nelsen watched his team fall to a 2-0 defeat at New York Red Bulls on Saturday, in what was actually one of the teams better road performances of the season, the rookie coach didnt hold back when asked his thoughts about the clubs position right now. "To tell you the truth, this is possibly the absolute best position Toronto has ever been in," Nelsen told reporters outside the locker room following the match. "Next year, trust me, when you walk out there, there will be a couple of Designated Players and there will be a lot of our players that will be playing in the same organization. "We play against these teams with better opportunities every single week. Just think of this time next year when we have a couple of DPs and we put ourselves in position because of this year. We had to undo a lot of mistakes that were made in the past and now we can build going forward," Nelson explained. Having had the chance to talk in depth with Nelsen on a number of occasions, I know that statement isnt just him trying to sugarcoat the clubs current position. The New Zealander really believes it. However, after seven years of promises followed by failure, it is difficult for Toronto FC supporters not to be skeptical. The clubs announcement that season ticket holders will not have to commit to renewing until January will give fans some extra time to see if the latest promises will be fulfilled, but the teams management is setting lofty expectations. Hopefully the end result isnt another let-down for the long-suffering supporters. Suspension Coming? I was surprised on Saturday night when referee Edvin Jurisevic took no action against Toronto FC midfielder Jonathan Osorio following an incident late in the game at Red Bull Arena. Osorio kicked the ball from close range at the head of New York full back Kosuke Kimura who was on the floor. Fortunately Kimura was able to get up and continue participating in the match, but the outcome could have been much more serious. Those who know Osorio will tell you there is not a malicious bone in his body and Im certain he didnt mean to cause any harm, however it was a reckless play and one that is certain to be reviewed by Major League Soccers Disciplinary Committee later this week. Ryan Nelsen praised the match official following the game for his decision not to take any action, but judging on past incidents reviewed by the Disciplinary Committee, a one -match suspension for Toronto FCs young midfielder seems a likely result. Whatever the outcome, this is just another learning experience for a very talented young Canadian player who has the potential to be an influence for both club and country for years to come. It has been a fantastic season for the 21-year-old who has been one of Toronto FCs few bright spots this year. The Captain Is Back It was great to see Vancouver Whitecaps captain Jay DeMerit return to the lineup in San Jose on Saturday just over six months after suffering a torn Achilles tendon in the season opener. After just 70 minutes of reserve team action against UBC Thunderbirds, the former United States international was forced into action against the Quakes following an early injury to Brad Rusin. With Andy OBrien and Johnny Leveron both left at home injured, DeMerits comeback came sooner than Head Coach Martin Rennie expected, and the captain played a massive role in helping the team keep a clean sheet. A massively understrength Whitecaps team battled hard to take a point against a San Jose team that holds an excellent home record, and at another stage of the season, it would be viewed as a very good result. However, with time running out in the 2013 season, both sides needed three points at Buck Shaw Stadium to give their fading playoff hopes a boost. Its now just one win in nine matches for Vancouver. Thanks to Portlands draw against Chivas USA, the Caps finished the weekend in no worse a position that they started it, but they didnt improve their outlook either. As they prepare to head to Montreal, they are five points off the playoff places with six matches remaining - three at home, three away. Montreal Impact against Vancouver Whitecaps is live on TSN on Saturday afternoon, with the pregame show kicking off at 1:30pm et/10.30am pt. Clearance Shoes Online Australia . Harris has played in six games since joining the Argos in 2012, completing 17-of-35 passes for 256 yards and one touchdown. Shoes Online Australia Discount . Calgary finished atop the CFL standings with a 14-4 record and earned the right to host the West Division final at McMahon Stadium on Nov. http://www.shoescheapaustralia.com/. The post-season, Pierce said repeatedly, is no time to panic. And the Heat, apparently, are nothing to fear. Cheap Shoes Online Australia .J. - Trying to learn and absorb the new West Coast offence being installed by new offensive co-ordinator Ben McAdoo, the New York Giants wrapped their final organized team activity Thursday before a three-day mini-camp next week. Discount Shoes Australia . The top-ranked Djokovic also beat Gael Monfils and then routed Roger Federer en route to his first Abu Dhabi title. "Its always great to win a title. This is the best way to start the 2012 season," Djokovic said.Arsenal - Reports linking Arsenal to 20-year old German midfielder Julian Draxler of Schalke excite. Arsene Wenger reportedly wants to convert the player into an attacking force, much like he did with Robin Van Persie. Draxler could very well fit the mold but such a transition takes time. Arsenal has legitimate title aspirations this campaign and a more mature, ready-made attacking option is required. Will Wenger swing for the fences for a short-term push? Aston Villa - Lose a big striker, sign another. With Libor Kozak out for the season (broken leg), Villa reunites manager Paul Lambert with former Norwich City striker Grant Holt. Its hardly the move Villa supporters are looking for. The positive; the team adds more size and strength up front, which could bode well for a side desperate for goals. Villa has only scored four in their last seven league matches. Nickel and diming will only get the team so far. Cardiff City - Somehow, some way the Blue Birds are in the relegation zone. Its tight at the bottom with only five points separating 13th from 20th. Ole Gunnar Solksjaer doesnt have time to find his way, so hes bringing in young players he knows. Hes landed Norwegian midfielder Mats Moller Daehli. Cardiff has reportedly turned their sights to Manchester Uniteds Fabio and Wilfried Zaha. Both players need games and fill roles of need in South Wales. Seems like a win-win. Chelsea - The Blues spent £21 million on a player they once had. Its hardly good business, but irrelevant for an owner flush with cash. Serbian Nemanja Matic will slot into a midfield pivot role; a position of weakness for Jose Mourinho. Frank Lampard cannot play there. Michael Essien is on his way out. Marco van Ginkel would have filled the role if healthy. Its a big ask of Matic to make the quick transition to Premier League football in the middle of a title race. Good news for Chelsea, team defensive play has been outstanding, conceding just twice in their last six. Crystal Palace - The Eagles are in trouble. Help doesnt seem on the horizon in the transfer window for the last place team. Palace is playing much better under manager Tony Pulis. If it werent for a dreadful penalty miss by Jason Puncheon last weekend, Palace could have taken points from Spurs. Palace was the better side to start. There is simply no room for error for this team on a weekly basis. Everton - Ross Barkley will only miss three weeks with a broken toe. It was feared the injury was the dreaded metatarsal. More good news with reports Leighton Baines is prepared to sign a new long-term deal to stay at Goodison, fending off interest from Manchester United. Keeping the core together is essential for a team on the rise. A January purchase of another striker is required for a true push for Champions League qualification. They are perilously thin up front behind Romelu Lukaku. Fulham - A striking fall from grace for Bryan Ruiz who moves from Craven Cottage to PSV Eindhoven. Ruiz looked to be a proper Premier League attacking talent. Thankfully for the Cottagers, they have attacking talent to spare. Fulham are in desperate need of defensive help in their relegation fight. The team has conceded a disturbing 20 goals in the last six games. And yet Fulham have reportedly moved for West Hams Ravel Morrison? Strange. Hull City - The Tigers splashed £12 million in transfer fees for mediocre-at-best strikers Nikica Jelavic and Shane Long, signaling intent to stay in the BPL. Its over-spending at its finest, but I actually like the moves - a good gamble for a team playing above expectations. In Jelavic, Steve Bruce is hoping a similar return to the impressive nine goals in 13 games after his move from Rangers to Everton in 2012. The Croatian needs to impress ahead of FIFA World Cup 2014. Long is a useful player, bringing some necessary steel to the front line. Liverpool - Its been a wonderful season at Anfield, but an honest assessment of where the team would be without Luis Suarez and his 22 goals suggests they lack top-level talent across the midfield. More is needed behind him and Daniel Sturridge. A 5-3 win at the Britannia continued to expose midfield and defensive frailties. Brendan Rodgers has work to do. Will there be money for a significant January purchase? Manchester City - Huge loss for Manchester City losing Samir Nasri to a knee injury for eight weeks. Nasri has been on sensatiional form.dddddddddddd. The Frenchmans absence opens up a starting role for Jesus Navas, who continues to impress. Navas adds more speed and natural width to a side often playing narrow. Thats not criticism; the tactical shift will simply change the approach for a team lethal in attack. The return of Sergio Aguero also softens the blow. For all the accolades Suarez receives, Aguero has been every bit the player as the Liverpool man this season. Manchester United - Darren Fletchers return is a significant upgrade in Uniteds midfield. Tom Cleverley has proven not good enough; a passenger and non-influential in a position crying out for a difference-maker. The all-action Scottish international has shown signs of his old self, working his way back to fitness. Fletcher can fill the short-term void in the middle until United likely land a top central midfielder player (or two) in the summer. Newcastle United - In a day managers are reprimanded for any discretion, Alan Pardew has escaped FA punishment for his rant/actions during last weekends 2-0 defeat. Pardew lost it on City manager Manuel Pellegrini in a tirade not safe for print, while lashing out at referee Mike Jones for his egregious decision, disallowing Cheick Tiotes wonder-goal. Soccer is a game officiated based upon interpretation of the rules. Jones biggest wrongdoing was overruling his linesmans decision. His hasty decision was a black-mark on a game with direct implications on the title race. Another example BPL officiating simply isnt good enough. Norwich City - Three goals in their last six, the struggles continue at Carrow Road. The Canaries get more experience in the side as Jonas Gutierrez joins on-loan, but that doesnt solve issues in attack. The next three weeks (Hull, Newcastle, Cardiff) are critical. Its more than Chris Houghtons job on the line. Its Premier League survival. Southampton - Executive chairman Nicola Cortese leaving raises questions about the direction at St. Marys. Highly regarded manager Mauricio Pochettino publicly remains committed. That remains to be seen. This kind of disruption threatens mid-table teams with ambition. A potential club sale further complicates matters. Now all eyes are cast towards possible players leaving. Left-back Luke Shaw is the most desirable piece, with striker Rickie Lambert having short-term value. Sunderland - Credit manager Gus Poyet for getting the most out of this rag-tag bunch. The team is playing well and has just sold possibly the worst player in the league, Ji Dong-Won to Augsburg. Good riddance. Midfielder Ki Sung-Yeung is developing into a top player. Belief at the Stadium of Light is tangible. A team on the rise. Stoke City - The Potters in an entertaining match seems an oxy-moron. A 5-3 loss to Liverpool was as exciting as it gets (so much for the defensive wall at the Britannia). Mark Hughes team is showing willingness to attack; it just doesnt have the players. The loan signing of John Guidetti from City, however, is intriguing. Guidetti in attack adds substance to a team in need of goals. Swansea City - Injuries have ravaged the promising side. Although squad depth has been impressive, the lack of consistency in selection has hurt. The passing is wonderful, but team defending leaves much to be desired. The decision to allow Ki Sung-Yeung to stay at Sunderland shows long-term vision. Tottenham - Midfield competition has created apparent discontent. Lewis Holtby and Nacer Chadli are both reportedly seeking moves elsewhere to find playing time. Tim Sherwoods four-man midfield changes the landscape. Natural width is priority, with multi-dimensional players who can cover lots of ground. The evolution in the squad will continue. With Jermain Defoe moving to Toronto FC, another striker should be priority. Where Eric Lamela fits is unknown. West Bromwich Albion - Another squad in transition. Pepe Mel has taken over and a more continental approach, ala Swansea or Southampton is should follow. The spine of the team and youth remains impressive. Lets see how they adapt in the coming weeks. West Ham United - Last weekends 2-0 win settled the nerves at West Ham for the time being. Sam Allardyce looks set to stay. Andy Carroll has returned. And West Ham looks intent to add a striker in January. Will it all be enough to avoid relegation? The team remains a mess defensively. ' ' '