re: .

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We have some posters here that have dug in their heels to the point that they're totally incapable of admitting his usefulness.

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He is (sometimes) a useful player and can be quite effective depending on the opponent. But the fact is he's just not that good. Especially considering that most of the things he does well aren't a necessity for the position he plays. Don't get me wrong, tracking back on D and working hard for the team are very admirable qualities. But typically, those attributes are seen as just bonus for a winger/striker.

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The hilarious part is that their solution is often to throw Nagbe or Bedoya out there.

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ETA Bedoya is a starter anyway. He wouldn't be replacing Zardes. I do kind of see your point on Nagbe because they don't play the same position. But with a change of formation/tactics, I would very much prefer Nagbe out there instead of Zardes. Whether it be as an inverted winger type or in a more advanced, central role, allowing Dempsey to move out wide and cut inside like he loves to do. Either way, Nagbe has to be a starter for this team IMO if they have any realistic shot at making a run beyond the group stage.

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I mean, he had a brace exactly three games ago.

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Bolivia is shite.

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He's not a world beater, but he's much better than some people here are willing to give him credit for.

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Agreed. I just think there are other roster options that make us a more dangerous team.

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Bolivia is shite.

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Yeah. Congrats on scoring on the CONMEBOL equivalent of Haiti.

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We don't see these guys train, we don't scout all of their club games, we don't know what types of relationships the players have with each other, with the coaching staff.

We see them play a game or two every few months, and we proceed to drastically overreact to the results.

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All of this is true. The problem is that the games are the most important thing. And when enough people who have a pretty damn good idea of what good soccer looks like agree that Zardes (or any other player for that matter) isn't good enough, the truth is usually pretty close to that consensus.