Portland Timbers Sign Kris Boyd From Scottish Premier League as Third Designated Player
by Geoff Gibson on Jan 30, 2012 12:25 PM PST
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PrintAnd then there were two Scotsmen! While we were still wrapped in all the controversy and tension from the Valencia fiasco it seems like the Timbers FO was able to quietly get the third designated player deal all wrapped up in a nice little package. In an abrupt press announcement today, the Timbers announced that Kris Boyd will join the team as the third designated player, joining the likes of the Los Angeles Galaxy and New York Red Bulls as having used all three spots.
Krid Boyd, 28, is joining from Turkish side Eskisehirspor, but had played from 2006-2010 with Rangers, the popular SPL club. Since 2000, Boyd has scored 176 goals in 335 matches or about 52% of the time. Very impressive numbers, to say the least.
"Kris is a proven goal-scorer at the highest levels of the game, and we expect that to continue here in Portland," said John Spencer, head coach of the Timbers. "We’ve been looking for this type of traditional number nine player and are very pleased we found him."
We'll have some videos, highlights, analysis of Kris Boyd today and tomorrow. In the mean time, enjoy the press release after the jump and have a fantastic Monday.
PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers today announced the signing of Scottish forward Kris Boyd as a Designated Player. Boyd is the Scottish Premier League’s all-time leading scorer with 164 goals. Per league and club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Timbers general manager Gavin Wilkinson made the announcement.
Boyd, 28, is one of the most prolific strikers in Scottish football, scoring 164 goals in 296 appearances in the Scottish Premier League with clubs Kilmarnock FC (2000-05) and Rangers FC (2006-10). He netted 101 goals during his time with Rangers, and is a four-time winner of the SPL’s goal-scoring title. Boyd has been capped 18 times by the Scotland National Team.
Since 2000, Boyd has scored 176 goals in 335 career matches, playing in the top leagues of Scotland, England and Turkey. He will be added to the club’s roster pending the receipt of his P-1 Visa and the successful completion of a physical.
"I’ve said from the beginning, that we are committed to winning and will make a significant investment on the player front if it is the right fit for the organization," said Timbers Owner and President Merritt Paulson. "Kris perfectly fits the profile of the team’s needs and will make a huge impact."
A native of Irvine, Scotland, Boyd was Rangers’ top scorer in each of his five seasons with the club, tallying 20 or more goals in a season three times. He compiled his 101 goals with Rangers in 143 appearances. Boyd’s scoring prowess led Rangers to back-to-back Scottish Premier League championships in 2008-09 and 2009-10 as well as a pair of Scottish Cup (2007-08, 2008-09) and three Scottish League Cup titles (2006-07, 2008-09 and 2009-10).
"Kris is a proven goal-scorer at the highest levels of the game, and we expect that to continue here in Portland," said John Spencer, head coach of the Timbers. "We’ve been looking for this type of traditional number nine player and are very pleased we found him."
Boyd claimed the SPL’s scoring crown four times in five seasons, including the 2005-06 campaign in which he netted a career-high 32 goals while splitting time between Kilmarnock and Rangers. He shares the league’s record for goals in a single match with five, a feat he achieved twice during his career in the SPL.
"I’m delighted to be in Portland and hopefully I’ll be over as soon as the visa matches up to be in time to be ready for the season," said Boyd.
With the Scotland National Team, Boyd has seven goals to his credit in 18 appearances. He scored twice in his debut Sept. 2, 2006, as part of Scotland’s 6-0 win over the Faroe Islands. Boyd has been called up for several international competitions, including a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier and several European Championship qualifiers. He’s also represented Scotland at the U-16, U-19 and U-21 levels.
Boyd made his professional debut as a teenager with Kilmarnock in 2000. He had a breakout season in 2002-03, scoring 12 times and winning the club’s Young Player of the Year. He was the club’s leading scorer for four straight seasons from 2002-05. In total, Boyd found the back of the net 63 times in 153 games with Kilmarnock before joining Rangers midway through the 2005-06 campaign.
With Rangers, Boyd also competed in Europe’s top club competitions – the UEFA Champions League and Europa League. He’s played eight career games the UEFA Champions League, facing the best clubs across Europe. Additionally, he has 11 appearances and three goals in Europa League play and helped Rangers reach that tournament’s final in 2007-08.
After 10 seasons in the SPL, Boyd made the move to England in 2010. He joined Middlesbrough for the 2010-11 season and scored six goals in 29 total appearances, which ranked among the club’s leading goal scorers. During the season, Boyd spent time with Nottingham Forrest on loan, adding six goals in 10 matches to help the side to the Championship’s promotion playoff.
Prior to joining the Timbers, Boyd played briefly with Eskişehirspor of the Turkish Süper Lig during the 2011-12 season.
Kris Boyd
Position: Forward
Height: 6-1
Weight: 180
Born: Aug. 18, 1983, in Irvine, Scotland
Hometown: Irvine, Scotland
Last Club: Eskişehirspor (Turkey)
College: n/a
Citizenship: Scotland
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This will be VERY interesting
I’m not a huge fan, though I am trusting that with all the connections Spencer and Boyd share, that they’ve had more than a few conversations about expectations.
Boyd is a lethal goalscorer/poacher whose strike rate is very impressive, but he doesn’t play 2 ways, he can’t generate any offense himself, I haven’t seen extraordinary skill to hold the ball up as a true #9 striker, and whose motivation is unclear at best. It is my sincere hope he understands this isn’t a retirement league and he’s going to need to bring it to play.
On the plus side, everyone on the field knows where he is going to be at all times, as close to/in the box as he can be. On the minus side, that’s the only place he’s going to be. For as much as KC got dogged last year, he gave alot of effort and often was dropping back arguably too far to help cover defensively. Either we’ll have a real contender for the golden boot, or a guy that could be a distraction and probably off the team in a year. In Spenny I trust though!
I agree with your assessment...
That said, when KC was finally just playing as a pure striker and getting himself in the right positions is when he finally became an asset to the team.
Maybe what this Timbers squad needs is somebody who will just sit in front of the goal.
RCTID - Stumptown Footy
Moderator of /r/MLS
by Geoff Gibson on Jan 30, 2012 12:34 PM PST up reply actions
At least with KC, you knew he was leaving it all on the field
Boyd hasn’t really been accused of that as much. I agree though, if it works out, we have a legitimate contender for the golden boot. It just has a decent amount of downside risk too. He’s not Drogba or another forward that can generate his own offense. We really need guys that can get him the ball. Nagbe looked good last year distributing, but we could sure use another dependable option (Songo’o perhaps??)
Disappointed
Hearing we gave up a 2013 pick to Houston for his Discovery rights. Hoping its NOT the first rounder we got in the KC trade.
A DP salary
AND a 2013 first rounder (if its even a second, no problem, but first rounders = GA players = development in line with youth of team for free, which lets us compete with teams with academies) is too much for a guy that hasn’t scored much in 2 years, and who is completely reliant on one of the things we lack most, service to forwards.
This is totally the type of move you make if you are just a striker away from a championship run. We really aren’t deep enough for that (we could surprise some people, but we aren’t going to be in the top 5 contenders this year), and this is just too high risk/high reward to give up big pieces like first round draft picks. I’ll wait to see what round it is. I think this is an ok gamble, but I don’t want to overpay for it. We have good growth going and giving up assets for a guy like this can set you back.
All good points. I guess I’m just a fan of trading away an unknown pick for a player you know more about. Who knows, we could have the 15th pick next year.
And as was mentioned earlier on this site
from John Spencer, the draft isn’t nearly as much of a sure thing in MLS as it is in our other domestic pro sports. An NFL or NBA first rounder is much more likely to stick with their team for at least a couple years than an MLS first round pick who may not even make the team.
Maybe
I think if you look at the majority of GA players though, most are in the league still. Maybe they aren’t all-starts, but you can get alot of useful utility players that help increase your depth/be useful starters.
RSL has done pretty well at drafting its team rather than trading picks for discovery claims on high risk players. Given our age, that seems safer to me, though obviously others will differ.
True
And we could have traded NY’s, not ours. I just think this is higher risk than we need to be undertaking. The core is good, but this team isn’t ready to compete for a championship, even if Boyd scores 20 goals. Drafting a few more young players to compensate for the lack of depth in our academy seems to be more prudent to me than rolling the dice on Boyd, especially given most of the guys on the team are on the right side of 25. In 2-3 years when we are ready to step up (hopefully), Boyd is then on the wrong side of 30 and we’re accustomed to a guy that gets everything in the box.
But, if he’s here in 3 years… He’s been playing with this team for a while and is totally worth having even on the wrong side of 30. I don’t want someone showing up at 32 years old and trying to fit in here. But if someone has been here a while at that age, thats a different story.
But then he's taking time
From a kid like Valencia, who could/will likely play the same way (with WAY more speed), whose now 23 and been with the team for 3 years. Either you are focused developing young talent, or you are bringing in players trying to win now. We’re apparently doing both. I don’t like that.
I don’t see Boyd taking away time from Valencia. If Valencia is ready to play I see him playing WITH Boyd and taking time away from Perlaza. Then again, what I see doesn’t mean shit.
yeah... Perlaza and Boyd really don't seem like they would be a good fit together
Boyd needs someone who can supply good service int eh box, and can play off of him.
I don't know
xanderkale tweeted this morning that he thought Boyd and Perlaza would work well together. I imagine Boyd’s going to benefit from having a lot of speed around him regardless of who his strike partner is.
When I write, I write for the Timbers. Contributing Editor of Stumptown Footy
by Andrew Wheeler on Jan 30, 2012 1:34 PM PST up reply actions
but nobody is a worse passer than Perlaza
How often was he able to set cooper up? Once every 5 games maybe. He will open up room for you, but Boyd does his work in the box… he doens’t need speed around him to take advantage of that.
how often was cooper in the box though?
It is hard to say how well anybody was on service to ‘that’ guy when our ‘tat guy’ was all over the place and rarely in the middle of the box.
"What and how much had I lost by trying to do only what was expected of me instead of what I myself had wished to do?"
— Ralph Ellison (Invisible Man)
More from Xanderlake...
http://sliderulepass.net/kris-boyd-timbers-new-star/#more-2852
Well worth the read.
That's what she said.
by yepyou'reright on Jan 30, 2012 5:09 PM PST up reply actions
I meant more down the road
Valencia isn’t going to see much time this year, but hes a big body that has speed and the ability to generate some offense, but also to be that hold up guy with his skills. Him + Boyd looks almost as bad as Boyd + Dike out there. You need something more than net crashers, especially with our midfield.
You don't like anything
That's what she said.
by yepyou'reright on Jan 30, 2012 1:29 PM PST up reply actions
Loved the Valencia signing
LOVED it. That kid has great potential. Liked the Palmer/Chabala trade alot too. REALLY loved the KC trade if we actually got the money like Merritt said. I’m just not blindly loyal.
And I should add
I am ok with this signing, provided Spenny is really sure of where his head is. Its just higher risk than I’d make at this point, and just like the KC signing, there is maybe equal odds he’s a bust here. This isn’t someone that’s done well everywhere he’s gone and has had a few tough years (just like KC). This isn’t happy days to me, but I’m not furious.
Leading SPL scorer is more impressive than KC's one year in Dallas
That's what she said.
by yepyou'reright on Jan 30, 2012 1:31 PM PST up reply actions
Scoring goals against the likes of
Falkirk, St. Mirren and the rest of the crap at the bottom of the SPL is actually like lighting up the USL. Look at the 100 goal highlight film. Sure he scores a TON and thats awesome. But how many are Pks? How many are wide open headers with no one 5 ft away from him?
Not saying KC was the end all be all, but they have very similar histories in terms of hype. Lets see him actually show up in shape before we start believing he’s scoring 30 goals next year.
Those calls against Hamid are still bullshit
by Brendanukkah on Jan 30, 2012 9:54 PM PST up reply actions
he was way off his line man
"What and how much had I lost by trying to do only what was expected of me instead of what I myself had wished to do?"
— Ralph Ellison (Invisible Man)
Coming off the line early is not allowed
Calls were legit. Maybe it’s not enforced like it should be, but they called it and replays showed they were the right call both times.
Blazers win!
Those things are never called
I’m also aggrieved because of stutter step that penalty takers do. It happened to be Cooper in this case (which drew Hamid off his line the second time), but I hate it when anyone does it. You can’t come to a stop in the buildup to striking the ball, and yet this rule gets bent just as often as keepers coming off their line.
Strangely, I’m much more in favor of keepers being allowed to move than I am of penalty takers being allowed to stop. I think the situation of a penalty kick already favors the kick-taker so much, and I don’t like the fact that a penalty should be basically an automatic goal. You can have your increased chances to score, but it shouldn’t be such a gimme. Plus it’s always more dramatic when a keeper saves a shot (twice, in this case). The head games make it interesting, but sometimes you just got to put your head down and kick the snot out of the damn thing, like Jewsbury did.
by Brendanukkah on Jan 31, 2012 10:25 AM PST up reply actions
A stutter step is not illegal though.
You are not coming to a complete stop, you are slowing for a moment and the continuing.
It’s like a play fake in football; you freeze the defense by making them think you’re running the ball and then throw it over their heads.
Blazers win!
I never said KC was a great PK taker?
What are you talking about?
I’m saying its great that Boyd scored 100 goals in the SPL. But playing for the best team in the league against some frankly terrible teams, its not surprising.
167 goals is closer to 200 than 100
"What and how much had I lost by trying to do only what was expected of me instead of what I myself had wished to do?"
— Ralph Ellison (Invisible Man)
That's just the point
Timbers need a poacher, especially on our smaller field. A Wondo type that will score a lot of goals in the 18 yard box, someone who can get a strike on frame when he’s 5 ft away. Cooper whiffed on so many of those opportunities last year when he wasn’t drifting out wide, offside, or falling down.
Koevermans in TOR came into MLS and really lit things up the second half of the season. I don’t know if Boyd and Koevermans are the same type of player, but I don’t see why Boyd can’t have similar success here.
That's what she said.
by yepyou'reright on Jan 30, 2012 1:41 PM PST up reply actions
Yes
But, there are just as many red flags too. Is it a high reward signing, yes. He has the ability to win the golden boot (said that multiple times on here). Is there also a good chance he shows up unfit, unmotivated and expecting an easy time? Yes. Look at his history. I’m just trying to be measured.
Oi! You played the "red flag" card
In Spencer I Trust. I’m confident that Spenny will get his fellow Scotsman to take pride in the shirt.
That's what she said.
by yepyou'reright on Jan 30, 2012 1:48 PM PST up reply actions
I can't believe I'm saying this, but...
look as Seattle. They went big with veteran Ljungburg while also building a youth movement with Montero. You can win in this league with old talent and reload with the young.
And 28 ain’t that old anyway.
People shouldn't be worrying about "retirement league" stuff
when someone is still in his 20s. If he were 36, different story.
That's what she said.
by yepyou'reright on Jan 30, 2012 1:50 PM PST up reply actions
But winning alot of games
Doesn’t mean winning a championship. Seattle weren’t really contenders with Ljungberg in there, which is why they shipped him. I’m hoping Boyd isn’t the same thing for us.
the lesson from seattle is...
that you play the game through the midfield, not boot ball. their first year they thought they just could just boot it up to jaqua and that he would control it (since he’s tall..sound familiar?) which would allow ljungberg to shine in the vacuum of space behind jaqua. well it was an obvious failure (even though they “made the playoffs”) which ran FL out of town and had the fans branding montero as a lazy primadonna, and also resulting in a frustrating short term marriage to one of the eredivisie’s stautued idols. then they went out and got some crafty middies – fernendes, friberg, rosales, etc – and they were playing beautiful soccer.
so i think this signing is interesting, i just don’t think we’ve learned our lesson, our midfield still lacks the ability to control possession
by #1 Leverage Fan on Jan 30, 2012 1:49 PM PST up reply actions
Based on early reports Songo'o could help change that
That's what she said.
by yepyou'reright on Jan 30, 2012 1:51 PM PST up reply actions
yeah
experienced guys will help the young players understand what it takes to be a professional.
"What and how much had I lost by trying to do only what was expected of me instead of what I myself had wished to do?"
— Ralph Ellison (Invisible Man)
If everything goes right...
We’ll be picking so far down the line that all the GA players will be gone.
The SuperDraft is worthless.
That trade makes even more sense now
Timbers basically had two first round picks in 2013, if I’m not mistaken. So you don’t mind giving one up in this instance and in hindsight it’s why they made the trade.
It’s basically like a three-way trade. Boyd to POR-Cooper to NY-Draft Pick to HOU. Timbers still have a first round pick in 2013.
That's what she said.
by yepyou'reright on Jan 30, 2012 1:37 PM PST up reply actions
MP is tweeting we didn't send anything
Interesting.
I still think 2 #1s is a good thing. Look at Toronto this year. They got 2 great players (though yes, we’d likely be picking a bit further down). 2 #1 picks also is more flexibility in trades, or the chance to move up in the draft next year.
Huh?
i’m confused, but then again MLS Kafkaesque transfer rules can do that. we signed boyd who is in a legal dispute with his former turkish club for not paying wages, why would we have to give something to houston?
by #1 Leverage Fan on Jan 30, 2012 2:28 PM PST up reply actions
Discovery claim
Oh enjoy the never-ending joy of MLS rules.
Basically, you can designate up to 10 guys a year, for 1 year claims. They can’t be eligible to return to the league in any other way (draft, USMNT allo order, etc) and you can sign 6 at a max. Its in place to try and prevent teams from bidding against each other to sign internationals. Houston apparently had a claim on him. MP said it expired just last week. Maybe, maybe not. Guess we’ll see come 2012 superdraft
Strong just countered that though
SO…..yeah. Guess we’ll see in the 2013 superdraft if we have 2 picks or not.
That was abrupt
I’m not going to pretend to know how he’ll fit in yet, but nice work by the FO to try and make the timbers an elite team.
Welcome to the timbers Kris!
Oklahoma State will beat LSU in the National Title game by more than 7 points.
by No Pity on Jan 30, 2012 12:40 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Nice to get it done before preseason is finished
Cross your fingers for no fitness or injury issues going into the season.
He's a poacher
If Nagbe and Kalif make a strong leap forward in terms of providing quality service into the box and Captain Jack can keep putting up useful balls on set pieces he may keep up that scoring rate.
Rediscover that scoring rate
He’s had a rough few years….
Not really true at all.
2008-2010 were arguably his best years so far. In 2011, he was with 3 different teams and still managed 12 goals in 40 games. Give him a bit of time to acclimate and some stability and I think he could still produce. Allow yourself to be a little less pessimistic.
by Waynearchetype on Jan 30, 2012 2:34 PM PST up reply actions
Good point
I think one of the faults of Cooper was that we was never deeep enough in the box to get rebounds. The right player can score a lot of goals by creating traffic in front of the goals, and feeding off rebounds. That type of player can also make it easier for the team to fire hard shots at goal – with less worry of them going in – if they know there will be a player that can feed off the scraps.
I honestly do not know enough about our signing to say if he is that player, but I think having someone scrappy, deeper in the box, makes for a better player that we can use on this team.
Good article... I'm optimistic
AND I’m still hoping the Valencia situation doesn’t remain a fiasco :)
Ronp
On the bright side, however the Valencia situation works itself out will have minimal impact on this season. I really want him on the team for the long-term, but I doubt he’d be playing much this year.
Does anyone else think it would be funny to listen to the scotsman with his accent
and valencia trying to communicate as a forward pair… :) sorry just made me chuckle to think of them throwing jokes back and forth
How funny, I checked this website for new info 35 minutes ago,
see nothing new. Then I go and watch one Day9 Daily on youtube and Bam! Big signing!
The buddy I share season tickets with called me to tell me the news. I would assume that this signing means that Nagbe is NOT going to be playing up front.
Practice coverage just got a whole lot more interesting!
Unless Nagbe does
He combined well with Cooper. I don’t see why he couldn’t with Boyd, but we’ll have to see how things work out once they start playing. We do have many combo options now.
That's what she said.
by yepyou'reright on Jan 30, 2012 1:34 PM PST up reply actions
If Spencer rolls with a 4-3-3
I see ngabe as striker,,,442 he will be a mid
"What and how much had I lost by trying to do only what was expected of me instead of what I myself had wished to do?"
— Ralph Ellison (Invisible Man)
I honestly don't think
We have the fullbacks to play a 433. It also turns into a 451 on defense, and that isolates presumably Boyd up front, in a formation he’s not comfortable in. I think we are going to see ALOT of 442 this year.
i really think
the 4-3-3 is our best formation – as evidenced by the l.a. game, but we have to have the discipline to not rush things when we get possession (i.e. don’t boot the ball up to the 1 guy). as long as nagbe and perlaza/alhassan (i presume) stay up top with boyd and don’t drift too far back it could be pretty entertaining. yea we’ll concede some goals but we’ll score a lot more as well. an x-mas tree would be just as fun, and would maybe concede less goals.
this is all moot anyway, because spencer is playing a 4-4-2 come hell or high water
by #1 Leverage Fan on Jan 31, 2012 7:34 AM PST up reply actions
Maybe?
I’ll concede its a better way of getting more attacking talent up front, but the little I’ve seen of Boyd up until this point, he’s not really exceeding at that middle forward-in-a-three-forward-set. And our fullbacks are honestly the weakest part of our team, followed closely by our wide players given our lack of depth. (Although I do think the combo of Chara, Jewsbury and either Alexander or Marcelin would do very well in a 3 man midfield) I think we’d have alot more trouble holding the ball against a team focused on breaking it up then you might think. We really need some upgrades at fullback to even consider it, but you are right, Spencer is a 442 coach and that’s what we’ll see barring major issues with that formation.
This season is make or break for Spencer
I don’t think management knew what kind of player KC was or how to best use him. They kept trying to force a square peg in a round hold by booting it up to him and asking him to be some sort of combination between Conor Case and Brian Ching, when instead KC is the type of player that likes to get he ball off center about 35 yards out with a speedster opposite of him to give an option/decoy. Stubbornly, we continued to boot the ball up the field.
Boyd is definitely an upgrade over KC but if Spenny thinks he is going to be able to have our back 4 boot it up to him and success will follow his seat will get hotter and hotter. Seattle had the same problem with N’Kufo, they brought him in thinking he was a “target striker” when if fact he excelled in quick give/go timing runs inside the 18. didnt work out, then they realized the error of they ways and went out and got a bunch of scanidnavian/south american middies.
its great to have a proven striker but you still have to play the game the right way, through the midfield. mls is transitioning into a real football league (at least with its play on the field) and building a team around colorado rapids boot ball is doomed for failure.
by #1 Leverage Fan on Jan 30, 2012 1:35 PM PST reply actions
Timbers did a lot of boot ball early last year, but improved as the season went along
Part of that was youth, nerves, etc. I expect Timbers to improve in the middle third of the pitch this year. Especially with Chara here for camp and a full year.
Don’t think it’s a make it or break it year for Spenny though.
That's what she said.
by yepyou'reright on Jan 30, 2012 1:44 PM PST up reply actions
yeah
the team started looking a lot stronger through the middle late in the season.
Frankly early on we were terrible possessing the ball at all so playing ‘boot ball’ was an unfortunate necessity.
"What and how much had I lost by trying to do only what was expected of me instead of what I myself had wished to do?"
— Ralph Ellison (Invisible Man)
Just saying... I speculated first...
“….so… im weaping in anxiety
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7422203/Boyd-considering-MLS-move
…just a thought… But would be nice..
by Mammothpdx on Jan 16, 2012 9:17 AM PST reply actions "
BOOOYAAHHH
RCTID
Very happy with this.
Portland Timbers and Kris Boyd were both trending WORLDWIDE in the twenty minutes following the announcement. That’s huge.
You know you’ve got something special when the whole world (at least on Twitter) is talking about it.
Blazers win!
Wait.
No Boyd = No goals = No title. So in essence the lack of Boyd means a lack of goals and titles. They are one and the same.
By that logic: Yes Boyd = Yes goals = Yes titles.
Jag kom, jag såg, erövrade jag.
No logic = No good sign = Why so many bald guys?
volatilelyle.com
by almost awesome on Jan 30, 2012 6:22 PM PST up reply actions
their scottish
"What and how much had I lost by trying to do only what was expected of me instead of what I myself had wished to do?"
— Ralph Ellison (Invisible Man)
His personality
Does anyone know what type of person he is? I am curious if he is someone who will think he is better than the team and potentially cause problems in the locker room or will he be the type of player that realizes he will shine only when the team shines.
I take spencer and wilkinson at their word
they only want high character guys.
I know some are concerned about his difficulties with some coaches on the national team for scotland and what not, that does not mean he is a bad guy.
"What and how much had I lost by trying to do only what was expected of me instead of what I myself had wished to do?"
— Ralph Ellison (Invisible Man)
I'm worried
The whole process was really rushed. They haven’t even met him face to face during this.
is that spencers brother in law
if so, spencer said he got the “if I were asked to manage a team from scratch Boyd would be the first fuy I sign” endorsement from him. That is a strong endorsement even with the hyperbole…
"What and how much had I lost by trying to do only what was expected of me instead of what I myself had wished to do?"
— Ralph Ellison (Invisible Man)
First move by Spencer/Gavin/Merritt that I strongly disagree with
I am trying to put my Celtic fandom on hold for a second and be objective. He’s a Timber now, I will support him and wish him all the success in the world when he dawns a different green & white jersey. Doesn’t mean I have to love the guy.
With that said, I’ve probably seen the man play live a few times and on TV 50-75 times over the last decade. I’ve saw him start off at Kilmarnock F.C. where he showed a lot of promise. I saw him at Rangers where he flourished and eventually broke down. With that in mind, I don’t like this signing at all. My reasoning.
1: Physically, he has been breaking down the last few years. One of the ways he was able to poach so many goals in the SPL is that he was able to out-physical back lines. When he moved to the championship with Middlesbrough and then Nottingham Forrest, he faced better defenders who were as physical as he was. That is where he started to struggle. Also, the wear and tear of his style of play became really apparent his last year a Ibrox and his time in the championship. I am really worried about the amount of time he will spend in the physo’s room
2: History of behavioral problems with his managers, teams and the Scotland national squad. Celtic vs Rangers stuff aside (let’s face it, that is not a rational world by all mean) Kris Boyd over the years have done several things off the field that raise BIG red flags with me. First, his behavior in 2008 toward Scotland National Team coach was disgusting. Long story short of it, Scotland was losing in a international game and the manager decided to roll the dice with a promising new kid. Boyd got angry, walked out of the national side kicking and screaming about the coach. That is not the behavior I want in our “face of the franchise.”
Further more, we have a young team. We need role models for the younger players to look up to. Despite KFC’s performance on the field I felt he Jewsbury and Brunner were good leaders for the team. After watching Kris Boyd over the years, I have zero confidence in ablity to be a leader or be a role model.
3: Cannot create his own shot. Even though the MLS isn’t the most physical league in the world, I can see him struggling. Also, he might be 6’1" and built like a tree but he has the vertical leap of a stone. However, what became really apparent at Middlesbrough & Nottingham Forrest is how much speed he’s lost in his late 20’s. Right now, he is the slowest player on our team by far. For set pieces, he will be an asset because of his size and heading ability. However, if we are going play counter attacking football again – we are in trouble because he doesn’t have the speed to break defenses anymore.
However my biggest criticism by far is the fact he cannot – or never been able to – create his own shot. Much of his later days at Rangers was spent poaching and feeding on crosses. One of areas our team is sorely lack is quality crossing from our wide players. We don’t have the players to match his skills set.
4: His goalscoring record in the SPL was set in a time when the league was at its weakest. The secondary teams that usually give the old firm a decent game like Hearts, Dundee United, Hibernian, Motherwell & Aberdeen were/are all in shambles. The league – outside Celtic and Rangers – has been extremely weak. The average point differential this last decade between the top two and third place has been more than 20 points. Boyd feasted on these terrible teams scoring in bunches againist the likes of Falkirk, Inverness CT, and Hamilton Acies.
What is telling for me is his struggles when Rangers played Celtic. Celtic for most of Boyd’s tenure was marked by Stephen McManus / Gary Cadwell and others who basically put him in their pocket. Against quality defenders, he has always struggled. Heck, for old firm games, Walter Smith always went 4-5-1 and selected Kenny Miller over Boyd in 09 & 10. I believe that the MLS – on the whole have better back lines than the SPL outside Rangers/Celtic.
Finally… this signing doesn’t fit the ethos we’ve built the last year. One of the things I admired about Spencer/Wilkerson/Paulson is that they’ve followed the Porto/Ajax model of developing youngsters. Making heroes instead of buying them. I don’t know how this fits that ethos. Personally, I wished we would of purchased potential target man from say Central / South America or trade for someone.
To finish. My prediction for this season for Boyd: 8-10 goals, plays in just over half of the games. Plus there will be one headline where is slags off someone.
I cannot disagree with this signing more. I hope I am wrong about the guy but what I’ve seen over the years tell me otherwise.
by Dan Brunell on Jan 30, 2012 2:36 PM PST reply actions 5 recs
Good run down there
Also have to admit to being a Celtic fan, but hope he scores for us. The headline here is misleading, he wasn’t signed from the Scottish Premier league. All those goals were well over a year ago. He was signed after playing basically no football for 6 months. Claims not to have been paid in Turkey, who knows what really happened. This is risky move by Spencer. If it pays off great, if not he is 0 for 2 in signing a main goal-scorer and people will ask questions.
Xanderlake has a good write up on Boyd
http://sliderulepass.net/kris-boyd-timbers-new-star/#more-2852
That's what she said.
by yepyou'reright on Jan 30, 2012 5:07 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
I'm cool with rolling the dice.
This league deals in short contracts. It won’t hamstring us for long. Maybe it will work out brilliantly.
volatilelyle.com
Probably would have prefered a DP on the wing, TBH
volatilelyle.com
by almost awesome on Jan 30, 2012 3:00 PM PST up reply actions
Wait and See
I’ll give the FO the benefit of the doubt and remain optimistic about Boyd’s potential on the team. I worry that he could struggle for some of the same reasons that Cooper did, lack of quality feeds from the midfield, and an inability to keep control of the ball in the box.
That said, from what I have seen of his play, he keeps the ball low and on target when striking. That alone gives him a better chance to score than the wild and high attempts of Alhassan and Cooper. That alone I’ll consider an upgrade. Maybe if he is successful scoring that way it will encourage Kalif to stop shooting for the high corners and missing.
And if Zizzo plays less, or plays less in the midfield maybe we can control and distribute the ball better. Maybe Boyd will fit into that system. If his signing was made for reasons beyond his scoring record alone, and indicates the style of play that Spencer is working toward, one that is able to maintain control and feed a player like Boyd then maybe that is good. I’m very happy with all the decisions the FO has made up to this point and will continue to trust their judgement.
And we know we can always trade him to Huston.
Its pretty funny to read the dynamos blog right now
Aren’t really thrilled with Boyd turning them down, then coming to us. They are questioning if there city is just a hard sell for star players.
I'm sure climate is a consideration
The climates of Portland and Houston are akin to England and Zimbabwe, respectively. In summer especially I’d much rather play in England/Portland. And the fan culture may have played a role as well.
But I also wonder if it’s the difference between Paulson and AEG as owners…
When I write, I write for the Timbers. Contributing Editor of Stumptown Footy
by Andrew Wheeler on Jan 30, 2012 3:32 PM PST up reply actions
I think Paulson is a great owner.... plus not having a ton of sports in town probably helps
It really means your in the spot light, rather then 4th or 5th tier.
Not having giant flying cockroaches probably helps us too
I didn’t realize those things were real until reading that Dynamo Theory post. Bubba Hotep is that much more creepy right now.
When I write, I write for the Timbers. Contributing Editor of Stumptown Footy
by Andrew Wheeler on Jan 30, 2012 3:42 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I saw it once, at the Laurelhurst
and became violently ill afterward. It was awesome!
When I write, I write for the Timbers. Contributing Editor of Stumptown Footy
by Andrew Wheeler on Jan 30, 2012 4:23 PM PST up reply actions
I think its actually all about coaches....
Even though Kinnear is a great coach, I guarantee Boyd knows Spencer well (both Ranger’s striking legends), at least from afar. Add in the brother in law bringing him into Nottingham last year, and there is a familiarity that probably just wasn’t there for him with Houston.
Personally I have no desire to ever visit anywhere in Texas
Plus their attitude that they are the best gets old quick too
by Kazper on Jan 30, 2012 3:45 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Just think how the feel
Now that everyone in the PNW says Soccer up here is the best :) hehe
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
by Ryan Gates on Jan 30, 2012 4:05 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Keep in mind with his goal total...
A big gob of his goals also came from penalties and free kicks. I need to look back but on average, about 10 goals a year came from dead ball situations. I’ll try and look back to confirm with hard stats.
Also during Meritt’s interview with extra time radio, he mentioned a few teams in England that were interested in Boyd. The two that were heavily tipped were Rangers and Everton in various UK backpage publications.
These two leads were garbage. Everton is in financial chaos. The club is having trouble keeping up with even the middle class of the Preimership such as Fulham and Aston Villa. The short term loan of Landon Donavon is a show of their desperation for filling their shallow squad without spending that much. However, Everton’s problems pale in comparison to Rangers.
Rangers Football Club is on the cusp of going belly up. If you though Portsmouth was bad, wait till you see what is in store for Rangers.
Rangers are being investigated by the HMRC (the UK equivalent to the IRS.) Allegedly… since for more than a decade, Rangers have used an off-shore tax scheme to hide their players’ taxable wages from the tax man – estimated at about 46 million pounds. The case verdict is to announced any day. In addition to this, Rangers themselves are broke and have mortgaged their next four years season ticket recipes – according to a story that will break tomorrow in the Scottish media – to get liquid assets to get by. For more information about this, read up on Rangers Tax Case blog: http://rangerstaxcase.com/2011/11/11/the-case-q-a/
Long story short, I do not believe we were really bidding against another team for Boyd. I hope Merritt had that in mind in negotiations.
The more I think about this move, the more I hate it. Again, I hope I am proven wrong about this guy.
PKs are one thing, but free kicks are another.
volatilelyle.com
by almost awesome on Jan 30, 2012 6:10 PM PST up reply actions
As Xanderlake pointed out, many of his goals in SPL were with Kilmarnock
As mentioned by him, it’s easier to score goals with Rangers and Celtic in that league but not so much when playing for a mid-table team. Also, I think you’re being a little tough on him for his time in England. From what I’ve read, it seems like he accounted for himself reasonably well given challenging circumstances.
I’m going to trust Spencer and GW here. I’m expecting Boyd to be a good addition to the team and score many goals for us.
That's what she said.
by yepyou'reright on Jan 30, 2012 6:26 PM PST up reply actions
As in your name... yep you're right
I need to lighten up. It’s odd to have him on the team.
Maybe he has grown up a bit the last three years. Maybe his struggles have re-invenergrated him.
In the words of Rocky, “If I can change, you can change, everyone can change.”
If Rocky could end the Cold War in a boxing match giving up 18 inches in height
I think Kris Boyd can perform in Portland, especially if he forgoes technology and trains by splitting wood. Hearts on fire, strong desire etc.
volatilelyle.com
by almost awesome on Jan 31, 2012 7:16 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
This is exactly what they do during closed practices I believe.
Contributing Editor for Stumptown Footy
by William Conwell on Jan 31, 2012 2:42 PM PST up reply actions
Scottish rag has put a number on the deal
Portland — on the USA’s west coast — are bossed by ex-Ibrox star John Spencer. He has tabled a three-year deal worth a whopping £1.4million a year.
Jag kom, jag såg, erövrade jag.
I don't like three years
Hopefully there are options or a reasonable buyout.
volatilelyle.com
by almost awesome on Jan 30, 2012 6:17 PM PST up reply actions
Probably, but I doubt those will ever be disclosed
That said, how is it that Scottish media can get contract details but US and local media can’t?
That's what she said.
by yepyou'reright on Jan 30, 2012 6:28 PM PST up reply actions
Rumormongering, I'm not putting full stock in it.
I was in Scotland in 2007 when voting was going on. The Scottish National Party was poised to win the most seats in Parliament. This is their party logo. The headlines said, “DONT PUT SCOTLAND IN A NOOSE.” That imagery in the US would be headline news for months.
Jag kom, jag såg, erövrade jag.
WELL
Well 2007 the SNP won by a single seat the Scottish parliament then 2010 won a huge majority.
Dont believe ANYTHING you see in the media in Scotland
by TimberDandie on Jan 30, 2012 8:13 PM PST up reply actions
Cough Cough
I interned in the Scottish Parliament, watched Alex Salmond give his acceptance speech live at 3am in 2007, saw the SNP form a minority government because no one would give them a majority coalition because they needed more than one party to get it done, actually knocked on doors and dropped leaflets around to people, sat and watched a round table debate in Peterhead.
Ummm. Yeah. I know.
Jag kom, jag såg, erövrade jag.
I interned for both
Stewart Stevenson
and
Kenneth Gibson
What’s funny is I worked for the man who had the largest margin of victory in all of Scotland to the one with least margin of victory.
Jag kom, jag såg, erövrade jag.
He added: "I’ve had a lot to think about in the last few weeks but this is too good an opportunity to turn down.
“The MLS is a fantastic league with some of the best players in the world.
“I’ve had various offers to consider but feel I’ve made the right decision.
“I had good talks with John who did a brilliant job selling the club to me. All being well I’ll get everything sorted in the next few days.”
Jag kom, jag såg, erövrade jag.
Yes, he needs to get acclimated. But...
I’m expecting professionalism, good attitude, pride in the shirt, and GOALS for that jack.
That's what she said.
by yepyou'reright on Jan 30, 2012 6:30 PM PST up reply actions
Can someone explain to me how 2.7 / 3 = 1.4?
The Sun article says the deal was worth £2.7 million, but then says “a three-year deal worth a whopping £1.4 million a year,” which would be £4.2 million, unless it’s one of those pounds/shillings or million/milliard things that I don’t understand.
Either way, I’m chalking it up to rumor and nothing more.
When I write, I write for the Timbers. Contributing Editor of Stumptown Footy
by Andrew Wheeler on Jan 31, 2012 9:29 AM PST up reply actions
I posted it
and I’ll flat out call it a RUMOR. I called it a Scottish rag for a reason.
Jag kom, jag såg, erövrade jag.
GREAT SIGNING
As a Scot in Oregon perhaps i am biased but i think Kris will be a great goalscorer given support.
He will be looking to revive his career.
Hats off to Gavin
I doubt if we’ll ever really know, but I’d love to know the timeline and decisions that led up to this. The Timbers trade Cooper and sign Valencia. And then rumors of another DP (was this it?) If so, why was It was only being worked on since Wednesday? This seems like more of a reaction to Valencia’s health issues than the DP that was being lined up. If it’s a reaction then does that suggest Valencia had a larger role in the lineup? There are twists and turns to this story that would be interesting to know.
Never the less, Gavin certainly deserves kudos for putting together a deal for (hopefully) a great striker in so little time!
A new #9 was always in the works
Sounds like Boyd came up late and they felt best to go his way over the other options, but they wouldn’t have moved Cooper without having another player (or two) in mind.
Valencia didn’t start in Colombia, and certainly would be brought along slowly up here, even before the headscratching situation we find ourselves in.
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