Long Balls this week intended to type a lengthy diatribe on how Canadian defender Marcel de Jong receives far too little respect for what he has accomplished this year in Germany. Timed to coincide with de Jong's return to Augsburg's starting 11, Long Balls planned to hold up the pitiful number of votes de Jong received in the male player of the year and fans' choice awards as evidence, asking rhetorically, 'What does Marcel de Jong have to do to get some respect?'
Well, scoring a goal would be a good start. That's what Simeon Jackson did Tuesday afternoon for Norwich City, instantly creating the most exciting news of the week in Canadian football.
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Jackson's goal (which no longer seems to be available online) was not emphatic. In fact, on examination it seems he almost missed the excruciatingly simple tap in from the perfectly weighted pass into the wide open net from two feet out. That would probably have spawned a viral sensation and instantly transformed Jackson into a global punchline. But that didn't happen, and as ugly as it may have been, Jackson is not in the business these days of asking how.
Jackson's Premier League goal drought is a reflection of his limited opportunities more than anything else. But now that he's shown he can come on as a substitute and change the game in Norwich's favour (or at the very least position himself properly so that the ball unintentionally bounces off him and changes the game in Norwich's favour) he gives his gaffer reason to use him in a similar role more often.
Marcel de Jong
Unlike Jackson, Marcel de Jong doesn't struggle with selection issues. He played regularly prior to being injured at the start of October and has now made his return to the Bundesliga with 90 minutes played in a 1-1 draw with Hamburger on Saturday. The he did the same on Tuesday in a cup match against Hoffenheim. Long Balls hands to Google translation for a local perspective on his return to the lineup.
The left-back turned when it went, again and again on the offensive (four dangerous edges). Rescued in the weakest phase just before the half time again on the line. Is uncompromising and straightforward. His return, which you can see, brought stability to the defence.
Nothing but positives to read into that review, we think. And another enjoyable thing about poking around Google trying to find information related to Marcel de Jong: uncovering oddities like this recent interview in which de Jong tells his interloceur that he idolizes Roger Federer and wouldn't mind sneaking a peek at Catherine Zeta-Jones so long as his wife isn't paying attention.
Kevin McKenna
Canada fans will find out next summer whether Koln defender Kevin McKenna is past it when it comes to preventing marauding Honduran strikers from tearing the Canadian defence apart, but we can console ourselves with the knowledge he remains partly capable of preventing a marauding Franck Ribery from tearing another human being apart. Watch the video here.
#JuniorHoilett
When Long Balls logged into Twitter late Tuesday afternoon we were shocked to see the Blackburn forward's name listed as a trending topic. After quickly confirming our location wasn't set at Lancashire or that we weren't eyeing a sponsored hashtag for some sort of new breakfast sandwich, we were left to ponder the significance of Hoilett's performance in a 2-1 loss to Bolton. And the significance is this: Hoilett is clearly quite good. No matter how Long Balls or anyone else tries to brush that off, it is becoming increasingly hard to ignore. Whatever Hoilett decides pertaining to his international future there will be no middle ground when it comes to the effect on Canada supporters. Soaring joy or searing pain.