Eric Lichaj helped Nottingham Forest stave off relegation, and the American defender’s efforts have been rewarded with a special honor.
The club announced on Wednesday that Lichaj has been honored as Nottingham Forest Player of the Season for his contributions. The fullback collected over 40 percent of the fan vote, beating out Ben Osborn and David Vaughn for the honors.
“I am really happy, not at the state of the season as a whole but at avoiding relegation and it is an honor that I will remember for the rest of my life,” Lichaj told the club website. “It does make it extra special knowing that the fans have voted for me; it is a good award to have. I know that Dorus De Vries won it last year and that was well deserved for him. I don’t know if I deserved it this year as it has been a difficult season but I do really appreciate it.”
The 28-year-old defender made 45 appearances across all competitions this season, scoring twice while helping the club avoid relegation on goal difference.
There are multiple false narratives being played out on this message board. I’m not one to sneeze at being voted the fans’ POY, notwithstanding it was a relegation threatened Championship club, but I acknowledge it hardly means he’s at USMNT level. That said, with respect to those somehow defending JK’s decision to consistently overlook him, point of fact is that he’s a highly athletic fullback playing at a good level (above MLS), while JK during his tenure bemoaned the lack of fullbacks. Given the other options (or lack thereof), I see absolutely no legitimate basis for him not to be given an opportunity (particularly as he is in his prime) to show what he can do. In my view, it’s a no brainer — that said, I wouldn’t expect logic to apply to JK, but it do expect it to apply to Bruce, and hence, I do expect to see him given an opportunity in the near future.
I agree especially considering the constant call ups of Zusi, Chandler and Orozco that have proven to be bad decisions at that RB position time and time again. Now, am i saying Chandler is a bad player, nope quite the opposite, but when a player who has been given multiple opportunities to make the position his own in varying degrees of games(WC, GC, Copa, etc)and he hasn’t then that should say something. Lichaj hadn’t had that luxury(Williams either) and it’s probably because JK didn’t rate the Championship to fondly as that was a rumor going around for awhile
It was a fan vote, in which he was named the best player on a team that narrowly avoided relegation by goal differential. Its a nice honor, but hardly an indication of his Nat ability one way or the other.
Arena, Bradley, and Klinsmann all had access to every game he ever played, how many people can say they’ve watched him more than once or twice in the last five years, I’m going to guess not many.
…but, but…something about him being Polish was the reason he hasn’t reclaimed any regularity on the national team level…(actual claims made by several SBI posters).
I do remember that thread, one of the sadder days of SBI really. I still hold out hope that those two or three guys were just trolling and didn’t actually believe it.
Another victim of the JK reign. Hopefully he can have a late blooming career with the USMNT.
Why do so many people spread this false narrative?
He was given multiple chances under JK (see: called in) and never capitalized on it. His downfall or missed opportunity, like many players, was his injury in the Mexico Gold Cup. After that he just faded into the pool like many others not called in for the national team.
Great for him for putting together some healthy campaigns of late, but stop this nonsensical talking point. Far too many fans have backup quarterback syndrome when player-X is deemed to be the prodigal son.
Yeah, those short, 15-20 minute SUBSTITUTE appearances were clearly great looks by Klinsmann. We never said he’s a savior, but should be given more consideration. You know, the Klinsmann “rule” of playing time equals opportunity — Heavy sarcasm….
Yeah, those short, 15-20 minute SUBSTITUTE appearances were clearly great looks by Klinsmann.
Ah, now the narrative is changing to “it wasn’t enough appearances.”
Well, since accuracy isn’t the strong point of this crowd who spreads this ridiculous narrative, Lichaj wasn’t always given even those invaluable substitute roles either. In fact, he was cut from camp on a few occasions, too, prior to any match…along with other players within the pool that were called in and failed to impress.
To be clear, you guys are aware coaches have something called “training sessions” of which they evaluate players form, ability and fit within a roster, correct? I sincerely ask because “fans” always seem perplexed at roster cuts when their backup quarterback doesn’t make the 23 man roster and cry foul even though most haven’t seen, don’t have access or have no idea how they performed in said training sessions.
You know, the Klinsmann “rule” of playing time equals opportunity — Heavy sarcasm….
You know, Lichaj was injured or in club limbo for a large stretch of Klinsmann’s first few years, correct?
I’m all for competition, I’m all for finding some answer at left and right back since Arena wants to move Johnson to the midfield, but it would help your argument if you included reality within it.
We have a number of players like Lichaj–good at a secondary level. Just a reminder, he is POY for a team that just avoided relegation from the Championship. Compare to Spector who played much more in the Premier League. Lichaj wasn’t able to make it in the EPL. I’m sure he can do well in MLS if chooses to come here, but as we have seen, international play, especly outside of the minnows in CONCACAF, is a whole different story.
I don’t evere recall him being cut from a camp, but i’ll let that be your narrative for him being not good enough. I think we can all agree that JK had his favorites, even if they were bad at club level or with the national team, doesn’t mean that Lichaj wasn’t capable of helping the team. It’s amazing when a new coach comes in and the players that were thought to be not good enough to play, no less called in, are now first choice options for call ups or to start matches. All of this narrative talk needs to be taken with a grain of salt!
I don’t evere recall him being cut from a camp, but i’ll let that be your narrative for him being not good enough.
It’s readily available with search engines. Unlike the choir, I’m not conjuring reality out of the boogie man.
It’s not my “narrative” he hasn’t been good enough. His lack of caps indicate that on it’s own. Taking things a step further, I actually like Lichaj, but with this crowd of people who spread false narratives you’re either all in or not at all. Lichaj was incredibly promosing prior to his injury, but fell off the map for a number of reasons. That isn’t the fault of the national team manager.
It’s amazing when a new coach comes in and the players that were thought to be not good enough to play, no less called in, are now first choice options for call ups or to start matches.
You mean like Benny Feilhaber? I’ve lost count of how many managers have had the same assessment of his game (or lack thereof). Remember when that was Klinsmann’s fault, too? Bradley, Klinsmann and now Arena all seem to agree: fans are idiots.
No, more like Nagbe, Lleget and Villafana, but good try though! Although i do love me some Feilhaber who is tearing it up right now by the way! Let’s remember that Benny F got hurt a couple of weeks before the roster for the March qualifiers were due to be submitted so him being omitted may have been because of that, maybe not, but i think it’s a bit silly to just write it off as him being some cancer or inept player at that level. The June roster will say a lot about both of our opinions i believe with regards to Benny.
Never understood why he gets so little run with the USMNT.
I was going to make a short retort – but I don’t want it to come off as too snarky. Lichaj is probably playing at his highest level – the English Championship – and is likely a good team player. But, i don’t recall him getting a lot of time on the field when he was on teams in the EPL. If he was getting regular playing time in the EPL – we have some concerns about why he is not getting called into and playing on the MNT. So good for Eric, and whether it is a real award or not, I bet most players in the Championship would love to be voted favorably by their fans. Not quite at top caliber MNT level, but a good pro and good for him for making a living playing a sport!
Congrats to you for honorably representing the stars and stripes
An actual accomplishment to be proud of.
Congratulations.
Don’t try to kiss butt you little twat.