Randers Boss Confident in Yanks

by Poul-Henrik Worm - January 31, 2008

 
▪ Villa's Guzan Appeal Fails

After a few days trial, midfielders Lee Nguyen and Will John have each earned contracts with Danish SAS Liga side Randers FC and the team's English head coach Colin Todd has nothing but praise for his new signings.

▪ Randers Land Nguyen, John
▪ AaFK Auditioning Sarkodie
 

Both players made their first appearance in a friendly against third flight team Hobro. Wearing #9, Nguyen played the full 90 minutes and scored the second goal in the 4-1 win. John, #7 in your programs, started at left midfield and was one of seven players to be substituted in the 55th minute.

"We had them over to assess them on the training ground and we liked what we saw," Todd told American soccer Daily. "I know for a fact that we made the right decision in bringing in Will and Lee."

"They're 21 and 22 so we expect them to make good progress at the football club. They're attack-minded players. They're going to put teams on the back foot. They have the ability to go by people, they have the ability to cross, and they're exciting prospects for us."

While the coach has confidence in the two Americans, he insisted they should not take their positions for granted.

"We still have good players in the football club, as well in their positions, so they're going to have to earn the right to get in the first team," said Todd. "But they've come in to obviously play a part in the first team."

Coming from two unsuccessful years with the Kansas City Wizards, John is happy with his move to Danish soccer.

"I'm an ambitious person and this is an ambitious club," an excited John told ASD. "I'm very pleased. The soccer is tremendously better here."

"I was in a bad situation for two years. I wasn't treated the way I probably should have been and was told I would have been and this is the way for me to continue my career for the better."

Well aware that he has to earn his spot on the team, John believes in his chances for success in Denmark.

"They needed left-sided players, they need attacking players and they told me that I fulfill that so hopefully they should be good," he said.

Coming from a similarly unsuccessful spell at PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands, Nguyen also knows what he hopes to achieve in Denmark.

"I hope to improve myself day in and day out and just get some first team action in a European club," Nguyen told ASD.

Although he made only two first team appearances at PSV, there are no hard feelings toward his now former club.

"No, that's football," he insisted. "I was playing under Guus Hiddink. When he left and the new trainer (Ronald Koeman)  came in, he had his own players he wanted to bring in."

"Now I'm with this team and a new coach who brought in me and two other players. It's not that much different from Dutch football."

"Both leagues like to play football, so I think it's a good fit for me and I just can't wait for the season to start."

Sixth place Randers resume SAS Liga play at Brøndby on March 16th.

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