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View Full Version : Our Core Moving Forward



Kingvikingstad
09-06-2014, 03:42 PM
So I saw a few replies in the gameday thread that made for a good topic regarding our core so I thought I'd share my thoughts.


Our core is

Bendik (serviceable MLS keeper)
Hagglund, Henry,Bloom,Morrow,Crevalle -Missing 1,2 MLS starting CBs. Atleast one.
Bradley, Lovitz (been impressed with him), Osorio, ----->thought when Oduro/Jackson were picked up they were MLS experienced players. I say keep one, drop the other and replace.
Gilberto, Moore, Dike, Hamilton (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_Hamilton_(soccer)) (too soon but in the pipe)

So LB depth, 1-2 CB, DP midfielder

I think saying it is all from scratch is very harsh. We knew we needed another CB at the start of the year. Clearly we need a backup LB too.

I think that's pretty close.

GK - Bendik/X - I think you either find a true #1 keeper or have a strong 1A/1B partnership that can challenge each other

LB - Morrow/X
CB - Henry/Hagglund (these two can switch on form/matchups)
CB - X/X
RB - Bloom/Crevalle - could use an upgrade but I'd be okay with this.

We need LB cover, another CB that can distribute the ball if you can find one and a utility defender than can play all of over the backline (though Hagglund could be that guy)

LM - X/Lovitz
CM - Bradley/Warner
CM - X/Osorio
CAM - X/Osorio
RM - X/X

The midfield will depend a lot on tactics, but nonetheless we need new wingers, period. Get rid of Oduro/Jackson please! Stop moving Osorio to the wing and let him play his natural position in the middle backing up the CM or CAM. In my eyes we need three starters in midfield beside Bradley. Depending on the role you see Bradley in tactically, you may need a DM and a definitely a CAM. In my eyes, a distributing CAM that can run at the defense is exactly what we need to connect the midfield to Gilberto. Warner/Osorio/Lovitz are decent enough backups in MLS, especially Osorio/Lovitz who I think have bright futures in MLS.

ST - Gilberto/Moore/Wiedeman
ST - Dike/X (could be Hamilton)

I actually think our strike force is strong. I think Moore is the quintessential bench striker in MLS. Gilberto is an excellent MLS striker and Dike looks to be a great target man. We need a backup target man/pace specialist (not Oduro) and things may depend on how ready they see Hamilton. Nonetheless, not worried about this position at all. They will look even better with a true CAM.

azorean
09-06-2014, 03:52 PM
Gk is not most pressing need, as I think bendnik is OK, but for half the price and for competition purposes get backup Ryan Meara from NY before the expansion teams do, good keeper , had injury setbacks, but IMO is definitely an Mls keeper.would definitely push bendnik for starting spot. Could probably get the guy relatively cheaply too.

notthesun
09-06-2014, 04:48 PM
Why isn't Jackson part of the core? Oduro? Warner?

We constantly turn over our roster and what has it ever gotten us?

We don't need a new core, we need a coach that knows how to use them. The players I mentioned can be effective players when used in a working system.

By all means add players but I refuse to believe our core of guys is not good enough to form a consistent playoff team.

OgtheDim
09-06-2014, 04:57 PM
A working system requires a couple of better players, at least. I believe we have a core to build a playoff acquiring team for next season. But we don't have enough to get there yet

Gilberto9
09-06-2014, 06:06 PM
Looks like way too many players for a Toronto FC core, think about the history of the team. I could see Bendick, Morrow, Henry, Hagguland, Bloom, Bradley, Osorio and Gilberto as the core group of players moving forward.

jloome
09-06-2014, 06:07 PM
A working system requires a couple of better players, at least. I believe we have a core to build a playoff acquiring team for next season. But we don't have enough to get there yet

We're only really short one wide player and a center back. As I've said before, I don't think we have IDEAL people in all the other spots, but it's rare you'll ever see that in MLS.

A good coach would have this team cohesive and winning.

OgtheDim
09-06-2014, 06:30 PM
Without coverage for the defence, this team isn't winning.

jazzy
09-06-2014, 06:39 PM
Without coverage for the defence, this team isn't winning.

^this.....( but I wish for AM and CB), however,...I see Bez searching for a quality coach.......he HAS to pull off a T.L move what with supposed resized stadium and lack-lustre showing this season . If it can happen and Bradley stays I'm not overlooking his father.. rightly or wrongly .

shwade
09-06-2014, 11:08 PM
As far as worthy starters from what we have: Gilberto, Bradley, Osorio, Bloom, Henry and Creaville.
We need wide players desperately, ones that don't just rely on their speed to run by a defender and then have no idea what to do.

burlington Red
09-06-2014, 11:34 PM
We're only really short one wide player and a center back. As I've said before, I don't think we have IDEAL people in all the other spots, but it's rare you'll ever see that in MLS.

A good coach would have this team cohesive and winning.

Yeah I agree, but I'd also like a creative mid or a number 10, depending on what formation we play. I did like Philly's 4-2-3-1 formation.
We had too much gaps between each line today.We had to go 4-4-2 this year as two of big signings were strikers, but if/when Defoe goes, I'd be in favour of ditching 4-4-2, Gilberto can play up top on his own, xtra man in mid would help us. Nothing against 4-4-2, Man City won the league last year playing it, but it doesn't gel with our personnel and it inhibits Bradley imo.

Cashcleaner
09-06-2014, 11:36 PM
Bendik is fine right now. Goalkeeper is our area of least concern, I'd say. To be honest, I like our "core" for the most part. Osorio, Oduro, Bloom, Morrow, Moore, Gilberto, Bradley, etc. To me all those guys form a pretty solid foundation. I think jloome and swade is right about needing an upgrade in a winger and central defender. Hagglund was getting praise on the MLS website tonight for his hustle, but to me it was more a case of him running around because his positioning was off.

On a related note, I'm wondering if a 4-4-1-1 might work for us using a supplemented variation of our current roster?

OgtheDim
09-07-2014, 06:57 AM
Hagglund needs a game off. He might get it next week if Caldwell is back.

mook-life
09-07-2014, 11:07 AM
you are high as hell if you thing joe bendik is fine, he is the king of the soft goal and poor positioning

stevep
09-07-2014, 11:13 AM
Luis Silva would have been good core. 11 goals in 34 apps since he left. That guy named allocation money can fill his spot. (yeah sure)

OgtheDim
09-07-2014, 11:45 AM
Luis Silva would have been good core. 11 goals in 34 apps since he left. That guy named allocation money can fill his spot. (yeah sure)

That guy named allocation money was sold off to NYRB along with a certain red haired RB.

ag futbol
09-07-2014, 01:17 PM
Bendik is fine right now. Goalkeeper is our area of least concern, I'd say. To be honest, I like our "core" for the most part. Osorio, Oduro, Bloom, Morrow, Moore, Gilberto, Bradley, etc. To me all those guys form a pretty solid foundation. I think jloome and swade is right about needing an upgrade in a winger and central defender. Hagglund was getting praise on the MLS website tonight for his hustle, but to me it was more a case of him running around because his positioning was off.

On a related note, I'm wondering if a 4-4-1-1 might work for us using a supplemented variation of our current roster?
Agree with this for the most part. Add a defensive mid to the mix though, still nobody on the roster who can properly play that spot next to Bradley.