Point back is definitely more the traditional Ajax way of doing things so agree that it could be very much on Winter's agenda. My thinking was 4-2-3-1 is the easier system so the better way to ease all the new players in? Will be interesting to see if he takes the plunge on point back straight away now he has the two new DPs.
I expect him to stick more with something like this, for this match:
-------------------------Frei-------------------
-------Gargan-----Harden/Henry----Iro-----Yourassowsky
----------JDG---------Dunfield----------Frings--------
------Soolsma--------Koevermans-------Johnson----
A good question is will he start Frings and Koevermans? He seems to like to slot in new/returning from an absence players mid-game.
Last edited by Oldtimer; 07-18-2011 at 11:49 AM.
MLS is a tough, physical league, that emphasizes speed, and features plastic fields, grueling travel, extreme weather, and incompetent refs. - NK Toronto
Just got back from the community practice/game prep. Frings, Koevermans, Frei, Iro, Dunfield, Johnson weren't there, apparently they were practicing separately at BMO. It's questionable to me because this could be valuable team blending time... but then who knows what the plan is..
JDG was practicing separately with the Fitness coach, working on his knee.
Eckersley stood out, good crisp passing and positioning during the little scrimmage. Looked very composed and fit- we'll miss him this Wednesday. I can't get enough of his determination and "fight" for the ball.
Yourassowksi over dribbled a few times, lost the ball- said some swear words in French.. nothing new there.
Anyway, it's just one practice but nevertheless.
Frings: Work his bollocks off in all areas of the field for 90 minutes, some neat passing and strong tackles.
Koevermans: has a decent game, gets a bit of service from Plata and holds the ball up well, scores the only goal of the game and gets taken off on the 85th minute with a standing ovation.
1-0 TFC
^ ALRIGHT! now we're getting into the meat and potatoes of the pre-game thread.. the predicted scoreline!! i'm going out on a limb and saying 3 - 1 for TFC. something tells me we may see a completely new team on wednesday (seeing as how we technically almost have a completely new team) but i may see myself eating those words.
----------------------------Frei-------------------------
-----Gargan-----Harden/Henry----Iro-----Yourassowsky
--------------JDG-------------------Frings---------------
-------------------------Griffitt---------------------------
-----Martina--------Koevermans-------Johnson-------
Apparently* Griffit is on the IR and can't play for another 6 games...
*haven't seen any actual source on this, just want some people are saying on the forums.
I cant see us gelling together that quickly.
Itd be amazing if we do.
I am excited abou this game.
Based on the players that should be available, I would go with this:
----------------Frei-------------------
Borman---Harden---Iro---Yourassowsky
-------DeGuzman----Dunfield----------
----------------Frings-----------------
Martina--------------------------Plata
-------------Koevermans--------------
Subs: Johnson, Soolsma, Sturgis
Based on today's practice, I would be very surprised if JDG plays on Wed, maybe as a sub. But I doubt he'll start.
Agreed.
I'd also suspect we're not going to see too many new faces in the starting lineup. Iro, Frings, and Koevermans ... that's it.
Too many changes and we'll look like even more of a sloppy outfit than we normally do. These guys need to be phased in, otherwise it will be even more of a shit-show.
Dunfield scores, Iro scores, we win 2-1!
Fring and Koevermans don't need to be phased in. They read the game above your average MLS'er. Johnson might be OK, too, if he's playing wide, or as a long striker with Koevermans behind him.(Which is how they're using Hassli and Jarju in Vancouver, if the Citeh game was any indicator.)
Last edited by jloome; 07-19-2011 at 11:31 AM.
So GDing excited about this game. I've written this MLS season off but if we can gain some steam going into the CCL and make the minor adjustments we'll need for next season, we might not suck anymore!
Is this the biggest game in TFC history? Building a team is obviously a process, and you can't ever put too much stock into one game. But given the trades, the DPs, finally having something closer to Mariner/Winter/DeKlerk's "team" instead of Mo's, and the fans' unrest for some results, this game is pretty big. From this point on, there aren't any excuses.
Frings gets a brace in a 2-0 win, a red card for violent conduct and an immediate spot on the wall of honour.
No Dunfield, still nursing an injury.
Unfortunately, it looks like TFC will still not be close to full strength for tomorrow's match. Based on recent updates, Ecks (suspension), JDG, Dunfield, Santos, Griffit, Williams, Cann, and Bouchiba are all unavailable.
I would go with this, and bring in Johnson to relieve Koevermans, who isn't likely to last more than 60 minutes based on his match fitness.
----------------Frei-------------------
Gargan---Harden-----Iro-------Borman
------Sturgis----Yourassowsky--------
----------------Frings-----------------
Martina--------------------------Plata
-------------Koevermans--------------
Subs: Johnson, Soolsma, Zavarise