Today's News,Tuesday,Jul.03

[denime]

Mornin'




TFC TV



Koevermans Player Of The Week


The value of the cross


Toronto FC’s Danny Koevermans named MLS player of the week



TFC Related Blogs !!





SUNSHINE

[Technorgasm]

We may be absolute bottom of the league but, feels great to have Danny K honoured.
I hope that he and frings still feel this organization has ambition. . .

Or is it just a paycheck for these former internationals?

[TOBOR !]

OMG SSG is SMOKING HOT (run, don't walk).

[BHTC Mike]

The value of the cross

Really enjoyed Fletcher's analysis here.

Having said all that, I'd say that it is meaningful and highlights a definite change in how TFC have been playing. Winter's three-pronged attack was over reliant on getting wide and putting crosses into the box, almost painfully so at times. Under Mariner, that's obviously not the case, with more of an emphasis placed on the middle of the park, mainly for defensive purposes, to make the team more difficult to beat.

[...]

What you do get is a more balanced attack, in which occasionally getting wide and trying a cross is a valid choice, but one that's taken a lot less. Rather than being plan A, it's an option that is taken depending on the game situation and how the defence is lined up.

That means it will usually be a much better opportunity to get a good cross in, and naturally enough leads to the higher success rate. Do something all the time and it becomes predictable and easy to defend against.

By not emphasising wide play and crosses as much as they did under Winter, TFC have paradoxically become more dangerous from out wide.

The contra-Marinista argument that TFC's uptick in (league) form over the last four games is all down to Koevermans' form improving seems to miss this. Koevermans is playing way better - keep in mind he blew two good chances in KC - but isn't single handedly scoring all those goals. How many of them have been tap ins around the six yard box? That's where Koevermans does his business and that relies on service from the rest of the team. Rather than the aimless highballs we saw again and again and again earlier this year, there've been a lot more low crosses across the face of goal for him to pounce on.

[Darlofletch]

Thanks. what got me thinking about that is something I've thought for a few games now which is that Ashtone Morgan's crossing got a lot better recently, which led me to think, is that down to jim brennan? It seemed to coincide with him becoming assistant. I don't really ever think about giving him credit for much, but it's plausible as a former left back/winger he's got something to offer Morgan.

Anyway, seem like it's the whole team that's improved, which is a relief, wouldn't want to have to credit jimmybee for anything, that would make me feel dirty.

[Canary10]

Thanks. what got me thinking about that is something I've thought for a few games now which is that Ashtone Morgan's crossing got a lot better recently, which led me to think, is that down to jim brennan? It seemed to coincide with him becoming assistant. I don't really ever think about giving him credit for much, but it's plausible as a former left back/winger he's got something to offer Morgan.

Anyway, seem like it's the whole team that's improved, which is a relief, wouldn't want to have to credit jimmybee for anything, that would make me feel dirty.

Morgan's crossing was excellent last year. The goal that made me feel TFC had really turned a corner and were playing fluid football was the second at home against Colorado. That was a nice low cross from Morgan behind the defence that Koevermans tapped in. Started from a great switch by Avila. Morgan seemed to lose his touch in the early part of the season this year though. Not sure what's turned it around for him, but it's not a new thing.

[Toronto_Bhoy]

OMG SSG is SMOKING HOT (run, don't walk).

Agreed.

Chase after something like that your sure to PB!