How Should Toronto FC Handle the 2014 Season?

[Alonso]

Given the comments by Bez in the Sun article today: (http://www.torontosun.com/2013/10/27...iet-confidence), and all the comments to this effect in the "general player move/speculation" thread I thought it appropriate to start a thread for just this aspect of the discussion.

Personally, I think that if we start the season with the theme being that 'don't worry about the first half of the season, the cavalry will come in the summer' then I think we will be in for another heart wrenching season.

In my opinion, we need at least 1 DP starting the season with us (preferably an AM), and AAALLLLLL the other pieces that the management team feel will get them into the play-off's in place at training camp. No more adding 12 players during the season bullshit that we have seen over the last 7 years. Loan players are fine, but we can't have them integral to the team and have 4 of them leave mid way during the season like this year imo.

This team needs to hit the season rolling with 90% of it in place starting day 1 in training camp including Laba and at least 1 other DP (preferably AM).

[Alonso]

..... The other thing I forgot to mention: If Koevs want's to come back on $200,000 salary, this team needs to do it.

Period.

If he is played sparingly, in crucial games, he would pot us 10 goals no problem and has proven it in the MLS and over his entire career as a player.

[TFC07]

I would be shocked if we have a DP playing first half in the season. I predict we will be adding some MLS vets and an odd international player with current core before the season starts.

The East isn't that competitive like the western conference, so there's some hope for us to complete and make it to the playoffs next season.

[Haddy]

..... The other thing I forgot to mention: If Koevs want's to come back on $200,000 salary, this team needs to do it.

Period.

If he is played sparingly, in crucial games, he would pot us 10 goals no problem and has proven it in the MLS and over his entire career as a player.

I'd love to see DK return. But many of us in the transfers thread, including myself, have been complaining about overspending. 200k for a player used sparingly isn't good cap management. In MLS, 200k should be an everyday starter. But if Bez can make it work, I'd be open to it.

As for the first half, I really think it depends on who arrives in January. I'm hoping for decent results, probably 6th or 7th come cavalry arrival with a push at that point. I hope that's realistic and not a pipe dream.

[Alonso]

I'd love to see DK return. But many of us in the transfers thread, including myself, have been complaining about overspending. 200k for a player used sparingly isn't good cap management. In MLS, 200k should be an everyday starter. But if Bez can make it work, I'd be open to it.

As for the first half, I really think it depends on who arrives in January. I'm hoping for decent results, probably 6th or 7th come cavalry arrival with a push at that point. I hope that's realistic and not a pipe dream.

It's pure speculation, but do you think Danny at $200,000 and 10 goals next year is worth it?


Again, this is a lot of if's, but I really think it's realistic given what Koevs has shown this league and us as far as his quality of play and proven performance is...

[Haddy]

It's pure speculation, but do you think Danny at $200,000 and 10 goals next year is worth it?


Again, this is a lot of if's, but I really think it's realistic given what Koevs has shown this league and us as far as his quality of play and proven performance is...

10 goals for 200k...absolutely. I just can't see him scoring 10 goals if he's used sparingly at his age and with a knee that will never be the same.

[pdubs]

all i can see with danny k is more injuries. came back from his original injury to have reoccurring calf injuries. it is only going to get worst for him, he is turning 35 in a few days...

[razor787]

200k for Koev as a rotation striker could be good or bad. Spending some allocation, and getting him down to 100k and he sounds pretty damn good. Send off Dike in a deal for an AM, and bring in a young striker to get some minutes (Academy if we have anyone that is ready).

Since they said they are going for 2 DP Strikers, I think something like this would be a great start.

--------------------------- Bendik -----------------------
--- Bloom ---- Caldwell --- Henry/Gale ---- NEW LB ---
-----------------(Gale)---------------------- (Morgan) ---
-------- Convey --------- Laba ---------- Rey ----------
--------------------------NEW AM------------------------
--------------------------(Osorio)------------------------
---------------- DP STRIKER / DP STRIKER ------------
-------------------- (Koev) / (Dike) --------------------

[Wull]

Well, if nobody else is going to say it, I will. I think we need an MLS-experienced coach (or assistant) to replace (or help) Nelsen. He has too many assistants with little to no qualifications or good experience.
After that, we need to figure out who stays and goes, who's depth and who can start and then go from there. If we're getting rid of Ecks we're going to need a new starting RB. I'd like to see one more MLS veteran CB, a younger MLS version of Convey and a box to box midfielder along with the "big name DPs" they've been promising

[brad]

It's pure speculation, but do you think Danny at $200,000 and 10 goals next year is worth it?


Again, this is a lot of if's, but I really think it's realistic given what Koevs has shown this league and us as far as his quality of play and proven performance is...

It's worth it without question, and I bet the management would agree. But based on his injury history, and the in depth knowledge the medical team will have of him, I'm guessing if they don't want him back at a seriously cut rate, they don't think he has it in him anymore.

[brad]

I'll tell you want I don't want to see for 2014 - trying to land players as the season progresses like we have every year so far. I don't want to see us go into the season with a thin roster and promises that we will strengthen in the summer window, only to watch them fumble about in the summer.

I also don't want to see a thin squad with 2 big name DP's signed with the assumption that that fixes the problems.

I want solid squad built for training camp, and see that team hit the ground running on opening day. I would also be fine with a thinner squad on opening day, but players signed and sealed in the off-season, and delivered when the window opens. If we can land some quality players but they won't come until the end of the European season (or after the World Cup) I'm fine with that. I wouldn't not want to see them step down in quality just to get someone a few months earlier. Of course, and I reiterate, this means the player is signed an coming - not the standard "we have quality players targeted and we will sign them in the summer" crud we normally get.

[cmonyoureds]

Given the comments by Bez in the Sun article today: (http://www.torontosun.com/2013/10/27...iet-confidence), and all the comments to this effect in the "general player move/speculation" thread I thought it appropriate to start a thread for just this aspect of the discussion.

Personally, I think that if we start the season with the theme being that 'don't worry about the first half of the season, the cavalry will come in the summer' then I think we will be in for another heart wrenching season.

In my opinion, we need at least 1 DP starting the season with us (preferably an AM), and AAALLLLLL the other pieces that the management team feel will get them into the play-off's in place at training camp. No more adding 12 players during the season bullshit that we have seen over the last 7 years. Loan players are fine, but we can't have them integral to the team and have 4 of them leave mid way during the season like this year imo.

This team needs to hit the season rolling with 90% of it in place starting day 1 in training camp including Laba and at least 1 other DP (preferably AM).

This, this and more of this.
We were "promised" skill players last transfer season. We've been "promised" skill players in January.
Nothing short of delivering this is acceptable. I don't care if it's "big name DP's" or "lesser name" skilled players.
To even consider entering year 8 without a full roster is reason enough to call for Lieweke's head.

[Mark in Ottawa]

Keep ticket prices at year 1 level because in many ways it seems like we are starting to see yet another "5 year plan".

We have a few players we know are definitely staying and a few who like they are definitely on the way out.
One or two are a question mark based upon salary decisions and one or two are (or were) loaners that we must decide upon.
DP scouting ... yet again but who knows what the results of that may be.

Lots of instability here but then again as TFC supporters we are used to that aren't we?

[Detroit_TFC]

TL and TB have a huge job in front of them. It is going to take some key acquisitions to prevent a carbon copy replay of 2013's start. I'm having trouble seeing who they will be able to get. I doubt any veteran MLS players worth getting would voluntarily make a move. Seems much more likely there will be another crop of English temporaries.

[pdubs]

maybe the thinking is that if they can annouce 2 DP's in January (even if they don't start till after world cup) they can use those names to shop around for some mls vets or other non DP starting players. Seems they have the cap room once they terminate some of these big contracts (frei $200,000 ecks $310,000 koev $368,000 braun??? $114,000)

[Canary10]

At this time of year, it's not impossible to get decent players for nothing, especially on teams that have salary cap issues. That's the first thing we should be trying to do.

[ag futbol]

I think any talk about Koeverman's future is a mute point. For average MLS wages he can find the same thing at home in europe, which is probably where he'd much rather be at this point.

How should we handle 2014? Be ready on opening day with the exception of any special DP who will have to join in the summer window. I'm not interested in excuses about who is coming down the road. If it falls apart at the begining I want the coaching staff fired, not a Mo Johnston type of situation where management builds in an endless number of excuses and mulligans.

[cochrdoc]

We need to have our roster ready to go for training camp,That includes our 2 big forwards coming in.We need to be redy for the first game,not piss halve the season away.We gave up fewer goals but is our defence good enough.We still made glowing mistakes and late goals.Some more experience is needed.Our midfield is not very fast or athletic.They do notset up or create many goals.Lots of room for improvementHopefully the 2 big forwards that are coming are hear early and not when we are out of the play-offs.Do we have a back up plan if the names mentioned fall thru like other supposedly signings.Better us of our international roster spots.Lambe was usless and why bring Elder in if he is not going to play.Better player management skills by the organization.Eks,Frei should of played the last game.Those 2 went to war for TFC.And what about Koevs.The Urritti situation was a joke also.This team is regarded as a joke and it is going to take time to fix the reputation.

[brad]

I think any talk about Koeverman's future is a mute point. For average MLS wages he can find the same thing at home in europe, which is probably where he'd much rather be at this point.

How should we handle 2014? Be ready on opening day with the exception of any special DP who will have to join in the summer window. I'm not interested in excuses about who is coming down the road. If it falls apart at the begining I want the coaching staff fired, not a Mo Johnston type of situation where management builds in an endless number of excuses and mulligans.

He actually said in an interview in the last couple of days that he wanted to stay, knew that it would be a reduced wage. He is leaving because he couldn't get a guaranteed contract (which makes sense given his injuries).

[SoccMan2]

We need to aim for having our full team at training camp that should be the goal, we have seen what the outcome has been for all the past seasons where a full team was not present at training camp. I'm hoping by training camp we can have everyone there.

[glaze]

TFC has to not use the WC as an excuse for 2014 as being another rebuilding year. Obviously we aren't going to contend for a title, but the last thing I want to see is the front office announce 2 mid-season arrivals in January in time for the ticket drive, and then use it as an excuse to write-off the first half of the season. That isn't fair to the fans, or the players who would have to play the first half of the year with that distraction.

I think the main thing I want to see is stability. From the top down, let's build a franchise in the office, a team on the field, and return to "fortress BMO" with our support in the stands.

[QBall]

TFC has to not use the WC as an excuse for 2014 as being another rebuilding year. Obviously we aren't going to contend for a title, but the last thing I want to see is the front office announce 2 mid-season arrivals in January in time for the ticket drive, and then use it as an excuse to write-off the first half of the season. That isn't fair to the fans, or the players who would have to play the first half of the year with that distraction.

I second your fears. Wasn't the whole point of delaying renewals until January was to let fans see what changes were coming up for 2014 by announcing new big signings? I worry that some in the FO will see that as a hard deadline.

[jazzy]

..... The other thing I forgot to mention: If Koevs want's to come back on $200,000 salary, this team needs to do it.

Period.

If he is played sparingly, in crucial games, he would pot us 10 goals no problem and has proven it in the MLS and over his entire career as a player.

bang on! and Laba , Rey , Caldwell...stay...and Lampard never !

[jazzy]

Well, if nobody else is going to say it, I will. I think we need an MLS-experienced coach (or assistant) to replace (or help) Nelsen. He has too many assistants with little to no qualifications or good experience.
After that, we need to figure out who stays and goes, who's depth and who can start and then go from there. If we're getting rid of Ecks we're going to need a new starting RB. I'd like to see one more MLS veteran CB, a younger MLS version of Convey and a box to box midfielder along with the "big name DPs" they've been promising

Always wanted an offensive specialist......instead of O'Leary.....maybe it's short sited but we need a dangerous counter-attack,.in Nelson's not so flexible system.

[jloome]

TL and TB have a huge job in front of them. It is going to take some key acquisitions to prevent a carbon copy replay of 2013's start. I'm having trouble seeing who they will be able to get. I doubt any veteran MLS players worth getting would voluntarily make a move. Seems much more likely there will be another crop of English temporaries.

Why? There are something like 80,000 professional footballers registered around the world. Lots of teams manage to find good players without overpaying them. It's just diligence and hard work.

[jloome]

I think any talk about Koeverman's future is a mute point.

A moot point, too.

DK's not going to stay for $4,000 a week. I don't believe it. Even his oft-injured frame can get that back home.

You're right though, this is about being ready from day one of camp to build and perform as a team. WE've never had that. So any new faces have to be signed quickly in the off season.

It's one of the reasons I like the idea of them improving their scouting in technically-skilled-but-poor nations, where the pressure to an accept a good deal is more on the player.

[ProfessorDamage]

Sign Defoe and Lamps (ABOVE ALL ELSE) and I'll pony up for another season.

I think both are difference makers and Frank especially could thrive here and push the club in the right direction. Doesn't hurt that I love Chelsea with all my heart...

[Detroit_TFC]

Why? There are something like 80,000 professional footballers registered around the world. Lots of teams manage to find good players without overpaying them. It's just diligence and hard work.

I don't doubt there are some fine players to be had, but we seem to have difficulty making that happen. I'm worried that both internally in MLS and externally among key agents, etc, TFC is a harder sell than other MLS teams, because of the last 7 years. Overcoming that is the huge job.

[Fort York Redcoat]

The present situation is we've come off a season where we had a team that, if healthy, needed to gel with a month of play, tops. What we got was key injuries and the team that was left had a good run but quickly fizzled with no one that came in that saved the day.

Next season we have a team that I'm confident would not make the playoffs without additions. Additions midseason and post world cup is too late. At least one of our acquisitions should be available for transfer in Jan. I realize the challenges in this. He has to be of a certain high quality yet not be tied to a foreign club with the opposite season scedule AND preferably not on his national side. Whether that's because he's retired, or doesn't make the team because of it's strength is up to our scouting. Yes, I'm putting a lot on scouting but this is where they show us how much they can improve.

We need a DP before midseason. We need make this next midseason window a "finishing touch" and not another "cavalry is coming" window. Please.

[Cashcleaner]

Given the comments by Bez in the Sun article today: (http://www.torontosun.com/2013/10/27...iet-confidence), and all the comments to this effect in the "general player move/speculation" thread I thought it appropriate to start a thread for just this aspect of the discussion.

Personally, I think that if we start the season with the theme being that 'don't worry about the first half of the season, the cavalry will come in the summer' then I think we will be in for another heart wrenching season.

In my opinion, we need at least 1 DP starting the season with us (preferably an AM), and AAALLLLLL the other pieces that the management team feel will get them into the play-off's in place at training camp. No more adding 12 players during the season bullshit that we have seen over the last 7 years. Loan players are fine, but we can't have them integral to the team and have 4 of them leave mid way during the season like this year imo.

This team needs to hit the season rolling with 90% of it in place starting day 1 in training camp including Laba and at least 1 other DP (preferably AM).

Abso-fucking-lutely. For every past season now we've gone into march with an incomplete squad and have yet to make playoffs as a result. There's obviously a correlation at work here. Like you said, picking up one or two players later on in the season as we need them won't hurt, but we have to break the habit of going into training and the first few games of the season missing key players.

If we repeat this mistake again for 2014, we will be fucked.

And Fort York, I like that point you made as well. A DP, regardless of position and role, should be someone who complements the existing squad to give us more offensive punch and NOT the sole individual the team places it's problems upon to solve.