Haven't seen too many updates on our injured players, but I'm guessing this for Friday:
--------------------Bono--------------------
---------Hagglund--Moor--Mavinga-------
--van der Wiel--------------------Morgan--
----Aketxe----Bradley----Osorio-------
---------Giovinco--Altidore-------------
With Auro, Vasquez and Ricketts getting a fair amount time (which Vanney rarely does), depending on how the game goes...
One day we will have a game where its double digit temperatures....one day.
Lads, driving in from the East Coast for the match on Friday. Where are people meeting for some pre-game adult beverages?
Just wondering, is there still a sanction on the south-end for tomorrow's game? There seemed to be no capo for most of the SGs during the home opener except the RPB section..
I feel like Zavaleta is quicker and better 1v1 and Hagglund is better in the air and positionally. In the end Zavaleta's qualities mean he's better suited to playing the outside of the 3 at the back than Hagglund. Four at the back formation I'd be upset not to see Mavinga and Hagglund though.
We are really dependent upon Moor's savvy & Mavinga's awareness.
Need to start seeing why Aketxe and VDW were signed. They are luxury signings let's see if we can afford to have them on the roster with more important needs at centreback and for a #8.
Some squad rotation may be in the cards.
Check out this tweet at https://twitter.com/JohnMolinaro/status/979421306570489856
IMHO
We don't need another #8.
VDW is the starter & will get the time to learn when to go ahead.
Aketxe is going to catch up eventually and get minutes - he's a long term investment.
IMO Haggs is the 2nd best Central Def on the team outside of Mavinga....Moor is too slow and most likely in his last season & Zavaletta is hit or miss most nights. We need a Kamil Glik (monaco) type of central defender that we can afford with TAM etc.
Pride and success motivate people. to suggest that Osorio's improved play is the result of his contract is remarkably inconsistent with the facts. He started playing well in the middle of last season - it was something to do with being dropped and the coaching and motivation that Vannney and his team gave during training. Also to do with the fact that Vanney plays those who earn it. He earned it.
I think Hagglund hasn't quite gotten back to his best, but he has it in him. Remember how dominant he was in the air v Montreal in 2016? "Don't change the play don't change the play"....
Think I’m a bit confused on why you are quoting my post, no where have I stated Osorio’s imporoved play is based on contract. I stated facts, he is in a contract year and the only member of the squad without a contract. And the “money motivates people” comment was in response to Derko stating no contracts motivate people, as that is a factually incorrect statement, because money motivates people.
i do agree with portions of your statement though, although I believe he started playing “better”, not “well” mid season, but like everyone has off games and makes bonehead mistakes. He has figured out his strengths and how he fits with the rest of the team. He gets time because he works his ass off (not only game situations, but practice as well), because if you really think mid season last year, that’s when he was on the bottom of the midfield depth chart...
im much happier this year, now that he has moved on to grown up socks and matches the rest of the team, instead of short socks cause that was one of my biggest gripes about him last year,
I didn’t notice the socks.....
I understood you to be saying his improved play was motivated by the expiry of his contract. I don’t agree with that because his improved play came after he was dropped and had to fight for his position.
If I misunderstood your post, apologies.
Last edited by MightyDM; 03-30-2018 at 08:25 AM.
4-4-2 today
VdW-Zavs-Moor-Morgan
Hasler-Oso-Bradley-Aketxe
Ricketts- Givinco
Last edited by MightyDM; 03-30-2018 at 09:20 AM.
Here is my view of this game:
Go team. Do your best. But I do not really care, and will not get grumpy if we do not get the result.
We moved straight out of MLS playoff/Cup stress into CCL stress. After that there are important flowers to smell.
I have not yet sat at BMO on a warm summer day or night, beer in hand, truly enjoyed watching our great players, in a stress free, isn't this awesome? sort of way. Or spent lulls looking up absentmindedly at the championship banner. I intend to bask in supporting a championship team, and players I love, properly, and I am not letting the standings interfere with these activities, my/our reward for this magnificent team.
By summer, around the time the World Cup ends, I will have done these things. Then I will engage in the 2018 MLS season.
I will care about the standings, sure, but I will have utter faith that we will be a playoff team, and we will be the playoff team no one wants to see.
Last edited by ensco; 03-30-2018 at 11:24 AM.
"There are some people who might have better technique than me, and some may be fitter than me, but the main thing is tactics. With most players, tactics are missing. You can divide tactics into insight, trust, and daring." - Johan Cruyff
Am I the only won completely unimpressed by Aketxe so far? I know he's still coming into fitness and hasn't really been given a role yet so I'm withholding total judgement, but I don't see how Chapman or Hasler wouldn't produce the same if not more right now. Neither get enough playing time even though they probably deserve it.
Wow 1 and a half games isn't much to go on. Give him some time. He needs time to gel and learn his teammates in-game tendencies.
This.
Pretty much how I feel about the first half of this season. We're undeniably a very talented team with a coach who knows how to get good players to play well together. We have tons of big game players who are able to add an extra gear or two when things get important. We have enough depth to keep us in the mix of things over the first couple months. We'll be fine come the end of the season.
The Current Golden State Warrior's season I think is a pretty good reference point for what our season is going to look like. That's pretty good company to be in.
Attending this evening is Blasphemous for all Jews and Catholics out there!
Kidding!
Enjoy the game!
Go Reds!