Originally Posted by jloome
crazy thing is - this was the same situation before the leagues cup started and nothing was done. no improvement in anything during the time off- well except for two new injuries?
do you really expect something to change after to today's game?
Why are you asking me?
You're aware that when people make statements -- i.e. "I think so-and-so is happening" -- that they're not endorsing that thing, right?
Why would I be expecting anything to change? Same roster, same coach.
But clearly it would be normal for them to think they have a better chance at getting points after two weeks of uninterrupted practice, in a league where teams are lucky to get four days straight of training.
Wishful thinking if that's the rationale, but it makes more sense than simultaneous "lower leg" injuries.
Last edited by jloome; 08-30-2023 at 10:49 AM.
you mentioned they have a two week break to assimilate more- i posed the question- do you really think they'll do a good enough job to assimilate them in during the 2 weeks?
clearly mentioned you dont expect it- it would be nice if they could you know get the new players up and running while being healthy.
Last edited by FootBallAZ; 08-30-2023 at 10:59 AM. Reason: sp
Use of the word "really" made it sound like I believed it would work, dude. As in "Do you REALLY think" etc etc
Sorry as that wasn't the intent.
I mean... it can't make them worse right now, I don't think. But I don't think Dunny has anything in the bag to turn this around.
I'm not sure how a team can exist and get to this stage, where they have so little consistency and so little belief. It's like Bradley crushed their spirits completely.
I mostly worry about who these players even are. Is Insigne Petulant, whiny and spoiled, a child? Or is he just passionate and expresses it occasionally. Is Bernardeschi a cunt in the locker room, or is that just team hype?
Clearly, the mix is really, really bad. They have no confidence, no energy. I have to think that on some level, the fact that they pulled together and got a win when Fede was sitting after the Athletic blowup signified deep divides.
But ultimately, the youth aren't good enough. The Italians are, but nowhere near their DP value, not in this style of league. Topping it off, they both seem to be petulant whiners who take zero leadership responsibility.
The only thing that'll make us a winner again is rebuilding the roster. We're not going to win with this team no matter who coaches them.
They have to get rid of the Italians in the offseason, or at least one of them. Get us a couple of live wires, a Mukhtar type number 10 and a Vasquez/Giakoumakis style target forward who's good with his feet.
Realistically, we're back to needing
-- Ideally, two fullbacks. Franklin isn't ready, Petretta is barely passable.
-- Two center halves, as neither Mabika nor Rosted is good enough
-- A defensive midfielder, as Ibarra is going back to Atlanta
-- A central midfielder with speed, as neither Coello nor Osorio is fast.
-- A number 10 with flair, as I highly doubt Cash No Deposit is ready to start in this league game in and out
-- A dp striker.
And... our goalie is 34 and already a little error prone.
So basically we need to rebuild the entire fucking team.
God, going through all of that just depressed me again.
Last edited by jloome; 08-30-2023 at 11:47 AM.
What a time to get Philly at home.
Given that most of these guys won't even be here next year, it would be nice to see something new tried. Anything. A new approach: just play full field man-to-man, a la Almeyda ball. Press the whole game. Make them work for every touch and don't worry about the rest. Press them like they have the plague and we're trying to catch it.
You think it's possible with Herdman now announced he might do some whispering and suggestions Dunfield's way and he could implement them at this time? Or do you think Herdman would almost stay hands off with tactical approach until he actually takes over? Like you're saying now would be the time to just throw anything different at the wall and see how it goes, they have nothing to lose. I don't think Dunfield has it in him to do those things unless potentially prompted by someone.
I don't think they'll change anything right away, because there isn't enough time for it to take, beyond some tactical advice if he's watched Philly.
But with two weeks off between Philly and the next game, I can certainly see him influencing what they're doing well before he actually takes over. I think we have five games before then, something like that.
But they won't talk about it publicly, if they're smart. It'll mean very little if it has a positive effect because the season is gone. But if it goes badly due to lack of time and roster changes, it might undermine people's view of him before he's made change one.
By having him only take over in the last three games, they have a built-in rationale if things go poorly.... which given our roster seems likely.
I disagree with assessments of Herdman as tactically deficient. The teams they lost to at the World Cup had a lot more talent to begin with, and he's constantly adjusted shape and approach in qualifying and continental competitions. I'd say if anything, he's quite tactically astute compared to the average MLS manager.
Where I think he can probably break down over time is on the motivating front, because it's key to what he does. Whenever someone is driving people to perform above their expected limits, it always eventually results in one side or the other burning out and tuning out. But typically, if they're good at it, it takes four or five years for that to happen.
The key for the motivator type is to leave before the room is completely lost.
Last edited by jloome; 08-30-2023 at 02:06 PM.
I thought it was insanity what he did going up against the three man midfield of Croatia...trying a two man or man to man whatever that was....and predictably got overun. Same with his man to man on Perisic who took Johnston to the woodshed.
Yes, all three teams were better, so you adjust your tactics accordingly. Thought the Belgium game was really good tactically to be fair.
And my bone to pick with him was also caving into Davies demands and allowing him to take the penalty vs Belgium which then predictably he went onto miss. David is nearly automatic and should have went to him. He would have scored, and we would have taken the lead and who knows what happens then.....and it gets David going. David had a nightmare WC....an early penalty and he would have been flying.
I think Herdman is a smart guy so he probably already has been watching tape, hopefully of training too so he can see what is being trained and how it's being implemented. After that he would be better served to sit back and have this as an audition for next season and also see where some players should play or shouldn't play.
Yeah, he's notoriously meticulous. He'll be focusing some of the analytics types with figuring out weak points in opponents, he'll be taking to the team on individual bases about training and improvement, what they aspire to.
I really wanted them to hire a guy who made his bones field coaching and they did. Most of the younger guys -- managers in their 30s and 40s -- who have impressed me in recent years globally have been hands-on trainers. Wilfried Nancy came from youth coaching; Ange Postecoglou came from youth coaching; Luke Garrard is working his way up from the bottom.
I think Herdman fits that mold, a guy who started with the technical end and has learned to motivate as a core tool, rather than assuming people would just be in awe of the boss or of a former star player. They're pragmatic, and they genuinely give a shit about their players.
But once thing I would suggest is certain: a guy like that will not brook assholes in the room. He'd rather play a youth player than a DP with an attitude if that 'tude is so disruptive it hurts the overall effort.
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