Next Week's game (Football talk, not Carver bashing!!)

[Nuvinho]

No more JC bashing, Mo bashing, etc. Let's talk about football.

I am being optimistic, but if we beat Columbus ( I know a FEW ppl will laugh at this notion), we could be 3 pts out of a playoff spot. NEVER GIVE UP!!!

For me, finally Velez is out!!! I enjoyed watching some of the younger guys show what they got, Rosenlund and Smith played well.

vs. Columbus:

-----------------------Sutton-------------------------

Wynne---------James--------Marshall----------Brennan

----------------------Robbo---------------------------
Ricketts---------------------------------------Jo.Smith
----------------------Guevara-------------------------

---------------Barrett--------Ruiz----------------------

Guys who can get a run out in the 60th+ minutes:
1) Roselund for James - slot Robbo in the back 4
2) Ibbe for Jo.Smith
3) Dichio for Barrett - I would like to see how Ruiz and Dichio play together.


even tho Columbus is in 1st, they are beatable. They went through a stretch where they couldn't win a game. Its the MLS...anyone can win!!!

[jabbronies]

-----------------------Sutton-------------------------

Wynne---------Titus--------Marshall----------Brennan

----------------Robbo--------Jo.Smith-----------------
Ricketts--------------------------------------Guevara--
----------------Barrett--------Ruiz----------------------


-Titus was great yesterday...that's what we need in CB.... Big Strong and speed!
-I'd like to see Brennan and Guevera hook up more on that left
-Jo Smith needs support, he gets crowded way too much and looses the ball way too often. With Robbo there to bail him out, it may do better. It'll also open up the wings because everyone will crowd him in the mid.

[Corpand]

Hopefully Columbus doesnt cream us, I really want to see how Ruiz utilizes his partnership with Barrett. Dichio should definitely come in at the 60th mark or so (or better yet start him if fit).

[jabbronies]

Dichio should definitely come in at the 60th mark or so (or better yet start him if fit).

Either works:

Dichio starts - He wears the D down physically, then you bring in someone with speed to run around the D

Dichio Subs in - He comes into a worn out D. only thing is, he needs a striking partner who is fit enough at the time up front to run down his headers.

[Parkdale]

you know what.....


if we can slaughter the CREW in front of their 100ish fans at home..... Then I'll consider that a highpoint to the season.

fuck I hate the crew. We can't win the league, but we can crush the crew.

[Maple Leaf Red]

-Jo Smith needs support, he gets crowded way too much and looses the ball way too often. With Robbo there to bail him out, it may do better. It'll also open up the wings because everyone will crowd him in the mid.

Jo was getting double-teamed yesterday and most of the time no one was giving him an outlet to get away from it.

I am excited for seeing our full lineup together for the first time in what seems like millennia.

[ben_vw]

-----------------------Sutton-------------------------

Wynne---------Titus--------Marshall----------Brennan

----------------Robbo--------Jo.Smith-----------------
Ricketts--------------------------------------Guevara--
----------------Barrett--------Ruiz----------------------


-Titus was great yesterday...that's what we need in CB.... Big Strong and speed!
-I'd like to see Brennan and Guevera hook up more on that left
-Jo Smith needs support, he gets crowded way too much and looses the ball way too often. With Robbo there to bail him out, it may do better. It'll also open up the wings because everyone will crowd him in the mid.

Titus played well - but he's 39...

[London]

Titus played well - but he's 39...

i think he has to work a double shift at UPS anyway

seriously, the crew crushed NE last nite 4-0 and they are playing well rite now, i see us needing our best performance this season to beat them.

fuck you stilletto!!!!

[jloome]

He's also under contract to the Lynx, isn't he? We'd have to buy him or get a release, which isn't going to happen for a 39-year-old.(everyone forgets, I think, that he was MLS defender of the year in 2002. It was always his unwillingness to curb his opinion that cost him with management, and USL offered better money later in his career.

He's a very good defender, always has been.

We can't play a diamond in the middle with Robbo recessed, as Schellotto will eat us alive if we give him time in the middle third. We have to challenge him whereever he is on the pitch, preferably with a single man-marking assignment. he's the backbone of their team, the entire reason they're doing as welll as they are.

That means a player sticking on his hip.

We'd be better off, given Columbus's record and excellent counter, playing conservatively and countering ourselves, negating their game. They're one of the most consistent teams in the league right now, despite being shitheads from a crappy town with no real fans.

We also want to shut down Rogers, so we have to pressure the wings and keep Wynne back more than normal.

I say, given his weaknesses in both ball-watching (concentration) and positioning but his physical strength and athleticism, we should use Julius James as a roving marker to simply stay on schellotto all game and take him out:

How about:

---------------Sutton------------------
Wynne---Attakora/Regan----Marshall----Brennan
--------Robbo---------Harmse------------
--------------James (floating, marking schellotto)
-----Ricketts------------Guevara-----------
---------------Barrett--------------------

[Oldtimer]

He's also under contract to the Lynx, isn't he?

Former Lynx, now Italia Shooters (CSL).

[jloome]

Well, he didn't look like a liability to me, so I say we sign him as backup for the rest of the season.

[Cobblers]

I would start Titus at the back with Marshall if he's available to us. And while I agree we shouldn't play a diamond (we actually never should as it creates a huge hole in the middle where we have been killed a few times this season) there's no way I'd choose James to try and shadow Schellotto - I would much prefer to see Harmse doing this - he's got a much better positional sense and reads the game better than James.

[Shaughno]

I was pleasantly surprised with Titus, but I don't think we should be considering him in our plans. He was fairly solid for the most part, but you could see he was still trying to adjust to the pace and level of the game, which forced him to make a few errors. Keep him on the bench if somehow the Shooters will let it happen, but we can't start relying on a 39 year old 'loanee'. Perfect chance for James to get a run out.

Let's be honest, every game should be as important as the next. Whether we're in line to qualify for the playoffs or not. Roselund for me was easily the best player on the pitch on Saturday. Carver should be looking to give this kid some serious sub minutes for the remainder of the season. Same with Attakora, Gala and James, I think if you give them some first team experience now then by the time pre-season finishes, these kids should be just about ready, and hungry enough, to be consistantly fighting for that precious starting XI spot.

As for this week, I mostly agree with jloome's strategy. Rogers and SHITletto need to be taken out of the game. My changes though would be as follows:

---------------Sutton------------------
Wynne---Attakora/James----Marshall----Brennan
-------------------Robbo------------
------------Guevara(floating, marking schellotto)
Ricketts-------------------------Jo.Smith
-------------Barrett----Ruiz----------------

Reasoning behind my changes:

Guevara hasn't played as an attacking mid for us... since basically we stopped using him as a striker. As he was in the Honduran squad, centrally seems to be his preference. It allows him creative space and time, and he's actually damn good at taking people out of play (ie. JDG). Give him the SHITletto task, and tell him to make sure the cunt is not diving but going down because of injury.

Johann has been a spark of life for us, but he still doesn't have anyone trying to work one-two's or creative plays with him. I think this is where Ruiz comes into play. Let Ruiz play up front on Johann's side and let them link up to see what they can produce. I think this could be a more valuable connection than Barret/Ruiz personally. They both have flair, they both play hard and they both have a knack for making cutting runs.

I think Regan was ok, keep him on the bench though. Same as with Titus, was ok but not good or bad. Made mistakes and his pace was brutally exposed. A good option for the backline if needed.

[LucaGol]

I was pleasantly surprised with Titus, but I don't think we should be considering him in our plans. He was fairly solid for the most part, but you could see he was still trying to adjust to the pace and level of the game, which forced him to make a few errors. Keep him on the bench if somehow the Shooters will let it happen, but we can't start relying on a 39 year old 'loanee'. Perfect chance for James to get a run out.

Let's be honest, every game should be as important as the next. Whether we're in line to qualify for the playoffs or not. Roselund for me was easily the best player on the pitch on Saturday. Carver should be looking to give this kid some serious sub minutes for the remainder of the season. Same with Attakora, Gala and James, I think if you give them some first team experience now then by the time pre-season finishes, these kids should be just about ready, and hungry enough, to be consistantly fighting for that precious starting XI spot.

As for this week, I mostly agree with jloome's strategy. Rogers and SHITletto need to be taken out of the game. My changes though would be as follows:

---------------Sutton------------------
Wynne---Attakora/James----Marshall----Brennan
-------------------Robbo------------
------------Guevara(floating, marking schellotto)
Ricketts-------------------------Jo.Smith
-------------Barrett----Ruiz----------------

Reasoning behind my changes:

Guevara hasn't played as an attacking mid for us... since basically we stopped using him as a striker. As he was in the Honduran squad, centrally seems to be his preference. It allows him creative space and time, and he's actually damn good at taking people out of play (ie. JDG). Give him the SHITletto task, and tell him to make sure the cunt is not diving but going down because of injury.

Johann has been a spark of life for us, but he still doesn't have anyone trying to work one-two's or creative plays with him. I think this is where Ruiz comes into play. Let Ruiz play up front on Johann's side and let them link up to see what they can produce. I think this could be a more valuable connection than Barret/Ruiz personally. They both have flair, they both play hard and they both have a knack for making cutting runs.

I think Regan was ok, keep him on the bench though. Same as with Titus, was ok but not good or bad. Made mistakes and his pace was brutally exposed. A good option for the backline if needed.

I don't think Guevara man marking Schelotto is going to work.

If I remember correctly, we dealt with him pretty effectively last time he was at BMO by playing physical with him. He appeared to be completely rattled, was off his game and invisible.

If Carver wants to cancel out GBS, we have to let him know we're there ... even take a hard foul giving away a yellow if we have to. Once he starts having more discourse with the referee then he has time on the ball ... we're doing our job.

[Shaughno]

I don't think Guevara man marking Schelotto is going to work.

If I remember correctly, we dealt with him pretty effectively last time he was at BMO by playing physical with him. He appeared to be completely rattled, was off his game and invisible.

If Carver wants to cancel out GBS, we have to let him know we're there ... even take a hard foul giving away a yellow if we have to. Once he starts having more discourse with the referee then he has time on the ball ... we're doing our job.

Which is why I think we could utilize Guevara's passion and ability to win the ball through hard tackles. Robbo needs to be able to do his job without worrying about a certain one player. Either that, or like someone mentioned Harmse. Though I'd much rather have Harmse on the bench and let Guevara do his thing. He was beyond solid as a CM for Honduras, why not utilize his abilities there? I mean, he's been almost useless for us lately as an out and out AM... he just wanders back into our half to win tackles. Make him our CM and you'll see a different player, I almost guarantee it.

[felipe]

A lot of good ideas here, but...while Smith and Ibbe have shown flashes, they have also shown that they are not ready to start or play a full 90. Put Rosenlund on the flank and I think we'd have better results with him.

[Shaughno]

A lot of good ideas here, but...while Smith and Ibbe have shown flashes, they have also shown that they are not ready to start or play a full 90. Put Rosenlund on the flank and I think we'd have better results with him.

Roselund is a central player though. He's shown that he's good in tight spaces and creating options out of crowded midfields. Why push him out to the flank where none of those talents can be utilized?

[ben_vw]

I think Rosenlund deserves the start on Saturday, however I don't think benching Guevara or Robbo at this point in our season is a good idea. Remember, if we win our next two and either New York or DC lose their next two - we could be in a playoff spot (wishful thinking, I know, but we can't throw in the towel).

I think we need to stick to a 3-5-2 at this point and attack Columbus. Here is what I would probably do...

-------------------Sutton-------------------
------James-------Marshall------Brennan----
------------------Robinson------------------
-Wynne-----Ricketts----Guevara----Jo Smith-
----------Ruiz-------------Barrett-----------

[Shaughno]

Not bad... but I think Rogers would tear our 3 man back line apart personally.

[ben_vw]

Possibly - but he would have Marvell Wynne marking him...

[Shaughno]

Wynne's hardly been stellar with his man marking

[poppamidnight]

Well some things might not be known till later in the week:

-Is Ibbe's injury gunna keep him out again this game?
-Is Attakora looking to return early?

A thing to keep in mind, with carver, is he (for whatever reason) doesnt like to use all 3 subs and get the fresh legs in (prefers injury subs),

so you'll in all likeliehood, barring injury, see only 2 subs used,

-Dichio
+
-Harmse (although we all agree.... it should be ROSENLUND, but Carver is silly like that)

I have a feeling Ruiz will net one this weekend.... it's something in the air.....
....and yes, i predict a 1-goal game

EDIT: Can we sign Titus for the rest of the year??? does he have to go through the allocation garbage or what???
IMO, he's been better than VELEZ .... just in that 90 mins of him i saw

...Not the Velez that started the year, but the Velez that has shown up for us the past 6 weeks

[Shaughno]

Don't see the point in rushing either of those two back when we have other players available to cover.

[v00d00daddy]

What do you guys think of this:

-------------------Sutton-------------------
-Wynne-----James-----Marshall----Brennan----
------Ricketts----Robinson----Roselund--------
-----------------Guevara---------------------
----------Ruiz-------------Barrett-----------

Can Roselund play out there?

I think Robbo has to play in a little more of an advanced position. It has to be his responsiblity to keep GBS in check. We can't use Guevara to mark him, that's a waste.

It will be nice to see Guevara and Ruiz work together at home. Hopefully it will yield some results.

[LucaGol]

What do you guys think of this:

-------------------Sutton-------------------
-Wynne-----James-----Marshall----Brennan----
------Ricketts----Robinson----Roselund--------
-----------------Guevara---------------------
----------Ruiz-------------Barrett-----------

Can Roselund play out there?

I think Robbo has to play in a little more of an advanced position. It has to be his responsiblity to keep GBS in check. We can't use Guevara to mark him, that's a waste.

It will be nice to see Guevara and Ruiz work together at home. Hopefully it will yield some results.

The only problem I have with this is that it leaves Johann Smith on the bench ...

That would be a tactical mistake in my eyes considering last game, he was basically elecrifiying for good chunks of the game, and between him and Ricketts, are MOM.

Here's what formation I see ::

Wynne .... James .... Marshall .... Brennan
...................... Robinson
............. Guevara ......... Rosenlund
Ricketts ................................... Jo. Smith
........................ Ruiz


Features ::

1. Robinson is responsible for marking GBS in our final 1/3

2. Robinson is also a pseudo-CB, playing very deep as cover when Brennan and Wynne go forward.

3. Guevara and Rosenlund are the linkers and the providers ... 2 options, first option, outlet to the wings with Jo. Smith or Ricketts who can then play in overlapping runs by Brennan or Wynne, or continued underlapping runs by Rosenlund and Guevara ... which they're both adept and doing. ... 2nd option, Rosenlund and Guevara play in more advanced positions supporting Ruiz centrally. This option adds defensive responsibility to the wingers Smith and Ricketts.

4. Either option from 3, Ruiz must not be isolated, he either must be supported by Smith and Ricketts in a 4-3-3, or by Guevara, pushing more forward than Rosenlund. If he's by himself through portions of the game ... its useless, and you may as well sit Rosenlund and play Barrett and Ruiz together. If you want to keep the ball on the deck ... play the system I proposed.

5. This full compliment of players provides us with the most fluid passing team that we have put on the field all season

[Wooster_TFC]

The only problem I have with this is that it leaves Johann Smith on the bench ...

That would be a tactical mistake in my eyes considering last game, he was basically elecrifiying for good chunks of the game, and between him and Ricketts, are MOM.

Here's what formation I see ::

Wynne .... James .... Marshall .... Brennan
...................... Robinson
............. Guevara ......... Rosenlund
Ricketts ................................... Jo. Smith
........................ Ruiz


Features ::

1. Robinson is responsible for marking GBS in our final 1/3

2. Robinson is also a pseudo-CB, playing very deep as cover when Brennan and Wynne go forward.

3. Guevara and Rosenlund are the linkers and the providers ... 2 options, first option, outlet to the wings with Jo. Smith or Ricketts who can then play in overlapping runs by Brennan or Wynne, or continued underlapping runs by Rosenlund and Guevara ... which they're both adept and doing. ... 2nd option, Rosenlund and Guevara play in more advanced positions supporting Ruiz centrally. This option adds defensive responsibility to the wingers Smith and Ricketts.

4. Either option from 3, Ruiz must not be isolated, he either must be supported by Smith and Ricketts in a 4-3-3, or by Guevara, pushing more forward than Rosenlund. If he's by himself through portions of the game ... its useless, and you may as well sit Rosenlund and play Barrett and Ruiz together. If you want to keep the ball on the deck ... play the system I proposed.

5. This full compliment of players provides us with the most fluid passing team that we have put on the field all season

This looks like a good option, although I wonder if too much pressure would be put on Robbo in this case. Both Rosenlund and Harmse have been playing well over the last little while so I have to think it will be a 50/50 between the two as to who lines up beside Guevara. If we are more worried about GBS, then I think it will be Harmse. If we want more attacking options, Rosenlund.

Although I also have a hard time believe that one of Barrett and Ruiz will be on the bench. I think you might see something like this:

--------------Sutton-----------------
Wynne---James---Marshall----Brennan
---------Robinson--------------------
Ricketts-----------Guevara---Jo Smith
-------Barrett-------Ruiz-------------

[jloome]

I would start Titus at the back with Marshall if he's available to us. And while I agree we shouldn't play a diamond (we actually never should as it creates a huge hole in the middle where we have been killed a few times this season) there's no way I'd choose James to try and shadow Schellotto - I would much prefer to see Harmse doing this - he's got a much better positional sense and reads the game better than James.

That's exactly why I WOULD choose james; positional play isn't really an issue when you're only real job is staying on a guy's hip all night. Hard to blow that assignment. Harmse, despite what people here (me, too, sometimes) think of him, is a more reliable box-to-box mid than James is a good centre half, so we might as well use James for something that would rely on his strength and athleticism more than his positional sense.

Just a thought.

Not sure putting Guevara on him makes sense, though, as he's supposed to be the linchpin provider to the guys upfront. Harmse would do okay at it.

You might be right, Luca. He did flop around like a fish last time. But we not only didn't win, he's been getting stronger and stronger all season. he had a goal and three assists the other night, and his diagonal runs were cutting New England to shred, which is why I think a marker outside our shape might work.

[Shaughno]

That's exactly why I WOULD choose james; positional play isn't really an issue when you're only real job is staying on a guy's hip all night. Hard to blow that assignment. Harmse, despite what people here (me, too, sometimes) think of him, is a more reliable box-to-box mid than James is a good centre half, so we might as well use James for something that would rely on his strength and athleticism more than his positional sense.

Just a thought.

Not sure putting Guevara on him makes sense, though, as he's supposed to be the linchpin provider to the guys upfront. Harmse would do okay at it.

You might be right, Luca. He did flop around like a fish last time. But we not only didn't win, he's been getting stronger and stronger all season. he had a goal and three assists the other night, and his diagonal runs were cutting New England to shred, which is why I think a marker outside our shape might work.

Look at what Guevara has done the past few games for us. He's spent the majority of the second half... in our half. He's not making the same advancing runs, not even for Honduras. He took JDG out of the Canada game for long periods of time and I think if you have Robbo pick up SHITletto closer to our box and let Guevara dominate him in the midfield.

I do think Harmse would be a better option on marking SHITletto than James, Robbo or Roselund.

[trane]

I think that we need to start our best 10. This is the one way I think we could, I am not sure how Barrett would do on the wing, but I like his work rate. When he cramps up you bring in Jo. Smith.


------------------------------------Dichio----------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------Ruiz--------------------------------------------------
Barrett--------------------------------------------------------------------------Ricketts

-----------------------------------Guevarra------------------------------------

------------------------------------Robbo---------------------------------
---------Attakora----------------------------------------------Wynne----
------------------------Brennan-------------Marshall-------- -------------

[rocktml]

I think that we need to start our best 10. This is the one way I think we could, I am not sure how Barrett would do on the wing, but I like his work rate. When he cramps up you bring in Jo. Smith.


------------------------------------Dichio----------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------Ruiz--------------------------------------------------
Barrett--------------------------------------------------------------------------Ricketts

-----------------------------------Guevarra------------------------------------

------------------------------------Robbo---------------------------------
---------Attakora----------------------------------------------Wynne----
------------------------Brennan-------------Marshall-------- -------------

agreed....Dichio needs to play!