Right between a Herron and a Razov. I don't think he has really been given a chance, but then again, no one has a chance with the RW gameplan.
To add what was state previously, the Crew were flailing around offensively against a Montreal side that going in gave up a staggering 35 goals, gave up three goals each the last three games including three to TFC AT HOME and punchless Chivas scored more against them in a rare home win. The Crew could only manage a set piece goal and were dominated offensively all night. You knew that after the Crew scored that that was it. Even in the last minutes, there was no sense of urgency or focus going forward. The midfield is just a mess right now and that includes Gaven who has simply disappeared for whole matches.
After seeing it again I stand corrected. I mis remembered it. Valentin was indeed wandering way outside, shamefully ignored and wide open.
I would like to ask the collective. Is Gaven instructed to pinch in constantly, incessantly and without fail, or is this something that Gaven just does. With tRR in the side we were unbalanced with width on one side and nothing on the other. Now we have no width.
One would believe the coach would give him instructions based on game, opponent, etc. I think Gaven's natural tendency might be to pinch in but it wouldn't be hard for RW to demand Gaven to stay wide if we wanted him there.
I think it's instruction. I remember Gaven being pretty wide at times in '08/09/10. But it seemed they were always allowed a lot of freedom to move and change as needed. He and tRR seemed to have a good understanding of when to switch, when to pinch, etc. I think last year, they started to be more central in shape and form.
I think Robert likes his wings to pinch in meaning we don't really have wings we have a congested spine consisting of four tightly packed players. The outside backs are supposed to get forward and send crosses in and everyone else is supposed to be making runs. My problem is I view this as inherently stupid it leaves our defense out of position a lot, if it weren't for Andy we'd have a lot fewer points. We don't attack down the middle well because we've clogged it up ourselves, this is why we reset so much because we have no place to go. The only time we look good down the middle is on a counter because we've been back defending and oh look there is space to run! But of course we don't really counter that often. Switching the field would be nice but that seems to be gone with BURNS!!! and TRR. I don't know if Robbie though Robert was an idiot, stayed wide no matter what he was told because he was annoyed at being shutdown in the middle, or if Robbie was poor at pulling off what Robert wanted. Either way he did stay wide more than anyone else we've had during Robert's tenure. I've never added it up but I'm pretty sure we do what we do fairly unevenly, our left back gets up field more than the right back we shift over to cover if the left back can't get back. I'm pretty sure every coach that is even halfway competent in the league sees this, it makes us predictable and easy to shut down. Look at who we've had play wide this year: Meram - Will stay wide pinches in for shooting angels and to make runs; has been benched isn't even getting in as a sub. Duka - Serves a nice ball only has one assist but it was probably our best service from the outside from a mid and not a back this season. Still pinches in a lot; hoping he's making it back. Gaven - Tireless worker, gets fouled a lot. He has one assist this season, I had to look it up because I honestly don't remember it. Our leading goal scorer he is in the middle a lot. Tchani - Better in the middle so he gravitates there; has two goals from runs at the side of the box (Chicago) and in the middle of the box (Salt Lake) probably has the second most minutes to Gaven at an outside mid spot. Birchall - In my opinion a DM playing "wide" can serve an alright ball but again pinches in a lot. George - US Open cup; better in the middle, good on the ground passer haven't seen a stellar cross yet.
Huge props Skeleton Crew. http://www.dispatch.com/content/blogs/covering-the-crew/2012/07/moving-on.html Comments flagMICHAEL ROSE (WHS76) What a sorry team the crew is so far this year. I am glad I am not supporting them. Losing to a first year mls team. 2012-07-10 14:43:27.0 flagCORY K (SKELETONCREW96) Don't worry Michael, we are glad you aren't around either. You're not missed. 2012-07-10 15:36:00.0
Thank you! That guy and another tho I can't remember his screenname offhand are huge protagonists. Yesterday I just felt it was a good idea to be a dick and call him out.
After reading everyone's comments mainly focusing on our frustrating offense and the wing play, I had to throw in my 2 cents...... I've watched the game a second time on the dvr, and I kept being baffled by how poor our passing was from the backline. Vucovic and Miranda are normally very dependable passers yet against Montreal they turned the ball over continuously. More generally, how could the Crew possess the ball so well against RSL, and then look like a youth team the following week? To my chagrin, I finally "saw" something that should have been obvious. Danny O'Rourke may be the key variable in whether our team wins or loses this season. With him, the opposition is less comfortable on the ball in our end, and our team is magically pinging the ball around and keeping possession. Without him, our defenders can't seem to connect with the midfield and the opponents have plenty of time to send probing passes into our box. It wasn't so noticeable because Kevan George didn't play BAD. I would even say he was reasonably solid. But Danny is the heart and soul of this squad. Add him to any otherwise patchwork lineup and suddenly the Crew have a shot to win.
Well remember, RSL were without Beckerman, who gets through so much work it's almost like they're playing with 12 men when he's out there, and he was replaced by the inexperienced and untried Alvarez, who was basically on an island on his own out there and it was too much for him. It should've been easy for us, and it was. As for Montreal, they use Bernier and Warner in there. Bernier was making some ridiculous challenges in the first 15 minutes and should've been either warned or cautioned after the second one, but wasn't of course. But he's been a huge veteran influence for them, similar to Danny, local guy, experienced, a real veteran. And Warner has quietly put together a nice little season after converting back to DM. Good points on Danny and Kevan. Danny's influence is so large that I think you are absolutely right, if he's in there we've got a shot. We look better defending and especially going forward. As for George, I mentioned Bernier earlier and his shoulder barges. A minute or two after the second one, George went in hard and late on Bernier to send a message, and some of us on the PBP thread applauded it. And it was great, sticking up for your teammates like that. Love to see it, especially from a rookie. It was one of those "take one for the team" moments. But even though George shows a lot of promise, especially at a position that is one of the most difficult for young players to slot into, there is still a considerable difference between him and Danny at that position. As long as Danny is near 90% fit, it's DO'R for me every time. But then I suppose you have to be careful using him because he is prone to break down, and he's a vital player for us. And he'll know himself better than anyone, so if he can't go, he can't go.
I've said that in late April/early May when he came and we started to look much better even though we weren't getting results. We then got the unbeaten streak and suddenly he's back to a game in, one or two games out. This guy is our MVP and is sorely missed out there.
