View Full Version : Pablo as CB
dcole
04 Dec 2005, 12:25 PM
If we are at full-strength in the midfield, many would move Pablo to the bench in favor of Reyna, JOB, Donovan and Beasley. I just can't see us playing with three in the back anymore, and I can't see Donovan as a forward if GAM and McBride are healthy. In that case, I would advocate Pablo as CB alongside Gooch. Pablo is just too important to sit. I'm interested in hearing the thoughts of others on this possibility. Please focus on Pablo as CB rather than other line-up accomodations. Have at it.
SUSIE-Q
04 Dec 2005, 12:41 PM
Too short. Other than that, did you watch RM vs MLS in Barnebeau last time ? .. Ronaldo made fun of him right after he scored ?
Scoobs
04 Dec 2005, 12:43 PM
He's played some CB for Colorado this season and in the playoffs. Wasn't
very good at it.
If we go with 4 man midfield Arena's pattern is to use a dedicated d-mid;
so Mastro or some other d-mid will be starting.
Donovan would play forward.
benito camelpene
04 Dec 2005, 12:51 PM
Too short. Other than that, did you watch RM vs MLS in Barnebeau last time ? .. Ronaldo made fun of him right after he scored ?
What did Ronaldo do? I watched this game but don't remember this part.
Bruce S
04 Dec 2005, 01:23 PM
If we are at full-strength in the midfield, many would move Pablo to the bench in favor of Reyna, JOB, Donovan and Beasley. I just can't see us playing with three in the back anymore, and I can't see Donovan as a forward if GAM and McBride are healthy. In that case, I would advocate Pablo as CB alongside Gooch. Pablo is just too important to sit. I'm interested in hearing the thoughts of others on this possibility. Please focus on Pablo as CB rather than other line-up accomodations. Have at it.
if you thin nk JOB will be playing in germany you are one optimistic guy.Pablo will start at the back of midfield.
galperin
04 Dec 2005, 01:26 PM
In a very dire situation where a lot of CB's are hurt, I think you could put him there, but really, his only real spot is D-mid.
SUSIE-Q
04 Dec 2005, 01:42 PM
What did Ronaldo do? I watched this game but don't remember this part.
he was acting like confuse defenders right after he scored .
russ
04 Dec 2005, 01:57 PM
Mastro was tried at CD in the runup to J/K.Not so good.
Beck11
04 Dec 2005, 02:57 PM
Mastro was tried at CD in the runup to J/K.Not so good.
Didn't he have a good game against Mexico as a CB?
Lord15
04 Dec 2005, 04:21 PM
Didn't he have a good game against Mexico as a CB?
Phenomenal would be a better word. He was a monster that game. Then again, almost any US player looks great against Mexico if the games not in Azteca.
Sean...
04 Dec 2005, 04:39 PM
I cant see him playing CB, that is if we have a full strength defense. If Gooch, Gibbs and possibly Boca are all fit then Pablo wont play at CB. But if there is no JOB in the centre then Mastro will be his replacement alongside Reyna.
ugaaccountant
04 Dec 2005, 04:51 PM
He's simply not as good at CB as our other options. We have multiple good CB's and only one proven true DM. He'd be a decent guy in an injury pinch but I can't see that unless some CB's go out to injury after the 23 is finalized.
england66
04 Dec 2005, 04:54 PM
Too short. Other than that, did you watch RM vs MLS in Barnebeau last time ? .. Ronaldo made fun of him right after he scored ?
....forget Ronaldo....Carlos Ruiz made him look totally inadequate at Pizza Hut Park.....play him at CB in the WC and it'll be three and out.
onefineesq
04 Dec 2005, 04:57 PM
....forget Ronaldo....Carlos Ruiz made him look totally inadequate at Pizza Hut Park.....play him at CB in the WC and it'll be three and out. I think that you are most probably right on this one.
rgli13
04 Dec 2005, 05:11 PM
all due respect- but that makes about as much sense as trying tino at gk.
we are set at cb. gooch, gibbs, boca, berhalter, a notch down theres marshall, conrad, pope...why would there be any need whatsoever to move a guy there from a position (dmid) that we arent set at, much less deep at?
Geneva
04 Dec 2005, 06:29 PM
....forget Ronaldo....Carlos Ruiz made him look totally inadequate at Pizza Hut Park.....play him at CB in the WC and it'll be three and out.LD abused him in the MLS semi's too. But against certain teams he could be useful in central defense. His versatility is important, but his contribution as our #1 d-mid is crucial. I hope he's in form next year.
FirstStar
04 Dec 2005, 07:36 PM
Pablo as a center back??? Taking our best D-mid (a thin position) and putting him into the pool of our deepest position? Dumbest idea I heard in a month of Mondays. Someback smack whoever started this thread.
DaniCrew
04 Dec 2005, 07:51 PM
Pablo got himself noticed playing as a center back in Miami so the idea is not all that absurd... he also played quite well there in the aforementioned game against Mexico in Houston... if he is counted among the pool of center-backs, Pablo is arguably our best distributor of the ball at the position... but alas, as others have mentioned, we have better options at the position... i think ultimately it will come down to a battle between Berhalter and Boca alongside Gooch... i think Gibbs is somewhat overrated... i also think that Boca & Berhalter pairing leaves us too "left-footed" in the center of the defense from a distribution standpoint...
Also, i think Pabs will be starting at his customary National Team position as a destroyer in the center of the field depending on the opponent and the circumstances (result needed, etc.)... anyone who thinks we're good enough to simply toss Reyna, JOB, Beasley, and LD out there regardless of the opponent is dreaming... Claudio is still counted on too much as a ball-handler to leave him to destroy as well... in many situations, we will still need the 5-man midfield with the wings acting as pseudo-marking backs in a counter-attack formation (ala against Mexico in Korea)...
Dr.Phil
04 Dec 2005, 08:36 PM
Way to much depth to add pablo
dcole
04 Dec 2005, 09:49 PM
OK, so that went over like a lead balloon. Toss Pablo back into the midfield, but he's got to be on the field somewhere. Anyone care to explain how you reconcile a 4-4-2, McBride and GAM up top, and Reyna, JOB, Donovan, Beasley and Pablo in midfiled? I was proposing a compromise, where Pablo plays as CB in a 4-4-2, but I'll concede the point.
(P.S. I don't like any of the following solutions: (i) switching from a 4-4-2 given our defense, (ii) assuming injuries (impossible and no fun) or (iii) benching McBride or GAM.)