Hugo era: First four matches [R]

[rey arturo]

Discuss observations and conclusions about Hugo's tenure during these first four games.

[Aguilas Del America]

I didn't watch the second half of the Mex-Ecua but from what I've seen so far in the 'Hugo Era' that REALLY lacked in the last one is that we are actually creating chances.

[Sakuragi]

Hugo IS actually testing the players to see who really cuts it in the national team, unlike that idiot LaTorpe, who would call up all his sex-partners and never give anyone else a chance.

[Hecho en Chivas]

i have not seen El Tri play this offensively since Vasco was coach. i really like how the team has been functioning as a whole. i would like to see the players take more outside shots though.

[El Pipiripau]

Hugo era, so far so good. They are going after it and playing to win.

As long as we don't get embarrased during the next two tourneys (which I doubt) he'll secure his job and then begin to incorporate the youth. After four games the team is slowly finding itself and looking stronger than I thought possible. Especially with the offensive output. With what we have the only logical thing to do is to start the 3 chivas upfront along with Guardado, and I fully expect Hugo to do that when we face our tougher opponents.

[becauseigothigh]

Good so far, but he definitely needs to start calling some of the younger players and start prepping for the future. Hopefully after the summer he will.

[CheveLoco]

better offense, worst defense

[rey arturo]

Personally, I have noticed a definite complacency in defense after getting ahead in the last three games, thereby bringing about preventable goals from the rival team. I think that the fact that Mexico's goals were made by such a wide array of players is a very good sign. Finally, Hugo's influence on the players' mentality is becoming increasingly manifest.

[IronGhost]

I'm thinking maybe this: (Not counting potentials like Vela and Gio, or untrieds, like Nery and Cacho).

----------------Ochoa
Osorio---Magallon---Galindo (Aaron)---Salcido
----------Rafa--------Pardo DM subs: Pineda, Torrado
Venado--------Bofo---------Guardado
---------------Bravo Offensive subs: Cuau, Borg

[Jimmy America]

Good so far, but he definitely needs to start calling some of the younger players and start prepping for the future. Hopefully after the summer he will.

for sure, this team is gonna be a HECK of a lot better when guys like Vela and Nerry start playing.

[1stYearCoach]

Although 4 goals were scored in yesterday's game, I'm still a little iffy on our offensive players. The injection of youth may just be the solution. With Pardo aging, the middle might weaken unless they move Rafa to take Pardo's spot. That being said, the shaky defense that we've seen won't be helped very much by moving Rafa up. There are too many holes left on this team for me to believe they are at that level. That they have pieces to get to that level, I believe it. The positives that I see is that Hugo has LaVolpe's core players who have played together therefore are able to hold their own. And the injection of the Chivas triumvirate helps as well as they are very familiar with themselves. The other positive is that the team didn't go back to their self destructing ways after falling behind. That never quit attitude must be a regular thing. They need to use that in games against the big boys and our American neighbors. I think we're starting to get there, but we'll know a little more in about another year and a half when we see if those holes we have were fixed.

[puromorelia]

Hugo IS actually testing the players to see who really cuts it in the national team, unlike that idiot LaTorpe, who would call up all his sex-partners and never give anyone else a chance.

I think the difference is lavolpe tested ALOT of players but very few would end up playing together or regularly, where as Hugo is testing a bit less then Lavolpe did so far but it seems that hes trying out different sets of players playing together at once, maybe he's analizing different formations im not sure but one good example of that was having Borgetti, Palencia and Arce for one half then completely switching for the 2nd half with Bofo, Medina and Bravo....

I hope hes doing what i assume otherwise it would be a huge mistake to think that a guy like borgetti will continue to play from the start or to think that with a lineup line the one he used to start the game can win him games cause its clearly not going to happen.

I agree with a post here earlier by someone who puts it very simple, better offense but worst defense. So with this in mind i think it would be smart of Hugo to call Galindo who is playing in sweden as well as Maza Rodriguez for future games.

I would also like to see Mario Mendez back in el Tri who is playing great with Velez in argentina but i somehow doubt that will ever happen since hes a Lavolpe player so to speak!!! still he DESERVES a call up, theres is no way Israel Lopez, Jerry Galindo or israel castro for that matter are better than Mendes !!!!

[Otaku]

I like the team, but I feel like offense is taking over and we are forgetting about the defense. Other than that I really like the way the team plays. Back with LaVolpe we probably wouldn't have made it back from the 2-1 against Ecuador.

[rey arturo]

I probably should have suggested that we rate all players and the coach from their performance in these first four matches. On a scale of 1 to 10, how do you rate the performance of all involved?

[la fresa]

so far, i like what i see in terms of heart, hadn't seen a performance like the second half against ecuador in a long time. things i don't like about the hugo era so far: the calls up, don't enjoy seeing beltran, galindo, lopez, etc being called up, but i do enjoy the way he has incorporated the other players he has called up. i also don't enjoy seeing his lavolpe-ish formation, with 2 defensive midfielders and no creative mid, but i do really like how mexico plays with a creative mid out there. the attack already looks much better than it has in 4 years, it can only get better, especially if hugo starts filtering out the aforementioned players, and adding unexperienced (vela, dos santos, hobbit, etc after this summer) youth.

[Goofy]

Hugo has had 2 easy games, and 2 somewhat challenging games thus far.
Nothing new thus far. Nothing the MNT wouldn't have accomplished even with Antonio Aguilar as coach.
http://www.bibliotecas.tv/zapata/bibliografia/imagenes/antonio_aguilar1.jpg

[John Jagou]

I know people get upset about hugo calling up some of the boys he is comfortable with, but just remember that is more for practice, getting players who are knowledgeable with his style and direction, than anything else. It looks like it is paying of, as the team is playing better together.

I like the fact that Hugo is calling on the same players for now because of the two tournaments. Let him experiment after this summer. Mexico won't have to play a meaningful game again until the spring/summer of 2008, and that will be against the islands, bra. There will be plenty of opportunities for Hugo to look at the new blood after this tournament, and before the hexagonal starts, which is not until early 2009.

I give the team as a whole a 7, including hugo. There are some bright spots, and some areas for improvement. I think Hugo has handled the PR side very well. I like the little things he does -- a team starts with jerseys 1-11, players aren't diving or playing to the ref. It may hurt after a foul, but they are getting up.

[Rebaño_Sagrado]

If I had Iran Castillo in my bed, I wouldn't want to blow my load prematurely.

[Necaxista]

I don't like the fact that Hugo is calling just one squad for both Cups, and I dislike it that he calls his buds and gives them pretty much a spot in the squad.

But aside from that, there shouldn't be much reason to complain. We've played two good, world cup quality teams in a convincing way.

[El_tri321mex]

Really this games four games Mexico had were not so bad not so good.
Impressive at times .
I know Hugo is just trying out players but one thing he really has ********ed up on was on the substitutions decisions.