This Hudson's a Rock (Ruff, UnitedMania, 6/10)

[Maniac]

Randy Ruff, co-host of The Soccer Show has written a pretty comprehensive piece where he rates Hudson thus far,

check it out:

http://www.unitedmania.com/umindex.cfm?page=ARTICLE&show=2479

[CHICO13]

Very well written and interesting. I would agree with most of his points and grades he gives the coach, but the one name that was glaringly missing was Trask. At meet the coach night Ray said he had no doubt that Trask would be a head coach in MLS one day soon. I have that doubt.

[greatscott]

That article kinda makes me feel sorry for him....
I'm serious. Like i feel ashamed to call Ray a bum just because of that article. Its like making fun of a kid for doing something stupid then realizing he has a mental illness.

[Victory]

Well written and interesting, but I have to disagree with some if not most of the rankings. How can a coach get such good overall ratings and yet get an F for performance.

Public Relations: A-
No one can deny that Ray is engaging and open with the fans. Ray would get an A+ except for the pure amount of bull*************** he spews.

Personel: D+
Last year Hudson deserved an F. Despite all the excuses that the article talks about all the players jetisoned by Ray have produced and we have not really gotten anything in return. If you could not get any good players then why trade the soild ones we had.

This year Hudson deserves a B. While "the trade" has seemingly worked out for the best and Dema for Mapp on paper was a good move there does not seem to be any planning in his move. We have a multitude of central midfield players but no cover on the left for Bobby to play centrally. Ray also failed to bring in the striker that had to be priority number 1.

Tatics: D
Ruff gave hudson a B here "for effort and intent rather than real performance". Well I am interested in real performace. And Ruff seems to have forgotten about the dreaded 4-5-1 road formations, especially last year when we needed points against the scum.
In my mind there is no excuse for the failure to move Bobby to the middle earlier. We got points last year when he did it and Ray threw away the first 6.5 games of the season this year. His continual failure to play Ernie in his proper wing role is also troubling.

PlayerDevelopment/Talent Management C-
I take issue with Ruffs opinion that Ray has been instrumental in the development of Convey. He has played him out of position. And Convey only started to develope when the Bruce brought him into camp, started him and has entrusted him in the middle of the midfield. If Ray had any significant role in the development of convey it is that convey got so pissed of that he seized the moment.
Nelson was not even a key member of this team at the start of last year. It took national team duties and injuries for him to force his way into the lineup.
Ray has also failed to develope a backup for Nicky.
Stokes, Carroll, Map all had talent and all have/had almost no minutes.
On second thought a C- is probably to generous.

Players Respect: A-
By all acounts most of the players love ray, but there have been rumblings of a few who have issues with him.

Results: F-
Nuff said

Overall: D+

A coach who the media loves and players respect but has not performed does not deserve better

[Dave Brother]

This article is exactly what I've been thinking, but couldn't put into words. I'll put all of my eggs into 2 baskets wishing for more silverware in the china cabinet, Ray and John's.