Andrew Hainault Is A Liability - Discuss

[jumper3b]

Hey all,
while usually alright, I've been really disturbed to see Hainault's play in close quarters in the last two games, first with essentially being the cause of Onstad getting run over and opening the door to the same situation yesterday against Guatemala where he just let the attacker through unabated! I wasn't sure I was being fair to him until the ever-diplomatic Craig Forrest layed into him for the same thing on the air. so...thoughts? ;)

[88glory]

he's young. he's developing and he'll be good, and of course he'll make some mistakes along the way. don't need to slag him off; i'm sure he knows, and i'm sure the coaches let him know as well.

[Gordon]

I think he has generally played well and has mofidifed his game a bit to reflect CONCACAF reffing. Still a work in progress, but certainly less of a liability than Gooch, for example, in this tournament. He does hae a few things to figure out yet, but just turned 21.

[jumper3b]

I'm all for giving the kid a chance, indeed he's prolly our best option for that spot, but I'm just worried for the health of our keepers considering it was the same mistake twice!

[Gordon]

I'm all for giving the kid a chance, indeed he's prolly our best option for that spot, but I'm just worried for the health of our keepers considering it was the same mistake twice!


The first one was really bad, second one I'll give him a little more benefit of the doubt. He should have blocked out of course, but I know as a keeper, I hated defenders crossing in front of the ball when I was going to clear. I think he may have hesitated to do that (although he should have) I am not arguing the point, only that the second time presented itself differently and that he may have hesitated to cross the potential trajectory of the ball.

[Wangy]

I'm just worried that one of these days he is going to make one stupid backpass too many and it will cost us the game. He just needs to get more aggresive. He seems in two minds on so many occasions through out the game.

[jumper3b]

yeah I mean do you think EJ is going to miss a chance like that this Thursday?

[gator8]

In fairness to him he is young and they were not his backpasses! I think he is doing very well overall! On the V's board Onstad acknowledged that the mistake was partially his! Of course there are going to be some growing pains! I think we will have some healthy competition for our cb positions!

[devioustrevor]

Our Central Defenders have been totally underwhelming in this tournament. If not for our dominant Midfield display we could be a lot of trouble. Our Fullbacks have been great thus far. Stalteri being great is not a surprise, but I was pleasently surprised to see Jazic playing so well, I still remember that back pass. You all know which one I'm talking about. I fully expect David Edgar to be one of our CD's in World Cup Qualifying, I'm hoping Hainault can be worthy of being a first choice CD. We'll have McKenna back, Klukowski will back too, although he's a Leftback, he can be a centre-half too if needed.

I recently read an article about Jason De Vos saying he may consider giving one more go to a World Cup Qualifying run.

The 4-5-1 seems to be working for us quite well, so I advocate keeping it to start the World Cup Qualifying. My preferred Starting line-up to start would be:



---------------Onstad----------------
--------------------------------------
--------McKenna------Edgar----------
Stalteri----------------------Klukowski
--------------------------------------
-------------De Guzman--------------
--------------------------------------
Bernier-------Hutchinson-------Brennan
--------------------------------------
--------------De Rosario--------------
--------------------------------------
---------------Occean----------------


Goalkeeper -- I've lost all confidence in Greg Sutton as a national team keeper, so I say the postion is Onstad's by default to start. I think Lars Hirschfeld could be in the mix, but he seems to have given up on playing for Canada so I would pencil in Josh Wagenaar as Onstad's back-up initially with a chance for Wagenaar to win the #1 Jersey. I am also in favour of having Asmir Begovic on the team as a third keeper. I think spending time with the NT would be great for him, I recently read an article about an English Goalkeeper Coach saying that he felt that the big, strong, and quick Begovic could develop into the best keeper in the world. For now I think that is a little over-optimistic, but if he can become World Class, who are we to complain.

Fullbacks -- Jazic is obviously the #2 Leftback at this point, but it is still Klukowski's job to lose. Brennan is also an accomplished Left Back, Josh Simpson is also in the fold. At right back I'm not sure how much depth we have, I think Adrian Serioux might be our #2 right now.

Central Defenders -- I think right now McKenna and Edgar are our Top 2 for World Cup qualifying. I guess Hainault would be #3 because I still think his superior at that position to the likes of Marco Reda, Adam Braz, Gabriel Gervais or Richard Hastings (what the hell is he doing in our starting line-up?). If JDV does come back, I think it would have to be McKenna relegated to the bench, because we can't afford to have Big Kev and JDV on the field at the same time because we could be too exposed by quick attackers.

Left Midfield -- Although De Rosario has been playing on the left in the Gold Cup, I think he is better suited to a Paul Scholes like role playing just behind our striker. That is why I got Brennan on my starting line-up right now. I think Josh Simpson is capable as a #2.

Right Midfield -- I always though of Bernier as a more central players, especially in a holding role. But has acquitted himself well in the Gold Cup out wide. Unfortunately unless Radzinski agrees be a wide player instead of a Forward I can't think of a #2.

Central Midfield -- Far and away Canada's strength. De Guzman has easily been the best player in the Gold Cup, Hutchinson has been brilliant in the tournament as well and with De Guzman he forms arguably the best Central Midfield tandem in the region. De Rosario could almost be considered a forward, but combined with De Guzman and Hutchinson and we have a three-headed snake that may be too much for most teams in CONCACAF. Depth after them is a little worrying, but Marcel De Jong has indicated a willingness to play for Canada (which would make us even stronger) Will Johnson is becoming a better Midfielder after converting from Forward and there is always the hope that Julian's little brother chooses Canada.

Forward -- Occean is easily our best Forward, Friend is a good 2nd choice, but he seems to lack a killer instinct in front of net. Ali Gerba may have jumped the queue past Friend with his showing in the Gold Cup and with his late equalizer in Venezuela.

[devioustrevor]

I forgot about a couple of players. Nik Legerwood could be considered our #2 Right Back which would allow Serioux to be considered more of a Holding Midfielder (which I think is his role with Houston). Jaime Peters (I don't know how I could forget him) would probably be our #2 Right Midfielder, perhaps even ahead of Bernier, but Bernier has been great thus far in the Gold Cup.

[FigoIsGod]

What an absolute waste it would be to play Julan as the deepest midfielder, essentially restricting him to DM.

[devioustrevor]

De Guzman is a natural DM. It is the position he plays with Deportivo La Coruna, and it is the position he played with Hannover.

[FigoIsGod]

De Guzman is a natural DM. It is the position he plays with Deportivo La Coruna, and it is the position he played with Hannover.

Have you watched any of the Gold Cup, my friend?

De Guzman is the best player in the ENTIRE tournament, and that is playing not as a DM but utilizing his skills to run the midfield.

We don't have the luxury of hacing Estoyanoffs and Cristians on our team like Depor do. DeGu has been fantastic with freedom and creativity in the midfield. Having him pinned so far back with far inferior players in Bernier and Hutchinson ahead of him is a waste.

I know we're all entitled to our opinion so I respect yours. I don't like your line-up at all and would make several changes, but I respect it and will always appreciate and encourage thought out discussion.

[devioustrevor]

So this is more along the lines of what you'd suggest?



---------------Onstad----------------
--------------------------------------
--------McKenna------Edgar----------
Stalteri----------------------Klukowski
--------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
Bernier-De Guzman--Hutchinson-Brennan
--------------------------------------
--------------De Rosario--------------
--------------------------------------
---------------Occean----------------

[FigoIsGod]

No, like I said I disagree with most of your formation. :P

Hainault is young and still improving. He has fantastic natural athletic ability but needs to be a bit more 'physical' and alert along the backline. I have no issue with him playing. I agree with you on McKenna. I've been impressed every time I've seen him.

With a full team, I'd go:

-------------Onstad-------------
------Hainault-----McKenna------
-Stalteri--------------------Jazic-
------Hutchinson--de Guzman-----
-Farran----de Rosario-----Brennan-
--------------Friend--------------

David Edgar just misses out on my team. I've actually liked him more when he's played defensive midfield.

[devioustrevor]

You'd use Jazic ahead of Kluwoski?

Also, I myself wouldn't rate Nakajima-Farran high enough yet to be a first choice player. I'd rate both Radzinski and Peters ahead of him on the Right Wing yet.

[88glory]

Hainault is young and still improving. He has fantastic natural athletic ability but needs to be a bit more 'physical' and alert along the backline. I have no issue with him playing. I agree with you on McKenna. I've been impressed every time I've seen him.

With a full team, I'd go:

-------------Onstad-------------
------Hainault-----McKenna------
-Stalteri--------------------Jazic-
------Hutchinson--de Guzman-----
-Farran----de Rosario-----Brennan-
--------------Friend--------------

David Edgar just misses out on my team. I've actually liked him more when he's played defensive midfield.

hmm. you don't want to use deGuzman as your D-M (i agree wholeheartedly), but then you decide to stick Hutchinson with him for 2 D-Ms in a 4-2-3-1? we have to think if we are legit for WC, most of the teams we face in qualifying should be considered WEAKER TEAMS, unless we figure that we'll qualify not on skill, but on lucky defense (NO MORE OF THAT FOR CANADA!!). against most weaker teams, i'd slide your formation a bit (it's not a big change of personnel, but a change of shape and mentality on the field).

i'd make Hutchinson D-M, with deGuzman and DeRo free to create in a centrally-based 3-man midfield, and slide the wing-mids forward. this assumes a more mature and solid central defense pairing. i know INF has the pace but i don't think Brennan (age-factor or not) has the pace for this and so there is the weakness in my formation: only one winger with effective speed. can that be fixed? i think two possibilities (maybe there are others?): we find someone who can play an effective wing role to replace Brennan (is it Friend?). if we leave Brennan on, it has to be in a 4-4-2 with DeRo as O-M, but Brennan seems happy to remain at TFC anyways and you won't find me complaining about that...he's awesome for TFC. i'm willing to bet we don't see Brennan in the national side again.

as an aside, i like how you qualified your disagreements in your earlier post in an eloquent, respectful way. also i just disagree with your above formation, all respect.

if Jon DeGuzman elects for us, then we will really have a nice problem that most CONCACAF teams can only dream of: how to play our mids. so how WOULD we play it if he elects for us?

a Jon-Jul DeGuzman midfield: where would they play and with who? add in DeRo and the defensive mid role would need to be addressed that's for sure.
i think with both deGuzmans and DeRo, we'd use a 4-1-3-2, with a D-Mid in behind the three of them, and our most pacy forward in front of them. in such a formation, i'd like to see lots of runs by our wide defenders. we could really rip a lot of CONCACAF teams apart and destroy them. other options?

[devioustrevor]

i'm willing to bet we don't see Brennan in the national side again.


That's a bet you'd lose. JB has said in TV interviews that he chose to stay home to help TFC druing the Gold Cup, but he's amped to throw on the Red and White for World Cup Qualifying.

Also, if you are uncomfortable using JB on the left side of Midfield it should be pointed out that Julian De Guzman is a left-footed player so using your set-up with an Inside-Out midfield (Narrow with license to get wide) JDG could be put on the left side. Plus, it's been awhile since Atiba has been used as Defensive Midfielder, he was a few years ago (he was even used as a left fullback for Canada a couple of times) but he is an attacking player for Kobenhavn, usually in the Midfield but He was used as a Forward occasionally, including in the Champions League against Celtic.

Also, if JDG2 plays for Canada, he plays a role very similar to De Rosario.

[Taoism]

Question... Why does everyone call this kid Andrew, when his own website lists his name as Andre (http://www.andrehainault.com/)?

Unless there are two central defenders with the last name Hainault?

A follow-up question. Do you think Andre(w) would be good in the MLS? Should a team like TFC try to get a young Canadian talent like Andre(w)? I would think he couldn't be that expensive to sign away from FK Siad Most (http://en.fksiadmost.cz/index.php).

Cheers!

[CanuckFan]

That's a bet you'd lose. JB has said in TV interviews that he chose to stay home to help TFC druing the Gold Cup, but he's amped to throw on the Red and White for World Cup Qualifying.

Also, if you are uncomfortable using JB on the left side of Midfield it should be pointed out that Julian De Guzman is a left-footed player so using your set-up with an Inside-Out midfield (Narrow with license to get wide) JDG could be put on the left side. Plus, it's been awhile since Atiba has been used as Defensive Midfielder, he was a few years ago (he was even used as a left fullback for Canada a couple of times) but he is an attacking player for Kobenhavn, usually in the Midfield but He was used as a Forward occasionally, including in the Champions League against Celtic.

Also, if JDG2 plays for Canada, he plays a role very similar to De Rosario.
Julian is not a left-footed player, just one of the new breed who are comfortable with either foot.