Joseph is not a D-Mid (R)

[socdoc]

Joseph does a lot of things right, but it is becoming apparent that his use at central mid is dragging the team down. He is playing the position like the natural central defender he is, not as a defensive midfielder must. His skill set is impressive, he is fun to watch, he is composed and shows good distribution instincts as well as improving execution, covers good ground up and back, and wins his tackles again and again......but he lacks the lateral instincts and sustained side to side work rate the position requires, particularly if the team is going to use Cancela in a more forward position. Because of his limited lateral play, the outside mids are having to play deeper than last year (hence in part Ralston's disappearance) and, as the game progesses and the outside mids tire, we become vulnerable to attacks on the outside (as DC so easily exploited). The defensive mid position requires a work rate and tenacity that Joseph does not possess (think Richie Williams or Chris Armas, the two most consistently successful players at this position in the MLS). Without this type of player, team tactical options become restricted. Last year we successfully used a motivated DH and Cullen in combination to fill this role and depended on a counter-attacking style to compensate for the lack of forward playmaker. Unfortunately (but possibly forseeably) the Joseph/Cullen tandem did not work as well. Its too soon to be sure, but the Cancela/Joseph pairing also looks suspect defensively.
What to do? Nicol will probably try to get Joseph and Cancela to start playing deeper and side by side (as we did last year). If that fails, and I think it will in part because of Joseph's limited wide play, we will probably end the season with Cancela and Cullen back in central mid, and Joseph back in central defense.

[BreakersFan1]

I agree....I would like to see Coach Nicol put Joseph on the back line in favor of Kante.......I'd also like to see both Cancela and Vasquez on the pitch at the same time....either both centrally or with Cancela out wide......

With JMM out with Injury......I would like to see TNT up top with Pat Noonan....Ralston on the right...Kamler on the left.....Cancela and Vasquez in the middle......Heaps, Franchino, LLmossa and Joseph on the back line.....

We'll see.....now with Heaps out with a red card we gotta do some more shuffling!!!

[Soccer Doc]

I couldn't disagree with you both more. Joseph and Cancela will become the best midfield tandum in MLS by the end of the year.

Our problem isn't lack of ability at any one position. It's mental breakdowns with loss of concentration. This team has played most of most matches well enough to be at the top of the table yet mental lapses for short segments have cost them dearly. If SN can get the teams collective heads in the right place the talent is there for the this group to win the Cup.

I think we will better serve the rejuvination of our Lads by keeping a positive attitude about their abilities rather than indulging in mud throwing.

George

[TMurray]

My feeling is that some help is needed on the back line. After Pearce and Heeps went out DC started attacking more in their left and specifically with Stoichkov. And it worked for them.

After watching the Cape Cod Crusaders take the National Championship of the PDL it occurs to me that their coach/central defender (can't remember his name) would be a great addition for us. He apparently is only 28 years old (not sure about this), is in fine condition and an excellent defender. He had his defense superbly organized in the championship game. He also made fine defensive plays throughout the entire game. I think he would be a much better defender than Kante.

Cape Cod won the game with some luck, because Chicago also had a strong attacking game.

[socdoc]

The player you refer to is Methembe Ndlovu, "Mo" for short. S. Nicol certainly knows him personally. Mo is a very strong, smart player who excels in the midfield and could probably fit in at the MLS level. However, Mo has truely outstanding people skills, a degree from Dartmouth, and I suspect he sees his soccer future in coaching/teaching rather than as a professional player. The Crusader's withdrawn striker, Joseph Ngwenya, who I think led the PDL in scoring, would seem to deserve a look at a higher level. He covers vast ground offensively and defensively playing effectively between the striker and deep lying midfielders, he is very fast and a gifted dribbler, and can put the ball in the net. Seems like a natural fit for the way the Revs play, although obviously the step up between the PDL and MLS is large.

[TMurray]

George,
Thanks for clarifying the names and the additional information on "Mo". Apparently Mo recruited some players from an African nation where he had connections, and he may be a native of that country.
Anyway, I am impressed that the Crusaders have won the PDL championship for two years now. So, I guess Mo is a pretty intelligent coach. Enough so that maybe the Revs could bring him on for the rest of the season is some supportive role.
To me, he looked super in the championship game, but I was only watching on TV and it was my first exposure to the Crusaders. Also, Ngwenya's regular season goal scoring accomplishments were discussed at length by the announcers but he was covered so well by Chicago that he did not get a chance to show much in this game. I would think that the Revs should also take a good look at him even though it is a large jump from the PDL.