Revs vs. Hollywood FC

[Jon Martin]

Interesting game. Shalrie Joseph and a squad with one forward fight off a team with double the payroll. LA cleverly steals two goals, exploiting miscommunications with a new center back. The Revs score early and fight back to tie. Despite an entertaining game, many will be disappointed if the PBP thread was any indication.

Discuss.

[pwykes]

Surprised they managed two goals with just Twellman as the lone forward. They desperately need another quality forward to play along side him. The whole lineup was too defensive for a such a big home game, in my opinion. I much prefer 3-5-2. While Badilla may prove to be a good addition (the jury's still out based on tonight's performance), I'm not wild seeing four in the back just to get him in the game, especially if it means we play with a lone striker.

If this is going to be the game plan from here on out, we can kiss the ss and MLS cup goodbye.

[dcochran]

Interesting game. Shalrie Joseph and a squad with one forward fight off a team with double the payroll. LA cleverly steals two goals, exploiting miscommunications with a new center back. The Revs score early and fight back to tie. Despite an entertaining game, many will be disappointed if the PBP thread was any indication.

Discuss.

Entertaining game. I was impressed with Badilla for a first outing. He's bigger than I thought he was. He was very composed, was willing to get stuck in, made some solid tackles and looked to be on the same page with Parkhurst. I don't put the goals on him. In particular, the second goal was a midfield breakdown. Donovan will toast any back line in MLS (or CONCACAF) on that nice a ball.

Red had a very solid game. He got stuck in and tackled the ball away a lot. I don't recall who let that great through ball get sent in to Donovan on the second goal. If it was Red, not good.

Thank God we had Reis back. He could have been better positioned on the first goal, but, otherwise, completely controlled his box.

Nicol seemed to be trying a number of different combinations in the midfield. Shalrie was much further forward than usual. With about ten minutes to go he went to a 3-5-2 pushing Badilla into the DM position and pushing both Red and Dread forward. I wonder if we'll see more of that. I'm not sure what he was doing starting Phelan, but at least he wasn't in long.

[bwidell]

Did Phalen get injured or was it a tactical sub? Because he was out at halftime warming up with the subs...

[DanishDuke]

Im assuming tactical... Sharlie wasn't working out too well at forward, though i believe he played it in college.

[KALM]

Surprised they managed two goals with just Twellman as the lone forward. They desperately need another quality forward to play along side him. The whole lineup was too defensive for a such a big home game, in my opinion. I much prefer 3-5-2.
Well three of our four forwards were injured, although Khano Smith can be played there as a stop gap. And indeed, Nicol realized the 4-5-1 wasn't working early, and did end up moving Khano up top.

[SuperRevsGooner]

Surprised they managed two goals with just Twellman as the lone forward. They desperately need another quality forward to play along side him. The whole lineup was too defensive for a such a big home game, in my opinion. I much prefer 3-5-2. While Badilla may prove to be a good addition (the jury's still out based on tonight's performance), I'm not wild seeing four in the back just to get him in the game, especially if it means we play with a lone striker.

If this is going to be the game plan from here on out, we can kiss the ss and MLS cup goodbye.

ouch. so quick to write it all off. i would like to say that while Badilla was solid (needs to work on distribution)...he got here on Thursday. that means that, including tonight, he had exactly 2.5 days to meet and greet a brand new lineup with a completely different mindset and a completely different set of strengths.

we missed Rally tonight. If Rally was in, two or three chances Khano had would have probably worked out a whole lot better.

i think the squad has the quality to win the SS and MLS. they just need to rest up from time to time. one of these days.

[RevsRule]

So far everyone is ignoring the fact that for 75 minutes, we looked like crap again.

When Ralston is not playing, we have no answer and we suffer greatly. We haven't looked good since Twellman returned. I think we had one shot for the first 75 minutes

Twellman alone continues not to work and we continue to do it

SN has zero confidence in anybody else on the roster below Castro and Castro has played himself on to the bench. When Wells starts over you, your stock has slipped

I think SN plans on using 4 defenders from now on and we don't play that well in that formation. Never have

This morning, we are in second place

[Biker Jim]

If Heaps keeps picking up dumb cards, we'll get to see another back line. I thought he kept giving Beckam way to much space, which allowed a number of good opportunities for crosses that LA didn't capitalize on.

[RedRevs]

I think SN plans on using 4 defenders from now on and we don't play that well in that formation. Never have


On what grounds?

Obviously we're not going to play a 3-5-2 when we're missing Steve Ralston and our entire stable of strikers. I'm pretty sure with a full XI we're playing a 3-5-2. It utilizes Shalrie, Ralston, Parkhurst, and Reis to the best of their abilities. Those are our four best players and putting them in the best positions is an obvious move.

[RevsRule]

On what grounds?

Obviously we're not going to play a 3-5-2 when we're missing Steve Ralston and our entire stable of strikers. I'm pretty sure with a full XI we're playing a 3-5-2. It utilizes Shalrie, Ralston, Parkhurst, and Reis to the best of their abilities. Those are our four best players and putting them in the best positions is an obvious move.

What grounds? - Recent history - We've played a lot of 4-4-2 or 4-whatever lately. We don't loog good and never look like we know who marks who and we suffer

I wish SN would give someone like Fernandez a chance and play as normal a formation as possible. It's scary to think this entire team is dependent on Stever Ralston. If he's never going to play the young people, there's no point in having them

If we do go to a 3-5-2, what do we do with BADilla? His "I've got him" gesture to Reis was a real blunder. Not sure who blew the assignment on the other goal

[dcochran]

What grounds - Recent history - We've played a lot of 4-4-2 or 4-whatever lately. We don't loog good and never look like we know who marks who and we suffer

I wish SN would give someone like Fernandez a chance and play as normal a formation as possible. It's scary to think this entire team is dependent on Stever Ralston. If he's never going to play the young people, there's no point in having them

If we do go to a 3-5-2, what do we do with BADilla

Last night, Nicol moved Badilla into the DM slot and pushed Red and Dread forward for the last ten minutes. That's one option. If Ralston is healthy Badilla could play on the outside and either Heaps or Albright moves to the bench.

[BrianLBI]

If we do go to a 3-5-2, what do we do with BADilla?

Given the amount of games we are potentially playing over the next 6 weeks, I'm not too worried if we don't solve this mystery immediately. Our existing 3 man back line will need rest, and SN will fit him in where he can be most effective.

[a517dogg]

The first goal seemed like a midfield breakdown as it occured seconds after Phelan was subbed out, and JL and Shalrie were in the process of getting into their new positions.

Twellman was obviously isolated but what can you do when your other 3 forwards are injured...

[rkane1226]

Given the amount of games we are potentially playing over the next 6 weeks, I'm not too worried if we don't solve this mystery immediately. Our existing 3 man back line will need rest, and SN will fit him in where he can be most effective.

I am. They have essentially no offense when they play 4 in the back. Last night, playing against an arguably week defense, they could only possess the ball for any length of time if they were on their side (defensive side) of the midfield stripe (barring the last 10 minutes). What surprises me is that even when they play 4-5-1 they can't get any midfield possession either. They must really depend on that second forward to stretch the defense or something.

I think that SN now has 4 players he WANTS on the field that are defenders (Allbright, Parkhurst, Badilla, Heaps) and therefore we WILL see the 4 man defense a lot more. Add to this the fact that he only has 4 midfielders (Ralston, Joseph, Jeff L, and Nyassi/Smith [2/3 + 1/3]) he really wants starting.

The only hope is that SN figures out how to get outside backs overlapping regularly to make for some sort of offensive threat. Otherwise were bunkering in for the rest of the season.

Really, LA had 2 opportunities to score and converted them. We had 3 opportunities to score and Wells missed a sitter. We didn't exactly dominate a team that was 13 points behind us (5th place in the West). [Edit] Okay, I forgot Buddle's breakaway that Reis stopped, 3 each.

Imagine if Reis hadn't played. There were a number of LA plays where I feel certain Warren would have stayed on his line much to the entire team's detriment (althought maybe Reis was a little too far out on Landycakes first goal).

[SuperRevsGooner]

If we do go to a 3-5-2, what do we do with BADilla? His "I've got him" gesture to Reis was a real blunder. Not sure who blew the assignment on the other goal

take a deep breath and repeat after me: he just got here. hell, he practiced only once with the team before last night's game.

yeah, it was a bad blow but overall he played very well, waaay better than albright has this year. i'm kind of sick of the bigsoccer fan's "welcome to new england, now allow me to piss on you" approach to new players.

Castro is awful though. by all means, piss on him.

[Nick Katz]

I'm disappointed we didn't attack more against the crappy LA defense. Nicol had only one FB attack up the wings at a time. Not two, as he has done in the past.

Nicol said he was pleased with a draw because we had played a couple of days ago and LA had a week off. But we should be winning these games at home. Period.

[miked9]

I really don't think you can blame anyone on Donovan's first goal. That was simply nasty. Can't be mad.

Can't say I'm really pleased with the performance tonight, but I also understand that the team's in a bit of a bind right now. Sure, at least part of that is of the organization's own doing, but that isn't on the guys in between the lines.

I said this in the PbP--we DO have depth, it's just a depth of role players. When one of the main guys go down we're still going to suffer. Add to that the infirmary that is our strikers, and we're going to slip in form. Anyone know ANYTHING about Mansally?

[JMMUSA8]

So far everyone is ignoring the fact that for 75 minutes, we looked like crap again.

When Ralston is not playing, we have no answer and we suffer greatly. We haven't looked good since Twellman returned. I think we had one shot for the first 75 minutes

Twellman alone continues not to work and we continue to do it

SN has zero confidence in anybody else on the roster below Castro and Castro has played himself on to the bench. When Wells starts over you, your stock has slipped

I think SN plans on using 4 defenders from now on and we don't play that well in that formation. Never have

This morning, we are in second place
So who do you suggest the Revs have play forward with Twellman?

And the reason why Nicol goes with 4 defenders because he's not stupid and stubborn and wont remain with the 3-5-2 because of injuries.

[pwykes]

Given the amount of games we are potentially playing over the next 6 weeks, I'm not too worried if we don't solve this mystery immediately. Our existing 3 man back line will need rest, and SN will fit him in where he can be most effective.

That's why I'd rather see a three man back line with either Heaps, Albright, or Badilla on the bench. There's no need to play all of them a the same time.

I agree with rkane when he says "They have essentially no offense when they play 4 in the back." Under Nicol, the Revs have been most effective in a 3-5-2 formation. If he's planning on playing 4 in the back from now on, I don't see them having enough offense to get to the MLS cup this year.