Pre/In/Post: Revs @ Red Bull, Match 7

Discussion in 'New England Revolution' started by patfan1, Apr 20, 2012.

  1. windylove

    windylove Member

    Mar 23, 2012
    Club:
    --other--
    Agree, but I really want to try Runstrom playing out wide on the R wing for Rowe.
     
  2. windylove

    windylove Member

    Mar 23, 2012
    Club:
    --other--
    Absolutely.
     
  3. cml1394

    cml1394 Member

    Apr 5, 2010
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I'm curious about why you're adamant Runstrom would do well on the right wing. That makes no sense at all to me.
     
  4. Abebe

    Abebe Member

    Aug 26, 1999
    Boston
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    One thing about Benny is that we lose our midfield presence without Shalrie based on last game. Realize he is coming back injury.
     
  5. JDEsq09

    JDEsq09 Member

    Apr 12, 2011
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    I don't think the Revs should choose a formation and a starting XI and be loyal to both and only making changes when there's an injury. In some games it shoulf be 4-5-1, or 4-2-3-1, or 4-4-2. The formation and the lineup should reflect the tactics more likely to earn a victory. Its kind of obvious, but many teams always play same formation and same starting XI. Also, by mixing it up, it will make it harder for other teams to prepare for Revs.

    I don't really like Benny out on the wings.
     
  6. Doublecard

    Doublecard Guest

    I agree with what you said. The question is; what's the best formation we can field against NY?


    I also pray Heaps sees the value of Shalrie at CB, and has the guts to start him there from time to time.
     
  7. cml1394

    cml1394 Member

    Apr 5, 2010
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Ignoring which players are available and how good they are in different roles, I'd say a 4-2-3-1. Not to sit back and bunker, but to press high up the field and dominate the midfield. NY use a 4-4-2 and both their forwards are on fire, so since we don't have a really good backline we have to cut off service from the midfield before it gets to them. Henry gets frustrated and drops very deep when he isn't seeing much of the ball, and that would be perfect because we could stick Simms on him to try to mark him out of the game.

    The matchup I'm worried about is Chris Tierney vs. Dane Richards. If we press high (which we should or Cooper and Henry will destroy us), and Dane makes some quick diagonal runs past Tierney, we could be in trouble.
     
  8. Abebe

    Abebe Member

    Aug 26, 1999
    Boston
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Tactics aside, one note of reality watching this weekend's highlights is that the league is pretty good. It is also getting faster. I think it is becoming more important to have our skill players in midfield, and Shalrie I bet will look like he should be at CB as season wears on. If Sene and Moreno light it up as two good big men up front, with Shalrie commanding from CB as Der Kaiser did once, we may have a chance of the playoffs, but we probably have a team that could compete in MLS a few years ago, with a great goalie.

    Tactically, I am beginning to think our best look is

    Moreno-Sene
    Nguyen-Simms-Feiharber-Guy/Rowe/Rundstrom
    Tierney-Shalrie-Soares-Allston

    We need to let the dynamism of Nguyen, Benny, Sene work itself out coordinating with Moreno. Let Guy/Rowe/Rundstrom make their case to best maximize this dynamic. This back line will give us the rock we need to get it going again when attacked. Shalrie will still make dangerous passes and Simms will be pretty good when Shalrie wants to join an attacking move, but his form now and the league will make it make more sense for him to conserve in back.
     
  9. JDEsq09

    JDEsq09 Member

    Apr 12, 2011
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Perhaps some "Shalrie @ CB" signs in the Fort will send the message.

    Originally, I would have preferred 4-2-3-1, but now I think it would be difficult to either play Moreno or Sene, and have the other sitting on the bench. Also that Sene assisted on Moreno's goal, so perhaps they could be a dynamic team.

    I also also have mixed feelings about playing Shalrie at CB. I think he would do better than McCarthy, especially on that late goal against DC United. However, Shalrie didn't exactly play convincing defense on the late goal at Dallas either.

    As it was addressed previously, if we go 4-4-2 with Shalrie in the midfield, that pushed Benny out to the wing and I don't really want him there. So, if we go 4-4-2, I'd prefer Shalrie at CB at that formation.
     
  10. patfan1

    patfan1 Moderator
    Staff Member

    Aug 19, 1999
    Nashua, NH
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Obviously based on this, you're right.

    BTW, the Revs are an impressive .500 with Brettschneider starting, so he should play much more often.
     
  11. Abebe

    Abebe Member

    Aug 26, 1999
    Boston
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I want Shalrie on the field. At Dallas, I don't think he had anymore to give. Playing midfield in this league requires fitness.
     
  12. eric_appleby

    eric_appleby Member+

    Jun 11, 1999
    Down East
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    JDE is on to something here. We have enough depth now to throw different looks at different opponents.
    Sene-Moreno-Nguyen-Feilhaber all on the field when we're attack minded.
    But, for Red Bull away, 4-2-3-1.
     
  13. RevsLiverpool

    RevsLiverpool Member+

    Nov 12, 2005
    Boston
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Right but you missed the point - Benny's been a cog of an ineffective offense for over a year. He's a fringe national teamer, in my mind if he's "the best player on the roster" (horses*it) that means obviously the standard and expectations for him are much higher than a Brettschneider. Thus why I am more critical of Benny than some fringe forward - he's not playing to my expectations. The attack is predictable and he fails to change the game in any way when he's on the field. That's what the "best" player should do.

    However, Revs fans are so enamored with Benny and satisfied with mediocrity that I realize I'm a lone voice in the wilderness. I'm done talking about it until after the season when more data is available. Would love to be wrong but it's fairly obvious why Chivas and Philly passed on the guy.
     
  14. cml1394

    cml1394 Member

    Apr 5, 2010
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    This has been pointed out to you before, but any offense containing useless players like Boggs and Schilawski and ineffective ones like Lekic will never be great. I'm surprised Benny had as many goals and assists as he did.

    I'm glad you're done criticizing him now though, because he's only played 2 or so games now that we're decent. This year will be a lot more telling as to how effective he'll be in MLS now that his supporting cast is much improved, and I personally think he'll do very well.
     
  15. patfan1

    patfan1 Moderator
    Staff Member

    Aug 19, 1999
    Nashua, NH
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Was the offense ineffective last year when they scored 15 goals in 9 games in the middle of the season? That's when he actually had players on the field with him that could play.
     
  16. LongDuckDong

    LongDuckDong Member+

    Jan 26, 2011
    Club:
    FC Schalke 04
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I refuse to judge any individual based on last year. Nicol just lost control. A lot of the players were frustrated.

    As soon as Heaps took over, I wiped the slate clean in my mind. It's a fresh start for everyone.
     
  17. rkane1226

    rkane1226 Member+

    Apr 9, 2000
    Club:
    Stade Brestois 29
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Do you extend this observation to Reis or SJ for a defense that look equally ineffective even with, at times, six in the back? Or to SJ who usually seems a cog of the offense as well?

    I'd like to see Benny play to higher expectations too. But I'm not ready to say we are so well endowed, even at midfield, that I'm ready to sit him or trade him.

    I think we are better than last year but, with only two wins, I'm not sure I'd go so far as to say decent yet. Maybe we have different definitions.

    Point about Nicol and last year granted but I was, and remain, happy to have judged players like Phelan, Schil, Boggs, etc. I'd still like Tierney to be sitting on the bench and someone better starting.
     
  18. RevsLiverpool

    RevsLiverpool Member+

    Nov 12, 2005
    Boston
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Yes Shalrie deserves some blame for the lack of possession and the miserable transition game as well. He is clearly not the same guy as he was 3 years ago but as revs fans we have seen him decline gradually. Maybe i am too easy on him and should be just as harsh. It's tough when I know shalrie has proven his value over the years so my evaluation is biased. Same goes for Reis in goal but supply and demand dictates veteran gks are hard to come by so I wouldn't move reis. Shalrie was re-signed less on performance and more on nostalgia but yes, he is open to criticism when he doesn't boss the game or light a fire under the guys.

    I would trade Benny because we aren't well endowed with talent and ostensibly some mls club may find value in him. I consider this season a full scale rebuilding year and want to build a stronger team geared to future success by leveraging our current assets. I don't expect the revs to make the playoffs with this roster and would trade Benny for a strong left back to shore up the defense in a heartbeat.
     
  19. LongDuckDong

    LongDuckDong Member+

    Jan 26, 2011
    Club:
    FC Schalke 04
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    No offense (seriously), but I'm really glad you're not in charge. That would be a catastrophic trade.

    For Benny, I would expect TWO starting level players on a solid team. Looking at a team like NY, I would want McCarty and Roy Miller. Looking at KC, I would want Sinovic and Espinoza.

    Feilhaber, on a decent team, is an automatic league all-star (top 30 player).
     
  20. patfan1

    patfan1 Moderator
    Staff Member

    Aug 19, 1999
    Nashua, NH
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    This discussion about Benny is the same that happens in every sport. If a person doesn't like a player, they'll find every reason not to like that player. I noticed it yesterday watching the Bs game with someone who thinks Chara sucks. He'd comment on every "mistake" he saw, but rarely ever note the positives. There are some here that are the same about the Krafts. Human nature.
     
  21. JDEsq09

    JDEsq09 Member

    Apr 12, 2011
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    I promise you it was purely unintentional and it won't happen again. :rolleyes:
     
  22. firstshirt

    firstshirt Member+

    Bayern München
    United States
    Mar 1, 2000
    Ellington, CT / NK, RI
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    well DC opened a can of Whoopass on NY yesterday. I am sure NY will be looking to take it out on the Revs. What was learned yesterday? The middle of NY's back 4 is terrible. If this is the same back 4 this weekend, Moreno and Sene should be able to exploit that. Dane looked tired and had maybe the worse game I have seen him play in years. The team as a whole looked lost.
     
  23. huskydeac

    huskydeac Member+

    Mar 31, 2009
    NYRB in general aren't very good if you can disrupt the passing lanes to Henry and Cooper and pressure the mids/backs. They'll play the ball around a bit, but as soon as there's any pressure the backs clear it deep. Henry is not a guy who wants to chase balls. He practically gave up after half and was dropping behind McCarty at times in an attempt to gain possession.

    I think a 4-5-1 of sorts would work best. Have Simms drop into passing lanes and Benny/whoever else plays middle harrass Dax all game.

    Holgersson is almost as slow as Per Mertesacker. We'll need whoever plays forward to constantly makes runs behind him. I think Moreno knows how to make those runs, though a late sub of someone pacey like Cardenas/Fagundez should give Holgersson fits.

    But most importantly, do not give Henry any FK chances around the area. His touch over the wall right now is about as good as it gets.
     
  24. CottageRev

    CottageRev Member+

    Jun 13, 2010
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    I watched the DC/NYRB game last night and I was shocked at how easily NYRB's backline was bullied around (literally bullied - Santos/Pontius/DeLeon were plowing through them like tissue paper). I think the Revs on paper are a superior team - except they could easily give the game away if they let Henry school them. He's on a whole different level than the other strikers the Revs have faced this season (including Robbie Keane who's been pretty unspectacular this year.)

    McCarthy I feel would be in over his head in this game, so he's gotta sit. We've only seen 1 game of Lozano so I wouldn't feel comfortable with him out there either. I think the smart play is an all-attacking Nguyen - Benny - Simms - Rowe midfield (the first time this season we'll see Nguyen and Benny play together for an extended period - instead of choosing one over the other we should be excited to see them in tandem) to pressure the NYRB defense. Shalrie moves to CB due to the matchup opportunity and keep the backline focused/organized. Use the subs on the forwards to rotate Sene/Moreno/Runstrom/Cardenas and keep them off balance with different attacking styles.
     
  25. RevsRule

    RevsRule Member+

    NE Revs, LAFC
    Jun 9, 1999
    N. Eastern, Mass
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    What... you dont think McCarthy can stop Henry? :rolleyes:
     

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