I used to crack wise at program progress meetings when I was a defense contractor offering to hose things up just as bad as the incumbent did for half the price, Think they'd be interested in a proposal?
I would cut everyone. I'd love to keep Bill but i think he's reached his ceiling here. There isn't a single player on this team that is untouchable, trade bait, or destined for the dumpster. ...okay - Maybe Acosta but he is almost completely ineffective with the supporting cast around him. james
I would do that, too, if this were a video game where you can just get whatever replacements you want. But it isn't, so you do triage - who sucks the most? Who can we get that would be an improvement to what we have? etc.
I'm about 60/40 on Nyarko for the reasons you state. And having Birnbaum on a 4 year contract at his salary, frankly, scares me. I really like him, and I don't necessarily want to play against him, but I would consider trading him if we were approached. As Kemp goes, so goes the team. For most of the season so far, we haven't had a strong aerial presence or speed (hopefully Brown will help) up front, consistent interchange on his wing, or a centerback & DM pairing that anticipates and effectively tracks runners. I think you're analysis is right in nature, but I wouldn't say his deficiencies are severe. If we start dealing with the real problems, they'll fade into the background. I'd like to see us play Robinson at LCD. I think he and Kemp complement each other well. Sure, he could be trade bait, but... left back, man.
I never used to misuse your and you're, or there, they're and their. Don't judge. Father time will come for you, too. At least I didn't use 'ur.'
Cut 1 Goalkeeper Travis Worra United States TRADE 2 Defender Taylor Kemp United States KEEP 3 Defender Chris Odoi-Atsem United States Cut 5 Defender Sean Franklin United States KEEP 6 Defender Kofi Opare Ghana Cut 7 Midfielder Marcelo Sarvas Brazil Cut 8 Midfielder Lloyd Sam Ghana Cut 9 Forward José Ortiz (on loan from Herediano) Costa Rica KEEP 10 Midfielder Luciano Acosta Argentina Cut 11 Forward Sébastien Le Toux France KEEP 12 Midfielder Patrick Nyarko Ghana Cut (for the love of God) 13 Forward Lamar Neagle United States KEEP 14 Midfielder Nick DeLeon United States TRADE 15 Defender Steve Birnbaum (Captain) United States KEEP 16 Forward Patrick Mullins United States KEEP 17 Forward Deshorn Brown Jamaica Cut 18 Forward Chris Rolfe United States KEEP 20 Defender Jalen Robinson (HGP) United States Who is this guy 21 Midfielder Chris Durkin (HGP) United States Cut 22 Defender Chris Korb United States KEEP 23 Midfielder Ian Harkes (HGP) United States Cut 24 Goalkeeper Eric Klenofsky United States Cut 25 Midfielder Jared Jeffrey United States KEEP 26 Midfielder Rob Vincent England KEEP 28 Goalkeeper Bill Hamid (HGP) United States Cut 32 Defender Bobby Boswell United States Cut 33 Midfielder Julian Büscher (GA) Germany
Durkin is this teams future #6. Keep Vincent??? Really??? And cut Büscher. I was taking your list seriously until this. Oh and Rolfe being on the roster is simply a procedural move. He is not going to play again but this is how he keeps getting paid which he deserves.
Vincent played well last season and has been hurt due to a freak surgery complication. He's done nothing to lose his spot. He's only 26.
Cut 1 Goalkeeper Travis Worra United States Keep 2 Defender Taylor Kemp United States Keep 3 Defender Chris Odoi-Atsem United States Cut 5 Defender Sean Franklin United States Keep 6 Defender Kofi Opare Ghana Cut 7 Midfielder Marcelo Sarvas Brazil Keep 8 Midfielder Lloyd Sam Ghana Cut 9 Forward José Ortiz (on loan from Herediano) Costa Rica Keep 10 Midfielder Luciano Acosta Argentina Cut 11 Forward Sébastien Le Toux France Keep 12 Midfielder Patrick Nyarko Ghana Cut 13 Forward Lamar Neagle United States Keep 14 Midfielder Nick DeLeon United States Keep 15 Defender Steve Birnbaum (Captain) United States Keep 16 Forward Patrick Mullins United States Keep 17 Forward Deshorn Brown Jamaica Retire18 Forward Chris Rolfe United States Keep 20 Defender Jalen Robinson (HGP) United States Keep 21 Midfielder Chris Durkin (HGP) United States Keep 22 Defender Chris Korb United States Keep 23 Midfielder Ian Harkes (HGP) United States Keep Keeper Eric Klenofsky United States Cut 25 Midfielder Jared Jeffrey United States Keep 26 Midfielder Rob Vincent England Keep 28 Goalkeeper Bill Hamid (HGP) United States Cut 32 Defender Bobby Boswell United States Keep 33 Midfielder Julian Büscher (GA) Germany By my choices that leaves us with: 2 GK 1 LB 3 CB 3 RB (Counting NDL) 2 DM 1 CM 2 AM 2 Wingers 2 Strikers
Vincent is on my keep/cut list. He is younger and has shown a little something. However I have seen better from Büscher which was my point of cutting Büscher and Keeping Vincent made no sense.
After last night -- cut them all. Go full expansion re-build, bring back the Fascist Eagle and pretend it's 1995 all over again.
This thread is irrelevant until the following happen: Number One: Cut the owners. Number Two: Get a real General Manager (You can keep Kasper but only as a junior assistant to the GM. He only advises on what kind of and how much is available to pay which mid-level player) Number Three: Talk with 2-3 prospective coaches and 3-4 prospective players simultaneously to determine who's willing to come on together as a package deal.
Agreed, although obviously you can't cut an owner. The professional thing right now would be for Levien to pursue a solid general manager/technical director. Someone with some credibility, and ideally someone with a broad global outlook as far as scouting for players. But also someone who has some experience with how things work in the US. Once you get that squared away, this person can bring in his own coaches and basically start everything from scratch. New tactics, new scouting philosophy, new academy philosophy etc ...
Has anyone noticed. I like most every one who has made a list is getting rid of 1/2 to 2/3 of this roster. Maybe I am onto something with my "this roster sucks" diatribe.
No one disagrees with your assessment but we've also had 5+ years of Olsen completing shitting the bed with good players on our roster and completely mismanaging Bosko, Salihi, et. al. ******** him, the FO that aids and abets him, his coaching staff, and the players. The players are the least responsible for this mess as they are basically worthless and playing at their ceilings. James
Ok lets not make Bosko out to be Messi lite or Salihi out to be Suarez lite. If those are the only two talented players you can come up with that he did not properly utilize then that is a weak argument. Two players over 7 years, sorry not really a manager problem. Has he made mistakes, yes I have never said otherwise. However who will you replace him with? I always hear Shammy claiming "any South/Central American would be better". Well no they would not. I have said this 1000+ times and will continue to say this. Klopp, Murhino, Conte, Sir Alex none of them would be markedly better with this roster. 2,3,4,5 more wins sure but still out of a playoff spot. I am the only one around here being rational about this and not allowing emtion to drive me. I am ok with replacing Ben but I want thought put into it. I want a plan. Not shooting from the hip which seems to be the prevailing sentiment here in the wild west.
I disagree with you and you are wrong. The simple act of firing the coach and his staff will send a message that someone is holding this organization accountable for the on field play. Not doing so shows the players that no one cares and they will play the same or worse. We are past the point where your argument has any validity and are trying to save the body by cutting off an arm.
Sends a message?? Removing Olsen does not send the message you are looking for here. You send the message by cutting Boswell, Franklin and Jeffrey and replacing them with Teir-2 guys. That sends the message that your job is on the line. Removing the coach does not send a message to any player that his job is in jeopardy. You are acting with emotion and passion, both of which I appreciate but serve no useful purpose here in this case.
Firing Olsen (and certainly Ashton as well) won't go far enough. You'd also have to bring on a real smart and determined GM and give him the money to do something meaningful.
These are not mutually exclusive choices. DC needs to have it's own Red Wedding. Someone needs to be Walder Frey and it isn't going to be Olsen, Ashton, or Kasper. james
And I will agree to disagree with you James. You will as always be given my respect and I shall move on as I will not change your mind and you will not change mine.