Maybe Heaps does not have a full compliment of OPTA stats for this season so he is putting together the normal 10 game losing streak together at the middle of the season whilst waiting for that Aha moment. I think we lose the next two games before something happens.
Not the worst idea (but it would be really hard to play near his best while worrying about the whole team, subs, etc. at the same time). I'd be for it. I like the sound of this Diago guy - a young, instinctive player with impressive skills who brings a steady, reliable, veteran presence to the midfield.
They like process and repitition down there in Foxboro. This is the revs season narrative in a nutshell more often than not: Start slow, catch fire in May, flake out in the USOC in June as part of an overall swoon in June and July. Then amp up the urgency in conjunction with the STH renewal cycle, make and epic run late summer/fall only to lose in the MLS Cup final. I've seen this one before. In fact nearly every damn year for the last 20.
i agree it's time for some sort of change. if we're not going to add players, then might as well change players' roles. Also since we're down defenders, we have two choices - out-score, or bunker in. I choose out-score, since NYShittyFC's defense is shitty. I also agree it's time for Bunbury to play fullback, to get him on the field in this formation. We can also get some speed on the other flank, with Smith flying by Tierney to give Tierney more room to cross. Diego will be a good spark off the bench. Davies-Agudelo Tierney-Caldwell-Nguyen-Rowe Smith-Farrell-LW-Bunbury Shuttleworth However if we choose to bunker/counter, then we could go with a 5 man back line, 5-3-2. Tierney and Smith could swap since Smith's apparently been training as a CB, but really we should have his speed on the flanks. Davies-Agudelo Nguyen Caldwell-Dorman Smith-Tierney-Farrell-LW-Bunbury
Heaps used 4-4-2 away to Houston in 2013 or 2014 i remember. Didn't go so well. it was very early in the season (you know, when other teams are in their season and we're still in preseason).
One of the popular formations now is the 3 CB formation: 3-5-2 or 5-3-2. This is different than what Nicol deployed with Parkhurst when we played a 3-5-2. I do not think we are remotely near this. Without an influx of Jones-level talent, Heaps options are really to stay the course or try a 4-4-2 IMO. Again, the formation (which is really just the players roles and responsibilities) has to be bought in by the players and given the confidence why it will work by the coach against an opponent. I am not sure that is happening anymore.
Andrew Farrell said #NERevs have had players only meeting and meeting w/ the coaches to talk about recent results. "Enough is enough."— Jeff Lemieux (@jeff_lemieux) July 14, 2015
When Jones is back, the box-to-box 4-4-2 might make the most sense, with Caldwell and Jones both alternating between defense and attack. Davies is getting zero help up top and Juan has been ineffective as a winger. The backline is going to be terrible whether or not there's a DM supporting them, so you might as well try to boost the scoring punch. Agudelo - Davies Diego - Caldwell - Jones - Bunbury (I miss those field graphics the old board setup used to have, btw).
That's freakin awesome. I'm ok with us not making the finals this year, as long as they keep fighting.
Jones does it again. On and off the field. Look at quote from Davies - this is what this team has been lacking without Jones and would be better off with multiple-type Jones players. But these types of things are a sign the coach isn't quite getting the job done either. Good sign regardless.
"[Jones] is a guy that you value his opinion and what he has to say. So, a guy like that, when he says something, everybody listens." So he is the EF Hutton of the Revs.
And if it works, this will be the second year in a row that Jones has turned the team around when Heaps couldn't....
I still laugh at the off-season argument by some that this was not only a playoff team, but would have made some noise, even had Jones not joined.
LOL. "But, but, but... we scored 3 goals against Toronto BEFORE Jones came on at half time, that proves it!"
Hah! I forgot about that argument. The Maple Laffs were pretty terrible then, so a good USL team could have probably done that.
Revs focused on “team defending” as they prepare to have depth tested vs. NYCFC Hall: “It’s going to take 11 guys to get the win” July 16, 2015 Jeff Lemieux
New England Revolution pay respect to Frank Lampard but eager to pick up three points vs. NYCFC July 16, 2015 Craig Forde MLSsoccer.com