Seth Macomber reporting that Gershon Koffie could be loaned back to the Revs. That'd be a nice short-term boost for as long as the loan lasts. http://lineupbuilder.com/?sk=tx152
I would very much like to see that loan happen. As to your lineup, I think Caldwell would lose his place, not Nguyen.
Stejskal: Where and how Johannsson might wind up in MLS | Duka on the move? May 4, 2017, 4:09PM EDT Sam Stejskal I'm sure Burns would NEVER let Revs allocation money expire, right?
The news about possible return of Koffie, and the solid 1st half vs. Sounders got me thinking about some lineup changes that would emphasize a few elements that when on the field together seem to contribute to Revs success. Here's one such lineup: agudelo(or kamara) kobayashi // fagundez // caldwell kouassi // koffie rowe // delamea // angoua(or smith) // woodberry cropper Here's the elements that this lineup places an emphasis on - 1.) Emphasis on decision making - hence removal of Farrell from starting 11, who sometimes still seems to often get caught in adrenaline rush that clouds his judgment - crazy leaping clearances and slide tackles when at times simple possession would serve better; still dribbling into groups of defenders, holding the ball too long, forgetting to cross it in before he hits end line and runs out of space, etc.. - Teal frequently struggles with decision making; as does Watson on occasion; do not want to see them get many minutes at all. - Not sure about Angoua quite yet, but maybe Josh Smith and Ben battle it out to see who stays on the field - Keeping Rowe out of middle where he has tendency to on occasion dribble into traffic, and therefore to run out of runway. 2.) Vision (ability to see where the play will go, or where a killer diagonal ball will unlock the next line of defense) - - hence addition of Kobayashi to starting 11, seems like he makes more per-minute killer incisive passes than anyone else. - Caldwell has more to offer in this area, would like to see him be asked to do this more, in more of a Ralston-like role. - Fagundez should be asked to hold down #10 for a few more "goes" at it. He was effective and a game changer vs. Sounders. - Rowe should stay on the field at left back as he too can see the "big picture", and even more so from the back. Left back for him also minimizes his turnovers in middle of field on the occasional "over-dribble" - Watson's laser-cannon backpass into Delamea's gut, comically awful. Wrong kind of vision 3.) Speed (of execution, not necessarily foot speed ) - hence removal of Lee in favor of Fagundez getting another crack at the #10 job. Lee isn't unlocking the opposing defense like he used too, pulls the trigger too late (or not at all) too often. - Fagundez's relentless attack in 1st half of Sounder game put them on their heels. We need to see that type of play more often. - Woodberry moves the ball, so gets nod over Farrell, Farrell still likes to play with the ball too too often,at times causing other players to pause while he decides what he is going to do. 4.) Technical Precision, especially passing and top-notch possession/touch - Kobayashi has abundance of technical skill. - Woodberry has the advantage over Farrell on this, some precision crosses came from right back slot when Woodberry used to get more minutes. - Caldwell may be better leveraged if freed from true D-mid responsibilities. - Lee has this element, but he gets edged out on a few of the other elements listed above. - The need for technical precision is also why Teal, Femi, et al should get very few minutes in a possession role, as they are under-skilled in this area) 5.) Heavy "destroyer" presence in the middle. - Revs have needed a spine-implant procedure since JJones departure. Having Kouassi and Koffie patrolling together is a reasonable partial replacement for that gap. - Caldwell at times is overmatched physically in this role, depending on opponent. A few other random lineup thoughts -- ------------------------------------------------- Once Revs have all of these elements covered in first XI and with depth, then they can move on to upgrading at each spot with equally skilled but also faster and bigger/stronger players. (i.e., what top-shelf ambitious clubs are constantly looking to do. (Could Happen!) ------------------------------------------------ I wonder from time to time just what Teal could do at outside back. He's got good speed, ti would be interesting to see him get a steady run of minutes at left or right to assess whether there is something there. His heavy touch would possibly be less of a factor if his primary focus was on tackling and clearing as opposed to receiving/possessing/tikitaka play. ------------------------------------------------ Expensive "odd men out" of note are Lee and maybe Kei Kamara and Anguoa. Balance sheet winning at its finest! ------------------------------------------------- (But this sort of lineup might even unlock the Kamara threat, so switching him and Agudelo might give different looks.) ------------------------------------------------ In any case, those could be some valuable trade chips.... Stirring the pot on a rainy Friday.
Kamara has trade written all over him. Not a fit with the Heaps style of play, expensive but proven in the league. I would be shocked if he's still here going into 2018. Lee, if the team is smart, but I doubt they pull the trigger now that he's been made captain. Angoua has a nice resume but is just not very good. Highly doubt any team in MLS values him enough to make a trade. Maybe Montreal, who knows what's happening with them.
So the window closes today. Only hint of a rumor of movement is Koffie coming back on loan. The wait and see approach sees the Revs averaging 1 pt per game and a very thin bench. This season so far has shown us that the Revs FO is incompetent. Failed in signing players when they flat out said they were looking to add 3-5 tam level players in key areas. Failed in recognizing that Heaps is not the man for the job. Maybe they think that 10 points out of a possible 30 and a 9th place showing is acceptable. Not sure what they were waiting to see if that is the case. At what point were they looking to add a player or heaven forbid two? Its really is a slap to the face of the fans that show up each week. Two years removed from an MLS cup final appearance this team was possibly two or three Tam level players away from making a serious bit to with it all. Instead this team again took the "wait and see approach" and they are floundering in a level just below mediocrity. Minnesota, a team that looked to possibly be the worse expansion team in MLS history has 1 point more than the Revs and has taken 4 more points than the Revs in their respective last 6 games. Ah but fear not Revs fans the lowly team from Salt Lake comes to town sporting their 2-6-2 record. Certainly this is 3 pts ripe for the picking!
KOFFIE’S BACK!The #NERevs have acquired @Gersh28koffie on loan from Hammarby IF. pic.twitter.com/5TSUEWFt9X— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) May 8, 2017
No, this is a good move, no matter how you slice it. Of course it would be really nice if they went out and got upgrades in the areas where they really need it, rather than have him jockey for minutes with Kouassi, Caldwell and Kobayashi...
Getting Koffie back is a good thing, of course, but in a way, the biggest news of the day is the thing that didn't happen, namely Kamara getting traded.
On a team that was making logical decisions, the coach who couldn't fit the team superstar into a style of play that works would be the one who's gone. Totally agree. It will be fun to see how Kouassi fits in -- Ideally a more attacking role.
Although I like Koffie, it is yet another move that has the earmarks of being a "path of least effort" to obtain a player - and also allows the FO to say "See, we were active in the player acquisition window". So - Kudos to those shrewd and efficient wheeler-dealers, Burns and Bilello.
Jonathan Kraft asked for coffee to be brought back for revs games. The FO brought back Koffie... Will be here all week
I don't get this move. There are now 4 DMs and 3 AMs. Meanwhile, - no true wing players - big hole at left back Playing an AM at left back and centrally minded players on the wing. I like to think that I have had a lot of patience and positivity but I am starting to get discouraged and pissed off.
whats not to get? This was an easy no effort move for the FO of a known commodity. This was a move to say " Hey fans we know we needed help so look what we did!" Does not matter that the team really needs wide players, a left back(for years) and another forward. Is Koffie a good player? MLS standards ya he is pretty good. is he what this team needed? probably not a priority but it does add a little depth. Now Watson does not have to be the first choice off the bench