Nimrod didn't do Pawno any favors with this incomplete roster, but it's pretty clear to me that with a competent coach, we'd be arguing about whether the Fire could win out and get to host their 1st round game, rather than clinging to pipe dreams of getting smashed by Atlanta on the road and calling it success.
Other than stupidly not replacing Vincent (or upgrading the LB position) and at the beginning of the season, the roster was pretty complete, at least appeared to be and by May, we had a "complete" roster and one that, on paper, should compare favorably to almost any team in the league. Signed Ousted (experienced MLS goalkeeper/international) to "fix" the goalkeeping situation. Then he send Kronholm to "fix" the Ousted situation. Signed Sapong as second striker. Signed Herbers as back up to Sapong/Nikolic. Signed Frankowski to fix the winger deficiency. Signed Marcelo at CB. (sure, it did not work out, but...) Signed Gaitan as attacking midfielder. I am no fan of Nelson Rodriguez at all, but to say that he did not provide a complete roster is a bit harsh. There were holes in March and the team still sucks at time, but it was a complete roster and one built to succeed. This debacle of a year is on Paunovic. The "high lights" Under utilization of Nikolic. Frequently starting Sapong on the wing, due to an obsession with a 1 striker set up. Benching Katai. Removing Gaitan/Katai/Nikolic/(now) Sapong (one or some combination) when the Fire are in need of goals. Generally poor substitution policy overall. Playing players out of position. Stupidly ignoring of Edwards who, while not great, is a versatile player. Slavish devotion to Brandt Bronico, who is a decent utility player, but should be a starter, especially as his insertion into the midfield means that one of Katai, Frankowski, Gaitan does not start/play. Allowing for the dumping of Mo Adams, a younger, cheaper and, long term, better alternative to the aging, expensive and diminishing Dax McCarty. Allowing for the dumping of Niklas Hasler, with no right back at all to replace him. No discernible playing strategy.
I lay more of the blame for the D/GK situation with Nimrod, who ditched players in the offseason and preseason with no discernible replacements, and essentially failed 6 or 7 times to effectively replace Sean Johnson. This played right into Pawno's most cowardly coaching instincts, essentially guaranteeing we'd never see 90 minutes with our best 6 attacking players on the field at the same time. I think I'd divvy the blame for this embarassing season about like this: 65% Pawno 30% Nimrod 5% the players (have to give them some shit for for only getting 1 point and 1 goal against the worst defense in MLS history) So yeah, very much on Pawno, but Nimrod made it easier for pawno to pawno
Definitely, from the historic perspective. My point was that Sanchez sucked last year, Rodriguez saw the suck and tried to cure the suck. He sucked at curing the suck, but he tried. Of course, at GK there was no reason for the suck, since we had a top-5/10 MLS 'keeper and dumped him for no discernible reason. So, yes, long term, Rodriguez's failures over the years are legendary. This season, Rodriguez attempted to fill some holes. Paunovic failed spectacularly to utilize the talent provided. Upshot: F*ck both of them with a bucket of Ruiz-shaped rubber dicks.
I would lay way more blame on the players, as high as 25%. Hamlett started Mike Banner at striker ahead of Frankowski, the only striker on the roster, when we traded for the rights for McBride. Somehow Blanco was able to steer that team to the playoffs despite truly reckless moves like that. Bastian should have been capable of the same with this team.
He kind of did back in 2017 when he was playing his natural position. You also could say with little less talent on the 2017 team.
Pauno needs to be gone no less than one minute after full time next Sunday. Let him "manage" v. OCSC, Fire loses and gets a higher draft pick.
that'll save me the season ticket money I was gonna shell out. I don't mean to jump the gun on #mansuetoout, but it would be incredibly disappointing if Joe has wasted the last 15 months and doesn't have a new front office already lined up. "need more evaluation time" is not acceptable at this point.
Especially since Mansueto has been part of the ownership group for a year. He's not coming in blind. We've got real problems in terms of the seriousness of any of this if NRod or Pauno are part of the longer term plans.
That's my bellweather for the owner. If *both* of those two are not packing the minute the season is over, he's just a different version of clueless idiot owner and we've had 12 years of that and I am ********ing done.
Everytime I come into this thread I'm expecting to see that Pauno had been FIRED. Come on Joe make this happen. #PaunoOut
I'm braced for the possibility that there is some future role for NRod, but I'm honestly not even worried about Pauno. I would be stunned if he isn't gone.
Yeah, Nelson will probably throw Pauno under the bus and drive over him a couple times to keep his job, but I hope Joe is smart enough not to get fouled by this.
this is my feeling as well, not that it matters. Nelson will be deprecated and move on soon enough anyway.
So New England essentially kept the Fire out of the playoffs. It's actually very fitting , look back at that 5-0 thrashing the Fire gave them. It was the impetus for New England to change directions. The Fire without a doubt have loads more talent than the Revs. They should be a better team and should be beating the revs on the regular. If anyone wants to see what a coaching change can do, and just how much of an impact they have this is the textbook example. Paunovic should be let go , this isnt even debatable anymore.