i do NOT have a dual personality-- having just myself is enough to look after while i do not always agree with Old Fan as sometimes he is just priming for attention, he has been absolutely correct about a number of things to do with the Caps- the stadium, Paul Barber, tommy Soehn, marcus haber, lenarduzzi as CEO, martin rennie to name a few he has written about and at least he adds color and zest to usually boring forum talk... but in no way am i or do i ever want to be cloned into his skin- too dangerous for me!
Omar Salgado to go on loan to Carolina Railhawks? http://www.indyweek.com/triangleoff...ks-take-1-0-scrimmage-win-over-unc-greensboro Anyone heard more on this?
No (and I'm a Carolina fan!), but it sure sounds like more of a relationship building between the two teams.
News to me. But anything to get Salgado lots of competitive minutes is a good thing, I say. Interesting to see how his ego takes the move, especially after his workout over in England last year.
So this article seems to say "maybe" to the question of a Omar loan. http://www.vancouversun.com/touch/sports/story.html?id=6326695
With Robson being introduce on Monday, it may be a tougher challenge to earn a spot in the starting XI. I'm pretty much everyone of us here are at the same page or have a rough idea of what a player Robson is. ATM some fans on twitter was predicting that Davide might be the one dropping out of the starting XI since Rennie loves Thorrington, this is my main point because I think Thorington is over rated despite putting in a few strong games. He looked dead after subbing off last night. And I would choose Gershon over him any day. But then again, it all comes down to how Rennie wants the team to play tactically. So I just wanna hear what you guys have to say about our second DP arrival and the impact on the caps.
I agree, I thought Thorrington had one of his better games last night, but he is still a weak link in the centre of the field. He is a grinder IMO. Chiumento has had a couple solid games recently, and I think is earning his spot in Rennies eyes.
Okay, watching Euro has inspired me. Here's what I'd like to see Rennie try (at least in training) once Robson gets here: A five-man midfield, with two "box-to-box" holding/attacking midfielders, and three attacking mids in front of them: X X XX XThe back two would be two of Koffie, Robson, or Davidson, while the front three would consist of some combination of Camilo, Le Toux, Chiumiento, Salgado or Barbara (if and when he's in game shape). Against tougher attacking teams, or on the road where a more defensive, counterattacking, posture is desired, I'd go with Davidson and Koffie/Robson at the back, while against teams like Colorado, I'd go with Koffie and Robson and give Davidson a rest. My preferred front three would be Chiumiento the creative play-maker in the middle, with Camilo and Letoux on the wings. What's my rationale? As my profile suggests, I'm a fan of Germany, and so I'm modelling this midfield on theirs. Now I'm not suggesting that the WC have a Germay-calibre midfield--far from it. It's more the similarities in the players' characteristics that got me thinking. Both Koffie and Robson are billed as "box-to-box" midfielders, meaning they can both defend and move forward to support the attack. Germany's Sami Khedira and Bastian Schweinsteiger are the epitome of that type of midfielder. Podolski, Ozil and Muller for the Germans could play the forward position on any other team and do it well, but they are given the attacking mid role on their national side. Camilo, Le Toux, Salgado and Barbara could and have played the forward position as well. I also see Chiumiento as having the instinctive play-making tendancies that Ozil shows for the Germans; the straw that stirs the drink, you could say. The Germans succeed with this formation because they demand the attacking mids to be defensively responsible as well. Rennie demands this (and has been getting it, for the most part) from his attacking mids as well. For the Germans, this line up in the middle makes them perhaps the most balanced team in the Euro tournament, as they can reasonably expect six men to outright defend when under attack (Khedira and Schweinsteiger plus four defenders), and six to attack (all five mids, plus the target man forward). The formation creates great fluidity in attacking build-up that is hard to cover for opposing defences, and has turned forwards Klose and now Gomez into goal machines, as they get service from all sides. It's also is rock solid when defending, esp. through the middle, pushing attackers wide. Germany traditionally has strong central defenders who can deal well with crosses (read Demerit and Bonjour here) and encourages the wide defenders (like Lahm for Germany, but Lee and Rochat for the WC) to move forward on the attack as well. Rennie wants a fluid attack where players can interchange, and he demands defensive discipline from his attacking mids. He's shown a tendency to use traditional forwards in mid positions. He's got a traditional target man in Hassli, and Mattocks. Le Toux has also thrived elsewhere playing in the middle. To be honest, for my money, Le Toux and Mattocks look like the best potential goal machines playing in front of a WC version of this midfield configuration. I think we have the pieces in place, once Robson arrives, to play this kind of midfield shape. If I remember correctly, Rennie also tried it earlier in the season, before he settled on the current 4-3-3. Over time, Rennie could fill it out by bringing in/developing more players to fit the mold. It's also great to watch when all cylinders are firing. This approach has turned the Germans from a staid, predictable (if effective) side into one of the most exciting teams in the world. It could do the same here for the WC. Anyway, there's my two cents.
cannon rochat de merit bonjour lee robson koffie chiumiento camilo le toux mattocks subs: harvey, davidson, thorrington, tan, silvester, tiebert, alderson
TBH I'm really disappointed to not see Alderson, Tan, Tiebert featured in any games or of any significant minutes of the game. Not to also mention Nanchoff. While Rennie had over use Harvey.
Sportie, Robson is left footed and has played CM or the Left Side of Midfield, and has had a few VERY short stints as a left fullback in his time at Celtic and Boro. If we have the same formation that Rennie has been employing I'd suggest you'd see Robson in the middle in lieu of one of Gershon or Thorrington, not instead of Seba or Chiumiento. Like dehun, I'd prefer to see a German/Dutch sort of formation, which isn't drastically different than the way Rennie actually has the Caps line up these days... In that sort of system I'd love to see: ----------------------Hassli------------------------ Le Toux-------------Chiumiento-----------Camilo --------------Robson-----------Koffie-------------- Rochat-------Bonjour--------Demerit----------Lee I'd ultimately guess that Rennie will go with: -------------------------Mattocks----------------------- Camilo------------------------------------------LeToux -------Robson----Davidson/Koffie---Davidson/Dede-- Rochat----------Bonjour--------Demerit-----------Lee You then have cover all over the place in depth. For the top man you have mattocks and Barbara, for the attacking mids you have Salgado (who has excellend out wide imho) Nanchoff, Harris, Franks, Tan. For the deeper Mids you have Davidson, Thorrington, Alderson, Watson etc. Although with the rumours surrounding the exit of one of our big ticket items, namely Camilo, I'd suspect the Boca rumours aren't just smoke without Fire. We are currently very Heavy on attacking options and still somewhat suspect at central D and holding Mids. I don't see Watson figuring in the plans and guys like Harvey and Boxall and Mitchell aren't good enough to command big minutes if someone like Demerit or Bonjour went down, including Rochat having to slide inside leaving Harvey starting at LB *shudder*
starting hassli just wont happen-- he's a done man with the Caps, certainly as a starter and if the Caps are fortunate to find interest in him from another team (maybe with some Cap support money), he will be gone-- rennie has had enough from his ego-centric, distracting/yapping, outside the box, flailing, falling and staying on the turf play in my formation, robson would have room to move about in the mf from the left or right outside to the middle- koffie, who cant shoot worth a damn, would be your defensive mf to backup robson and chiumiento and if he doesn't do the job, then davidson is a good backup; and davidson or thorrington can replace the tired chiumiento at the 60 minute mark unless the Caps get a significant financial offer for camilo, he is going to stay and hopefully make an impact like 2011- he has value IMO the Caps still need another quality defender in case either de merit or bonjour get injured- moving rochat inside and then harvey to left defender is a disaster in the making a new player like barbera who comes into training camp out of shape and gets injured is not my idea of a player worth keeping; harris is oft injured and not sure what to do with him- he can make an impact if he is healthy so keep him until the season is over and start getting the 2 best young canadians- tiebert and alderson- onto the bench
As much as ppl hates Hassli now, but i do want to see a formation with Camilo, Dede and both our DPs in the same lineup. Hence I would also love to see that type of formation mentioned by Dehun. Koffie this year is that he is better as a central midfield who is good a possession and help in offense rather than the DMF like Davidson. ATM I just don't see Gershon being an alternative to Davidson. Also Rennie loves and trusts Davidson sitting in front of back four. So I dont see any point in changing a successful defensive setup.
is this a compliment or put-down??? hard to know with you as your comments range from the insightful to the ridiculous/inflamatory for the sake of being amused by others' repsonses (not a nice personal quality, BTW)
I Hassli is not a starter, I'd like to see Le Toux and Mattockas used as the high target men eventually (like when Salgado gets back from injury next year). I think that's Le Toux's natural position, and where he's most effective. BTW--I see the WC making significant moves late season/offseason at the back. Demerit has been good this year, but at times his age is starting to show, imo, and same with YP Lee. I don't see either one here longer than one more year. Klazura won't be ready to step in for Lee next year, and Mitchell hasn't played enough to suggest to me he's the future solution for the middle. So they'll have to get solid starters for both positions in place for the start of next year, I think.
wow you clearly have some "fan" issues which cloud your judgement. Davidson needs to start. His tactical awareness and defensive positioning are so important and many peoplel don't realize that. If only Davidson was a better passer he would be an ALL STAR in MLS. From watching many training sessions IMO Silvester, Teibert and Alderson are not MLS regulars yet. I would even put Irving ahead of Sylvestre. Sylvestre has size but Irving has better hands and Knighton is MUCH better than either. Tan doesn't have a spot on the roster. He's talented but lacks smarts. I can't believe Hassli doesn't show up in your lineup. When he's on his game he's one of the best in the league. He has a unique combination of size and skill which doesn't exist in MLS. I understand he can be frustrating at times but let's be real, he's way better than Long Tan. I can see Robson replacing Koffie or Thorrington. I see that as a very good sign to have players the quality of Thorringtion and/or Koffie coming off the bench.
Well, Thorrington injured himself once again last night (doing nothing I might add). He can't be counted on to stay healthy in any way, shape or form. Robson slides in for Thorrington and the Caps are all set.
marcopaulo-I agree with your assessment of Davidson,however,I was wondering where I could go to find passing percentage for MLS players.I know he has over an 80% completetion passing percentage.The other MLS defensive midfielders chosen for the All-star game are over 90%?Just curious.I know he has been unnoticed or not given much credibility by the media.
In terms of credibility, Vancouver gets the least recognition in MLS. We were never on the front page (live coverage) during any match day. For f*%#k sakes even Montreal gets more attention than us on the mls site. Not to mention when we were in a good run of form we receive little to minimum notice. When the Galaxy spooned us 3-0 and coming out of a bad run of form, they get all the credits in the world. Really wish we really achieve something this season to show how ignorant this idiotic organization is.
name me the number of games in the past year that hassli has been on his game??? EXACTLY!!! that's why he's riding the pine and gets very few minutes-- somethings going to give with him and the Caps and i think its game over for the uncourageous, overly ego-centric big man-- rennie isn't a coach who will stand for a player yapping constantly at the ref, lying on the field when he doesn't get a call, not making a turmoil inside the 18 yard box and, of all insults to the fans and his teammates, wont head the ball worth a damn inside the box! at least with long tan i know he gives 100% when he's on the field-- how you think he should be a starter is beyond me!! i dont see thorrington or harris coming back for the 2013 season-- too injury prone; and if the Caps soon sign another top player as has been rumored, then koffie, who can be great 1 game and then a stinker the next, will see some pine time and replace chiumiento when needed-- bocanegra could be a defensive mf which allows both robson and chiumiento to push forward-- it isn't imperative that he replace either de merit or bonjour we'll see who's judgment is in the clouds over the course of the rest of the season-- so far, i have been right about hassli and he's earned little time for his style of play
I disagree that Hasslie is "overly ego-centric" - I had the pleasure of meeting him, and he is incredibly down to earth; watch him on TV and he is always happy for his teammates - but pretty much everything else you say about him I agree with. He barks too much and lacks courage to stay with the play above all other things. With the addition of Robson (yeah - I'll try to get this thread back on topic I think it's time to let Thor go. He was a good pick up on paper, and proved some character when he re-signed for us with a lower wage this year, but he simply doesn't have the wheels, the skill, or (most importantly for us right now) the durability we need. The difference for me between Atiba and Thor is that Atiba provides something we really need on the team - the ability to hold and distribute the ball from upfield positions - and that Atiba doesn't have a long history of being injured. *If* he's fragile, then there's no point in keeping him, but Jay had one bad injury run that was not an issue before or (knock on wood) after, and I'm hoping the same for Atiba, which is why I say keep him. With Robson in, I say Thor goes. And sportie1, could you maybe chill a bit? Hassli is a decent guy - not nearly the monster you seem to be painting him as - and it's not really that important to be right all the time. This is a forum, not a court case. PS - I think our recent trade with the Union renders a Bocanegra pickup impossible.
i have not met him personally, but all i am commenting on- and this is a comment board-- is his style of play which is poor to say the least and he shows no signs of being willing to turn his ship around-- he is 31 and he is what he is-- i doubt if rennie or the FO are happy with him- if he does last until the end of the season, then i doubt the Caps will be foolish enough to resign him, especially at $800 000-- its all about his results ON the field and that is what i am commenting on the boca deal may not be dead-- the Caps have some allocation money and a 1st round draft pick to play with-- a trade, for a higher allocation position, with an existing Cap player, along with the draft pick, to move up the allocation ladder in order to get Boca is a possibility (if allocation is needed at all to get him and that is now in dispute since it appears that the Gers have not followed proper procedure with their existing players and perhaps the players, including Boca, are free and able to sign with any1) having robson and boca join the Caps would be a BIG upgrade and make the Caps a serious contender IMO