Franklin looked very comfortable last night. And aren't Vanney and Xavier both about 35? Playing only one at a time saves them up better for the long haul of the season. If Abel isn't going to play on turf anyway, then play Vanney for those games and play Xavier the games before and after. What's wrong with having one experienced, slower, stronger back accompanied by a younger faster partner each game? So is there any chance Gullit may use this method?
After Franklin's performance in the center, I think we will see this. We also have Julian Valentin. Valentin looked good in one of the friendlies, but he hasn't played since.
Judging by Ruud's post game comments on Franklin, I'll expect to see him in central defense until he messes up. Coach Ruud Gullit was perhaps the most voluble I've seen him after the game, uncharacteristically heaping praise on such young players as Ely Allen and Palmdale's Sean Franklin. "I was extremely happy with Sean," Gullit said. "He was really, really good. He has composure on the ball, he's quick and he checks forward." http://www.insidesocal.com/soccer/ I think making X wait for a chance again would be a good decision and would send the right message
we looked immeasurably better in defense last night. sure we were playing against a terrible team, and there were moments when i thought better teams might punish us, but i like the system. ruud actually seems to pay attention to the strengths and weaknesses of players and modified our formation accordingly. it'll be interesting to see how we measure up against a good team, but i'm glad we get another soft opponent to build confidence next sunday.
i love that idea arkjayback, i also think that franklin might better be converted to a corner back like yesterday permanently, i just love the way klein has been playing. and franklin had a unrookielike game yesterday, really impressed me..
I was also really impressed with Franklin in the middle. Although slightly undersized, he has some hops and could really get up on those clearance headers. But even more importantly, I thought his positioning and speed allowed him to close down space quickly. I think that actually helped Vanney play a better game, as he was able to sit back and be the "quarterback' of the defense and keep things organized.
I can only remember him winning one contested header last night. Maybe there were more, but he lost almost every single 50-50% challenge in the air. Not complaining, because he did a super job, but it was the one area of weakness he showed.
Definitely I noticed that too. It was the one flaw against him as he is a bit of a slight guy. I could see him being outmuscled by some of the power forwards in the league like Ching. Having said that, Vanney was equally as bad in the air last night. I could see X paired with Franklin eventually as a possible solution. X is still above average defensively in the air.
But in all fairness, I didn't see too many of our players winning the 50-50 balls in the air. I was super impressed with both Franklin and I thought McDonald played well in mid too. Randolph made some stupid mistakes, but he played loads better than Mike Gavin did last week. All in all it was a great victory and we played much better. We kept possession most of the time, attacked the ball on defense and shut down their space. And seeing Becks and Donovan score and assist each other was icing on the cake.
I was real impressed with Sean Franklin. Nobody got the best of him. I don't recall him letting anyone turn on him. He's already made me forget Tye Harden. I hope he continues to start.
I think this is a terrific idea. That way they both stay fresh, and we can mix the youth and experience well.
Personally I'm ready for Valentin. He and franklin together would create a bigger engine on defense than one or the other paired up with the higher salaried defensive players.
This might be far fetched, but if Xavier didnt lose his cool in the box and we get bumm call, then Xavier didnt get toasted a couple times, and Xavier getting red carded and pumping the teams up so much... maybe, just maybe there wouldnt have been such a reckless tackle on Ruiz. Ya know, the whole butterfly effect and chaos theory here.
... or just put your four best defenders out there at the same time: Vanney---X---Franklin---Klein Left back has been our weakness. Vanney has plenty of left back experience and is way better defensively than Randolph or Gavin.
Interesting. This might just work. It does feature 4 players technically out of position though. But I still like it. Maybe bring in Randolph as an early 2nd half sub to exploit the tired legs of the other team with his pace.
Are you out of your ********ing gourd? Vanney at Right back? And who do you replace him with in the 30th minute when he passes out from exhaustion trying to keep up with Beckham. Klein is a right-sided player. That's it. You can't just say "oh, he'll do great on the left". No. He's a great right-sided wing or a good right-back option. He's played right-sided midfield almost his whole career. You can't just drop him into left back. Randolph is a major help to our offense in a way that neither Vanney or X, or Jazic could ever be. Last night's line-up was just fine. We should rotate Vanney and X so they don't get injured, rotate in franklin and valentin so they can play together. And rotate Gavin and Randolph (who is faster and more creative in the left back position than anyone we've had in the last 5 years).
Perhaps you should read more carefully before you throw a hissy fit. My suggestion is Vanney at left back (where he has much experience), X and Franklin in the middle, and Klein at right back. Yes, with my suggestion you lose the left back getting into the attack, but, in my opinion, our greater need is to have more defensive strength at the left back position than either Randolph or Gavin provide (they both get burned ... a lot). It's not a speed issue. It's a positioning issue. Vanney does not get burned like Randolph and Gavin do. Both Donovan (from the withdrawn forward position) and Pires (from the central mid position) can help out Allen on the left. I don't think my suggestion is all that crazy. It just puts more value on having four strong defenders.
IMHO Vanney is now too slow to play left back. His lack of pace can be compensated for (somewhat) with his positioning, when playing centrally. But out on the flank you have to do a lot of one-on-one man marking and Vanney would just get toasted way too much because what little speed he once possessed has now left.... In the game last night agaisnt SJ, I saw flashes of the Randolph from last season, and I'd like to give him more opportunities to progress and show to Ruud (and us) that he can lock down that left side and make that position his. That way, Gavin becomes our depth, and Jazic (if we keep him) can become more depth in central defense....
Did you not watch the Colorado game, where he clotheslined an attacker that had just run past him? Did you not see the part where he gave up and jogged on the third goal, even though if he had kept sprinting, there was a chance he could have kept the ball out.
Randolph and Franklin have shown a ton of potential and are more likely improve throughout the season than two 35 year old veterans, so they should get more chances and more PT. We already know most of what we're going to get from Xavier and Vanney and the style is similar. You really don't need two very similar center backs, it's better if they compliment each other with contrasting styles. Also, if there is only one of them back there at a time, then there is one unquestioned leader on the back line for each game.
Vanney was a fine fine left back in his first stint w/ LAG. That was then. This is now. He no longer has the speed to make overlapping runs, and his crosses from the left are no better than his outlet passing from center. Randolph IS a work in progress and will make mistakes. He also makes our left side attack credible, which is essential if Beckham is ever going to see room to roam on the right. We cannot be a one sided (right handed) team or we will be easy to defend notwithstanding Beckham's skills. Lets give Mike a chance to grow into the left back we need.
I think in Franklin you are looking at LA's centerback for years to come. Neither Vanney nor X can play outside back - both are way too slow. Ergo, either Vanney or X will be on the bench unless a) Franklin is injured, or b) Klein is injured and Ruud is forced to move Franklin back to right back. The good thing about this is we now have a little depth at that position so there won't be such a big drop off when Vanney or X gets injured. And the great thing about this development? --- We may never have to watch Roberts foul, trip, or get dusted again! ---
Isn't that what we were saying about Nathan Sturgis a year ago. Please, please, let this kid develop. Do not trade him to RSL for the rights to Jason Kreiss (in case he ever makes a comeback as a player.)
I have seen a few suggestions about Vanney at left back. IMO, bad idea especially against Toronto who has Wynn who likes to bomb up the side lines with pace to burn. He's a little out of control but could run past Vanney with out trying. I also think its important to have Randolph making runs up the sideline to keep Wynn at home and honest.