Heading into the Playoffs...

Has Nicol ever rested starters the last few games before the playoffs? I don't think so. Right now it's all about mind set/mental toughness and gaining momentum. You don't do that by resting players. Besides, the Rev roster has had a relatively light schedule since the break.

As for what tack Nicol will take against KC: No way he starts off to play for a draw. This team need to recapture it's winning mentality. IMO, if Nicol has anything to say about it the Revs will be playing balls-to-the-wall mindset from here till they raise THE Cup.

 

But I thought they were tired?? Oh yeah that's right you just rest players during tournaments when you have something win!

 

In mid season when the team was dealing with both injuries and a very taxing schedule they were and had good reason to be very tired and no rational person would say otherwise. They then had a 9 day break to rest and recoup. Since the break no rational person would assert what's going on with this team has anything to do with being tired.

 

I vote for some sorta white out or whatever, just to get the crowd into it. If everybody just stood up for most of the game it would be such a better atmosphere.

 

I wouldn't mind if they got on their feet for just corner kicks and other exciting parts of the game and sat the rest of the time...but those are pie-in-the-sky things that'll probably never happen at Gillette. Just getting everyone in the Fort to wear the same color hasn't happened yet.

 

Never-the-less, the post Superliga form is directly related to the mind set and mental toughness approach they deliberately took relative to USOC and CCL. The approach there spilled over heavily into their MLS play and they still haven't gotten back on form (for more than 10 - 30 min at a time). You could argue it was very tough to balance the injuries/fatigue with mental attitude but the end result has been right before our eyes.

If they had gone out and torn up the league with a super hot streak, SN would have been a genius. Since they have done just the opposite I think it is standard fare in the sporting world for him to be a goat.

I agree that he will probably not change up too much the last 3 games (although I fear the 4-4-2 experiments may recommence). He should try to get Dube and Mansally back on form. If there is anyone who can play AM should Ralston go down, now is the time to give that 30 min per game or so. And finally, despite Badilla-the-saviour, I wouldn't mind rehabilitating Igwe. Try a few Albright-less back lines.

 

Really?

That's from the Colorado game...the one that was at the end of that 9 day break, yet he still blamed it on the team being tired.

 

SN's Colorado comment may have bought him a week of slack, but nobody can seriously claim that fatigue is the primary problem now. We're playing poorly.

 

Chalk it up to B.S. excuses. They had more than enough rest. They just aren't playing.

 

Fixed yer post, boss

Stepping off the gas after SuperLiga has come back to bite us in the nether regions. Yes, we had an amazing amount of injuries. Again, we had a less-than-full roster. But if the wheels haven't come off, they're certainly daaaaaamn wobbly!

 

So I was probably premature when I booked a nonrefundable flight to LA for MLS Cup, way back in August? Maybe I could sell it to a Crew hooligan.

 

It is kind of sad that we can't even get to the Cup for our usual heartbreak.

 

I've resigned myself to the fact that I'll probably be watching someone other than the REVs at MLS cup. And my tickets are not refundable either.

Lots to do in LA though, it will be a good trip regardless.

 

Guys (and girls, of course), we've being a bit manic depressive here about our team. Two months ago, some of us were talking about the treble (or even quintuple), now, even though we've made the playoffs, we don't have a chance. This isn't the way we've usually gone into the playoffs, I'll grant you, but maybe a change of MO isn't such a bad thing for this team.

 

But Mike "Cool as a Cucumber" Burns isn't feeling any pressure....