Backe didn't trade for Ballouchy. And who did we give away to get him and how did the trade work out for the Rapids? They got the guy who scored the MLS Cup winning goal. Backe didn't pick up DeRo only to let him go a few weeks later. Backe didn't fire his assistants. Backe didn't give up last year's 1st round pick, a promising midfielder, to gain another international spot. Backe didn't use our 3rd DP on a 38-year-old unemployed German goalkeeper. No, it's amazing how the Sporting Director has been out of the line of fire through this rough patch. I'm not saying Backe hasn't been consulted or involved in those decisions, but the buck stops where? With the Sporting Director, not the Head Coach.
Soler has hit the nail on the head with a lot of his signings, Lindpere and Tainio specifically, but people seem so impressed by these few pieces of business that they no longer even consider him a source of blame for the rest of the team's problems.
We play with no energy or ugency andainst a team that is playing 3rd game in 8 days tonight.. We need a new coach and some new offensive creators on this team in the midfield.
I guess he wasn't sure about Dax and Ballouchy being a disaster and tried it again. And of course takes Dax and not Ballouchy off.
Ridiculous that he would start that center midfield pairing again after Colorado, unbelievable decision.
This team Isn't motivated at all. I know they're grown, pro athletes, but there comes a time when a manager needs to be able to make a difference and boost morale. He is in charge of managing this team, and he's done so poorly. There has to be a change if we don't win next week. I don't think it's in the question... Anyone have Jose Mourinho on speed dial?
The correct question is, not convinced that Backe is part of the problem, not that he is the only or even the most significant one.
In retrospect this baffles me so much. Was it really to free up space for Rost, alone? All of the power moves seemed to indicate we were making a big push for this season, and so getting rid of DeRo was a huge contradiction. Judging by his play so far, McCarty doesn't seem to have much upside, either. 24 is not so young. Yeah, we were conceding a lot of goals, but Rafa and Tim were gone [and we still are conceding a lot of goals--especially whenever Teemu is injured]. Hans can't really still think that Ballouchy is Zidane. He's not even the MLS version of Zidane.
someone pm me when this douche bag is fired..... And for all the people that defend him. Look at his track record.... it speaks for itself.
what would you do if you were manager? I honestly dont think the team is that good, particularly when 2 or 3 starters are out. While Ballouchy is average, he is one of the more mobile guys out there, so I can see why he gets the call when Taino is out. The backline NEEDS Ream and Rafa, so forget putting Rafa as CM. The offense sucks since Luke got hurt, because he did all of the runs and harrying up front, making room for Henry or making runs for Henry to assist. Dane has gone off the boil, but I wonder if its just a case of teams playing him tighter? He has the first touch of jack the ripper in most instances, so he needs space to run onto the ball behind the defense. Play him tight, and he has to pass backwards or cut inside. He is effectively marked out of the game. That leaves an Henry who so clearly has achilles problems, and either Joel or Ballouchy to make something happen. Juan's first touch is usually a tad better than Dane's, and he has a lot to learn. In short, we have the pieces to shore up the defense, so lets do it. Leave Rafa back there and fix what we can. After that, we need some cohesion in the middle. Joel is more dangerous at LW, but his stewardship is needed at CM until Taino returns. That leaves us out of balance at LW, which makes Dane's RW spot even more important. Again, if he's marked out, then the only channel left is Henry/Juan. This explains our offensive woes. I dont see how any manager can sort this out. It has to come from the players.
The guy is in some kind of massive denial. I'm starting to really dislike him - from the stubborn refusal to make subs, the ridiculous automatic starting of Ballouchy, the way he mismanaged the keepers, the US Open Cup debacle, etc. etc. I hope it comes out some day why Richie got fired. Hopefully it wasn't some kind of old school disciplinary punishment from Hans.
Sums it up. Wish I could fire Hans, bring in Richie (3rd time) and roll the dice. I think Hans built a fine team for Europe. But back home (US, I mean) things got difficult. Demonstrating the expected Swedish agility and adaptability, Hans changed nothing, while changing everybody. Deck chairs / Titanic. Leaving Joel standing on the burning deck.
Juan Agudelo played in New York's reserve win today over Philadelphia. Juan Agudelo. Why is an American international, and our second best healthy forward on the club, playing reserve games? I have only one guess: Medhi Ballouchy.
The season is lost. He's probably gone at the end of the year but I don't think he is gonna be gone now and I don't think it matters anymore.
It's interesting bc you guys had a good team last year, it just seems like they kept making too many changes like you said. And I don't think that moving Marquez into defense helped at all. He seemed much better last year in the midfield. Just my two cents. But I agree that it seems that Backe has lost control of this team. But firing him now while the team still has a chance to make the playoffs is a decision that few GMs or Technical Directors will make. In the end you're stuck with him at least until after the playoffs. Now if you're stuck with him underachieving as long as TO was stuck with Mo Johnston, then you have problems.
A team that bounced back in the face of adversity like the Bulls did last night haven't exactly given up on their coach. We have no central midfield. Can't play the short-passing style Hans was bragging about with the likes of Ballouchy there. I like McCarty but we never should have gotten rid of DeRo or DaLuz. The problem's been with Soler, who has made some of the most mind-boggling transfers in our history. And that's saying something.