I was thinking about it, and why not try to play Johnson and Williams together as CMs in the November friendlies? They're both great defensively, decent in attack, and should have a great understanding of one another since they play for the same club. I'm thinking something along the lines of this: ---------Altidore---------- ------Dempsey------------ Shea--------------Donovan -----Williams-Johnson----- Chandler---------Cherundolo -------Boca-Onyewu------- ----------Howard---------- This line up would get Shea, Donovan, Altidore, and Dempsey all in their optimal positions, imo of course. I really think that this lineup has some serious potential. Thoughts?
williams said himself in an interview that his best position is CM. I feel that williams at RM is a temporary thing. With more experience i think JK will trust him to man the center.
I'm all for *trying* them both together at some point, but: Williams just joined Hoffenheim recently and has started one game, meanwhile Johnson is currently injured... how many minutes have they even played together? I know Johnson missed the game Williams started, I think it might be zero. Do Edu and Bocanegra now have more chemistry now because they play together? Donovan-Buddle at the World Cup? Putting our best 11 out there is most important, of course that certainly could include both of these guys...
My thought is that Johnson is not a D-mid. Nor has he ever been a D-mid. He has spent his career in attacking midfield positions (mostly wide) and left back. Positions, by the way, where we have much less talent and depth than we do a CM.
Williams need to play in the position Beckerman played and I want to see how Fabian Johnson plays haven't been able to see him play.
What teams frequently utilize the same formation? Oh Man United, Man City? Some of the best teams in the world? Good to see that you judge based upon formation and not how players actually function.
Usually one of the CMs in a 4-4-1-1 take more of an attacking role. I would like to see this role fulfilled by Johnson if he's ever played at CM with Williams.
Bad examples. In offense both use a 4-3-3 and when they are defending it morphs into a 4-5-1. In Europe United tends to use a static 4-4-2, but usually it's a more generic 4-5-1. A combination formation of 4-3-3 and 4-5-1 is the preferred by most clubs these days. Countries are evolving that way too if you look at Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, and Argentina.
easy fix... johnson pushes forward and Williams plays dmid.... similar to what Edu and Beckerman are suppose to be doing
That just simply isn't true. United usually plays a 4-4-1-1 with Rooney as the dropped back striker in both Europe and league games. I will give it to you that sometimes City does play a 4-3-3 in attack, but that's really only when Aguero feels like going to the left wing. Usually they play a 4-4-1-1 like I posted with Aguero as the dropped back striker. That stated, the two best Club teams in the world (Barcelona and Real Madrid) do play a 4-3-3 like you said, and the rest of the world is gravitating toward that formation because it's usually a good idea to learn from the best.
Yep. I fee like it goes without saying that one of the CMs in any posted formation is going to be expected to attack more than the other. For example, if I post Bradley and Beckerman next to each other, it would be stupid to assume that I want them both to attack and defend equally.
The best "German" combination is Jones and Williams in the middle and Johnson either at fullback or wing. But in the Double-Six, which is what Jones+Williams would be, the fullbacks need to go forward more. Despite this, the coaching staff keeps 'Dolo on a tight leash. Hypothetically, Chandler (right) and Johnson "left" would be capable aggressive fullbacks that would augment the US "wide" players tendency to pinch in. However, Klinsmann would have to let them play that way and, so far, he hasn't.
I'm gonna call for this again after watching part of the Hoffenheim game. Both Johnson and Williams had good games, although Johnson started on the left. Again, Johnson would be the "8" and Willliams would be the traditional "6" in this formation if you want to look at it that way.
JJ gets a "2.5", Williams a "3" and Johnson a "3.5" for their weekend action. And the only way Kyle Beckerman will get to a Bundesliga stadium is if he buys a ticket.