I think he rotates especially during congested parts of the season so i think he will see plenty of action if healthy
Artur’s appearances and minutes in the league since joining Cbus: 2017 - 24 apps (1,702 mins) 2018 - 32 apps (2,785 mins) 2019 - 30 apps (2,452 mins) 2020 - 23 apps (1,923mins, includes MLS is Back Tourney) 2021 - 6 apps (433 mins) There are minutes to be had, especially with the congested schedule. Plus, Artur couldn’t get fit all year. Hard to say if it’s a one-off or the start of a trend. I’d be fine giving Morris minutes and sort of doing load management with Artur. And don’t forget everyone, Nagbe is 31, turns 32 midseason. He’s had some issues as well. Maybe Porter pulls his head out of his ass and we even see a 4-3-3??? (Yeah right lol).
Pot, kettle, black with regards to health comparing Morris and Artur. Look will he get minutes, probably, will he transform our midfield, unlikely. Could happen, but I wouldn't take those odds.
Vito is our version of Tony Mandarich. He looks like he could and should anchor a brutal and punishing line. But at the end of the day, he is slow, fluffy, and injury prone. Why was Hurtado that bad? Was curious and looked at other forwards who came in to contribute while ultimately making less than 10 caps. Between Hurtado, Razov, and Sanneh, there are less than 30 appearances and Hurtado is the only one without a goal.
But Etienne's been a professional soccer player for several years; he just turned 25. While he might still develop, at this point in his career, you pretty much know what you have in him: a bubble MLS starter, but ideally a sub for someone who's a more consistent performer. Re: Morris, he's a 20 year old player who's been pretty damned solid in the few - but some pretty high profile - performances we've seen thus far. There's no guarantee that he'll continue to develop, but there's at least the possibility that he will. He seems not only to possess the physical skill, but a pretty impressive soccer brain. As stranger says, we'll have to wait and see, but the kid shows promise. In any event, I don't see any real comparison between Morris and Etienne. They're at different points in their careers. Artur, well, I wish I had more confidence that he'd be match fit by February. But even if he is, anyone who assumes that Morris won't get much playing time because Nagbe and Artur are the clear and obvious starters hasn't been playing much attention to our injury lists of late.
I think reports later in September were that Artur and Morris were both participating in practice. I lean towards match fit by February for Artur. Once again, the OP stated he thinks a healthy Morris can "transform our midfield" which I disagreed with. Will Morris get minutes and contribute, absolutely he will. Will he transform our midfield, not so likely.
If we could be assured of having two 100% healthy from among Nagbe, Morris and Artur for the majority of games I would feel pretty good about the Crew's d-mid situation. But this past season makes that look like a fantasy. I feel like a conspiracy theorist because I still wonder what the heck happened with Artur's multiple surgeries this season. And that contributes to the uncertainty about his future.
Artur played with a hernia pretty much all of 2020 and still seemed more physical than ever. I believe he's had core (hernia and groin) and hamstring injuries before. He might have over done it. Factor in maybe an unsuccessful surgery or rehab, and there you go.
I think you are underestimating just how bad he was. A journeyman athlete should not play like he did. I swear his workout routine consisted of skipping leg day and working on his Jersey tan.
If both Artur and Morris are healthy, I could easily see a 4-3-3 formation. Artur as the 6 with the twin 8s of Nagbe and Morris. Let Lucas float out on the left, Diaz ready to spring down the right channel and a striker up top. But more likely we stick with the 4-2-3-1 and we have a decent corps of guys who can play in the deep 6-8 roles. While Hairston was a decent surprise with his play in midfield this year, the best I would say of his performances is "fine." A competitive team needs more from that spot. Hopefully we can get that from guys already on the roster.
Morris had a freak ligament tear, it happens. Artur had a reoccurring muscle issue that required surgery after half a season of failed rehab. Slightly different.
Right. Artur developed a chronic condition that hopefully will respond to rest and PT. The hernia seems maybe to have been a result of that condition but, you know, I'm not Doc Edwards so what do I know? In any event, he played through pain in 2020, and then lost an entire season in 2021 to that condition. It seems to be treatable in most cases, but if it flares up again, he'll need to sit until the inflammation and pain go away. Anyway, if both players are healthy, I doubt Morris will bump Artur form the starting XI. Nor do I care if he does. But I would expect Morris to get constant minutes on the U-23 team if that's the case and to have plenty of opportunities to play for the senior team. Personally, I don't think he'll "transform the midfield" this coming season. I mean, if Artur and Nagbe are healthy, I don't think that portion of the midfield needs much transforming. But over the next couple of seasons, yeah, I could see Morris placing his stamp on the midfield.
Hairston is the kind of guy you want to have on your roster for when a starter's out due to injury or on national team duty and you need someone to play a wednesday game in between two weekend matches. 10-15 games started a year, not 20+
People are forgetting that we are talking about a 20 year old so you have to take multiple factors into play. He forced himself into the lineup during our playoff and cup victory. Etienne has 2 goals in 50 Crew appearances. He is not a good player. Sure, he had a good game but over the course of two full seasons he has proven that he should be a depth player at best. I think generally fans under estimate how terrible our wing play has been for the better part of two seasons. Of the course of the 2021 and 2020 seasons our wingers; Santos (know some left back), Etienne, Diaz, Matan and Molino have played a combined 9,785 minutes and combined scored 14 goals which means one goal every 698 minutes. This team has to get more production from the wingers.
Same goes for Etienne. He's not a difference maker off the bench, but makes a guy you can trust to be competent if he has to start. I like Hairston as a guy that can give you 30 minutes at any time though I'd like to see him start fewer than 10 games if we're looking to be a contender.
It's not a stretch to think he could have an impact. It is a stretch to expect him to have an impact.
Got a Room. 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 ✍️#Crew96 re-signs @EloyRoom.— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) December 3, 2021 Columbus Crew today announced it has re-signed Eloy Room, securing the goalkeeper through the 2023 season with a Club option for 2024.
I'm pretty "meh" on that. I'd like us to find a younger replacement to fill in behind him and push to start.