2012 Pittsburgh Panthers (R)

it's Mike Baker...formerly of Middle Tennessee State here near Nashville.

 

And its Greg Miller, head coach.

 

As a future Pitt parent, I'm keeping an eye on the season. Great way to start, fingers crossed for tomorrow!!

 

From everything I am hearing the new staff have created a positive learning/competitive environment and have been doing a great job of establishing a winning culture. They still have a lot of work to do this year. However, after seeing them play in their last three games I like the direction Greg and his staff is taking this program. It also helps that they have a great 2013 /2014 class headed their way.

 

Agree, lots of work and a steep (very steep) hill next year in the ACC. But I for one can't wait!!

 

I agree but they are putting together the right pieces ( top notch GK who has the tools to step in and probably start right away, back 4 to go the distance, a midfield based on a nice international and domestic blend and a strike force once they stays healthy will be a welcome surprise in the ACC. I understand youth will be served but it will be a good base to begin the ACC climb. As we all know its not going to happen overnight. However, I have a funny feeling that it may happen sooner that most people think.

 

http://www.pittsburghpanthers.com/sports/w-soccer/recaps/090712aaa.html. Pitt goes 1-1 Tough Big East test on Thursday

 

go T, did you uncross your fingers, I was not impressed with Pittsburgh's play at Depaul. Saladking, It was very hard for me to see any showcasing from your "strike force" when it appeared to me that your midfield didn't work the ball in any part of your game today. Are they not supposed to be controlling your game? I am sorry to say that I don't see your team going very far without a productive midfield.

 

Sadly (or maybe not) I didn't see the game, just saw the final tally. Can only guess that they were reeling from a decent showing vs the Irish.

Would like to see them wake up and show some consistency, but that may take a bit longer :-(

 

After doing some research on your season, I have to agree go T and hope the best for your team. It appears that your team is not creating opportunities for attempts on goal, whether it be shots from your midfield or your forwards. And I am going out on a limb here, that the lack of service from your midfields to your forwards may be your problem. you definitely have/had controlling and passing issues and a couple of issues on your D from what I saw. Good luck go T

 

I must agree. I had a chance to see both games this weekend. On Friday they came out and played a very good game against Notre Dame. Should have been up 1-0 in the first 3 minutes after one of their kids missed an opportunity on a break away. They had a few more chances and didn't capitalize on them. As we all know against a very good team like Notre Dame you have to take full advantage of your limited scoring opportunities. The game on Sunday was not very good at all. I am one of those people who don't get to caught up with stats because they can be very deceiving from a distance. However, that being said, it was very bad on Sunday. DePaul basically outworked them. I have seen them play 5 games this year. It's not just a midfield thing, they have to finish their opportunities. In the big picture as I have said before, as their staff begin to bring in their own players I expect Pitt to be fine. They need to get the most out of the present players they have. I would say they have 7 players on their present roster who can truly play at this level.

 

Agree for the most part, you do have to capitalize on your scoring chances, but I do believe that a stronger, better passing midfield would create more scoring opportunities, but I'll go with your "lack of quality players" all around, because your D looked like they had a melt-down in the Depaul game too. I didn't see your Notre Dame game to comment. I like to read about the Big East soccer and I would die to see Pitt play Rutgers. They have the same thing going on.

 

Yes the midfield has been definitely an issue from what I have seen thus far. However, the connection of passes has been affected in all three phases of their game backs mids and strikers. The back line has been carrying them for a while though. The few games I have seen they just don't have the players presently to be consistent. When they go to their bench the drop off is significant. I still felt Depaul outworked them on Sunday. They simply cracked under the consistent pressure DePaul provided. As they gave away the ball in possession in the middle and attacking third of the field, DePaul took full advantage of their opportunities. I do plan to maintain my support for this program though. I truly believe this year is the first step to improving significantly as a program. The ACC presents many challenges. However, I am confident that they will do all the little things to be eventually relevant . Hope to see them play again before their season is over as well.

 

I track recruiting classes and now see Pitt join the top 50 for the first time with your projected 2013 class. This is a good start gearing up for the ACC! I hope that the Panthers will match this 2013 class and do even better year after year. The whole ACC will be rooting for you to get strong and mix it up with us!

 

Rough weekend for the Panther faithful. Friday they threw away an opportunity to defeat a good Villanova team.In the process they suffered a crushing defeat and it seems like they never recovered as they were pummeled by a fresh Gtown squad on Sunday. Too many errors in their defensive end of the field and they were punished each time. Looking forward to see how they move forward from this

 

Home field embarrassment? Inconsistency? Your substitute stats show plentiful minutes, that's strange when in conference play, especially when someone noted above that the bench drop off was so drastic. We'll take any help if that's the case. We play you this week but good luck to your Panthers!

 

I would probably say both. I saw the game online and Gtown scored on their first three shots. They could not contain the Corboz kid. The starters looked tired. Not sure if they were still recovering from Friday's tough loss. Maybe that is why they used more of the players on the bench. It was 5-0 at the half as well. So maybe that is why the players on the bench were used. As you can tell I am not quite sure. However, this lost will not waiver my support for the Panthers. I believe in this staff and the vision they have for the future. I know they will not give up on this team. Those 4 coaches are not built like that. Plus they know the future is bright. Good luck to your team as well.

 

They will end up doing a good job there it is shocking the program hasn't succeeded in the past. Nice looking facility (although new), good academic reputation and headed to ACC. Tough to see how any staff who has even half an idea can fail to at least compete. Fully expect the program to develop quickly.

 

Pitt lost at Syracuse last night 2-0. Shots were 22-5 and corners were 10-0 in Syracuse's favor, so it wasn't much of a game. Both teams are heading to the ACC and probably both will struggle initially with the play and speed. But Syracuse is 5-1-1 in the Big East while Pitt is 0-6-1, so looks like Syracuse is miles and miles ahead as far as where these programs are trying to get to. How good are Pitt's recruits? Because it looks like help is needed and soon.

 

Pitt has lined up some solid recruits for the next two classes, but those classes are not ACC quality yet. Recruiting is job #1 for the coaching staff if the Panthers are to avoid being the doormat of the ACC. (If you look at Clemson, it can be done. They will be climbing out of the cellar soon with their incoming recruits. Pitt needs to so the same.)

We ACC fans, are absolutely rooting for all teams (especially Pitt) to get strong so that every league team can legitimately compete in the conference.

Go Panthers!