We have NO ONE who is a force in the air. So let's play a 4-4-2 with two central dmids who are supposed to get the ball out to the wings..... to cross in. Pegasus had a great suggestion since we don't have a true right back....3-4-3 Or if we're going to keep playing Bonseu and hope he doesn't give away 6-7 balls a game, play a damn 4-3-3. If we're going to get countered to death this year, let's at least score more goals. ---Davis-Rhine-Kreis --------Chivas-- ----Deering--Stone Broome-M--Suarez-Bonseu Anyone else starting to think that Steve Morrow is TOO slow? Nice game sense and positioning, but he's toast in a footrace.
is it me or will jeffries shoot Kreis in the foot before he changes formations? the guy is too conservative to switch things up that much. i'm resigned to sucking until Pareja gets back.
I felt that Kreis should have been the one subbed out during half time. EJ was having a good game. I hate it when Jeffries does this: Forward for a forward.
I was thinking more along the line of Eddie in the center of three forwards since he seems to like to post up. __Davis/Chivas____Eddie_____Kreis___ Broome__Deering/Stone__Oscar____Vaca _____Gbandi___Morrow____Suarez___
I know he's everyones favorite whipping boy, but some decent passes not just loft hospital balls might help. Another thing is you have to give young players time. Look at the teams that develope young players, they have patience and after a while it pays off. All we have to do is make the playoffs. Last year we did good early and a lot of good that did.
While Pegasus is something of an EJ apologist, there is something to what he says. Quite honestly, the balls that are coming out of the midfield toward the forwards are crap. About the only thing that our midfielders know how to do at the moment is send a nice, high ball into the box or across the box, or launch a long ball for our wingers or forwards to chase down. Nothing on the ground, nothing through the middle, nothing with any sort of penetration or imagination. Now, I don't think that EJ had a very good game last night, but I also think that our midfield gets even more responsibility for the utter toothlessness of our attack thus far this season.
When a forward stands with his hand on their hips instead of running he needs to be subbed out. EJ should have been pulled at 25 instead of waiting until 45. It is maturity that teaches not to pout when you get behind. Maybe EJ can learn that by playing the PDL teams.
Speaking of PDL teams, how did the Burn reserves do agains the Spurs on Sunday? Did anyone go to the game?
I won't repeat the posts about good service to EJ, but I will make note of how a teams' form changes when they're down 2 early. Davis is a classic example of how a teams' attack (and, therefore, defense) changes. Brad is a laid-back kinda-guy (if you get a chance to talk to him, you'll immediately get the same impression). He likes to distribute and setup his teammates (hence the beautiful service to Kreis the week prior). But Davis is not ignorant. He'll push, take shots (even when he's never been put in that position on a game-to-game basis in his short MLS career) and try to get back on the counter as quick and effective as he can when his team is down 2 early (or down 1 late). A coach would expect nothing different. What really should be pointed out is that these guys haven't had much game time together. Granted we've been forced into different formations due to injury, but the fact that EJ, Davis, Behncke, and "The Switch" are very new - in regards to playing together and establishing chemistry, is something that has to be respected. Buzz has stated that "these things take time"; and I have to agree 100%. And, simply put, EJ fits right in with this equation. Don't be surprised if he grows right along with the new insertions - on a steady, gradual basis.
I went. here is my quicky report I posted this morning, I am working on a longer one. http://www.3rddegree.net/ BURN RESERVES DEFEAT LAKE CHARLES (PDL) 3-0 --Goals: Cerritos (12', 55'), Salyer (74') Lineup: Cerritos, Rosenband, Martinez, Stone, Behncke, Rhine, Gbandi, Salyer, Thomas, Bussey, Cassar Subs: 60' - Haynes for Behncke (Haynes CB, Salyer LB, Gbandi LW, Martinez CM); 75' - Behncke for Cassar (yes in goal); 78' - Cassar for Rhine (Cassar F, Rosenband RM)
It was more a case of Cassar harrasing him to get up there for some action. Lake Charles did not have a single shot on Cassar and he was bored. First shot for them came on a long shott direct from the restart when Behncke was still trying to put his gloves on.
Any quick comments on how Gbandi and Stone looked? I really want to see those two make their way into the starting XI.
As we know, Gbandi has a real high skill level. 90 minute fitness is getting better, but he still tired toward the end. He also is still not 100% into the flow with the Burn system, but he is making attacking runs and getting stronger with his tem shape. If/when the BUrn start getting ahead in games I would like to see him get minutes. Stone is everywhere, work rate and ball winning continue to be extraordinary. Every time LC picked up the ball, Stone was there putting in a tackle. He is still misfiring ona couple passes here and there, and is just missing the decisive pass to turn the game. Certainly I would be comfortable putting him in an MLS game as a pur ball winner. He is not ready to make the connection to the forwards and get forward himself on a consistant MLS basis. He does continue to improve however.