Don't know how many of you have already discovered Phil Ball on Soccernet, but along with Uli whatsisname (who writes similar pieces on German footy) and our own Ian Plenderaith (sp?), I think he's among the best going. Great article on midfield pairings in Spain that (IMHO) goes a long way to explaing why we suck and are likely to continue sucking even if we had forwards who, like, shot and, occassionally, scored. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/feature?id=266935&cc=5901 Williams and Etch in their heydey filled these exact roles to perfection, but with Etch over the hill and Williams fast approaching the same point, the pairing just didn't work in recent years. Either of the two probably could have done well with a better counterpart (as RW is showing in Metroland), but neither could peform in that particular pairing. Now we've got an aged Etch and NO ONE playing the role of "hunting dog." Bad combination and a surefire results killer.
I agree that the article on midfield combos in La Liga is a great read. However, I don't think it provides much insight into the problems here with United. Hudson has recognized that he needs "legs" around Etcheverry. Until the last match, Etcheverry has, generally, been effective. The team issues aren't that Etcheverry doesn't have a good foil. Or that the D-mid play has been terrible (pulling Marco back onto defense or forcing him to win balls or denying him touches). I actually think our possession and ball winning (except for the last game and part of the Colorado match) has been good. I think: 1. Finishing has been terrible. 2. Willingness to take chances has been bad (exemplified in the lack of shots on goal for one thing). 3. Organization in the final third of the field as been bad. Runs don't get rewarded. Play gets tentative. 4. We are too willing to backpass rather than try for quick surges downfield. 5. Setpieces (primarily corners) have been mediocre. Also, I think that when Ivanov (who should get a chance to play tonight) moves into the central organizer spot, Nelsen moves into D-mid. Playing with a central mid (Kovalenko or Convey) who has some legs and gets forward, that is a good combo with decent division of roles.
Lord only knows what is going on with DC these days. I can't tell you analytically and tactically what is wrong. I just watch a team that so clearly doesn't believe that they can score and doesn't believe that they will win that therefore they collectively and individually lack creativity, flair, and resolve. To me that spells coaching problems more so than personnel. Tim
If you liked this article, go back and read others by Ball. He usually covers Spain with more of a link between the football and the culture, but he's always right on target. I guess we'll just have to disagree re: Marco Joe. He had a good opener and a not-bad 2nd match, but the problem with scoring isn't the forwards in my opinion. The problem is that the most we're creating is half chances. We NEVER seem to walk the ball into the net anymore. We're slow moving the ball through midfield. And we lack the killer pass that takes three defenders out of the game with one touch. And I do not believe that Dema, Chino, et al. have done a complete job from the defensive midfield. Adequate sometimes, in some parts of the job, but never stellar and never enough to compensate for Marco.