Probably one of the biggest things in my opinion that came out of the last few games is that Jaqua definitely needs to start. He needs to be on the field. I love Mapp's attacking ability too. However, we can't put him on the wing unless we have a 4 man back line -- he doesn't play enough defense. Razov, Ralph, Beasley, Williams, Armas, Curtin & Brown are all givens to be on the field. I'd like to see Jaqua & Mapp on the field too if we can find a place on the field for Mapp without leaving our defense exposed. But I would like to see Beasley given free reign to attack like he does on the Nats. So given all of that, can we have Mapp on the field? Who's the 10th field player and what formation do we use? Clanton - finally had a pretty decent game Gray - does decent attacking, but not defending - and we have better attacking options Perez - had an off game trying to cover Mullan - has seemed to play better as an outside mid in front of a back 3 than as outside back as part of the back 4 Whitfield - hasn't been bad - probably 3rd choice defender at this point Pause - also has been solid, but we need better attacking options Dipsy - didn't play well enough in my opinion against LA to be considered any better than our 4th best forward. This is probably our most solid lineup, but it doesn't get Mapp on the field. ------- Ralph ------ Razov ------------ Beasley Perez ------ Williams ---- Jaqua -------------Armas --- Brown -- Curtin -- Whitfield ------------- Ring Possibly this with Armas cheating toward the left side of the defensive midfield to help provide cover there. Williams becomes MUCH more of a linking player than an attacking player -- playing more the role of Reyna on the Nats to hold the ball, settle and distribute. Personally, I think that these are our best 11 players right now -- I just can't figure out a real good way to get them all on the field. ------- Ralph ------ Razov ----- Beasley --------- Mapp ----------- Williams ---- Jaqua ---- Armas --- Brown -- Curtin -- Whitfield ------------- Ring Anyone have any other alignments that get these 11 players on the field or do you have any differing opinion on who the best 11 are?
------- Ralph ------ Razov ------------ Beasley Mapp ------ Williams ---- Jaqua -------------Armas --- Brown -- Curtin -- Whitfield ------------- Ring I think this would probably be the best. Get Mapp to his natural left side that Beasley has dominated. Putting DMB up top hopefully would generate Nats-like performances from him...but that is not a given. This, IMHO, gets the Fire's best 11 on the field at the same time. I was very impressed with Clanton's job of virtually taking DeRosario out of the game. For a rookie that was a pretty solid game. With influences like CJ, Jimmy, and even Armas, this kid could find himself a stalwart on the Fire back line in the not-to-distant future.
------- Ralph ------ Razov ------------ Mapp Beasley ------ Williams ---- Jaqua -------------Armas --- Brown -- Curtin -- Whitfield ------------- Ring I would switch Mapp and Beasley in 1871's formation. I think Beasley attacks much better on the wing then up the middle. He is good in the middle but I like what he does on the wing better. Mapp seems to be a little trickier with the ball at slower speeds and potentially a better shot with both feet (I've seen him strike the ball well though he hasn't been lately). I think that would make Mapp a bit better of a set up guy for Ralph and Razov and for the overlapping runs of Beasley and Jaqua. The formation as it stands still requires that Beasley commit to some defense (something that Mapp can't/wont do in that same formation). What I think we really need is a very, very solid left back so we can move Brown to the right and get Whitfield out of the formation alltogether. This will also allow Beasley to commit to the attack a bit more. A left fullback would be a key aquisition for the Fire, IMO. I've noticed a lot of Clanton love on the threads after Saturday. I think it's a bit premature. Flavor of the week sort of thing. He was quite solid defending but he was very shaky with the ball at his feet and he gave away way more balls then he should (ala Kelly Gray). I definately think there is potential there with Denny but he needs to be able to initiate the offense better.
I gotta show the love for my fellow UD alumni. That and his work on DeRosario really impressed me from my seat 6 rows up. I spent the first half watching him mark a very talented forward, and pretty much keep him in his back pocket. I agree that he was very shaky with the ball at his feet, and his passing could be improved but not a bad start.
I agree with this above formation when we are at 100% health. Then it still leaves some decent players on the bench like Perez, Dipsy, Pause, etc.
If he can some confidence on the ball, I think he will be quite good. He has the physical ability and shows a really good mental drive (which Leonard Griffin hasn't seem to have).
I'm curious why everyone is feeling the love for Evan, and hating Kelly. Evan showed great promise at the end of last season, but has since "shot his wad" so to speak, and has grown progressively worse this season. Kelly had a bad first 2 games, true, but A) He was finally given a position that was his (instead of being thrown around the lineup) B) after sitting for a week, has come back and been exponentially better. Why did Evan not feed that ball to Ante on Saturday? Ante was screaming for the ball, and a simple inside of the foot pass to the penalty spot (also Ante's left foot) would've resulted in a beautiful game-winning goal. Instead, he chose to do his famous "dribble to the corner and cross to nobody" move. Great decision-making Evan! I was never one of the Evan haters of olde. I had a soft spot for him. He's a nice guy, his parents are even cooler, and I wanted him to succeed. But he has now proven that he can't do it. Also, its great to have Ante & Damani up top together, but if you've noticed those two keep forgetting that they play for a team. They have both (Damani, moreso) been selfish jackasses up there, and it really seems to be causing some problems. We desparately need Jesse back!!!
Why did Evan not feed that ball to Ante on Saturday? Ante was screaming for the ball, and a simple inside of the foot pass to the penalty spot (also Ante's left foot) would've resulted in a beautiful game-winning goal. Instead, he chose to do his famous "dribble to the corner and cross to nobody" move. Great decision-making Evan! We desparately need Jesse back!!![/QUOTE]
I don't think there has been a lot of love for Evan. I think most notice his substantial limitations. It's just Gray has been even worse, especially in a 3 back alignment. I think most would rather have Whitfield defending in that situation rather then Gray. It's not love for Whitfield as much as it's fear for Gray's defensive capabilities.
With this formation / personnel, I think you're right to have Mapp up top and Beasley on the left -- but as you said, it's going to give DMB some not inconsequential defensive responsibilities and I was trying to get away from that. Maybe we can't until we get that strong left back, I don't know. I wouldn't say that I am feeling all this love for Evan -- but at this point in time, he is the best of several not very strong options for a RB for us -- particularly in a 3 man back line where he is a primary defender and should be going forward very little. Your last point brings up another issue -- who sits when Jesse comes back? I love the attacking lineup that we have listed here and would rather not take one of them out to put Jesse in as a 2nd DMid like he's used to playing. Can he play right back for us in a 3 man back line and take Evan's spot? If not, what adjustment do we make -- does Mapp lose his spot -- I'd say that he probably does.