Franie Hejduk: Defender, not a midfielder[R] For Real. I hope I never have to see him play concentrated offense ever again. It got to the point where Mexico just let him have the ball because they knew they would just get the ball back again. I mean, Can't Convey or Stewart ot Donovan or even Beasley play on the right side??
In a 3-5-2, I don't mind him playing right midfield since the wide midfielders have to cover the whole flank defensively and offensively. In a 4-4-2 or even as a pure winger, you are correct.
Thats the problem, he was just a pure winger throughotu this game, and took away half the field for Mexico to defend
Even in a 4-4-2 the wing mids have to get behind the ball on defense. Bruce evidently wanted a runner at the wings like beasily and Hejuk guys who can and want to get behind the ball on defense. I must say Hejuk does not know his limitations. At times up field he could have made crosses earlier further back before being pressured. But no he had to move towards the backs, and take them on he made bad crosses everytime he tried that.
If he could go to his left he would be dangerous. But he can't. It's always fake, fake, and keep trying to go right.
He's gone left in league play plenty of times. Damn near scored a goal from about 20 yards off his left boot after cutting inside. Maybe The Bruce told him "chalk on the heels". I dunno. Certainly not his best effort.
I questioned why Frankie last week, and now you know why....(I also questioned why Armas, and after tonight, I´d give him a continued ? to) I´ve harped for 3 years on Beasley´s inability to correct kick a ball (cross or shot)....his miss off Mathis´ header was atrocious and bush-league...He is fast, and plays tenacious D, but his speed makes up for his limitations, which don´´t seem to be correcting...oh well, maybe he´ll be Shaq at the free throw line....and will get on a hot streak occasionally and put some important ones in.. Boca continues to look like a stud (no longer in waiting)...everyone else OK, but Mexican lineup looked young, so I don´t know why we felt compelled to play/select Earnie (either) or play so conservatively...Headline 0-0 is just another dull advertisement for the game.
Around the 55-60 minute mark I was fed up and started screaming at the TV to put Klein in for Frankie. The 3-5-2 outside midfield position is what Klein plays in KC and the position he has thrived in. Arena had Frankie playing winger in a 3-5-2 but with Columbus he plays a wing back in a 4-4-2. Klein on the other hand plays this position in this system day in and day out. It seems to me to be the same situation as with Convey. He is trying to keep guys on the field that he likes/wants out there, regardless of if they can play the position he's placing them in. I'd have liked to see Klein play longer, but if you're going to go with Frankie play a 4-4-2. But if he does that, he's gotta pull either Armas or Mastro off and put in a more offensive player. To me it came down to making a formation for the players he wanted out there last night. Not sure if I agree with that philosophy.
I usually view that as a sign of a good coach. He finds a formation to fit the players he has, so he can have the best players out on the field. You can disagree with his view of who are the best players, but I wouldn't want a coach who insists on playing a certain formation even if that means some of his best players are on the bench. Of course, if you take my view to the extreme, Arena should have the USMNT play a formation with 2 keepers.
I would like to actually see Frankie cross the ball instead of kicking it up in the air with no spin or accuracy hoping the goalie doesn't catch it or have it land in the tenth row.