Well let's keep it going with another win against Eastern Conference team. I hope that Freidrich is ready to play and Rolfe is ready to start the game. GO FIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Beat the crap out of Cowtown.......................
I'd be interested in seeing how either of these work out as more of a surprise, trial line-up That one the obvious change would be Oduro for Barouch, but I think that the Fire need to learn how to use an actual forward instead of being a one-trick pony that relies on fast breaks. Any stay at home defense will nullify that. here, it could be Grazzini in the midfield, Rolfe sliding into the middle and Nyarko up top on the right, and then it could change between the 4-3-3 and a 4-4-2 with Nyarko dropping back into the wing. I might almost favor that change, if Grazzini (or his replacement) is able to play further wide than where he is normally used Before I get ridiculed for Barouch being terrible, yes he has been, but he has showed flashes last season, and usually when he was paired with Chaves or a Puerari. Someone who played striker, not a winger put in the center of the pitch. I think he may be able to do that with Rolfe. Also I said they would be trial formations, attempts to see what else this team has to offer. Unless they prove to be magical, I wouldn't expect to see them every week. Its hard for me to justify benching Oduro.
I would imagine any line up with out Pause is not realistic, may as well post a line up with 2 CBs and 5 Forwards. Pardo can not hold the Midfield on his own, if you are going to have only 1 CDM then that has to be Robayo, Pause or Palladini. I think Rolfe will not be on the starting line up, if he is then Pardo, Nyarko or Pappa will go to the bench, if it is Pappa then Nyarko to left mid and Pardo or Pause to right mid (with lots of defensive responsibilities).
Back 4: Hunter - Arne - Berry - Anibaba (give the other old guys a rest) CDM: Pause (it's been done before) Attacking 5: Pappa - Grazzini - Nyarko - Rolfe - Oduro Goalkeeper: (coin toss) Bench: Pardo - Puppo - Sega - Gargan - (other keeper)
Not bad, but a few tweaks for me. First, I think Berry has earned his spot and is more reliable than Jalil in the center. While Gargan is a better right back right now, I think that is the spot Jalil has to nail down at some point if he wants a long term gig. He has had issues at right back, but I think I would put him out there and let him play for a while and see what we have. I'd also like to see Jumper get time, but not quite yet. Sega played great last weekend and I wouldn't want to be experimenting with both wide backs at the same time. Offensively, I think I might swap Rolfe and Grazzini if we want to play them together. My biggest beef with Sebastian is that he doesn't always drop to do the hard work of a central midfielder. Let him play withdrawn behind Oduro where his strengths really are and take his weaknesses out of his responsibility. Chris showed in the last game that he really can be a quality box to box guy and we all know what a threat he is when he gets forward from a deep position. Of course, I have always argued for Rolfe to play in that position. I don't know if he has the wind to do that yet, but if we want to see him and Sebastian together before Grazzini's contract expires, we need to do it now.
If we don't have a signing coming this transfer window we should extend Grazzini's contract. There's no reason to have a void on the roster. Someone mentioned Grazzini's numbers are similar to Nowak's. The thing is, Grazzini plays zero defense. As much as I like his peak game I don't think he plays at his peak often enough. With no defensive responsibities he should be producing more in my opinion.
Can we stop suggesting playing Rolfe out of position? I realize that's how we used him last time around, but he was brought in to score goals. Easiest way to do that is when you are the striker. Let our midfielders play midfield (Nyarko)
Agreed on all of this. That is what is behind my thought process above. Let him play creatively in and around the box without expecting anything else and see if his numbers get even better. He could still basically be a playmaker up there as he would have Oduro in front of him, Rolfe with a deadly long range shot behind him lurking, and Nyarko and/or Pappa making slashing runs from either side. On paper, it sounds great, doesn't it?
I understand why people say this, but I disagree. As I have mentioned many times, Rolfe is my favorite man in red and I have paid close attention to him. I don't think he will play up high as an out and out striker. He naturally drops. He wants the ball 30 yards from goal where he can either let it rip or find an outlet. When he does take shots in the box, it is often after he has made that run from deep. I personally think that playing him as an attacking midfielder IS playing him in position, but I know others disagree.
4-5-1 again........... Atleast FK is still playing Grazzini, two games left before they say goodbye......
Goal Columbus. Pardo overruns trying to close down on the attacker. Meanwhile, we have a defender warming up on the sideline...Not sure why he wasn't put in already...the signs were already there for a Crew goal
Just when we start looking like a real team.... Then again, the ref must have money on a Cbus victory the way he's calling this game. SSomeone check his wagering. It would help if we could finish our chances as we'd be up 4 to 1 right now. Screw bunkering - I want to see Rolfe on for Grazzini.