I just noticed them up this morning: http://unitedmania.mlsfansites.com/story.php?news_ID=200764 What I noticed was the Richie Williams was missing from the list. Was this an oversite, John, or was he not there? Bad reviews for Namoff from practice. No wonder there is talk of him going down to Richmond.
Using him to mark a particular opposing player out of a game? I like this too, since Milton has that speed and tenacity, and I think seeing him everytime you look up can really frustrate and neutralize an opponent. It seems to have worked quite well the couple of times so far. The only problem I see is that if Reyes is 'stuck' to one player, we may lose some of his adventurous forward runs. Maybe not too much though, because he does have the ability to get back quickly.
"It's half full, the glass is." Is Ray going crazy or did his Yoda alter ego come out there for a second. It sounds like there's a lot of tention within the club. More so than would've been generated by TR if he was still around. I think it's a good thing. You seem to fight that much harder when backed into a corner. TS.
You may remember that in 2000, Williams and Talley got into a shoving match at halftime. In the press, Rongen, like Hudson, said that he thought players getting on each other about their poor performances was a good thing, and was thus villified here for such comments. Dave
Yes, I do remember that and I still think it is a bad thing when teammates are fighting. It is one thing if the team is doing well and teammates are getting on each other to step it up, but when the team is in the dumps this just speaks of disunity and poor morale! All of which does not improve a team, but makes everyone play more independently!
Exactly. My point is that Hudson seems to be doing the same things that Rongen was hated for. Yet, while Hudson hasn't been given immunity, he also hasn't inspired the same sort of vitriol here. Dave
. That thought occurs to me too. Here's how I answer it: Back in the glory days Richie Williams would mark various opposition players out of games, but he was still able to get forward to contribute 8 or so points per season, a couple of goals, a couple of assists. How could he do that? Because our offense controlled the ball well enough that Williams didn't have to mark his man full time. So in theory if our offense became potent again, Reyes would find spots to go forward as well and since he obviously can go forward better than Wee One can he should still be able to get his points per season. All in all this role will turn him into a smarter player as he now is getting the responsibility to read the flow of the game to see where he is most needed. To my mind he'd do this best from a d-mid position, which might happpen next year if Mckinley retires. The central positioning would allow him to be in a better position to react to the overall game.
Well if we are still having these conversations this time next year, I'm pretty sure Ray will be inspiring soem vitriol.
Thank you for taking the words right out of my mouth. I'm sure the Rongen apologists would love to see someone else get half the load dumped on them that TR did. Newsflash: when Ray has done half (or probably less) as much wrong, he probably will.
He came into a sinking ship. Face facts we are spoiled, as some other boards like to say. We expect all or nothing. Ray still has time left on his ride to fix this leaky ship.
Not that I care to start a war...but this is clearly a slippery slope to bad blood...However, I can't resist stating the obvious: Hudson has done little good so far in the area that really matters. A coach in any sport and in any environment should be judged on win-loss primarily. To a lesser degree, the side aspects such as outreach and style of play are important. But judging only by the performance of the team, I would say that this is the second worst United season ever...but it could turn out mildly better than two others. I, of course, will be willing to give Ray the chance to turn it around for next year, as he did basically inherit a three-legged donkey. But if we don't have a minimal turn-around towards the end of this season, I will be glad to see new blood in the manager or field positions. There are no sacred cows on this team, coach Hudson included. Tim
Chico, you are such a good guy, I think we need to form a posse and go after the person that "bitch slapped" you! Let's get the MFer!!!
My time frame is that Ray Hudson has about 6 - 10 games next season to finally right this ship! That gives him one full season with a short pre-season, plus a full off season and 1/3 of the next season to put a winning team out there! Plenty of time seeing as The Bruce did it in half a season!
Agreed. If United is the Pequod, Hudson is Ahab, and Gazza is Moby Dick. Keep Dave Sarachan's number handy, I have a feeling we'll need to be dialing it next May.