Pre/PBP/Post: Early Wooden Spoon 6 Pointer - Fire vs. Cowtown F.C. 3/19/16 4:00pm CDT CSN Chi. Plus

This is a must something game.

 

My hope: we finally get a 90 minute game with basically one tactical system employed. No red cards, halftime formation chages, etc. I want the opening game plan to actually work.

*Minor tweaks and tactical changes after the 60th minute or so are fine.

 

Won't see this game, will be on vacation next week. That's a good thing. Maybe I'll watch it when I get back on the 26th.

 

2-0 Cows

 

I have a conference in Tuscon, AZ.

I will DVR it.

 

I don't know if I have enough optimism left in the tank if I don't see what I want to see out of this group in this game. I was "promised" an improved backline, high pressure fast-paced attack, and better distribution to facilitate that attack. I'm seeing that second point, but the other two still don't appear to be there. I keep insisting that we start the Milkman, but I know it's not happening. The Lamp is staying in goal especially after his last performance (which didn't impress me, but impressed others) and Sean has to be looking at his out of MLS options (NASL or Europe). Campbell has looked great at CB and Kap played great once moved to RB, but Meira is our only other option at CB and I just don't trust him.
I hope to God we win, but I think we scrape out a 1-1 tie.
Optimism is running out and the hopium's wearing off. Pauno needs to prove himself or Daisy will slowly start to change into Hayden Christensen. But that hasn't happened yet.


Pauno needs to win this one or the banners are coming back out.

 

I hate losing to Columbus but at least they will look like they've been pissed on while power walking with old ladies.

 

Nothing wrong with changing your formations or tactics during a game.

 

I was told Kappelhof is a better RB than CB in the Eredivise, so it makes sense that he did better there. He is probably a CB here though, so hopefully Ramos can offer something at RB.

 

Is it that hard to find quality CBs willing to come to MLS? The weak spot for MLS historically has been LB and RB. The Fire have someone in Kappelhof who is probably better suited at RB, but for the Fire he plays CB. It just gets frustrating not getting maximum output from the players because they are played out of position here.

 

It's either him or Meira and Meira has been ... less than average.

 

I mean Kappelhof isn't exactly played out of position. He's more than capable of playing CB, has done so at the Eredivise, but RB is probably the best of his positions. I rather say he's capable of playing both positions than saying he is out of position. With that said, if we can find a better CB than him to move him to RB, I'd be all for it.

 

But I'd rather it not be because the opening tactics have failed horribly. Like I said, I don't mind adjustments, just not wholesale changes.

 

At this point, I hope that Gehrig is close to full health. I'd rather see him or even Harrington at CB, than Meira unless it is a communication or simply not gelling with the rest of the defense.

Had the Fire kept any of the younger players over the last few years, they could have Anibaba or Berry as backups, but we are forced to trust the process. An orange cone or Chris Ritter would be a better CB than what we've seen so far.

 

I agree. Kap has looked decent at CB, but absolutely rocked it at RB. Even when he was at CB during the NYCFC game, the time he got forward led to an amazing chance. We need to get a better CB than Meira so we can let Kap run free on the wing.
I'll get on scouting duty.

 

Yes, I should say that Kappelhof is better at RB than CB, but is very capable at CB. I just wish we had a stud CB to partner with Campbell. We haven't seen that since Arne left.

 

It can also just be a counter to the adjustments made by the other team. For example I don't think the switch to a 3-5-2 against NYCFC was because of poor tactics in the first half. I thought the tactics were fine, but Lampson really screwed up which put us in a hole. Playing any different formation would have likely led to the same result. Paunovic noticed that to catch up from a 3-1 deficit, we would have to risk more going forward and went with a 3-5-2. He did the same against Orlando after a red card, which again is not due to failed tactics.

I think early on, we can feel comfortable with Paunovic's in game adjustment's. He's flexible and seems to know when it's time to switch it up. The questions lie in his ability to judge talent (Lampson over Johnson, Vincent over Jones, Goosens? over Shipp) and ability to implement his desired style of play on the players of his choice. We'll find out those answers over time.

 

If we go to more of a 3-5-2 instead of a 4-2-3-1 going forward, Kappelhof could actually be our free roaming CB that bursts into the midfield at times, or provides overlap on the right.

As for Meira, I'm interested to see how the communication of the backline looks on Saturday. I can't pick up on it on television so no clue how it was against Orlando, but he was the only one talking against NYCFC. It was to be harder for him if nobody is communicating. Lampson also needs to communicate with his back line.

 

I like that idea.

Also, Meira continued to not play well and I didn't see much of the communication happening in the back. Was going to watch again, but didn't DVR it.

 

Adailton?
He was a stud, in that he played like a tall piece of wood (except when scoring own goals).
This probably does not help.

 

I am worried this will be a rough loss. Crew will be looking to kick some after rather less then stellar games so far and frankly Fire been lucky. 3-0 Crew. I truly hope it is reverse though.

 

3-1 Lemon Party

 

2-0 Fire Gilberto, Goossens