Given our continuing saga of player injury, I wonder if maybe we might not be able to throw a little changeup and switch formation to a 3-5-2 for a few games. The main motivation for this would be to get Vaca in the middle in a position where he would not have too many defensive responsibilities. The downside of course is that Chivas would have extra defensive responsibilities. It would look something like this: DJ Suarez Morrow Bonseau Behnke Deering Davis Chivas Vaca Kreis EJ I think it might help our defense as well to get Suarez out of the middle and replace Broome with Bonseau if Tbone can play on the left. I liked what Behnke showed against DC and I like his size especially on our very small team. If he doesn't work out at D-mid, we could bring on Stone.
I'm not sure just yet, but one thing I am sure about is we need to switch back Suarez and T-Bone. I don't think T-Bone has been that effective on the flanks and Suarez odviously hates playing in the middle so thats going to effect his performance.
I think a 3-5-2 would be the way to go for now. Our midfield is like a sieve. I didn't think O'Brien was particularly effective in the middle after that first game. I'd have liked to see him back on the right, but it's a moot point now. I don't like Chivas out on the left [in a 3-5-2]. I remember how bad he was defensively two years ago. I'd prefer either Davis, Broome, or Behncke. As for the right, I have no idea. I agree that Vaca should be in the middle. When is Pareja due back? I'd almost prefer to see him with either Stone or Behncke in the other d-mid spot rather than Deering. Is Behncke a bit of a "destroyer" type d-mid (like Eck)? I thought I saw him make a couple strong tackles, but for all I know it might've been Rhine (I didn't see when Rhine subbed in). I know this has rambled a bit. I'm just really frustrated with this team and the MLS season as a whole so far. alansl
A 352 requires outside mids to have significant defensive responsibilities; you don't like Chivas on the left in this formation because as we all know he gets eaten alive by the Ralstons and Kleins of MLS. A 352 will not work with our current personnel. At least, with what we know about our current personnel. I'm campaigning for a 4231 as an OPTIONAL deployment because it maintains the flat 4 in the back which we are still nuancing in to nominal status, and a 4231 allows rotation of deeper portions of our bench although, thanks to The Demon (TM), we're now a hell of a lot weaker in midfield as of the 86th minute Saturday night. 4231 also allows Kreis/Cerritos to play withdrawn, and will allow us to find out real quick if EJ can be a top-calibre target man. For more on this rant, see Win Without Oscar thread; if the 4231 discussion gains any traction with anyone else i'll move my 4231 rant from that thread to this one. -bs
Since someone brought it up, here is a 3-5-2 I could stand to see with current health etc... I am not advocating a change, just throwing it out there for discussion. F: Jason Kreis and Ed Johnson AM: Joselito Vaca (or Brad Davis) DM: Chad Deering DM: Jordan Stone LW: Paul Broome RW: Carl Bussey MB: Tenywa Bonseu and Ryan Suarez CB: Steve Morrow GK: DJ Countess My two 'off the wall' picks would be 1. Stone in the D-mid role. I have seen this kid several times play a full 90, he has the work rate and tenactity to play there in a 3-5-2. In fact it may be the best situation for him. ( I could see Behncke here to, if you want a older, calmer player) and 2. Carl Bussey right wingback. Speed to get up and down the flank (He and Broome are neck and neck for fastess player title), fitness to go 90, and the grit to cover a outside half. And I am torn about who I would rather see as A-mid... Vaca or Davis. I gave the nod to Vaca for time with the team reasons.
who cares about Chivas' defensive game, he is an attacking mid. We already have too many defensive players. Just last game he created two great plays for Kreis and EJ as well as the shot he had towards the end. Broome is fast and all, but can he take over games as Chivas does?
I agree Chivas is an effective attacker, but wingback is a defensive position. In a 3-5-2 Chivas is just not a good wingback. He might be interesting in the attacking mid role later in games. Or perhaps as a withdrawn forward in some kind of 4-5-1 like Colorado used to play.
Re: Behncke Behncke did get a good tackle on Santino as he was dribbling around midfield. Also won all the headers off the goalkicks, something the team really needed. Maybe they do teach a little something other than books at Princeton.
I remember just a short time ago, when Burn fans derided the 3-5-2 and longed for the 4-4-2. I don't think the Burn will change. We will see a 4-4-2 to start. The question is how will the midfield be played. Davis in the center, Vaca on the right? Vaca in the middle, Cerritos on the right? Intriguing either way. Still uncertain of the Suarez to the middle role. I think T Bone is probably going to get around guys Suarez wouldn't, but he lacks Ryan's focused aggression.