You know, Suarez to center back and Bonseau to right back. Are we really likely to see this on opening day? It sounds risky to me. I'm just thinking that we stand to lose a lot by moving a dominant central defender like TB out of the middle. Sure the defensive communication might improve, but can Suarez provide the aerial prowess and shot-blocking ability that we've come to expect with TB in there? Frankly, I saw way too much of Suarez getting beat off the dribble last year and being bailed out by the central defenders. Playing as a central defender, this could be fatal. Let's just hope that aspect of his game was part of a sophomore slump. Sure Suarez has the potential to be an all-star at this position in the future, but we have a player who is a rock there now. I just don't like the idea of Suarez having to take on Ruiz 1v1 on opening day in a new position.
I saw way too much of Suarez getting caught upfield on ill-advised 80-yard runs that he tried to pass off as natural for a right back going forward. At center back he won't have that excuse available. He needs to understand that he's not God's gift to attacking backs and get over it.
you can read what I think about it here... http://www.3rddegree.net/comment/120F/index.htm Which I assume you have since you called it "the Switch"
Will a move for Ryan to center back, provided he plays well, increase his chances for a call up by Bruce?
I think Ryan will be a good center back. I am not sure about T Bone on the outside; Oscar or Deering might have to drift to that side. It is probably not as much fun for Ryan, but he hates losing and I am sure he will do whatever it takes to avoid that.
The switch has not been done for Ryan's national team prospects but to help communication in the Burn's defense. It should help his chances with Arena because he doesn't have much of a chance in Arena's system as an attacking back who can defend a little. I think Ryan will be fine in the middle and my discomfort is with T-Bone at right back. Might Bussey, Thomas and even Gbandi also have a good chance to win that spot by the end of the year if Suarez indeed stays in the middle? I wonder if Gbandis's right foot is good enough to play on that side because then he wouldn't have to relegate Broome to the bench to win a spot.
What's critical here is Deering's role. Chad is invaluable in the defensive mid because of his experience and his ability to cover for the mid defense. If Chad and Ryan can work well together, Ryan's move from right back to middle could help the Burn enormously. And the fact that T-bone is one of the fastest players on the team doesn't hurt either. Combine that with the fact that ROB can play good defense, and you have sensational overlaps on both sides of the field. Sweet.
Buzz' analysis is 100% spot on. I have a brief snippet to add on this issue.... I asked Coach about it on Tuesday night after the Frisco City Council vote.... - they wanted to take a look at it last year but decided it was too risky to evaluate anywhere outside of preseason - Coach likes it - per Coach T-Bone plays off guys more where Ryan has tighter marking skills, so combined with better shape from more vocal communication it just makes sense The comment about T-Bone being better in the air seems a little off to me. Suarez is for my money the most athletic "leaper" on the team. I remember a 50/50 headball on July 4th last year (when I was sitting in the Library because it was the wife-attended game) where Suarez, in the words of the evile fire voice jedwards, "climbed the ladder". We have never had a dominant aerial defensive capability in the box, and Suarez can deliver it. Granted, this was not done to benefit Ryan's prospects with Arena. Although Pope is first choice at left inside in a 442 for the Nats right now, this is a position that needs upgrading. If Ryan would put his arms around this role and live/breath/die defense, he will still get his moments on set pieces on the offensive end. I'm with AutoGolazo: Ryan just doesn't have the speed to recover when he gets out of position on one of those 80 yard runs. Broome has it, Ryan doesn't, IMHO. With respect to Mr. Gollum's assertion that Deering is the most important part of the equation, ON THE FIELD that might be correct, but if Ryan's head doesn't align on The Switch, we'll have a bigger problem than the whispers being heard about EJ's crunkiness. -bs
I'm a little shocked by what appears to be a lack of appreciation for what Bonseau means to our central defense.
I'm with Jambon. I thought he was the steadiest, most solid defender last year. But I do think moving Ryan to the middle is a sound idea. But I don't think Tbone will be a liability at right back. I think he'll do just fine.
T Bone will not be a liability defensivly at all. I question his offensive qualities. I have never seen him display them. He had to show his passport if he crossed the center stripe. Might as well see what he's got.
My concern was like Scipio's only on the offensive end. I have absolutely no idea what to expect out of Bonseu if he makes a run. Defensively I would expect him to be solid as always.
I'm out of my depth trying to explain what it means. It's a term used by a certain section of our youth culture with various meanings. Basically, the whispers and EJ's prior displays of "getting crunked" are related, and i'll leave it at that. Dallas insiders know what i'm talking about, and apologies to non-infernites, but this is sort of a "keep it in the family" issue for right now. -bs
Coach Jeffreis, when I asked if this swtich had anything to do with the National team, said "No. It is 100% to help Dallas." I also don't think there is an underestimation of Bonseu's work last year in the middle. Instead there is a belief on the part of the coaching staff that the Morrow Suarez COMBO will be better.
For more public consumption here are two things I have said about "the Switch" frist from.... http://www.3rddegree.net/comment/chile/18d7.htm At the game I get a chance to talk to Ryan a bit. I ask him if he likes playing in the middle. "I hate it. And you can quote me on that. I don't mind man marking," he says, "but that is the business end, the fun is in getting forward and attacking... being a threat out of the back. That is what I like." I have been thinking about the swap of Bonseu and Suarez. After talking to a few players and coaches about different things, I believe the move is being tried for a couple reasons. First; Ryan and Morrow communicate well and make a better combination then Morrow and Bonseu. Bonseu is a very reticent player on the field (off it as well) and better communication will help the defensive shape of the entire team. This improvement in shape can be seen both in training and in these games already. Second; Ryan is a better man marker then Bonseu as he tends to be a bit more aggressive and physical, using his height and legs to nip at balls and break up plays. Bonseu tends to play off a bit more and wait for the offense to come to him then tackle the ball away, which can be a more effective style when defending on the outside in a more zonal fashion. I don't think Bonseu gets forward any better then Ryan, but he is plenty fast and is getting better in combination on the outside each time I see him play there; and he certainly is a physical force when he gets down the right. and from.... http://www.3rddegree.net/comment/120F/index.htm Tenywa Bonseu * D The next two weeks will determine if T-Bone is playing center-back or right-back. My guess is that is will be right-back. Is he better there than Suarez? No. But he is real close and he has deceptive speed (he beat Chivas in a foot race right before the Chile trip). Like most defenders in MLS he could improve his ball skill and passing. T-Bone is a very reticent player, both on and off the field. One of the reason he is being tried at outside back is communication and team shape should improve with Ryan in the middle. Ryan Suarez D Ok, here is my Verdict on THE SWITCH: I like it. Ryan Hates it, but I like it. Ryan is a good outside back, one of the better in MLS arguably. But he could be a great center-back. He has the grit, tenacity, strength, speed, size, and mind to be dominating. It is his ability to communicate and play with Morrow that makes them a better duo than Morrow and Bonseu. No one gets in a forward's head like Suarez, he will be the physical presence to match Morrow's finesse in the middle. Ryan has this year and next on his contract, let's hope the Burn find a way to reward him and don't wait for him to be a available on a free or someone will steal him away.
I couldn't agree more. I don't know why Peter doubts Coach so much. For having the guts to call the Fed's bluff last August in the Week from Hell, Coach will always have some coin in my account. And the best part is that _IF_ Ryan seizes this role and executes to his ability, il Bruce will have no choice. Cazart. I also want to add that successful execution in this role could lead to a big-ass contract for Ryan, and I don't necessarily mean with MLS, although that would be my preferred outcome. -bs