Two years ago, I was hot on this one. Last year I backed off a little but after game 1, I'm going back to my previous stand. Harris must go (or at least stay on as a sub). He can't go 90 minutes anymore and was fairly useless in the Crew game. He did make a couple of good feeds but became less and less involved as the game wore on. If JMM is used as a forward, that solves the Harris problem but if JMM plays some kind of half back, then a move will be necessary. The inability of the Revs to solve their midfield problem BEFORE the season will take us straight into last place. In fact with a loss to Dallas on Sat. we'll be there after only two games. It's the way of the Revs. They MUST dig a deep hole early on in the season then claw and scratch to get out of it.
Center Mid is the real problem. A senior international is needed in this position. I believe the revs are well under the cap. Somewhere in a third world country is a midfielder that would like to be paid in US dollars. Now find this guy now!
Omigod, people, calm down. It's been one off-day. No need to start a major overhaul, no need to condemn the Revs to be cellar-dwellers. It's been one bad game. Take it easy. Wait until there's a slide to do the doomsday dance. Prof
And Twellman had a grand total of ZERO serious shots on goal - get rid of the overrated SOB! Write that prediction down on the date of your choice on your calendar. By then the roller-coaster bandwagon will have us a lock for the championship - and the truth will lie in between. We lost a one-goal game (yes, it looked worse, but the Revs "system" doesn't count on having the better play) against what many people feel is the best team in the league and a team that has several more games under their belts. Think LA fans are predicting last place for their team? They can't beat anyone!
totally agree, most of you are overreacting. I do agree that we need a center mid and i believe (hopefully) Nicol knows this and is trying to solve it.
people can start complaining when the playoff picture starts taking shape. chill with the "we need this, we need that" crap. for all we know, TF3 could be a starter over twellman before the year is over, so relax.
Re: Re: Time to make changes ... The difference of course being Wolde's PERPETUAL lack of anything worthwhile. I agree with RevsRule -- Wolde needs to find himself with a nice cozy spot next to TFIII on the bench.
C'mon guys, Nicol got us the midfielder we were looking for, Nowak, and the player backed out of an agreement. SN knows what we need, he is continuing to try and find one (isn't today the day they hoped Ngodze would be in town?) We are two games into a thirty game campaign and we haven't even really seen the only major addition to the team from last year play yet. Let's talk again at the end of May, before any 'the sky is falling' prognostications.
nothing ever changes I 'm just amazed at this board. Every year it's the same thing and every year people say "calm down" or "wait for this or wait for that." The fact is that we're not competitive right now and I'll bet that if the roster doesn't change, we'll be looking for our first win sometime in the middle of May. We always dig a deep hole early on and I see it starting again. Don't need to see more then one or two games to know we are in trouble.
Re: nothing ever changes Yeah, ya do. The Red Sox need a closer. We've been saying this since the second game. And yet, they keep winning. Regardless of the closing situation, the offense has stepped it up to bring the Sox above the crappiness of Alan Embree and co. This is what the Revs will do. Adapt. When there's no playmaking in the middle, Hernandez, Cullen and co. will start to ake runs up the side, and feed to Ralston and Harris, and play the cross, rather than the long ball. Regardless of the good, bad, or ugly of it, the Revs are 0-1-1, and the loss was a one-goal game. Not the end of the world. Had the loss been 6-1, then we can all pull the Chicken Little crap. Until the Burn game, don't worry about it. Prof
I've intentionally stayed quiet since Saturdays game because i didn't want to get into a peeing contest with the usual suspects who are ready to trash the Revs unless they play like Real Madrid. The title of the thread calls out for a response. There are those who say the revs are the same team as last year--that they didn't do much to change the team or upgrade. NOT TRUE The Revs cut out all of the marginal or nonproductive players (APC, Sommer, Rooney, Serna, Cloutier, Griffith, Fuller, Asad) and added some real quality depth (Noonan, Joseph, Reis, Jason Moore) and a real impact player (JMM). They have kept a core of players that are familiar with each other and know SN's system. There aren't many teams in MLS that can start a season with the same players that started the previous years Cup match. The Revs have managed their roster and Cap space so that they still have space for the attacking player that SN is looking for. The Revs played a stinker of a match last weekend. Hopefully they got it out of their system. OK, lets move on. This team will win a lot of games and will be very competative when SN can land the AMF he's looking for. One thing I like about Nicols is that he won't take just any player to fill the AMF roster slot. The way he pruned last years roster and has added real quality is impressive. I trust that he will get the player he wants in the near term and the Revs will finish well above 500 for the first time in their history. In a league that is again showing signs of "parity" any team that does better than .500 is going to near the top of the table. George
The prospect of JMM playing a-mid/withdrawn striker bodes well for the defense. Yes, I believe defense wins championships. Dragging defenders away from Twellman/Harris is a very important strategy. If Noonan can duplicate Ralston's threat on the left side, opposing defenders will have problems coming at them from all-kinds-of angles. This is where a committed defensive line that keeps shape all game is a pure pleasure. If the Revs play their best defensive minded four in this case scenario, the season could be a nice build to good success. My apologies if it seems I'm echoing the Magpie
i'm sure if the defense put on the same show they put on in the home opener - JMM as a-mid will be great at helping them get the ball out of the ole onion bag for the kickoff. prof zodiac's sox analogy is right on. JMM in the middfield, or some yet to be anonointed savoir is not the answer. the answer is within.
Re: nothing ever changes nice - that makes sense. how many games left in april? i'll bet if the roster changes in the next couple of days a new player taking control of the offense will guaruntee won't be looking at a win before may unless his name is Hat-Trick-Ronaldo. who the heck do you think the rev's could sign - anybody - that would make rusty pierce not look like a turnstile agains the crew last week? would this savior lay hands on ralston and hernadez too, and bring them to 100% in time for kickoff? maybe jedi mind trick the referee into thinking JMM was eligible to play last week?
The problem wasn't the defense last Saturday, it was in the midfield. With Hernandez and Ralston hurting and Cullen and Kamler no shows the attack was non existant and the defense was hopelessly overpowered by a fast, together attacking unit. This team can and will play much bettre than they did last Saturday. JMM in the lineup will help a lot. From Tonys practive report it sounds like Hernandez is out for this weekend but llamosa will be ready to play. I don't see SN makimg any major shake-ups. In the carpeted mini-pitch in Dallas I suspect we will see: Brown Heaps, Llamosa, Pierce, Franchino Ralston, Cullen, JMM, Kamler TnT and Woldi Bench: Reise, Kante, Jason Moore, Noonan If Ralston still isn't able to go full tilt we may see Noonan get a start or at least come in as a sub. I see Jason Moore getting some playing time as well. If Llamosa's leg is acting up Kante will replace him. George
New Fan Group Maybe there should be a new Fan Group for all of you who constantly complain that the Sky is Falling on the Revs season. The Name: The Chicken Littles Revolution Fan Group. You can all tailgate, sit togather and constantly complain that this team sucks. This Sh$T gets so tiring. You might think this team was the NY Yankees of the MLS. There is no pleasing some people. We finally have a "Good" coach who use a specific system that the players can adhere and fit into. But, no matter what there is constant bitching and moaning. If the Brazilian National team played as bad as "a Team" as the Revs did on Saturday they to would've lost to the Crew. Best wishes with the New Fan Group The Chicken Littles. SoccerHead
We are just concered. Hey, with the exception of 2 months at the end of last year, we've played like last Saturday for 7+ years. When was the last time we finished above .500? Uh...never. Just would be nice to go through a stretch where we could feel confident. And our only worry was how badly would we beat our next sad opponent! Many of us have trouble supporting the Revs and auditioning for "Up With People" at the same time like you. We complain because we love. Kinda like getting mad at your kids because you know if they study harder, they could get better grades.
Re: New Fan Group Not that you aren't correct about people overreacting, but please bear in mind that there are people who have followed this team through many years of disappointment who are getting a little touchy. Bear in mind also that there is also a group of Rev fans who complain about other Rev fans, which also gets tiresome. My compliments to those who were riled by the mood of distress and didn't lash out. Bulls-eye.
JW, Thats fine you make good points. However, some people bitch and moan no matter what. It gets tired. Last year we win 7 games in a row and get into the playoffs, people were still moaning and groaning. Magpie, Soccerdoc and rodan make excellent points in this thread,that I wholeheartedly agree with. Give it time please its the start of the season. Threads like this make me long for the ones about stale popcorn, expensive beer and crummy chicken fingers. First the first time in the team history we are in the process of a complete roster overhaul. Could our team use some additional player types? yes But couldn't any team in the MLS?
Re: Re: nothing ever changes I heard on TV yesterday that David Beckham wants to come to the MLS. I'll take him for starters
ok - not bad. but he'll have to play like he did yesterday every game - becasue if the revs continue to be defensive no shows, he'll have to score 2 to keep them in it.
He was benched yesterday against Real Madrid. We have enough bench warmers, I want him to play for the Revs.
Well both sides make good points. It is too early for the mountain of this team will never make it, but it is also too many years for the appologists with other agendas to keep busting the complainers! The facts are this team was terrible last week. The Defense and Midfield were no shows and our goalie was put in very bad situations too often. Is this a permanent problem, hopefully not. Do they have problems YES! The midfield needs a general. DH isn't the guy. The team has made strides, but just like listening to the radio there are too many one hit wonders. I love SN, but this team needs to develop and get better, not try to equal last year. I think the team needs time to settle in and establish a style and a flow of the game that suits it. Neither game this year was very cohesive. Hopefully last week was just a case of a good team playing against a young team trying to find itself. Let's all revisit this in a month and see. Believing in SN, I think we will see a team that is motivated and well coached. The product can only get better as they play more. Remember the weather cut short their training!!!