If we can win two of the next three we'll have 10 points in ten games. Given the roster changes, team morale, and injuries - it could be worst The line up against the Galaxy was solid however I would like to really see Billy Sleeth start at right back.
Over Stewart? No way... Jeff Stewart has been solid and has, on this team, more than earned that spot.
Why do you want to start Sleeth? He hasn't played a minute this year and is too big of a question mark, at least at this point. Stewart IMO has been pretty solid this year and has even made some big plays on the goal line. If we start to win regularly and manage to work our way up in the division then there may be room to try him out. At the most he cold be brought in as a sub late in the game if we've got a solid lead. Just my opinion of course.
Sleeth Actually I would like to see Sleeth starting instead of Hart resulting in four "true" defenders in the back ; Billy Sleeth, Robin Fraser, Jeff Stewart, and Ritchie Kotschau.
Let's take the winning lineup as it stands into the next match. I'd like to see the Rapids play a similar lineup two weeks in a row.
Back Four No, I'm not Billy Sleeth. Simply would like to see Sleeth start at right back instead of Wes Hart.
Why? I understand you not wanting to see Wes Hart play but Sleeth, who was drafted by the Fire, is totally unproven at this level. Surely, your desire to see him play must be simply to displace Hart it cannot be based on the fact that Sleeth played well in college. I, too, wonder about our back players. Is Rizo injured? Hopefully, Hankinson is not so stupid that he signs a SI to ride the pine! Hmmm, or is he? Also, Stewart has been one of the few bright spots on the side this season. He is solid in the back and is willing to run the flank. I believe he has shown to be more useful on the flank then in the center of the pitch thus far.
Where's Rizo I don't understand why Rizo is not playing. I think he has played as well or better than as any of the other defenders. I would put him out there in place of Hart. Edit: Yeah I know, now that we've won a game don't screw with the line up. I agree, I guess what I mean was why wasn't Rizo in there a few games ago. He's been subbing at Midfield
He's been subbing at Midfield __________________________________________ Riso was tried once in midfield-along with the other "tried" lineups! Each week someone is in the doghouse!!! It must be him for the past two weeks. But i would also say not to mess with the lineup. Just go a couple of weeks with the same lineup!!!
Defenders IMO - especially with Herdsman retiring - we would have been better off to re-sign Rick Titus instead of bringing in Darryl Powell. Kotschauh left Fraiser central Titus marking Stewart right Also, IMO - play Rizo (he's very good) at left outside mid, Henderson at right outside mid and let Chung ride pine !
IMO - especially with Herdsman retiring - we would have been better off to re-sign Rick Titus instead of bringing in Darryl Powell. _____________________________________________________________________________________ I definitely agree.. why would any team give someone all that money without even seening them play or bringing them in for a trial! i like rick titus. They only got rid of him because of money and now we might have a real loser who is always hurt...
Um, Titus was not let go because of money. He was let go because he took up an SI slot and he and Hankinson didn't get along at all. I doubt we'll see Titus back. Oh, and BTW, Titus was voted as D MVP by the MEDIA, not by the Rapids. There is a difference. Secondly, Powell has not always been injured. Accourding to him, and some actual Derby County fans who have followed him, he has only been injured one other time that has kept him out of the lineup for an extended period of time. Just because he is injured now doesn't mean he always is. In fact, you could argue that Zizi is more injury prone. Only 24 and he has had two major knee injuries (regardless of what the Post says).
In fact, you could argue that Zizi is more injury prone. Only 24 and he has had two major knee injuries (regardless of what the Post says). __________________________________________ _________________________________________ well i don' think this was a good acquisition either. On powell Even if it was is first injury... why take someone for that kind of money WHEN HE IS HURT . another comment i said rich titus was a si and someone said that we got rid of him because he was a si not for money..... well if we got rid of him for being an si and now we just go another high roller as a si..what is the difference except he and hankinson did not get along. WELL Powell hasn't even come in to see if he does get along but.... i guess the organization had all that money to maybe waste. It doesn't make sense.. i would of kept the money until we search around to get someone who we really need!!!
Hankinson is sold on Powell for some reason. He also believes they have done their due diligence on his injury history and that Powell is committed to the organization and to MLS.
Just to clarify. I left the team before I was put on waivers. I told Tim I wanted to be put on waivers because I didn't feel he showed me any respect as a man or a player. I was being paid about five thousand more dollars than the leaugue minimun, and I felt that I deserved more from my contribution. If it wasn't for Robin Fraser deferring some of his funds last year I would have never played in the MLS last year. Thanks again Robin, much appreciated! Tim is a good man and a decent person, but I felt disrespect from him, and it pissed me off as a man first, and a player secondly. This is Tim's problem as a coach, he knows the game but he is not confident enough in himself so he blames his defense, because it is the easiest thing to do if you lose any game at all. I had a problem with his approach, not as a coach, but as a person, his people skills to me were lacking. Mine suck to but mostly on the field of play. He has to remember that he is dealing with grown men that have children and a family, who do not like to be told to "shut their -uckin mouth". Soccer is a game that involves emotion shouting, yelling, cussing, so at times it's necessary. Ask anyone who has played at a higher level and they'll tell you exactly that. That's the game! If you never competed as a player at a higher level you'd never know, which is Tims biggest problem! How is he going to tell someone like Valderamma or Spencer what soccer is all about? He has never experienced it at a higher level to know. For that matter how could he tell anyone on the team what soccer is about? He cannot relate. They all play at a higher level than he did! Look at Loren Donaldson for instance, by far the most successful coach in Denver, and had won several championships with the Foxes. How the hell was he an assistant to Tim? Loren even played for Jamaica, so he knows the level well. He is also a great people person, so why is he not considered for a coaching role before Tim or anyone else in Colorado? Why not Paul Bravo? Paul Bravo would be an awesome coach, and he knows the level also. He kicked ass at the MLS level! I thank those of you who say I should be back on the team, that is flattering, however I doubt some of the players would want me back. I think I pissed some of them off. That's alright though I think they are all great players, and they need a coach that can bring that out in them. They have all his black and blue ************ to live up to, and the team is full of highly skilled players. They are trying to be something that they are not because of Tim. Trying to reduce good talented players to thug status is a travesty. I played thuggish so did Jeff and Pablo, and Robin, along with other players here and there, but on this team it is not necessary, because they are a very taleneted bunch of players. They need a coach that will allow them to play without fear of losing their spot or job every single game. In professional soccer losing your spot is a reality, but every game, it is silly! Good luck to my former teamates! I know not one of you bastards will call me but that's okay, it's all good!(smile)
No disprepect to you because that was a pretty insightful post which I mostly agree with and I do think you'd be a welcome addition back to the team. BUT, how can anyone know that this is really Rick Titus? Like I said no offense, just no one has even mentioned that. Garrett
Anyone that knows me wouldn't need to ask if it is really me! Ya it's Rick Titus! I always speak openly(probably too much), and I don't see the sense in coming on these sites with a monniker. I choose to let people know who I am, so that they know where I stand! Thanks for the support by the way, it's much appreciated!
Re: Anyone that knows me wouldn't need to ask if it is really me! I'll take your word for it and say that I wish more guys did the same. good luck.
Titus was a tough, hard-nosed defender of high quality. The Rapids sure could use him now, though they could use a big striker (Zizi!) even more. He made a couple of key mistakes at inopportune times, but it happens. That sure was an interesting post.
Re: Just to clarify. Rick, Thanks for the insightful post. A lot of meat in your words, and maybe Hanki can learn from stuff like this. Another question for you, what about Dave Dir as the next head man? Good luck, Eddie
Under the assumption that that is actually Rick Titus writing, the post is very insightful and very cool. Interesting to think that he likes Bravo as a coach, I mean Loren is a gimme, but Paul is a young guy just out of MLS. I hadn't thought about that. This team needs a change, and absent changing all the players, you can just change one guy; the coach.
It's not just the coach, though. Changing the coach would do just about as much good as throwing a glass of water on the Hayman fire. The problem lies higher up. I'll leave it there.
I agree with bringing in Bravo. Dude was a stud on the pitch, especially MLS, not so much Nats, but still, that has got to bring respect from the players. Of course, he probably knows most of the guys on the team already, is familiar with the organization, certainly well-liked by the fans.... Who am I kidding, he'll never work out!