We played Bravo in CB in preseason. It worked well and he linked up with Lurch to bring the ball out to the midfield very well. I want to see this.
Formation Speculation
- Thread starter sbrylski
- Start date
Also Remeber if Costa Rica do Well in the Copa, he could be out well past when we play philly...
At this point that would mean USA gets eliminated in the group stage. I'm not going there. Yet.
Completely based on the unfounded Bendtner rumor..... but would love to see this:
In my ideal formation, FL is sitting in the stands with his favorite Chelsea groupies.
If the Cookie Burger has to stay, then Bendtner would be signed cheaply this year and get a DP contract next year just like how LA has torqued the rules.
Iraola looked pretty good in that defensive midfielder role against RSL. Not sure if he was supposed to be playing that role or not.
Well, Bravo and Lopez were both out, so we had to improvise. I thought he put in a solid shift against Orlando. Didn't see enough of the RSL game to judge. I think that spot is Bravo's when he is healthy, but might prefer Iraola there to Lopez.
I thought he did well against RSL. The best option may be to change from game to game based on the opposition as the both bring different aspects to the team. Bravo is a fast more physical defender while Iraola is serviceable in defense and excels at positioning and link up play. Maybe we play Bravo against fast, physical counter attacking teams and Iraola against build up style possession based teams. To make it even simpler based on the way the league is right now we could probably play Iraola against most western conference teams and Bravo against the eastern conference teams.
I reviewed a couple game reports from the Philly match and we really played more like a 4-2-3-1 with Lampard almost playing like a supporting striker:
Any complaints with this lineup? I pretty much have none. The midfield is pretty old, but they seemed alright last week, and we have Bravo, Lopez, and Mix on the bench if we ever want more legs.
In fact, I could get behind someone else's suggestion of moving Mix for an MLS centerback this summer. It would be rough on chemistry, and I go back and forth on whether I'd replace Brillant or Hernandez, but it could go a long way to solidifying this squad's position as a playoff team.
And between Mix and Mena, that's $1 million in salary cap plus allocation money to spend on a new CB. That's a good chunk of cash. Really thinking those two salaries need to be cleared. Or hell, move Mix to a team that has a DP spot and get TAM/GAM, then bring in Guzan on a ~$1 million salary? No idea his ballpark.
Any complaints with this lineup? I pretty much have none. The midfield is pretty old, but they seemed alright last week, and we have Bravo, Lopez, and Mix on the bench if we ever want more legs.
In fact, I could get behind someone else's suggestion of moving Mix for an MLS centerback this summer. It would be rough on chemistry, and I go back and forth on whether I'd replace Brillant or Hernandez, but it could go a long way to solidifying this squad's position as a playoff team.
And between Mix and Mena, that's $1 million in salary cap plus allocation money to spend on a new CB. That's a good chunk of cash. Really thinking those two salaries need to be cleared. Or hell, move Mix to a team that has a DP spot and get TAM/GAM, then bring in Guzan on a ~$1 million salary? No idea his ballpark.
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I think it was more of a 4141 but don't doubt it could be a 4231. Pirlo played pretty advanced at times and definitely more advanced than Iraola.I reviewed a couple game reports from the Philly match and we really played more like a 4-2-3-1 with Lampard almost playing like a supporting striker:
Any complaints with this lineup? I pretty much have none. The midfield is pretty old, but they seemed alright last week, and we have Bravo, Lopez, and Mix on the bench if we ever want more legs.
In fact, I could get behind someone else's suggestion of moving Mix for an MLS centerback this summer. It would be rough on chemistry, and I go back and forth on whether I'd replace Brillant or Hernandez, but it could go a long way to solidifying this squad's position as a playoff team.
And between Mix and Mena, that's $1 million in salary cap plus allocation money to spend on a new CB. That's a good chunk of cash. Really thinking those two salaries need to be cleared.
I also don't doubt that Mix may move away during the summer, either because he wants out or because the staff finds him superfluous to their plans. But if he leaves, it may be short-sighted since Pirlo/lamps will soon be gone so we'd still have to find replacements for them which Mix can be. It's a logjam this year but next should be different.
If Mix and Mena are moved this summer, it would only be a $500k saving as their cap hits are prorated. Helpful yes but not the windfall you hope for. And I still think that Mena is a big upgrade over Hernandez - I doubt Mena feels that taking a second yellow would ever help the team.
I don't have many complaints with this lineup either. I think its as close to our best as we can get. The only thing I would consider is Mendoza over TMac out on the wing, but I'm not completely sold that that is a better option. In fact, I might prefer Mendoza coming off the bench around 65' or so to bring a ton of speed against tired fullbacks that are used to dealing with a slow TMac.I reviewed a couple game reports from the Philly match and we really played more like a 4-2-3-1 with Lampard almost playing like a supporting striker:
Any complaints with this lineup? I pretty much have none. The midfield is pretty old, but they seemed alright last week, and we have Bravo, Lopez, and Mix on the bench if we ever want more legs.
In fact, I could get behind someone else's suggestion of moving Mix for an MLS centerback this summer. It would be rough on chemistry, and I go back and forth on whether I'd replace Brillant or Hernandez, but it could go a long way to solidifying this squad's position as a playoff team.
And between Mix and Mena, that's $1 million in salary cap plus allocation money to spend on a new CB. That's a good chunk of cash. Really thinking those two salaries need to be cleared. Or hell, move Mix to a team that has a DP spot and get TAM/GAM, then bring in Guzan on a ~$1 million salary? No idea his ballpark.
Regarding your second point, I'm a big Mix fan, but I could hear your argument here. The big question around making a move like that however, is what is the status of Pirlo and Lampard after this season? That has a big impact on what we do with Mix. I'd hate to make a mid-season move getting rid of Mix if it only kept us as a playoff team. The move, IMO, would need to be great enough to take us to an eastern conference favorite.
I would be behind making a run at Guzan if the money is right. I know he's having a great Copa right now, but I still don't think he ends up making Timmy Howard money.
But also remember whoever we would bring on, their salary would also be prorated. So its somewhat of a wash there.
Well, when Lampard and Pirlo leave, we'll also have two DP spots open. So I don't know if keeping Mix on his salary just so he's around in a year or two when a spot opens up is a critical concern. Lose Lampard, add Honda. Lose Pirlo, add a different DP CM.
Also, McNamara has clearly jumped Mix on the depth chart, even if he's playing wing for now. He could easily be Lampard's replacement at CAM.
I'd rather use at least one DP on offensive talent since we've been bereft of such outside of Villa. Harrison will definitely help, but we need another trusted forward.
And I definitely disagree that TMac is a suitable replacement in the middle. He disappears far too often during games and can't play defense anywhere near what Mix can do. Granted, when he scores they are beautiful but the rut in between goals can be long. I think he's jumped the depth chart for the forwards, but that's not a good barometer since we're talking about beating out Shelton, Mendoza & Taylor.
With the lineup Saturday, the weak link positions/players in order of magnitude are:
1. GK/Saunder's
2. CB/Hernandez
3. LW/TMac
We can survive by not upgrading the LW, but if we don't address the first 2, we should just sign TUMS as our new signature sponsor and pass them out at halftime.
What will be interesting next week is which CB gets the not to pair with Brillant - White or Mena??? And if they have a stellar game do they stay in the week after or does PV go back to Hernandez for the Derby? I'd like to think they'd get rewarded for good play and Hernandez sat for being a yellow card moron, but I doubt that will happen.
Grampa Frank and his injured calf have started one game this year, so let's trade mix.
More like if Mix isn't playing. Let's 1. Trade him and receive a player who would play and contribute for the same amount of money, or 2. Replace him with a similar contributing player for less money and use the extra funds elsewhere.
This talk of trading mix has less to do with Fatso, and more to do with his current position on the team in relation to his salary.
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