2015 Offseason Megathread

[AJS]

So, here are a couple of ideas based on our current roster. The weaknesses are apparent. We have a definite need to get 1-2 more quality CBs and a legitimate bomber at LB.

In this first lineup, our glut of CMs means Poku is pushed up to striker. Not his best spot, but one he can manage well. There is a weakness with TMac as one of the midfielders supporting Pirlo. Not his best role.

Another option is to move Lampard back from an attacking role into one where he moves more box-to-box, which frees up Poku to take the CAM position. The problem here is that Lampard no longer has the athleticism to cover all that ground and probably lacks the defensive skills to support Pirlo.

The real solution probably involves getting that defensive minded mid to play on the other side of Pirlo and leaving Frank at the top of the diamond. This means that Mix, Poku, TMac and Mullins get more time on the bench than anyone would like, but it would only be for one more season.

I would really like to build off what we saw in the three game win streak in September which is that this team was much better with someone sitting behind Pirlo. Not a huge Jacobson fan though I think he got a bit of a bum rap this year, but I want somebody sitting in that role. The average position maps for those games was pretty instructive. I would also prefer one stay at home fullback. I think we have enough attacking talent, particularly if we play our best players, that some tactical conservatism serves us well.

 

[BEC SPK]

Next years line up can mostly be figured out through the scientific method otherwise known as "our inaugural season". From experience we can easily come to terms with what is most appropriate heading into next year. Most people agree with the following:

A) 2 new CBs are of the highest importance in our search to patch up our D. A minimum 4 at the back is a must.

B) Pirlo is a liability on defense but is worth his weight in DP $ for our offense. He should NOT bear the responsibility of being the last person before our D-line. Instead, his most important responsibility should be complete focus on being the general of all our attacking plays and being in a proper part of the field to do so. That's 1 CM starter.

C) Mix can be utilized better in a central role rather than at RM. Seeing Mix as part of the central attack is a no brainer. He has expressed that he prefers to be a 6, or 8 and will be fighting to play that role. He also has one of the best work rates and tackling rates on our team. This should prove as an automatic spot for him in the center. That's 2 now at CM.

D) We have a very slow team, with no reliable wingers to play a formation relying on "shuttlers". TMac? Ballouchy? Grabavoy? Villa? Mullins? Poku? Shelton? Not one is worth playing a formation catering to wingers and none can appropriately take the place of our strongest players in the center of the field. I'm not against wingers, but the roster we have heavily favors central talent.

E) Poku should be utilized more, and along with Mix, is the future of our team. We haven't seen enough to make full judgement on where he's best. However I would like to see him heavily involved with seeing the ball. For me, playing him at central forward along with villa (who prefers drifting from the left) is a waste when we have Mullins (the unsung hero) and Shelton (the freak athlete that needs to work on his soccer skills). On a wing is not only a bad position for him, but wingers for this team is not plausible with our strengths/weaknesses. I would like to see him as CAM or a false 9 where his strengths of attacking CBs with space and selfless passing can connect to our man/men playing forward. Starting CAM/False 9.

F) Most of the good teams in MLS are commonly physical/athletic and very strong on the counter. Given our slow team and lack of physical players we need to start taking our team for what it is. A defensive and positional style (similar to tiki-taka) would be the best possible philosophy for the hand we've been dealt. It's not the most exciting, but with the afromentioned players in their correct places, I don't think generating offense will be a big task. At the end of the day, winning is of most importance not how you attain said points.

G) A strong and pure CDM would be of great value to this team. Personally, I don't buy into the idea that Mix will be able to cover for other players like pirlo/Lampard and be there to save the back 4 from an attack every time the opponent has possession. With a pure CDM & Mix playing deeper CM positions and taking turns helping the attack up field (or not? One pure defense and mix being a box to box), we would have the luxury of allowing Lampard and Pirlo do what they're famous for without huge worry of a turnover. 3 CM's. 2 in front of the back 4, Pirlo a bit above them. Where Lampard fits best I'm not sure (2nd CAM or next to Pirlo?). The rest we'll have to wait and see. 4-2-2-2? 4-2-3-1 narrow? 4-3-2-1? 4-3-3 narrow?

With that being said, a new coach with new tactical philosophies couldn't come sooner. Unfortunately, we are not complete enough at this time to play the "sexy", offensive possession football that Kreis envisioned. Instead our best bet is a tactical tiki-taki style. Slow building, but caters to the strength of our DP intelligence. We also have the pressure of playing the 3 DPs we've been paying for while still finding places for our future staples. Luckily it's do-able. I don't think we could go wrong with a defense first coach given the amount of work we need back there. Solid defense means more room for creativity when in possession. Creativity goes hand in hand with the abundance of central minded players that will be the heart of our team this season. I can easily picture a positional team that walks up the field carefully with short passes instead of relying on athleticism that we don't have. Thoughts? Remember, there is a bright side. We can only do better in 2016. Very very high ceilings. Keep the faith

 

[Kjbert]

Interesting name in that article is David Wagner for NYCFC coach

 

[Fantazma]

I've started to think that US players are UNDERPAID and foreign players are OVERPAID in this league. Jefferson Mena and Javier Calle showed nothing that makes me think they are worth their wages. Conversely, you have guys like Brad Evans, Barrett, Borchers, etc. who are probably underpaid in this league.

i would of agreed but then you have hernandez, grabavoy and wingert

 

[BxLio91]

Interesting name in that article is David Wagner for NYCFC coach

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Wagner_(football)

 

[SoupInNYC]

I started this thread with the question - is it too early to discuss the 2016 lineup? I think at this point the 2016 lineup actually begs questions about the 2017 lineup. Here's why.

I believe Tom in Fairfield CT sbrylski and several others have pointed out we have only one season left of Lampard. Isn't 2017 also a CFG option on Pirlo?

So instead of thinking about the trade possibilities for young talent like Mix. Think of how much a talented coach could develop a player like Mix by using Pirlo as a teacher for him. And think of what Poku could learn from Lampard, again, with proper tutelage.

Now imagine after that development the following in 2017:

---------------Villa-------DP2--------------
--------------------Poku--------------------
--TMac------------------------------DP3--
----------------------Mix-------------------
--Upgrade---G John----Mena---AI/Allen-
------------------Upgrade-------------------

That's a really exciting fairly young team. I think Poku, TMac, Mix, Mena and Allen all have a lot of upside potential. Add to that a DP strike partner and a DP winger. Give any kind of upgrade to LB. We've got a lot of future talent. I don't think we need to make LOTS of changes this year. With #kreisout we already know that we will see dramatically reduced time for AJ, Grab and Wingert. Let the roster settle a little bit. Don't trade away the young talent.

Agreed. I know there are quick fixes to be made for this year, and trading away some of our young talent helps get us there, but we need to keep Mix and Poku for the future, once Lamps and Pirlo are gone.

On the option on Pirlo's contract, I thought it was a Pirlo option and not a CFG option?

 

[mgarbowski]

On the option on Pirlo's contract, I thought it was a Pirlo option and not a CFG option?

I've been trying to look this up recently, and my best determination is we just don't know. At the time of the negotiations there were multiple reports saying the option year was the reason the negotiations dragged on. But then those reports split into 3 categories: those who said Pirlo wanted the option, those who said the team wanted the option, and those that ignored whose option it was. When the deal was officially announced, nothing was clarified, because this is MLS and on top of that, this is NYCFC and CFG.
So we don't know. I always thought it was Pirlo's option, as that made more sense to me, but now I don't know. If somebody else can find a definitive answer please weigh in. And definitive does not include some reporter saying so without a named official source. Like I said, I found multiple instances of that going both ways.

 

[Kjbert]

There is no reason why the team would want the option. It has to be a Pirlo options. Two years provides CFG with flexibility. 3 years provides Pirlo control/money. It has to be a Pirlo option.

 

[gbservis]

This means that Mix, Poku, TMac and Mullins get more time on the bench than anyone would like, but it would only be for one more season.

I think TMac and Mullins are sub level at this point in their careers. I understand the desire to get Poku on the field but I didn't see nearly enough out of Mullins this year to justify trying to get him a starting spot. He seems to do well coming off the bench. Hopefully with Kreis gone we don't have to burn subs on old guys like Wingert getting hurt in the first 10 min and we will have them at the end of the game to give guys like Mullins and Tmac the development time they need to grow into future starters.

 

[gbservis]

2 new CBs are of the highest importance in our search to patch up our D. A minimum 4 at the back is a must.

I agree with all of your points except this one. I think Mena showed enough individual talent to warrant a chance to start next to a legitimate CB partner consistently for 5-6 games to see what he can do once he knows the system and is conformable with his CB partner. I've said it before, we have no idea if Mena is good or not because all the line up churn never allowed a solid defensive line to develop. Defense takes time.

 

[BEC SPK]

I agree with all of your points except this one. I think Mena showed enough individual talent to warrant a chance to start next to a legitimate CB partner consistently for 5-6 games to see what he can do once he knows the system and is conformable with his CB partner. I've said it before, we have no idea if Mena is good or not because all the line up churn never allowed a solid defensive line to develop. Defense takes time.

Good point. I agree with that also and have been pro Mena since his signing while others pounced at every opportunity to bash him. Also just remembered George John who adds good depth. I don't think it would hurt to spend out on one very quality CB to take on a leadership role. If only one is necessary that leaves more money to go towards a left fullback. That's hoping that Iraola gives us a solid season

 

[Kjbert]

$250 says George John never suits up for NYCFC
$100 says George John never plays in MLS again

Who wants to take that action? Can we stop considering George John as an option here please?

This offseason, we will go into the transfer window with Hernandez, Mena, Wingert, Iraola, Allen and Brovsky as back line depth. To that, you will add 3 more players.

I'm conflicted on Mena. Seems there is some natural ability there. I think he may also be one of the dumber players soccer-wise I have ever witnessed. Maybe that is made up by having a strong partner, a strong goalkeeper, or more experience. But he lacked awareness last season.

 

[BEC SPK]

$250 says George John never suits up for NYCFC
$100 says George John never plays in MLS again

Who wants to take that action? Can we stop considering George John as an option here please?

This offseason, we will go into the transfer window with Hernandez, Mena, Wingert, Iraola, Allen and Brovsky as back line depth. To that, you will add 3 more players.

I'm conflicted on Mena. Seems there is some natural ability there. I think he may also be one of the dumber players soccer-wise I have ever witnessed. Maybe that is made up by having a strong partner, a strong goalkeeper, or more experience. But he lacked awareness last season.

Yes. There's a lot of depth within the D at the moment. But not many are worth keeping, especially for their cost. I didn't touch on this in my previous post but I thought it goes without saying that we would try and get as much expensive dead weight away from the team as possible to free up $$$ for quality. I too am skeptic of George John but to me he represents hopeful talent above a Hernandez or Wingert. However you're correct that he shouldn't be counted on

 

[Nikita]

No Pirlo in your lineup.

With Pirlo and Lampard in the lineup, there is no natural spot for Mix.

I think with a good DM that plays almost like a third CB, we could set up well in a 4-2-2-2, with the fullbacks providing width and shuttling (and not hanging the CB's out to dry because of their support from the DM). The midfield four are staggered in their depth, going DM-Pirlo-Lampard-Poku, and then Villa plays up top with a quality strike partner.

Mix can either be traded or be the top backup at a number of spots.

So you think NYCFC is going to make "great strides" with this lineup versus 2015? I think the writing on the wall, Iraola was a deficit as a defender. Pirlo…still need an extra defender just to cover the large area he can't, Lampart didn't impress anyone in his second half debut, Poku was "hot & cold," Villa the God will give us another year of "head shaking" and Facey may not even be back!

 

[joe]

I've been trying to look this up recently, and my best determination is we just don't know. At the time of the negotiations there were multiple reports saying the option year was the reason the negotiations dragged on. But then those reports split into 3 categories: those who said Pirlo wanted the option, those who said the team wanted the option, and those that ignored whose option it was. When the deal was officially announced, nothing was clarified, because this is MLS and on top of that, this is NYCFC and CFG.
So we don't know. I always thought it was Pirlo's option, as that made more sense to me, but now I don't know. If somebody else can find a definitive answer please weigh in. And definitive does not include some reporter saying so without a named official source. Like I said, I found multiple instances of that going both ways.

I was looking a few weeks ago as well and couldn't find anything definitive.

 

[mgarbowski]

There is no reason why the team would want the option. It has to be a Pirlo options. Two years provides CFG with flexibility. 3 years provides Pirlo control/money. It has to be a Pirlo option.

I completely agree on the logic. It's just hard to find definitive confirmation.

 

[sbrylski]

I completely agree on the logic. It's just hard to find definitive confirmation.

Why wouldn't we want an option? We get him for two years, and if things are working out, we can keep him here another year. That's a very logical request, no?

 

[Dnigly13]

I would like to see a 3-5-2. We have Mena and Hernandez, we need 2 more CB at least. play pirlo in the center with mix and lamps also in the center either in a flat 5, or a flat 4 with lamps more advanced as a CAM. play 2 speed guy on the wing (shelton maybe) or allow rj/wingert/ieola to play there. Villa, poku up top. taylor and mullis options too...

need a new goalie. My target in the off season are starting keeper, speed on the wings, CBs...

 

[Kjbert]

Yes. There's a lot of depth within the D at the moment. But not many are worth keeping, especially for their cost. I didn't touch on this in my previous post but I thought it goes without saying that we would try and get as much expensive dead weight away from the team as possible to free up $$$ for quality. I too am skeptic of George John but to me he represents hopeful talent above a Hernandez or Wingert. However you're correct that he shouldn't be counted on

I actually think we have miserable depth defensively right now. And while we all would like to shed the dead weight contracts, we can't do this. This isn't the NFL. Most of these contracts are guaranteed, especially to the older players like a Grabavoy, Wingert or Jacobsen - so we can't just say goodbye.

Another reason to be upset with Kreis is that those guys, who have provided little value for their contracts, may very well have long term contracts, crippling our roster flexibility for years forward.

 

[mgarbowski]

Why wouldn't we want an option? We get him for two years, and if things are working out, we can keep him here another year. That's a very logical request, no?

It was more my judgment of who would want and have the leverage to extend negotiations to get the option. Sure, the club would be happy to have an option itself, but I didn't think it would delay the deal for 3-4 weeks over it, especially because it didn't seem like Pirlo would have to cave. He could always stay in Italy or go elsewhere. Pirlo had the leverage to force a player option on the club and the longer the deal was delayed, the more pressure the club was under to get it done because it didn't seem to have many alternatives.