Away 05/23 - Rsl
- Thread starter NYCFC_Dan
- Start date
This actually looks like a lineup that can win.
Not that I know of, but we have not been good, and if it were me, I'd tinker to see if I could find a better combination.
I like this, though I'd go Jacobson in place of Ballouchy and push Poku up. I worry this midfield would get caught when Poku carries the ball through the center of the pitch and if we make him stay back we lose his primary attribute. Could also play Ballouchy in place of Mullins if we want since he has scored two class goals (and one opportunistic one). In a front three, his ineffectiveness as a midfielder might be minimized.
We get caught any way when Jacobson passes to the other team constantly. At least poku keeps the ball
I don't think we'll see a true 4-3-3. The closest we have come is having Shelton as the third "forward," on the field, but Kreis has him tracking back like a midfielder.
Plus no Jacobson? Kreis would never trot out that midfield, nor do I think he should.
Do we really know what Poku is yet? We all want him to be a defensive midfielder, but I don't know if I've seen the right mentality for that or the distribution skills we need from the deep midfielder. He's been more of a dribbler that's tough to push off the ball, to start attacks.
If you want two forwards plus Villa, I would be pretty interested in seeing Villa out of the CAM spot. Have him run off Nemec, and we also have both Nemec and Mullins on the field as our best forwards at receiving crosses. Villa has shown the last two games that he's willing to track back a little and get dirty in the midfield.
The three supporting midfielders would have to play pretty defensive then. Maybe call it a 4-3-1-2, or really, it's starting to look like Kreis' diamond:
Code:
------------Nemec-------------Mullins-----------
------------------------------------------------
---------------------Villa----------------------
------------------------------------------------
----------Mix-------------------Grabavoy--------
--------------------Jacobson--------------------
---Calle-------------------------------Brovsky--
--------------Wingert-----Hernandez-------------If everyone's healthy, I think that's Kreis' choice XI in this format. Sub Grabavoy for Ballouchy or Alvarez at your leisure.
But one of our biggest difficulties is turning possession deep in the midfield into attacking opportunities for our forwards. This lineup puts our best player exactly in the position to do that. Mix, Jacobson, and Grabavoy can hold possession all day long with safe passes and back passes to the defense, and wait for Villa to find space, get it to him, follow with a run, and suddenly we have Villa with the ball, Mix running forward, and two target strikers out ahead of them. Worth a shot.
EDIT: Even though I started this post talking down Poku, I actually think Grabavoy's spot in the above lineup is perfect for him. Holding, defensive, yet ready to attack when the space opens. Mix actually fits that description too, which is kind of an interesting thought.
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Really, really like this. It is like in high school baseball when the best kid generally plays shortstop no matter what his professional future is. Villa is so much better than the rest of our team that we should put him where he can have the most impact, even if he'd never play there on a team more on par with his talent.
I used whoscored for my RSl stats on this weeks podcast. I always find it helpful and informative.
Not the most reliable of sources, but here's part of the NYCFC Injury Report from mlssoccer.com.
I spend so much time on that website it's a miracle I'm still employed.
fuckin' hell can I get like a flowchart or something?
I'm just gonna end up coming on here and asking what channel every fuckin' game. You guys don't mind right?
May not be set in stone, but a pretty good rule of thumb:
- Friday: UDN
- Saturday: Local deal
- Sunday: ESPN & FOX
Anyone concerned that focus will be lower with the "return of kreis and half the team to salt lake?"
The boys really need a strong match here. Would be great for the confidence to have 3 or 4 goals and a win. A lot of people have called the tie last week the "turning point" of the season, but we need a big win here if that's the case.
I think this match could say a lot about the team that we're going to be going forward.
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