Formation Speculation

[Tom in Fairfield CT]

This is my starting XI come Orlando:

---------------------------Saunders
-------Williams-----Facey-----Hernandez-----Wingert
---------------------------Jacobson
---------------------Poku--------Grabavoy
-------------------------------Mix
---------------------Nemec-------Villa

Starting XI by the end of the season:

-----------------------------Meara
-------Williams-----John-------Hernandez-----Wingert
------------------------------Poku
------------------Lampard------Grabavoy
-------------------------------Mix
---------------------Mullins-------Villa

(+DP3 somewhere)

What do you like about nemec over Shelton?

 

[thesauerchise]

I'm not sure if the formation on paper is as important as the fluidity of their play. My thoughts on this include this passage:

In some ways the NYCFC formation defies definition. If the attacking players continue to show such fluidity, and the full backs push up so far, fluidity of their football will make any tactics boards obsolete. However they must be careful how far they spread out their center backs and where the full backs station themselves.

http://www.nycfcblues.com/2015/03/new-york-city-fc-vs-charleston-battery-in-depth-look/

 

[kun]

What do you like about nemec over Shelton?

His height, experience, his general presence. I think he is a good foil for Villa.

I think the strikers will rotate as the season goes on, but I see Nemec starting the season in poll position.

 

[Tom in Fairfield CT]

His height, experience, his general presence. I think he is a good foil for Villa.

I think the strikers will rotate as the season goes on, but I see Nemec starting the season in poll position.

I didn't see anything from him that was impressive in St Mirren or Charleston. I hop eKreis can get him going because he really looks the part.

 

[kun]

I didn't see anything from him that was impressive in St Mirren or Charleston. I hop eKreis can get him going because he really looks the part.

I didn't think he was that impressive either, but he's the most established of our potential Villa partners, so I think he'll start the season as first pick.

 

[BlueWarrior]

If we had Xavi I'm thinking maybe something like this. And hopefully john will be ready for the summer.


----------------Villa------------
-Shelton-------Xavi-------------Lampard
----------Mix---------Facey--------------
-Wingert-----------------------------Williams
---------John--------Hernandez-----------
----------------Saunders----------------------

Based on todays match I really like Shelton coming from out wide. I also think Facey could be a better defensive presence in midfield than jacobson. Wonder if this formation could work. Looks dangerous on paper and a possible contender for mls cup.

 

[MagnusPax]

So this is what they came out with tonight, almost a flat 4-4-2.

-----------Villa------------Nemec
-Grabovoy----Mix---------AJ---------Ballouchy
Brovsky-----Wingert---Hernandez----Williams
----------------Saunders----------------------

Trying to formulate the least amount of changes, how about this next week:

------------Shelton-----------Nemec
-Villa------Grabavoy-------AJ---------Mix
Wingert-----Mendoza---Hernandez----Williams
----------------Saunders----------------------

Now I know Nemec had a rough time. But I think he needs time. My theory here was to do as little possible to change the starting 11. If Nemec needs to sit, than bring out Mullins or Taylor. Brovsky and Ballouchy aren't cutting it, they go to the bench. Bring Shelton on, move Villa back to LM/LW. Slide Grabavoy over and push Mix out wide or just have Grabovoy out right and leave Mix in the middle, he'll drift there anyways. Bring in Kwame or Mendoza to play CB and put Wingert out to his more natural LB. Sure he is slow, but I think he is smarter than Brovsky.

 

[kun]

Mix should play in the centre, he is the key.

------Villa------------Shelton---------Velasquez
-------Grabavoy--------Mix--------Jacobson
Wingert-----Hernandez----Facey------Williams
--------------------------Saunders

Or if we are solid on playing 442

---------------------Villa--------Nemec
----Calle-----------Mix--------Jacobson------Shelton
Wingert---Hernandez---------Facey------Williams
--------------------------Saunders

 

[Vito]

For me this is our starting XI for Sunday

 

[MagnusPax]

View attachment 1944

For me this is our starting XI for Sunday

I'm compltely okay with this formation but can Shelton really play RM? Seems like he came in and played a right forward. This team needs more in midfield not less. The players aren't there to play a 4-3-3.

 

[Vito]

I'm compltely okay with this formation but can Shelton really play RM? Seems like he came in and played a right forward. This team needs more in midfield not less. The players aren't there to play a 4-3-3.

I get what you're saying, but Shelton did show that he can defend. He was back a lot helping Williams on the right when he had to deal with Kaka and Brek Shea. I don't see him as a RM, but he did look very strong out on that side and I can't see Villa playing as a LM or us playing a 4-3-3

 

[Kjbert]

Kreis said he thinks Shelton's future is on the rightside of the mid-field and not up top. I trust in him.

I think Grabavoy needs to move center. There was no link up play ont he left side and I think that really hurt Villa. I would love to see a line-up where Villa plays as a winger on the leftside. I think that gives him more freedom and doesn't allow defenses to key on him. If they do, it opens up the center for Mix or the right side.

I think a 4-2-3-1 is the way to go now. I don't see how a Diamond works after yesterday.

 

[MagnusPax]

I have never read where Kreis said Shelton is RM. Link?

Grabovoy seemed to play fine on the left at RSL, maybe its because AJ and Mix aren't Morales and Beckerman.

So is this what you are saying?
-------------------------Nemec-----------------------
------Villa-----------Grabavoy------------Shelton
---------------Mix--------Jacobson
Wingert-----Hernandez----Facey------Williams
--------------------------Saunders

 

[Kubah]

I have never read where Kreis said Shelton is RM. Link?

While rewatching the game last night, I think Twellman mentioned talking to Kreis about K19 being more of a RM than a forward.

 

[MikeDatTiger]

While rewatching the game last night, I think Twellman mentioned talking to Kreis about K19 being more of a RM than a forward.

This is true, and exactly how Shelton played yesterday.

 

[Midas Mulligan]

I think Grabavoy is not good out that far wide.

Screw it. Let's go 4-1-4-1 with AJ at d-mid, Grabavoy and Mix at CM. Shelton on the right, Taylor on the left.

Other quick fixes that might be more realistic: Mix as a false 9 with Villa on LW or, more likely assuming he will distribute, Villa as a false 9 with Taylor and Shelton cutting in on the wings. We have to have some pace.

As dumb as this sounds, I knew that before the season from buying our players on FUT. The team just can't open things up without a threat to get in behind. I'm sorry, but Nemec looked like someone shaved up Nat Borchers and slipped him into a striker role. He's not the guy for us right now. I think he might be useful at some point, especially if the MLS starts relegating teams and we have to go to USL, or if they change the rules and you're only allowed to play with your chest.

 

[sbrylski]

I think he might be useful at some point, especially if the MLS starts relegating teams and we have to go to USL, or if they change the rules and you're only allowed to play with your chest.

Lol.

The 4-1-4-1 ran through my mind too, but I haven't suggested it because I don't think that's in Kreis' arsenal. I think we've seen him employ the 4-4-2 in both flat and diamond, the 4-2-3-1, and a brief 4-3-3 late in two games.

I think if you have Shelton and Taylor on the wings in a 4-1-4-1, it'll look an awful lot like a 4-3-3, because those two are going to play high and be pinching in every chance they get. But those late games where we switched to a 4-3-3 are the only times our offense actually looked like something to deal with, so I'm for it.

 

[Midas Mulligan]

Lol.

The 4-1-4-1 ran through my mind too, but I haven't suggested it because I don't think that's in Kreis' arsenal. I think we've seen him employ the 4-4-2 in both flat and diamond, the 4-2-3-1, and a brief 4-3-3 late in two games.

I think if you have Shelton and Taylor on the wings in a 4-1-4-1, it'll look an awful lot like a 4-3-3, because those two are going to play high and be pinching in every chance they get. But those late games where we switched to a 4-3-3 are the only times our offense actually looked like something to deal with, so I'm for it.

Exactly.

 

[Kjbert]

Anyone else, after watching the game, think that Villa needs to be played out wide? Let him run at people?

 

[Tom in Fairfield CT]

Anyone else, after watching the game, think that Villa needs to be played out wide? Let him run at people?

I think that weakens our midfield. I'd rather get the system going that will start to deliver him consistent service where he can do the most good, right at the 18.