Formation Speculation

[sbrylski]

I doubt Kreis makes any serious changes anytime soon, but so far we look tremendously uninspired in the 4-4-2 and a few players are clearly not up to par. We seem so much more suited to the 4-2-3-1.

---------------------Nemec----------------------
------------------------------------------------
------Villa-----------Mix-----------Shelton-----
------------------------------------------------
-----------Jacobson------------Poku-------------
------------------------------------------------
--Wingert----Hernandez----W.Siriboe---Williams--

First, Brovsky out for KWS. That should be a no brainer.

Next, get Mix out of a pure CDM role. I don't think he's a true CAM either, but at least get more midfielders behind him so he can play a bigger role in the attack. Poku should be getting time over the lackluster Grabavoy and Velasquez.

Finally, get Shelton in there. He's one of our best attackers, and has been so in every game he's played in.

We are a little weak down the sides, as Villa and Shelton won't provide a ton defensively, but Mix can hang back a little bit to allow Jacobson and Poku to widen and help chase down wide play. (Not a big concern at Yankee Stadium anyway.)

 

[Gavin23]

I doubt Kreis makes any serious changes anytime soon, but so far we look tremendously uninspired in the 4-4-2 and a few players are clearly not up to par. We seem so much more suited to the 4-2-3-1.

---------------------Nemec----------------------
------------------------------------------------
------Villa-----------Mix-----------Shelton-----
------------------------------------------------
-----------Jacobson------------Poku-------------
------------------------------------------------
--Wingert----Hernandez----W.Siriboe---Williams--

First, Brovsky out for KWS. That should be a no brainer.

Next, get Mix out of a pure CDM role. I don't think he's a true CAM either, but at least get more midfielders behind him so he can play a bigger role in the attack. Poku should be getting time over the lackluster Grabavoy and Velasquez.

Finally, get Shelton in there. He's one of our best attackers, and has been so in every game he's played in.

We are a little weak down the sides, as Villa and Shelton won't provide a ton defensively, but Mix can hang back a little bit to allow Jacobson and Poku to widen and help chase down wide play. (Not a big concern at Yankee Stadium anyway.)

I would love to see Kreis play this.

 

[sbrylski]

Alright, quick turnaround this week. Going into Sunday's matchup, the main player I'm concerned about fitness is Shelton - he played the full 90 on Thursday and derives some value from his speed. I could see him reverting back to his role off the bench for this game, even if he's technically won a starting spot at this point.

I want more Calle at left back. His distribution was great from that spot and he didn't seem to be an obvious defensive liability. And while Kries is likely shielding the team from "rookie mistakes," Poku provides a huge spark in the midfield and needs to develop while on the pitch.

My preferred lineup is basically the same as last week, structured slightly different because Kries calls it a 4-3-3 even though Shelton tracks back:

---------------------Nemec----------------------
------Villa-------------------------Shelton-----
------------------------------------------------
----------------------Mix-----------------------
-----------Jacobson------------Poku-------------
------------------------------------------------
---Calle------------------------------Williams--
--------------Wingert-----Hernandez-------------

That midfield should be stout despite being just a trio. Mix needs to be in a spot where he can run the show, rather than spending half the game just providing a back pass for failed runs by Grabavoy/Velasquez.

If Shelton and/or Villa aren't fit to start, then we will probably drop back to the 4-4-2 in which case our midfield will look something like Grabavoy-Mix-Jacobson-Velasquez again. If so, ugh.

 

[Midas Mulligan]

We need a 3 man backline since we have no competent fullbacks. I think Calle would be a great WB if he weren't out of shape.

Shelton would be competent at RWB.

I can't see the point in running out the same pitiful fullbacks.

And I can't see why in the world we would not start Poku. If we're going to suck, let's suck with guys who have the aptitude for improvement.

 

[Statler]

We need a 3 man backline since we have no competent fullbacks. I think Calle would be a great WB if he weren't out of shape.

Shelton would be competent at RWB.

I can't see the point in running out the same pitiful fullbacks.

And I can't see why in the world we would not start Poku. If we're going to suck, let's suck with guys who have the aptitude for improvement.

It's the weakness on the back line that makes me think they need four. Reduce the area of responsibility for each.

I liked the 4-3-3 last game. Wouldn't mind seeing Jacobsen in place of Calle. Grabavoy, Mix, Poku at midfield. Villa, Nemec and Shelton up front. Also wouldn't mind seeing Taylor up front in place of Nemec, and Mullins for Villa if El Guaje can't go.

 

[Gavin23]

4-3-3 in the first half vs Philly looked better than most of our first halves.

Does anyone know all the formations we have played in all the halves of our games thus far? Have they all been 4-4-2?

 

[Tom in Fairfield CT]

4-3-3 in the first half vs Philly looked better than most of our first halves.

Does anyone know all the formations we have played in all the halves of our games thus far? Have they all been 4-4-2?

I think they have been 442, except SKC when we played a 4231

 

[Gavin23]

I think they have been 442, except SKC when we played a 4231

Ok we definitely need a shift in formation to a 4-3-3

 

[Tom in Fairfield CT]

Ok we definitely need a shift in formation to a 4-3-3

I think Calle allows us to do that, and hopefully moving brovsky to the right helps him too

 

[P Polef]

Been hearing Calle - Wingert - Watson Siriboe - Brovsky for the back 4, think it's likely?

I'd like to see what we look like without Williams, to be honest. I like what he brings, but his fitness has been a problem for the full 90 when he's playing the wings as hard as the 4-3-3 lets us

 

[MagnusPax]

We need a 3 man backline since we have no competent fullbacks. I think Calle would be a great WB if he weren't out of shape.

Shelton would be competent at RWB.

I can't see the point in running out the same pitiful fullbacks.

And I can't see why in the world we would not start Poku. If we're going to suck, let's suck with guys who have the aptitude for improvement.

Conceded the goal 5 minutes after Poku checked in. What's he coming in for? Offense?

 

[Midas Mulligan]

Conceded the goal 5 minutes after Poku checked in. What's he coming in for? Offense?

I think he was told to give up the goal. They weren't going after Brosky quite enough to ensure they scored, so we had to make a change and continue to insist upon Jacobsen not being our deepest midfielder. That sound about right?

 

[Kjbert]

Fluke goal.

Poku and Mix in the midfield provides possession. With Lampard and Shelton wide to make runs, I like the potential.

Kreis can't sell us on possession football and then let Grabavoy and Velasquez trip over themselves for 90 minutes. I don't mind losing but it's more fun to watch those last 20 minutes with Poku and Shelton than what I'm used to with this team.

 

[MagnusPax]

I hope we get to see Poku, Mix and Shelton all start together. Then we'll finally know if they are really an improvement.

 

[kun]

Based on everything I have seen (season and pre-season):

Villa--------Mullins/Nemec--------Shelton
--------Mix-----Jacobson-----Poku*
--Calle-----------------------------Williams
--------Hernandez-----Facey**
------------------Saunders

* Lampard to come in upon arrival
** John to come in when fit

 

[Tom in Fairfield CT]

Based on everything I have seen (season and pre-season):

Villa--------Mullins/Nemec--------Shelton
--------Mix-----Jacobson-----Poku*
--Calle-----------------------------Williams
--------Hernandez-----Facey**
------------------Saunders

* Lampard to come in upon arrival
** John to come in when fit

I would put Brovsky in over Williams at this point, he has looked goo din two games on the right side, and williams has not looked right since his heart problem.

From what I read the viral pericarditis can last months, so even though he might not be feeling pain on exertion, he still may be limited somewhat by it.

 

[Kjbert]

Mullins/Nemec----Villa
----------Poku-----------
Lampard--------Shelton
----------Mix-------------
Calle-Wingert-Hernandez-Alvarez
-----------Saunders-------

4-4-2 Diamond.

 

[Tom in Fairfield CT]

Mullins/Nemec----Villa
----------Poku-----------
Lampard--------Shelton
----------Mix-------------
Calle-Wingert-Hernandez-Alvarez
-----------Saunders-------

4-4-2 Diamond.

I know alvarez came in for brovsky, but i didn't think he was really playing RB, I don't know how good of a defender he is.

 

[Kjbert]

I know alvarez came in for brovsky, but i didn't think he was really playing RB, I don't know how good of a defender he is.

Do you think we were in a 3-5-2? I was trying to figure out what our formation there was. Looked like Jacobson dropped to a CB and Calle played up the field.

 

[Tom in Fairfield CT]

Do you think we were in a 3-5-2? I was trying to figure out what our formation there was. Looked like Jacobson dropped to a CB and Calle played up the field.

It was hard to tell because Portland was 11 behind the ball, and I think we weren't even respecting their attack at that point. Calle and Alvarez were basically midfielders. 2-6-2? haha