Formation Speculation

[gbservis]

Iraola probably starts as soon as the visa clears. same as Lampard. If Pirlo actually signs, ditto. But Angelino probably will need time to adjust. Calle will need some more time to get full max fit. In the meantime, Brovsky/Wingert will mostly likely start at LB until Angelino is proven or at least match fit. If it's Poku or AJ vs. Calle, Poku or AJ get the spot until Calle can prove he's healthy.

Other than that I agree with everyone else, Villa alone at the top isn't the best plan, since he seems to need a partner.

I think part of the reason we need AJ as a defender to protect the back line is because AJ as a distributor gives the ball away a lot. replace AJ and another one of our careless midfield players with Pirlo and Lampard and we should see an improvement in our ability to transition the ball from defense to offense through the midfield. We should also see a reduction in poorly timed give always that result in our FB getting completely caught out of position. If we can improve those areas I think we can go with Calle or Poku over Jacobson.

 

[Tom in Fairfield CT]

I think part of the reason we need AJ as a defender to protect the back line is because AJ as a distributor gives the ball away a lot. replace AJ and another one of our careless midfield players with Pirlo and Lampard and we should see an improvement in our ability to transition the ball from defense to offense through the midfield. We should also see a reduction in poorly timed give always that result in our FB getting completely caught out of position. If we can improve those areas I think we can go with Calle or Poku over Jacobson.

Go to our last game on mlssoccer.com. Go to the boxscore page and select only jacobson. Then click distribution and look at his successful passes. You will fall over when you see what comes from the bottom of the diamond. It is so clear what the reason we get nothing going. 3

If you want to laugh, click Mccarty's button. Thats what distribution should look like.

 

[sbrylski]

I think part of the reason we need AJ as a defender to protect the back line is because AJ as a distributor gives the ball away a lot. replace AJ and another one of our careless midfield players with Pirlo and Lampard and we should see an improvement in our ability to transition the ball from defense to offense through the midfield. We should also see a reduction in poorly timed give always that result in our FB getting completely caught out of position. If we can improve those areas I think we can go with Calle or Poku over Jacobson.

I'm still undecided on whether Villa need a permanent partner up top. On defense however, we need Jacobson on the field every game. Against the Red Bulls, he showed up at midfield on the heat map - we had no DM. And we got torched. So, first, our CB's are improving but still can't be trusted alone. Second, we have new fullbacks that are going to be involved in the attack - a lot. And third, Pirlo provides some but very little defense.

 

[Gavin23]

I went to the barber and asked for a NYCFC haircut. The guy gave me a mess at the back, spotty on the sides and nothing up front.

 

[gbservis]

I'm still undecided on whether Villa need a permanent partner up top. On defense however, we need Jacobson on the field every game. Against the Red Bulls, he showed up at midfield on the heat map - we had no DM. And we got torched. So, first, our CB's are improving but still can't be trusted alone. Second, we have new fullbacks that are going to be involved in the attack - a lot. And third, Pirlo provides some but very little defense.

Against RB we badly needed a DM, Jacobson was lined up as a DM, then played the game as a CM according to the heat maps. So why is the assumption that it was tactics? Isn't there just as much chance that Jacobson is a crappy DM who goes forward too often and has poor positioning? Yes, maybe Pirlo is slower and less physical but his positioning, anticipation and distribution are all better. We all agree the back line needs the help of a DM, problem is as the redbull game showed Jacobson doesn't play like a DM, he plays like a CM with crappy passing skills.

 

[sbrylski]

Against RB we badly needed a DM, Jacobson was lined up as a DM, then played the game as a CM according to the heat maps. So why is the assumption that it was tactics? Isn't there just as much chance that Jacobson is a crappy DM who goes forward too often and has poor positioning? Yes, maybe Pirlo is slower and less physical but his positioning, anticipation and distribution are all better. We all agree the back line needs the help of a DM, problem is as the redbull game showed Jacobson doesn't play like a DM, he plays like a CM with crappy passing skills.

He's had good defensive positioning all year long, except this last game.

 

[Tom in Fairfield CT]

He's had good defensive positioning all year long, except this last game.

That tells me he was told to push up, maybe leaving #11 back to play defense? Yeesh

 

[Midas Mulligan]

Iraola probably starts as soon as the visa clears. same as Lampard. If Pirlo actually signs, ditto. But Angelino probably will need time to adjust. Calle will need some more time to get full max fit. In the meantime, Brovsky/Wingert will mostly likely start at LB until Angelino is proven or at least match fit. If it's Poku or AJ vs. Calle, Poku or AJ get the spot until Calle can prove he's healthy.

Other than that I agree with everyone else, Villa alone at the top isn't the best plan, since he seems to need a partner.

You can make that rationale. Or you could call Kreis out as a sackless monkey for continuing to run out people based on experience. Experience at what? Getting beaten and doing nothing but filling a slot on the lineup sheet!?

 

[Midas Mulligan]

He's had good defensive positioning all year long, except this last game.

Falsssssseeeeeeeee.

Or maybe I just don't notice because he olés the shit out of every other attempted tackle.

 

[Midas Mulligan]

I think part of the reason we need AJ as a defender to protect the back line is because AJ as a distributor gives the ball away a lot. replace AJ and another one of our careless midfield players with Pirlo and Lampard and we should see an improvement in our ability to transition the ball from defense to offense through the midfield. We should also see a reduction in poorly timed give always that result in our FB getting completely caught out of position. If we can improve those areas I think we can go with Calle or Poku over Jacobson.

Early in the year, our fullbacks got forward regularly, to absolutely no effect except even more rampant counters because they give it away worse than Yacobsen.

 

[sbrylski]

Falsssssseeeeeeeee.

Or maybe I just don't notice because he olés the shit out of every other attempted tackle.

Jacobson is 16th in the entire league in tackles per game, right behind Beckerman and Alonso, and right above Ciman. He's middle of the pack in interceptions and fouls. He's 101st in passing percentage, behind a number of our regular starters.

Jacobson is a fairly tenacious player, with average positioning, and poor distribution. He's just above the tolerable line for me. For now.

 

[Midas Mulligan]

Jacobson is 16th in the entire league in tackles per game, right behind Beckerman and Alonso, and right above Ciman. He's middle of the pack in interceptions and fouls. He's 101st in passing percentage, behind a number of our regular starters.

Jacobson is a fairly tenacious player, with average positioning, and poor distribution. He's just above the tolerable line for me. For now.

I think he sucks. But he sucks less than our fullbacks. Although, that's like comparing militant despots. They all suck ass.

 

[dannd23]

Figured this thread deserved a bump now that it is confirmed Pirlo will be here.

 

[Kjbert]

We have been going with a 4-2-3-1 of late. I think we are going to see a 5 man midfield of Jacobsen, Pirlo, Lampard, Mix and Ballouchy.

I love Poku, but I don't think he fits in that formation. If I had my preference, I would actually like to see a burner like Shelton wide left.

 

[gbservis]

We have been going with a 4-2-3-1 of late. I think we are going to see a 5 man midfield of Jacobsen, Pirlo, Lampard, Mix and Ballouchy.

I love Poku, but I don't think he fits in that formation. If I had my preference, I would actually like to see a burner like Shelton wide left.

Calle wide left is another option if Angelino plays LB and we dont need him there

 

[sbrylski]

We have been going with a 4-2-3-1 of late. I think we are going to see a 5 man midfield of Jacobsen, Pirlo, Lampard, Mix and Ballouchy.

I love Poku, but I don't think he fits in that formation. If I had my preference, I would actually like to see a burner like Shelton wide left.

Actually, last game played like a 4-1-3-2 with Jacobson deep, Poku in the middle, and Ballouchy/Mac playing off him to either side. Both Villa and Mullins drifted left of center, probably because 45% of our attack came down the left line on Wingert's side, who was better with possession than Allen who just made runs forward. (http://www.whoscored.com/Matches/915151/MatchReport)

We've been in a 4-1-x-x for most of the last few weeks. Early on, it was more of a 4-2-x-x with Mix playing behind the play next to Jacobson, but Jacobson has drifted deeper into defense and Mix has been freed up offensively.

I think we'll stay in a 4-1-x-x, and just fill in the x's as our stars become available. Just throw the best 5 guys up top and let them do their thing:

1. Villa
2. Pirlo
3. Lampard
4. Mix
5. Ballouchy
6. McNamara (replaced when Mix returns 8/1)
7. Mullins/Poku (replaced when Pirlo joins 7/26)

I think Poku and Shelton remain on the bench. They are tremendous 60' substitutes - Poku to dribble at tired defenders and Shelton to make runs past them. But as starters they have been good, not great. A better case can be made for Poku to start than Shelton, but Ballouchy has actually been playing very well this year and is 2nd on the team in key passes per game. I think Ballouchy is the more versatile when on the field, filling more roles to help balance the squad.

The above is under the hope that Villa can play up top by himself for long stretches, assuming service gets better. I'm still hoping we grab another striker this window that contends for the 5th spot on the field with Ballouchy (in my rankings) in order to have a quality 2-striker optional formation.

 

[The Toe]

Actually, last game played like a 4-1-3-2 with Jacobson deep, Poku in the middle, and Ballouchy/Mac playing off him to either side. Both Villa and Mullins drifted left of center, probably because 45% of our attack came down the left line on Wingert's side, who was better with possession than Allen who just made runs forward. (http://www.whoscored.com/Matches/915151/MatchReport)

We've been in a 4-1-x-x for most of the last few weeks. Early on, it was more of a 4-2-x-x with Mix playing behind the play next to Jacobson, but Jacobson has drifted deeper into defense and Mix has been freed up offensively.

I think we'll stay in a 4-1-x-x, and just fill in the x's as our stars become available. Just throw the best 5 guys up top and let them do their thing:

1. Villa
2. Pirlo
3. Lampard
4. Mix
5. Ballouchy
6. McNamara (replaced when Mix returns 8/1)
7. Mullins/Poku (replaced when Pirlo joins 7/26)

I think Poku and Shelton remain on the bench. They are tremendous 60' substitutes - Poku to dribble at tired defenders and Shelton to make runs past them. But as starters they have been good, not great. A better case can be made for Poku to start than Shelton, but Ballouchy has actually been playing very well this year and is 2nd on the team in key passes per game. I think Ballouchy is the more versatile when on the field, filling more roles to help balance the squad.

The above is under the hope that Villa can play up top by himself for long stretches, assuming service gets better. I'm still hoping we grab another striker this window that contends for the 5th spot on the field with Ballouchy (in my rankings) in order to have a quality 2-striker optional formation.

With Lamps and Pirlo probably averaging ~75mins/game each, bringing on Poku and Shelton will be a really neat change of pace to bring off the bench. Who knows how they'll be used, but man. We're finally getting some serious midfield depth, in addition to their ability to play forward.

 

[Gotham Gator]

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Villa - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

- - - - - Mix - - - - - Lampard - - - - - Poku - - - - -

- - - - - - - Jacobson - - - - - - - Pirlo - - - - - - - - -

Angelino/Calle - Facey - Hernandez/Tefu - Iraola

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Saunders - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

[dannd23]

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Villa - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

- - - - - Mix - - - - - Lampard - - - - - Poku - - - - -

- - - - - - - Jacobson - - - - - - - Pirlo - - - - - - - - -

Angelino/Calle - Facey - Hernandez/Tefu - Iraola

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Saunders - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I like this a lot.

I doubt Kreis is going to go to this, but I think the best formation NYC could run is a 4-4-2.

----------------Villa--------Poku----------------

Calle----------Lampard-----Pirlo-----------Mix

Angelino/Brovsky----Facey-----Hern/Tefu/Mena-----Iraola

-----------------Saunders-------------------

 

[The Toe]

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Villa - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

- - - - - Mix - - - - - Lampard - - - - - Poku - - - - -

- - - - - - - Jacobson - - - - - - - Pirlo - - - - - - - - -

Angelino/Calle - Facey - Hernandez/Tefu - Iraola

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Saunders - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

It's great because, even if Pirlo is more of a liability getting back than we think he is, a veteran like Iraola would be great cover. Iraola and Angelino on an attack from the flanks with Pirlo sniping passes, too, will make a sane man drool.