my exact concern when i was seeing the team play yesterday. But i dont see him being benched because he is a superstar DP, which is a problem the team may at times lose speed on attacks or maybe even on counters.
Formation Speculation
- Thread starter sbrylski
- Start date
my exact concern when i was seeing the team play yesterday. But i dont see him being benched because he is a superstar DP, which is a problem the team may at times lose speed on attacks or maybe even on counters.
Yeah, I don't see them benching Lampard, especially after all that has happened and that he's a DP. He'll probably get subbed after 60min.
I see lampard replacing the RM, pairing with grabavoy, and having poku and Jacobsen split DM
And seeing the way we will play, I think calle will compete for a FB position
And seeing the way we will play, I think calle will compete for a FB position
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Henry wasn't a midfielder. We hound the opposing team until we get possession back and if we can't have just one player not pressing at the same rhythm as the others because his legs are gone. That means they get tired earlier. Our midfield gets overrun and either AJ or Poku has to run himself ragged because Frank is too old to press.
Yeah, there's definitely a reason Kreis didn't push for the Lampard signing. He just doesn't fit. He doesn't fit in our plan, he doesn't fit on the pitch, he doesn't fit in our team, he doesn't fit in our city.
kun
Registered
IMO Lampard suits the tip of the diamond to a tee, he can help create and his runs will cause absolute havoc. This is the position he plays when he plays for MCFC, in that position he doesn't need to press (as much) and he is such a good goalscorer from that position.
Only problem is that's Mix's spot. However, I think Mix would be equally effective on the right, slightly deeper.
----------------Poku/Jacobson
-------Diskerud-------------Grabavoy
-------------------Lampard
---Nemec/Mullins-----El Guaje
Only problem is that's Mix's spot. However, I think Mix would be equally effective on the right, slightly deeper.
----------------Poku/Jacobson
-------Diskerud-------------Grabavoy
-------------------Lampard
---Nemec/Mullins-----El Guaje
Locks: Villa, Mix
Probable: Velazquez, Grabavoy
Maybe: Everyone Else
A lot of preseason left. Poku and Jacobson are in a position battle, Calle and Mac haven't really played yet, and nobody is really shining on the back line. Taylor is earning playing time, but might be best off the bench or on the wing in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 when we find it necessary to line up that way.
Probable: Velazquez, Grabavoy
Maybe: Everyone Else
A lot of preseason left. Poku and Jacobson are in a position battle, Calle and Mac haven't really played yet, and nobody is really shining on the back line. Taylor is earning playing time, but might be best off the bench or on the wing in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 when we find it necessary to line up that way.
I suspect, based on the way we seem to play, and from what we've heard about calle, that he will be in the FB mix
If he can be a Yedlin for us, that would be awesome.
Funny you say that. I think he's been better on the USMNT than he was on Seattle. I don't think his skill set, at least being played as a fullback, were used very well by Sigi. It was obvious he doesn't want his fullbacks getting up and down the field. But he was very dangerous with his service to the box.
I posted this on Reddit, figured I'd drop it here too.
Three more games to go before the opener. Here's how I rank our squad so far:
While we likely will stick to the 4-4-2 diamond formation 75-90% of the time, I can also see us playing some 4-2-3-1 when losing in the second half or needing some extra counter attacking play or offense against a tough team. Here's how I would line them up:
Three more games to go before the opener. Here's how I rank our squad so far:
- David Villa - He may not have been dominant through two preseason games, but his body of work clearly earns him the top spot.
- Ned Grabavoy - This may be controversial, but he's looked like a rock so far. He plays like the most versatile midfielder we have, which is key in our 4-4-2 diamond. He also knows MLS play, and I think that gives him a slight leg up going into our franchise's first game of record.
- Mix Diskerud - I've never been insanely impressed with Mix, and it's still unclear to me what role he prefers to play. That said, he's very talented and once he settles in, he may be the best player on the team. Hopefully his varied abilities help him thrive in our system rather than restrict his overall impact.
- Tony Taylor - Taylor has looked super impressive and is the surprise of camp in my opinion. Unfortunately he plays a similar role to David Villa, which means I think he will be tactically relegated to a second half sub, spot start, or allowing for flexibility to play a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 when necessary.
- Sebastian Velasquez - This guy has the work rate of a real number 10. Another former RSL player, Sebastian is destined to play a big role early on for Kreis.
- Andrew Jacobson - Not dominant by any means, but sound with adequate distribution skills. He will need to be truly beaten for his starting spot, as he won't lose it on his own.
- Kwadwo Poku - Poku may be the man to beat him. The physical skills speak for themselves, but he still seems mentally and technically raw. If he continues to develop, he could be a core starter by 2016.
- Patrick Mullins - Shows well-rounded tool kit, but can disappear at times. I think we are best served with him starting along with Villa for both tactical fit and development purposes.
- Adam Nemec - Seems slow and lacking dimensions, but a physical force and threat in the air. Not good enough to be inked in as a starter, but definitely good enough to turn in some man-of-the-match performances when opposing defenses can't handle him.
- Andres Mendoza - I've pushed all the defenders down the list because none of them have stood out. I still think Mendoza has the most physical talent, but the question will be whether he finds chemistry with a CB partner.
- Chris Wingert - Very average, but at least he can play the FB role required in Kreis' system, he's been doing it for years.
- Josh Williams - Not tremendous going forward, but sound enough to start on defense.
- Mehdi Ballouchy - There's a reason he's never locked in a starting spot anywhere. There's also a reason he's still in MLS. Not good, not bad.
- Kwame Watson-Siriboe - As mentioned, nobody has stood out on defense. If KWS is a regular starter, our defense will probably be the weak link.
- Khiry Shelton - Mullins probably has one year to lock down his place in our starting lineup, because Shelton could jump 10 spots on this list by next year. They should let him get consistent playing time in Wilmington for a while until needed.
- Jeb Brovsky - Probably doesn't deserve to be this low, but with a suspect defense, we can't rely on a guy that loves running forward yet lacks pace to recover. Lack of a sound CB pairing hurts Brovsky's stock.
- Matt Dunn - Dunn has potential, but is not a finished product. Probably needs a full year in Wilmington, especially with our midfield depth.
While we likely will stick to the 4-4-2 diamond formation 75-90% of the time, I can also see us playing some 4-2-3-1 when losing in the second half or needing some extra counter attacking play or offense against a tough team. Here's how I would line them up:
Code:
4-2-2 (Diamond) Spot Starters
----------Villa-----------------Mullins--------- Taylor, Nemec
-------------------Velasquez--------------------
--------Grabavoy------------------Mix----------- Calle
--------------------Jacobson-------------------- Poku
---Wingert----------------------------Williams-- Brovsky
--------------Hernandez---Mendoza--------------- Watson-Siriboe
Alternate Formation: 4-2-3-1 Spot Starters
--------------------Mullins--------------------- Nemec
----Villa------------------------------Taylor--- Calle
-------------------Velasquez--------------------
-----------Grabavoy------------Mix-------------- Jacobson, Poku
---Wingert----------------------------Williams-- Brovsky
--------------Hernandez---Mendoza--------------- Watson-SiriboAwesome break down. I agree on most points. That is my starting lineup too. Bravo
MagnusPax
Registered
While I mostly agree with your suggestions, I'm not sure why you have Hernandez in there over KWS. Kwame seemed stronger on defense this weekend than either Mendoza or Hernandez. While I agree no CB was stellar, I'm not sure I agree with your pecking order.
Still a great thoughtful post with intelligent formations and selections. Thanks!
Still a great thoughtful post with intelligent formations and selections. Thanks!
Kyle Wilkie
Registered
Ive just posted this in my blog.... any comments are welcome!! 
I know this may seem a bit premature but its just something to think about from the first 2 pre season games we've seen.
Kreis is obviously a keen lover of the 4-4-2 diamond formation, specifically with the 2 central midfielders interchanging aswell as a deeper lying center midfielder. This seemed to be a good fit in the game vs St Mirren as they too did not play a wide formation, or for most of the game at least. This allowed our play to fit in with the possession game and created alot more space for our wing backs (almost) to push forward and form a much more solid line attacking wise, at the same time creating issues for the St Mirren defense.
This was not the case in the Brondby game though. Highlighted in the second half when the left winger for Brondby managed to stroll through the center of the pitch after Brovsky was lost upfield. I know this is only a minor issue however it was clear to see that defensively we were being put on the turn from their wide players most of the time. Although we had a strong partnership on the right with Facey & Brovsky we were left very bare as we had no midfielder to track the players running at the back line, aswell as the fact that when we did attempt to have someone wider (Tony Taylor) this meant that Mullins was stuck up top on his own.
On a brighter note however, the combination play of Mix with Velasquez and Villa in the first half was very joyful to watch and really highlighted the quality that Mix will bring to the team. Hopefully we can begin to see a more settled line up in future games, and maybe not 10 subs at half time, once that comes together i believe we will have a much greater idea about what the team will be in the opener on March 8th.
I've read most of the comments about the game on the forum and everyone seems to agree that this formation certainly is best suited for us, of course this is only a pointer from myself and that alone especially being that we are only 2 pre season games into the whole franchise! However id hope to see that Kreis can adapt our lineup to something more solid defensively in the upcoming matches just to help out our defense, something that im sure will be worked on as they are still working on defensive shape.
Personally i would like to see a 4-5-1 with a CM playing a little further forward, or a 4-2-3-1 which has been used by alot of the top european teams. Although having a quality string of strikers in the club i believe that maybe wouldnt be the best option. (The pictures below are just an idea of the formation, not particularly the players)
I'd love to know some of your ideas of the most suited line up with a favoured formation!
4-2-3-1
4-3-3
I know this may seem a bit premature but its just something to think about from the first 2 pre season games we've seen.
Kreis is obviously a keen lover of the 4-4-2 diamond formation, specifically with the 2 central midfielders interchanging aswell as a deeper lying center midfielder. This seemed to be a good fit in the game vs St Mirren as they too did not play a wide formation, or for most of the game at least. This allowed our play to fit in with the possession game and created alot more space for our wing backs (almost) to push forward and form a much more solid line attacking wise, at the same time creating issues for the St Mirren defense.
This was not the case in the Brondby game though. Highlighted in the second half when the left winger for Brondby managed to stroll through the center of the pitch after Brovsky was lost upfield. I know this is only a minor issue however it was clear to see that defensively we were being put on the turn from their wide players most of the time. Although we had a strong partnership on the right with Facey & Brovsky we were left very bare as we had no midfielder to track the players running at the back line, aswell as the fact that when we did attempt to have someone wider (Tony Taylor) this meant that Mullins was stuck up top on his own.
On a brighter note however, the combination play of Mix with Velasquez and Villa in the first half was very joyful to watch and really highlighted the quality that Mix will bring to the team. Hopefully we can begin to see a more settled line up in future games, and maybe not 10 subs at half time, once that comes together i believe we will have a much greater idea about what the team will be in the opener on March 8th.
I've read most of the comments about the game on the forum and everyone seems to agree that this formation certainly is best suited for us, of course this is only a pointer from myself and that alone especially being that we are only 2 pre season games into the whole franchise! However id hope to see that Kreis can adapt our lineup to something more solid defensively in the upcoming matches just to help out our defense, something that im sure will be worked on as they are still working on defensive shape.
Personally i would like to see a 4-5-1 with a CM playing a little further forward, or a 4-2-3-1 which has been used by alot of the top european teams. Although having a quality string of strikers in the club i believe that maybe wouldnt be the best option. (The pictures below are just an idea of the formation, not particularly the players)
I'd love to know some of your ideas of the most suited line up with a favoured formation!
4-2-3-1
4-3-3
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