Nycfc In Talks Kv Oostende For Defender Frédéric Brillant.

[sbrylski]

I still hold firm that we are on a five year building plan.

I agree with this too. In year five, our initial academy players will be turning 19. Our designated player signings have shown a value of marketing over playing style. And fingers crossed that we have an internal deadline on the stadium site of December '16, allowing us to open the facility around year five.

Being an uber-realist, I also don't see us being a trophy favorite until halfway through our second DP cycle, which would hit around year five. Maybe we can sneak out with one, but for now, just making the playoffs seems to be the goal.

 

[Fantazma]

Yeah unless being GA means you're not listed as International he is an international.

someone on twitter replied this to me but i never even thought that was possible.

 

[NYCFC_Dan]

The good news is that even Brillant should be miles better than guys like White, Wingert, and Watson-Siriboe, but whether he's miles better than Facey and Hernandez were last year, or only "sufficient," I think is an open question.

If we can even improve our defense slightly, we should be able to hold about an even goal differential, because we have an above average offense that's getting better. And that's enough for playoffs in MLS. Timbers only had a +2 last year and ended up winning the Cup. We were 49/58 last year for a -9, I think we can get both in the low 50's this year.

Getting guys that can hold the ball and pass it out of danger will be a big boost. We kind of just got out of trouble and kicked it back a lot last year. That didn't help much.

 

[sbrylski]

Getting guys that can hold the ball and pass it out of danger will be a big boost. We kind of just got out of trouble and kicked it back a lot last year. That didn't help much.

I see this argument a lot, that we need players with more control with the ball at their feet. But we were 6th in pass percentage and 3rd in possession last year. We were also 15th of 20th in long balls attempted per game. I'm not sold our problem was turnovers or too many long balls.

I'm not positive how WhoScored.com comes up with their strengths/weaknesses list, but it's calculated on statistics, and here's what they list for our weaknesses last year:

Weak
Defending against attacks down the wings
Defending counter attacks
Protecting the lead

Very Weak
Stopping opponents from creating chances
Defending set pieces
Defending against skillful players
Avoiding individual errors

If you notice, it's all about individual efforts on the ball and positioning. Our midfield wasn't stopping counterattacks, and when the other team had the ball, they were allowed to create chances all day long.

From this, what we really need are two defenders that are better individually at defending (Mena's strong point) and for those two defenders to develop some chemistry to stop so many chances from happening and back each other up.

 

[Tom in Fairfield CT]

I see this argument a lot, that we need players with more control with the ball at their feet. But we were 6th in pass percentage and 3rd in possession last year. We were also 15th of 20th in long balls attempted per game. I'm not sold our problem was turnovers or too many long balls.

I'm not positive how WhoScored.com comes up with their strengths/weaknesses list, but it's calculated on statistics, and here's what they list for our weaknesses last year:



If you notice, it's all about individual efforts on the ball and positioning. Our midfield wasn't stopping counterattacks, and when the other team had the ball, they were allowed to create chances all day long.

From this, what we really need are two defenders that are better individually at defending (Mena's strong point) and for those two defenders to develop some chemistry to stop so many chances from happening and back each other up.

We all know from watching the games that those stats are misleading. We passed the ball around until we were pressured, then the defense, including Saunders, made shitty passes that were many times lost, making us look weak against "counter attacks, skillful players, etc"

 

[Ohenry]

ummm... yeah..............

Shows you how far big feet will get you.

 

[George]

Is this him?

 

[JayH]

Is this him?

We signed Ryan Seacrest?

 

[thesauerchise]

Given how much we collectively ragged on the team last year for personnel decisions, assuming Brillant comes on board, I am really impressed by how they managed the offseason this year. I have no idea if the guys they brought in are the right guys, but they seemed to have nailed it in terms of areas of need:

- Starting LB plus fullback depth
- Defensive presence in the CM, but probably a squad guy given the overall number of CMs we have.
- Starting caliber CB
- Genuine winger

Sure, inevitably, one or more of these won't pan out, and perhaps the needs were so glaringly obvious that it would been impossible to miss them, but they've pretty much hit my checklist.

I think the key as well is how many of these players are young. 4 players age 24 or younger!

 

[NYCFCfan]

Per source: Official announcement should be today at 10am.

 

[Gotham Gator]

I still hold firm that we are on a five year building plan. Thankfully with football being a global game there are tons of players that can fill our roster, we just have to be diligent in searching, and while we didn't sign texeria, brilliant is a good signing in the mean time. In the offseasons though we have to be honest with which players we need to cut. This offseason we did a terrific job of cutting the dead weight, and so far I think we are doing a good job of filling holes we had. We also NEED to be collecting great American players as that's the key to great MLS rosters. We aren't done building this roster to a place that we as fan will be happy, and I think it will still take a couple years, but we are well on our way.

I agree with your point about securing quality American players. With the limited international spots and salary cap, the teams that do best will be those who secure the best quality American players in the roster spots just below DPs and TAMs. Guys like Nagbe, Lletget, McCarty, etc. are the real difference makers.

 

[Gotham Gator]

OK Francophones, confirm the following. The name Brillant is pronounced "BREE-ant" - correct?

 

[Tom in Fairfield CT]

https://twitter.com/x/status/692724612195573761

 

[Seth]

Per source: Official announcement should be today at 10am.

You were way off, man. That tweet didn't go out until 10:03.

 

[Taurus]

OK Francophones, confirm the following. The name Brillant is pronounced "BREE-ant" - correct?

Correct.

 

[Sabo]

Using TAM to acquire a French defender Coach wants on the team. I haven't seen him play but it seems like a great move.

Its been a good offseason for NYCFC in terms of shedding players and adding replacements. This supporter is happy.

 

[NYCFCfan]

Using TAM to acquire a French defender Coach wants on the team. I haven't seen him play but it seems like a great move.

Its been a good offseason for NYCFC in terms of shedding players and adding replacements. This supporter is happy.

He's a big guy. *Bane voice* "For you"

Very quick, good on the ball and good in the air. Should be a solid signing if communication isn't an issue with him and the rest of the Spanish speakers on the back line.

 

[Gene]

MAKE IT HAPPEN CLAUDIO!