Fans calling for Neville's firing are naive to think that a new manager can "fix" a team's glaring lack of skills and depth in the first quarter of a season. The problems we're seeing existed to one degree or another in recent years under Savarese. While Crepeau, K. Miller, and Rodriguez are definite upgrades, Grabavoy has failed to deliver on his promise last October to remake the team. The summer transfer window may help somewhat at a position or two, but there aren't enough openings.
I'm not suggesting Neville is blameless in this latest debacle of a season. He insists on a possession-based system but must rely on too many players who struggle with passing accuracy, first touches, and more. And why largely scrap the counter attack?
The best performances of the season came against Colorado and Columbus when the Timbers invited pressure but were able to counterattack into space. The next evolution of a counterattacking team is to introduce a more aggressive press instead of focusing on keeping possession.
Last night my wife and I were in West Virginia at a military ball (shout-out to the 38th RSG for throwing a hell of a party).
I didn't get to tune into the game until the 90th minute, just in time to see Zac McGraw fail to play the ball and allow Charlotte to score.
As the spouse of a Soldier I have an extra soft-spot for Zac, and he's put in some amazing performances in the past. That said he's not putting in amazing performances in the present and that makes me sad on two fronts. First as a Timbers fan, a second as a military spouse who wants to see Soldiers succeed outside of the Army.
I'm wondering if he's still suffering from being concussed - he isn't a flat footed player in the past but is lately and that high kick to the head is not his norm. His decision making is slow and poor, there's gotta be a reason(excuse) because I know he's a great defender and this is not his norm.
I appreciate the fact that you watch practice and can gain some insights. I wasn't there, but drills don't exactly translate to game situations. And, if guys are doing great in practice but it doesn't translate to performance during the games, then that's on the coaching staff for inserting those players into the games. Phil talked about making changes, but I recall him saying that a few games ago. I'm not real optimistic he will make changes.
I was high on Zac last year, and I was glad to support him because he is a good dude, but, you're right, he's USL tier right now, and looking back now, I think he was always that way. His reactions, his actual foot speed, his lack of ability on the ball is not up to snuff. I could point out examples, but it pains me. I hate to say this, but take a look at his goal differential when he is on the field and when he isn't. I would venture to say it is night and day. He's been abysmal. It is kinda crazy to think that he rated ahead of Zup, but again, that is on the coaches. They rated him last year, and Phil rated him this year, and it is costing them big time.
Second, Mosquera is also costing and has cost the Timbers points from abysmal defense. I thought he should have been benched out of principle from numerous game examples of poor defense, but especially the LAFC match. I don't care if his backup is sick. Phil should have put someone else in.
Third, I really take issue with your take on Rodriguez. If you look at that chance, Charlotte has a first time strike more or less covered with two guys and the keeper, so he took like one touch and then tried to meg him and it didn't work out. It was a moment the Timbers needed, but it just didn't work out. Also, could the team get the memo that you ought to just pass to Rodriguez's feet, and not into space? I don't know how many times he's right there, ready to receive the ball, and it's four feet in front of him. Just pass to his feet; that's where he wants it. His touch is great, and to be honest, I think he wants to do his work in the final third and not have to work too much in the back or the middle third, like any winger or nine on a good team.
Fourth, Ayala. I've been saying this for awhile. He's not ready for prime time. He might have a good 15 minutes in him, but that's about it. I don't know if it's a fitness thing or the speed of the game is too much for him, or what, I don't know.
Fifth, Williamson. The number of times he lost the ball dribbling, was kinda incredible. I thought i was watching a USL game there for awhile. He might be all right surrounded by better players.
I think it is really simple: it's all about the players. A couple of guys have really cost the team in my opinion. I think that's true on any team you play on.
My best 11: 4-2-3-1
.............Mora............
Rodriguez....Evander .... Antony
...........Chara.....Paredes......
Bravo....K.Miller .... Araujo ... E. Miller
Note: Moreno can play the 8 and Paredes could play the 6 for Chara, and note that I am skeptical of Chara being the best 6. I am actually preferring Paredes in that role, and having Moreno play the 8, but it's tough to leave out the legend. Now that the record is broken, maybe there is less pressure on him. Williamson can back up Evander, Asprilla can be a wing off the bench, and Zup should be the first CB off the bench. You can expect to win games with this lineup. Unfortunately, when you start McGraw, Ayala, Williamson and Mosquera, expect trouble. If anything, this last game confirms that those players can't get the job done.
Fans calling for Neville's firing are naive to think that a new manager can "fix" a team's glaring lack of skills and depth in the first quarter of a season. The problems we're seeing existed to one degree or another in recent years under Savarese. While Crepeau, K. Miller, and Rodriguez are definite upgrades, Grabavoy has failed to deliver on his promise last October to remake the team. The summer transfer window may help somewhat at a position or two, but there aren't enough openings.
I'm not suggesting Neville is blameless in this latest debacle of a season. He insists on a possession-based system but must rely on too many players who struggle with passing accuracy, first touches, and more. And why largely scrap the counter attack?
The best performances of the season came against Colorado and Columbus when the Timbers invited pressure but were able to counterattack into space. The next evolution of a counterattacking team is to introduce a more aggressive press instead of focusing on keeping possession.
Last night my wife and I were in West Virginia at a military ball (shout-out to the 38th RSG for throwing a hell of a party).
I didn't get to tune into the game until the 90th minute, just in time to see Zac McGraw fail to play the ball and allow Charlotte to score.
As the spouse of a Soldier I have an extra soft-spot for Zac, and he's put in some amazing performances in the past. That said he's not putting in amazing performances in the present and that makes me sad on two fronts. First as a Timbers fan, a second as a military spouse who wants to see Soldiers succeed outside of the Army.
I'm wondering if he's still suffering from being concussed - he isn't a flat footed player in the past but is lately and that high kick to the head is not his norm. His decision making is slow and poor, there's gotta be a reason(excuse) because I know he's a great defender and this is not his norm.
I think that may be very possible.
He was so good last year it makes no sense.
I've been giving Coach Neville the benefit of the doubt all this season. Now that Shittle is above us in the standings, my patience is gone!
I appreciate the fact that you watch practice and can gain some insights. I wasn't there, but drills don't exactly translate to game situations. And, if guys are doing great in practice but it doesn't translate to performance during the games, then that's on the coaching staff for inserting those players into the games. Phil talked about making changes, but I recall him saying that a few games ago. I'm not real optimistic he will make changes.
I was high on Zac last year, and I was glad to support him because he is a good dude, but, you're right, he's USL tier right now, and looking back now, I think he was always that way. His reactions, his actual foot speed, his lack of ability on the ball is not up to snuff. I could point out examples, but it pains me. I hate to say this, but take a look at his goal differential when he is on the field and when he isn't. I would venture to say it is night and day. He's been abysmal. It is kinda crazy to think that he rated ahead of Zup, but again, that is on the coaches. They rated him last year, and Phil rated him this year, and it is costing them big time.
Second, Mosquera is also costing and has cost the Timbers points from abysmal defense. I thought he should have been benched out of principle from numerous game examples of poor defense, but especially the LAFC match. I don't care if his backup is sick. Phil should have put someone else in.
Third, I really take issue with your take on Rodriguez. If you look at that chance, Charlotte has a first time strike more or less covered with two guys and the keeper, so he took like one touch and then tried to meg him and it didn't work out. It was a moment the Timbers needed, but it just didn't work out. Also, could the team get the memo that you ought to just pass to Rodriguez's feet, and not into space? I don't know how many times he's right there, ready to receive the ball, and it's four feet in front of him. Just pass to his feet; that's where he wants it. His touch is great, and to be honest, I think he wants to do his work in the final third and not have to work too much in the back or the middle third, like any winger or nine on a good team.
Fourth, Ayala. I've been saying this for awhile. He's not ready for prime time. He might have a good 15 minutes in him, but that's about it. I don't know if it's a fitness thing or the speed of the game is too much for him, or what, I don't know.
Fifth, Williamson. The number of times he lost the ball dribbling, was kinda incredible. I thought i was watching a USL game there for awhile. He might be all right surrounded by better players.
I think it is really simple: it's all about the players. A couple of guys have really cost the team in my opinion. I think that's true on any team you play on.
My best 11: 4-2-3-1
.............Mora............
Rodriguez....Evander .... Antony
...........Chara.....Paredes......
Bravo....K.Miller .... Araujo ... E. Miller
Note: Moreno can play the 8 and Paredes could play the 6 for Chara, and note that I am skeptical of Chara being the best 6. I am actually preferring Paredes in that role, and having Moreno play the 8, but it's tough to leave out the legend. Now that the record is broken, maybe there is less pressure on him. Williamson can back up Evander, Asprilla can be a wing off the bench, and Zup should be the first CB off the bench. You can expect to win games with this lineup. Unfortunately, when you start McGraw, Ayala, Williamson and Mosquera, expect trouble. If anything, this last game confirms that those players can't get the job done.
Superb writing and analysis - tremendous summary of both yesterday's game and overall state of affairs.