Three in the back seems logical. It offers some defensive solidity and could keep the Timbers in the game. Until Antony gets back, there are no wingers on this team. But I'd go with a 3-5-2. Two strikers, two attacking mids and one dm (Ayala). Da Costa and Moreno could play attacking mids, two strikers are Mora and Kelsy and the defense is the same as you mentioned. This formation would best accommodate this team.
On another note - It's good to see Porter right his ship in NE. He's a good coach and a winner. You can't take that away from him.
We are really in dire straights right now. I hope the team shows some fight and grit and gets the result they need. I don't really care how they do it. Just do it.
I think another way to go would be 3-4-2-1 if you wanted to go back to the one striker. Acutally, this is the way to go for me. Kelsy and Mora up top together did not work. With a 3-4-2-1 it plays to our strengths and packs the middle. Moreno can drift in and wide along with Da Costa as attacking mids and play off a striker. You keep the double pivot and add a centerback, which in this case would be K. Miller. The wing backs would be Ian Smith and Mosquera. This is the way to go.
A few notes from last week that applies here is the midfield:
First, I was curious to see Ayala working more as an 8 in a 4-4-2. Ayala struggled in the final third, imo, last week, and is much stronger as a six than an eight. Maybe because of the different formation and role he struggled, I don't know. But in a 3-4-2-1 he can be more of a six and play more advanced when needed and would not have to cover so much ground like he did last week. Same for Chara (although my preference is Paredes).
Second, Kelsy and Mora were not dynamic enough in a 4-4-2. You've got to take on players, get the ball and distribute, and the both had little impact. One on the field is better than two, imo, because we can pack the middle in a 3-4-2-1.
“Miscommunications and indecisiveness continue to plague this team.”
Yes.
Is this because of inexperience, stubbornness, selfishness, grit, or mentality?
Or is it because they aren’t well-prepared, aren’t well-organized, and don’t have a plan?
A combo?
My observations and sense, along with some inside info, lead me to believe a lot of this is on Neville’s lack of strategy and tactical sophistication. Until he humbles himself and does the work to game plan and prepare the players, it’s rearranging deck chairs.
Bringing in players who are good enough to wing it only gets you so far.
How many times must we see Neville get out-coached better we stop blaming the mentality of the players?
Three in the back seems logical. It offers some defensive solidity and could keep the Timbers in the game. Until Antony gets back, there are no wingers on this team. But I'd go with a 3-5-2. Two strikers, two attacking mids and one dm (Ayala). Da Costa and Moreno could play attacking mids, two strikers are Mora and Kelsy and the defense is the same as you mentioned. This formation would best accommodate this team.
On another note - It's good to see Porter right his ship in NE. He's a good coach and a winner. You can't take that away from him.
We are really in dire straights right now. I hope the team shows some fight and grit and gets the result they need. I don't really care how they do it. Just do it.
I think another way to go would be 3-4-2-1 if you wanted to go back to the one striker. Acutally, this is the way to go for me. Kelsy and Mora up top together did not work. With a 3-4-2-1 it plays to our strengths and packs the middle. Moreno can drift in and wide along with Da Costa as attacking mids and play off a striker. You keep the double pivot and add a centerback, which in this case would be K. Miller. The wing backs would be Ian Smith and Mosquera. This is the way to go.
A few notes from last week that applies here is the midfield:
First, I was curious to see Ayala working more as an 8 in a 4-4-2. Ayala struggled in the final third, imo, last week, and is much stronger as a six than an eight. Maybe because of the different formation and role he struggled, I don't know. But in a 3-4-2-1 he can be more of a six and play more advanced when needed and would not have to cover so much ground like he did last week. Same for Chara (although my preference is Paredes).
Second, Kelsy and Mora were not dynamic enough in a 4-4-2. You've got to take on players, get the ball and distribute, and the both had little impact. One on the field is better than two, imo, because we can pack the middle in a 3-4-2-1.
“Miscommunications and indecisiveness continue to plague this team.”
Yes.
Is this because of inexperience, stubbornness, selfishness, grit, or mentality?
Or is it because they aren’t well-prepared, aren’t well-organized, and don’t have a plan?
A combo?
My observations and sense, along with some inside info, lead me to believe a lot of this is on Neville’s lack of strategy and tactical sophistication. Until he humbles himself and does the work to game plan and prepare the players, it’s rearranging deck chairs.
Bringing in players who are good enough to wing it only gets you so far.
How many times must we see Neville get out-coached better we stop blaming the mentality of the players?
What we see is a lack of direction.
Ping pong jollity has GOT to take a back seat to the players playing on the field like they want to be there for each other.
Another dead-headed effort like Toronto will start making us all wonder...