Curious about Ortiz getting forward. Ayala has been better on both sides of the ball so far but feels more needed defensively. Theoretically, if neither is a pure 6, they could double pivot, with the middle centerback supporting more in midfield. This may be too complex to coordinate at this point, especially if Fory is playing somewhat out of position and Smith’s consistency still being a question. We need to get service to Kelsy too and I don’t know if box crashing would be more about feeding him so he can score directly, getting on top of passes from his hold up play, or chasing rebounds for clean up goals.
Whether we try to pass on the ground through midfield, send balls over the top, or send in crosses from the wings could make a difference. I don’t expect either wingback to make cutback passes to the top of the box and Da Costa and Moreno already tend to get in each other’s way too much, so I hope a box-crashing central midfielder or wingback can find space there if necessary and not just overcrowd that zone. We sometimes make too many short, one-touch passes when there are opportunities to move the ball more quickly with longer through balls. I don’t know if that’s a lack of effort, confidence in accuracy, actual ability, or instruction. I like those little triangles but we gotta shake things up sometimes and be quick and direct.
If Fory starts, we may not worry as much about lack of pace vs their forwards and ball over the top but could worry more about positioning and consequent yellow cards.
RE: Ortiz getting forward. All it means is that he is lurking around the 18 and Ayala is behind him and swinging balls to the outside. I think that suits Ayala, and it remains to be seen if Ortiz has any offensive impact in there, but I think Phil is right in getting more bodies into the box, and with three CBs and Ayala, there should be enough cover. Well, if there aren't any turnovers in bad spots.
We definitely need *someone* crashing the box. It isn't just "bodies" though but someone who can actually score. Ayala seems suited for whatever, just that he seems better at both positions than Ortiz, so it's kind of a matter of what the trade-offs are, where we want Ayala to be batter, or where we'll accept that Ortiz will be worse. If Ortiz starts consistently showing that he's as good or better than Ayala at either the 6 or 8, these decisions would be easier. Three CBs + either Ayala OR Ortiz should be enough defensively if we're well-organized and disciplined. But is Ortiz enough extra in the attack, especially when Ayala has been so key to our attack? Phil loves to get bodies into the box but doesn't give them any ideas what to do once they're in there, so they get in each other's way, cycle the ball around with short passes while the defense gets organized, sit on the ball waiting for an outlet and risk dispossession, or stand around waiting for a pass that won't come. Even when we talk about a late runner crashing the box it's mostly about cleaning up a mess and not getting on the end of a cutback pass or something. Some of our players have built up some chemistry with one another so that they can work well in pairs or small groups but we aren't well-organized at either end of the pitch, so we're too reliant on individual heroics, happy accidents, or the rare combination. It's frustrating.
We'll know by late next Saturday night, after three matches in seven days, whether the Timbers are legit contenders for a home playoff spot. Staying high in the table has been great, but crunch time begins now. Neville and the players have to find a way to be more consistent, especially on the road. Truly good and deep teams overcome obstacles like injuries, including when confronting strong teams and lesser ones. We'll know soon enough how the Timbers stack up.
Curious about Ortiz getting forward. Ayala has been better on both sides of the ball so far but feels more needed defensively. Theoretically, if neither is a pure 6, they could double pivot, with the middle centerback supporting more in midfield. This may be too complex to coordinate at this point, especially if Fory is playing somewhat out of position and Smith’s consistency still being a question. We need to get service to Kelsy too and I don’t know if box crashing would be more about feeding him so he can score directly, getting on top of passes from his hold up play, or chasing rebounds for clean up goals.
Whether we try to pass on the ground through midfield, send balls over the top, or send in crosses from the wings could make a difference. I don’t expect either wingback to make cutback passes to the top of the box and Da Costa and Moreno already tend to get in each other’s way too much, so I hope a box-crashing central midfielder or wingback can find space there if necessary and not just overcrowd that zone. We sometimes make too many short, one-touch passes when there are opportunities to move the ball more quickly with longer through balls. I don’t know if that’s a lack of effort, confidence in accuracy, actual ability, or instruction. I like those little triangles but we gotta shake things up sometimes and be quick and direct.
If Fory starts, we may not worry as much about lack of pace vs their forwards and ball over the top but could worry more about positioning and consequent yellow cards.
RE: Ortiz getting forward. All it means is that he is lurking around the 18 and Ayala is behind him and swinging balls to the outside. I think that suits Ayala, and it remains to be seen if Ortiz has any offensive impact in there, but I think Phil is right in getting more bodies into the box, and with three CBs and Ayala, there should be enough cover. Well, if there aren't any turnovers in bad spots.
We definitely need *someone* crashing the box. It isn't just "bodies" though but someone who can actually score. Ayala seems suited for whatever, just that he seems better at both positions than Ortiz, so it's kind of a matter of what the trade-offs are, where we want Ayala to be batter, or where we'll accept that Ortiz will be worse. If Ortiz starts consistently showing that he's as good or better than Ayala at either the 6 or 8, these decisions would be easier. Three CBs + either Ayala OR Ortiz should be enough defensively if we're well-organized and disciplined. But is Ortiz enough extra in the attack, especially when Ayala has been so key to our attack? Phil loves to get bodies into the box but doesn't give them any ideas what to do once they're in there, so they get in each other's way, cycle the ball around with short passes while the defense gets organized, sit on the ball waiting for an outlet and risk dispossession, or stand around waiting for a pass that won't come. Even when we talk about a late runner crashing the box it's mostly about cleaning up a mess and not getting on the end of a cutback pass or something. Some of our players have built up some chemistry with one another so that they can work well in pairs or small groups but we aren't well-organized at either end of the pitch, so we're too reliant on individual heroics, happy accidents, or the rare combination. It's frustrating.
We'll know by late next Saturday night, after three matches in seven days, whether the Timbers are legit contenders for a home playoff spot. Staying high in the table has been great, but crunch time begins now. Neville and the players have to find a way to be more consistent, especially on the road. Truly good and deep teams overcome obstacles like injuries, including when confronting strong teams and lesser ones. We'll know soon enough how the Timbers stack up.