So lets talk a bit of tactics.
The Dynamo have proven to us this year that they are capable of playing in two different systems having moved to the 4-3-3 after real struggles defensively.
After that and the arrival of DP Boniek Garcia the Dynamo went on their best playing run with a record of 6-0-2 as the hottest team in the league during that time period.
Yet, this past weekend the club struggled in the 4-3-3 which begs the question of how much of this is down to player performance and how much is down to systems. Many times it is hard to tell and I would go towards player performance first in this case.
Dominic Kinnear re-verted back to the 4-4-2 in Concacaf play and one wonders if this could potentially occur this weekend to get back to the basics.
The Dynamo were ineffectual out wide for most of the game against the Philadelphia Union .
Talking tactics do you think the Dynamo should move back into a 4-4-2 and pair up Ricardo Clark and Adam Moffat in central midfield to bring back an edge?
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I do not know how much of the problems are from our players OR from the Union’s studying our defense and preparing for it. They knew Ashe would be out probably and knew of the weaknesses there for the others. Kudos to them for defending so well. I hate to think it was ALL our players’ problems! These bad passes are killing us. Mental lapses? Whatever they are, it needs to be stopped . After all, it is not early in the season when one might see that. I know the players all know this. Nothing new to tell them, I am sure. It will be interesting to see what defense the coach brings out. I do not know enough about NE to say what the Dynamo will do defensively. The team has been up and down all season but I am surprised and dismayed that we are still struggling to put together a consistent offense starting with the forwards. We get stripped way too often. Is this a skill set that is taught or is it just acquired? I know the players care, after all, this is their job security they are dealing with. One can focus all they are able but if someone else loses that focus, well, there is just so much one can do about someone else. It is a personal issue, first and foremost.
I agree with R. Sey. Last week was a bad game for several players, not a function of system. With so much on the line, I don’t understand why they weren’t more focused.
I hope Ashe is back at LB. Taylor back in middle and Hainault at RB. I like OBG in the midfield, where his touch and interplay with Davis is vital. Whether its Rico or Moffatt, doesn’t matter to me. Both have their strenghts and weaknesses.
I like Carr and Kanji out wide, but think Ching needs a run out there to help hold the ball.
We will get a win on Saturday, and I’ll be there cheering them on!
You know, I was thinking about this myself. Dynamo had a great run when they first started the 4-3-3 system but there were a few factors in that. 1: two of those first few games the other team went down a man which made the 4-3-3 system work very well for us. 2: I believe that opposing teams came out not having a clue what we were going to do during the game. They had no Idea how players would act in their respective positions (Carr, Kandji, Bruin). 3: they had not seen any video of the Dynamo in a 4-3-3 or on OBG what so ever.
As the season progressed and video started becoming available to teams, they were able to better scout and prepare for us.
What I think we should do is incorporate both systems in the run of the game and keep teams guessing during the game. I’m no soccer tactical expert but if you can keep defenses confused they are bound to make mistakes.
Players win matches,the coaches waited too long to use their bench. The only advantage i see is that Bruin will have some help up front. He does not play well in the one striker system.The physical demands on Carr and Kandji in the 4-5-1 were too much.which was why they were always sub out early. The midfield might take a hit because davis is tired and garcia can not be everywhere.
Question for all those who know WAYYY more than I do about soccer….
Can a player be taught to NOT get stripped at speed(or standing still, for that matter)? Is it an inherent skill only or can a high skill level be taught?
If so, we need that coaching drill whiatve formation Coach K decides to use.
Still, all in all, we “bleed orange”!! Go Dynamo! We will be there Sat PM yelling in sec 208!!!
PS Can a formation change, 4-4-2 to 4-5-1 and back, be done fluidly thru out a game? How is that done? From the coach’s bench or lon field by the captain or by the players themselves????
Time to start the “dream! scream! believe!” campaign a little early? A 4-3-3 is really a 4-5-1 and if the players don’t have the legs it just cant be done effectively. Passing hasn’t been sharp and ideas have been lame.
I think the 4-3-3 was great and is still a viable option, but should no longer be our “go-to” formation. What the 4-4-2 would bring is a sense of renewal, more definite shape (less fluid/dynamic than the 4-3-3 with players all over the pitch), a stronger defensive formation, and the possibility of an amazing midfield. Thoughts on the lineup I would use?
Bruin – Ching (or Weaver)
Davis – Barnes(CAM) – R. Clark(CDM) – Boniek
Ashe – Taylor – Boswell – Hainault
Hall
I think that midfield is potentially one of the best the Dynamo have used. Bruin isn’t a great center forward and his hold up play needs work. The 4-3-3 did not benefit him as much as it did Kandji and Carr. Putting in a hold up man/target man like Ching or Weaver, and Bruin has space and plenty of options to get him the ball in Davis, Boniek, and Barnes.
The midfield has been a weakness this year. Camargo and Moffat has been mia, Clark has never been an offensive threat and no one has replaced the hard working Cruz. Garcia has been great. The new players we signed this year are midfielders. I do hope that Barnes can help us in the middle.
The guys should be rested so maybe we will run off the ball. I think it would be a mistake to go back to a 4 man midfield when the guys seem tired.
I just want to put this out there real quick.
There is a reason why Cruz got traded not once but twice. Yes he is aggressive, brings good energy but every time the ball comes to his feet he does two things. Runs up the wing or tries to draw a foul. The boy flops a lot! I for one am glad we don’t have him anymore.
I do not want danny back. It would be nice to see somebody beside Garcia working hard on both sides of the pitch for 90 min.
@Tinman: You believe “no one has replaced the hard working Cruz?” Are you serious? OBG was his replacement and has done more than an exceptional job. Moffat hasn’t been the same since his adductor injury and I’m heartbroken over Camargo. I really believed he was going to be our savior after his performance last year. Even with Ricardo Clark back I’d have to say that Geoff Cameron is severly missed.
If our forwards (Bruin, Weaver, Ching) are busy being held up by opposing defense then our midfield (Davis, Garcia, Barnes, Moffat, both Clarks, Watson, Camargo, Owby) need to step up and start scoring. I see Messi, Ronaldo, Kaka, and Xavi scoring goals all the time for their teams, why can’t our midfield do the same?
Lastly, it was apparent that Ashe was missed. Sarkodie, Creavelle, and I forget who else just aren’t ready for the playoffs. Boswell, Taylor, Ashe, Hainault need to stay healthy.
My ideal Dynamo line up would be:
Forward: Kandji, Ching, Carr
Midfield: Davis, Barnes, Moffat, Garcia
Defense: Ashe, Boswell, Taylor, Rico Clark
Goal: Tally “the Wall” Hall
Jeter, I agree with your line up but have concerns over how often Kandji gets stripped. I do not know enough about Barnes to have an opinion really. I like Rico in back if Ashe can not play. The others are not reliable enough at this time in the season. They need more games but not just now, I think. that might be unfair to them but Sarkodie had really problems that hurt too much over all. I think that Cameron is really missed also. I hated to see him go but it is what he wanted and I honor the staff for letting him go and on good terms(personal and financial). I do not understand what happened to Carmargo’s promise. Was he injured worse than we were let know? Anyway, he has not turned out like we all hoped this year. I do not really miss D. Cruz. While he was fast, he was also often reckless and hot headed. He goes to ground too transparently also. A dangerous player in “chippy” situations that can really cost a team(think red card). He sure was fast though! I would love to see a couple of long range bombs from our midfiled score! Tap ins from the strikers are good also! Yes, we need Tally “the WALL” Hall to be at his best. I love the name!!! Ha! Our back must shut down all comers and NOT pass slow and sloppy like in the past.
Go Dynamo!!!