How will we attack out of the 2 DM set...

Dadof3 · 04-07-2006, 09:22 AM

As I'm sure everyone has heard, RSL plans to use Cutler and DS together as twin DMs with Williams up top. Without going into the fact that Ellnger appears to be chucking all of the preseason work (did we ever play twin DMS...did Williams ever play up top) how will we attack out of this lineup?

Without Harris, we have lost our target forward for high balls (Cunningham and Williams are both worthless on those) so we will have to play the ball on the ground and work it forward. I would say that we could target Klein on the right and work the offense through him, but Andy will be right in front of him because he always slides to the right. Ballouchy does not appear to be a threat wide so our whole attack will have to be right up the gut...which could work (see highlights of FC Dallas having nightmares trying to stop Rolfe)...this all makes some sense because we lack any aerial presence with this lineup, so crosses will be worthless anyway.

For this short passing, up the gut attack to work we will need so great dribbling (actually likely given the lineup) and energetic off the ball movement to create 1 and 2 touch passing opprtunities (unlikely with this group of players...Cuningham and Williams wait for a ball then dribble it; Klein looks like he is carrying an injury; Cutler is nearly worthless offensively; Ballouchy likes to set others up, not work to get open; DS is a DM)

All in all, even playing our best, I cannot see how this attack will get us more than 1 goal...it is too predictable and too easily thwarted with #s through the midfield. What I can see happening is our D having a nightmare getting the ball out of the back due to lack of options. After last weekend, they will at least knock it long instead of giving it away in our defensive third. Expect to see us have 5-10 decent attacking opportunities, some dangerous shots, 1 goal, and chasing the ball and the game the rest of the time.

clarette · 04-07-2006, 09:34 AM

I'm getting a headache just thinking about it.

Gross.

Aero · 04-07-2006, 11:04 AM

Here's my report based on today's practice.

I think that this lineup is definitely defensive in nature that will have to rely on the quick counter-attack to score.

bordelais7 · 04-07-2006, 11:17 AM

Sequiera as A-mid? WTF? I mean, seriously....WTF. Last year I would have just chalked it up to Ellinger knowing what he's doing, but...wow.

Just. Wow.

If we're giving up on Andy at the 10 after just one game, why not also make changes in the back? Akwari? Cabrera? Or go with a defensive-minded 3-5-2. Or stick Andy on the wing and put Ballouchy at the 10. Or get some speed in the game. Watson?

I don't think my expectations have ever been lower going into a match.

I_Believe_In_Kreis · 04-07-2006, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dadof3

how will we attack out of this lineup?

How did we attack out of our last lineup? The answer is we didn't, so I don't see the harm in giving this a try. The attack can't be much worse than last week, so why not?

Is Pope really going to play? With a MNT game on Tuesday I'm surprised The Bruce hasn't called everyone in to camp.

This lineup change sure makes it seem like we're playing for a 0-0 tie this week (which I would consider a huge victory), but it's not the kind of lineup that will work the whole season. At some point you've got to start scoring. This means Ballouchy better grow up quick because we need him at center half soon. I'll be glad to see him in the middle with Kreis and Cunny up front (Watson as a supersub for Kreis), with Williams out on the left.

Aero · 04-07-2006, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I_Believe_In_Kreis

This lineup change sure makes it seem like we're playing for a 0-0 tie this week (which I would consider a huge victory), but it's not the kind of lineup that will work the whole season.

I get the feeling that this is a stop-gap until Kreis is available. Once he is, I fully expect to see a 4-4-2 with Kreis taking Harris' spot.

Look for plenty of long balls out of the back tomorrow evening. Hopefully, JC can get on the end of one and put one in the net for us. I don't see us doing much scoring if that doesn't happen.

prk166 · 04-07-2006, 02:24 PM

The basic problem for any team is "how do you attack when you don't have the ball". RSL didn't do a great job of getting the ball back. I think this move is to help deal with that. Plus the Frisco Burn look to be playing ROB in the middle due to injuries. They don't have much for width other than him and if he's playing up the gutt, that's the part of the field to shut down.

And don't get too hung up over Sequiera. I think this will just allow him to make a few more forward runs than last week. And he nearly got a goal last week in doing that.

RSLfrontrowfan · 04-07-2006, 02:46 PM

I don't care who is on the field as long as they correct some of the more troublesome mistakes made last week. The biggest, IMHO, was not enough movement off the ball.
Too much blame for last week was put on the back four for not being able to move the ball forward and turning it over in their own third. While this much was obvious, the part less obvious was that there wasn't enough movement by midfielders to space. They didn't give the back four good angles to make the pass, which is the reason there were so many give-aways in our own third.

prk166 · 04-08-2006, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSLfrontrowfan

The biggest, IMHO, was not enough movement off the ball.

That was their biggest problem last year, too, IMHO. That was one of the reason I figured the tactics and coaching were more of an issue than the lack of talent. I hope Ellinger's fixed those things a bit this summer. I'm not going to be silly and conclude that he hasn't. But if it still looks like an issue come May, that'll be a different story.