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Starting lineup versus Spain?


drfan23

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Goalkeeper: Stamatopolous

RB: Hutchinson or Bernier

CB: Mckenna

CB: Klukowski or Reda

LB: Jazic, Simpson or Klukowski

RM: Bernier or Peters

CM: De Guzman

CM: Grande

LM: Simpson or De Rosario

ST: De Rosario or Gerba

ST: Radzinski

For sure subs: Wagenaar, Braz, Placentino

Obviously not our best squad available, I feel if we couldve brought in Hirsch, Imhof, Nsaliwa, Occean and Stalteri we could really threaten Spain. Mind you its a decent starting lineup with the players above.

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Just returned from holiday to a somewhat suprising selection.

When I reviewed the keeper situation, I didn't get into the depth chart for the position, if I had I would figure it was something like this; Sutton, Lars, Kenny, Franks, Fernandes and Wagenaar with everything after Kenny beeing very fluid. I did not mention Kenny because I did not think it likely that he would start nor did I think it fair to take him from league play to sit on the bench. As he is to start, I am happy for him, he has always been available for the national team and it is nice to see his loyalty rewarded with a big game. I would still rather Fernandes over Wagenaar for a look especially as the match is in Spain.

I would pick Mckenna and Klukowski as central backs with Reda and Jazic on the wings. I did not think that Jazic would be available, as he is and as - excecpt for ane horrible error in WC qualifying- he was one of the better performers he should provide stability at the back. Both Reda and Braz are out of position on the right, I have more confidence in Reda as the starter. Looking at the roster I am worried that FY intends to use Hutchinson at the back again, I would rather see him in the midfield.

Put Huthchinson and DeGuzeman in the center, they are the two players with the biggest upside and both are starting to live up to that promise. I would suggest Bernier and Simpson on the wings, this despite Bernier's showing in the Gold cup. Of the mid fielders on this squad they have the best combination of potential and club performance. That leaves Peters, Placentino, Grande and Serioux as subs, the number of midfield subs and lack of fullback subs is why I think FY may use Huthchinson at the back. Peters is an offensive sub, Grande is a center mid sub, Placentino is there for a look at the left side role and Serioux did well in a midfield defensive role at the Gold cup.

As Radzinski is available ( maybe he wants to move to Spain) he should start, DeRosario did very well with him against Finland, he should start as well. Gerba gets the sub role.

I have to say that I am suprised by the absense of Stalteri, Brennan, Hume (although his unsetteled future at Tranmere may explain his not being there) and Imhof. I am especially puzzeled at the idea that we will call a stronger side against a weaker opponent ( Luxembourg).

My suggested side:

. Kenny

. Reda Mckenna Klukowski Jazic

. Bernier Hutchinson DeGuzeman Simpson

. Derosario Radzinski

Subs; Wagenaar, Braz, Peters, Placentino, Grande, Serioux and Gerba

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Yallop has been trying the 4-4-2 since Belize without much success. Personally im wondering if that isnt half our problem. We all know what happened when we had a solid back three in 2000. We also have an abbundance of midfielders.

Perhaps a 3-5-2 would allow us a more fluid game from front to back?

-------------Kenny S.

-------------Kckenna

---------Klukouski Jazic

-------------Grande

--Bernier----------------------Simpson

---------DeGuzman---Hutchinson

------Radzinski---------Derosario

This would allow Bobbi, Hutch and Grande on at the same time and play both Def. and offense in transition. The support would also ebb and flow to and from the wings.

Canada seems to build much better when their is constant support on the wings. In GC 05 some of more promising attacks came when Simpson and Braz pushed up. A heavy midfield might ensure solidity for once going both ways, leaving the Defenders and strikers are largely free to focus on their respevtive zones. This is where Peters might almost be a better choice at starting RW.

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Guest Jeffery S.

I don't normally like a 3-5-2 but I could understand it to be warranted in this case.

First off the main problem for us will be to close down the Spain wings. Especially if both Vicente and Joaquin play.

And as Spain is coming with no classic destructive mid (Abelda is not here, there is no Helguera either, a mistake for them in my view), we are better off having a more loaded midfield to get some advantage there.

And we are unlikely to see two strikers up high (Morientes-Luque for example) plus Raul behind them, unless only one of the wings is played. So I think we will only be dealing with one striker, two wings, and Raul to be handled by a defensive mid as he comes forwards.

I am not sure how Reda plays, so I would go with something like:

Kenny

Klukowski-McKenna-Jazic

Simpson----------------Bernier

Grande----Hutchinson-----De Guzman

De Rosario---Radzinski

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Guest Jeffery S.

Too many pre-game threads on now, so this goes here. Yesterday Spain trained at the same facility I think Canada is at, the RFEF fields in Las Rozas, outside of Madrid.

It seems that the line-up for the Serbia game next Wed was what I had suggested: Casillas; Salgado, Puyol, Marchena, Del Horno; Xabi Alonso, Xavi; Joaquín, Vicente, Raúl and Morientes.

Press reports say that the team for Canada may be quite different, and Aragonés has commented that it is unlikely any player will play the two whole games.

If this is the case, I would still expect a similar situation of mids (one of the Xabi/Xavis) and likely Raul, but it is hard to say. Another report suggests that Orbaíz will be in as a holding mid, something the team is lacking in this line-up. If Luque or Torres are in for Morientes then the team loses height and strength in attack (only somewhat) but gains a bit in speed and shot. We could get Ramos instead of Salgado or something like that, and someone for Marchena at the back, as he did not start with Valencia on the weekend and Aragonés wonders if he is going to be game fit throughout the year.

We may be lucky to find only one of the wings is on, which may be the key difference as this would free up one or the other of the outside backs to go forwards.

In any case, as there are likely to be a ton of changes at the half and through the second half, and considering the temperatures in the north of Spain this week (upwards of 40 degrees in some places!), we will have to think about not waiting too long for our changes either, or physically we won't stay with our rival.

Our possible advantage is that this Spain will be a bit experimental, may have probs finding cohesion and gelling, so we might be able to get a few chances the first half. We need to come out decided and take it too them, not hang back, as I think Spain will take a while to come together this Saturday.

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Guest Jeffery S.

This also will go here for now: the ref will be French, Pascal Garibian. No idea what he is like.

Some press is saying here that the team vs Canada will in fact be the subs, though I doubt this is the case for all 11. Also comments that the game will be treated as a "pachanga", basically a goof-around match between friends.

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quote:Originally posted by Jeffrey S.

Some press is saying here that the team vs Canada will in fact be the subs, though I doubt this is the case for all 11. Also comments that the game will be treated as a "pachanga", basically a goof-around match between friends.

That's what I expected from the beginning. Well, not quite that casual, but basically a training match to loosen up for Serbia, nothing more.
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"

Spain will warm-up for the Serbia match with a friendly against Canada in Santander on Saturday when (Spain coach Luis) Aragones will field an under-strength side.

"There will be some players who will play in the Canada match but won't play on Wednesday," he said. "I want to give a number of players the chance to play in the friendly and show what they can do.

"I think that playing two 90-minute games is a lot to ask for from the players at this stage of the season."

"

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Lets face it Frank Yallops starting lineup versus Spain will be: Stamatopoulous, Braz, Mckenna, Reda, Klukowski, Simpson, Bernier, De Guzman, Hutchinson, De Rosrio and Radzinski. My lineup would be Stamatopoulous Serioux, Mckenna, Klukowski, Jazic, Bernier, Hutchinson, De Guzman, Simpson, Gerba and Radzinski. I really think my lineup would be more effective in more ways than one. First of all Adam Braz is solid but we all know the A league is equivelant to the 4th or 5th tier of Spanish soccer so I think he would be way out of his league. I like Serioux at right back because he isnt afraid of anybody and is very tenacious. Mckenna and Reda isnt going to work against a frontline of Torres, Morientes and Raul whichever ones start. We need more speed So we stick Klukowski next to Mckenna who can beat almost anybody in the air. If Jazic isnt healthy then we stick Simpson at left back, and put De Rosario at left midfield. Also instead of starting De Rosario we start Gerba more of a target man to give us some variety up front. I really hope Yallop isnt coaching in our next qualifying campaign, I can just see it Gabriel Gervais becoming the next Mark Watson starting every qualifying game instead of someone who is way better ala Klukowski. I think if Gervais accepted the invitation he would be starting a centre back for this game and I know I wouldnt be the only one dissapointed with this decision. Thats why I think we need a coach with international pedigree, someone who can attract the Nsaliwas and Radzinskis on a full time basis and wont have to play A leaugue players. If Canada gets an Mls team does that mean everyone of our players from europe is going to come back and play for us...NO. But I think we need a coach for example a Rudi Voeller who understands what it takes to get to the World Cup, and will have the respect of the players something Yallop doesnt have, and with selecting the best possible players against world class competition. Why would you select A leaguers and a guy from Serie C to play aginsy Spain. I can understand for Luxembourg but not for Spain. Yallop talks about only selecting players that are loyal, I agree in a way. I really dont think that Gabriel Gervais at 29 as our starting Centre Back is going to get us to the world cup or Adam Braz at Rb getting us to the world cup, lets face it if these guys were half way decent compared to other players around the world they would be playing in a league like Sweden or Norway. I know Braz played one season with Vasteras, but he obviously didnt impress enough to receive another contract from another team when they got relegated. Also if these guys are good enough to warrant call ups for Spain why cant they even crack the Mls a half way decent league. Thats why they want an Mls team in Canada because they couldnt and wont ever make one because theyre not good enough.

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quote:Originally posted by drfan23

Thats why I think we need a coach with international pedigree, someone who can attract the Nsaliwas and Radzinskis on a full time basis and wont have to play A leaugue players.

I still don't understand what everyone's fascination with Nsaliwa is. Sure, it would be nice to see him play and have him there if we need him, but he does play in the Bundesliga 2 and, from my sources, in the first 3 games this season they gave up 12 goals and scored nary a one. As I said, he would be a good roster player, but I'm definitely not losing sleep over the fact that he isn't there, nor do I blame the manager on this point.

quote:Originally posted by drfan23

Why would you select A leaguers and a guy from Serie C to play aginsy Spain. I can understand for Luxembourg but not for Spain.

I too was critical at first about the squad called, but it makes some bit of sense to me now. One of the biggest problems we had last WCQ campaign was that the viable second string guys were not properly identified (exhibition games against Millwall and Hearts are not enough). This led to some dodgy callups. So, Frank should use this time to get a good idea of who can come into the team as a replacement when needed. I, for one, hope Placentino, Jazic and Gerba get a significant amount of playing time (unless it's obvious that they are out of their depth) so that Yallop can properly assess where each one is. Same can be said for Braz and whether or not he can complete with some international talent. Why not call up some unknown quantities and still field a competitive team?

quote:Originally posted by drfan23

Also if these guys are good enough to warrant call ups for Spain why cant they even crack the Mls a half way decent league. Thats why they want an Mls team in Canada because they couldnt and wont ever make one because theyre not good enough.

Am I wrong in stating that you can't have more than 3 non-Americans on your roster? If Canadians didn't take up a valuable foreigner spot, then we might see more of them in the MLS. I'm not saying it's guaranteed, I'm just saying that there are pretty strong forces working against them.

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If Reda is out as is suggested in Davidson's article then I would suggest:

...............Kenny

Serioux Mckenna Klukowski Jazic

Bernier Hutchinson Deguzeman Simpson

........Radzinski Derosario

What I fear FY will start with

...............Kenny

Serioux Mckenna Hutchinson Klukowski

Peters Grande Deguzeman Simpson

........Radzinski Derosario

I don't think that Serioux hurts the team by starting and I would be ok with him and Bernier swithching mid and back positions. I don't think that Peters has the defensive abilities to handle Spain, I would rather see him as a sub in the second half. I am really concerned with Hutchinson, in the mid he gives us the defensive strength with offensive capacity that he can't give from the back. This is not a knock against Grande but rather that he does not have the overall abilities of Hutchinson. I hope I am wrong.

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My lineup: Stamatopoulos

Serioux Mckenna Klukowski Jazic

Bernier Hutchinson De Guzman Simpson

De Rosario Radzinski

Please no Braz, no offence he is solid but not againsy a world class team like Spain, they would attack him all day and if that happens 5 or 6 nothing isnt out of the question. This lineup is pretty much our A team it is only missing Stalteri maybe Occean as striker and Brennan as LB or LM (Jazic is just as competent as Brennan) so if Yallop fields this lineup it wont get out of hand.HOPEFULLY

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