Keegan Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 There seems to be a trend in Canadian footy where if the team gets a result everyone is happy, rests on their laurels, praises the whole team and then we get sucked into a massive let down. For me the performance yesterday was decent at best, we got the result and that's all that matters but there's room for improvement and we need to improve for Tuesday. What changes to the XI can we make? Hutchinson for Ledgerwood seems an obvious one but I'd also suggest putting in Klukowski for Jazic. Jazic has been fine but having watched both for years there's no way he's better than Klukowski unless Mike has a knock. Klukowski was one of our only good players last cycle, just find it puzzling that a 32 year old Jazic couldn't beat him then but a 36 year old Jazic can now. Again, no knock on Jazic just interesting. And I know Mike had a shocker versus Armenia but so did Hutchinson and we wouldn't dream of leaving him out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOGAKANATA Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 There seems to be a trend in Canadian footy where if the team gets a result everyone is happy, rests on their laurels, praises the whole team and then we get sucked into a massive let down. For me the performance yesterday was decent at best, we got the result and that's all that matters but there's room for improvement and we need to improve for Tuesday. What changes to the XI can we make? Hutchinson for Ledgerwood seems an obvious one but I'd also suggest putting in Klukowski for Jazic. Jazic has been fine but having watched both for years there's no way he's better than Klukowski unless Mike has a knock. Klukowski was one of our only good players last cycle, just find it puzzling that a 32 year old Jazic couldn't beat him then but a 36 year old Jazic can now. Again, no knock on Jazic just interesting. And I know Mike had a shocker versus Armenia but so did Hutchinson and we wouldn't dream of leaving him out. Personally I think mike is done, has lost a step and was never really good positionally(best attribute was attacking). Jazic deserves to lose the spot, not have it taken away. Other than that we need to be more clinical with our chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertuzzi44 Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 -Creating offense -Earlier subs -Hutch in -Keeping our cool -Less handballs outside of the 18... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villus Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 Ya I would lean towards Kluka, but I'd imagine there must be some reason, fitness or other that Kluka is'nt starting, hes been one if not our best player for a years. I'd imagine Jazic at 36 is going to have a hard time recovering fully for a Tuesday game, I think it would be a good time to move Kluka into the starting line up for him. Also I think I would use Jackson instead of Rickets from the start and Hutch for Ledgerwood, taking the opportunity to sub guys who are close who did'nt go 90 is a good way to keep the squad fresh especially a guy like Jazic who is our oldest player. Play wise I'd like to see better distribution from Mckenna and Hainault, Edgar or Jazic are probably better in that area but I can't see us not starting with Mckenna and Hainault and for good reason. We won't be given as much time on the ball vs Honduras, so hopefully we can respond with Johnson, JDG and Hutch I have confidence those guys can handle the pressure well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soccerpro Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 Hutch it, Jackson with some time to shine. That's it. Don't hate on Jazic because he's 36 and playing well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhat Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 Areas we can improve? 1) Finishing, 2) better crosses and set plays, 3) able to sustain pressure in the final third, especially in the final minutes of the match, 4) able to deal with CONCACAF refs' inconsistencies, 5) keeping compact on defence, and 6) Dero's finishing It's one thing to beat Cuba and the elements, but when it's a better professional team like the Hondurans and Panamanians ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keegan Posted June 9, 2012 Author Share Posted June 9, 2012 Not hating on Jazic, I'm just saying this will be three high intensity 90 minute matches in a little over a week for him. Is it wise to risk him being burned by a quick Honduran? Giving up a goal or maybe even forcing him to take another yellow? Klukowski is an equal if not better option and fresh. Jazic has been decent don't get me wrong but unless he's injured I don't see why not. We need squad rotation, it's what successful teams do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Beaver Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 I'd go with the same starting 11 and the same formation, swapping Hutch for Ledgerwood, and that's it. Simeon on for Ricketts in the second half. We cannot rest on our laurels, but that does not mean we need to makes changes to personnel and formation. We need to let this core group gel. Jazic owns left back for the moment, unless he is gassed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razcle Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 Our defenders need to push the ball forward. We spent far too long in our half with the ball moving it from side to side. Lots open open space to take a few steps forward rather than dink around with it in our half. I know it was an away match and we were trying to hold possession but move away from our end and you'd be surprised what kind of offense can be generated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canada1 Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 I'd go with the same starting 11 and the same formation, swapping Hutch for Ledgerwood, and that's it. Simeon on for Ricketts in the second half. We cannot rest on our laurels, but that does not mean we need to makes changes to personnel and formation. We need to let this core group gel. Jazic owns left back for the moment, unless he is gassed. Unless it is for a serious tactical reason, I would have to agree on minimal or no tampering with the lineup. If the stariting players are making obvious mistakes then thats the time the player loses their starting position. From what I have seen so far, all players have been playing well and deserve to hold their starting position. I hated Ledgerwood prior to the USA match especially when I saw him in the starting lineup, but during and after the match I was quite impressed and it has now given Canada another dimmension, a much better bench. The big test for all these players will be Tuesday and if they pass, Hart will have a core group with quality to add off the bench if necessary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmonte Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 Not hating on Jazic, I'm just saying this will be three high intensity 90 minute matches in a little over a week for him. Is it wise to risk him being burned by a quick Honduran? Giving up a goal or maybe even forcing him to take another yellow? Klukowski is an equal if not better option and fresh. Jazic has been decent don't get me wrong but unless he's injured I don't see why not. We need squad rotation, it's what successful teams do. Successful teams do more squad rotation up front and usually leave the back four stable IMO. I'm sure you could find a few instances to prove me wrong, but then I bet I could find 10 for every one of yours to prove you wrong too. Stability in the back 4 is a good thing...as was said by others, someone has to lose their spot through poor play for me, other than that consistency is what is important. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villus Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 I usually agree that you should stick to a squad in order to develop coherence especially if they are doing well. But playing in very difficult conditions on Friday + flights home to Canada for a Tuesday game that takes a toll on the body. IDK how many of you play soccer around or past 30 but it takes more time for your body to fully recover and ignoring that is a big mistake. In the case of Jazic he's 36 and has played and traveled 3 games in a little more than a week one of which is 3 days rest I would rotate him especially because Kluka is a quality LB. Other younger players should bounce back better and it probably won't be that big of an issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addona Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 There seems to be a trend in Canadian footy where if the team gets a result everyone is happy, rests on their laurels, praises the whole team and then we get sucked into a massive let down. For me the performance yesterday was decent at best, we got the result and that's all that matters but there's room for improvement and we need to improve for Tuesday. What changes to the XI can we make? Hutchinson for Ledgerwood seems an obvious one but I'd also suggest putting in Klukowski for Jazic. Jazic has been fine but having watched both for years there's no way he's better than Klukowski unless Mike has a knock. Klukowski was one of our only good players last cycle, just find it puzzling that a 32 year old Jazic couldn't beat him then but a 36 year old Jazic can now. Again, no knock on Jazic just interesting. And I know Mike had a shocker versus Armenia but so did Hutchinson and we wouldn't dream of leaving him out. I'd say Hutch for a mid (not necessarily Ledgerwood ... IMO, it would be Ledgerwood, but I think Hart might rate him higher than JDG). So, maybe Hutch for JDG, Kluks for Jazic, or maybe even Morgan for Jazic. Obviously Borjan for Lars. If OO has a knock, then I'd start Jackson for OO, otherwise, I might start Jackson for Ricketts. Not that Ricketts has played poorly at all, but the minutes over the last week do add up. Aside from that, I think the rest stays the same. If above happens, I'd bring 3 of Ricketts, JDG, Hume, and Issey on as subs. Palacios got subbed out at halftime for Honduras, was that a coach's decision, or is he injured? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisB Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 On Jazic, Dobson has said repeatedly that he is EXTREMELY fit (like the fittest player on Chivas) On a more general note, I am hesitant to draw any lessons about play, as that pitch was just so so very bad. I think De Guzman did too often turn around and send the ball back to McKenna, but if I was lookign up and had any hesitancy about going forward on that pitch, I would have done the same. Nevertheless, that is the one area that I think Canada needs to really look at - switching from defense to attack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Hutch in for Ledgerwood. That is not a negative reflection of Ledgerwood's play - he has been fine. We just need Hutch in there - he is our best player. Leave Jazic in. No reason to take him out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearcatSA Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Hutch in for Ledgerwood. That is not a negative reflection of Ledgerwood's play - he has been fine. We just need Hutch in there - he is our best player. Yes, we need our best player in, no doubt. So I'm guessing Hutchinson, Johnson, and De Guzman. Ledgerwood will probably be sent to the bench but if we are up in the match I wouldn't be surprised to see him as a latter game defensive sub. On the other hand if we are down and needing a goal, you have to wonder which of those three will be sacrificed for an attack minded option. I'm not that convinced about our defenders against quick opponents in 1 v 1s without help of the midfield defensive support but I guess will find out Tuesday night. If we put in another workmanlike team performance and hopefully score first we should be able to secure the points. If we give up the first goal, we'll see what the squad is made of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 ^ I would think JDG would be the one sacrificed, as long as Hutch's knee holds out. Johnson just runs and harrasses for 90 minutes. I think he is invaluable. Our defenders looked fine against a quick US front line. They seem to cover well for each other. Let's hope we don't have to worry about having to come back from being down! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearcatSA Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 ^Agreed. I see this guy as the next MNT captain. As for the back line play against the Americans, I thought their current style and personnel seemed to play into our favour somewhat. Gomez, Dempsey, and Donovan all play best as second/support forwards and not as a true line leading central attacker. It looks like a team that would be effective in a 4-2 (Bradley, Jones)-3 (Gomez, Dempsey, Donovan) -1, but they don't have that top notch "1" guy up top who combines pace, strength, and technique (Altidore has underachieved, Agudelo isn't there yet, Davies not the same at international level since the car crash, German-Yank Boyd?). (It's make you realize how good a guy like Drogba is). So I didn't feel our two CB were tested as much as they could have been, with the attacking three most often being policed by our trio holding mids. Also, the one time Gomez was in a 1 v 1 vs Edgar he easily got the better of him but his cross wasn't good enough, and then after that he started doing the DeRo meander. I was hoping they had an out and out winger in their squad to put on in the latter stages to really test either or both flanks. Remember, we have a natural CB at RB (regardless of his experience) and though we have a very fit vet at LB I think he relies more on savvy and positioning and the benefit of a defensive style (both at club and with Hart) to his advantage. Regardless of their current form, the Tuesday opponent does have some legitimate wing threats, so we'll have to be disciplined in our task Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmonte Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 ^ I would think JDG would be the one sacrificed, as long as Hutch's knee holds out. Johnson just runs and harrasses for 90 minutes. I think he is invaluable. Our defenders looked fine against a quick US front line. They seem to cover well for each other. Let's hope we don't have to worry about having to come back from being down! Johnson is great, yes, but JDG has been playing well, in fact better than Ledgerwood in my opinion. Hutch, JDG, and WJ in the mid for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keegan Posted June 10, 2012 Author Share Posted June 10, 2012 Ledgerwood will be the one dropped and it's not even a question. JDG is a Hart favourite for obvious reasons and Johnson has been awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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