tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198732413882406269.post4329232503659647143..comments2023-10-14T19:01:03.490-04:00Comments on The Fullback Files: United Autopsy 2009 | Part V: Filling in the GapsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14548145598767127627noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198732413882406269.post-13515043547936166202009-11-22T08:51:44.575-05:002009-11-22T08:51:44.575-05:00That was the intent of part V, to serve as a sort ...That was the intent of part V, to serve as a sort of WIWFC rough draft. To your other points, Shatz...<br /><br />(1) I agree that it would have been useful to have the new coach in place, but I don't think losing one player is going to make a huge difference. I doubt we leave anybody exposed that we're going to be building a team around. Frankly, losing a depth player should take less precedence than taking the time to get the right head coach.<br /><br />(2) I wonder if protecting Jacobson over Vaughn (my initial instinct) carries more weight with Olsen stepping out of the frame? Of course, it also means we might be able to protect <i>both</i>, though I'm still not clear on whether Emilio has a "no-trade" clause in his contract.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198732413882406269.post-24665297172178370972009-11-21T22:43:03.776-05:002009-11-21T22:43:03.776-05:00Your 5 questions sound like they will lead nicely ...Your 5 questions sound like they will lead nicely into a list of 5 WIWFC suggestions, though in a different order. With Olsen's retirement though, we may also want to add CM to the wish list, because I'm not sold on Szetela as a starter yet.<br /><br />I know Chest is going to disagree with me, but I still wish we had a new coach here to help make these decisions instead of just leaving it up to Kasper and Payne. A fresh set of eyes to look at this roster wouldn't be a bad thing.Martin Shatzerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16315805447771034849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198732413882406269.post-1317631726269728342009-11-20T12:12:07.095-05:002009-11-20T12:12:07.095-05:00I agree with you in theory about using Moreno like...I agree with you in theory about using Moreno like Schelotto. In fact, I've made the same suggestion in these very pages myself. What I have to wonder is how many minutes he can log, and what plan B is if he goes down or gets exhausted. Columbus had more options than we currently have, thus prompting the need for another quality attacker.<br /><br />I suppose Quaranta could deputize if he learned patience (and we had a competent deputy for him at right mid/wing--Boyzzz/Shipalane?), but this would be an area where I can see keeping Fred around as an option. Of course, it doesn't <i>have</i> to be him, and we can probably find a cheaper option, as you suggest. Much depends upon what's available for cheap and what changes are made to the CBA.<br /><br />I'm in roughly the same camp as far as acquisitions and being tentatively satisfied that the core is strong (I'd add a forward/wide attacker to your list of three), though I'd argue that adding 3-4 starters is more than "tweaking," though that's all meaningless semantic table-tennis, isn't it?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198732413882406269.post-19881516846236977522009-11-20T11:11:50.819-05:002009-11-20T11:11:50.819-05:00In goal, I see Wicks as either a backup or gone. Y...In goal, I see Wicks as either a backup or gone. You laid out the case against him pretty well. His decision making is the biggest problem, in my eyes. However, as a backup he'd be acceptable. Hamid is definitely the #3, so I see Kocic being squeezed out. I won't lose any sleep over that.<br /><br />In the back, I think it's time to finally construct a good back four. When you ask if we'll be able to afford to address defense given our other needs, I'd reply that we need to address defense <i>before</i> our other needs. Jakovic and a fit-again Namoff are quality starters, but James is not there yet and Burch never will be. I prefer Wallace at midfield, so that's 2 spots that have to be filled. As much as we harp on the attack, the fact is that only FC Dallas scored more goals than we did. What undid us time and time again were avoidable defensive mistakes. We need a back four that teams actually have to beat, rather than one that will beat itself.<br /><br />Elsewhere, I have been thinking a lot about what could be done if we use Moreno the way Columbus uses (used?) Schelotto. He's got energetic guys on either flank, solid players behind him in central midfield, and a physical, hard working striker leading the line. We can replicate that with what's already here: Quaranta and Wallace on the wings, Simms and Szetela/Olsen in defensive midfield, and Pontius up front. There would be depth concerns, as well as wondering what we'd do when Moreno can't go, but it's an appealing system at this point. Playing alongside Emilio, Moreno had to do more running than he should be doing at this point. Given a high-octane, physical partner, Moreno could focus on what he does best.<br /><br />Finally, when it comes to Fred, I've got to disagree. After his poor 2008, I felt how you do now. After 2 years of it, I'm done. We can do better with that salary. Let me put it this way: I think we could acquire guys like Jerry Palacios and Walter Martinez from Marathon with that kind of money, and they're both definitely better than Fred. The problem with Fred is that he won't stay for the amount what he's worth to an MLS team.<br /><br />So, basically, give me 3 new players (in order of importance: CB, GK, LB) and some depth, and I think we have a very good team. It might seem crazy, but I really believe we have a group that needs tweaks rather than big changes. Guys like Pontius and Wallace will improve this season...actually, so should Quaranta, given his age.Chest Rockwellnoreply@blogger.com