tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198732413882406269.post6370313951220128914..comments2023-10-14T19:01:03.490-04:00Comments on The Fullback Files: Out of Africa...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14548145598767127627noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198732413882406269.post-58304725763722919652009-07-01T14:27:31.571-04:002009-07-01T14:27:31.571-04:00@rob
Casey is so terribly frustrating because not...@rob<br /><br />Casey is so terribly frustrating because not only has he been playing really well of late for the Rapids, but he possesses an interesting blend of finishing ability and physical attributes. <br /><br />But, given a huge opportunity in a big competition, particularly since he was only playing in 15-20 minute spurts where he could have really put himself about, he didn't exactly display the effort of somebody who wanted (and deserved) to be there, did he?]Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198732413882406269.post-65920465563071389062009-07-01T14:21:34.790-04:002009-07-01T14:21:34.790-04:00The "target man issue" has been a proble...The "target man issue" has been a problem since the latter stages of Arena's reign. In a way, having such a good target man (McBride) stood in the way of the metamorphosis that should have happened as we became more technically adept. A quick, hard-working team with reasonable skill shouldn't have to employ "lump it long" Brit-ball (and Norse-ball, if we're being fair).<br /><br />Bob has been working towards escaping from this mold over the past 1-2 years by experimenting with staggered, one-striker formations, but his lack of viable options forced him to use Ching in place of the more effective choice--a highly mobile, active forward. With Ching out of the picture, and Altidore proving unsuited (for now) as a lone striker, we kind of fell into the 4-4-2, with happy results.<br /><br />Here's hoping Bob was satisfied with the results of this fortunate accident.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198732413882406269.post-39723460749135464362009-06-30T14:22:08.741-04:002009-06-30T14:22:08.741-04:00I have a couple of similar thoughts (posted in dep...I have a couple of similar thoughts (posted in depth <a href="http://mattjohnston.blogspot.com/2009/06/confederations-cup-answers-questions.html" rel="nofollow">here</a>)m in which I agree with your assessment of both Bradley and the back line.<br /><br />But there is one other thing that can be taken away from South Africa--we don't have to rely on a target forward to be successful on the international stage. The injury to Brian Ching and the underperformance of Conor Casey forced Bradley to develop a two striker system with Altidore and Davies that doesn't rely on a target. By having Davies and Altidore out wide and then free to make slashing runs into the middle and giving Donovan and Dempsey room to operate in the middle, Bradley was able to present an attacking option that is very different from his usual tactical mode. I think that really threw Spain for a loop and was very effective early against Brazil.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01352443552682708733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198732413882406269.post-22924071959608761822009-06-30T12:26:26.100-04:002009-06-30T12:26:26.100-04:00What, exactly, did\does Bob see in Casey? I suppo...What, exactly, did\does Bob see in Casey? I suppose he has been in good form in MLS lately, but what I saw was a forward who would be improved if he were one-dimensional.<br /><br />At least, I couldn't figure out what his dimension is: certainly not running, tackling, passing, dribbling, shooting, or challenging for the ball. Maybe jogging? He did kind of bring the same kind of jogging to the field as Altidore, but without all the other things Altidore can do.<br /><br />Funny thing is, I remember when the US destroyed Mexico 1-0 in (Dallas? Houston?) after WC 2002, in about as comprehensive a 1-0 win as I've ever seen, and Casey played the whole game, I think. Not that I recall him ever really looking dangerous in that game.robhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08135636157110053449noreply@blogger.com