Houston vs. RSL [R]

Aerick · 04-24-2006, 11:12 AM

I predict that all y'all will be eating your words come mid season! Basing the entire new season on 4 games (3 away) after practically a wholesale team change is VERY premature. And using last season in your metrics is even more absurd because of that fact. Apples and oranges.

Remember this post.

Aerick · 04-24-2006, 11:27 AM

To help keep things in perspective, I give you our team captain, Jason Kreis, as quoted in the Tribune today:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Kreis

"There's no reason for us to be discouraged," he added. "There's no reason for us to feel discouraged or hold our heads down, because we put out an outstanding effort and were again unlucky. But at some point, that stuff is all going to even out."

bordelais7 · 04-24-2006, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aerick

To help keep things in perspective, I give you our team captain, Jason Kreis, as quoted in the Tribune today:

You seriously agree w/ Kreis here that RSL were simply "unlucky"? Houston clearly deserved that result.

And speaking of JK, besides the FK he was useless. Largely because of tactics.

AreliusIV · 04-24-2006, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aerick

I predict that all y'all will be eating your words come mid season! Basing the entire new season on 4 games (3 away) after practically a wholesale team change is VERY premature. And using last season in your metrics is even more absurd because of that fact. Apples and oranges.

Remember this post.

Optimism is not a good strategy.

Aerick · 04-24-2006, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AreliusIV

Optimism is not a good strategy.

And change based on knee-jerk reaction is?

Dadof3 · 04-24-2006, 11:41 AM

Just some comments from reading the whole thread...

While Atiba did not look that good, his addition allowed us to win approximately 40% of the long 50/50 balls in the second half as compared to the 0% we won in the first.

The posters are completely underestimating Houston's ability to shut down the opposition's short passing game in the middle third. They've been doing it for 3 or 4 years now...almost nobody holds any possession against them. With that being said, they should be ripe for getting beaten over the top...unfortunately Cunningham is not good at setting up those runs.

It was an error on E's part to start with Williams and Cunningham up front and play long...not either players' strong suit. Big change when Atiba came in.

Kreis being in the midfield eliminates DS's runs...I'm not sure that is a good thing...DS constantly unbalanced NY last week...Kreis cannot do the same. In fact, the 3-5-2 neutralized DS on both sides of the ball.

Ballouchi's defense is underrated.

A 3-5-2 eliminates Klein as a long option because of his additional defensive responsibilities.

The back 3 played fine...one marking error and a fluke play do not a bad game make.

Cunningham screwed the pooch with his first touch on the second break-away.

Other than the free-kick and some hard (but mostly ineffective) defensive running, what did Kreis do all game?

Cutler had DD 1v1 all game...all in all, he didn't get destroyed.

Scott Garlick may as well just throw every ball he can because his kicks are aweful.

E is hanging his hat (and his job) on Williams (playing him out of position, etc, just to keep him on the pitch). The big question is why? He doesn't pass particularly well, doesn't have much speed, isn't particularly dangerous going forward. He does have some nice skills and moves and is, apparently, a very nice guy. With all that said, I think E will have to choose between Williams and Kreis. We have other players who bring more to the table (speed and athleticism). It is folly to waste our time with 2 vets who are well past their prime trying to run the offense.

When does E just realize that it is time to go with the younger players with more up side (Johnson and Atiba) to develop them. Let's face it, we are not going to win the championship this year.

AreliusIV · 04-24-2006, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aerick

And change based on knee-jerk reaction is?

If your knee jerks only after a full year and 17 winless games, then I'd go get that looked at...

soccerman · 04-24-2006, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aerick

I predict that all y'all will be eating your words come mid season!

I'll take that bet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aerick

Basing the entire new season on 4 games (3 away) after practically a wholesale team change is VERY premature.

So in this fantastical super adventure wonderland that you inhabit how would a coach ever get himself fired? If the grace period is 1 year and it restarts after every change the team goes through a coaching position is a lifetime appointment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aerick

And using last season in your metrics is even more absurd because of that fact. Apples and oranges.

Right, taking the historical performance of a coach into account when evaluating him is absurd. Do you like to dip the apples and oranges you eat in lead paint?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aerick

Remember this post.

I will

Aerick · 04-24-2006, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AreliusIV

If your knee jerks only after a full year and 17 winless games, then I'd go get that looked at...

Last season and this season are entirely different. Coach E didn't have as much to work with last season. You can't keep pointing to last season and saying "look at what a crappy job he did!" as a good reason to fire him 4 games (3 away) into the season.

I_Believe_In_Kreis · 04-24-2006, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aerick

And using last season in your metrics is even more absurd because of that fact. Apples and oranges.

OK, don't use last season. I can still give you plenty of reasons why Ellinger should go only using what's happened this season. In fact, I already did.

It may be apples and oranges, but this season's apples taste a lot like last season's oranges.