Send Atiba Back to Hospital: Atiba's Real Madrid Red Card

[Donk]

Jamie should get way more minutes, that should not be questioned. Kreis should get way fewer, it pains me to see him out on the pitch walking half the time. If he's tired, sub him, that's the point of substitutions. Harris has one thing going for him that none of our other strikers do, he's a target type striker. How many crosses over the top get sent in and there is nobody tall enough or who can jump high enough to get them on the other end? Harris was also great when Cunningham was being subbed in for him, he is so physical and strong that he would beat down the defenders for a half, get his yellow card and then when Cunningham came on fresh, he was next to impossible to stop. Outside of that role, he's not worth much. If we could get another target type strike for him or even a good attacking mid, great trade, as it is, let him play physical, there is something to be said for intimidation. Just as long as the card's yellow, who cares? It's only a out when you get five.

[Czar Jake]

Originally Posted by Donk

Jamie should get way more minutes, that should not be questioned. Kreis should get way fewer, it pains me to see him out on the pitch walking half the time. If he's tired, sub him, that's the point of substitutions. Harris has one thing going for him that none of our other strikers do, he's a target type striker. How many crosses over the top get sent in and there is nobody tall enough or who can jump high enough to get them on the other end? Harris was also great when Cunningham was being subbed in for him, he is so physical and strong that he would beat down the defenders for a half, get his yellow card and then when Cunningham came on fresh, he was next to impossible to stop. Outside of that role, he's not worth much. If we could get another target type strike for him or even a good attacking mid, great trade, as it is, let him play physical, there is something to be said for intimidation. Just as long as the card's yellow, who cares? It's only a out when you get five.

Welcome to the boards Donk :signrocko

I agree it was tough for defenders to cope with Cunny after Harris had been pestering them for a while first. But I'd rather have a guy go in and run all over the place to wear out defenders rather than playing dirty and getting cards - that's just my take. And Watson seems like a guy that likes to go in an run all over the place.

[Donk]

Originally Posted by Czar Jake

Welcome to the boards Donk :signrocko

I agree it was tough for defenders to cope with Cunny after Harris had been pestering them for a while first. But I'd rather have a guy go in and run all over the place to wear out defenders rather than playing dirty and getting cards - that's just my take. And Watson seems like a guy that likes to go in an run all over the place.

I think they both have their place. I would much prfer to see Watson play in the same sort of role as Kreis, in fact, I would prefer to see him play ahead of Kreis, but that's not going to happen. I think a front line to start the with Atiba and Watson would be great, especially if Cunningham came on at halftime or after the inevitable yellow card for Harris. I would really like to see Kreis retire. Thanks for the great times Jason, but if you physically can't do it, ste aside and make the team better.

[xlyte]

Originally Posted by taytay33

Yes, but we got both so that Jamie could have experience in practice. We're trying to train Jamie so that one day he can be the great. Right now he's not. They are. They also may be inexperienced but they're the best we've got, Jamie's not. Now neither is Atiba but Jamie shouldn't play. He's not to the level Ellinger wants him to be.

He's not to the level that Ellinger wants but Harris is?

[taytay33]

Originally Posted by xlyte

He's not to the level that Ellinger wants but Harris is?

Nope, but no one else that isn't already playing is either.

[Balanceut]

Originally Posted by taytay33

Nope, but no one else that isn't already playing is either.

Yet, when Watson came in last night (at Columbus, 61st minute) he (again) sparked the team, changed the flow of the game making it difficult for defenders to adjust. So, he matters. He nearly scored. Defenders attended to him and suddenly Klien and Talley were scoring!

It isn't just about the particular player scoring, it is about the opportunities that come up because of his threat. Watson's quickness and aggressiveness makes defenses adjust, to the benefit of other players with more raw skill. It works, just look at the record.

[Aero]

Originally Posted by Balanceut

Yet, when Watson came in last night (at Columbus, 61st minute) he (again) sparked the team, changed the flow of the game making it difficult for defenders to adjust. So, he matters. He nearly scored. Defenders attended to him and suddenly Klien and Talley were scoring!

The reason Klein was so wide open for his shot was because Watson was making a great run that drew the defenders towards him giving Klein a wide open path to the goal.

The same for Talley's goal. He was open because Watson, who almost got his foot on the ball, had drawn the Crew defense to cover him.

It was poor defense on the Crew's part to try and cover Watson with too many people at the same time, but there is no doubt that he was why both players were so wide open when they got their shots off. Even when he isn't scoring, he seems to create more space for everyone else than any other player for some reason. I don't know why defenders like him so much, but they certainly seem to be drawn towards him.

[Aerick]

Originally Posted by Aero

The reason Klein was so wide open for his shot was because Watson was making a great run that drew the defenders towards him giving Klein a wide open path to the goal.

The same for Talley's goal. He was open because Watson, who almost got his foot on the ball, had drawn the Crew defense to cover him.

It was poor defense on the Crew's part to try and cover Watson with too many people at the same time, but there is no doubt that he was why both players were so wide open when they got their shots off. Even when he isn't scoring, he seems to create more space for everyone else than any other player for some reason. I don't know why defenders like him so much, but they certainly seem to be drawn towards him.

I think you're right, but I thought it was Worthin who almost got his foot on the ball before it got to Talley for the score.

[Stucki]

Originally Posted by Aero

I don't know why defenders like him so much, but they certainly seem to be drawn towards him.

It could be that they are forming lines to deck him because of something he said.

[Balanceut]

Originally Posted by Aerick

I think you're right, but I thought it was Worthin who almost got his foot on the ball before it got to Talley for the score.

Could be it was Worthen (I couldn't tell looking at the replay). But, it was Watson who nearly scored seconds before (ball appeared to go off goalie's hand, then goalpost), the rebound of which was controlled by Cunningham to serve for Talley's goal. So, he was in the mix that ended up in the goal.

Watson gets the attention of defenders, deserved or not.

And, at least Ellinger got him into the game early enough that he could have some impact.