Weakest Role on the Pitch for Sounders
by Dave Clark on Aug 22, 2010 10:07 AM PDT
in Sounders: MLS Regular Season
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Lately the Sounders have been using a kind of 4-2-3-1. It is similar to the Arrow that we used to note around here, and has primarily been the way that the Sounders have dealt with the loss of Brad Evans to injury. Nathan Sturgis doesn't play forward as much as Evans, but he also doesn't get back as much as Alonso.
He's probably the best to play this hybrid CDM/CM, but he wouldn't be starting if the team was at full health.
Seattle also likes to use two wingbacks rather than a flatter four. With two capable, but incomplete backups, at the Leftback and one possible at Rightback these days (Scott) all of these though force a change in tactics as they are not able to get forward like either of Leo Gonzalez and James Riley. Leo's short game on the left, and James' service on the right create a kind of imbalance to the offense, but considering MLS salary structure I don't find this an issue. The issue as pertains to this discussion is that Riley's defense is a bit error prone - enough so that there were thoughts in these parts that maybe he should be the second CDM, moving Alonso into more of a deep-lying playmaker role, or as the Right Midfield creating further imbalance.
The addition of Alvaro Fernandez initially was thought to be a CM or maybe a CAM/Playmaker. This was due to the large amount of depth at Right Wing/Mid on the team (Montano, Nyassi, Estrada, Jaqua, Fucito, Levesque), and some of it has been due to the search for an adequate playmaker or focal on offense. Since he's moved to being the other Winger, the lack of a kind of playmaker becomes more apparent.
In light of Wilson's recent writings on the Playmaker I reawakened to the idea that Seattle's needs, maybe only due to injury are for a CM/CAM in the old Arrow.
And so I'm wondering where you think the biggest hole in the formation is? Is Sigi really trying to play a 4-4-1-1 (with two holding mids) or is his goal to get back to a the Arrow but that he lacks the CM for it?
Or is Seattle at its weakest at the Right Back? I have even read some state the Left Back is the weakest.
The Roster Freeze deadline is Sept 15th, so Seattle can still add Frees, or trade within the League.
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I think we are probably weakest somewhere in midfield
Not sure where, though, since we really don’t know where Alvaro will end up playing. I think it’s a mistake to assume he’s going to be a wing longterm, at least based what we’ve seen so far. His two starts have been in place of injuries and I have to believe that ultimately, Sturgis is the weak link of the current starters. (So maybe that should have been my answer…)
I didn’t pick that one because I think we already have the answer at that position.
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by Jeremiah Oshan on Aug 22, 2010 10:29 AM PDT reply actions
Totally a legit view that Alvaro may be the CM answer
And so maybe the Rightwing could be the hole…
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I'm not so sure
If we played a vanilla 4-4-2, putting him at CAM would make a lot of sense. But as the people here at SaH have detailed, we’re looking more and more like a 4-2-3-1 all the time, with Nkufo up top and Montero in the withdrawn forward/CAM role. I don’t think we want el Flaco as a DCM, which I think he would have to be if he were to replace Sturgis. If we want another midfielder to get into the attack, it’s going to have to come at the wings.
With Alvaro as a CM
the shape would go from 4-2-3-1 to the Arrow graphic. Essentially having a CDM and a CM with the LW, WF and RW in front of the CM.
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Not a position, but a set piece specialist
I think that El Flaco might be our ultimate answer for the CAM. However, he might not move to that position until next season. Although that’s what I answered in the poll because I think that’s the weakest spot for this season.
IMHO, our biggest need isn’t a position, but someone who is a set piece specialist. I was less than impressed by Sturgis’ corners last game. Montero does have a wicked strike from about 30 yards out, but he always goes for goal (and the same corner) making him easy to predict.
We need someone who can deliver consistent corners and mix it up a bit with Montero on the free kicks. Of course, that person could fill multiple roles in the field, but the skill set tends to go well with the CAM position. I hope we are able to land someone in the off season to fill that need especially if we decide to pick up a new DP.
Well if the 3rd DP is a new player
It means that Montero is gone
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Not necessarily
El Flaco’s salary is $300,000. That means he probably won’t be a DP next year. We can still have Montero as a second DP and still have a third (not that it’s a good idea due to the salary cap).
Also, Montero might stay at a salary under the DP level for a year or two. The Sounders could increase his salary by 75% and still keep it under 335,000.
by Dizzo on Aug 22, 2010 1:57 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
His HALF SEASON salary
is 300k
And Montero’s contract is up after this season. I’m fairly certain he’ll get a better offer than 335k US$ as a Free Agent globally.
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Doesn't have to be a DP
There are guys in the league who are very good on set pieces and who don’t command DP salaries – Perovic from NE comes to mind. I don’t think it’d be too much of a stretch for the Sounders to pick up a similar type of player.
In terms of CAM, whether or not we think so, I’d say Sigi feels that Evans is the answer there (obviously not before next season) and that Fernandez will probably continue on the wings, at least most of the time. I wouldn’t mind getting more depth there, though, especially as I think there’s a fairly good chance Sturgis will get taken in the expansion draft.
Still, I think the right wingback is the weakest spot on the roster. Riley is good, but he does have the aforementioned defensive lapses at times, and there really isn’t a very good backup option there with all due respect to Zach Scott.
There are mulitple
holes i still think are potential problems
CM playmaker or RW depending on how Alvaro ends up playing.
Defensive mid when Alonso goes down what depth we have may be good for the short run but long run we would need better depth.
RB yea definitely a problem and needs a solution at depth.
But of all the spots i listed the weakest is definitely in the mids either CM playmaker or RW depending on how Alvaro is used. IF alvaro is used as a RW, we don’t really have the person (healthy) that can pass well to either wings and take the ball from Alonso.
If Alvaro is used as a CM playmaker, we don’t really have a good enough quality player at the RW that knows to make good judgment (vision) on what to do with the ball.
Just to
add, would it be easier to add a quality RW then to add a quality CM playmaker?
From the research I've done
he spend 45% of his nats/club time on RW, 45% as CM, 10% on left.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Seattle
should play him as a CM and just get a better RW. Its easier that way then to have to potentially waste our 3rd DP just for another midfielder when it should go to montero.
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