06-19-2010, 01:12 PM
I thought I would have calmed down by now but still really pissed about that disallowed goal. It's so hard to look at this team going into the third game knowing they should essentially be through already. I think alot of the U.S. problem is down to team selection. Ogouchi is clearly not fully fit. He is still big and physical so he will continue to get a spot, but hist positioning and tactical awareness has always been poor and now that he isn't at full pace it is really showing, he dropped back on the first goal and left Birsa the space and on the second got sucked forward and let the runner in free behind, neither was 100 percent his fault but with some better positioning or as I would prefer a defensive midfielder playing I don't think either goal is scored.
For the Algeria game Bradley needs to get away from the 4-4-2. It worked great with Altidore and Davies, but there is no one on this team that can fill in properly for Davies. I really want to see the same back four, Edu in front of them and then Michael Bradley and either Feilhaber or Torres (I know Torres was disappointing, but I think he would look better with Edu behind him covering some of the defensive responsibilities so he can focus on going forward). I would like to see Altidore alone up front holding up play, and then let Dempsey and Donovan play free running up and down the flanks, cutting inside, and switching sides at will. Donovan and Dempsey are our most skilled players and I want to see them able to play more freely, they aren't true wide players and aren't true forwards, they should both play a hybrid role in my opinion.
I'm just glad I'm not an england supporter. How Heskey continues to get playing time is beyond me, either play crouch in a 4-4-2 or play Joe Cole out wide and put Gerrard off of Rooney. I think part of the problem is England's players just aren't as good as some of their fans think. I think they really only have four world class players who could get into any team, and thats Rooney, A. Cole, Gerrard and Lampard (I would have put Terry in that list 4 years ago but he's way past prime by now). The rest of the team is just average at best, they can do one or two things really well but thats not good enough for a team that is supposed to be one of the favorites to win it all.
I really think the U.S. knowing they just have to win will come out fast and get an early lead, have a few nervous moments, but then get a second and win 2-0. I think England will score against Slovenia, the question will be if their defense and GK can hold up.
For the Algeria game Bradley needs to get away from the 4-4-2. It worked great with Altidore and Davies, but there is no one on this team that can fill in properly for Davies. I really want to see the same back four, Edu in front of them and then Michael Bradley and either Feilhaber or Torres (I know Torres was disappointing, but I think he would look better with Edu behind him covering some of the defensive responsibilities so he can focus on going forward). I would like to see Altidore alone up front holding up play, and then let Dempsey and Donovan play free running up and down the flanks, cutting inside, and switching sides at will. Donovan and Dempsey are our most skilled players and I want to see them able to play more freely, they aren't true wide players and aren't true forwards, they should both play a hybrid role in my opinion.
I'm just glad I'm not an england supporter. How Heskey continues to get playing time is beyond me, either play crouch in a 4-4-2 or play Joe Cole out wide and put Gerrard off of Rooney. I think part of the problem is England's players just aren't as good as some of their fans think. I think they really only have four world class players who could get into any team, and thats Rooney, A. Cole, Gerrard and Lampard (I would have put Terry in that list 4 years ago but he's way past prime by now). The rest of the team is just average at best, they can do one or two things really well but thats not good enough for a team that is supposed to be one of the favorites to win it all.
I really think the U.S. knowing they just have to win will come out fast and get an early lead, have a few nervous moments, but then get a second and win 2-0. I think England will score against Slovenia, the question will be if their defense and GK can hold up.