I am excited to see Evander grab Saturday's game by the scruff of its neck and...well, I don't know where I was going with that metaphor, really. But Evander's gonna do Evander things in that game, and even without Mora and Jonathan, that will give the Timbers a shot at winning. Evander seems like the kind of guy who Gets It and will not want to go down without a fight on Saturday, and I'm looking forward to it.
Hate to miss a game against Seattle but have to be out of town. My son and his wife and a couple of friends will use our tickets. I also missed the double post game bc I was working out of town. Saw it on TV at least at Sidelines Bar and Grill in Bend. Naturally, son and daughter in law were there in person. All the luck.
I'm still jacked up after the last game. We sit in 121 this season and I've never seen the folks in that section standing so often. Reminded me a tiny bit like my days sitting in the TA (minus the F bombs, of course).
I'm sure Neville wants Evander to "bring it" all game every game but that's not who he is. Not saying he dogs it. He just seems to crank it up several notches from time to time and when he does, it's spectacular.
I'm afraid that Ridgy needs to go. Love the guy, but you can't fire nearly the entire D. If his departure doesn't improve things, then I guess they'll have to start replacing defenders one or two at a time. Just don't touch Bravo!!
I wanted Ridgewell to go when Gio went, and nothing I've seen from his defense since (and it absolutely is "his" defense, based on comments he made on an interview posted on this blog) has shown me anything different. He is absolutely the weak link in the chain right now - Phil has the offense doing pretty good things, and doing them pretty regularly, but this team's defense is KILLING any hope the Timbers have of making any substantive progress right now.
I understand players gotta perform, but there are also major structural issues with the defense and those are down to coaching. I am the least nostalgic person in the world when it comes to sports, as far as roster construction and coaching staffs go at least, so for me, I don't really care how beloved he was - he's not good NOW, and that's not good enough, because we're no longer watching the Timbers of THEN. Thank you for your service, Liam, but goodbye. The team needs to be and have better.
Zuparic is our best CB right now. This is insane. He’s the only CB who organizes anything and doesn’t fuck up all the time. I’d want out under his circumstances too.
I don’t get why so many credit Phil with offense when it’s Dave’s purview but he gets no blame for the defense instead of Ridgewell. Now you’re blaming a player? Zuparic just has a personality and he takes himself and playing seriously. He’s a leader but he’s not in charge of anything. Dave has specifically been credited with improving our attacking set pieces and with Santi’s improvements. I’ll credit Phil for instilling some drive and determination, maybe. But he’s not a tactical genius at all. He’s vibes. When we play poorly, he’s bad vibes. I don’t like a coach who kicks players when they’re down and doesn’t change his own methods when things aren’t going well. When you swap out the entire team and players at damned near every position but the mistakes are the same, it isn’t all on the players.
Phil also just said all of our CBs are equal. He and Ned have said we have good enough starters in general right now. Setting aside that this obviously isn’t true and that a coach and GM aren’t going to speak the literal truth, where does that leave us in terms of what to believe about the FO and what to believe they believe about our players? The evidence is that we haven’t changed how we defend set pieces, that we routinely leave the far post unmarked, that we don’t consistently win duels, that we lose discipline, focus, concentration in key moments; that we don’t close down passing channels or move off the ball often enough to create passing opportunities for ourselves (especially/mainly from the back or through midfield). All of those inadequacies and inconsistencies have manifested regardless of which combination of players are on the pitch.
Unless someone wants to argue about swapping out CBs or midfielders, or even keeper, we had a top choice starting XI against St Louis and gave up 4 goals at home. At least one fellow commenter suggested we only have “mentality” problems on the road, or at least that they’re worse there or the main cause of our road woes. If we take the FO at face value, this team is good enough. It isn’t the talent or physical abilities of the players that’s costing us points? That leaves coaching and “mentality,” I guess? If the coach blames “mentality,”whose responsibility is that? If it’s the players, then they aren’t equally good or good enough? Ned and Neville want to have their cake and eat it too. The players are good enough, except the “mentality” is inconsistent. They “take responsibility,” except when it’s “mentality?” Then it’s the players, but the players are good enough. Circular reasoning.
We could do better with these players with better coaching. Different players would better fit the strategy and tactics in some areas (centerback, central midfield/8, and arguably goalkeeper). So far we aren’t adjusting the coaching and the FO expects us to succeed with the players and coaching we have. We’ll see how it all plays out. I hope I’m wrong, or that Neville starts coaching or directing his assistants to coach better, or that we bring in players that fit better sooner rather than later.
Re: the transfer window(s) and new Timbers players.
At some point we need to plan for Mora and Jona declining. I’m happy with the Toye move on paper and in practice so far. Antony may be the answer as depth for Jona or Santi but we need at least one more flexible attacking option in the future.
I’m assuming our fullback depth and replacements are coming from T2. Bravo and Mosquera are both at an age and in a form that roster and salary caps preclude much meaningful competition for them. The Millers, Sawyer Jura, and other T2 options presumably are the plan for now.
The keepers are good but the coaches need to work on communication and organization, and recognize that they aren’t fast or good with the ball at their feet. We don’t have a sweeper keeper. Until one of them is actually able to play that role, the strategy and tactics shouldn’t be set up for a sweeper keeper.
Similarly, we are stacked at centerback. We spent a bunch of money there and they are good players. We don’t have the space for anyone new without moving anyone. Araujo and Kamal are both three-back players. Zuparic should play the center centerback role. I don’t see who we sit to bring in an extra midfielder when we have our full team. Against Seattle, just don’t fill Jona’s spot. In the grand scheme of things, none of our otherwise good CBs, even Kamal, are fast or technical enough to play a high line, especially with how we use the 6/8 positions. Neville keeps trying a high line without enough pressure and movement up top and we’re getting burned.
With respect to midfield, Williamson and Paredes are both good, have different strengths, weaknesses, and skills. With our back line and lack of (especially defensive) movement and pressure higher up, we need an 8 who is better on possession. Ayala paired with Chara may be the best near term but Ayala should be taking over the 6 spot. I’d even be open to seeing Evander at 8, his original pre-Timbers position, and Williamson at the 10. Evander isn’t the ball-winner that Eryk is, which isn’t saying much, and Williamson isn’t near the 10 that Evander is, but Evander is so much better at keeping the ball in transition. Of course, that would mean Phil recognizing that the Timbers struggle in transition in midfield. To improve in midfield, we’d need to replace Paredes and/or Williamson with someone better than both, or find a better 10 than Evander (lol) and move him back to 8.
Ultimately, our near-term problems are coaching and long term we need players that fit what Phil wants to do, though he doesn’t recognize he doesn’t already have what he needs.
To elaborate on the CB situation. A change in tactics or personnel higher up - more pressure, an 8 better in possession / transition - as well as alternating fullbacks and pivoting / rotating midfielders, along with better communication and organization, would take pressure off our current centerbacks. We *could* upgrade at CB but it’s hard to imagine acknowledging Kamal ain’t it and/or presumptively bumping newly-signed Surman further back in the line of succession. I hope Surman becomes better than Zuparic fast. Otherwise, I don’t see improving at CB any time soon because Neville’s boy would need to sit and he and the FO would need to show some humility.
I'm pretty sure we'll see Kamal and Zup together this weekend. Next man up! Kamal will bring it and will do a good job. Araujo, as was pointed out, is probably better in a three-back system, or even as a RB, because he makes mistakes at times, and you just can't have that in a CB. I like his game overall, though. He's agressive and a really good passer, and I think he is an asset, but he sometimes takes a play off. If Kamal faceplants, we probably will see Surman come in.
The three in the back: I can't see that happening this season. I'd be really surprised. It's basically saying we prioritize defense over offense. I'm sure we'll see Chara and Ayala in the midfield. This could be Chara's last time to terrorize them. I'm looking forward to that. If we get a lead, I expect Paredes to come in and protect.
This is a good chance to see our depth at work. Toye will give us a different look and so will Antony. We'll see if it is as potent without Mora and Rodriguez, who got screwed royally by the ref and yellow card.
Seattle is coming off another loss to LAFC. I'm sure they will want to take it out on us, but it would be great to extend their misery for a full week. It doesn't get any bigger than this: a season defining game!
I agree about the three back. I was speaking more to the strengths our CBs than an expectation, much less desire, to see that formation. Our midfield and attack isn’t set up for that even if the CBs could manage.
Ned said Chara will be back next season and we still have Decision Day, but it is time to start looking past him as a starter. I agree he and Ayala will and should start this one. Agree on Paredes. Given recent form, I expect we’ll be bringing in Williamson to chase a lead though. I’ve been happy with Toye so far and it sounds like Antony has done well in training. I hope Mora wins on appeal. Tough lesson for Jona but important he learns the league.
I am excited to see Evander grab Saturday's game by the scruff of its neck and...well, I don't know where I was going with that metaphor, really. But Evander's gonna do Evander things in that game, and even without Mora and Jonathan, that will give the Timbers a shot at winning. Evander seems like the kind of guy who Gets It and will not want to go down without a fight on Saturday, and I'm looking forward to it.
Hate to miss a game against Seattle but have to be out of town. My son and his wife and a couple of friends will use our tickets. I also missed the double post game bc I was working out of town. Saw it on TV at least at Sidelines Bar and Grill in Bend. Naturally, son and daughter in law were there in person. All the luck.
I'm still jacked up after the last game. We sit in 121 this season and I've never seen the folks in that section standing so often. Reminded me a tiny bit like my days sitting in the TA (minus the F bombs, of course).
I'm sure Neville wants Evander to "bring it" all game every game but that's not who he is. Not saying he dogs it. He just seems to crank it up several notches from time to time and when he does, it's spectacular.
I'm afraid that Ridgy needs to go. Love the guy, but you can't fire nearly the entire D. If his departure doesn't improve things, then I guess they'll have to start replacing defenders one or two at a time. Just don't touch Bravo!!
I wanted Ridgewell to go when Gio went, and nothing I've seen from his defense since (and it absolutely is "his" defense, based on comments he made on an interview posted on this blog) has shown me anything different. He is absolutely the weak link in the chain right now - Phil has the offense doing pretty good things, and doing them pretty regularly, but this team's defense is KILLING any hope the Timbers have of making any substantive progress right now.
I understand players gotta perform, but there are also major structural issues with the defense and those are down to coaching. I am the least nostalgic person in the world when it comes to sports, as far as roster construction and coaching staffs go at least, so for me, I don't really care how beloved he was - he's not good NOW, and that's not good enough, because we're no longer watching the Timbers of THEN. Thank you for your service, Liam, but goodbye. The team needs to be and have better.
I agree. My emotional connection with Ridgy peaked in 2015. That was a LONG time ago.
Zuparic is our best CB right now. This is insane. He’s the only CB who organizes anything and doesn’t fuck up all the time. I’d want out under his circumstances too.
I don’t get why so many credit Phil with offense when it’s Dave’s purview but he gets no blame for the defense instead of Ridgewell. Now you’re blaming a player? Zuparic just has a personality and he takes himself and playing seriously. He’s a leader but he’s not in charge of anything. Dave has specifically been credited with improving our attacking set pieces and with Santi’s improvements. I’ll credit Phil for instilling some drive and determination, maybe. But he’s not a tactical genius at all. He’s vibes. When we play poorly, he’s bad vibes. I don’t like a coach who kicks players when they’re down and doesn’t change his own methods when things aren’t going well. When you swap out the entire team and players at damned near every position but the mistakes are the same, it isn’t all on the players.
Phil also just said all of our CBs are equal. He and Ned have said we have good enough starters in general right now. Setting aside that this obviously isn’t true and that a coach and GM aren’t going to speak the literal truth, where does that leave us in terms of what to believe about the FO and what to believe they believe about our players? The evidence is that we haven’t changed how we defend set pieces, that we routinely leave the far post unmarked, that we don’t consistently win duels, that we lose discipline, focus, concentration in key moments; that we don’t close down passing channels or move off the ball often enough to create passing opportunities for ourselves (especially/mainly from the back or through midfield). All of those inadequacies and inconsistencies have manifested regardless of which combination of players are on the pitch.
Unless someone wants to argue about swapping out CBs or midfielders, or even keeper, we had a top choice starting XI against St Louis and gave up 4 goals at home. At least one fellow commenter suggested we only have “mentality” problems on the road, or at least that they’re worse there or the main cause of our road woes. If we take the FO at face value, this team is good enough. It isn’t the talent or physical abilities of the players that’s costing us points? That leaves coaching and “mentality,” I guess? If the coach blames “mentality,”whose responsibility is that? If it’s the players, then they aren’t equally good or good enough? Ned and Neville want to have their cake and eat it too. The players are good enough, except the “mentality” is inconsistent. They “take responsibility,” except when it’s “mentality?” Then it’s the players, but the players are good enough. Circular reasoning.
We could do better with these players with better coaching. Different players would better fit the strategy and tactics in some areas (centerback, central midfield/8, and arguably goalkeeper). So far we aren’t adjusting the coaching and the FO expects us to succeed with the players and coaching we have. We’ll see how it all plays out. I hope I’m wrong, or that Neville starts coaching or directing his assistants to coach better, or that we bring in players that fit better sooner rather than later.
Re: the transfer window(s) and new Timbers players.
At some point we need to plan for Mora and Jona declining. I’m happy with the Toye move on paper and in practice so far. Antony may be the answer as depth for Jona or Santi but we need at least one more flexible attacking option in the future.
I’m assuming our fullback depth and replacements are coming from T2. Bravo and Mosquera are both at an age and in a form that roster and salary caps preclude much meaningful competition for them. The Millers, Sawyer Jura, and other T2 options presumably are the plan for now.
The keepers are good but the coaches need to work on communication and organization, and recognize that they aren’t fast or good with the ball at their feet. We don’t have a sweeper keeper. Until one of them is actually able to play that role, the strategy and tactics shouldn’t be set up for a sweeper keeper.
Similarly, we are stacked at centerback. We spent a bunch of money there and they are good players. We don’t have the space for anyone new without moving anyone. Araujo and Kamal are both three-back players. Zuparic should play the center centerback role. I don’t see who we sit to bring in an extra midfielder when we have our full team. Against Seattle, just don’t fill Jona’s spot. In the grand scheme of things, none of our otherwise good CBs, even Kamal, are fast or technical enough to play a high line, especially with how we use the 6/8 positions. Neville keeps trying a high line without enough pressure and movement up top and we’re getting burned.
With respect to midfield, Williamson and Paredes are both good, have different strengths, weaknesses, and skills. With our back line and lack of (especially defensive) movement and pressure higher up, we need an 8 who is better on possession. Ayala paired with Chara may be the best near term but Ayala should be taking over the 6 spot. I’d even be open to seeing Evander at 8, his original pre-Timbers position, and Williamson at the 10. Evander isn’t the ball-winner that Eryk is, which isn’t saying much, and Williamson isn’t near the 10 that Evander is, but Evander is so much better at keeping the ball in transition. Of course, that would mean Phil recognizing that the Timbers struggle in transition in midfield. To improve in midfield, we’d need to replace Paredes and/or Williamson with someone better than both, or find a better 10 than Evander (lol) and move him back to 8.
Ultimately, our near-term problems are coaching and long term we need players that fit what Phil wants to do, though he doesn’t recognize he doesn’t already have what he needs.
To elaborate on the CB situation. A change in tactics or personnel higher up - more pressure, an 8 better in possession / transition - as well as alternating fullbacks and pivoting / rotating midfielders, along with better communication and organization, would take pressure off our current centerbacks. We *could* upgrade at CB but it’s hard to imagine acknowledging Kamal ain’t it and/or presumptively bumping newly-signed Surman further back in the line of succession. I hope Surman becomes better than Zuparic fast. Otherwise, I don’t see improving at CB any time soon because Neville’s boy would need to sit and he and the FO would need to show some humility.
I'm pretty sure we'll see Kamal and Zup together this weekend. Next man up! Kamal will bring it and will do a good job. Araujo, as was pointed out, is probably better in a three-back system, or even as a RB, because he makes mistakes at times, and you just can't have that in a CB. I like his game overall, though. He's agressive and a really good passer, and I think he is an asset, but he sometimes takes a play off. If Kamal faceplants, we probably will see Surman come in.
The three in the back: I can't see that happening this season. I'd be really surprised. It's basically saying we prioritize defense over offense. I'm sure we'll see Chara and Ayala in the midfield. This could be Chara's last time to terrorize them. I'm looking forward to that. If we get a lead, I expect Paredes to come in and protect.
This is a good chance to see our depth at work. Toye will give us a different look and so will Antony. We'll see if it is as potent without Mora and Rodriguez, who got screwed royally by the ref and yellow card.
Seattle is coming off another loss to LAFC. I'm sure they will want to take it out on us, but it would be great to extend their misery for a full week. It doesn't get any bigger than this: a season defining game!
I agree about the three back. I was speaking more to the strengths our CBs than an expectation, much less desire, to see that formation. Our midfield and attack isn’t set up for that even if the CBs could manage.
Ned said Chara will be back next season and we still have Decision Day, but it is time to start looking past him as a starter. I agree he and Ayala will and should start this one. Agree on Paredes. Given recent form, I expect we’ll be bringing in Williamson to chase a lead though. I’ve been happy with Toye so far and it sounds like Antony has done well in training. I hope Mora wins on appeal. Tough lesson for Jona but important he learns the league.