PastPros Posted November 19, 2022 Share Posted November 19, 2022 3 minutes ago, WestHamCanadianinOxford said: At least a midfield clogger-upper. Pylons are easy to get around jhoops__ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floortom Posted November 19, 2022 Share Posted November 19, 2022 5 minutes ago, jhoops__ said: Not sure Piette destroys anything vs Belgium… People really overate his “destroying” skills. You saw it against Japan and Uruguay - he was not particularly effective defensively. Sure against MLS competition it can work but I’m not banking on him doing anything versus world class midfields like Croatia and Belgium. jhoops__, YorkRegionFan and Shway 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dyslexic nam Posted November 19, 2022 Share Posted November 19, 2022 Lying deep and clogging things up. “The Constipator” Kadenge, rkomar, PastPros and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kadenge Posted November 19, 2022 Share Posted November 19, 2022 As a mid at this level you have to be able to play through a high press or you're asking for trouble. As a 3rd mid Piette may be ok but for sure not with 2 CMs. WestHamCanadianinOxford 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dyslexic nam Posted November 19, 2022 Share Posted November 19, 2022 I am not going to disrespect Piette. He has always answered the call and done what was asked of him. And he has played really well along the way - not always, but has definitely done an important job. I doubt anyone thinks he is going to put De Bruyne or Modric in his pocket but those are world class players that will challenge anyone in our midfield - Staq included. Getting a result will take a full team response, with 11 guys putting efforts into not conceding for the full 90+ minutes. I hope Staq is ready to go from kick off but if not I am choosing to believe that Piette can be effective. Corazon, jonovision, Craig11rm and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lansdude Posted November 19, 2022 Share Posted November 19, 2022 If Staq isn't ready I roll the dice on Kone. Need his ability to pass and turn out of pressure. jhoops__, prairiecanuck, An Observer and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kadenge Posted November 19, 2022 Share Posted November 19, 2022 Being factual is not disrespectful. Certain players have limitations. It is what it is. Piette has had big games for Club & Country but his lack of pace and skill on the ball at this level shows up. We have to field the team that will help us get a result everything else is secondary. jhoops__ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestHamCanadianinOxford Posted November 19, 2022 Share Posted November 19, 2022 (edited) 21 minutes ago, Kadenge said: As a mid at this level you have to be able to play through a high press or you're asking for trouble. As a 3rd mid Piette may be ok but for sure not with 2 CMs. Other than his habit of stretching in short shorts in team videos, I have huge respect for Piette. He will keep running after most players slow down but that needs to be used wisely in ideal circumstances. The problem again is we are not in ideal circumtances in midfield. Kaye and still Kone have a game-killer bad pass in them, that becomes an even bigger issue if they play more holding roles. Many of the others are more attack-minded. I trust Piette to at least make the simple passes simple. No greater answers to be fair. Edited November 19, 2022 by WestHamCanadianinOxford jhoops__ and Lansdude 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearcatSA Posted November 19, 2022 Share Posted November 19, 2022 17 minutes ago, dyslexic nam said: Getting a result will take a full team response, with 11 guys putting efforts into not conceding for the full 90+ minutes. It sounds like we need that Kurt Russell as Herb Brooks pre-game speech: A.D.I.D.A.S., Unnamed Trialist and jhoops__ 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VinceA Posted November 19, 2022 Share Posted November 19, 2022 The lack of nuance in talking about the midfield is annoying. Piette in a 2 man midfield is very different to Piette in a 3-man. The extra body changes roles for everyone. No shit Piette struggles when its just him and one other needing to do everything in midfield. I'd also argue it doesn't matter who we run in the midfield in a 2-man. Croatia and Belgium will eat them alive. Running Eustaquio-Hutchinson will still get us overrun against arguably the best midfield in the world in Modric/Brozovic/Kovacic or the 4 man midfield Belgium could roll out in a 3-4-2-1. Corazon, GasPed, dyslexic nam and 6 others 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trc2014 Posted November 19, 2022 Share Posted November 19, 2022 This reminds me of the thinking of not starting all of our starters in the 2019 Gold Cup Mexico game. I guess the difference is that there wasn’t a specific injury that players were dealing with. If we know Staq will be for sure at minimum available ‘off the bench’ for Belgium, assuming that means approx 30 minutes, wouldn’t we rather have him start 30 to calm everyone’s nerves in the biggest Canada game in decades, vs play the final 30? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trc2014 Posted November 19, 2022 Share Posted November 19, 2022 I think a lot of people are also underestimating the Croatia game. That is less winnable then the Belgium game IMO. king1010, CanadaFan123, dyslexic nam and 17 others 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestHamCanadianinOxford Posted November 19, 2022 Share Posted November 19, 2022 (edited) 2 minutes ago, trc2014 said: This reminds me of the thinking of not starting all of our starters in the 2019 Gold Cup Mexico game. I guess the difference is that there wasn’t a specific injury that players were dealing with. If we know Staq will be for sure at minimum available ‘off the bench’ for Belgium, assuming that means approx 30 minutes, wouldn’t we rather have him start 30 to calm everyone’s nerves in the biggest Canada game in decades, vs play the final 30? I also think we have a better chance against Belgium than we do against Croatia. Tough decisions. Edited November 19, 2022 by WestHamCanadianinOxford jhoops__ and Unnamed Trialist 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lansdude Posted November 19, 2022 Share Posted November 19, 2022 1 minute ago, trc2014 said: I think a lot of people are also underestimating the Croatia game. That is less winnable then the Belgium game IMO. I agree with this, Belgium look to be out of sorts right now and they're having trouble settling on their best team. This is the more winnable of the two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearcatSA Posted November 19, 2022 Share Posted November 19, 2022 Just out of curiosity, I wonder what the betting line is on this first match? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VinceA Posted November 19, 2022 Share Posted November 19, 2022 (edited) 10 minutes ago, trc2014 said: I think a lot of people are also underestimating the Croatia game. That is less winnable then the Belgium game IMO. Yep. People may think oh look Croatia is old when they see Lovren and Vida (along with Modric but he's a fine wine). Neither defenders are expected to see the pitch at all and their new crop of CBs are highly rated. Edited November 19, 2022 by VinceA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unnamed Trialist Posted November 19, 2022 Share Posted November 19, 2022 26 minutes ago, BearcatSA said: It sounds like we need that Kurt Russell as Herb Brooks pre-game speech: Belgium can't skate with us worth shit. I feel much better. BearcatSA and jhoops__ 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpg_29 Posted November 19, 2022 Share Posted November 19, 2022 (edited) 17 minutes ago, trc2014 said: If we know Staq will be for sure at minimum available ‘off the bench’ for Belgium, assuming that means approx 30 minutes, wouldn’t we rather have him start 30 to calm everyone’s nerves in the biggest Canada game in decades, vs play the final 30? My thoughts as well. The first 20+ mins against Belgium are going to be the most crucial of the entire tournament. Edited November 19, 2022 by mpg_29 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unnamed Trialist Posted November 19, 2022 Share Posted November 19, 2022 (edited) 20 minutes ago, trc2014 said: I think a lot of people are also underestimating the Croatia game. That is less winnable then the Belgium game IMO. I agree. First, it's the surprise factor, and our specific prep for them. Then, if they don't have Lukaku, if Hazard starts (and everyone in Spain knows he hasn't done a thing in years for club, he is so overrated by those who saw him in EPL), if they play Castaigne who is slow and ineffective, that ageing back line, the inexperience at the back of Debast (on a weaker team than Tajon and Larin), we have a much better chance against them. Also because they are not going to come out with any intention of factoring in our strengths, they'll just want to ride their superiority. That, and it seems clear Croatia has done a better job renewing and has a lot of younger blood of better quality. And they, like us, will have an even sharper idea of what is at stake by the second game, so it won't get easier, just the opposite. No matter what, our aim has always to be within a goal, to not lose the narrative of any match, to always be within a goal of a result. Whether that's to draw or win. So staying with our rivals early, and not getting scored on first (as happened in 6 of 14 qualifiers, against Honduras in NL, in friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, far too often). Edited November 19, 2022 by Unnamed Trialist youllneverwalkalone and PegCityCam 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpg_29 Posted November 19, 2022 Share Posted November 19, 2022 Not sure if this will be much of a factor but Belgium seems to have stayed in Belgium right until they left for the Egypt game and they were training in cold weather. Like players fully bundled up. They didn't give themselves much time to acclimate. I wonder if this one area where Canada might have have an edge in planning/preparation given CONCACAF's wide variation in climate extremes. Craig11rm and narduch 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadaFan123 Posted November 19, 2022 Share Posted November 19, 2022 Davies is the face of the sport in this country. I don’t see him not starting as a “precaution” in such a massive match. He’s either hurt or playing. jhoops__ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free kick Posted November 19, 2022 Share Posted November 19, 2022 (edited) 40 minutes ago, trc2014 said: I think a lot of people are also underestimating the Croatia game. That is less winnable then the Belgium game IMO. I agree. With Belgium, there are areas to exploit (on the Belgian team) with our width and pace. With, Croatia, I don't really see that because they have the players/talent to control the MF and limit the opportunities on the counter. Its the second game and hence there will be a greater sense of urgency to get a result Edited November 19, 2022 by Free kick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TGAA_Star Posted November 19, 2022 Share Posted November 19, 2022 (edited) Apparently certain players on our team are going to be listed as questionable for our Opener against Belgium and they are: - Stephen Eustaquio - Milan Borjan - Alphonso Davies Edited November 19, 2022 by TGAA_Star ADP10 and jhoops__ 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pod818 Posted November 19, 2022 Share Posted November 19, 2022 Guys, this is just Herdman playing mind games. He’s proven to be a 4D chess player Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dyslexic nam Posted November 19, 2022 Share Posted November 19, 2022 6 minutes ago, pod818 said: Guys, this is just Herdman playing mind games. He’s proven to be a 4D chess player Gonna start pulling this one out. narduch, Kadenge and An Observer 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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