All and all TAppa need to convert someone for that ball possession/creative role and he shouldn't look no further than Phillips. We have more than enough wide players to replace Phillips on the left side.
I know Phillips give us that goal scoring edge out left but for the sake of the overall balance of the team, spreading our strength around instead of concentrating the heart of our strength on the flanks will give us more depth in our attack. And our middle won't look vulnerable anymore with Phillips controlling our middle and Rudi in support, and Fuller in front as the attacking midfielder.
We have Omar, Dane, Humphrey's, Shelton, more than enough power there for the flanks. and if you should add Phillips to that list of flank players then that would be the heart of our attack besides the forwards of which play mainly one at a time.
With those five players all that's left for the middle is Rudi, Jason (who's not in team now) Watson, Keamar. Keamar & Watson have not distinguish themselves yet as starters in tough matches. So you all see that we're strong out wide and weak in the middle, and that's being our major problem, not our defense has some has make it out to be. The USA GCC match exposed the weakness in our middle. Phillips would bring that edge and depthed to our middle.
Hamilton Isreal this is not a time for experimenting,this is world cup qualifying we talking about.Central midfield is a specialist position and it would be suicidal for Tappa to play Phillips in the middle.
Its been an interesting thought HI, we are blessed with very good wing mans, can they transition to midfield play? That is the question. I'd like to think that they can, but the centre of midfield operates differently than wide play...where as u have the space to run on the wings, in midfield u have to be a bit more tactful, and open minded. Maybe thats why u usually find wing players or forwards who have slowed down, play the middle. If he recognizes the importance of a pass and move over trying to beat 3 players (Ganso vs Neymar) then he could be a very strong asset there...
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On to Peelhead, That holding/creative midfielder is a special role that takes alot to really make it work. Essentially you have to have the defensive awareness of a defensive midfielder, while having the attacking accumen of a 'top link'. Not many players in the history of the game have done that well there.
BTW in the 20's and 30's, that position used to be called centre half......now centre half and centre back are synonymous. I can remember Mauro Silva and Fernando Redondo (& possibly frank Rijkaard) in the 90's (Brazil and Argentina respectively) and today Xavi and Pirlo. These players are kissed by the gods and don't come often. Silva and Redondo though, are converted runners - like Demar, so you may just have something there. He'd at the very least do Ok. It would mean removing Dada, pity.
I remind you that I favour Jason because he's always been more clever on the ball. He works hard and of late has shown better timing in the tackle.
Alvas Powell played the holding/creative midfielder role in the u17 world cup for a bit and looked good. But its a hybrid position, essentially one man fulfilling two roles. Tall order for anyone.
Your quote:
"....you have to have the defensive awareness of a defensive midfielder, while having the attacking accumen of a 'top link'...."
Phillips has these qualities, don't forget Phillips was a defender first before he was moved into the attack.
I've being watching Phillips for a while, thinking to myself does he possess the attributes for a center midfielder. From what I've seen so far especially against the USA in the GCC was the final clincher for me that he's capable. During that match Phillips realizing we were vulnerable in the middle on a number of occasions he drifted into the middle to help Jason & Austin.
You see, I was watching Phillips to see if this role would suit him. His body language his high confidence, and the things he would do in the middle at times suggest to me that he has the ability to make an adjustment to his game, to slow it down and focus on holding on to the ball and be a distributor.
What's so good about this he loves to be around the ball, and loves freedom on the pitch, and his high work rate will assure he will always be in support of the ball on either side of the middle. He will get his opportunity to pick his spots and go forward to take shots on goal.
This is about Phillips becoming the midfield general for us. I know some will say, does he have enough guile and cleverness with the ball at his feet? Not all midfield general has all that package. Phillips have enough to lead us and if it so happen he shows that kind of acumen that would be a bonus.
With all that being said, the question is will TAPPA do anything of the sort? Who knows....
[quote=pHoQrY]Its been an interesting thought HI, we are blessed with very good wing mans, can they transition to midfield play? That is the question. I'd like to think that they can, but the centre of midfield operates differently than wide play...where as u have the space to run on the wings, in midfield u have to be a bit more tactful, and open minded. Maybe thats why u usually find wing players or forwards who have slowed down, play the middle. If he recognizes the importance of a pass and move over trying to beat 3 players (Ganso vs Neyma
Wise words PHQY; without the services of Jobi, Hoilett & Pratley fi di middle we need a solution.
Presently in the squad in the creative/holding middle are Watson, Keamar, these two not strong or developed ball wise enough for USA and the other ConCaCaf top sides. And I'm afraid Tappa may settle for less and not make the adjustment.
Of all the players on the team Phillips is the most versatile attacker, a workhorse, and have the ball sense to make the adjustment playing center mids.
HI, dont see Phillips at center of Midfield working at all. Are you trying weaken the team or strengthen it. Leave him where he'll be most effective for the team on left. If you realy want to take advantage of his talents switch to right side sometimes so that he can cut in on his left where he can crack it or curl it...
No Nathan Smith in the side traveling to Panama. So its left back for now for Demar. He can adjust to most positions on the field including mid. Central midfielders have to have high pass completion ratios though.their mistakes are magnified.
No Nathan Smith in the side traveling to Panama. So its left back for now for Demar. He can adjust to most positions on the field including mid. Central midfielders have to have high pass completion ratios though.their mistakes are magnified.
Yep, Phillips is now our left back. I believe that shift in tactics is so to accommodate Shelton on the left side of the attack. While at the same Phillips will be making overlapping runs which none of the other left backs weren't good at.
So this set I have no problems with, which cause us to have another attacking body on the pitch. I believe it's more of soft 3-5-2 set where Phillips will pick his spots and join the attack, we saw him doing that when he came in the second half against Panama.
So Fuller, Shelton & King will be the main operators up front.
Phillips coming from the back into the attack...
Now it's hard to tell who TAPPA will start in the middle & flanks, I don't think Dane has his position lock.
Omar has not featured at all & Watson just coming in.
We may very well see the same side that basically finish the game with the exception Rudy will start.
Sense HI, Watson dominated in the middle against the Galaxy on the weekend and was rated mom by even some of his previous detractors. Movement and work rate were first class, best performance at being a true box to box player that I've ever seen of him. He can slot in beside Austin instead of occupying a flank that would better be served by using a flyer like Humphrey or Dane. Omar is seemingly suffering from a knock, he already would have been in the mix had he been fit.
