The Final Legs of the Season: A Journey Through the Five Stages of Grief
by playtherapy on Sep 12, 2011 9:48 AM CDT
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After a debacle like our 3-0 fallout against Kansas City, it's just kind of hard to know what to say or do as a mixture of emotions surface. There's anger, sadness, despair, rage, angst, and we'll just stop there as my gut is now on fire.
These are common manifestations of grief. To borrow from the landmark book, On Death and Dying, grieving guru Elisabeth Kübler-Ross describes grief as a cycle in 5 stages. Using this season as an example, we may be able to view ourselves and our progress a bit differently:
1. Denial- "Things are fine. This isn't happening."
Denial is usually temporary as the prospect of a long uneventful post season becomes real.
Some stay cemented at this stage, demanding others deeply 'root' here as well.
"You are not loyal unless you stand with us. You are not educated. You are not a true fan."
I am not one of these 'my country right or wrong' fellas. To me, the true measure of fan loyalty is to demand better, but no matter what, to support the team.
It's like family. You may give your brother your half of the money for your mom's birthday present and he may go and spend it all on crack.
Though he's still your brother, you still kick his ass.
Perhaps that doesn't cure his crack addiction. You even feel remorse afterwards, wondering why the hell you gave an addict money without supervision.
Temporarily, you feel slightly better.
Instead of internalizing (this isn't happening), you externalized, meaning you have already made it to Step 2.
Good for you, bad for your brother's face.
Denial statements might include:
It was just one game
Costly had a good game. He just needs better service
Watson is the solution and needs more minutes
If we just hustled more, all would be fine
This result is not indicative of anything else
Cameron is a fine attacking midfielder- he just needs MORE time
We deserve to go to the playoffs
We will go far in the playoffs
We were just unlucky
That wasn't a red card foul
We were victims of a bad ref
2. Anger- "WTF did I just watch?!?!?!? WAS THAT THE DYNAMO?"
Or, "Transfer the whole lot of them!"
If you want some practice on Stages of Grief, reread Ginge's game thread.
Ouch.
When addressing the Bargaining Stage, I'll reference a scene from Repo Man, an 80's movie about punk rock, repoing cars, time travel, generic beer, drugs and food- among many other zany things.
On the subject of time travel- how the heck did the defense from the 4th game in 14 days against Dallas- a tired flat footed bunch- get time-ported to the 1st game of that stretch?
Seriously, they were either victims of time travel, or attended the same bachelor party the night before (think of the movie, the Hangover), or Teal Bunbury decided payback for his injury was to make Hainult look like a spitted pig roasting over a bonfire, or you fill in the blank.
Anger.
Because the alternatives are worse.
3. Bargaining- Brain begins to generate the possibility that perceptions are correct- as in: "OMG, THAT WAS THE DYNAMO!!!"
Followed by numerous,
"WTF!
WTF?
WTF!"
It reminds me of this scene from Repo Man-
Bud: Repo man don't go running to the man Marlene. A repo man goes at it alone.
Lite: Yes sirree bob.
Marlene: Just like John Wayne.
Oly: Damn right just like John Wayne what's wrong about that?
Plettschner: Greatest American that ever lived.
Miller: John Wayne was a fag.
Bud: What did you say man?
Plettschner: Whaa?
Oly: What?
Miller: John Wayne was a fag.
Everyone: The hell he was.
Miller: He was too you boys. I installed two way mirrors in his pad in Brentwood. And he'd come to the door in a dress.
Plettschner: Ah, you're fucking nuts.
Oly: That doesn't mean he was a homo, Miller. Lotta straight guys like to watch their buddies fuck. I know I do.
Bud: They do?
Plettschner: Yeah.
Oly: Don't you?
Plettschner: Damn straight I do.
When confronted with Miller's eyeball witness account of their paragon of masculinity, Oly and the boys must reinvent masculinity to include cross dressing, voyeurism and perhaps even wife swapping. Of course, they would swear, it was the woman they were watching....
Bargaining.
The enticement of Sanchez coming here on trial (even though the foreign transfer deadline has passed) is an example of bargaining. As in, maybe we should attend practices instead of games to see Camargo and Sanchez get minutes, so we can have some idea about next season.
Help me, like Oly helped John Wayne, to reinvent things. Let's turn this Rubik's Cube of a season this way or that, to make it more palatable.
Or gosh, if only we pair Cameron with Boz, all would be different (Reubensque cherubs shout YAH! with glee).
4. Depression- "the sky is falling, the sky is falling!"
Worse: "Uh-oh, what if we MAKE the playoffs?"
Help me here, guys. I don't want to stay here too long.
5. Acceptance
Reality sets in, there's always next year.
We're just going to have to wait it out. Face it, we WILL NOT go after foreign players who cost us money without having them here on loan first. Otherwise, it's down to out of contract journeymen or hopefully good players who haven't found a home by late January or early February.
Putting on a brave face- perhaps it's better we don't make the playoffs, so we can start planning for next year.
We had a few great championship seasons from a veteran team, and it's going to take time, especially since the transfer kitty is all but nonexistent and our Front Office is very gun shy about taking risks. The latter translates to slow but steady growth, but hopefully means there won't be a significant fall.
It's all about conservative financial planning.
Over the long haul.
And that
Takes time.
Now, if we can just win on the road...
Once.
Now THAT'S acceptance.
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Changes need to be made
everyone is calling for the FO and the coaching staff to be fired. My question is who would you get to replace DK and why?
That KC game was brutal, complete train wreck. Why can’t we win on the road. The guys looked out of it. Do they not sleep well in hotels? What’s the deal?
I'm not
I’m not calling for the front office or for Dom to be fired. Not at all.
A little clarity about what are expectations should be on the foreign transfer market would be very helpful. And a little info on the big picture would be kinda nice too.
All the same, this is a rebuilding year.
by playtherapy on Sep 12, 2011 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions
The FO and DK question
was for anyone that thinks they need replaced. Just throwing it out there to see what the people wanting the big change and tweeting #firedominickinnear are thinking of for replacements.
I’m happy with DK as the coach and don’t want to see him go.
Not ready
to grab my torch & pitchfork yet. I give Dom leeway because without significant roster upgrades we’re doing much better than we were last season. We’re still a work in progress as a team, my only beef is that to me it wasn’t a competitive team that we fielded. I realize perhaps he’s saving Camargo for Columbus or San Jose plus Dixon is out, but we need positive results now if we want to make the playoffs.
Now quite a few of us have said missing the playoffs might actually be a positive thing and I certainly stand with them. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Orange and would be happy to see them make the playoffs but at what price? It might give people the wrong idea that we are fine and don’t need improvements since we made the playoffs; that’s a smoke-screen. We’re mid-table in the Eastern conference, that should say it all.
All of us
Shocked at Dixon getting significant minutes, ahead of Camargo, especially after the comments in the Jamaican press.
Perhaps amends are not just about restoration, but making things better than before.
Does this mean Je-Vaughn and Dom are on better terms? Can’t do much more than speculate. If only MLS Rumors actually reporting on something, rather than regurgitating others and not very well, at that.
by playtherapy on Sep 12, 2011 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions
Or
like I had mentioned in the run-up to the game that perhaps it was out of necessity that he was played and that Watson seized his chance. And fair play to Watson, he played like a man on a mission of redemption..but not for us, I’m afraid. I think he’s trying to mend bridges with us so that when he leaves (and leave he will) to another MLS team it’ll be on a positive note and he can do the same thing to some other team next season.
And if Camargo isn’t starting and Cameron isn’t back to CB by the SJE game on Saturday our season is over, plain and simple
IF
Cameron goes to CB (doubt it), then I bet Watson starts up top ahead of Camargo. I was also sad Bruin didn’t get any game time, which probably relegates him to a subbing role in Columbus.
Columbus has been fading, and will view this game as an opportunity to right the ship @ home.
by playtherapy on Sep 12, 2011 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions
I so hate you
right now. You have no idea how depressing that sounds…
And I’m sorry, at this point I don’t care about any one else’s form except ours. We’ve had this mentality all season long that oh, this team is ripe for the taking or oh, we’ll get 3 pts on this poor-form team and nothing. Absolutely nothing. And why? Because like Einstein said:
“INSANITY IS DOING THE SAME THING, OVER AND OVER AGAIN, BUT EXPECTING DIFFERENT RESULTS.” (my emphasis, not his)
Our defense is relatively slow and shaky in the middle. Boz will help that but quite honestly, not by much. Wanna know why? Because we’ve won almost as much as we’ve lost this year. True story. So knowing this, we’re going to “fix” our D by putting Boz back in because he’s available. Phew! Dodged that bullet!
How on Earth do we think we’re going to stop the team that is leading the Eastern Conference right now, regardless of their form? And yeah, we can all chuckle at taking that with a grain of salt because it is the (L)Eastern Conference but guess what: we’re 3rd place in that rubbish conference right now and hanging by a thread. So what’s the answer? (Quick huddle, brainstorming, drawing on whiteboard) Eureka! Hear me out, fellas: put in Watson as CAM and pair him up with Cameron. Dude I’m telling you: fool-proof! Have you seen Watson juggle in practice? Joe Cole ain’t got nuthin’ on him. A few tricky steps and a cheeky pass and we’re storming their gates.
Sorry for the rant/sarcasm/despair but really, we’ve said this relatively recently because its true: WE ARE MEDIOCRE. Our midfield pair of Waton and Cameron i OK. Or Moffat and Cameron. We might be pretty good, but we don’t know because it just seems we can’t put a line-up out there that clicks. Sadly, we actually have some very good players, and one of them is playing out of position (CAMERON). It makes a great player look mediocre.
Moffat is actually very good at DM.
Davis is an All-Star.
Ching is Ching.
Clark is pretty good.
Weaver is a pub-league legend
Hainault is a good CB (sweeper, basically) but needs help (CAMERON SPEED)
Cameron is an All-Star CB.
Ashe is a very good LB, except when he isn’t.
Everyone else, frankly, tends to be forgettable. Maybe we don’t actually have the talent we think we do (Dixon, Camargo, Costly) or maybe we’re just star-crossed. I don’t know. But Dom, please, stop faffing about: if we really are that mediocre then don’t go out and grab more, wait for it, mediocre international talent. And if we can’t afford it then fine, we’ll make due.
But this hope you guys keep giving us glimpses of? This “hope” that if we just find that right combination, if we just give this guy another chance, if we just try this guy here and see how he does…this hope? It’s the most amazing and most horrifying feeling of all.
Niels Bohr
“We are all agreed that your theory is crazy. The question which divides us is whether it is crazy enough to have a chance of being correct. My own feeling is that it is not crazy enough. "
by playtherapy on Sep 12, 2011 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions
Weaver
Gives his all. While that often is not enough, it ain’t for lack of effort.
by playtherapy on Sep 12, 2011 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions
True
but I think that’s part of the issue, isn’t it? I’m not knocking Weaver because he does try hard, which is something I wish others would do. We have alot of “ok” guys or hustle guys. And you need those, every quality team does, but our problem is we rely on them to make plays and that’s outside of their abilities. We need one or two players who can create for themselves or others, and those “hustle” guys will complement them. But instead that’s what our starting XI consists mostly thereof.
@ least Weaver earns his salary
We get what we pay for. NYRB would prematurely ejaculate if Marquez played with Weaver’s abandon and energy.
by playtherapy on Sep 12, 2011 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions
Weaver
runs and plays hard, and I promise I’m not making him out to be the poster problem child; he’s your perfect “if you played a great forward with him he’d be a great wingman” kind of forward. But problem is, we don’t have that peanut butter to his jelly, and instead we put him in as if he’s some kind of answer. I realize he’s all we’ve got at the moment aside from Ching and Costly but when that’s your option you might have to re-think things. That’s all
Defending his work rate.
Weaver is a good sub for Ching. He is not starting material.
I love the Weaver praise
He does try and when he’s healthy he’s a solid option. Need I bring up April again? =)
I think that Hainault’s short comings are the same as Boswell’s – a need for speed…Cameron’s speed ideally. A back line with Ashe – Boswell – Cameron – and Hainault would be our best defense we could have.
Also I think that your use of Einstein...
fails to look at the team and their games at an in depth level. Take your analysis of Boswell. We actually benched Boswell for a good period (May – part of June) and we didn’t win at all for a good part of that. When we reinserted him we played much stronger in the back. He was also part of our undefeated April that I love bringing up. This squad is BETTER with Boswell than without him. We allow less goals and lose less often when we have Boswell. To ignore those statistics is..well let’s put it this way, you don’t have to be Einstein to figure that we need him.
Back at the use of the quote…we don’t do the same thing =/ we change things up all the time due to injury, cards, and form. At one level yes we do the same thing. We see Cameron mostly in a midfield role (which has changed from a holding role to a CAM role), but we haven’t seen him back at the place we’d like to see him. It’s worked sometimes and not others. We also don’t expect different results, we want the same result: some W’s! We change some things up, we don’t change other things. I think we’ll see bigger changes when Camargo is fit for 90 minutes of league play. Hopefully that is tomorrow or Saturday at the latest.
And that
is mostly the point: that save for a few minor variations due to schedule/availability/etc, we have kept the same people at pretty much the same positions all season. And I’m not saying Boz is a bad player, he just isn’t the right person to pair with Hainault. Your reference to his absence during May reinforces that point, as did the result on Saturday: Hainault needs a complimentary player, preferably someone quicker than Boz. Taylor exacerbated that condition and let you know how bad things could be; Boz merely disguises it, or rather is the proverbial finger in the dyke.
And again, results don’t lie: save for losing Palmer & Chabala and adding Moffat we’ve lost more games than we’ve won, only just. We’ve also allowed more goals than we’ve scored. Aside from that, its effectively the same team every game, the only difference being that sometimes Cameron has played as CAM and sometimes at DM. It also illustrates his importance as being a defender: if his inclusion in the midfield contributes to the lack of production (of course, he’s not completely responsible but as a midfielder it is your job to distribute the ball to create a goal-scoring opportunity) AND his absence from the defense contributes to the GAA, why do we keep putting him in the midfield? I’ll grant you that we don’t have too many enticing options, but options do exist and it seems the only one we keep exercising is keeping Cameron in the midfield.
Finally, we do want different results because ending up with as many wins as losses MAY get you in the playoffs, but wouldn’t you rather increase your odds by getting more wins? And that’s the problem: our line-up is what it is and produces what it produces, ergo, we need to make a change to get better (read: different) results.
And I do agree that hopefully Camargo is introduced for the full 90 either tomorrow or Saturday, its just we kept hearing about his fitness but he played the full 90 against Monterrey. I realize it was a friendly but it was against a brutal Monterrey team; if that’s not at least some indication you’re ready to go against MLS competition I’m not sure what is. But we’ll see…I realize I’m arguing about getting better when truth be told, we would technically make the playoffs right now, but that’s the problem: that’s right now. If we keep losing and/or losing/drawing, our spot in the playoffs is in peril.
We should be better and we the team's performances deserve better
As I keep bringing up, Hainault needs to go to RB to replace Freeman who I think is a great option either off the bench or filler for an injury at LB or RB. The Boswell/Cameron pairing simply works too well. Fact is the team does better when Boswell is at CB (I’ll look into the exact stats, but we do win more than lose when he is there).
That being said, we need to understand that Dom is trying to field the best team possible. Options at midfield are relatively limited. If Cameron moves before Camargo is ready (assuming he can do the job well) then we still have line up problems.
I mentioned earlier that the team’s performances overall have been quite good, but we just lack an X factor like leadership, confidence, or that fight Ching mentioned. It’s likely all of those things, but the team still plays well, sometimes outplaying opponents, but still not getting results which is a shame.
Let’s hope Camargo can be the man to step up and create confidence for us at the CAM role (or does well enough for Cameron to inspire confidence at CB). Let’s face it though, while we have played relatively well as of late (well…minus the 2 L’s), Costly has not inspired the fight or confidence nor has he brought any sense of leadership. Perhaps time is what he needs, but it seems to me that Camargo is more likely to be that piece or X factor than Costly.
I hope that Ching isn’t in too rough shape (groin injury), but we could see Bruin/Weaver back in action tomorrow! Let’s see that tandem wreck some more havoc!
Well said
I’m hesitant on Hainault going to RB but its either him or Sarkodie to fill in there and I agree that Freeman is better coming in as a sub rather than a starter.
Other than a lack of a player who can create for himself and others, I strongly agree with your take on our team lacking that “X Factor”. That, along with playmaking is the main reason we haven’t been able to win on the road or win against teams we “should” beat. I do hope Camargo is that missing piece that keeps everyone’s head cool and is able to open up opposing defenses either through passing or runs to boost everyone’s overall play. We’ll find out soon enough, I hope
And I do hope we can rest Ching tomorrow and possibly Saturday…if we end up making the playoffs he will be critical, so if we can make due with Weaver, Costly & Bruin let’s give Ching the time he needs so that we can have all hands on deck
Ching's availability will depend on
Game conditions and is fitness.
Given the number of away games versus games at home,. we have to bring home some points form our road trips, not just bed bugs
EPIC
play, you’ve had some inspired stuff lately. Well done, sir. Sobering and upsetting, but good nonetheless.
It’s sad that I’m sure a number of us went through all 5 stages during the KC game. Though I will say that I had already skipped over Denial once I saw the line-up. With all due respect to Gribbs, that line-up Dom trotted out there was our version of the Light Brigade. We ensured that a defense that tended to be shaky and slower got shakier and slower and instead of countering it with some mobility and creativity we put out…the same midfield that hasn’t exactly been setting MLS on fire.
I don’t think its bargaining to say I can at least understand that perhaps Dom put them out there considering we’ve got 3 games in 1 week (again), but its not like its the beginning or middle of the season where its a long way to go. We’re near the end of the season, and at this point it might be over once we play our last regular season game. Until we see changes (read: Camargo at CAM, Cameron at CB), Einstein’s observation of insanity applies to us.
I’m actually quite ok with acceptance because it allows us to view our situation objectively. My only bone to pick is that one of our biggest issues (midfield) is difficult to discern because the player that has been touted and sought-after, Camargo, hasn’t played but 10 minutes in an MLS match. And we’ve got, what, 5-6 games to go? At this rate he’ll go the full 90 with 3 games to go. How on earth can we evaluate whether or not he’s an answer or THE answer at midfield? And without knowing that, how do we take a look at Sanchez when Camargo could be the answer? It’s just baffling to me. To me, the clear lesson is this: Cameron can play many positions, but only plays one very well: CB. Sort that out and start working on your other positions from there.
I just couldn't believe
Our defense looked as if it had been practicing three times a day in 108 degree weahter and that two of those were held back to back late Saturday morning.
This was the FIRST game of our 14 day iron man competition?
SHEESH!
by playtherapy on Sep 12, 2011 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions
Lower expectations
ah, now I see. Create a low baseline then finish with flair..I’m liking Dom’s daring yet underwhelming plan :)
But yeah, I saw that backline and knew we were doomed. This is one of those line-in-the-sand arguments with me: I don’t think anyone can convince me that that back 4 was going to stop KC from scoring.
LOL
We shall surprise our next road opponent by coming to play.
Since they have theitr families on the field, with Martha Stewart type picnics and will be totally agog.
Perhaps then, we will score.
Or am I being too optimistic?
by playtherapy on Sep 12, 2011 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions
I can't wait
to see the roster for the Crew game. Are we going to openly show our hand and put in Camargo or are we going to play possum and keep our KC line-up and THEN spring Camargo on them at half-time? Victory!!
Michael? (Shakes him)
Michael? (More shaking)
I think you drifted off, we were talking about Stage 3 of grief, Bargaining….
I disagree about the lineup
Sure we could have shaken things up, but thing is…this lineup, with the exclusion of Boswell and inclusion of Taylor has been doing very well. 5/6 games unbeaten..not too shabby. Yes, in hindsight maybe we should have taken Ching off the game day, inserted Camargo into the starting 11, and shifted Cameron back to CB…but we have no idea how that would have played out. We may have lost 4-0. Or maybe we would have won. I have my criticisms with the lineup, but I understand the decisions behind it, and think that it was a smart lineup for the most part. One thing is clear to me that I’m not positive is clear to everyone else that criticized the hell out of the squad at KC: we can’t have a home squad and an away squad. We have to learn to win on the road with the guys we have and that have earned playing time.
I think Taylor has not fit in well, but with Boz out it made a little sense. Maybe E. Rob would have been better. I can’t wait for the day when Cameron goes back to CB, but I think that Camargo isn’t fit enough to go 90, or maybe that’s Dom’s opinion. Who knows!
I understand
why he has been in the midfield all season, but I just felt that if we were already relatively slow with Hainault and Boz in the back, Hainault and Taylor wasn’t going to make it any better, particularly not on the road and not against KC.
I do agree that we shouldn’t have a home team and road team, at this level you have to learn that you do in fact have to play away from the nest. It’s just irksome that for one reason or another we can’t seem to win at home…at this point it can only be something mental. Yes, Dom does need to shoulder part of that because there have been some tactical issues and he could be blamed for perhaps not putting out the best line-up with a chance of a successful outcome (however we define that), but the other part has to be the players. I read about so many different teams who thrive with playing on the road because they feed off the opposing crowd. Apparently we’re not that team…
I'm with you about Taylor
I was excited about him earlier in the season, but I think we just have too much depth at CB. I agree about the speed issue in the center, but let’s give the defense some credit. We don’t allow too many goals…at least compared to some of the other teams around us in the table. I think the difference between Hainault/Boswell though is clear. We play better, have more confidence, and tend to not lose when Boswell is there. I think that a back line of Hainault – Cameron – Boswell – Ashe incorporates strong, good marking defenders with fast defenders very well. Arguments could be made about Ashe not being the strongest option, and Hainault pairing with Cameron rather than Boswell, but then we’re left with Freeman whom I like seeing, but he isn’t our best RB. I think Cameron/Boswell have worked well in the past and Boswell’s record and Hainault’s recent slide out of form has earned the Boswell/Cameron CB tandem.
woo!
Hear hear
While I differ on my feelings of Boswell starting, I do agree that at least we need the key ingredients of Hainault, Cameron and Ashe in defense. They’re a good mix of strength, speed and skill, and Cameron’s inclusion probably changes us from a decent defense to a good-to-very-good one.
Here’s to hoping Cameron goes back to CB and we start seeing the D tighten up
Taylor is backup
But he does have better speed. Would Robinson’s speed have been the answer? ERob’s and Hainault’s games are mostly about physicality and their play constantly strays between dirty and barely legal. You wo’;t get finesse or wheels out of either.
KC’s youth were simply too fast and their game plan played to their strengths, isolating our slower players against blazing speed and quick passing to expose this advantage. If we had speed, we could terrorize Marshall and James this weekend in much the same way.
But we don’t.
I agree with you, Griggs. I’m unsure how different the back four could have been other than putting Cameron there. As Dom followers, we should know better, it’s gonna take a bipartisan act of Congress.
Well
it COULD have been a different back four, but for reasons known only to Dom he elected to go with Taylor & Hainault. Yes, Taylor has speed but not the combination of speed and agility that Cameron has, and that’s precisely what was needed against KC. But that’s water under the bridge at this point, we can only hope that Dom switches Cameron back to CB today…I eagerly await the line-up and will be dutifully watching the game later
I would love to create
A highlight film of ERob’s and Hainault’s less savory exploits with “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” blaring in the background. But perhaps this would make them marked men with refs as ERob was in 2008. I’m noticing our fave Canuck getting the same sort of reputation and looks from officials.
Hopefully
he doesn’t fully embrace the Dark Side, just some of the dark arts. Look, I’ve yet to see a good to very good CB who doesn’t dabble in that because guess what, you’re defending guys who sometimes openly embrace tricky deeds. The issue here is that its being used as a prop this season to compensate for the fact that he’s being caught out too many times by being forced out of position or trying to recover, two things he’s not good at. Boz can’t provide the cover that Cameron does, and that requires a “by any means necessary” approach. Robinson is a die-hard enforcer, an older Nigel DeJong (minus the chest-kicks)…Hainault is showing flashes of that physicality but I hope it dies down with Cameron’s move back to CB. We shall see though
/make that highlight film happen
Though
hopefully the post-football, Hollywood version of Vinnie Jones rather than the bruising enforcer he was back in his day
And Ruddock wasn't called Razor for nuthin' and Jones being one of the 'Crazy Gang' was the "Axe"
So, what nicknames for ERob and Hainault?
Scissors and Chopper (get the tired Canadien wood connection)?
Clearly, this whole KC game is just to throw all prognosticators off the scent. All of this is all part of the plan. And when Captain Ching raises the cup in the HDC in November, we’ll be sorry we doubted.
Or am I still in Stage 1?
"We don't care who finishes second." -- Celtic's Peter Lowrie
Either
That hashish cloud hasn’t cleared yet or your holding our last trophy, muttering something about “Precioussss, myyyyy precioussssss.”
Whoops, double post…
by playtherapy on Sep 12, 2011 12:28 PM CDT up reply actions
Turn Costly’s suspension into a season-long. Ban him from MLS!! And by the way, if Dominic Kinnear is allowed to even come back in the city limits and pack his bags, then Canetti should be on the block as well! Screw them all! I’m donning the candystripes at PHP
Stage 2? FUCKING STAGE 2!?! WHO YA LOOKING AT!?!?!?
"We don't care who finishes second." -- Celtic's Peter Lowrie
Avoid mirrors like the sunshine threatened vamps
Yeah. Huh? Huh? Huh? (I’m) faster than you, you fuckin’ son of a…I saw you comin’, you fuck, shit-heel. I’m standin’ here. You make the move. You make the move. It’s your move. [He draws his gun from his concealed forearm holster] Don’t try it, you fucker. You talkin’ to me? You talkin’ to me? You talkin’ to me? [He turns around to look behind him] Well, who the hell else are you talkin’ to? You talkin’ to me? Well, I’m the only one here. Who the fuck do you think you’re talkin’ to? Oh yeah? Huh? OK. [He whips out his gun again] Huh?
by playtherapy on Sep 12, 2011 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions
OK, OK, maybe if I just try harder. Maybe if I recommit myself to my team, I can send the magic juju. Maybe if I off just Hunter Freeman and JeVaughn Watson to the ravening maw of Chtulhu, then his Most High Badassness will reward us with a road win Wednesday night. How about if I throw in Costly? Sacrifices must be made. This oughta work.
Stage 3. If I give up Stage 2, I’ll get Stage 3 and then no more stages have to come, right?
"We don't care who finishes second." -- Celtic's Peter Lowrie
With fava beans and a nice chianti.
Yet is Cthulhu a more discriminating eater? Perhaps he is a little OCD, wanting higher priced foreigners.
AEG may try pass junk food onto He Who Waits, but they’d better be careful.
by playtherapy on Sep 12, 2011 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions
Or bargaining
Means we start scouting garage sales, looking for players. Or is that acceptance?
They all start to blur together, like a road mirage.
by playtherapy on Sep 12, 2011 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions
To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
Macbeth Act 5, scene 5, 19–28
Stage what? Four? Whatever….
"We don't care who finishes second." -- Celtic's Peter Lowrie
Ahhhh
But I thought you were a fan of parity?
by playtherapy on Sep 12, 2011 12:36 PM CDT up reply actions
I am indeed, but with one caveat. If we’re going to have a joke of a league, where the same 2-3 teams win every single year, then the only way I will like that is if Dynamo are one of those teams. If we get to be among the elect, and everything is put in place to keep us among the elect, then I’m all for it.
Other than that, screw it.
"We don't care who finishes second." -- Celtic's Peter Lowrie
And finally
Just sent in my check for my season ducats in Dynamo Park for 2012. On the notes line at the bottom of the check I wrote:
“Stage 5.”
"We don't care who finishes second." -- Celtic's Peter Lowrie
(Stands and claps)
This has been a strange but wonderful post…I give thee a “Rec”.
/I wonder if this is how others felt last year?
When given lemons
Make lemonade. Just don’t eat yellow snow, where the great big huskies go.
by playtherapy on Sep 12, 2011 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions
Sooooo
What’s our starting lineup on Wednesday?
If I'm guessing correctly
and I’d like to think I am:
Hall
Freeman – Hainault – Boswell – Ashe
Moffat
Clark Some Guy I Saw On YouTube Davis
Ching Costly
Not Costly as he will be serving the red card suspension. So that will probably mean…. Weaver. How’s that for an anticlimax?
"We don't care who finishes second." -- Celtic's Peter Lowrie
Then
Where does that put Cameron?
Does J.V. Watson merit a start?
Does Taylor sit?
When does Bruin come on? Camargo, our Holy Grail signing (since other saving grace is suspended)?
Howsa bout that for reinforcements from the transfer market?
Any news about Sanchez other than the translated rumor from MLS Rumors. Or does the article actually say- if CORRECTLY translated that Sanchez bought a donkey in Houston?
Damn those Rumors Rascals!
NOTHING WILL CHANGE
We have “flexibility” but don’t use it.
NOTHING WILL CHANGE
Considering we had all of these options at our disposal before the KC game and that was the line-up we went with, I see no change. Ok fine, one change: Boswell for Taylor.
MIND=BLOWN
Camargo may start on Saturday. Maybe. Depends on how Watson and Cameron feel. Otherwise, why mess up something that works, right? AMIRITE OR AMIRITE??
AMIRITE sounds like nitrate, which can be toxic
I’m okay with Watson or Camargo starting @ CAM, with Cameron @ CB with Boz. Emphasis on quick transition to attack with fast feeds to open space. I’d love Bruin to start as we’d have an option on through balls, someone who has the wheels to potentially latch onto one that beats a flat backline.
If the middle is clogged, I’d like to see the ball quuicly pased to Clark or Davis. Take it @ em, much like KC did to us the 1st 15 minutes.
But play
we’re talking about Saturday??? Are we trying to make the playoffs or not? The problem with Watson is he gives you those glimpses of talent…only to squander it. Again, he’s been doing this all season…why are we trusting him now? And particularly after we made waves about signing our fancy Brazilian Camargo?
I’d love to see Bruin start but its Dom. He’ll start Bruin with 2 games to go.
/PS – I’m not ok with Watson or Cameron starting at CAM, I apologize for not making my sarcasm more clear. I’m not a happy camper right now with our team and its management
LOL
No, you’ve made yourself abundantly clear several million posts ago.
Really????
Nothing will change? This season has seen change. Best one so far: Ashe to LB. Did anyone see that coming? Maybe Cruz comes in?
What if Camargo gets the start Wednesday? If he does and is the player Dom wants to see, Cameron goes back to CB because of an in form Moffat. So WHEN Camargo gets the start, I have a feeling we’ll see Cameron back at his best position. I hope that is soon, but Dom doesn’t want to see Camargo start if he isn’t fit for 90 minutes of league play. I think that may be the hold up
Fair and valid points
I think we are discouraged about the Cameron set up…
Bob Bradley sees him as a CB, Backe calls him the the All Star game @ CB, Here’s what MLS Power Rankings staff writer sez…
“Is the 3-0 hiding Sporting KC gave them the straw that breaks the camel’s back? Will Dominic Kinnear finally move Geoff Cameron back to central defense, the spot where he dominated in 2009? If he does, Houston are probably a playoff team.”
I won’t go further as so many have made the same point. We have tried other suitors, but keep going back to this like a FWB relationship.
For me, this is one of the musts. Not only do i agree with the MLS.com piece about us making the playoffs if Cameron moves back, we might even progress in the playoffs, despite our one or two dimesional offense.
I also wonder why we are married to the diamond formation if we can never get cozy with a true CAM. There are many formations with a deep DM, and even though Cameron fluctuates between being a point man and straight up box to box, he plays as if he’s never truly sure and that leaves us never really sure either. I’m left with a feeling of role confusion, unsure whether it’s them or me.
In all honesty, it could be my lack of tactical sense, but I just don’t know. If it is me, why doesn’t it work bettter? Cameron does not seem to have the unique skill set for CAM, but is a great CB.
Give this man
an apple, a star, something…you just hit the nail on the head. Because Cameron is just our midfield utility player (sometimes DM, sometimes CM, sometimes CAM) it makes others have to compensate – wide players have to come in or come back deeper, forwards have to come back to receive service deeper, the defense…well, we know how that’s been.
Camargo offers us the best hope of see a diamond in action, though at times it might look like a rather compressed diamond with Camargo and Moffat overlapping. Again I go back to the Monterrey game because it gave us a delicious glimpse of what could realistically be: Cameron snuffing out attacks at the back and making a run with Moffat & Camargo in support. And then we saw a penalty given because – gasp – we had a midfielder making a dangerous run into the box. Those types of plays distort an opposing defense and pull them into unsure and uncomfortable positions; it puts them on the back-foot while we’re in the cat-bird seat.
My concern, real or imagined, is the wear & tear this season may have put on Cameron because his “production” at midfield has been more through effort than skill: he has been chasing down balls, recovering, trying to initiate an attack, trying to defend, lather, rinse, repeat for 90 minutes when previously he had to play a stopper/quasi-DM role that didn’t require as much. I think on the whole he benefited from the experience in the midfield, but needs to take what he’s learned and apply it – wen applicable – back at the CB spot.
Sorry
unless half the team had Dengue fever I don’t know why we formed a wall on each post and left Hall in the middle by himself on Saturday, because that’s effectively what we did. I’m tired of seeing the glass half full only to have it splashed in my face. Show me something to believe in, Dom & the FO and I’ll happily believe. Otherwise, the March to Mid-Table Mediocrity continues unabated.
For the record, I’m throwing down the gauntlet right now. Someone please explain to me why this shouldn’t have been our line-up Saturday or on Wednesday:
Hall
Freeman – Cameron – Hainault – Ashe
Moffat
Clark – Camargo – Davis
Ching – Weaver1
Subs: Deric, Soto, Cabas, Bruin, Taylor, Watson
1 only because Costly is suspended now and I agree with his start on Saturday
Why did Bruin sit?
Is he not up to snuff? Any reports from the friendly or reserve action?
My only change would be
Hainault- Cameron – Boswell – Ashe
for the back line. Hainault has not been as consistent as Boswell lately at CB and he was missed at KC. Hainault would be great on the right with Cameron in between both him and Boswell for speed purposes.
As uneducated as I am
I just want to point out this expansion team called the Timbers has two less points than we do though they have two games in hand.
What to say, what to say…
Perhaps this calls for...
Relocation to the Woodlands, then back again before the season starts so we can get an Expansion Draft?
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