How I'm Feeling.....
So one of the hardest aspects of all this is determining what's "politically correct" to say about your team when they're in a slump. Obviously, it's not like we're oblivious to the fact that we haven't been very good lately. I've tried to do my best to read the blogs, boards, etc. and try to get a sense for what people are thinking.....and largely it's pretty tough to disagree with the sentiment.
I guess at this point the only plea I can try to offer is the fact that we WANT to win badly. Right now that's not translating all that well....obviously. What may seem to be a haphazard approach is anything but. Our mentality is win now, win later....at the present time "win now" isn't going as planned.
What I want to make sure we don't do is BS our fans. We need to make sure our narrative is matching what you're seeing on the field. Our mantra of attack, attack, attack isn't what we've delivered and we're aware of it. Our veterans are incredibly committed to this team and this town and we're spending the time and effort to fix this.
You don't have any reason to, but I'm going to try to ask you to believe in the program....sleep hasn't been much of an option lately, and i've shot my mouth off that this town is dying for a winner. it is.....we're going to get this program positioned to deliver a first class product.....please feel free to put me in the crosshairs up until the point u feel necessary to pull the trigger.... rh
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
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I think it might help if you could share what your vision is, exactly. I don't mean that you should jeopardize potential player deals or anything of that sort, but it seems that all we hear is "attack-minded soccer," but don't see it on the field or in real player moves to make that happen. The Hercules signing seems to be a step in the right direction, but we have deeper problems than that. So, maybe it would help if you could let us know problem areas on the team that you're going to attempt to address in the off-season to shore up the team.
ReplyDeleteWe want to believe. We really do. We're all just very disheartened right now, especially since our DP is looking like someone we should be cutting instead of building around. And there doesn't seem to be anyone in the pipeline; a young star we can build around like an Edu, a Kenny Cooper, a Sacha Kljestan. Given the sheer amount of MLS players that make a Bob Bradley squad, it really sucks that we don't have anyone on the squad that is currently playing for the USMNT.
We won't give up. I think we just ask for signs that you guys aren't, either.
The team is moving in a direction we like, but we need a better DP.
ReplyDeleteActually, we need better players around the DP. He can't play up to his potential when players around him don't either.
ReplyDeleteRob the team has no midfield and that is where the major problem is. And instead of boosting that part of the field the GM and coach choose to sign 2 new strikers. You can have 100 strikers and they will never score if they never get any service.
ReplyDeleteThis "attacking soccer" was never really there, it was all good talk from CO. Last year we looked like we were an attacking side because we had pace up top. We would just dump the ball over the top to EJ he would run onto it and bang it home. There is no real creativeness in the tactics. It is very Wimbledon F.C. like from the 90's.
Sorry Anyos 1 we are not moving in the right direction we have only gone backwards as the season has progressed. The underestimation of the talent on the roster at the beginning of the year was the first mistake. The Coaching staff thought they were deep enough to last all year. But when one of your new signings never see's the pitch for reasons unknown and you have to rely on a very poor R.Pore to be your only forward off the bench you are going to have problems.
In the end we haven't given up. We might be very mad and some things might come out on game day but we will still be there week in week out. This year reminds of what it was like in 99. This year though the squad is much better but I won't say that about the coaching. There is no fire or pressure on them. Everything is always going to be ok. Loosing always seems to be sugarcoated or spun to make it better than what it really was. The fans see through that though and expect better results.
This post is much appreciated. I believe your intent. Clearly you are a fierce competitor.
ReplyDeleteBuilding an MLS team is tough. The best midfielders (which is what we need BADLY) simply don't stay in the MLS, so there's not too many to aquire. The best ones are DP's (usually aging stars) and there isn't a bunch of those, I know.
I hate to say this season is over, but it's hard to see how much can be salvaged. The offseason probably promises you no more sleep. Hey, keep at it. Your honesty and commitment to KC will pay off.
Wolff............Thompson
ReplyDeleteMarinelli / Gomez
Jewsbury .................Arnaud
Zavagnin / Espinoza
Harrington,Conrad,Leathers,Meyers
Hartman
The team is fine as built but the DP is just not good enough. I have season tickets and I can’t count how many times our mid field or back line has put a ball through to Lopez and he can’t get there or gets run down because he’s not fast enough. He has great ball skill but not enough pace. The mid field could use some more depth because Zavagnin is retiring but we do have good players at that position. The squad is not that far off being great; they just have got the good bounces this season. If they add a little depth to the mid field, and find a goalie for the further after Hartman then the team should be fine, but they have to make the play-offs next year or there needs to be a total rebuild.
Marinelli has been a huge disappointment....he needs to go after this season. Ryan Pore has been given ample opportunity to perform on the A team....get rid of him too.
ReplyDeleteRobb,
ReplyDeleteWe are keeping the faith.
But I don't see any game planning at all from match to match.
For the Houston game for instance the players repeatedly appeared to be confused and not sure of their roles from situation to situation.
On both Jaqua goals it was obvious that the back line had been instructed to stay up high but there was no game planning on a response of a forward gets behind the line. You can see all three players looking at each other to see who should respond.
I agree with spoon that our midfield is a problem. I also agree with Andrew that the vision thing is missing. The team must pick a style of play and make that instinctive. Attack, Attack, Attack is a tactic not a style.
Marinelli although hurt alot has set up most of goals earlier this season, we would be worse if he wasn't here. I'm not saying he is a starter but he is good to come into the game and create something. I don't agree pore should go either because like Marinelli he can come off the bench if used right and create something.
ReplyDeleteThanks Robb..the team is definitely in a slump but we're not going anywhere.
ReplyDeleteBUT that lineup that someone suggested is laughable. True, Lopez is not the DP that we had hoped but leaving him off the field isn't a better option. Also, did you even watch the last game? Myers might be a good young player but he is definitely not ready to start. His time at right back all season has been a disaster. Leave him on the bench and bring him in as a sub if needed. I'd rather see Leathers moved over to right back. He is a huge improvement over Chance. Keep Jimmy and Holbein in the middle, they work well together.
In regards to the first comment at the bottom...you really think Conrad and Holbein work well together? Conrad is a pro, but Holbein looks clueless. What's Onalfo thinking? Take him out and put Wahl back in. Seems to be the only time when the team was winning. Agree with problems in the midfield.
ReplyDeleteAs far as Onalfo, every winning team seems to have stability as its key to success.
ReplyDeleteSoccer is such an instinctive game that it takes time to get the split second timing right.
Sigi was retained at the Crew through several losing seasons to his own surprise. It does seem to take 3 years for a coach to get the flow right. RSL on the fake stuff does not count.
Just last year were challenging for the conference title.
Onalfo needs one more year.
I think the Wizards have been given a chance for something big. Both major KC sports are failing. A winning season would draw more attention to them and help the organization out. I often wonder if the team even realizes the midfield weakness....
ReplyDeletetimes are rough on the pitch. But you must stand behind our blues in the good times and the bad. Don't forget we as a city are very LUCKY to have a MLS team. We must support them, even when we are the bottom of the table
ReplyDelete"I don't agree pore should go either because like Marinelli he can come off the bench if used right and create something."
ReplyDeleteI can see why you remained anonymous....are you kidding? Pore has created only confusion about why he is still on the roster. He is TERRIBLE.
"In regards to the first comment at the bottom...you really think Conrad and Holbein work well together? Conrad is a pro, but Holbein looks clueless. What's Onalfo thinking? Take him out and put Wahl back in. Seems to be the only time when the team was winning. Agree with problems in the midfield."
ReplyDeleteWahl has looked just much worse then Hohlbein has when he's been on. Wahl's not that good
Robb, THANK YOU for the post. It's always great to read your words and reinforce with the supporters that this club has a FO that cares.
ReplyDeleteI can't restate how HUGE that is for this club to have a FO that cares, and WANTS TO WIN!
I don't want to get into the on field product, that's PV and CO job to take care of. I know that everything is being done to build a winner for this city and I back this organization Until I Die!
At risk of sounding like a lemming among all these "if I was in charge" posters on here, I just want to say I have faith in what PV and CO are doing. This club needed change, and that doesn't happen overnight. When everything comes together, THIS CLUB WILL BE A WINNER! I am as frustrated as the next guy/gal about how this season has gone, but when we are in our new home with 18,000 supporters and a winning club I'll be there and I'll remember these times.
Keep the faith and keep pushing. There will be time to sleep when you're dead.
Ha. Hilarious statement about Wahl not being good. I'm sure you are a credible source. Also, next time you should check your grammar before submitting a post and making an ass out of yourself. Have a great day.
ReplyDeleteSo i've watched these post and everyone makes there thoughts know and they offer reasons for this. However what i want to know is, are the owners willing to spend more money on the team or are they the royals. We have a good team when helathy but lack depth all over the field and our dp is a bust. However that 2 million something dollar salary you can't really think that the team can be great. I read article saying, that Eddie Pope who is working with MLS to achieve a new bargining agreement has stated that he is prepared to dig his heels in on the issue of player wages and salary cap. This also has been linked with the posibility of a struke and then what would we watch. I know that the team hasn't had a good year but things will be better because the manager and Front Office know what they need to do. I'm more worried about if there is going to be a league in the future then if the wizards will be good, because the wizards will be good next year but who knows what MLS will do? really? Granted they are still around after 10+ years, but there are problems and they need to be fixed and quick.
ReplyDeleteFor the record, only pussies post anonymous.
ReplyDeleteto anon who posted at 12:48, this organization has already shown that they're willing to spend the money to win. the dp didn't work out like expected, but when a team is rebuilding, a dp was really something of a luxury and not a necessity yet. i was extremely surprised they spent the money to bring a dp here. also, it's not like they can spend more than the salary cap (which is just above $2M), so your criticism is off the mark.
ReplyDeleteownership is doing all it can at the moment; the front office (pv and co) have left a bit to be desired, but it doesn't appear to be out of a lack of effort. let's not confuse the two.
frankly, i'd rather be in this exact position with ongoal putting genuine effort into creating a winning brand than be close to winning anything under the hunt ownership. there is no comparison.
we can lose every game for the rest of the season, and i'll still renew my season tix for next year (assuming they don't pull a carl peterson and raise ticket prices after a bad season), partly because my saturdays would be boring w/out tailgating and soccer, and partly because it's my way of showing my endorsement of our ownership's efforts. oh sure, i'll complain about plenty of stuff along the way, but i'll still be there... which gives me the right to complain.
I would assume anyone who reads Hillcrest Road is die-hard and is not abandoning ship any time soon no matter how poor the play gets on the field.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't anyone who has already commented feel differently?
Please take out Lopez. He does absolutely NOTHING.
ReplyDeleteMy two cents.
ReplyDelete1
One thing to hold on to for hope is the fact that our reserve team is doing so well. If reserves are full of young talent, perhaps there is hope for the future.
2
I want to echo some of your sentiments, the problem is the center midfield. Not creative, not dynamic.
I have coached for a couple of years now and i will always take a player who will die for the team over a more talented player who puts himself before the team. Marinelli, in MY OPINION plays like a player who does not care for the a team that had plans to build around him.
PS: We are all big fans otherwise we would not be on this site. No need to insult each other.
Having watched soccer for quite a few years while Uncle Sam relocated me time and time again I was pleasantly surprised to see how Rob and the FO are always vocal about this team and willing to talk to its fans. That being said I'd like to add my 2 cents to what he said.
ReplyDeleteAt this point in the season we are close to dead (if not dead already) when it comes to the playoffs since we depend not only on what we can do but also what others that we no longer play against do. I think it's time to think about the future and decide what we have and what we need. We know we have 5 or 6 players that can form the base of a succesful team; now we need to know if our young players are willing to step up to the plate. I believe the only way we can do this is throw them in the fire these next few weeks and see what they are made of. Espinoza, Morsink, Leathers, Holhbein, Marquess and other have showed some quality and need to step up or move out; the same for others that have been here for years. That's the best way to know what we have and what we need. It might be painful but the rewards will come (belive me I was an Atlanta Braves fan in the 80's, I know what loosing with young players is)
I believe that if we were to do this at the end of the season fans might look at this as a positive effort towards rebuliding, which is a process that every team goes through every few years. I've never believed in quick fixes when it comes to soccer teams and if the FO is willing to build a team that is competitive for years to come I applaud teir effort but it's something that needs to happen soon.
Thanks again Rob
Mr. Heineman
ReplyDeleteI am very interested in your vision of the future as well. As for the believe thing if the Mr. Anonymous’ are reading or posting within this blog then they believe in the franchise and will stick with this franchise through thick or thin.
I personally blame no one on the pitch for our performance. I do not blame the youth on the team. I will agree with the masses that our midfield is lacking and our 6 new Forwards (Wolff, Lopez, Trujillo, Gomez, Thompson, and Kraus) don’t seem to be cutting the mustard. Granted it’s too early to judge Thompson, or Gomez but Gomez has not been what he was since his knee injury. Is it me or are all the listed F and M-F new to the team except for Arnaud?
I believe it either the system or a talent pool issue.
Let’s say it is our talent. Mr. Vermes has either over estimated the talent he has brought in or he has brought in the talent that Coach Onalfo wanted. Only the ownership know the answer to that one for I am just about sure they have final say over moves.
Then again it could be all Coach Onalfo’s fault.
Let’s say that Mr. Vermes gave him the personnel he wanted. These talented individuals don’t seem to be able to perform in his system. Conclusion: Coach Onalfo is a poor judge of talent that will work in his system.
Let’s say Vermes made all the personnel decisions. Conclusion: it still could be Onalfo’s fault for not being able to develop a system that complements his talent pool. And I will say it. Curt Onalfo has been here long enough that a losing squad should not be acceptable and please don’t tell me that backing into the playoffs last season in the final weeks is a good season. How many teams in this league do not make the play offs? Or let me put it this way, if he did not make it into the World Cup he would not be our National team coach come Monday.
I just hope deep down inside that we did not do the KC Royals thing of signing one or two names to sell tickets. Hopefully that’s not the reason they brought Gomez and Thompson in. Hopefully they will be able to help this team turn the corner.
Thanks for keeping the team here. Thanks allowing us this opportunity
AG
ws217, you know what loosing with young players is like, but do you know what LOSING with young players is like? i know i know, this post was unnecessary. blah blah, i don't care. people should know the difference between lose and loose.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that the eyes of the players seem to glaze over for a chunk of the game, think Hartman spazzing out against Chivas and letting in two easy goals. There seems to be a lack of focus on the field and that goes straight back to the coaching staff.
ReplyDeleteI say give Onalfo another year. I was scratching my head by the decisions of Vermes and Onalfo but the emphasis on youth will need another year to jell. But if it goes past that then I smell Royals syndrome, constant promises of wins in the future as long as the youth is allowed to develop.
I personally don't think we, as fans, are necessarily qualified enough to determine who is 'at fault' for the recent slump. Perhaps some of us actually are learned enough and experienced enough to sufficiently critique the team, coaching staff and whatnot... but it still seems that we do not know requisite info to accurately assess the situation. It's easy to say 'we don't have a midfield' and 'Onalfo/Vermes are to blame'... much easier to say 'Marinelli is injured too often' _after_ he's been injured to often, much harder to know that he wasn't going to play as much as we hoped for him to before the season started. If he had come out and played 2000 minutes this season, maybe things would be different. Even if you say that he had demonstrated tendencies to be fragile and miss too much playing time, I feel we picked up one of the future star AM in the draft with Espinoza. He may not be ready yet, but he isn't _that_ far away from being so.
ReplyDeleteI digress, however - my point is that it sure is an easy job from the sidelines, and as Robb said "it's not like [they're] oblivious" or anything.
Robb -
To me, the most important thing is that we realize and hear that you feel our pain... because it is painful to watch a team we love play so poorly, see players - who we _know_ can do better - struggle game after game and see 'Kansas City' at the bottom of the standings. In a sense, you ought to be happy that we feel this way - it means we've bought in and are committed to this team, and that's the same reason we need to know that you and the rest of the Wizards organization feel that way too. We don't want to see the same thing that happened for far too long with the Royals - an organization that seemed to be ok with losing year after year (I think they're no longer like this, but that they were).
If we know that you care like we care, that it's not just us agonizing over turnovers and poor finishing... soft goals and stupid mistakes, that you too throw your hands up in despair sometimes - not because you/we are giving up on team, but because we very much _haven't_ given up.
Likewise, it's comments like this that make me, as a fan, take heart that no matter what happens tomorrow, next week, etc... even if things don't go as well as I hope they would, that it's not just 'ok' to do poorly and that eventually things will turn around.
As per the whole PC talk - I think that most of us don't care much for it and we'd prefer a more candid approach. It's not like the organization needs to publicly humiliate the team after a poor performance, but mentioning that the performance was dissapointing and that the team could do much better would be acceptable. All of us love the communication that occurs between the fans and the Wizards org. but we'll probably always ask for more.
Anyways, as the saying goes, "Wizards 'til I die." That doesn't have any exceptions for 'except durring runs of poor form' or anything. As long as there's a team in KC, I'll be behind it.
-Greg
To me the issue seems to be Onalfo clutching at straws...too many guys being played out of position, too many changes - period.
ReplyDeletePre-season is the time for those experiements - they're not doing anything for helping you find your place int he league.
i must say that all of you that said that line up i put on here a couple of days ago, well your a joke. that line-up was only one player off what they played against the Galaxy and they won 2-0 and they held the ball extremely well. Learn something about soccer and then come back and we can talk.
ReplyDeleteRobb-
ReplyDeleteI believe in what you are doing and things cant change over night. We do need a mid field and it wouldn't hurt to have another strong player on the back line. I was impressed with the two newest players but more impressed with Davy! He is a work horse that would give the energizer bunny a run for his money! I cant say that it all C.O. fault or all of the players fault but I would say that the players who are just sitting back and doing enough to get by need an eye opener!!!
you have players like Davy, Jewsbury, KZ, Hartman and Conrad that give 100% for 90 mins but you need 11 players to do it.
I am behind OnGoal and the Wizards 100% thru good and bad!! I appreciate you talking to us and listening to us rant but WE are all fans and want the best as much as it seems you do!!
MFC I know this isn't the forum but can I please be your friend... , and, and, and since you know so much about soccer, are you willing to sign my left buttock, right next the the tattoo of Jimmy Conrad? I'll even bring my Sharpie retractable.
ReplyDeleteCome on man, 2 moments of brilliance against the worst team in the league proves very little; lets beat Houston and New England.
I'll agree its a start but to trash others for their opinions is pretty classless.
By the way interesting that you post you lineup as Anonymous and then say it was you. Way to man up.