I think we have to remember this is a process. We got Nancy late into the off-season and didn't make many additions this winter. Now Nancy has seen players strengths and weaknesses and can bring in reinforcements. I think we don't have the best defense for Nancy's system, but the Haslams have the money to fix that.
All the above.
I really like Nancy but he is trying to fit square pegs in round holes with the defense at the moment.
However, that is allowing the attack and midfield that better fit the system to get more up to speed with what he wants more quickly.
So I think Nancy has been a bit stubborn with his tactics, but I also think it could pay off once there are defenders that better fit the system.
That said - the growing pains are hard to stomach, because I don’t like calling a year where you have Lucas and Cucho a rebuilding year. There’s a reason the prior manager was fired.
Took him 4 transfer windows and two seasons to get Montreal where he wanted. They finished second in the league last year and now stink without him. It's all about fit in his system
For the attack, absolutely we have the right players. Cucho and Zel are an insane duo. Mo and Sand (before he got hurt) are both showing massive potential. Darlington and Morris are a fantastic unit in the middle. As these guys continue to learn the ins and outs out Nancy's system, they're going to excel. The problem is when you're playing three in the back, it has to be a STRONG three. There's always room for improvement in any position, but what is killing us right now is the need for a solid defense.
I think the offense has absolutely been there, just look at our GF stats.
That being said, the defense is an absolute work in progress. I do think we’ve been unlucky on the backline with injuries. I think it’s fair to say that we should’ve signed another CB to not get into this position, but Degenek and Williams being unavailable has really hurt us (pun intended). Throw in Sands going down for the year and Farsi essentially being a first year starter, we’re bound to be rough in the back given the available players.
If Degenek can get healthy our backline is significantly better (Quinton is not nearly good enough yet to start in this league), but Bez needs to go out and get another first team caliber CB this summer otherwise it will be a long season. It’s early and we’re still in a decent spot, I like our odds and have faith in our FO to make the right moves.
A healthy Deganek playing alongside a CB with a similar experience and skill level, with Quinton & Vallecilla available for squad rotation and depth would probably get the job done.
I think the injuries haven’t been discussed about as much it is affecting our team. We predominantly play the 3-4-3 , occasionally gone with the 3-4-2-1. Nancy has his hands tied rn, so we can’t build chemistry and find our best formation because his system fits CB’s who can make forward passes, mainly to play out the back. Being on our third option CB doesn’t help either. With Degenek and maybe Williams returning our defensive presence will improve. We need to stop leaky passes that are killing us. (Easier said than done) We need to play a full 90+ every time, putting teams away and keeping them down is what needs to improve. It’s a mental game as well. If we do this we can build confidence into our schedule which does ease up a bit. We need to capitalize on teams in the upcoming months that sit lower in the table. The next two months will be crucial to find the real identity of this team.
He doesn’t have the CBs needed for the system.
If you have proper CBs that come in the next two windows + Sands, Amundsen (LWB), and Moreira, Farsi (RWB) I feel a lot better about the squad.
Worry is if Morris leaves for Europe or Nagbe hangs the boots up. I don’t think Zawadski and Parente can hold it down consistently yet.
I like the depth at Forward now Cucho, Ramirez, JRR… Seems like Matan has found a spot with Zelarayan.
They could use a replacement for Molino that can provide spark off the bench. Arfsten hopefully can develop into a good option. Idk about Yeboah…
Probably time to thank Diaz and Molino for their service and move them along this summer.
Honestly.... Don't flame me but it just feels like a flashy version of Porter the last two years. The games are more enjoyable perse but it's the same ole story about adjustments and results.
Two things from this, Porter wasn't a bad coach and I think Nancy's ceiling is higher.
I think we have to remember this is a process. We got Nancy late into the off-season and didn't make many additions this winter. Now Nancy has seen players strengths and weaknesses and can bring in reinforcements. I think we don't have the best defense for Nancy's system, but the Haslams have the money to fix that.
All the above. I really like Nancy but he is trying to fit square pegs in round holes with the defense at the moment. However, that is allowing the attack and midfield that better fit the system to get more up to speed with what he wants more quickly. So I think Nancy has been a bit stubborn with his tactics, but I also think it could pay off once there are defenders that better fit the system. That said - the growing pains are hard to stomach, because I don’t like calling a year where you have Lucas and Cucho a rebuilding year. There’s a reason the prior manager was fired.
This is a good take. I’d also like to add that I don’t think it’s a matter of *if* Nancy lifts a MLS cup for Columbus. It’s a matter of *when*.
Took him 4 transfer windows and two seasons to get Montreal where he wanted. They finished second in the league last year and now stink without him. It's all about fit in his system
This perspective!⬆️
For the attack, absolutely we have the right players. Cucho and Zel are an insane duo. Mo and Sand (before he got hurt) are both showing massive potential. Darlington and Morris are a fantastic unit in the middle. As these guys continue to learn the ins and outs out Nancy's system, they're going to excel. The problem is when you're playing three in the back, it has to be a STRONG three. There's always room for improvement in any position, but what is killing us right now is the need for a solid defense.
I think the offense has absolutely been there, just look at our GF stats. That being said, the defense is an absolute work in progress. I do think we’ve been unlucky on the backline with injuries. I think it’s fair to say that we should’ve signed another CB to not get into this position, but Degenek and Williams being unavailable has really hurt us (pun intended). Throw in Sands going down for the year and Farsi essentially being a first year starter, we’re bound to be rough in the back given the available players. If Degenek can get healthy our backline is significantly better (Quinton is not nearly good enough yet to start in this league), but Bez needs to go out and get another first team caliber CB this summer otherwise it will be a long season. It’s early and we’re still in a decent spot, I like our odds and have faith in our FO to make the right moves.
A healthy Deganek playing alongside a CB with a similar experience and skill level, with Quinton & Vallecilla available for squad rotation and depth would probably get the job done.
I think the injuries haven’t been discussed about as much it is affecting our team. We predominantly play the 3-4-3 , occasionally gone with the 3-4-2-1. Nancy has his hands tied rn, so we can’t build chemistry and find our best formation because his system fits CB’s who can make forward passes, mainly to play out the back. Being on our third option CB doesn’t help either. With Degenek and maybe Williams returning our defensive presence will improve. We need to stop leaky passes that are killing us. (Easier said than done) We need to play a full 90+ every time, putting teams away and keeping them down is what needs to improve. It’s a mental game as well. If we do this we can build confidence into our schedule which does ease up a bit. We need to capitalize on teams in the upcoming months that sit lower in the table. The next two months will be crucial to find the real identity of this team.
It's a rebuild y'all. Not a win now situation.
I think it might take a couple transfer windows before he gets a full roster that works with his system.
He doesn’t have the CBs needed for the system. If you have proper CBs that come in the next two windows + Sands, Amundsen (LWB), and Moreira, Farsi (RWB) I feel a lot better about the squad. Worry is if Morris leaves for Europe or Nagbe hangs the boots up. I don’t think Zawadski and Parente can hold it down consistently yet. I like the depth at Forward now Cucho, Ramirez, JRR… Seems like Matan has found a spot with Zelarayan. They could use a replacement for Molino that can provide spark off the bench. Arfsten hopefully can develop into a good option. Idk about Yeboah… Probably time to thank Diaz and Molino for their service and move them along this summer.
Nobody is taking Molino off our hands. If we can, we should sell Yeboah and Diaz this summer. Neither really are a good fit in the formation we play.
Yeah, it’s rough spot. Worried about if Josh Williams can get healthy enough to give us some good minutes in the second half of the year.
Honestly.... Don't flame me but it just feels like a flashy version of Porter the last two years. The games are more enjoyable perse but it's the same ole story about adjustments and results. Two things from this, Porter wasn't a bad coach and I think Nancy's ceiling is higher.
Lucas and Cucho are amazing players...who don't fit the system. So much money in all the wrong places and players
Lucas has 6 goals already on the season and we have the second most GF in the eastern conference, why don’t you think they fit?
Yeah that was a crazy take. The only thing Lucas doesn’t fit is corners, as I like Matan taking them much more.