We need to be in a 4-2-3-1 with Clark and Bradley paired together in a defensive role, Donovan wide left, Dempsey wide right, and Torres at the CAM.

Pros: Central midfield is a our deepest position; Striker is not a deep position; Dempsey won’t have to defend all that well (with support from Spector (who becomes a real x-factor) at RB)

Cons: Great teams playing in this formation have good attacking fullbacks. Wingers have to cut in (1) to exploit the space left vacant by the absent forward who would have been there in a 4-4-2 and (2) because there aren’t enough bodies inside to cross to. Therefore the fullbacks must overlap to provide the necessary width to keep the back line honest. On the right, we’re ok with Spector. He puts in good crosses and is defensive enough to work out (especially since he’ll get so much defensive help from Clark/Bradley) On the left, it’s another matter entirely. Heath Pearce is excellent going forward. I believe he could challenge for a spot on any team’s roster, from an attacking standpoint. However, we’ve seen before (and saw again against the Czechs) how poor he is defensively. And thus he didn’t make the team. This means that we’re getting Bocanegra out there. Just get ready for it. The pundits can talk about the competition at that spot, but it’s a done deal. Boca and his slow self will be playing on the left all WC. In a 4-5-1, this means that Donovan is the only threat on that side. Now, 1v1 I like Donovan’s chances against just about anybody. However, if the opposition’s right-wing or right-back don’t have to worry about an overlapping fullback, then they can help each other on Donovan. That doesn’t work out as well.

I guess the real question is whether we have defensive midfielders who are good enough to play 1v1 against top-class wingers several times a game. Do you trust Ricardo Clark against Theo Walcott? And teams don’t even have to get on the counter to make it happen. They can position their wingers high up the field to begin with, which forces you to either leave your fullback back there to mark them or else take your own life in your hands whenever you go forward, knowing Walcott or Lennon or Cole or Gerrard 1v1 against a mid-fielder is just a long-ball away at any moment.

What’s the solution? That’s why Bob Bradley gets the big bucks. I don’t envy him.

I may change my mind about this tomorrow.

end ramble

I listened to the Times’ WC preview podcast a few mins ago. A few things -

They all hated France – even if they overcome Mexico or Uruguay and emerge from group play, they predicted a 1st-round knock out to Argentina.

They were kinda hopeful for a Germany vs England 1st round match-up – but it would probably take Germany coming 2nd in their goup, which is only possible because of Germany’s injury woes. Speaking of German injury woes, they thought the Germany vs Ghana group match would be very interesting because KP Boateng plays for Ghana and he’s the one who put the hurt to Ballack. Sparks might fly there they thought.

They thought the USA vs England game will probably be a draw. Thought the US were slight favs over Slovenia to come 2nd in the group. England – they saw them only succeeding by winning like they did over Mexico the other day – very little possession but crash home some set pieces and counterattack bumrushes.

They thought Holland were weak at the back, at D-men and at goalie since Van der Saar didn’t go. Still, the Orange are decent dark horses due to all the talent up front. Van Persie is rested and on form – good timing they thought for him to carry them some. [Holland is probably my sentimental fav team]

They thought Italy might pull a “1982” and barely get out of their group, yet stage a get-r-done run thru the bracket and win the whole thing. [I’m predicting Italy wins the WC, btw]

They thought the Ivory Coast vs Portugal match right off the bat on June 15th would be HUGE considering the winner surely gets 2nd in the group behind Brazil. Then … if Portugal gets 2nd they would face Spain in 1st round – which would be another fun match-up.

They thought it was kind of a shame that no African teams really stood much of a chance even tho’ they’re on home soil. Essien’s injury was a big downer they thought. They thought South Africa sucked and would be 3-and-out after group play.

I was looking at the roster earlier today, and was amazed at how weak it seems outside of the big names.

You’d think England would sport an EPL All-Star team, given that the entire side plays in the Premiership, but that’s a fairly mediocre lot they’re taking to South Africa, particularly at striker and in goal. If there’s any key to the USA beating England in group, it’s our superiority in net.

Speaking of, has anyone ever come up with a theory on why the USA consistently produces good goalkeepers? I think there’s at least four, if not five or six, currently on an EPL roster, and most of them start.

That was the main reason I didn’t post it as a response to the Rossi comment. It’s definitely sour grapes for me, but I think that Rossi should be playing for the US, and I’m not apologetic about that.

They know that Arsenal are just looking for an excuse to keep him, and Cesc knows he’s worth a good deal more than that. I can’t see what the rationale would be for really low-balling it, rather than just starting with, say, an 85% bid. Seems like a pretty ballsy, reckless approach.

I guess I live on the wrong side of the pond to judge, but I haven’t run across too many Rafa supporters over here.

Is that ownership sells off Torres, Stevie, and Masch, and instead of buying proper replacements, puts the money towards paying off their debts. If that happens, the only bright side for LFC next season is going to be when we avoid relegation in the final week.

Fuck Tom Hicks.

Granted I don’t know much else about him, but hearing about that whole projects makes him pretty fuckin’ sweet in my book.

Shit if you did something like that I might stop making fun of you for being a fucking stupid ugly Brit with bad teeth who can’t talk trash worth a mother fucking shit.

Prolly not, but maybe.

Though Jozy Altidore is always a classic.

We need Joze to do some things, man.

Chamakh? I’m not sure that Wenger is willing to move either RVP or Chamakh to the left, but you also have Walcott, Rosicky, Nasri and maybe Vela/Bendtner in the mix for those three positions if they stay 4-3-3. I’m sure that the free transfer is attractive, but it seems like an odd place to add a salary, given their needs. I guess if Fabregas goes, they could change formations too, though.

that one isn’t as bad as initially feared

I’m fanning the flames of war over here.

I’m getting pretty fed up with seeing Robinho score goals left and right in Brazil friendlies.

But there will be more offseasons like the last one where Obertan and Valencia are your only ‘impact’ signs. You better hope Macheda, Fabio and his bro and Evans really take some big steps forward this year or you pick up some nice loaners because the team won’t be able to make huge splashes in the market.

Harlem Globetrotters-like.

That is just insane.

That’s just stupid…it’s like they’re playing a different game.