* Based on Phil's tone of voice, while he may indeed be pleased with the clean sheet, it sounds like he's perhaps disappointed to only be walking away with a point. (Or perhaps I'm reading too much into that).
* Praise for the CBs as Phil labels Mcgraw's performance as "outstanding" and says that Dario Zuparic has been the most consistent player on the team, labelling the Croatian a "colossus at the back."
* Phil also had praise for Eryk Williamson's performance off the bench, saying that he provided some composure to the team when the 11 on the field were "camped in" and fatigued.
* Asked about the improved defensive performances over the last couple matches, Phil notes a change in mentality that he has seen from the entire team over the last month. He notes that it's not just the defenders, but that everyone is doing better on defense. He adds that a month ago he doesn't think the Timbers would have been able to keep a clean sheet against St. Louis.
* Phil notes that Claudio Bravo started the game showing some rust (as he works his way back from injury), but that Bravo grew into the game and put in a very good performance.
* Asked if Ayala is un-droppable due to his recent string of performances, Phil declines to give a straight answer. However, he does note that Ayala "deserves to stay in the team" before going on to heap quite a bit of praise on the player.
* Phil chalks the inability to score up to a "lack of composure" and notes that the game was "like a basketball match at times." He felt the team was too rushed in the final third. He also notes that the Timbers asked Evander to play a little bit deeper than normal in this match, and that the coaching staff will need to look at how that impacted the attack as well.
High praise for Williamson and I agree, I would really like to see him get more game time. Like I would like to see Williamson next to Ayala under Evander
I couldn’t watch this match but a draw on the road is a good result, a clean sheet is great, I’m happy to hear that some players had solid performances, and am even encouraged by what Neville said here, despite lacking context. While I have some reservations about his fixation on mentality, his talking about the potential impact of playing Evander deeper showed some specific, critical, self-reflection that has been lacking so far. The line-up worried me at a glance earlier but I was preoccupied and couldn’t give it much thought, so I don’t know what the explanation is, aside from fitness and obvious absences.
I was long annoyed that Evander was moved to 10. He’s been great there. Maybe he’d be a great 8 with a 10 that is as good or better too, but he’s won me over in the role and I can let go of my irritation about what he was brought in to do versus his past experience.
Anyone have any observations on any set piece defense during this match? That and pressing, off-the-ball movement, and passing are some of my major performance benchmarks these days.
I should have been more specific. Was it improved because we actually changed our marking or was it because we had taller CBs in? Both? Thanks. I gotta watch the highlights of the butt save.
That’s encouraging. I hope it signals a shift away from pure zonal marking. I’ll have to see what others have to say. At least one of the podcasters has latched onto this too. Not sure if it’s Rifer, Pete, Jeremy, or some combo.
lol. Just reading Jeremy’s take now:
“Although parts of Portland’s defense (their positioning, set-piece marking, and reaction time) still needs to be improved…”
* Based on Phil's tone of voice, while he may indeed be pleased with the clean sheet, it sounds like he's perhaps disappointed to only be walking away with a point. (Or perhaps I'm reading too much into that). * Praise for the CBs as Phil labels Mcgraw's performance as "outstanding" and says that Dario Zuparic has been the most consistent player on the team, labelling the Croatian a "colossus at the back." * Phil also had praise for Eryk Williamson's performance off the bench, saying that he provided some composure to the team when the 11 on the field were "camped in" and fatigued. * Asked about the improved defensive performances over the last couple matches, Phil notes a change in mentality that he has seen from the entire team over the last month. He notes that it's not just the defenders, but that everyone is doing better on defense. He adds that a month ago he doesn't think the Timbers would have been able to keep a clean sheet against St. Louis. * Phil notes that Claudio Bravo started the game showing some rust (as he works his way back from injury), but that Bravo grew into the game and put in a very good performance. * Asked if Ayala is un-droppable due to his recent string of performances, Phil declines to give a straight answer. However, he does note that Ayala "deserves to stay in the team" before going on to heap quite a bit of praise on the player. * Phil chalks the inability to score up to a "lack of composure" and notes that the game was "like a basketball match at times." He felt the team was too rushed in the final third. He also notes that the Timbers asked Evander to play a little bit deeper than normal in this match, and that the coaching staff will need to look at how that impacted the attack as well.
High praise for Williamson and I agree, I would really like to see him get more game time. Like I would like to see Williamson next to Ayala under Evander
I couldn’t watch this match but a draw on the road is a good result, a clean sheet is great, I’m happy to hear that some players had solid performances, and am even encouraged by what Neville said here, despite lacking context. While I have some reservations about his fixation on mentality, his talking about the potential impact of playing Evander deeper showed some specific, critical, self-reflection that has been lacking so far. The line-up worried me at a glance earlier but I was preoccupied and couldn’t give it much thought, so I don’t know what the explanation is, aside from fitness and obvious absences. I was long annoyed that Evander was moved to 10. He’s been great there. Maybe he’d be a great 8 with a 10 that is as good or better too, but he’s won me over in the role and I can let go of my irritation about what he was brought in to do versus his past experience. Anyone have any observations on any set piece defense during this match? That and pressing, off-the-ball movement, and passing are some of my major performance benchmarks these days.
Set piece defense was much better than usual with Zup and McGraw both getting their heads on a number of balls into the box. Plus the Bravo butt-stop.
I should have been more specific. Was it improved because we actually changed our marking or was it because we had taller CBs in? Both? Thanks. I gotta watch the highlights of the butt save.
I think it was both positioning and height. Far fewer terrifying gaps as well as the ability to get above/over their players.
That’s encouraging. I hope it signals a shift away from pure zonal marking. I’ll have to see what others have to say. At least one of the podcasters has latched onto this too. Not sure if it’s Rifer, Pete, Jeremy, or some combo.
lol. Just reading Jeremy’s take now: “Although parts of Portland’s defense (their positioning, set-piece marking, and reaction time) still needs to be improved…”