Definitely a spring perspective is the right context to view the game (except app state is not good and we should have destroyed them).
Played 3-5-2
Only x1 wingback is suited to play the position currently.
X3 backs did fine - Brown with superior passing and field vision and controlled the line like a pro.
Midgley - got to have her. Critical. Rest of midfield and forwards must play at her level. Mitchell nice job today- wins balls in the air
Bottom line: we are not closing the deal in the final third or using open players correctly that can attack or assist on the outside. We always pass into traffic or heavily defended territory, making any net gain almost impossible. And, collectively, the team did not look conditioned enough to play the 3-5-2 for 90 minutes - got to have a extremely fit unit to be successful. Maybe the women weren't taking App State seriously too.
Definetly have the talent- coach has got to give the team a swift kick in the ass and demand excellence and max effort for 90 minutes. Time to motivate and instill confidence. The team can compete, no doubt.
New players coming...in a 3-5-2 formation, doesn't matter where or who the player is, better be fit and focused and have speed. It's a challenging formation to execute.
No injured players or recovering injured players, played (except Klume).
Good stuff--but a few questions for you:
Who were the starters at wingback--and who, in your opinion, is the only wingback suited to properly play the position?
The position, like outside back, demands pace, athleticism and attacking skills. But I agree in one sense: I look at our spring roster and among those whom I've seen play I don't see ANY natural--or potentially good--wingbacks. Maybe Price--but she didn't show much at all in attack last season. I haven't seen Barr but she perhaps could play the position, once fully recovered---depending on what sort of defensive/ball-winning skills she has. As you know, you've got be able to play on both sides of the field---which means you have to defend, challenge the ball, win balls, in addition to getting involved and being good in attack. Don't know if she's suited for back-end work. Challenging position. Haven't seen Klurman play for us in 2 years. She was pretty athletic at club level starting for a good PDA team.
As for those who will arrive in the fall, Michigan transfer Woods would be good going forward--but again, not sure how much defense she's played and how willing she is to defend. Not sure about Bridenstine either--seems better suited to a 4-3-3. To put a true frosh at wingback would be ambitious--it would take a pretty tough and talented freshman.
So: If we don't have the wingbacks for a 3-5-2, we shouldn't play it--duh. We didn't have the wingbacks for it in '22, but Kirt implemented it and stuck with it (all seaon) anyway and never seemed to recognizee the problem. Oh, my --what can be said? It's just my opinion, but our personnel seems better suited to the 4-3-3 or 4-4-2.
Who started up top yesterday? tks.
