The Lineup Challenge

So I figure it's close enough to the start of the season to try and guess at what that wizard named Steve Nicol is going to pull out for an opening day lineup. There's always something that makes you wonder. Sure everyone expects the same exact lineup as last year to be the one he goes with, but it sure didn't happen last year (we randomly switched to a 3-4-3, which I think was a disastrous opening to the year) and we have the big Deuce to replace. So here we go:

1st of all: We still have a TON of central midfielders. Hernandez, Joseph, Larentowicz, Dorman, and I'm going to throw in Franchino now because I don't feel like he has the pace or offensive ability for LM anymore. The only one with any real offensive potential (Shal, Daniel, and Ginger can all shoot . . . and pass a bit . . . but def. not dribble) is Dorman. I truly think Dorman is going to have Deuce potential, without the big physical presence. The fact remains he's better defensively, probably a better playmaker, just without some of the dribbling skills. He's going to be amazing though. He showed it last year in Clint's absence early on. When he's given the role of attacking midfielder he meets full potential. The point I am getting at (or was at the start) is that we'll likely have 3 central midfielders because we'd otherwise be wasting that depth. So the formations that have 3 central midfielders (unless he wants to completely abandon the wings, which isn't a good idea concerning how good TnT is "supposed" to be in the air) are 3-5-2 or 4-5-1.

So . . . we're @ Chicago. Pretty hostile place (and the referees haven't been to helpful at this new stade - ask Andy Dorman). So there is actually a chance for 4-5-1 and the more I think of it and cringe, the more likely it seems. No better way to start the season off than to play like wimps . . . but here's why it's possible:

1) Left midfield. Khano? Franchino? Arsene Oka? Tony the Kiwi? Not the best list at this point. Khano is a decent possibility because Nicol loves him, and it would put a second forward possibly at least onto the field. However, as you shall see, that would mean another certain forward would not be on the field and that's traumatic. Ralston? Good possibility, but that leaves RM open. So who would play that? Dorman? No, because we wouldn't have any attacking mids. Riley? I certainly hope not . . . that would mean waaaaay too much defense. So I'm going to say Noonan. And I think Nicol was stating in the preseason last year that Noonan is much more of a right-sided guy than a left one, and I think this has good possibilities.

2) More central midfielders. I said we'd want to play as many as possible, and this would allow one more than a 3-5-2. How? Well, this would allow for Dorman at AM, Shalrie and Ginger at DM, and Daniel at CB. Ahhh! Interesting . . .

And then there's what I said before about it being a road game in a packed house . . . we're likely to try and pull out another 1-0 victory like last year against LAG. But . . . I say 3-5-2 looks more probable.

Khano at left mid. It seems like Nicol is loving him a lot in the preseason and in general. I think he's going to be there, which means Noonan has to be a forward. Combine that with the fact that Parkhurst is a much better solo-back than he is in a four-back system (or at least waaaay more experienced) and I'm thinking this is the result:

--------Noonan------Twellman--------

--------------Dorman-----------------

-Smith------------------------Ralston-

-------Hernandez--Joseph------------

--John------Parkhurst--------Heaps--

---------------Reis--------------------

But this is Steve Nicol and we never really agree . . .