In deference to Messiah I will move my posts off the joint thread going forward.
Hubert....in reference to your last post under Hopkins-Messiah Thread I am refering to the guy who stands on the sidelines with his arms folded as the only decision maker. The jabbering guy as you call him actually encourages the girls as he at least verbalizes with them and gives alot of positive reinforcement on the sidelines. He deals mainly with the defense but at least you see him on the sidelines. Prior to him coming to Hopkins the team went through assistant coaches on an almost yearly basis because the head coach would not even look at them if they had an idea on a set play or where to play a player.
Tonight Hopkins had nine SOG in the first half and finished the double OT with twelve total!!!
Substitutions...I don't think they had anyone on the bench to substitute for. I tried to count the players on the bench but it was dark on that side of the pitch so I could not tell for sure.
Yeah, sadly I pretty much knew the answer before I asked the question.
Also, I looked at the box score re shots after you brought it my attention. Stunned that forward and outside wings had 3 shots total in 110 minutes. Only one of those shots was on goal. Don't think any of the starters were subbed out up front either. Even back four defense had more shots and shots on net. Looked like he subbed midfield the most, and 'surprise', two goals. If you compare subs in UR game and Emory game its 8 vs 4 so I'm going to say at least 4 players didn't touch the field. That excludes the goalies.
A couple of potential season ending injuries. Tough break if so.
There is blood in the water. Centennial foes are circling.
I know the loss to Muhlenberg was a shock but I can't imagine who in the CC is better? Maybe Haverford?
I don't believe this JHU team will be your CC champ this season unless some things change.
What needs changing, in your view, Hubert?
To put it succinctly, I don't see the team going very far until they start playing as a team as opposed to a team of individuals.
If you want more detail: First thing I'd do is put an end to this "core four" nonsense. A team is 11 players playing as one and playing to the open player regardless of who it is. Second, I would tell my captains to look in the mirror and assess their own play before pointing fingers after a loss. I can't believe a coach would let a talk like that happen immediately after a game before emotions calm down. Third, I'd take advantage of the speed I have up top by playing them high and WIDE so they can run onto through balls and play into the center for 13 to finish. I often see all the forwards on one side of the field which negates their speed advantage. Fourth, I'd sub more frequently (particularly at midfield). I understand there are injuries but fresh legs are better than dead legs regardless of talent. Fifth, I'd consider a change at goalie. Too many long range goals from being off her line and not nearly athletic enough to pull it off. Fifth, while I like the runs the outside defenders make, they are being done too often and the team gets caught in a counter attack. #23 from last year is not back there to cover up mistakes anymore.
When I played we didn't necessarily all hang out off the field but when we stepped on the field we were one!!
I hope things get sorted out for Hopkins.
On paper, looks like JHU has sorted things out. True, Hubert?
Perhaps. But lets look (on paper)... Besides beating up on overmatched league teams who has JHU beaten from say the top 30 D3 teams this season? Tied Emory after blowing 2-0 lead, blown out by both Messiah and TCNJ. I do not wish to denigrate other teams in their conference, but who have they played in the last two weeks (to sort things out) that has been playing top notch soccer? And what happens when they face a stout back line within conference? Centennial is down across the board this year. Doubt anyone besides conference champ moves on to NCAAs.
It's no secret that I cannot stand the fact that Hopkins ONLY plays one style of soccer. Constantly playing the ball backwards (possession) and massing forward nullifies the speed advantage of #3, #17,#21 and #13. By the time the ball reaches the box there are 5-6 players on top of each other. Are they not capable of trying more direct play with the defenders popping the ball over high set front line to allow use of the speed advantage. Better yet, mix it up a little.
Well here we are, playing for CC championship against Haverford who Hopkins beat 5- something already. If I were a Hopkins fan I would think I would be breathing a good bit easier. I would be concerned that JHU only used two subs in the game today and that they committed 19 fouls with two YCs. What's up with that?
Haverford 2 Hopkins 1...So much for my thoughts.
How does everyone think JHU will fare in its NCAA bracket?
Perhaps JHUFAN and hubert are heavily medicated now but I am sure they will return.
Hopkins should find a way to beat Lancaster Bible but the Rowan-Va. Wes winner might be a problem. I think Va. Wes. moves on.
Agree...it's hard to argue with VA Wes at 18-1-1.
Hey A--hole ! I just spent eleven days in New Jersey helping relatives save what they could from homes that were destroyed by Hurricane Sandy, I come on this site to read a smug, ignorant comment about "perhaps JHUFAN and hubert are heavily medicated now but I am sure they will return" Where the ---- do you get off making this kind of statement! My life is much more evolved then making comments on a soccer or any other type forum. Until I returned home this evening I had no idea what was going on with Hopkins soccer nor was it on my top 100 list of things to be concerned about, nor is it at this point.
Please do not include my name in any of your future postings.
Mr. Matson...If I violated any TOS and you wish to ban me from this site I understand but this guy is an A------...plain and simple.
Whoa! It sounds like someone is feeling a little stressed out because of unfortunate circumstances related to Sandy. It must be a mess around there.
I do not know 2xfaux but I have read his comments over the last several years and have to believe that there was no ill intent in his comment.
Should be a good soccer weekend. Enjoy!
It has never been my intention to offend anyone but I obviously have. So let me sincerely apologize to JHUFAN and everyone else for creating a problem here. I will give myself a red card and go away. Good luck to everyone in the tournament.
2xfaux:
I thought the statement was made with clean fun in mind. You've been a class act and couldn't have know of sensitivites. Glad to have you keep posting.
JHU...sorry to hear of your misfortune.
JHUFAN, sorry to hear of your family's woes. Must have been awful to see them in such dire straits. Good luck to them.
2xfaux, you could not have known.
JHUFAN, as one JHU fan to another, you're out of line. You are not the only person affected by Sandy on this board. To use it as some sort of excuse to spew an expletive laced rant about an off the cuff remark is self serving. And don't talk about being more "evolved" than the rest of us when you have 31 posts on this board!!! Your case is weak on that point.
2xfaux has historically been more supportive of JHU soccer than most people associated with the program (such as myself). Very seldom critical of JHU. The humorous remark was meant as a tonic for those of us who are too wrapped up in the results and records.
As to the "GAMES", its time to see the "top players" show up in the big games. Hat tricks against weak teams...big deal!! Show me something against good defensive teams. Whats the deal with #17 and #4? Why are they benched? Are they hurt?
No one is off any Board. You guys are all solid folks, including 2xfaux. Stuff happens, and we all have to deal with it. Sometimes the emotions get in the way, or sometimes they ARE the way.
Impressive win tonight for Hopkins. They seem to be coming alive as the season matures.
Well here we are at the start of the 2013 season. I have not chatted with anyone on the team this year yet, but I can promise the following based on many years of playing for this coach. No matter how poorly or out of shape certain returning players are, they will start. No matter how well or in shape certain returning players are, they will not start. One or two freshman will be given starting nods even though they are undeserving because the coaches always seem to be enamored with freshman.
JHU will be at or near the top of the centennial when all is said and done. Once in the NCAA's they will bow out as they always have due to the things mentioned above and the fact that the coaches superstars aren't so super when they play good teams.
JHUFan and Hubert, all quiet on the JHU front? At 9-0 do they deserve to be on top?
Thus far JHU has beaten everyone in front of them, so yeah they deserve it as much as the next I guess. Having said that I don't think it's smooth sailing either. Stevenson brought them to OT and both Allegheny and Carnegie could have beaten them but for a bounce here and a PK there. I did not view the Messiah game so not sure there. The coach has gone to a deep bench early and often (with the exception of Kronick who gets 90 minutes) and so far its worked out.
JHU has devastating speed up top with the starting forwards and wings yet they stupidly forfeit that advantage with painfully slow, congested build-ups and no looks for through balls or some pops over the top. If they ever figure this out their attacks would be lethal.
Never a fan of this staff's limits tactically with respect to talent as documented here.