Brotherly Game: FanPosts

Who Else Takes Blame for LeToux Fiasco?

2012-02-03T02:46:30Z

While 99 percent of Union fans place all the blame at the feet of Piotr Nowak and the Union Front Office- there are reasons that shouldn't be the case and other "Groups" that are also to blame, to differing degrees.

First- let me say that I am upset that we have lost LeToux. He was an important part of the last 2 years, and almost single-handedly made us worth watching in our first year (almost). He brings goals and assists to the lineup, along with an amazing work ethic, and I’ve never seen a sportsman do more for the fans than Sebastien.

However...

I also remember his struggles at the start of this year. Whether that was down to carrying an injury, loss of confidence in front of goal, or a new system we will never know. I also remember that Danny Mwanga can provide goals, that last season; Jack McInerney had the most goals per minute in the team. I remember Carlos Ruiz being the main goal scorer early this season, and not LeToux.

While all those don’t take away from the work that Seba has done for us – it does show that he is replaceable on the field. Going forward, we have 2 forwards that we already know and love that will be chomping at the bit to get goals. We have 2 new signings that have been confirmed (Martinez and Hoffman) that will be trying to prove they are worth giving a starting spot to. There may be 1 or 2 more signings that are in the works that mean that hey – maybe we don’t need Seba on the field.

That should take care of his goals (and hopefully Seba passed on his perfect penalty technique to someone before he left). To replace his assists? Step up Roger Torres (signed with Seba money) and Freddy Adu. I will be brave here, and predict Freddy has a fantastic first half of the season, good enough to earn his 2nd chance at Europe. I never thought of him as being a long-term signing.

I always viewed him as coming here to get back to Europe, and have no problem with that. Last year, whether injury or lack of effort, he didn’t show he deserved to go – and he is still with us. I think he will be hungry enough (If given the chance) to lead the league in assists by the time summer comes, and Rayo (or a bigger team) come knocking, with more allocation money and we wave bye bye to Freddy. At that point – Roger will take over and show why we have spent the money on him.

That’s Seba’s on field "counting statistics" covered. Now for his on field hustle. I’m not one for all out energy being vital; I’d rather have someone with ability than a "headless chicken". Therefore if nobody takes over that job then I'm not worried, as long as we work well as a team. For "On field fan favorite" – look no further than new signing Gabriel Gomez to be the "hero". From what I’ve heard of him – he is everything a "Philadelphia fan" would want (as was LeToux). While I doubt he will be able to run around like LeToux for 90minutes, I think he will make us forget the hustle.

The other part of Seba’s "magic" is his non-stop giving to the fans. I remember staying for hours after the last game of the first season, just to get Seba’s autograph. I got it – although I am sure that the Union staff that wanted to get everyone in didn’t like being told that everyone was going to have an autograph. Yes we will miss that, but that isn’t really important – and it isn’t like the rest of the team ignores us. The Union players are all amazing at interacting with the fans, and all do as much as they can to satisfy our demands. They even sing happy birthday to us when they lose a bet…..

That’s why I don’t think we will miss LeToux as much as we think we will right now. The last thing that Seba did for us was net a big "allocation amount" that will be spent on Roger Torres and (from reading between the lines) Sheanon Williams for a few years. I’ll take that "trade" every single time. What I won’t miss however, are the wasted free kicks and poor corners that LeToux seemed to produce more often than not. I’m not having a go at him, but just want to point out that things aren’t 100% rosy with his play.

As for the "Blame Game," it wasn’t a nice way for this all to go down. It happened; we have to deal with that. While it isn’t a nice way for anyone to find out they were traded – this is the new age where news travels fast, and doing it face to face might be "gazumped" by reading it on Twitter.

It isn’t as though this could have been a surprise anyway – from a week ago I had resigned to losing LeToux. While it was hard for LeToux to take, it is also how the sports world goes. I’m not going to go into the blame game for who made the "mistakes" in not getting a new contract signed, or for how much, or how much it would have taken for the Union to make Seba a "DOOPER" for life. That is irrelevant now. IT didn’t happen and that’s that.

However – I will spread a little bit of the blame around. While it would be perfect for Seba to be here forever – there are valid reasons it didn’t happen.

He likely cost too much. Whether it was $200,000 or $400,000 that he was wanting, if the Union couldn't fit that into budget without hurting us, they shouldn't try to. There is a salary cap in MLS and we have to make sure we are under that.
We have too many strikers at the club right now, some of them have to go. In MLS you only have a certain amount of roster space, and while it would be nice to have 40 players, we can't.

Right there are 2 reasons, and whose fault are they? MLS. Now I am not saying that MLS Should change their rules to have no salary cap or extend the amount of players on the roster. With few reserve games, and no "2nd teams" in MLS I don’t think you can have 40 – or people will stagnate. I also think it is a good idea to keep everything as even as possible, which the salary cap does. In future, increasing the cap will be good – but that is a long way in the future.

The last reason I am going into for why MLS themselves should take some blame in the whole situation - they actually own the players rights. This is something I was thinking of a while back, and wondered if MLS owning the players rights violates FIFA’s 3rd party ownership rule that got West Ham in trouble a few years back (Tevezgate no. 1). Apparently it doesn’t, but I don’t like that fact.

The worst thing that it does is that the players have no say in where they play. Yes they play in MLS, but if Seba wants to stay in Philly and not play for the Whitecaps, then that should be his choice. As it is, the Union didn’t want to wait and see if we would lose him for nothing, and didn’t want to maybe block others from playing. All they had to do was find another team, and offload LeToux. They are perfectly within their rights, just like Montreal were perfectly within their rights to chose Brian Ching in the expansion draft, and just like Ching, LeToux has no say.

If that wasn’t the case, as it is with any other league in the world (that I am aware of), then LeToux would have to agree to personal terms with Vancouver before he was traded. He has the right to decide where he plays his career, and there are no more articles of him being upset at not being told he was traded.

All in all, while I don’t think we will miss LeToux this year, I think that some of the hatred for our front office should be sent MLS’s way. After all, it is their rules that both permit and force the union front office to act in the way they did.

Lets all get behind the Union. Like it or not – these things can and do happen in all sports all around the world. The one thing that will not change (unless we allow it to happen) is that we have a Soccer team in the area to support, love, cry over, and eventually (soon) celebrate winning a championship with.

Jungite aut Perite.

A Hybrid Formation

2012-02-02T01:45:15Z

Very often when we talk about formations we do so in a very rigid manner regarding players and their positions. However, some of the best teams in the world are "loose" with the exact spots in which their players play. Now I am not saying that the U should adopt this practice but I am about to propose a formation that lends itself to flexibility.

The defense will remain the same regardless: Zac MacMath in goal, Sheanon Williams, Danny Califf, Carlos Valdes, and Porfiro Lopez on the back line. The formation is a hybrid 4-2-3-1, 4-1-3-2, 4-3-3, among other things but I'll just call it "The Wheel" and I will explain after the jump how that works.

The largest part of an effective "Wheel" is the midfield. For the Union the initial formation would look like a 4-2-3-1. Brian Carroll (RDM) and Gabriel Gomez/ Amobi Okugo (LDM) would be the defensive midfielders. The attacking midfield would consist of Michael Farfan on the right wing and Freddy Adu in the center. The left wing would be between Gabe Farfan (his natural position for those that do not know) and Jack McInerny. Up top would be either Danny Mwanga or Josue Martinez or Chandler Hoffman, I do not feel comfortable making a determination just yet since I have not see two of the three play but for brevity's sake I will just use Hoffman as the example.

This formation would be designed as a counter-attacking setup. The U would play their usual solid defense using their CDMs to break up plays and initiate attacks. They would get it to their attacking midfielders who would play the ball up to Hoffman inside the 18. But what if Hoffman cannot get a good chance on goal? This is where the hybridization comes in.

For those that do not know some rosters list Adu as a Midfielder, some as a Forward. Why? Because he can play both. So here is what happens. Hoffman (remember he represents 3 forwards) holds the ball up, the result is that Adu moves up into attack and becomes a second striker. Gomez moves into the CM position and Carroll shifts over to become the lone CDM. This allows Hoffman to have a strike partner and allows the team to have a more attacking formation. Further Adu moving into the attack allows the U to have a left footed striker as variety and allows Gomez, a very accurate passer, to move into a more attacking capacity. Note: In this scenario Garfan is on the left wing.

When McInerny is on the left wing the shape changes from a 4-2-3-1 into a 4-3-3 and here is how. Sometimes when teams use a counter attacking formation they put a forward on the wing which is why I see it feasible that McInerny could be deployed on the wing. In the same situation as before where the counter-attack does not work the shape changes to a 4-3-3. Here McInerny moves into a Left Wing position which he has a seen a great deal of success in U-23 and U-20 camps. Hoffman remains in the center and Adu shifts to the right wing where (again) he has seen success in recent U-23 camps as well. If the midfield 3 wants to be attacking then Marfan moves slightly more centrally and Gomez moves forward and voila an attacking 4-3-3. But if they are worried about being exposed in such a situation then Marfan moves in as the sole attacking midfielder and Gomez and Carroll remain as defensive midfielders.

Now what also needs to be accounted for is Williams and Lopez. As we all know Williams likes to attack and if Lopez is even half the attacker Williams is we will see him at least as high up as the defensive midfielders if not further. Which adds even more flexibility and more hybridization in the formation that I won't even go into. I'm curious to hear your thoughts on this. Would it work would it not? Would you change out certain personnel? Do you think I'm totally nuts for suggesting this? Also in the 4-2-3-1 who would be the best lone forward? What could make this better? P.S. If you have any questions about my reasoning that I did not fully explain (I did not want this to get too lengthy) just ask.

Soccer Team Looking for a skilled player

2012-02-01T18:51:37Z

My team in the Primera division of Casa League (www.phillysoccer.org) is looking to add a player with NCAA or similiar experience. The team has been playing together for about six years. We are all between 22 and 30 years old. We play ever Saturday in the fall and spring at various times.

If you are interested please send me an email. Please include your background related to soccer and other relevant information.

Thanks!

bill.morlok@gmail.com

how is our lineup going to be in march

2012-02-01T16:19:57Z

I may be looking too far ahead but just out of curiosity I would love to hear ideas of how we will line up

-------------jack mack----Mawanga-----

Marfan-------torres---------adu

------------carroll---------

Garfan--califf--valdes---williams

----------MacMath------------

I think okugo will get some time switching with carroll, and I am not so sure how our new additions will show. Torres should be able to play 90 this year hopefully. I think Jack mack will have a huge year, playing on the U-20 MNT he will be ready to step up. Chandler Hoffman will be getting stealing time from Jack mack.

Whats your ideas?

Le Toux Angry With Novak, Union Front Office

2012-02-01T15:52:51Z

Le Toux Blasts Novak/FO I know this article was already linked in previous comments but I think it definitely merits its own post on here. Now, having read the article its difficult to say if this is all 100% fact or if its just sour grapes or a mix of the 2 but its definitely troubling from a few angles in my opinion. The first thing that really jumps out at me is that, according to Le Toux's side of the story (which is admittedly only 1 side of the story) Novak seems to be a bit tyrannical when it comes to the decisions he makes. If Le Toux is to be believed, it seems like Novak's mind was already made up that Seba wasn't coming back to the Union no matter what the circumstances were (Bolton or another MLS team) and nothing was going to change his mind. Le Toux seems to feel like he was run out of town which, if true, is extremely disappointing and troubling. A player and a person like Le Toux should not be run out of town, especially by his own coach.

Issue number 2 that jumps out at me is that Le Toux feels like he was run out of town strictly for money. According to him, Seba asked for an increase to around $400k which I believe he earned through the last 2 years of work and production. If this is the case and he was let go strictly for money than I am more than a little concerned about the financial well-being of the organization. Another $225k (or so) is not bank breaking by any stretch of the imagination, especially with how much Adu is being paid for such little production last year. If you can't find a way financially to keep your best and most popular player than what does the future hold for this team? Can we now assume that every "young player" (since this is the story that's being jammed down the fan-base's throats as to why Le Toux was traded) that develops into a great player will be traded away for allocation before they become too expensive? If so, how is that a recipe for success? Always preparing for the future, as Novak states, can very often lead to the sacrifice of the present...

Our Beloved Frenchman

2012-01-31T16:46:14Z

I could deal with Le Toux going to Bolton. Sure, when the rumors started they had just trashed by beloved Liverpool (my other team, since the Union weren’t around in my youth) but at least he would get a shot at the EPL, the big time. And when he was there wreaking havoc on ManU I could look and say "hey, I remember seeing him play live in Chester, and he did the same thing here". So I could deal with a move to Bolton, it was a great chance for our beloved Frenchman.

Then those rumors started to go away, and my blood pressure settled and normality returned to my life. First it was that Bolton needed more time to evaluate him, then it was that Le Toux didn’t want to leave his beloved Union.

Then all hell broke loose. Rumors of a move to Vancouver started swirling, and I, like most of you I am sure, dismissed them as sports writers seeking attention. But then those rumors started to grow, and my blood pressure steadily rose again.

Like I said, I can understand the Union letting Le Toux go to Bolton, it is a great move for his career. They just let Mondragon go back to Colombia per his request to finish out his years where his fantastic career started, so the Union have class and respect their players wishes, and that is fantastic. But Le Toux said he wanted to stay in Philly, that’s why he supposedly gave Bolton such little time to evaluate him. But Vancouver? I guess if you like hockey it’s not a bad place to be, but besides that I hear they have an aquarium, and that’s about it (Olympics are over so that doesn’t count).

I ask the Union why they did this, why ship out your all time leading scorer and creator, as well as the only player in MLS history to play every second of every game for an entire season. I am not knocking our current group of strikers, Mwanga had a solid year then a lackluster one, JacMac is tearing up the U23 national team, and Josue is a solid young prospect. But none of those guys are battle tested. We don’t know if they can stand up to the rigors of a full MLS season and emerge victorious. We don’t know that they will give 100 minutes of pure hustle every game, then run laps around the field thanking the fans for their love and support. We don’t know that they will do happy dances after they score goals. We don’t know that, after scoring to bring us within 1 of New England (after being down 4-1) that they will sprint to the goal, grab the ball, and sprint to the center circle to restart play faster. We just don’t know. With Le Toux, we did. We knew he would give everything he had and more.

To the Union, I say shame. Shame for selling a player who loved you and your fans, and who your fans loved more than anything else. You better use your ill-gotten gains on something great (I hear Ronaldinho is unhappy that he isn’t getting paid). To Le Toux I say you will be missed. You will be cheered upon your return to PPL Park. We will all continue to wear your jersey with pride for you are like our Brian Dawkins, beloved forever in this city. To Vancouver I say congratulations; you will love every second of the Sebastien Le Toux experience. And if you get him for a cool $1,000,000 like reports are suggesting, well, at least Jesse James used a gun.

Union and MLS reality check

2012-01-31T12:14:47Z

With all the emotion around the team and personnel decisions right now I thought it would be useful to take a step back and do a reality check on MLS and the Union.

Let's start with MLS. With the low salary cap, single entity structure, and few owners willing to lose lots of their own money the reality is that money is king in MLS. Just about every player can be had for a large enough allocation. Every team that is well run will sell high. With the current rule set(homegrown, generation adidas, young DP) the league is positioning itself as a feeder league of young talent. This is a necessary development, and a good thing. But it means(with very few exceptions) that your best players will be leaving, and unlike other US sports leagues, it will just be for money.

Now for the Union. In many ways we are a great example of where MLS is right now. Heavy on young players, with a spattering of vets. To be run well we need to be balancing the salary cap, our player/money flow, and our competitiveness. We have shown that we will sell high on a player even if it hurts the on the field product(Harvey). I expect us to continue to invest in younger players that the league pays for, and to sell anyone and everyone when we get good offers.

The current Le Toux situation is the same thing. His contract is up next year, we don't want to resign him long term because it kills our flexibility, and is counter to our direction. If he has another great year he goes overseas on a free transfer. So, we need to cash in now. That was easier to take with Bolton, but it's the same deal even in MLS, it's good business.

The money coming in will pay down Freddy's contract and complete the permanent transfer of Torres. We will be a new team this year, but it's just the beginning. There will be pretty constant turnover in years to come. Don't be surprised if we sell some of our young talent this summer. Yes, in the middle of the season. If a few of our younger players who have trained overseas impress early they will be European transfer targets. We will cash in, even if it hurts the on the field product. Welcome to reality in MLS and with the Union.

Let Le Toux Stay

2012-01-30T23:23:10Z

This is a copy of the letter I have sent to the Union's home page contact section and will send to everybody else I can think of. We can not let Le Toux leave for some crappy lateral move. I implore everybody to do the same!

To the ownership of the Philadelphia Union. I am a loyal supporter of your club and will always be, but I must ask you to not consider selling Sebastian Le Toux to any other MLS team, namely the Vancouver Whitecaps which has been the latest rumor. As fans we were able to swallow a move to a Premier League team because it would help further Sebastian's career, but a move to Vancouver is insulting. Sebastian is the face of our franchise and deserves to stay here and continue helping us get to the MLS Cup. Please reconsider this matter if you are truly entertaining the notion because Le Toux is more then just a player. He is the heart that pumps the Union body. Let Le Toux stay!

this is the link to the contact page. Please use it http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/form/contact-us

Also this is the hashtag I've been using on twitter #LetLeTouxStay! Please write a message

Thoughts on Gomez

2012-01-26T14:14:19Z

Gomez assesment after the jump:

After watching the USA Panama game last night, I thought I would throw out some observations on Gomez, the new midfielder that the Union signed:

Pros:

He has a cannon of a shot as demonstrated in the 2nd half.

He seems to have good vision and was quick to release players going forward. He had a great chip pass over the USA's backline in the 1st half that sent Perez in on goal.

He demonstrated good leadership, wearing the captains armband, not picking up any cards, and keeping his side calm throughout the match.

Cons:

It could have been the tactics employed by his coach, but he certainly wasn't a box to box midfielder last night. Although Panama lined up in a 4-4-2, they seemed to play a diamond midfield with Gomez's primary function being to screen the back for. He seldom pushed forward, and when he did it seemed to be very late and after Panama had established possesion in the final 3rd.

Slow. Slower. Slowest. He struggled to move around the field and was very slow to move forward as well as move to space to challenge USA attackers.

Gordo. I think the slow issue has to do with him being visibly out of shape. He looks about 20 pounds to heavy and this affected his mobility and his stamina. Could be a long pre season for this guy.

Overall: A player that demonstrated some some positives in the passing game and looks capable of releasing our speedy young forwards. Looks to be a player capable of maintaining possesion in tight spots.However, if he doesn't get in better shape I don't see him seeing the field. His maturity and composure will be an asset, but his current form will make him a liability in the up and down the field nature of MLS.

Overall grade: C-

Union to host MLS All-Star Game?

2012-01-23T00:02:30Z

Union to host MLS All-Star game?

Was at the Help Kick Hunger event last night and Rich Jacobs of the Union stated that there will be an announcement Tuesday morning in Philadelphia City Hall with MLS & the City & the Union... The Sons Of Ben supporters group was invited by Jacobs to attend the announcement at City Hall at 10:30 AM. I am not sure of annoying else that might such a hot topic - but I am hopeful that this could happen in Philly

The Union dominated U-23 MNT

2012-01-19T03:33:24Z

Since the U have such a large contingent (the largest of any team) at the most recent U-23 MNT team camp I thought I would spout off some of the things I have been reading about to make a desired line-up. The line-up will be slightly Union biased but a the same time from what I have been reading from Soccer by Ives and other sources I am not incredibly far off.

Caleb Porter, former University of Akron coach, has been implementing the "total football" 4-3-3 approach of a Barcelona-esq high-possession high-pressure system. I will base my line-up on this system.

Goalkeepers:Bill Hamid, Zach MacMath, Sean Johnson

Hamid is set to be the starter because of his experience with the senior national team. From everything I have read it is a two-way race between MacMath and Johnson for the backup position. The backup keeper (and hopefully Zach is included) will likely be decided in the upcoming friendlies in Costa Rica. More position breakdowns after the jump.

Starting Defense: Williams-Valentin-Wenger-Sarkodie/Villafana

Williams has appeared the strongest right back only to be trailed by Lancaster native Zarek Valentin. That being said before playing his rookie season at Chivas USA he played CB all through college, high school, and his youth squad.

The reason for the Valentin-Wenger combination is three-fold. One, Wenger has shown that while he is not the best CB at camp he is a top 3 choice. Secondly, Wenger is the most comfortable of the CB's on the ball as was developed by his playing forward the last two seasons for Duke. Thirdly, for years and years Valentin and Wenger have played as a CB pairing first on youth clubs as well as high school and I believe on one of the US youth national teams as well. That type of chemistry and understanding is not to be overlooked when creating a team of players from all over the country (and world if you include professional locations).

In terms of LB it will be a fight again in the two scrimmages between Sarkodie and Villafana. I really have no preference between the two but I have noticed that Villafana is a more reserved attacker while Sarkodie tends to drift forward more. Not as much as Williams but still forward.

Holding Midfielder: Amobi Okugo.

From all reports it is basically Okugo's job to lose. No one has performed as well as consistently on both sides of the ball as Okugo. Reports also indicate that he is strong at initiating the attack but is even better at the defensive side of the ball "breaking up chances for the senior team" (Ives).

Attacking Midfielders: Joe Corona/Freddy Adu, Dilly Duka

This is where things begin to get interesting. Brek Shea has not been called into the U-23 camps yet but has been playing with the senior team one of a number of players from the senior team that are eligible. If he fits into the 4-3-3 I frankly seem him playing on the left wing not in the midfield. Without a doubt I see Dilly Duka playing in this midfield. He played incredible well in the GA tour in Amsterdam (which also used a 4-3-3) and has performed well on the professional level and at U-23 camps. He is also a major threat as a set piece taker. (Both of his goals in Amsterdam were from set pieces and one of his two assists was from a set piece). The Joe Corona (pronounced some weird form of legit) and the Freddy Adu debate will take place in the forwards section.

Forwards: Brek Shea-Teal Bunbury-Freddy Adu/?

Probably the biggest issue Caleb Porter has to deal with is that he has 3 current and 1 former (Adu) senior team players to add into the fold. As I mentioned before I see Shea as more of a left winger in the 4-3-3 than a central midfielder, nothing really to base that on other than just watching him and a gut feeling. I have heard that while Jack Mac will likely not be a starter he has developed well as a wing striker and could be on the roster. Teal Bunbury has showed briefly for the U-23s and was dangerous at the center forward position when he was there. As a senior national teamer I believe it is his job to lose (unless Agudelo gets healthy and that would be interesting). On the right wing is where I find myself with the most debate. Porter has used Adu in both the midfield and right winger role. Frankly I think Adu is more suited to right winger role. However I am not in love with the quality of the attacking midfielders and I think Porter will place him in the midfield with Duka. If he does I see either Tony Taylor taking his spot or Aguedelo plays in the center and Bunbury gets pushed out wide.

What do you all think will be the "starting line-up" for the Olympic team? Keep in mind they have not deviated from the 4-3-3 and in all probability will not change that.

Poll

How many Union players will make the final cut?

1

1 votes

2

3 votes

3

11 votes

4

23 votes

5

3 votes

41 votes | Poll has closed

2 International Roster Spots Shed For Union... Independence Add Lori Chalupny

2012-01-18T16:26:27Z

Philadelphiaunion.com article says that houapeu, Langley, Richter, and Tait all had their options declined and were released today. This sheds 2 international roster spots from our team which I believe gets us out of the red heading into training camp in terms of international roster spots.

Philadelphia Independence sign WPS all-star and former National teamer Lori Chalupny from the Atlanta Beat. Chalupny will be an awesome addition to the midfield and great veteran leadership as she was the captain for Atlanta before coming here. Welcome aboard Lori!

Adu not a DP fpr bigger reasons than we think?

2011-12-30T14:53:26Z

I've heard a number of comments/complaints that Novak is wasting salary cap space by buying down Adu's contract. But maybe there is another reason. Maybe since Novak and Adu know each other so well Novak was more worried about Adu's ego getting in the way. Maybe in Novak's opinoin calling Adu a DP would have gone to his head. In this scenario Novak is preventing one of his (possibly) best players from becoming T.O. What are your thoughts on this?

Discussion Question...

2011-12-16T00:07:39Z

So I was thinking about all the moves that the Union have made over the last 2 years between player acquisitions, drafts, and even a few trades.. and I kind of thought to myself that it'd be really neat if the Union had their Roy Halladay Trade moment and went out and got a really big name currently in MLS via trade... So I'm throwing it out to the group. It being the holiday season, who would be the one player you'd love to see the Union unwrap? It can be any player currently in the MLS, but you can only choose one..

For me, I'd go with Brek Shea (I know, I know, pile it on all you want). I like his creativity, his ability to make plays develop and can dish it as well as shoot it. Additionally, you can move him around and play him in different positions and has decent height and speed (something the Union lacked this year). If I could only choose one, I'd pick Shea... You???

Nowak looking to add 3 or 4 more offseason acquisitions...

2011-12-09T16:38:49Z

Union hunting for 3 or 4 more players in the offseason According to Nowak in this Philly.com article. He says he wants to get bigger and stronger along the backline and have more cohesion between the midfield and forwards. Let the speculation begin I guess.. Do you think he means an LB or do you think he's actually searching for Califf's eventual replacement (will be 32 in March)? Or maybe just some additional depth since our team now only has 3 true defensemen (Williams, Califf, Valdez)... Scott, any rumors floating out there about possible targets? I love that Nowak is acknowledging the team needs to get deeper in terms of talent and is addressing (in my opinion) obvious needs of speed and height on the team. I just hope its not too much turnover that hurts the teams chemistry.. What do you guys think?