Soca Warriors Online Discussion Forum
Archived Boards => 2010 World Cup - South Africa => Topic started by: Bitter on June 15, 2010, 12:07:32 PM
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http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=249722/match=300111112/preview.html
Spain can expect some chilly temperatures in Durban when they take on Switzerland in what will be their 50th FIFA World Cup™ finals match. The heat will almost certainly be on the Swiss, however, who have yet to beat La Roja in 18 attempts.
The match
Spain-Switzerland, Group H, Durban, Wednesday, 16 June, 16.00 (local time)
Having barely put a foot wrong in the last two years, Spain will take the stage at South Africa 2010 amid high expectation. Last week's 6-0 demolition of Poland represented the perfect send-off for a mature and settled side that has been boosted by the recent return to fitness of Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas, both of whom have shaken off worrying late-season injuries. The only question mark hangs over Andres Iniesta. Although coach Vicente del Bosque said the Barcelona wizard would recover from his niggles in time, Iniesta has been training at a slower pace than his team-mates in recent days.
The Swiss have plenty of injury problems of their own to ponder. Alexander Frei and Valon Behrami are definitely out, forcing Nati coach Ottmar Hitzfeld to reshuffle his pack. Switzerland's recent form is also a cause for concern, defeats by Costa Rica, Norway and Uruguay having raised doubts about their ability to match their run to the last 16 at Germany 2006 – one they are hoping to repeat, at the very least, this time around.
Players to watch
Cesc Fabregas v Philippe Senderos
When Fabregas signed for Arsenal in 2003 the richly gifted midfielder shared a house with the tall central defender, himself of Spanish descent. Senderos, recently signed by Fulham, took his new team-mate under his wing and the pair built up a strong friendship over the next few seasons. Should Del Bosque be forced to bring in Cesc for Iniesta, the two will renew acquaintances in the most challenging of circumstances.
The stat
394 - The number of minutes Switzerland have gone without conceding a goal at the FIFA World Cup finals. The Swiss kept clean sheets in every one of their games at Germany 2006, going out on penalties to Ukraine in the Round of 16. As fate would have it, it was the Spanish who were the last team to score against them on this stage, midfielder Txiki Beguiristain netting the third in a 3-0 victory in the last 16 at USA 1994.
What they say
"The Spanish aren't just technical, they run a lot too. We'll need to be compact at the back, defend with nine men and hit them on the break when we can. We also need to get in among their midfielders and force some free-kicks. That's where we can be very dangerous," Ottmar Hitzfeld, Switzerland coach.
"When you're a striker with this national team you can't just stand around, waiting for a chance to come along. You have to keep moving, help out on the flanks and keep changing positions with the other forwards, and you have to use the whole width of the pitch. I score goals because I play for the team," David Villa, Spain forward.
Voice of the fans
"On paper Spain are better than Switzerland but anything can happen in a one-off game. Keeping a clean sheet is the key and that won't be easy against the Swiss with all their firepower. A goal or two up front looks a certainty, though I'm not expecting a big win. The Swiss have got their feet on the ground and they'll have done their homework," Meine74 (Spain), FIFA.com user.
The question
Can Spain pierce the Swiss defence? Will Die Nati record their first ever win over the Spanish?
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Hmm this one is tough but i expect the normal draw... or a swiss win. first major upset of the tourny. although spain have always started brightly... Swiss have the bess d in the tourny :)
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I expect Spain to display the same form they had during the Euro Cup and demonstrate why they are favourites to win the WC.
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For those at de Office,meh daughter see de Brazil game
here : http://futbol.univision.com/fifacopamundial/partidos-en-vivo
Dey streaming de games.
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Spain has been on average the all time highest scoring team in World Cup football (though this stat has not led to titles).
Let us see if Spain lives up to their rep.
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I expecting this to be a big day for the WC. The Swiss will defend but Spain should murder them.
And SA and Uruguay both have to win today if they plan to move on so that should be an open game.
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Spain playing!!... what a ball!! them supposed to be bout 2 up by now
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swiss cant see de ball..i doubt they have strung together 5 passes in a row
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Frankly, Spain eh playing no kinda winning football. Not that the Swiss playing better, but to me, Spain cannot win the WC playing small goal football on a big field. They are another team that will get overpowered by teams with big, strong, fast individuals.
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Frankly, Spain eh playing no kinda winning football. Not that the Swiss playing better, but to me, Spain cannot win the WC playing small goal football on a big field. They are another team that will get overpowered by teams with big, strong, fast individuals.
steups they saying that for bout 2-3 years... meantime Spain only lost one game in that whole time frame and win the Euro Cup...
gone with that ole talk nah
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Frankly, Spain eh playing no kinda winning football. Not that the Swiss playing better, but to me, Spain cannot win the WC playing small goal football on a big field. They are another team that will get overpowered by teams with big, strong, fast individuals.
steups they saying that for bout 2-3 years... meantime Spain only lost one game in that whole time frame and win the Euro Cup...
gone with that ole talk nah
And the confed cup?? They crashing out same way, I'll put money on it.
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Frankly, Spain eh playing no kinda winning football. Not that the Swiss playing better, but to me, Spain cannot win the WC playing small goal football on a big field. They are another team that will get overpowered by teams with big, strong, fast individuals.
African ? :rotfl:
Ditto.Bungle ball ! Not smoothe flowing.
Almost like the field too small or @ altitude.
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Frankly, Spain eh playing no kinda winning football. Not that the Swiss playing better, but to me, Spain cannot win the WC playing small goal football on a big field. They are another team that will get overpowered by teams with big, strong, fast individuals.
steups they saying that for bout 2-3 years... meantime Spain only lost one game in that whole time frame and win the Euro Cup...
gone with that ole talk nah
And the confed cup?? They crashing out same way, I'll put money on it.
one game they lorse in bout 3 years... yes it was at the confed cup... exception to the rule...
I ent saying they winning the trophy... but don't be surprised if they do
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Smash and grab by the Swiss.
1-0!!!
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Frankly, Spain eh playing no kinda winning football. Not that the Swiss playing better, but to me, Spain cannot win the WC playing small goal football on a big field. They are another team that will get overpowered by teams with big, strong, fast individuals.
African ? :rotfl:
Ditto.Bungle ball ! Not smoothe flowing.
Almost like the field too small or @ altitude.
Germany comes to mind. Brazil. They will have trouble with Ivory Coast.
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Frankly, Spain eh playing no kinda winning football. Not that the Swiss playing better, but to me, Spain cannot win the WC playing small goal football on a big field. They are another team that will get overpowered by teams with big, strong, fast individuals.
African ? :rotfl:
Ditto.Bungle ball ! Not smoothe flowing.
Almost like the field too small or @ altitude.
Germany comes to mind. Brazil. They will have trouble with Ivory Coast.
As I typing goal score. See how that goal score? They just practically get run over by big strong fast play. A theme to be repeated.
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Frankly, Spain eh playing no kinda winning football. Not that the Swiss playing better, but to me, Spain cannot win the WC playing small goal football on a big field. They are another team that will get overpowered by teams with big, strong, fast individuals.
steups they saying that for bout 2-3 years... meantime Spain only lost one game in that whole time frame and win the Euro Cup...
gone with that ole talk nah
And the confed cup?? They crashing out same way, I'll put money on it.
one game they lorse in bout 3 years... yes it was at the confed cup... exception to the rule...
I ent saying they winning the trophy... but don't be surprised if they do
I won't be surprised if they don't.
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Frankly, Spain eh playing no kinda winning football. Not that the Swiss playing better, but to me, Spain cannot win the WC playing small goal football on a big field. They are another team that will get overpowered by teams with big, strong, fast individuals.
African ? :rotfl:
Ditto.Bungle ball ! Not smoothe flowing.
Almost like the field too small or @ altitude.
Germany comes to mind. Brazil. They will have trouble with Ivory Coast.
As I typing goal score. See how that goal score? They just practically get run over by big strong fast play. A theme to be repeated.
let us see how they respond... you may very well have they final say here
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This Cup needs an upset
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Since de Swiss eh have no attacking threat to talk bout,
dey better sub-in DFs &/ MFs an lock this lead down to
safeguard the three points.It's ugly but necessary.
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Frankly, Spain eh playing no kinda winning football. Not that the Swiss playing better, but to me, Spain cannot win the WC playing small goal football on a big field. They are another team that will get overpowered by teams with big, strong, fast individuals.
African ? :rotfl:
Ditto.Bungle ball ! Not smoothe flowing.
Almost like the field too small or @ altitude.
Germany comes to mind. Brazil. They will have trouble with Ivory Coast.
As I typing goal score. See how that goal score? They just practically get run over by big strong fast play. A theme to be repeated.
let us see how they respond... you may very well have they final say here
Alright....seeing a better performance from them now. A little more convincing. They need to crack some shots from outside and not try to walk into the goal, its a big field.
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What a bullet!
Off the crossbar!
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Frankly, Spain eh playing no kinda winning football. Not that the Swiss playing better, but to me, Spain cannot win the WC playing small goal football on a big field. They are another team that will get overpowered by teams with big, strong, fast individuals.
African ? :rotfl:
Ditto.Bungle ball ! Not smoothe flowing.
Almost like the field too small or @ altitude.
Germany comes to mind. Brazil. They will have trouble with Ivory Coast.
As I typing goal score. See how that goal score? They just practically get run over by big strong fast play. A theme to be repeated.
let us see how they respond... you may very well have they final say here
Alright....seeing a better performance from them now. A little more convincing. They need to crack some shots from outside and not try to walk into the goal, its a big field.
This Cup needs an upset
So said bout de outside shots.
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is de ball fault
failing that...
de vuvuzelas... alexi lalas have a portion of blame to take too ;D
MAMA.. SWITZERLAND NEARLY BORE THEM AGAIN
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The Swiss do everything but score there.
off the post!
This game must have a next goal in it!
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Love the score! heheheh
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Love the score! heheheh
Great game too...
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Love the score! heheheh
Great game too...
wayyy boy... will something give?
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This game is excitement.
The venue is spectacular too: Moses Mabhida Stadium
(http://footballsoccershirts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/the-moses-mabhida-stadium-football-soccer-shirts-sketch.jpg)
(http://footballsoccershirts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/the-moses-mabhida-stadium-football-soccer-shirts-admiration-in-durban.jpg)
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Where they find 5 mins from... nah man... dey doing de swiss wrong they
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Five mins extra time?? :o :o this is nutten but pure favoritism! the referee is ah spaniard ah ought??
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i only see de 2nd half and from what i see, even though swiss didnt get much possession, every time swiss get de ball they knew what to do with it. if they only had the execution swiss wouldve run away with this game.
i dunno i think this might be a group of death in disguise.
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Africa doh like Spain atall.
Revenge for initiating african slavery...
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Too much Barcelona men on that spain side... thais de problem ;D
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Hmm this one is tough but i expect the normal draw... or a swiss win. first major upset of the tourny. although spain have always started brightly... Swiss have the bess d in the tourny :)
whoop, there it is
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Five mins extra time?? :o :o this is nutten but pure favoritism! the referee is ah spaniard ah ought??
Yeah, I was wondering where those five extra minutes came from myself.
This match hardly had any stoppages, certainly not enough to merit five minutes of extra time.
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WOW....Major upset. Good game...aight Next..
Have to try to get some work done now quick before the next game yes....This month not looking very productive at all ;D
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First major upset...The cup coulda used it.
Every tournament has its Cinderella- you just hope you don't play them before the stroke of midnight.
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Ah cyar believe this reff either.
He think he being subtle.
Who mention upset dey ? Oh Gaard !!!
HITZFELD HITSVILLE
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Africa doh like Spain atall.
Revenge for initiating african slavery...
Yuh forgetting one thing, the swiss finance it.
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WOW....Major upset. Good game...aight Next..
Have to try to get some work done now quick before the next game yes....This month not looking very productive at all ;D
if again... i treading de finest lines here in work... and everybody know i is de go to man for links, news etc..
no work at all
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WOW....Major upset. Good game...aight Next..
Have to try to get some work done now quick before the next game yes....This month not looking very productive at all ;D
^^^
This. :beermug:
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Well played to the Swiss side.
Switzerland coud have actually won the game 2-0, if not for the goal post.
Spain's defense is looking quite suspect.
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As someone not on the Spain waggon ... ah love it ... heheheh Aragones and del Bosque ... heheheh .... 2 different individuals. :devil: :)
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As someone not on the Spain waggon ... ah love it ... heheheh Aragones and del Bosque ... heheheh .... 2 different individuals. :devil: :)
:thumbsup: :beermug:
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Spain will bounce back wid wins over ah shakey chile and clueless honduras.
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I hate it when this happens.
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The Notorious choke artists at it again ::)
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Kudos to the swiss, well done well done! :applause: :applause:
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Defences on top so far.
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If Brazil had lost this game yuh woulda hear how how sh*tty Brazil is, and Dunga so and so, where de joga bonito and Ronaldinho?
Spain supposed to be the best attacking side with the most knock and creativity right?
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Swiss chocolate send more monkey chants
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Hmm this one is tough but i expect the normal draw... or a swiss win. first major upset of the tourny. although spain have always started brightly... Swiss have the bess d in the tourny :)
SPOT ON AGAIN LOL
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fellas ah willing to take ah cut to do predictions for alyuh :rotfl: :rotfl:
SPAIN DIS SPAIN DAT... SPAIN HARDMATIC LOL FAIL
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Shit side
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the usual Spanish chokers have come back :D
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If Brazil had lost this game yuh woulda hear how how sh*tty Brazil is, and Dunga so and so, where de joga bonito and Ronaldinho?
Spain supposed to be the best attacking side with the most knock and creativity right?
Kicker,
Jogo bonito went thru the window after the Dutch spank Brazil in 74 and after Italy upset them in Spain WC.
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overrated
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Looks like Spain is back to being their normal selves! Wonder why am I not surprised?! ::)
Meantime Germany & Brazil gets on with the routine World Cup business of picking up 3 points from their 1st game and doing exactly what is expected of teams who are serious about making it to the final!
Yes but Spain supporters will argue that their team plays the best brand and it is their time now!
I have heard it all before!! :yapping:
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Five mins extra time?? :o :o this is nutten but pure favoritism! the referee is ah spaniard ah ought??
Yeah, I was wondering where those five extra minutes came from myself.
This match hardly had any stoppages, certainly not enough to merit five minutes of extra time.
Is an English ref, Howard Webb and she does do d same thing when Man U down in d EPL
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fellas ah willing to take ah cut to do predictions for alyuh :rotfl: :rotfl:
Forget the football, I more interested in some Lotto numbers..... :devil: ;D
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As someone not on the Spain waggon ... ah love it ... heheheh Aragones and del Bosque ... heheheh .... 2 different individuals. :devil: :)
Aragonis woulda carry Guiza who does make things happen when Torres and Villa not doing it! Del Bosque bonx he head leavin out Guiza (unless he injured)
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Aragonis woulda carry Guiza who does make things happen when Torres and Villa not doing it! Del Bosque bonx he head leavin out Guiza (unless he injured)
Guiza is a wild gypsy who probably only Aragones could keep under control...probably the reason he took him to Fenerbache...
Del Bosque included him on the Confed Cup side though....strange enough.
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Aragonis woulda carry Guiza who does make things happen when Torres and Villa not doing it! Del Bosque bonx he head leavin out Guiza (unless he injured)
Guiza is a wild gypsy who probably only Aragones could keep under control...probably the reason he took him to Fenerbache...
Del Bosque included him on the Confed Cup side though....strange enough.
And I think I remember him playing alright too. Unless I goin crazy
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Aragonis woulda carry Guiza who does make things happen when Torres and Villa not doing it! Del Bosque bonx he head leavin out Guiza (unless he injured)
Guiza is a wild gypsy who probably only Aragones could keep under control...probably the reason he took him to Fenerbache...
Del Bosque included him on the Confed Cup side though....strange enough.
And I think I remember him playing alright too. Unless I goin crazy
Yes he did, was the the 30 that get called up for the WC but get drop in place of Pedro..stueps
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steups .. Spain's loss will mess up my pool
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The Notorious choke artists at it again ::)
yeah boy... and first time I ever rooting fuh dem too so dis one eh have mih rejoicing.
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Spain will be alright. They need some ego less players like Marcos Senna back in the middle.
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:D
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Swiss manager Hitzfeld credits USA for inspiring Spain shocker
As the soccer world recovers from the shock waves of the World Cup's first big upset, the architect of that victory knows he owes a debt of gratitude to the USA.
Switzerland manager Ottmar Hitzfeld has given credit to Bob Bradley's side for providing the blueprint to defeating Spain.
"We saw how the Americans played against Spain with a lot of interest," Hitzfeld said.
(continue) (http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=goal-swissmanagerhitzfeldcredits)
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Swiss manager Hitzfeld credits USA for inspiring Spain shocker
As the soccer world recovers from the shock waves of the World Cup's first big upset, the architect of that victory knows he owes a debt of gratitude to the USA.
Switzerland manager Ottmar Hitzfeld has given credit to Bob Bradley's side for providing the blueprint to defeating Spain.
"We saw how the Americans played against Spain with a lot of interest," Hitzfeld said.
(continue) (http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=goal-swissmanagerhitzfeldcredits)
steups, yuh sickening eh? lol
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Interesting post match comments re: Spain
the problem is busquets. having two deep lying-minded midfielders, AND xavi who usually likes to hang back as well is bad. If it must be a 5 man midfield, why have busquets in there anyway if you plan to hold on to the ball 80% of the time? What play is Busquets going to break up? Stick Xabi as the deep lying midfielder, and stick Xavi and Fabregas/Iniesta along with Xavi in the middle.
I think that point highlighted in BOLD is a really good point.
Spain had 75% possession. Is not like they had that possession because of Busquets and Xabi Alonso. So why the need for both of them? Spain may have been better served with the 1 defensive mid and another attacking option.
OR.....as soon as yuh realize yuh not penetratin de Swiss defence, make de change and bring in a more offensive minded player for one of yuh defensive mids.