Alright, owlheads. We’re back in action on a Sunday night of a holiday weekend, at home. Against the worst team in the league according to our Elo rankings. Maybe I’m getting way to emotionally invested in this, but it feels like a trap game to me. So what do I want answered?
1) Does Jay treat this like a must-win game?
Is it a must-win game? If we have championship aspirations, I think so. Other teams we will be competing with are ripping off win streaks and beating teams 4-0. Playing the last game of each week means we know exactly what we need to do to keep pace. This week, like the last few, we need to win. So, will Jay roll out the “A” lineup or will the fact that is game is the first of up to four games in the next thirteen days influence his thinking? The most logical time for the make up game in Chattanooga would be sometime after the Tormenta game next Friday the 11th since it becomes a bus trip not a separate flight. Does Jay start rotating players early or does he stick with the best available lineup knowing those guys will have four full recovery days before the next match?
2) Will we possess or press?
We’ve generally been happy pressing and letting our opponents possess the ball, but Jay’s not been afraid to possess the ball against opponents who want to sit back (see Madison, Forward). Given the youth of our opponent, average age 20.4, a press makes sense, putting pressure on young players to make tough decisions. But given the ill-discipline of OCB, 121 fouls and 19 yellow cards in seven matches, you could argue possessing the ball would have it’s merits.
3) Who marks Moises Tablante?
The 19 year old winger has been making his mark on League One so far this season, leading his team in assists, shots, and chances created, while also leading the league in yellow cards. We faced a speedy left winger in Shak Adams in our last game out and Jay replaced our starting right back, Luke Hauswirth in the 75′. The increase to five substitutions allows for this sort of platooning at a given position. I will be interested to see if we see Ferrety Sousa come on after the 60′ to put fresh, physical legs on their best player. Watch some highlights below to get ready:
Who Gives A Hoot? 