Time yet for the old warhorse to strap on the boots and give it one last shot for glory.
Ryan Nelsen (Unattached FC Coach)
So at the half-way point of the MLS season how does Ryan rate so far?
Here's TFC's record after 17 games for the last 3 seasons:
2011 W 2, D 9, L 6, Pts 15
2012 W 2, D 4, L 11, Pts 10
2013 W 2, D 7, L 8, Pts 13
And by way of comparison here's the Nix' record after 17 games in their 2 worst ever seasons:
07/08 W 4, D 5, L 8, Pts 17
12/13 W 4, D 4, L 9, Pts 16
TFC have had 8 different head coaches in their 7 year history. Ryan currently has the lowest winning percentage of any TFC coach ever at 11.7%, significantly lower than the next worst; Mo Johnston with 20% and Paul Mariner with 21%.
Things look pretty bad for him. If it wasn't for his close relationship with GM Kevin Payne I reckon he'd be out the door, or pretty close to it, by now.
Things look pretty bad for him. If it wasn't for his close relationship with GM Kevin Payne I reckon he'd be out the door, or pretty close to it, by now.
From reading their forums, the team is playing better than under any of those other coaches. They are resigned to this year being a 'transitional year', getting the bodies in to give the team success for the future and clearing the dead wood. Toronto is a long term fixer upper.
Things look pretty bad for him. If it wasn't for his close relationship with GM Kevin Payne I reckon he'd be out the door, or pretty close to it, by now.
From reading their forums, the team is playing better than under any of those other coaches. They are resigned to this year being a 'transitional year', getting the bodies in to give the team success for the future and clearing the dead wood. Toronto is a long term fixer upper.
O'Dea, the TFC captain has returned to Toronto on a game day, to finalize a transfer. Nelly is really clearing the decks atm, he must have some big plans. O'Dea was on big money.
Anyone have a stream for the game v Kansas City on now?
Bad day at the office for TFC. 3-0 loss to Kansas City. Interview and game highlights on the link below.
I have to say it could have be 6-1...Brockie had a great chance...Half of SKCs shots looked weaker than when a 12 year old kicks with his weak foot running sideways.
http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2013/07/nelsen-bad-day-office
I really hope Nelsen can find the right recipe for TFC. Whoever ends up turning TFC around will have a nice thing to add to their CV.
Maybe he could give this guy or Ricki a ring for advise?
Bad day at the office for TFC. 3-0 loss to Kansas City. Interview and game highlights on the link below.
I have to say it could have be 6-1...Brockie had a great chance...Half of SKCs shots looked weaker than when a 12 year old kicks with his weak foot running sideways.
http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2013/07/nelsen-bad-day-office
I really hope Nelsen can find the right recipe for TFC. Whoever ends up turning TFC around will have a nice thing to add to their CV.
Maybe he could give this guy or Ricki a ring for advise?
Updated...
Here's TFC's record after 19 games for the last 3 seasons:
2011 W 3, D 9, L 7, Pts 18
2012 W 4, D 4, L 11, Pts 16
2013 W 2, D 7, L 10, Pts 13
And by way of comparison here's the Nix' record after 19 games in their 2 worst ever seasons:
07/08 W 5, D 5, L 9, Pts 20
12/13 W 5, D 5, L 9, Pts 20
I don't read the TFC forums but what's the mood like in there?
Updated...
Here's TFC's record after 19 games for the last 3 seasons:
2011 W 3, D 9, L 7, Pts 18
2012 W 4, D 4, L 11, Pts 16
2013 W 2, D 7, L 10, Pts 13
And by way of comparison here's the Nix' record after 19 games in their 2 worst ever seasons:
07/08 W 5, D 5, L 9, Pts 20
12/13 W 5, D 5, L 9, Pts 20
I don't read the TFC forums but what's the mood like in there?
from what i saw of the game TFC were the better side i know they were only playing against 10 men, but thought they kept the ball well and the goal the conceded was pretty soft poor defending. I think he has got them playing some good football considering some of the average quility of the player he appears to have.
from what i saw of the game TFC were the better side i know they were only playing against 10 men, but thought they kept the ball well and the goal the conceded was pretty soft poor defending. I think he has got them playing some good football considering some of the average quility of the player he appears to have.
I highly doubt his job is under threat. The GM knows its a long term fix because the team has squad & cap issues. It isn't a quick fix, in fact quick fixes are what got them into this problem in the first place.
I highly doubt his job is under threat. The GM knows its a long term fix because the team has squad & cap issues. It isn't a quick fix, in fact quick fixes are what got them into this problem in the first place.
I highly doubt his job is under threat. The GM knows its a long term fix because the team has squad & cap issues. It isn't a quick fix, in fact quick fixes are what got them into this problem in the first place.
Yeah, I hope so, but even Kevin Payne must be feeling the pressure. What worries me is that from a fans perspective what's really changed? We love Ryan but from their point of view he's just another ex-EPL pro fucking up their club. Why should the fans have any more patience with Ryan and Payne than the others? How deeply do they buy into the need for time?
commentators were saying during the game it was the worst they had played
The GM had an interview today, said that when he came in they had 2/3rds their salary cap used by 5 players of which 3 weren't playing.
The GM had an interview today, said that when he came in they had 2/3rds their salary cap used by 5 players of which 3 weren't playing.
The GM had an interview today, said that when he came in they had 2/3rds their salary cap used by 5 players of which 3 weren't playing.
That's horrible. Did he say where they're at now?
I highly doubt his job is under threat. The GM knows its a long term fix because the team has squad & cap issues. It isn't a quick fix, in fact quick fixes are what got them into this problem in the first place.
Yeah, I hope so, but even Kevin Payne must be feeling the pressure. What worries me is that from a fans perspective what's really changed? We love Ryan but from their point of view he's just another ex-EPL pro fucking up their club. Why should the fans have any more patience with Ryan and Payne than the others? How deeply do they buy into the need for time?
Updated...
Here's TFC's record after 19 games for the last 3 seasons:
2011 W 3, D 9, L 7, Pts 18
2012 W 4, D 4, L 11, Pts 16
2013 W 2, D 7, L 10, Pts 13
And by way of comparison here's the Nix' record after 19 games in their 2 worst ever seasons:
07/08 W 5, D 5, L 9, Pts 20
12/13 W 5, D 5, L 9, Pts 20
I don't read the TFC forums but what's the mood like in there?
Updated...
Here's TFC's record after 19 games for the last 3 seasons:
2011 W 3, D 9, L 7, Pts 18
2012 W 4, D 4, L 11, Pts 16
2013 W 2, D 7, L 10, Pts 13
And by way of comparison here's the Nix' record after 19 games in their 2 worst ever seasons:
07/08 W 5, D 5, L 9, Pts 20
12/13 W 5, D 5, L 9, Pts 20
I don't read the TFC forums but what's the mood like in there?
What is the point of comparing their record to the nix? Why not compare it against Derby County in the 2007/08 season or Barcelona last season?
yeah, but they are completely different clubs in completely different leagues. It is like comparing apples and oranges.
edit - and what is it going to prove? that Nelsen should be sacked? It seems the Toronto fans don't want that to happen, so why should we? Or maybe it is to prove that we should not have sacked Herbert?
yeah, but they are completely different clubs in completely different leagues. It is like comparing apples and oranges.
edit - and what is it going to prove? that Nelsen should be sacked? It seems the Toronto fans don't want that to happen, so why should we? Or maybe it is to prove that we should not have sacked Herbert?
Sure, it is probably more directed towards those on the forum/media that talked up Nelsen's appointment, while at the same time talking down Herbet's record, when Nelsen had no previous experience (or coaching qualifications) to back such high praise.
Edit: Not to say that Nelsen won't be able to turn things around or won't have a successful career as coach.
Updated...
Here's TFC's record after 19 games for the last 3 seasons:
2011 W 3, D 9, L 7, Pts 18
2012 W 4, D 4, L 11, Pts 16
2013 W 2, D 7, L 10, Pts 13
And by way of comparison here's the Nix' record after 19 games in their 2 worst ever seasons:
07/08 W 5, D 5, L 9, Pts 20
12/13 W 5, D 5, L 9, Pts 20
I don't read the TFC forums but what's the mood like in there?
What is the point of comparing their record to the nix? Why not compare it against Derby County in the 2007/08 season or Barcelona last season?
I guess when you have 7 coaches in 7 seasons (I think I read, please correct me) at some stage, you have to stick it out or the head coaches job becomes a poisoned chalice ala Chelsea. Perhaps with the amount of coaches that have come and gone, the realisation is that it is the players. When you read that your salary cap is basically borked then what options do you have?
Ryan may not be the right coach but at some point soon, they are gonna have to stick with one and ride it out and do a better job of managing their cap.
yeah, but they are completely different clubs in completely different leagues. It is like comparing apples and oranges.
edit - and what is it going to prove? that Nelsen should be sacked? It seems the Toronto fans don't want that to happen, so why should we? Or maybe it is to prove that we should not have sacked Herbert?
I guess when you have 7 coaches in 7 seasons (I think I read, please correct me) at some stage, you have to stick it out or the head coaches job becomes a poisoned chalice ala Chelsea. Perhaps with the amount of coaches that have come and gone, the realisation is that it is the players. When you read that your salary cap is basically borked then what options do you have?
Ryan may not be the right coach but at some point soon, they are gonna have to stick with one and ride it out and do a better job of managing their cap.
TFC sign a 25yr old Swiss left back from a club in the Swiss second tier. Lochhead should have hit him up for a trial. If they are picking up someone from that level, he would have had a real shot.
yeah, but they are completely different clubs in completely different leagues. It is like comparing apples and oranges.
edit - and what is it going to prove? that Nelsen should be sacked? It seems the Toronto fans don't want that to happen, so why should we? Or maybe it is to prove that we should not have sacked Herbert?
I honestly hadn't thought about it quite like that, and I'm certainly to trying to prove anything. It's just an interesting discussion.
I'm not sure I agree about apples and oranges though. Bottom of the league is bottom of the league, no matter where you are. And those coaches tend to get sacked. The reasons why Ryan shouldn't get sacked is what I'm trying to understand, because there must be some really fucking good ones in this case (and RR has already explained some of them quite well).
I really hope Ryan is successful as a coach because that can only be good for NZ. I still think/hope he will be but I do wonder if he has bitten off more than he can chew at TFC.
Talked to a lass from there when this happened and Toronto has been so bad for so long he's not got a lot of expectations. They haven't had much from their team under a succession of coaches. Which I think differs from Ricki with the new owners and the talk of total Oceania football world domination.
Ryan and club obviously stoked after Toronto's first win in ages last weekend 2-1 v Colombus in a thriller:
Highlights (Brockie unlucky not to score end first half and assist for first Toronto goal): http://www.torontofc.ca/video/2013/07/27/kia-game-six-minutes-toronto-v-columbus-july-27-2013
Ryan interviewed about the game :http://www.torontofc.ca/video/2013/07/30/ryan-nelsen-july-30-2013
Ryan on new signings, Brockie and state of team: http://www.torontofc.ca/video/2013/08/02/ryan-nelsen-august-2-2013
Two new signings this past week: Swiss Second Division left-back Jonas Elmer and " newly signed winger Álvaro Rey will likely get his chance to bolster the TFC attack sooner rather than later. Rey, who most recently played for Xérez in the Spanish second division"
Interview with Toronto CEO Payne on some big new signings to be announced in the next week and touching on Brockie:
http://www.torontofc.ca/video/2013/08/02/kevin-payne-august-2-2013
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ROMA FRIENDLY THURSDAY MID-DAY NZT:
Big, big friendly v AS Roma on Wednesday, August 7 at 8 p.m. (Canadian time) or 12pm mid-day Thursday NZT at BMO Field.
http://www.thestar.com/sports/2013/08/02/toronto_fc_pressure_on_as_roma_in_wednesdays_friendly.html
Bound to be plenty of live streams for this one.
Back to back wins for the first time this season and unbeaten in the last three games. That's huge for TFC.
big problem next week though when they come face to face with Obafemi Martins.
Just how do you defend against such a superstar
big problem next week though when they come face to face with Obafemi Martins.
Just how do you defend against such a superstar
Back to back wins for the first time this season and unbeaten in the last three games. That's huge for TFC.
Ryan's lads: 1 AS Roma: 4 in yesterday's friendly
The game was live on AS Roma's You Tube channel - and you can see the whole game uploaded there now (Italian commentary);
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XHFMucGDXg
Brockie on as 46 min. sub and subbed-off on 82 min.
But didn't attract the same attention as the legendary Francesco Totti coming on as a sub for Roma in the second half.
Roma scored all the goals, including Toronto's.
All the goals here: http://www.torontofc.ca/video/2013/08/07/kia-game-six-minutes-tor-v-asr-august-7-2013
Ryan had his priorities right, skipping the game and earning fan respect for his hard work:
" #TorontoFC says manager Ryan Nelsen is not at Roma match. He's on the road, working ahead of transfer window closing."
Scorers: 16' (og.) Burdisso, 25' Florenzi, 33' Borriello, 67' Pjanic, 87' Pjanic
AS ROMA (4-3-3): De Sanctis (46' Lobont); Maicon (62' Romagnoli), Burdisso, Jedvaj (79' Torosidis), Dodò; Bradley (88' Verre), Taddei (76' Strootman), Florenzi (71' Totti); Lamela (76' Tallo), Borriello, Marquinho (24' Pjanic)
Coach: R. Garcia
TORONTO FC: Frei (76' Roberts); Eckersley (46' Morgan), Caldwell (46' Henry), Agbossoumonde (65' Thomas), Elmer (46' Bloom); Rey (39' Russel), Laba (Hall), Osorio (46' Bekker), Convey (46' Lambe, 76' Rictcher); Earnshaw (46' Wiedeman), Braun (46' Brockie, 82' Welshmann)
Coach: R. Nelsen [but skipped the game to scout players]
At this point, I'd say most fans are pro-Nelsen here in Toronto. The question is though, will TFC's owners give him enough time with the team? He's our 8th coach in 7 seasons. The longest stint a coach has had was a season and a half. The shortest was a mere 10 games. TFC's owners are super trigger happy with blowing up the team and starting over. It's not worked for us, and fans are getting very cynical.
The team's "higher uppers" are notorious for making a lot of noise and creating incredible hype, but the team continues to lose. It's so frustrating. Hopefully they'll stick with Ryan and his team for a few years!!
Having said all of that, there are fans that don't like him, and question his lack of coaching experience. From what I've read, they are in the minority though.
This is a great piece by Michael Brown on how Ryan Nelsen's going at TFC:
Nelsen straps himself in for the ride
It's a pretty balanced piece, although the last sentence is puke-inducing. It's clear that Kevin Payne's still got Ryan's back but I like that Brown also talked to a local journo who admits to still being unsure.
This is a great piece by Michael Brown on how Ryan Nelsen's going at TFC:
Nelsen straps himself in for the ride
It's a pretty balanced piece, although the last sentence is puke-inducing. It's clear that Kevin Payne's still got Ryan's back but I like that Brown also talked to a local journo who admits to still being unsure.
1-1 draw with New England this morning. Toronto really is a hard watch, just nothing creative in their midfield atm.