This past weekend the New England Revolution put a 4-0 beat down on the lowly New York Red Bulls. A team that should start a goal down just for having a stupid name. Red Bulls? It’s a stupid caffeine drink. It’s bad for your health to boot. The stupid name handicap was not needed though. The Revs, or any other team this year, had no trouble with the eastern conference bottom dwellers. The win was not the significant issue, it was the play of Taylor Twellman in his second appearance since an injury sidelined him most of the year. The appearance of Twellman should be a welcome sight, but it highlights a nagging reality to anyone who watched the games. Without Twellman the team is average. And, anyone who follows the Revs knows that Taylor is hurt just as often as he’s on the pitch. This leaves the team in a precarious spot. Stevie Nicol’s answer’s to the absence of Twellman is to move Sharie up to the frontline and put Phalen in the mid-field. This setup has produced results, but come playoff time I don’t see this line-up feeding the bear. This weekends game was a microcosm of the hopes and fear of all Revs fans. In the first half, without Twellman, the Revs played the Red Bulls pretty much straight up. They got the advantage at the half 1-0 but it was by no means out of reach at that point for the Bulls. In the second half, Twellman subs, Sharie goes back to the mid-field and Phalen grabs some pine. This line-up dominated New York from the first roll of the ball in the second half to the final whistle. Awesome? Sure, its the Revs we love. The two Gambian terrors having track meets along the sidelines, stretching the D; Twellman and Ralston threatening the middle and Sharie policing and delivering balls to the forwards, so what’s the problem? Taylor is often hurt. Hurt more then healthy. That is the problem. And once Twellman’s out, Sharie has to move up and we lose not one weapon but two. Sharie is a capable forward, but not a natural. So, the trade becomes one great striker and one great mid-fielder for one decent striker and a decent mid-fielder with Phalen being the addition. My hope would be that another decent striker could be found. I know that’s a little ridiculous to say. Everyone wants a decent striker. My point is that, Sharie should be in the mid-field with or without Twellman. I would rather have him there and then try and work someone into what would be Twellman’s spot. I’m not questioning the coaches. I’m sure Stevie Nicols is getting the most out of what he’s got. I just want someone on the bench to take up the slack. The way it is, the coaches are saying that our mid-fielders can play forward better then our forwards can. Someone has to be able to take Twellman’s spot and leave Sharie to play back. Bench players, I’m looking at one of you.
DR