Donny was very responsible for bringing players in this year. He and Manny worked closely but ultimately Donny got to make the decisions. I know for a fact that Donny tried to bring in some very solid defenders but we lost out each and every time. Again, this is part of the issue with the team. They only had X amount to spend on players salary this year and were handcuffed. We also have a harder time getting players to MN for a number of reasons that the FO could possibly change to make signing more attractive. I will perhaps go into that another time. As well, we have the MN cold, no good competition up here in the spring amongst some other issues going against the Thunder. We will always fight those things.

I did the first interview as a coach with Donny last fall. He has learned fast but agree and have heard it from others as well, that it would be nice to hear him speak his mind sometimes. He has a tendency to be very careful and say all the right coaching phrases but not get down to the meat of things at times. I know he can do it because I’ve have heard him do that off the record and he’s a really interesting guy, pretty fiery but also sort of an introvert in that he’s quiet on the outside.

No more comments from me on Dyachenko because I think they would be pretty negative if I was to elaborate. I just wonder how well he fits in with the team after watching him get off the field as fast as he can after games and try to avoid singing autographs for the kids.

In terms of Donny’s quote – maybe instead of waxing on about team depth, he needs to go a bit “Joe Kinnear” with his press statements. It’d certainly breathe some life into those official press releases. Also, I wouldn’t mind seeing him more fiery on the touchline. He must’ve been able to motivate the players at the tail end of last season – this season’s performance could be a result of some real lack of consistent motivation? I respect Donny’s ability and still have faith that he can push the squad to turn things around. Everybody’s frustrated, from supporters to players to the ticket booth staff. Things need to start happening as of Saturday and now’s the time, what with the long home stand.

I’d like to see something more from Dyachenko as well, though he has great ability to get into space – turns well, works hard to get around defenders – people have complained about his lack of defensive tenacity, but I think he works hard. He’s probably the player I had the highest expectations of heading into this season – I’m possibly giving him too much leeway for that reason. Ricardo on the other hand, has really frustrated me from this season through to last in terms of work ethic and sportsmanship. He’s a set piece threat, but really doesn’t do much more than Dyachenko if you’re comparing the two.

Midfielder in particular I’m thinking about is Dyachenko. Way to soft at times. He can be masterful with the ball but far to soft and it seems like every game in the first have he has a near chance that almost goes in but never does. Compare him to a Steel, or a Nash. You see guys who are a lot more solid defensively, tough and good passers of the ball. Plus they score. Sanchez can also frustrate me to know end. He will track someone down if he’s been beaten but often does not do the defensive work I would like to see. But with Sanchez you know he always has the ability to score.

The depth that Donny wanted to “rely” on just isn’t there at the moment, since most substitutes haven’t seen any playing time (due to injury, total lack of substitutes being used in matches thus far, e.g.). In my mind, you can’t talk about relying on depth if you never explore the depth that the team might have, as you say. I tend to agree that man for man, we have more skilled players than Miami, Cleveland, and Austin and there have been several matches where we’ve been unlucky in getting the results. Unfortunately though, we’re at the bottom of the table and we’re not getting the results that those teams seem to be getting.

Greenfield is massively underrated and massively missed when he’s out – you’re spot on there. Bass’ stock has risen dramatically as of late – he’s been running himself ragged the last few games between the boxes. Who do you feel is lacking in the midfield?

“However, if the team had stuck a couple of those balls in the back of the net earlier, we would most likely be telling a different story.” As you know, this has been an unfortunate mantra all season and it’s a typical saying in the sport. The fact is, our chances on goal leading up to the PK weren’t as quality as Vancouver’s (Cvilikas had a few decent chances if I recall).

As to Kevin Friedland is coming off a long injury. It’s his first game back. I didn’t see the tackle but cut him some slack. He’s a decent defender.

Knox hasn’t been getting very many starts this year after coming off an ACL.

I do agree that our whole team has issues with speed. The defense was not really bolstered this winter. The team tried to bid for a number of decent central defenders and were always outbid. I don’t want to say a lot about it at this time but there lies the real core issue with the team. Greenfield did not make the trip and I am not sure if that was injury or not. Greenfield is underrated and holds the back line together. Without him it only gets worse. The fact that Clements, a rookie, has gotten so many starts this year says a lot about the lack of depth of our defenders. However, the bigger issue in my mind is in central midfield were there are issues with players just not sticking it in and playing D and being tenacious for 90 min.

Last night, as I stated, the team played with Vancouver for most of the match until the PK. It was all down hill after that. However, if the team had stuck a couple of those balls in the back of the net earlier, we would most likely be telling a different story. However, this is the same story we’ve been talking about all season. Same issues almost every game.

They might’ve relied on the team’s depth, which is how come the scoreline was 4-nil.

…and by depth I mean one sub in the 70minute.