HealthyDebate wrote: ↑Wed Apr 17, 2019 8:14 am
I believe the fO game for Navy has taken steps forward. The wings seemed more engaged and active then games past. Nick Barry has emerged as the next Brady Dove and Joe Varello.
Ryan Kern is emerging as a consistent backdrop and etching his name in Navy goalie lure.
If we can roll over consistent defensive play like we have seen in spurts the past 2 games (in halves) and get the offense going again. I’m very hopeful for the next two games. I don’t care what stats say, when we want to play, we play. When we lose focus we get beat.
I’m open to being critical and I enjoy dissecting every part of Navy’s game. I see light when most see darkness. This doesn’t have the same feel of 2017 AT ALL.
Healthy,
I see the light too. I think that the whole Navy 2019 team has taken steps forward and continues to develop. It's early and I'm not giving up on the new season that starts on April 30th, but it is really hard to think that next year doesn't look really good. Kern and all of the D-poles and D-Mids are back, plus all of attack. I agree that Barry has played well and is a big surprise at FO, especially since Shockey's departure from NAPS created a glaring hole. Coach Sowell and Wellner filled that gap and the future at FO looks solid too. A couple of more seasons and he will be there alongside Dove and Varello. Need a couple of guys to really step up at midfield but everything else looks good.
Back to this week, it will be a huge test for Barry since Syracuse is not struggling at FO, as pointed out by other posts. I share your hope and believe that consistent defensive play will be a huge swing factor. If Navy can convert the recent strong spurts into a whole game, I think that it will be a tight game. Navy needs a strong defensive outing because Syracuse has several offensive guns and the offense will be facing one of the stronger defensive tests of the year. Plus, there is a huge dilemma with Navy's offense - Do you want to expand the bench to build game experience and keep the first line healthy for BU and the PL quarters or do you go with your horses?
Factoring in last year's loss, Syracuse comes out with a win. I would like to think differently but the upside is that it doesn't factor into the PL outlook. If I'm right, look for another quick update on Coach Sowell's record, the carping from the posse to escalate, and added "massive amounts of calls for change".
As you say, "I don’t care what stats say, when we want to play, we play. When we lose focus we get beat." I think that they want to play and they'll win if they play to their potential! I am looking for the Mids to not give up the ship and finish the season strong!
Fingers crossed that the rematch with Army happens.
Go Navy!
“The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall.” Vince Lombardi
"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are...." John Wooden