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Posted by
Steve Bottjer,
July 4, 2012 |
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Email Steve Bottjer
Twitter @BottjerRNO |
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With the end of the reign of Aron Winter and the early days of the Paul Mariner era now upon us, change is the name of the game at TFC these days. The 4-3-3 is out and Joao Plata is apparently on his way back to South America. A more traditional MLS 4-4-2 is now in under Mariner and the players on the squad are having to adjust their games accordingly.
Often when a team makes a coaching change due to poor performance, the first players to struggle to maintain their minutes are the young players on the squad, with the incoming manager often choosing to go with seasoned and experienced veterans with an eye towards turning the ship around immediately.
With that truism in mind, it is genuinely impressive that 21 year old fullback Ashtone Morgan has not only continued to play ninety minutes game in, game out under Mariner, but he has actually been one of the team's most impressive performers over the club's four game unbeaten streak.
According to Morgan, he has just kept his head down, continued to work hard and enjoyed the benefits a suddenly very confident and positive TFC environment. He is also quick to tout the positive energy and fighting spirit that Mariner has brought to both games and training sessions.
"He is always pushing us, day in day out. And he is always very excited on the bench and is constantly yelling at us. It gets us going and it is really good. The atmosphere (around the team) is really high and really good and positive now," says Morgan.
Over the last four games, Morgan has been one of Toronto's key offensive weapons, as he has delivered crosses into the opposition box with laser like precision.
Designated player and current MLS Player of the Week Danny Koevermans has benefited from the service that Morgan has been providing and speaks in a complementary fashion whenever he is asked for his opinion of the reigning U-20 Canadian Player of the Year.
"His delivery has been excellent. I hope the kid keeps going on like that. It is important for us, especially for me and Ryan (Johnson)," says Koevermans.
As for lightning quick fullback himself, he is equally quick to point out how important Koevermans is to TFC's fortunes and he is just hopeful that he can continue to combine with the Dutchman in a manner that will result in more positive results for Toronto FC in the coming weeks and months.
"It's great that the big man is scoring. It's his job and it is great for him to get on the scoreboard, because it helps us a lot as a team. I'm here to help and I think I'm in the zone right now. It's been working for the team and for myself, so it's been really good," says Morgan.
While the 4-3-3 formation that Toronto played under previous Head Coach Aron Winter was a very attacking oriented system that played to the strengths of a young left back who is particulary talented in the offensive aspects of the game, the change to a 4-4-2 has actually benefited Morgan by the simple virtue that he now has two big target men (Koevermans and Ryan Johnson) to deliver crosses towards.
"I now have Ryan and Danny. Two big threats. It makes it easier for me and I'm just happy that I have two guys in the box to finish things off day in, day out. It is really good," says Morgan.
The move to a new formation has also meant that Morgan usually does not have an attacking forward playing ahead of him on the left side, which makes it all the more imperative that he jumps into the attack regulary in order to give the team ample width in the attacking third.
"I've been told to pick and choose my times and it's been working out. If I make three overlaps in a game, I have make sure they are three good overlaps and that I get three good crosses in," says Morgan.
Morgan also sees his team's confidence on the defensive side of things increasing with every game under Mariner. While his team struggled to slam the door against the opposition in draws against Houston and New England, the team has now shut out Montreal on the road and held Thierry Henry and the Red Bulls to one goal in a draw at BMO Field on Saturday.
"It's great for the confidence. We had two draws before that and won 3-0 against our rivals. We just keep working and learning with every game," says Morgan.
With Morgan excelling under Mariner and the new tactical approach, I ended off my chat with the Canadian International by asking him if he thinks we could see a return of the 4-3-3 at any point, even if it just late in games when TFC is behind or to just give the opposition something to think about.
"That's up to the Gaffer. We just play what he wants us to play," finished Morgan.
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