[browna]

With the players who are missing, it means Canada has to play a totally different style if they want to try and win these games.

You're not playing the ball up and creating through Estaquio or Buchanan and have and trust them use their skill and keep possession, you are playing it up through young guys or second stringers trying to learn, while playing against somewhat more experienced players, and the result is not having clean possession or continuing the move as much.

Even if those young midfielders navigate fine, their options then aren't Davies or Larin to continue the move, it's a plug like Cavallini running up and down the field like a rinocerous (with a touch to match) to try and service, again a totally different style and skill set.

That makes things super tough on Herdman. Do you play the same style as you do with your talent in there, so that thr younger players will learn that style for when the star skilled players are back? Or do you adapt the style to play a different game to play to the strengths of the players here to try and win these games, and hope the young players adapt back to the proper style when the stars as back?

To me, it looks like the former, where Herdman isn't changing the style or tactics to match the lesser talent he has right now, and forcing these young players to learn to play this way. Without the experience and or individual talent to execute the game plan, they are struggling to move the ball up the field.

But again, do this with all up and coming talent so they gain the experience and learn the playing style the hard way. The above mentioned Cavallini should be the last player on the field.