I am not a chicken little guy, and the sky is not falling, and there is a chance, albeit a slim one, that the US can fight their way back into this match tomorrow.
BUT
The way they are playing seems very out of character. First, I realize that losing JB so close to match time hurt. But after watching Cory the last 2 days, you cant convince me that he was our best option. Steyer, Eberle, Dechaine, heck I like Josh Robert's over the way Cory is playing.
Second, I also get that we have lost a few hill-hill matches, but we have lost a few in which we had big leads, where poor position play or poor decisions cost us.
And finally I get that it is a strange year surrounded by unusual circumstances, but as far as I know, the Euros are dealing with the same conditions.
Taking all that into account, the team just looks "off".
Several times yesterday or today there have been maybe 2 guys watching the matches, a couple times the camera panned over and only Billy and Joey were in the arena. That has not been the case over the last two years that I can remember, and very rarely did they show the Euros where there wasn't 4-5 players there cheering and high firing.
I find it hard to believe the US could have come in overconfident. One look at the opposing roster of killers should take care of that.
Is it complacency from winning the last 2 years? Maybe lost that drive and desire to win?
I don't know. I am not a pool insider and I am no Mosconi expert...but I have spent a career around teams and athletes from Olympic to high school levels. One thing I have learned is "attitude reflects leadership"
Maybe Johan is a true genius and the missing element for this year. I understand that JJ is very well respected, a great ambassador, world class commentator, and all the other well deserved accolades, but that doesn't necessarily translate into a good coach (in this format).
When a team (any sport) underperforms, plays sloppy, looks apathetic, etc. Then that falls directly on the coach. Throw in the decision to bring on Cory and the first timer CRob ( who has played well), and this is definitely JJ's team.
I just can't imagine, with his track record, a Johan coached team looking this out of sorts.
Maybe I am wrong and way off base? I hope so. Is there another explanation or something I am missing?
BUT
The way they are playing seems very out of character. First, I realize that losing JB so close to match time hurt. But after watching Cory the last 2 days, you cant convince me that he was our best option. Steyer, Eberle, Dechaine, heck I like Josh Robert's over the way Cory is playing.
Second, I also get that we have lost a few hill-hill matches, but we have lost a few in which we had big leads, where poor position play or poor decisions cost us.
And finally I get that it is a strange year surrounded by unusual circumstances, but as far as I know, the Euros are dealing with the same conditions.
Taking all that into account, the team just looks "off".
Several times yesterday or today there have been maybe 2 guys watching the matches, a couple times the camera panned over and only Billy and Joey were in the arena. That has not been the case over the last two years that I can remember, and very rarely did they show the Euros where there wasn't 4-5 players there cheering and high firing.
I find it hard to believe the US could have come in overconfident. One look at the opposing roster of killers should take care of that.
Is it complacency from winning the last 2 years? Maybe lost that drive and desire to win?
I don't know. I am not a pool insider and I am no Mosconi expert...but I have spent a career around teams and athletes from Olympic to high school levels. One thing I have learned is "attitude reflects leadership"
Maybe Johan is a true genius and the missing element for this year. I understand that JJ is very well respected, a great ambassador, world class commentator, and all the other well deserved accolades, but that doesn't necessarily translate into a good coach (in this format).
When a team (any sport) underperforms, plays sloppy, looks apathetic, etc. Then that falls directly on the coach. Throw in the decision to bring on Cory and the first timer CRob ( who has played well), and this is definitely JJ's team.
I just can't imagine, with his track record, a Johan coached team looking this out of sorts.
Maybe I am wrong and way off base? I hope so. Is there another explanation or something I am missing?