Wouldn't mind seeing Holden play behind Dempsey and Bradley...anyone know the latest on his recovery?

Ha....I'll explain why. One, we don't have strikers that score goals right now, Bradley has a nose for goal and is one of the few that is a legitimate threat from distance. He has done a great job of getting into position to score from the 8. Secondly, the critical ball...you haven't been watching Bradley lately if you don't believe he can do that, his game has vastly improved in the past two years. Third, defensively while Bradley can fill in at the 6, he isn't a sound enough tackler to play there full time. You see what has happened on set pieces the past year. So I definitely disagree with Bradley having a much better defensive presence (unless you are referring to the destroyer which we don't need) I compare Holden's game to Lucas Leiva, both were offensive-minded CMs but have worked at the 6 and became really good. Tactically very good, sees the field very well and stepping up to intercept or break up play, and a great tackler...yet the offensive skills to keep possession for the team and make the right passes and the ability to split a defense as soon as the outside backs/CBs give him the ball. Lastly....not like it's a big deal and you don't want to think about it or do this because of it.....but it would get Holden away from the destroyer type DMs or CBs with their psychotic tackles. Also Bradley has the engine to play the 8. Doing this allows to put the best players on the field and to add to the attack where we will lack till we get a striker that can score regularly for the Nats.

Now I'm sure you haven't watched much of either of these players lately (at prior to his injury on Holden). Holden was splitting time between the 6 and the 8 at Bolton depending on who Coyle shooed out in the starting 11. He led the EPL....the EPL...in tackles without a yellow...which means he was making timely, sound tackles....something Bradley hasn't mastered. The service excuse.....I've seen games where they get great service and still not score. Again...I'm not set on playing Holden at the 6...I just think it puts the best players on the field and gives us the best cover for our weak CBs.

Holden is a great tackler, like USnLFCfan has already stated. If healthy, I would like to see Holden and Bradley lineup ala Schweinsteiger and Khedira do for Germany in a 4-2-3-1. Holden would absolutely take more of the defensive responsibility between the 2. Bradley is a much better player when he defense isnt his first concern. Holden on the other hand is a great 6/8 hybrid kind of guy, much better than Jones.

Here is the best website I've found for keeping up on Stu Holden's injury update, I think he'll be back after the winter break to help Bolton push for a better second half of the season.

http://www.lionofviennasuite.com/injury-updates] http://www.lionofviennasuite.com/injury-updates[/url]

If Stu gets back from injury and is playing well, why not play them both? Klinsmann could keep moving towards a preferred 4-3-3 as we keep progressing...

..Chandler*. ..Cameron.....Boca*.....Johnson
......... ............Jones/Williams..............
......... ......Bradley.........Holden................
...Winger .................................winger.....
.............. ............Striker...........................

I'm probably missing some but:
*Dolo, Gonzo, Besler, Brooks
Dempsey, Donovan, Jozy, Johnson, Gomez, Zusi, Shea, Gatt fill out the wingers/strikers

Now on the field Bradley and Holden can split offensive/defensive responsibilities fluidly

USnLFCfan's assessment is right on the money. Incidentally, the Bradley-Holden-Jones trio played exactly two game together, friendlies against Poland and Colombia in October 2010. They combined to set up Jozy for the opening goal against Poland. Watch the highlights if you want to feel melancholic about what might have been.

Sasha had an 89th minute assist to tie Malaga today. Unfortunately they still finished 4th and ae out of Europe but still shows he knows how to put people in position to succeed