Nick Cushing's nightmarish start as interim manager had NYCFC in a nosedive. Kevin Nelson investigates what went wrong, who's to blame, and what the implications are for the playoffs.
I really think it was the injuries above all else. With a full squad now, at near full-strength, we'll see what Nick really has under the hood. I'm pretty confident he's going to show what a quality manager he really is (personally, I think he's done that already).
I tend to agree. The injuries and pending Taty departure feels like it predicated most of what we've seen from Cushing so far. Decision Day and the playoffs should give us the clearest picture yet of his direction as a coach.
So far, so good. That was a fine performance in Atlanta (well, for the first 65 minutes at least) and his tactical adjustments were spot-on. Nick showed some chops.
Full disclosure: I thought from the beginning we had our man. There was maybe just a niggling little doubt in my mind the first couple weeks, but that was solely based on the body language -- his and the team's -- in a YouTube video of him talking to the squad in the dressing room after a match.
Not much to go on. And it was during the adjustment period right after Deila's departure, so I'm sure everyone was a little uncomfortable to begin with.
He really looks to have settled in now, though. He's our guy.
I really think it was the injuries above all else. With a full squad now, at near full-strength, we'll see what Nick really has under the hood. I'm pretty confident he's going to show what a quality manager he really is (personally, I think he's done that already).
I tend to agree. The injuries and pending Taty departure feels like it predicated most of what we've seen from Cushing so far. Decision Day and the playoffs should give us the clearest picture yet of his direction as a coach.
So far, so good. That was a fine performance in Atlanta (well, for the first 65 minutes at least) and his tactical adjustments were spot-on. Nick showed some chops.
Full disclosure: I thought from the beginning we had our man. There was maybe just a niggling little doubt in my mind the first couple weeks, but that was solely based on the body language -- his and the team's -- in a YouTube video of him talking to the squad in the dressing room after a match.
Not much to go on. And it was during the adjustment period right after Deila's departure, so I'm sure everyone was a little uncomfortable to begin with.
He really looks to have settled in now, though. He's our guy.