Gutting (guttering - if you are SBW) result. Easily the best performance by an AWs side for a decade.
Tactically we got it right so well done Baze and Elliot. The press, midfield rotation, and switch to TP in behind worked well (save for the A league quality crossing but that's not a reflection on the tactics).
Physically we bossed them. Boxall was immense - Ive never seen a better display outside Nelsen. Easily Boxall's best game for the AWs - esp with the ball - his passing and drives forward were exceptional. Before this game I thought he'd start with the young guys but cant replace Boxie now.
My ratings as follows:
Crocs - 7 - didnt have much to do but doesn't give me the yips and breaths confidence. I like him.
FDV - 7 - defended well and didnt get too exposed as had cover from the 6's. Didnt get forward as much into crossing postions.
Boxall - 10 - legend. Strong, quality delivery. Class.
Bindon - 8 - confidnet, won his challenges, good deoevry.
Payne - 6 - good endeavor - but the gulf to A League was on full display today - esp when A League is in off season. No faulting his engine though - thought he lost a few too many 1 v 1 vs Bos.
Bell - 9 - unsung hero again. He's going Championship net year. Physical, smart, energetic. Back to his best.
Thomas - 10 - best on the park. Silky, quality passing range. Maybe a little negative and passive first 10 minutes but then stepped up the tempo and controlled it.
Singh - 9 - physical, great movement, good himself facing the goal more which has been an issue of late for us with too many touches facing backwards. Receiving the ball more on the turn and adjusting his technique. Now have faith he IS the guy to be our 10 and unlock those defenses.
Just - 8 - robust (playing like he was 15 kg heavier) and mobile. Always looking for the quick one-two or pass splitting defensive. Notably defended and pressed very well which gave us the chances. For the front 3 this was most impressive was their off the ball work rate.
Callum McC - 7 - best game in an AWs shirt for a while. Looked composed and not rushing, good decision ,making.
Wood - 7 - did well in lead up play- holding it up well with immense strength but finishing was tame. Kinda fell like that about the best we cab expect of the other 10 players and in these moments to get results we cant have Woodsy having an off day.
Subs:
Clearly showed the gulf between the A League (out of season) and in season Europe.
Rufer 6 - laboured, slow to react. Messy. At fault for their goal.
McGarry - 7 - want to see him play more on Tuesday. Still looks like one of the most natural talents we have - just whether his decision making and final product can match.
Elliot - 7 -did well. Showed good pace and strength. Want to see more of him on Tuesday.
Old - 6 - not much to write about. Busy with little end product.
Baze - 9 - we are seeing a pattern of play now. A pattern Im enjoying watching and that resonates with a team.. his subs were to manage minutes rather than win the game per se. Hope in Auckland we dont get the same crap we got at eden park after the 2022 Brisbane game where the guys performed well.' Move to 5 at the back ultimately proved costly as we invited them too deep and when you then get sloppy with marking you are in trouble,
Hard loss to take - i was so proud of the performance for the first 70 mins. We need Garbett and Old to give us bench impact like the aussies had.
Tactically we got it right so well done Baze and Elliot. The press, midfield rotation, and switch to TP in behind worked well (save for the A league quality crossing but that's not a reflection on the tactics).
Physically we bossed them. Boxall was immense - Ive never seen a better display outside Nelsen. Easily Boxall's best game for the AWs - esp with the ball - his passing and drives forward were exceptional. Before this game I thought he'd start with the young guys but cant replace Boxie now.
My ratings as follows:
Crocs - 7 - didnt have much to do but doesn't give me the yips and breaths confidence. I like him.
FDV - 7 - defended well and didnt get too exposed as had cover from the 6's. Didnt get forward as much into crossing postions.
Boxall - 10 - legend. Strong, quality delivery. Class.
Bindon - 8 - confidnet, won his challenges, good deoevry.
Payne - 6 - good endeavor - but the gulf to A League was on full display today - esp when A League is in off season. No faulting his engine though - thought he lost a few too many 1 v 1 vs Bos.
Bell - 9 - unsung hero again. He's going Championship net year. Physical, smart, energetic. Back to his best.
Thomas - 10 - best on the park. Silky, quality passing range. Maybe a little negative and passive first 10 minutes but then stepped up the tempo and controlled it.
Singh - 9 - physical, great movement, good himself facing the goal more which has been an issue of late for us with too many touches facing backwards. Receiving the ball more on the turn and adjusting his technique. Now have faith he IS the guy to be our 10 and unlock those defenses.
Just - 8 - robust (playing like he was 15 kg heavier) and mobile. Always looking for the quick one-two or pass splitting defensive. Notably defended and pressed very well which gave us the chances. For the front 3 this was most impressive was their off the ball work rate.
Callum McC - 7 - best game in an AWs shirt for a while. Looked composed and not rushing, good decision ,making.
Wood - 7 - did well in lead up play- holding it up well with immense strength but finishing was tame. Kinda fell like that about the best we cab expect of the other 10 players and in these moments to get results we cant have Woodsy having an off day.
Subs:
Clearly showed the gulf between the A League (out of season) and in season Europe.
Rufer 6 - laboured, slow to react. Messy. At fault for their goal.
McGarry - 7 - want to see him play more on Tuesday. Still looks like one of the most natural talents we have - just whether his decision making and final product can match.
Elliot - 7 -did well. Showed good pace and strength. Want to see more of him on Tuesday.
Old - 6 - not much to write about. Busy with little end product.
Baze - 9 - we are seeing a pattern of play now. A pattern Im enjoying watching and that resonates with a team.. his subs were to manage minutes rather than win the game per se. Hope in Auckland we dont get the same crap we got at eden park after the 2022 Brisbane game where the guys performed well.' Move to 5 at the back ultimately proved costly as we invited them too deep and when you then get sloppy with marking you are in trouble,
Hard loss to take - i was so proud of the performance for the first 70 mins. We need Garbett and Old to give us bench impact like the aussies had.
Don't agree with everything you wrote, but enough to give it a This. I'd say the first half was the most impressive 45 mins from the AWs in a decade or more, if not the whole game.
But seriously in that first half the Aussie midfielders like Yazbek had bewildered looks on their faces. They had no answer and I agree Boxall was immense, my MOTM. He had Martin Boyle a very good player (if out of position) completely in his pocket.
There is a real conumdrum now for Bazeley. It's seems such a waste to have either of Surman or Boxall on the pine. Payne wasn't terrible, but there is always going to be a nagging temptation to move Bindon to RB more permanently. I think that is more likely that a back 3/5, if the plan is to get all 3 high quality CBs onto the field together.
And yeah I also have some faith Garbett off the pine can really make a difference. I think he's going to go very well in League One.