Auckland City FC - Thanks a Trillion

It was an interesting but boring game. Auckland won 4-0 but Manawatu had 3, clear cut chances (and the only 3 they had) and they would have been put away by 99% of the other teams in the world except Manawatu.

Lets not dress it up to be anything other than a crap Manawatu team that was dominated by ACFC that never got out of 1st gear because they were allowed to play football with ease.

Matt Borren is a class keeper but his 2 CBs (one of which was Cooksley) were just rank awful. Chuck in a waste of space Matt Kennedy, a midget in Tyson Brandt who would struggle at u11 level such is his stature to ability ratio, a striker with 2 left feet that uses neither, Dale Higham who never looked up once and always ran out of space or into 2 defenders and away from his options, a LB that could not mark a his own shadow and just some inept tactics, and that pretty much sums up Manawatu. Cowan had a 1v1 that should have been put away, Solumon did all the work in beating everyone and blazed over with just Pritchett on the goal line and another where they just seems to want to smack the shit out of it, right at a defender. This team deserves to be rightfully bottom. They are that bad.

Auckland didn't need to try (and didn't) because Manawatu offered nothing. The best of them was Bale and the 3 subs Corrales, Hicks and Browne. MOM should go to Ramon for not picking the Japanese boy. Also Tade got his full 90 and drifted out of the game for most of it. Don't say I didn't tell you so.

I thought ACFC showed more attacking attitude against Manawatu yesterday, they certainly seemed to want to move the ball forward more than usual. Probably had a lot to do with the obvious weakeness of the opposition and having Tade and Exposito running the line up front rather than Dicko with his back to goal. Danko was his usual industrious self but he seems to have lost some of his instincts for shots on goal, maybe it's just time catching up with him. I think Tade showed he's more than a 20 minute impact player. Corrales had a good run but seemed a bit subdued, probably as he became a father just recently.

Pritchett's crosses were too often overhit, but he showed some commendable pace for an oldie. Still not convinced that Bale is an imporvement on Mulligan. Ian Hogg was at the ground, would love to see him back in the team.

The real note was David Browne, what an explosive senior introduction he had. Still only 16 but took his goal with aplomb (would have had two but for a dubious offside flag). I think he's potentially another Rojas and I hope the club can keep him for a few years.

Overall pleased with attacking attitude, especially considering it came off tiring CWC trip. We have to keep winning to have any chance of catching runaway Waitakere. Game against rejuvinated Waikato on Jan 6 should be a real test. 

browne sounds promising, i gather he's allso eligible for new zealand?

I thought Browne was robbed as well because it looked like he ran through fine. He has a ton of gas. Didn't realise he was 16 but looks promising.

Ali Manawatu were simply awful. The 4 goals your team got, were without effort. It bloody well should have been closer to 10 such was the calibre of opposition so yes, I don't think they really tried. Manawatu's tactics relied on heaving it forward in the air to Mosquera who was marked by the best CB pairing in the league.... The question should then be asked, why punt it through aerially against 2 very good CBs who are both very strong in the air? Thats how stupid and inept their tactics were - they played to Aucklands strengths!

The second half, Auckland were allowed to play because Manawatu gave up. How often was the ball cleared out and no one was sitting on the half for Manawatu? Auckland could then restart their attack. Granted they played some nice football but with your team against that lot, it should have been a barrelling and the best summary I can give of that game was a training run. Maybe 12 freekicks? The interesting parts were the Browne boy, how woeful Manawatu really are and how Tade did not do much in his 90 mins. Corrales I have never been a fan of but he deserves a full 90. He was quick, deft touches and left the LB for dead with movement consistently.

Good teams put shit teams away. 4-0 on paper looks like they did but watching it, it should have been a lot more.

I really hope we do not see Manawatu v Otago as a Phoenix curtain raiser on TV...

Isn't Browne from PNG? Saw him in the preseason and he did look good, but as alireggae said I'm sure he is eligible or will be made eligible

I agree but yesterday no - back from Japan and new dad of a few days - he was knackered.

I gather he has played for PNG Under 17 but if he stays in NZ a few more years he'll become eligible for the All Whites. I think he's a real find and could be another Rojas. Hope City can hang on to him for a few more years.

Don't agree JV that Tade did nothing. He did some good one twos with Exposito and always looked deadly. He even tracked back and won back balls. I think you have a blind spot when it comes to Tade. I agree he drifted out of the game a few times but that had more to do with the woeful Manawatu defence who kept hoofing the ball wildly up field.

I do agree it should have been more than four, but it was still good to see ACFC move forward with speed and play an attacking game. It was understandable they took their foot off the gas after going three up because they'd come off a tiring trip to Japan. Browne and Hicks showed what fresh legs can do and it's a pity both didn't get game time against Hiroshima. Tade should have been on from the outset of that game rather than Dicko.

True Ali, but it would be nice to win the minor Premiership and guarantee our place in the O League playoffs in 2014 irrespective of what happens in the GF.

This is actually quite positive stuff by JV, believe it or not. At least "dismal crap" didn't litter his match report so the dear chap must have been feeling quite chipper when he wrote the above.

Was good to see Ian Hogg at the game. He did say he had made no decision about playing for ACFC now he's a free agent again. I think he must be still hankering to get a professional contract somewhere - A League perhaps?

If City don't re-sign Hogg quick then Marshall might dangle a fat carrot and tempt him out West. Hoggy coming up behind Krishna, Pearce and De Vries would be scary - and possibly a season-clincher.

That's a bit of a petty attitude if he wants to play at a higher level. Is that why Jacob is not playing, cause he had a god A League game.

Hogg would be a massive upgrade to Morgan. You wouldn't want to play for loopy Braithwaite and Luke Rowe is already under performing for TW in that position.

[quote=Jeff Vader]

That's a bit of a petty attitude if he wants to play at a higher level. Is that why Jacob is not playing, cause he had a god A League game.

Hogg would be a massive upgrade to Morgan. You wouldn't want to play for loopy Braithwaite and Luke Rowe is already under performing for TW in that position.

Have to admit I'd hate to see Hogg join the Westies. I hope the lad finds a professional contract somewhere ( I did propose him  for Crystal Palace on their fan site), otherwise I hope he comes back to ACFC, even just for the rest of this season.

Spoonley to Waitakere? It would be a shame but you can't blame the lad for wanting to play. I just hope Luis Corrales isn't tempted to move across town because he's being benched too often recently. He's definitely a positive player we need to give more game time to.

I'd be gutted if hoggy went out west also spoonleyi

So if I buy what you are selling (IF) you are basically saying that the party is over at ACFC.

I find that a bit hard to swallow.

Western Springs the coming FORZA in Auckland football!

A bit premature JV (hopefully) but what's this about Corrales going to Wellington? Is it being suggested that the little dynamo is being tempted by the Phoenix? It would be bad for ACFC if that is the case and would be down to his not getting more game time because of a too defensive mindset at the moment. We can't lose Ian Hogg and Corrales too with the current mountain we're facing.

In the light of recent developments - the Nix trying and failing at 'total football'; City displeasing sections of the crowd with too much 'tika taka', it has been announced that as of this coming weekend Ramon Trib is taking over the reigns at Wellington Phoenix (short-term contract, length dependent upon results and Gareth's whim); and Ricki Herbert will be warming the dugout at Kiwitea St. (long-term contract: he wants to see some Auckland sunshine again before he dies).

Watched the Canty v City highlights  - Well done City fans - non stop singing!!

 Hawkes Bay v City, next weekend's thrilla. Then it's GAME ON! at Kiwitea. Followed by a sideshow at Eden Pk.

Sorry mate, Herbert has already coached at Kiwitea Street for Central United and they don't rate him. However I'm sure Ramon would love to coach a fully professional club in the A League. Expect a blizzard of off contract CV's from Spanish professionals if he does.

I was going to suggest Angel Berlanga as a good capable full back for the Phoenix but now he's taken up a lucrative offer from the Indian I-League and has left City anyway. We miss him already. Too many good players have departed the club this season - Hogg, Berlanga, Corrales.  I fear we're going to struggle to overhaul a rampant Waitakere, especially with our overly defensive tiki taka style and our strikers being a bit off form.

Trueblue "Too many good players have departed the club this season - Hogg, Berlanga, Corrales. "

Where's Jeff Vader's favourite up and coming player Jason Hicks?

He's gone too apparently. The only incoming I know of is Jordan Vale. Poor old Danko and Reira are going to have to mop up more than ever. I think ACFC are definitely weaker now than at the start of the season, and it's a concern.

Don't worry overmuch. There'll soon be some ex-Phoenix players looking for game time.

Hicks has moved to Wellington for non-football reasons, i.e work/career.

That's at least four gone then, who are their replacements or has the transfer window closed in this part of the world? 

Lochead, Lia, Sigmund, Downey