Herbert rejects criticism

Wellington Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert has rejected claims he has been playing a defensively focused side in the A-League soccer competition.

A heart-breaking last-minute draw to North Queensland at the weekend on top of a season record of one win, two losses and three other draws, has sparked questions about why Wellington is struggling to seal games.

Herbert said the results were not down to his side playing overly defensively, rather it was a matter of getting the balls into the back of the net.

"I think it's about taking some of those chances now. We've created over 38 chances in the last three games, we're the form-team in the league as far as creating chances out of all the 10 teams, so we're doing things right," Herbert said on Wednesday.

"We could've won three or four nil on the weekend, we could've put Adelaide to the sword, and beaten Melbourne as well. I think we're a very good attacking side at the moment, I think the stats show that."

Caution

His comments follow criticism from former national league player Paul Thompson, who said Herbert's caution and over-riding defensive instincts were blunting the team's chances.

"They are overloaded with adequate, one-paced, defensive-minded central midfielders who toil away to the coach's instructions but struggle to unlock defences," Thompson said.

"You have to feel sorry for Chris Greenacre, the personification of the team's dour approached wrapped in a No 9 shirt. He is neither accomplished in the air nor especially skilful and lacks pace and physicality. Yet Herbert plays him as a sole striker."

Herbert denied playing a defensive formation.

"We're playing three strikers up front. (Paul) Ifill, (Chris) Greenacre and (Daniel) Cortes are the front three," Herbert said.

Greenacre also disagreed with the suggestion the team were too heavy on defence.

"If you look at (Sunday's) game, I think we had about 14 attempts on goal so if that's being defensively minded I don't know what attacking-minded is," he said.

"At times I'm getting isolated, but at times I may be the only option if we're under pressure. We're trying to work hard to get people around me and hopefully give a little more support, but, apart from that, I don't think feel that we're defensive-minded."

 

So nice try at being patronising,but you fail.

 

I assume you think I attempted to be condescending by simply quoting the rule and offering no commentary - actually that was an obviously failed attempt to make a point with out triggering an indignant response.

 

Actually I believe a number of the posts have pushed, if not exceeded the boundaries over the last few days, including some of posts of those in positions with forum responsibility - assuming backroom staff have some forum responsibilities.

 

On that we will also probably disagree so let's just agree to disagree.

 

 

 

It is

 

It's been talked about elsewhere but the idea of the striker has changed, now teams generally attack with players like Daniel and Ifil who move between the midfield and forward lines.  Maybe they aren't "strikers" in the absolute sense of the word, but they are forwards.  Just because you start off deeper doesn't mean that you aren't a forward, it's more about the space that you operate in

 

Yeah, I agree disco mart.  I would like to see a 4-4-2 lineup with Ifil up front to give a bit more support to Greenie. It would also keep Ifill more central to get more chances on goal