2016/17 Phoenix Preseason

Deeeecent lineup.

Man I wish I could see some clips of this.

So excited about the season now, since seeing us at Weka Park, and now this result. 

We clearly have a great attack - PLLLEEEEASE get us some defensive cover and we can really do something this year!!!!

Agreed. Unfortunately, not many options out there. We will likely just take another punt with an Australian fb, give him a few games, swap him out  half way through the season and never see him again.

Great win against a rich team full of 'stars'

Ernie seems happy how we played, and the twitter was full of praise about our structure. 2 golas from freekicks, this a good way to win games against dominating sign and could make a big difference at the end.

As fans we should have a designted villain in every team: Beserk, Codhill. Who else? 

Agreed. Unfortunately, not many options out there. We will likely just take another punt with an Australian fb, give him a few games, swap him out  half way through the season and never see him again.

We clearly have a great attack - PLLLEEEEASE get us some defensive cover and we can really do something this year!!!!

Defence is an area we need a major improvement but its an area where there isnt many options locally, so there is a lot of competition for players between clubs.

This off season these are the Aussie defenders that have joined A-League clubs this off season: Rose, Clisby, Cornthwaite, Garuccio, Donachie, Alessi, Zullo, Rowles, Wilkinson, Williams & Muscat.

There have been reports that we were in for Zullo, Williams and tried to poach Risdon before he re-signed with the Glory. So it isn't like we are not trying.

Got to judge where we are when the season starts - but "they're trying" isn't really the answer.  Maybe you need to retain some salary cap juice to pay someone over the odds if they are going to make a big improvement to your team

Or leave an import spot free rather than using it on a mid who isn't going to start. A-Rod on the bench again...

Sounds like there might be some wide angle highlights at some stage.

Think getting rid of A-Rod, trying to get an import full-back that is up to scratch and getting someone like a T-W-H in as midfield cover would've probably been the play. Lot of 'ifs' and 'buts' in there though.

The whole FB issue is strange anyway, how can there not be a reasonably promising young Aussie or Kiwi RB across the 40 or so premier teams below A-league level in both countries? Though obviously I know nothing about being a FB as I thought Gulley looked like he could push on (as did Danaskos on the left).

I wonder if Rossi has a brother, a cousin, someone he's played with and owes him a favour? May be he can recommend someone from back home who also speaks Merrickese and plays fullback. Although I'm a big 3-5-2 fan - so no RB needed.

I notice that the two CBs for South Melbourne who won the Victorian State Comp are Kiwi - Luke Adams and Michael Eagar - wonder if they are worth a shout for defensive cover?

as much as i wouldnt want them to go, Adams is good enough these days.  he performed for the all whites aswell.  Eagar warmed the bench half the season due to getting a bad injury last season.  Was playing with jabs.  Eagar would be too slow these days for A league but Adams is a gun.  top bloke aswell.

as much as i wouldnt want them to go, Adams is good enough these days.  he performed for the all whites aswell.  Eagar warmed the bench half the season due to getting a bad injury last season.  Was playing with jabs.  Eagar would be too slow these days for A league but Adams is a gun.  top bloke aswell.

Luke Adams wasn't very good when he was here. Michael Eager would be a great shout but it seems like Ernie doesn't rate him.

Except A-Rod is a good player, he can effectively cover the entire midfield and its arguable whether depth off the bench or a better right FB than what we already have, will get you results over a season.

The whole FB issue is strange anyway, how can there not be a reasonably promising young Aussie or Kiwi RB across the 40 or so premier teams below A-league level in both countries? Though obviously I know nothing about being a FB as I thought Gulley looked like he could push on (as did Danaskos on the left).

Bench is as important as the starting XI

Still think that when you conceded 52 goals in 27 games and lost two of your 4 starting defenders you need to focus on that part of the park, but what do I know

Still think that when you conceded 52 goals in 27 games and lost two of your 4 starting defenders you need to focus on that part of the park, but what do I know

Bench is more important than the starting XI?  That is a new one on me. 

The composition of your bench is probably more important over the course of the season than a single position in your starting XI. That is what I wrote and I believe that to be true.

Right oh.  Well I am going to suggest something that for some reason seems revolutionary and that is sign some defenders to improve our defence.

Last 4 seasons we have been objectively really bad. Finishing 10th, 9th, 4th and 9th; GD of -18, -6, +10 and -20 over the past 4 seasons - it doesn't make great reading!! 180 goals conceded in 108 games for 122 points (source; Wikipedia). 

we have no depth in defence either though

True, I don't disagree. It just seems that good FB's are hard to come by.

True, I don't disagree. It just seems that good FB's are hard to come by.

which is why it would be better to use an import spot on a FB than on a backup CM (assuming A-Rod is going to be a backup)