Agree with the player comments up the thread. So trying here for some more big picture thoughts ....
Tactically kind of like the A League team from last year, holding possesion and patience, but with a back three and no real fast transition, and Sth Melb not leaving a lot of space to transition into, except wide.
Up against a good defensive side able to sit with nine or eleven back much of the game.
Good work out and expectations setting for the youngsters.
Can't read too much into that. I'd say one or two of the youngsters showed they have potential as players with impact and guile and others looked like the solid sort of worthy starters. None really out of place but a couple we might have hoped to see more from and maybe showed why they didn't get minutes last year or are still not having the impact you'd love them to show. I think I'd like to have seen OVH and Supyk both playing up front, with enough midfielders on the field and the back three allowing that?
But it's early days at this level for most and new combinations so tough to be too tough.
Wooten and Al Taay solid but never game winning players. Kosta added bite and looked sharp but given little room by Sth Melb. Not a lot of time or possession for Rojas.
Never easy against a well drilled side able to set up defensively after the goal and a young side trying to break that down. But we needed some special sauce to get a clean shot and/or some height to cross to and didn't have either. Good work out.
A noticeable pick up in urgency for the last 15mins, otherwise preseason pace, particularly in the second half.
Tactically kind of like the A League team from last year, holding possesion and patience, but with a back three and no real fast transition, and Sth Melb not leaving a lot of space to transition into, except wide.
Up against a good defensive side able to sit with nine or eleven back much of the game.
Good work out and expectations setting for the youngsters.
Can't read too much into that. I'd say one or two of the youngsters showed they have potential as players with impact and guile and others looked like the solid sort of worthy starters. None really out of place but a couple we might have hoped to see more from and maybe showed why they didn't get minutes last year or are still not having the impact you'd love them to show. I think I'd like to have seen OVH and Supyk both playing up front, with enough midfielders on the field and the back three allowing that?
But it's early days at this level for most and new combinations so tough to be too tough.
Wooten and Al Taay solid but never game winning players. Kosta added bite and looked sharp but given little room by Sth Melb. Not a lot of time or possession for Rojas.
Never easy against a well drilled side able to set up defensively after the goal and a young side trying to break that down. But we needed some special sauce to get a clean shot and/or some height to cross to and didn't have either. Good work out.
A noticeable pick up in urgency for the last 15mins, otherwise preseason pace, particularly in the second half.