Pavlovic
guess sorry - but likely. or nick ward was known to be a bit of a hater
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It's a current player so rules our Ward. I wondered if it might be Lindsay.
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Not sure James Dean has been back to have this discussion here... would rule our Aussies.
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James Dean loves playing this game.
Name your source JD.
If there was a PM function I would PM you. Send me your email and I'll email you. But I was asked not to spread it round so it's really your view on whether you find me credible or not.
Normo's coming home
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Anyway, back to the game on Saturday.
I think we have a basic problem that 3 of our forwards (Brockie, Steyn and Totori) all want to run off the shoulder of the last defender. We've no-one with enough ability in the final third to play that ball in for them and we continue to throw the ball in to them out wide when none of them is strong in the air.
Our attack isn't really functioning. We continue to have one type of attacking move which is get the ball out wide and throw crosses in the box and it's not working. I checked our crossing stats on the 4-4-2 chalk boards, in our past 3 games we've had no successful crosses but we've had the following unsuccessful - 9 against Adelaide (although a goal was wrongly chalked off), 13 against Melbourne and 14 against Brisbane.
We only had 6 shots on target against Brisbane, 4 against Melbourne and 2 against Adelaide. With Ifill not at his best creating goals out of nothing we look like a team without a plan.
Normo's coming home
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James Dean loves playing this game.
Name your source JD.
If there was a PM function I would PM you. Send me your email and I'll email you. But I was asked not to spread it round so it's really your view on whether you find me credible or not.
It's not whether I find you credible, it's whether I find your source credible! If it's Nick Ward I couldn't give a flying fuck what that twat thinks.
Is it still a current player this year, or did you mean they were current when you spoke to them?
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I spoke to a current phoenix player last year who questioned what Ricki actually does.
who is the player? First XI, bench warmer or squad player?
Supporter For Ever - Keep The Faith - Foundation Member - Never Lets FAX Get In The Way Of A Good Yarn
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sack ricky, the league has moved on and our same, predictable old school tactics aren't going to cut it if we want to progress. Year on year our tactics have been shown (a) not to work against the big sides and (b) not to work in aussie. We may have a couple of better players this year but how is it ever going to be any different without changing things?
I spoke to a current phoenix player last year who questioned what Ricki actually does coaching wise. His view was that the players basically coached themselves. We certainly looked like a side without a plan tonight. All the talk about a great start is just that, talk. We only played well against sydney who are a shower, and then for about 15 minutes in matches against Brisbane and 10 man heart. Not good enough.
Plus, our off season signings (huysegems aside) haven't done anything to improve our side. We need a big performance against CCM
I'm not saying I agree with you about Ricki (I don't) but the hearsay remarks from your source do chime with something Ross Aloisi once said, to the effect that when he was with the Nix Ricki didn't get overly involved with tactics in the front third. In his words Ricki picked his forward line and simply "let them get on with it". I know I'm not the only one to have got frustrated in the last five years at the seemingly ad hoc nature of our attack.
On the other hand, to say his tactics have not worked against 'the big sides' is wrong. They have, plenty of times. Victory were dismal last season, certainly not a big side, and we had more trouble against them than anyone. What's more, good results have been achieved with a squad that by the standards of those big teams is fairly average. Also, although I found our away games often really painful to watch last season - our gameplan apparently involving kicking away possession and inviting the opposition to heap as much pressure as they liked onto our back four - there was obviously some merit to that plan because in 7 away games we came home with a positive result, 4 of them wins. That's quite respectable I think. Expectations have been very high this season, probably too high. But apart from one extremely poor performance last night it's not been a bad start overall and I'm prepared to be patient.
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I think if we won 37 games on the trot and then drew away at Perth then JD would still say to sack Ricki.
Btw how does the 'all the AWs think he is crap' theory fit with both Brockie and Moss choosing to sign?
Founder
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Expectations have been very high this season, probably too high. But apart from one extremely poor performance last night it's not been a bad start overall and I'm prepared to be patient.
Great perspective!
"Phoenix till they lose"
Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.
Genuine opinion: FTFFA
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Expectations have been very high this season, probably too high. But apart from one extremely poor performance last night it's not been a bad start overall and I'm prepared to be patient.
Great perspective!
I agree. One bad performance does not a season makeith.
We are Victory's bunnies but If we had beaten them we'd be in 5th place with a 2-2-1 record and it would be all smiles in here.
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totally agree with junior and terminator - we have to be one of the most angsty bunch of fans out there. Our team is doing well thus far. We've made some good off season signings, and as other threads point out this is our second best start to any season EVER! I'm all for pointing out that monday's game was a poor performance but the season is not over yet, we have always come right at the back end. Provided we can get pick ourselves up for the home game this sunday and steal a few points away we'll be in the mix - targetting second of course!
Queenslander 3x a year.
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I don't think people are questioning the team so much (this is our best ever squad imo) more the lack of a plan b by Ricki.
Anyone watching the game the other day could see it wasn't working and he didn't change anything, and thats poor management on Ricki's part.
Everyone wants to see Barcelona style football being played... its not realistic, but we certainly are better than reverting to a Wimbledon style of direct play we were subjected to... especially when we don't have a target man and all it did was put us under more pressure by feeding the ball to Melbourne.
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Btw how does the 'all the AWs think he is crap' theory fit with both Brockie and Moss choosing to sign?
I'd put up with a dick of a boss if it meant i had job security... i'd put up with a dick of a boss if i had good work mates... i'd put up with a dick of a boss if i was paid enough... i have a young family (kids) and want them to be nearer to my extended family so will put up with a dick of a boss...plenty of reasons, including, he's leaving soon, i just have to wait it out, because he's a dick and the new guy must be better.
Not saying Ricki's a dick... just using the word to make a point.
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Btw how does the 'all the AWs think he is crap' theory fit with both Brockie and Moss choosing to sign?
I'd put up with a dick of a boss if it meant i had job security... i'd put up with a dick of a boss if i had good work mates... i'd put up with a dick of a boss if i was paid enough... i have a young family (kids) and want them to be nearer to my extended family so will put up with a dick of a boss...plenty of reasons, including, he's leaving soon, i just have to wait it out, because he's a dick and the new guy must be better.
Not saying Ricki's a dick... just using the word to make a point.
In terms of career progression, having a good boss is very important in football.
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Btw how does the 'all the AWs think he is crap' theory fit with both Brockie and Moss choosing to sign?
I'd put up with a dick of a boss if it meant i had job security... i'd put up with a dick of a boss if i had good work mates... i'd put up with a dick of a boss if i was paid enough... i have a young family (kids) and want them to be nearer to my extended family so will put up with a dick of a boss...plenty of reasons, including, he's leaving soon, i just have to wait it out, because he's a dick and the new guy must be better.
Not saying Ricki's a dick... just using the word to make a point.
Point made - I thought you laboured it quite hard.
"Phoenix till they lose"
Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.
Genuine opinion: FTFFA
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sack ricky, the league has moved on and our same, predictable old school tactics aren't going to cut it if we want to progress. Year on year our tactics have been shown (a) not to work against the big sides and (b) not to work in aussie. We may have a couple of better players this year but how is it ever going to be any different without changing things?
I spoke to a current phoenix player last year who questioned what Ricki actually does coaching wise. His view was that the players basically coached themselves. We certainly looked like a side without a plan tonight. All the talk about a great start is just that, talk. We only played well against sydney who are a shower, and then for about 15 minutes in matches against Brisbane and 10 man heart. Not good enough.
Plus, our off season signings (huysegems aside) haven't done anything to improve our side. We need a big performance against CCM
So apart from that everyone bitches about their boss from time to time does anyone reallly think Neil Emblen would be better?
I pick that it's Ryan Nelsen.
As for the off season signings: Did you not see the two goals from Brockie?!?
FfucksSake- can you point to anything of that quality since Smeltz against Melbourne? Two absolutely class strikes as good as anyone in the league is capable of producing. And is Louis shite all of a sudden?
a devil's advocate is all well and good, but a curmudgeon is just a sad old angst machine
I think we had momentum into the Adelaide game- we need to get it back. We rightly should be front runners in most competitions. We should start claiming the front runner tag, and think like Glenn McGrath and name our bunnies and back it up. Looking for more goals from Ifill and Brockie, and a continuance of goals from Huysegems. Aim to score at least two a game and concede no more than 1. No bus parking with a one goal lead.
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I think if we won 37 games on the trot and then drew away at Perth then JD would still say to sack Ricki.
Btw how does the 'all the AWs think he is crap' theory fit with both Brockie and Moss choosing to sign?
Because as unemployed kiwis in the league with a restriction on foreigners it's tough to get a gig elsewhere?
Normo's coming home
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So apart from that everyone bitches about their boss from time to time does anyone reallly think Neil Emblen would be better?
I pick that it's Ryan Nelsen.
As for the off season signings: Did you not see the two goals from Brockie?!?
FfucksSake- can you point to anything of that quality since Smeltz against Melbourne? Two absolutely class strikes as good as anyone in the league is capable of producing. And is Louis shite all of a sudden?
a devil's advocate is all well and good, but a curmudgeon is just a sad old angst machine
I think we had momentum into the Adelaide game- we need to get it back. We rightly should be front runners in most competitions. We should start claiming the front runner tag, and think like Glenn McGrath and name our bunnies and back it up. Looking for more goals from Ifill and Brockie, and a continuance of goals from Huysegems. Aim to score at least two a game and concede no more than 1. No bus parking with a one goal lead.
I pick that it's Ryan Nelsen.
As for the off season signings: Did you not see the two goals from Brockie?!?
FfucksSake- can you point to anything of that quality since Smeltz against Melbourne? Two absolutely class strikes as good as anyone in the league is capable of producing. And is Louis shite all of a sudden?
a devil's advocate is all well and good, but a curmudgeon is just a sad old angst machine
I think we had momentum into the Adelaide game- we need to get it back. We rightly should be front runners in most competitions. We should start claiming the front runner tag, and think like Glenn McGrath and name our bunnies and back it up. Looking for more goals from Ifill and Brockie, and a continuance of goals from Huysegems. Aim to score at least two a game and concede no more than 1. No bus parking with a one goal lead.
I didn't say our signings aren't decent players, what I am saying is that they haven't improved us because we're not getting them into the game properly. Brockie scored 2 great goals but his contribution over the first 5 games has been pretty minimal. Same with Steyn, he's scored but he's dining out on absolute scraps.
We've done plenty of talking about how good we are, let's back it up. CCM need to feel our wrath and I think there might need to be a change of formation. Someone in midfield needs to get their foot on the ball and start bringing players into play.
Normo's coming home
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Both wouldn't count as imports though.
ha, good point. did brockie's actually come through?
The point stands though, you take a job when you're unemployed don't you? Neither were massively in demand in Aus
Normo's coming home
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brockie would have by the time the season started.
Moss was in negotations well before GCU folded.
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I'm not sure that adds anything. GC were always fucked and he's come here as second choice.
Genuine question 2B and anyone else who is listening, are we a better side than last year? And what about the side 3 years ago which finished 3rd? And if not, why not
Normo's coming home
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Yes we are a better side.
But we're only 5 games into the season.
Chillax bro, and stop throwing out these negative vibes.
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Yes we are a better side.
But we're only 5 games into the season.
Chillax bro, and stop throwing out these negative vibes.
I'm not quite sure how you come to that conclusion but anyway, I'm more of an undwindulaxer...
Normo's coming home
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I'm not sure that adds anything. GC were always fucked and he's come here as second choice.
Genuine question 2B and anyone else who is listening, are we a better side than last year? And what about the side 3 years ago which finished 3rd? And if not, why not
Yes to both.
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Yes we are a better side.
But we're only 5 games into the season.
Chillax bro, and stop throwing out these negative vibes.
I'm not quite sure how you come to that conclusion but anyway, I'm more of an undwindulaxer...
Well, despite all the angst, we already have as many points as both of those sides you mentioned at the same stage of the season. In fact, we have one more point than last year (see League Table thread for more facts and truth).
And that's despite playing a bit crap.
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I spoke to a current phoenix player last year who questioned what Ricki actually does.
who is the player? First XI, bench warmer or squad player?
huh?
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brockie would have by the time the season started.
Moss was in negotations well before GCU folded.
this. nice try JD
Founder
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I'm not sure that adds anything. GC were always fucked and he's come here as second choice.
Genuine question 2B and anyone else who is listening, are we a better side than last year? And what about the side 3 years ago which finished 3rd? And if not, why not
Yes to both.
I like your confidence but I don't see it.
Normo's coming home
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If you match the players gone vs the players who have come in, they're better. If they're not better,I don't see it.
Allegedly
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brockie would have by the time the season started.
Moss was in negotations well before GCU folded.
this. nice try JD
Greenie, while you were unemployed how many jobs did you turn down?
Normo's coming home
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I'm not sure that adds anything. GC were always fucked and he's come here as second choice.
Genuine question 2B and anyone else who is listening, are we a better side than last year? And what about the side 3 years ago which finished 3rd? And if not, why not
Yes to both.
I like your confidence but I don't see it.
In terms of personel, we are stronger. Maybe not dramatically, but comparing every player in the squad, I think we are. We have much more depth than ever before.
However the whole league has also improved in terms of quality so makes the calculation difficult. Plus players ageing always makes it hard to judge
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If you match the players gone vs the players who have come in, they're better. If they're not better,I don't see it.
I didn't ask whether the players were better, I asked whether we're a better team.
2009/10 we had Greenacre and Ifill fresh from the UK, McKain in good form with Durante, Eugene Dadi popping in the late goals, Brownie in good form, Daniel playing well, Reddy on fire in the second half of the season plus the underrated Caceres. That was a good team and will take some beating.
I notice you've started copying my phraseology Tegal - I appreciate satire but I don't think you've nailed it yet, keep working on it.
Normo's coming home
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Completely unsubstantiated and I really do think we are a bit early on to be making claims about who is betterer etc...
BUT: I have a niggly feeling (non-medical) that JD might be on to something - and my spin on it is that the 2009/10 team had a real team/family spirit - a pretty tight knit bunch on and off the field.
I don't sense that so much with this squad.
So in summary it's the constitution, the vibe, Mabo...
"Phoenix till they lose"
Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.
Genuine opinion: FTFFA
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If you match the players gone vs the players who have come in, they're better. If they're not better,I don't see it.
I didn't ask whether the players were better, I asked whether we're a better team.
2009/10 we had Greenacre and Ifill fresh from the UK, McKain in good form with Durante, Eugene Dadi popping in the late goals, Brownie in good form, Daniel playing well, Reddy on fire in the second half of the season plus the underrated Caceres. That was a good team and will take some beating.
I notice you've started copying my phraseology Tegal - I appreciate satire but I don't think you've nailed it yet, keep working on it.
Fair, but it's only 5 games in. Give them a chance. Once it all comes together, the fact that the squad as a whole is stronger will also mean that they will be a better team. There is a lot to be positive about, our squad is stronger than it has ever been, both in terms of a starting XI and squad depth. It also has a much bigger core of All Whites and even talented NZ youngsters (and an academy!)
I do agree with you about a lack of a plan B with RH, he was caught out tactically against MV and was very late to make any reaction to it. Only Brockie saved it from being a complete embarrassment. However I still believe he is the best for the job. You may have your secret sauce, but as far as I have seen/can tell/have been told, he is doing a good job. Playoffs in the last 3 years, with all the Terry troubles to boot, is no mean feat. It all comes down to this year though, with the squad he has there is a lot of pressure to do very well. it is RH defining year in charge, I'll wait until the end of it to judge.
(I've abandoned the attempted satire, and gave a proper response, better?)
Allegedly
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It's a real pity for Brockie that his goals wont get the accolades they deserve. Some Oz match reports didn't even deem them worthy of comment, which is a shame because that first goal especially was one of the most audacious and brilliantly executed goals I can remember in the A League. Right up there with the best Nix goals ever yet we seem to be so traumatised by the loss that most of the comments here are of the "It's about time he scored" variety.
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