Love Chiefy but he seems to have gotten a bit off track this week.
All that bravado before the game saying how they've been lucky and we know how to beat them, then the antics on the sideline and being a sore loser after the game, unfortunately it looks like this derby has really rattled our guys. Doesn't help when its 2 of your first 6 fixtures. Corica is unfortunately right that a bit of respect was due which we didn't show.
Thankful at least that we don't play them for a while - focus on ourselves and getting into a league position against the Aussie teams (whom we have 3 wins and 1 draw against so far). The derby games and whatever Auckland is doing doesn't need to define our season.
All that bravado before the game saying how they've been lucky and we know how to beat them, then the antics on the sideline and being a sore loser after the game, unfortunately it looks like this derby has really rattled our guys. Doesn't help when its 2 of your first 6 fixtures. Corica is unfortunately right that a bit of respect was due which we didn't show.
Thankful at least that we don't play them for a while - focus on ourselves and getting into a league position against the Aussie teams (whom we have 3 wins and 1 draw against so far). The derby games and whatever Auckland is doing doesn't need to define our season.
This sums up my take on the game as well. Chiefy is now wearing a bit of an egg on his face for talking AFC down before the game when he knows that we got badly done in the first derby already and have not necessarily improved since.
A lot of people focused on the goals we lost, and the sitters we did not score. My own concern is with our midfield that simply could not compete against the opposition - they challenged for the ball quickly, we were hesitant, apart from some brilliant interplays that we managed to squander later.
Considering our goal came on the counter with very little of midfield possession involved in the move, it shows the initial setup by Chiefy was probably the wrong one - but I am not an expert to suggest what it should have been instead. We got constantly dominated in the middle of the park and I can only say that Corica got it right (again) and we got it wrong (this time).
Unlike some here, I am not prepared to bitch and moan saying what a lousy team we have this season. We only lost against AFC, so that is otherwise a pretty good start to the season. Our wins against Perth and CCM were good to watch. Chances are that AFC are actually going to go on a good run this season, which means we should stop being so self-critical. I'll be keen to see their away games, and especially how they go against Victory or Adelaide which would be a better indicator of their true form, and also of our own quality (by proxy).