I know I said I wasn't going to watch the second half, but I succumbed to it in the end. Pulling me in like all good slow moving trainwrecks do.
Thoughts from the game - A game that I was really looking forward to in terms of building on our attacking blueprint against what I can only assume were a team of plumbers and tradesmen...
Very, very slow advancement of the ball. It was 24/25 all over again, just against poorer opposition than we're accustomed to in the A-League. I really wanted to see something from us today - Playing on the front foot and getting in behind them and banging in a few goals to help build the confidence. Instead, it was disjointed and incohesive for the vast majority.
If anyone is thinking we still need a visa CB over a creative #10 after this one, well, I have some magic beans I need to sell ya's!
As for the players - LBS was pretty much invisible before being hooked, and GSR while slightly more involved in play overall, well this showed that we simply can't rely on them both for our creative output this season. A proven and more experienced #10 needs to be the priority here to help take the weight of expectation off the shoulders of these young lads and allowing them to get into games by not being completely drowned out as seemingly our only creative outlets.
I was disappointed by Conchie today as well. I really want this lad to be the next emerging midfielder of note in this country, but since his exploits for NZ at the U20 World Cup a few years back now he just hasn't come on and developed as I was hoping he would for us.
Happy for McCarron - Clean sheet on debut at 17 years old. He can be pleased with that one. Didn't have much to do overall, but we'll take that. Looks a big unit too! Thought Loke was good, but he did look a bit more reserved in getting forward compared to his outing against Perth a couple of weeks back.
From his cameo, Armiento could be a good little pick up for us. At least it looks like he wants to drive the play forward and get on the front foot which is a positive, when all and sundry around him looked a bit sheepish in doing so. I think Eze will also cause a few problems for opposition once he gets into it, as he looks a good athlete who is up for the fight. And well, it's just good to have what looks like an aerial presence up top compared to what we went with last season!
Overall I wish I could get that 90 minutes of my life back. But at least we get another competitive fixture to look forward to in a couple of weeks time.
I hope we sign a #10....Please!!!!
Thoughts from the game - A game that I was really looking forward to in terms of building on our attacking blueprint against what I can only assume were a team of plumbers and tradesmen...
Very, very slow advancement of the ball. It was 24/25 all over again, just against poorer opposition than we're accustomed to in the A-League. I really wanted to see something from us today - Playing on the front foot and getting in behind them and banging in a few goals to help build the confidence. Instead, it was disjointed and incohesive for the vast majority.
If anyone is thinking we still need a visa CB over a creative #10 after this one, well, I have some magic beans I need to sell ya's!
As for the players - LBS was pretty much invisible before being hooked, and GSR while slightly more involved in play overall, well this showed that we simply can't rely on them both for our creative output this season. A proven and more experienced #10 needs to be the priority here to help take the weight of expectation off the shoulders of these young lads and allowing them to get into games by not being completely drowned out as seemingly our only creative outlets.
I was disappointed by Conchie today as well. I really want this lad to be the next emerging midfielder of note in this country, but since his exploits for NZ at the U20 World Cup a few years back now he just hasn't come on and developed as I was hoping he would for us.
Happy for McCarron - Clean sheet on debut at 17 years old. He can be pleased with that one. Didn't have much to do overall, but we'll take that. Looks a big unit too! Thought Loke was good, but he did look a bit more reserved in getting forward compared to his outing against Perth a couple of weeks back.
From his cameo, Armiento could be a good little pick up for us. At least it looks like he wants to drive the play forward and get on the front foot which is a positive, when all and sundry around him looked a bit sheepish in doing so. I think Eze will also cause a few problems for opposition once he gets into it, as he looks a good athlete who is up for the fight. And well, it's just good to have what looks like an aerial presence up top compared to what we went with last season!
Overall I wish I could get that 90 minutes of my life back. But at least we get another competitive fixture to look forward to in a couple of weeks time.
I hope we sign a #10....Please!!!!