FFA Cup @ Brisbane Strikers | Wed 7 Aug | 9:30PM | SS7

Man, apparently I watched a different game to everyone else. For a first competitive hit out, I wasn't overly upset. A result would've been nice. Thought DeVere looked at home, distributed well. Elliot's added the ability to take on a player to his game which was nice to see - looks rapid as well as bulking up a bit, some good tackles as well. Did a better job defensively than TAHW who looked lost at fullback and couldn't track a runner to save his life.

Ball had some nice touches, but seemed to force it a bit, with players like Davila around him who will demand more respect and give him a little more time I think he'll be better. I saw enough to think he'll be a good player for us, although probably not the 15 goal striker we need (although McCowatt could be). Devlin and Rufer worked really hard, with mixed results. Was really impressed by McCowatt - really well taken goal and he and Cacace were going round defenders with ease. Can't say enough about Libby, looks assured every time he's got posession, although final ball from him was disappointing. Waine and Payne were pretty much anonymous, and I felt Payne gave the ball away a lot.

Both goals Brisbane scored were scrappy, second balls from average clearances - bloody hard to stop those and Marinovic did everything he could've  - can't stop everything. 

Still clearly some defensive organisation to work on, and our movements off the ball aren't cohesive yet, for the most part players looked unsure where others would be.

All in all, a very preseason performance, and one with positives to build on - we're well ahead of where we were this time last year, and still 4 imports to bring into last night's XI. Don't see any reason for the doom and gloom myself.

Man, apparently I watched a different game to everyone else. For a first competitive hit out, I wasn't overly upset. A result would've been nice. Thought DeVere looked at home, distributed well. Elliot's added the ability to take on a player to his game which was nice to see - looks rapid as well as bulking up a bit, some good tackles as well. Did a better job defensively than TAHW who looked lost at fullback and couldn't track a runner to save his life.

Ball had some nice touches, but seemed to force it a bit, with players like Davila around him who will demand more respect and give him a little more time I think he'll be better. I saw enough to think he'll be a good player for us, although probably not the 15 goal striker we need (although McCowatt could be). Devlin and Rufer worked really hard, with mixed results. Was really impressed by McCowatt - really well taken goal and he and Cacace were going round defenders with ease. Can't say enough about Libby, looks assured every time he's got posession, although final ball from him was disappointing. Waine and Payne were pretty much anonymous, and I felt Payne gave the ball away a lot.

Both goals Brisbane scored were scrappy, second balls from average clearances - bloody hard to stop those and Marinovic did everything he could've  - can't stop everything. 

Still clearly some defensive organisation to work on, and our movements off the ball aren't cohesive yet, for the most part players looked unsure where others would be.

All in all, a very preseason performance, and one with positives to build on - we're well ahead of where we were this time last year, and still 4 imports to bring into last night's XI. Don't see any reason for the doom and gloom myself.

Man, apparently I watched a different game to everyone else. For a first competitive hit out, I wasn't overly upset. A result would've been nice. Thought DeVere looked at home, distributed well. Elliot's added the ability to take on a player to his game which was nice to see - looks rapid as well as bulking up a bit, some good tackles as well. Did a better job defensively than TAHW who looked lost at fullback and couldn't track a runner to save his life.

Ball had some nice touches, but seemed to force it a bit, with players like Davila around him who will demand more respect and give him a little more time I think he'll be better. I saw enough to think he'll be a good player for us, although probably not the 15 goal striker we need (although McCowatt could be). Devlin and Rufer worked really hard, with mixed results. Was really impressed by McCowatt - really well taken goal and he and Cacace were going round defenders with ease. Can't say enough about Libby, looks assured every time he's got posession, although final ball from him was disappointing. Waine and Payne were pretty much anonymous, and I felt Payne gave the ball away a lot.

Both goals Brisbane scored were scrappy, second balls from average clearances - bloody hard to stop those and Marinovic did everything he could've  - can't stop everything. 

Still clearly some defensive organisation to work on, and our movements off the ball aren't cohesive yet, for the most part players looked unsure where others would be.

All in all, a very preseason performance, and one with positives to build on - we're well ahead of where we were this time last year, and still 4 imports to bring into last night's XI. Don't see any reason for the doom and gloom myself.

I agree, there was some good stuff and some average stuff, but nothing unexpected for this part of the season.

Ball had a difficult night but still showed enough to give me hope he can score goals at this level.  Let's take a moment to look at McCowatt - first time at professional level, looked completely at home and scored a cracking goal.  I think he's going to be an absolute star.

Marinovic did look a bit hesitant but made a big save right at the end.  I doubt we'll ever see that starting back 4 again this season so for an inexperienced group they did ok.

Rufer has come on hugely, bossed the game.  Calan Elliot made a big impression on me when he came on and the Japanese guy went right out of the game as soon as he was subbed on.  Another young guy who looked right at home.

Payne was ok but he's probably a backup to Rufer so the two of them together unsurprisingly lacked a bit of creativity.

Cacace was dominant in the second half.  Ben Waine struggled to get into the game, again young kid who is really one for the future not right now.  

I thought the pattern of play was really good, we played the ball much more quickly and looked to play in tight areas.  

yes interesting to see whether Davila lines up (nominal) as one of the front two and drops deeper to make the play, or in the second two maybe starting out wide.

Feel like Ball could use someone with a physical presence alongside him

yes interesting to see whether Davila lines up (nominal) as one of the front two and drops deeper to make the play, or in the second two maybe starting out wide.

Feel like Ball could use someone with a physical presence alongside him

Man, apparently I watched a different game to everyone else. For a first competitive hit out, I wasn't overly upset. A result would've been nice. Thought DeVere looked at home, distributed well. Elliot's added the ability to take on a player to his game which was nice to see - looks rapid as well as bulking up a bit, some good tackles as well. Did a better job defensively than TAHW who looked lost at fullback and couldn't track a runner to save his life.

Ball had some nice touches, but seemed to force it a bit, with players like Davila around him who will demand more respect and give him a little more time I think he'll be better. I saw enough to think he'll be a good player for us, although probably not the 15 goal striker we need (although McCowatt could be). Devlin and Rufer worked really hard, with mixed results. Was really impressed by McCowatt - really well taken goal and he and Cacace were going round defenders with ease. Can't say enough about Libby, looks assured every time he's got posession, although final ball from him was disappointing. Waine and Payne were pretty much anonymous, and I felt Payne gave the ball away a lot.

Both goals Brisbane scored were scrappy, second balls from average clearances - bloody hard to stop those and Marinovic did everything he could've  - can't stop everything. 

Still clearly some defensive organisation to work on, and our movements off the ball aren't cohesive yet, for the most part players looked unsure where others would be.

All in all, a very preseason performance, and one with positives to build on - we're well ahead of where we were this time last year, and still 4 imports to bring into last night's XI. Don't see any reason for the doom and gloom myself.

Our team benefited from the boot camp early last season.  The resulting tougher attitude and fitness capitalised on sheer pace of Krishna, Fenton, Cacace and Williams and on its own (skills and tactics aside) gave us at least a few wins last year; notably late goals against the run of play against WSW and Sydney FC (early in the season).

This was a product of Rudan's expectations and his overall standard for his players. I expect The Bitumens will have that quality. Under Ernie we were a bunch of slowish plodders at best. This change under Rudan was a lesson I would not want chucked out with the proverbial bathwater just because Rudan's gone.

Bloody hard to win a cup when every single game is an away one. I like that we're not just treating it as a friendly this year, but the odds are stacked against us more than they are in the league.

It's hard to win a pre season game when every season at the moment we have a new manager and, to some degree or another (massively so this season) a new squad getting settled in.

I was a little disappointed as the Nix made no secret this year they wanted to have a good crack at this cup.  

Strikers are a midtable Queensland team and I would say they shaded the game.  I'm not saying its doom and gloom for the season, as someone mentioned all going well we have 4 imports and Sotirio coming in.  

However, I'd like to think a team of fulltime footballers (less their imports)  is still good enough to beat a mid-table semi-pro team. You would expect 90 % of the Brisbane team would jump at the chance to be on a full-time contract at the nix.   

I must say I was super impressed with the Strikers 19-year-old Midfielder Cade McDermott.  For me, he outplayed both Rufer and Payne.  I couldn't believe his age when I googled him.  Also Hiroki Omori the Fullback for the strikers impressed. 

For the Nix Marinovic made some fantastic saves but for some reason didn't fill me with confidence.  

Devere looked the goods.  

THW  and Payne looked as though they had some adjusting to do to the faster-paced game.  

Rufer and Cacace were solid as to be expected.  

I thought Ball was ok,  pen's aside he hustled and bustled quite well I thought.  

Bring on Western United

Yes the Nix are a professional football team, but I don't think it's as simple as a pro team should always beat a semi-pro team:

At least three of our starters (maybe more) were part-timers only a few weeks ago. 

The Strikers are something like 80% of the way through their season. Most of the Nix players have played only a single (friendly) game in the last 3 months. 

Being paid to play football doesn't make up for experience, the average age of all Nix players was something like 21 years old.

Strikers may be mid-table as they had a bit of a losing streak early on, but have recently won 12 of their last 14 games, scoring a ridiculous 61 goals during this time.

The average age of the Strikers was 22 so age isn't an issue here.  

I would assume we are attempting to sign the best possible part-timers.  So we should have the strikers covered there right?

Your point about the Strikers being 80% through their season versus the nix just starting matches is bang on and I agree.  But this is no secret. 

So I guess my disappointment stems from the fact that both Talay and Taylor both stated we won't be taking this comp lightly this year and want to put out a really good performance.   In my opinion, the performance wasn't good,  the phoenix couldn't get out of their own half in the first 25 minutes.  

I'm not losing faith for the season over one result or anything.  

I understand we have fantastic players to add to that lineup and potentially the squad.    I also understand as players like THW and Payne get up to speed they will make a great contribution.  I also understand the players will grow together and have a better understanding of each other as time goes on.  I understand that the patterns of attack and defense will be fined tuned over the rest of the preseason.

I am just disappointed in last night's game.  

The average age of the Strikers was 22 so age isn't an issue here.  

I would assume we are attempting to sign the best possible part-timers.  So we should have the strikers covered there right?

Your point about the Strikers being 80% through their season versus the nix just starting matches is bang on and I agree.  But this is no secret. 

So I guess my disappointment stems from the fact that both Talay and Taylor both stated we won't be taking this comp lightly this year and want to put out a really good performance.   In my opinion, the performance wasn't good,  the phoenix couldn't get out of their own half in the first 25 minutes.  

I'm not losing faith for the season over one result or anything.  

I understand we have fantastic players to add to that lineup and potentially the squad.    I also understand as players like THW and Payne get up to speed they will make a great contribution.  I also understand the players will grow together and have a better understanding of each other as time goes on.  I understand that the patterns of attack and defense will be fined tuned over the rest of the preseason.

I am just disappointed in last night's game.  

I don't think we took it lightly - we put out the strongest team we could in the circumstances.

We started poorly, and they were up for it early, but we really dominated the game for most of the following 100 minutes.  I would be disappointing to go out, but I think it was a decent enough performance.  Just seeing McCowatt's goal was enough to get me excited for the season.

Man, apparently I watched a different game to everyone else....

Still clearly some defensive organisation to work on, and our movements off the ball aren't cohesive yet, for the most part players looked unsure where others would be.

Good post Nefloos

Defensive co-ordination was the big problem and it takes time to build

Basically my thoughts. Anyone who sat through the Bentleigh game last season knows that, despite Bentleigh being a better team, we are far, far ahead of where we were then. Fox at DM anyone?

Believe so; something like that - it was bad. Real bad. Lowry at fullback too.

Believe so; something like that - it was bad. Real bad. Lowry at fullback too.

Saw this today and thought of the young 11 we fielded - Bolton's starting XI today had the average age of 19!

Slightly different circumstances around that, but they still did bloody well to get a point in the match.

https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/com795/no...