2017 FFA Cup - Ro32 v WSW | Tues 1 Aug | 9:30pm

I haven't seen enough to know whether Italiano's all round game is better than Moss's shot stopping prowess.  Moss is a good keeper and he definitely saved us a few times, but he wasn't infallible

I would think it's the exact opposite, to be honest. People like Siggy have openly said that it's a shame that he's got Rufer as his last name, because he's a really good kid and his surname is only making things more difficult for him. 

Not once in the times I've met Alex has he given off a "I'm a Rufer" vibe.

End of the day he is a talented young kiwi, there aren't enough of those around, so the club should be working with him to try and sort any issues that have arisen.  It's got to go both ways, leaving him out at the end of last year might be the kick up the arse he needs, but we should be trying to bring these guys through.  The Phoenix want to be first port of call for talented young kiwis, we don't want them by-passing the A-League which is happening a bit at the moment.

So if he is a good kid, what happened to his attitude last year that he couldn't even make the reserves?

I've heard plenty of negative things around Rufer's attitude. Seems like he just rubs some people the wrong way, and Ernie must fall into that category. I must say I thought his body language on the pitch wasn't great the other night as well.

Still, he showed the ability and that's worth persevering with, the Nix need to produce more A-League players through our academy.

No it wouldnt. It would have meant the ref applied the correct justice to Doyles tackle. The ref isnt supposed to even things up based on his earlier mistakes. Hes supposed to apply every decision to the best of his ability. That was clearly a red , and Doyle didnt walk.

You missed the point.  I wasn't implying a perceived "balancing of the ledger". I was stating that the level at which the ref had opted to determine conditionality for a red card needed to be applied consistently - irrespective of what that level was, or even if it was the correct level.  In this case there was indeed consistency.

any longer highlights?

dammit- so mad at myself I missed this. From the chatter on the forum it sounds like the new coach has got performances out of players. Shocker of a shot from Rufer. 

Nice to see Roly blowing clear chances for another team. A good player, but flourished when Burns and Krishna were there to help distract the play and create space. He'll have some good moments, but perhaps we'll be ok too. 

Trust me, you didn't miss anything. It was a solid defensive performance overall, but it was an absolutely dire game.

Roly set up their goal from the corner so...last laugh and all.

Also - is it just me or did Rufer grow a LOT over the last year or so? In a good way! Just wish he would trim his hair - or stop playing with it... he's either doing it to be 'cool' or because it is a nervious habit? ;)

How do you know that Kalezic didn't give Rufer a directive to do exactly what you've specified? This is preseason - there's every chance Kalezic could have asked for something strange like this.

So is anyone else in agreement with me that the standard of A League refereeing still matches that of Day 1, Season 1 or has it improved?

Ah yes, I'm sure that in a competitive game he directed one of his players to have poor defensive discipline. The mental gymnastics that some people do on here (usually to somehow defend every decision made by the coaching staff) is pretty impressive sometimes. He stated before the game that defensive positioning was the main focus.

Though I also don't think that blaming Rufer's lack of defensive discipline on 'entitlement issues' is fair at all. For one, you don't know the kid, and neither do I - and secondly, the guy has been out injured and has not ever had a run of games at this level - it's going to take a while for him to get used to it, that isn't a surprise. Give him a chance. Maybe he'll make it, maybe he won't.

what did everyone make of Singh's performance. I was probably expecting too much but felt he looked comfortable in the ball but didn't stand out as a guy who wanted the ball at every opportunity. I always think the mark of a player is that they demand the ball. Singh looked Ok when he had it but didn't think his movement was that great and the thru ball off Ye side of his left foot became a little obvious for the defence. 

I would agree with this.   I thought he was playing to his best ability, and that WSW were not.  In other words, he would have to lift his game quite a bit for a game where the opposition are not sleepwalking like WSW were.

Give him time to adjust to the higher level of intensity and physicality, and play him actually in a position he's comfortable in and he will be a decent option.

If that was his first game, I look forward to the improvement that comes with first team minutes.

Yep. Bit like if we played Rojas as a wing back in a pre season game then wrote him off..

So all defenders/defensive players are great people and all other players can get in the sea? ;)

No wonder our midfielder is lost