Bed time for me... the break could be for an hour, or worse yet postponed.
So my takeaways are:
Oluwayemi: Distribution is still poor, but he is very good on one to ones. Smith: solid defender in the making. Big lad, decent in the air. Little limited with the ball. Hughes: looks to have grown this year in confidence. Has looked very solid in both games. Sheridan: like Hughes, looking good, but not as 'in control' of the game. LKH: good touch, some nice touches and puts in a good foot. Still not sure on his best position. Needs to dominate the air with his size. Loke: done well, willing to get forward and seems to be ok positionally. Option taking on attack could be better. Conchie: the man covers some ground. A little wayward at times in possession, but I think he looks to be more progressive. Nagasawe: for a seasoned pro - I want to see him control the game more. Some nice touches, but drifts out of the game. GSR: Direct which I like, but still finding the pace of the game IMO. Want to see him be a bit more confident with the ball at feet. LBS: Nice and direct with a bit more end product potential by the look of him. Touch can still be heavy. But strong, fast and confident. Isighe: Same as his Japanese brother. Supyk: best 10 mins I have seen of him. Big lad, but quite quick too. Seemed to back himself to take on a player. A good season coming up for him.
Overall, not bad tonight. Still lacking possession and we say back too much at the end, but I'm hopeful Rufer and Payne coming back in will help that + whoever we still have left to sign.
Now we just need the Gold Coast Knights to win on Tuesday.
We don't want to draw Auckland for Ro16?
Well if we could get them at home…
Actually how do Australia Cup games work, does all the ticket revenue go to Football Australia the way the APL creams the A-League finals, or would a home derby financially benefit us?
Can't really knock that performance at all. Just a typical early season game - scrappy with combinations still be worked out, a lot of our regulars and more experienced players to come back, as well as the new additions to come in and get up and running.
Conditions certainly didn't help anyone, but a bit of wind and rain was probably going to slightly favour our boys moreso than Perth.
We created opportunities and generally looked far more positive than we did for the majority of last season, so for me that's a small step in the right direction. I liked the shape and I liked the willingness to press and apply pressure too. Admittedly it needs more cohesion and a higher level of fitness to be able to work over the course of the season, but nothing like a heavy 120 minutes in the legs to help the lads on their way!
No injuries + valuable minutes in the legs + young lads stepping up + another meaningful fixture to look forward to in pre season where we might have a few more bodies on board = a decent night at the office.
We deserved that. Perth at home didn't bring enough IMO. Especially for a side that is by all accounts settled.
For those questioning the minutes of good performers, this is probably more to do with science and levels.
I noticed Sheridan doing a lot in extra time; as in working in the midfield as well as at the back. Was quite impressed. If we're going to play a back five, they can't be doing the job of four players. This leaves us short elsewhere. Proactivity from at least one of the centre backs is essential. So, good to see, especially so early in pre season.
Nice to make that bloody long trip and come back home with the result.
Here’s hoping that AFC win, the draw falls kindly and the game is played in NZ, so we can put those Aussies to shame showing them what a decent stadium and crowd looks like for an Australian cup game.
Would be great if they could play it in Hamilton or Christchurch and share the love.
ballaneBraveheartKiwiMancunianLG+6LT01, Mainland FC, mjp2, Monto, nixin, Oi Oi Edgecumbe
9 months ago
AucklandPhoenix
Nice to make that bloody long trip and come back home with the result.
Here’s hoping that AFC win, the draw falls kindly and the game is played in NZ, so we can put those Aussies to shame showing them what a decent stadium and crowd looks like for an Australian cup game.
Would be great if they could play it in Hamilton or Christchurch and share the love.
No bloody way lets get further into it before we draw each other. Dont get why people want it next round not as if either team will be ready for it.
Anyone go out to the watch party? How was it and any interesting updates?
Yep, there was a pretty good turn-out and Dome took questions from the floor as well as answering ones people had submitted in advance (the internet gods didn’t smile on the link-up with Gill in Perth unfortunately).
Things I remember:
Permanent women’s coach to be announced this coming week
OFC Pro League bid is in despite the hefty paperwork requirements, lots of unanswered questions about how the League will look but we have the depth in our Academy to participate (a prescient comment given tonight’s result!)
Eze is a solid replacement for Kosta
Emma Humphries answered a question about how to develop as a top-level coach (get a broad range of experience, even though badges are important, but also get an idea which level you want to focus on)
The club is working to build out their presence at Fraser Park, expect more branding (and a trophy cabinet!) on the ground floor soon - more watch parties for away games could definitely be a thing, although there are some logistical challenges to work through
And more I can’t recall after a late night of excitement and a few Panheads…
BraveheartBullionChChiefythemankwlap+10LG, LT01, martinb, Monto, mykey, nixin, Oi Oi Edgecumbe, Walpole, WanderingSheep, YoungHeartHM
9 months ago
Cheers for the run down! Glad they got a good turnout to hopefully make it a regular thing Simon B
mykey
Anyone go out to the watch party? How was it and any interesting updates?
Yep, there was a pretty good turn-out and Dome took questions from the floor as well as answering ones people had submitted in advance (the internet gods didn’t smile on the link-up with Gill in Perth unfortunately).
Things I remember:
Permanent women’s coach to be announced this coming week
OFC Pro League bid is in despite the hefty paperwork requirements, lots of unanswered questions about how the League will look but we have the depth in our Academy to participate (a prescient comment given tonight’s result!)
Eze is a solid replacement for Kosta
Emma Humphries answered a question about how to develop as a top-level coach (get a broad range of experience, even though badges are important, but also get an idea which level you want to focus on)
The club is working to build out their presence at Fraser Park, expect more branding (and a trophy cabinet!) on the ground floor soon - more watch parties for away games could definitely be a thing, although there are some logistical challenges to work through
And more I can’t recall after a late night of excitement and a few Panheads at the watch party…
This young team is already showing signs of resilience in adversity. I like it!
Along with our exciting academy/CL lads, few more solid recruitments, work out our best playing style, Rufer, Payne, Piper still to return, Eze and Armiento coming in and I think we'll be looking pretty nice.
Everyone hit their pens. No one missed the target right? Some Oli guessed the right way or got a scratch on , but they had direction and elevation in horrible conditions. That’s a team win guys.
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