Final Chance For Centre Backs,

Final Chance For Centre Backs,

Likewise witht he other post. Not sure if this has bin posted... take what u  want from it.

Nix defenders Steven Old and Steven O'Dor are on notice fail today and run the risk of no more first team action.

That's the call from Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert as he prepares his charges for tonight's game against A-League high-flyers Adelaide.

The scenario for the Nix is at best problematic.

After three successive losses they head into the game at Hindmarsh Stadium one off the bottom of the league and without first-choice centreback Karl Dodd (suspended) and Brazilian defender Cleberson (hamstring).

It means Old and O'Dor the latter putting in his worst performance of the season in last week's loss to the Mariners will be in the middle of the Nix defence against an Adelaide team that has scored 14 goals in nine games the best record in the A-League.

But Herbert won't cut the two Stevens any slack.

"It's a tough ask for any defender going to Adelaide," Herbert said.

"They have a choice don't they they can hide or they can fight.

"I know I'd be relishing the chance to play. Isn't that what you want at that age to test yourself against the best in the business?

"It's a chance to make a name for yourself but at the same time if you mess it up, you might not get another chance."

O'Dor, 20 who made his debut under Herbert at the Knights last season has been disappointing at the Nix. Too often he is caught on the ball and gives up possession.

And Old, 21, a long-time project of Herbert's at international level, has failed to live up to the faith his manager has put in him.

Herbert admits if there was someplace else to turn he would already have been around the corner.

But the A-League transfer window the month of November is still four days away.

"If you are looking for an experienced player to step in now, there's no one," Herbert said. "That's unfortunately the reality at the moment.

"So that leaves me with Old and O'Dor two young players who are going through a tough opening season who are going to come out of the end of it either very good players for the future of the club ... or not.

"While there are times you are chewing your bloody fingernails off watching them, if they're not getting that exposure then they are never going to advance. They'd just remain players who you are never quite sure about.

"I see something in them that gives me hope. You don't see that all the time but as a coach you have to bite the bullet.

"They're not 29-year-old seasoned campaigners so you can't look through rose-tinted glasses.

"But they are playing in the A-League. They're a part of the Phoenix squad. And now it's important they put their hands up and prove to everyone that they deserve to be here."

While much of the focus will be on the Nix's defensive line they've leaked the most goals (16) of any team this season Herbert during the week drilled home the importance of collective responsibility.

While scribes singled out fullback Jeremy Christie's weak back-pass for the Mariners' late winner last week, Herbert had a different take.

"Shane Smeltz gets a chance to shoot, doesn't take a shot, tries something and loses the ball in the box, the ball breaks wide, we give away a free kick, there's no pressure on the free kick ...

"None of those things should have happened, then the ball gets to the critical end of the park, a mistake is made and the game is lost.

"We didn't lose last week because of one mistake. All the players need to take responsibility and they have. We're transparent about things within the club. We all know things need to improve every single day we're together."

The Nix's attacking mindset will be reeled in against Adelaide with Herbert desperate for at least a draw before two more road games against Perth and Queensland.

"We're an attacking team," Herbert said. "That why more than 10,000 people come to our home games. But we need to go to Adelaide in a selfish mood.

"We'll try to go punch-for-punch but we need to get the balance right. We want a point and if our best chance of getting one is by waiting for counter-attacking opportunities or set-piece stuff so be it.

"Playing Adelaide isn't about thrilling people. It's about a result."

Scottishbhoy2007-10-28 12:02:09

What's he going to do if they're rubbish again? 

shoot them

Does seem a bit of an idle threat when the only reason they are playing is due to injuries.

I'd say it's a not very vailed hint that iif they don't do the job, the transfer window is upon us.

also interesting to hear Ricky's thoughts on the attitude they will take into the game


winning ugly - bring it on!!!

hey drawing ugly will be ok too

All i want is a bloody win, I don't care how!! Like Aurelio Vidmar said a few weeks back about being at that stage that he wanted his players to play ugly football anyway they know to get a result and look where they are now!

I think that is a bit harsh on Old - he has barely had anywhere near the game time that O'Dor has had to prove himself

all ricky herbet is saying is its time for them to take there chances and shore up the defence which has been surely lacking!!

well whats gonna happen now

Cleberson actually hasnt been that bad when he's played CB. Would prefer him to Old and maybe O'Dor.

It's all relative!

im actually quite serious when i say i dont know if oldy would stand out in the nzfc.im not tryin to shoot the kid down but i was just annoyed by that performance however I will NEVER give up on the nix

perhaps Ricki should give all of our defenders a diastop 24 hours before the game. It might help them stop leaking any goals!

it was my understanding that clebo is injured so couldn't play

Bring back Bunce

tru buncy wouldbe been more decent than oldy.but buncy sells real estate now surely hes long gone

In the air we were weak at the back tonight. Cleberson has his faults, but is strong in the air.

on the basis of what Herbert said - Old and O'Dor are gone - not too sure who he is gonna play back there

Yeah he has his faults, can't pass, no pace, can't communicate in English ... but at least he can head a ball.

And Clebo got turned inside out the other week.

clebo wudve been better than oldy at centre half.oldy looked like he was missing his head for a lot of that game.he was seriously a struggle to watch

I just hated the unpredictability of it all. A central defender that can always be relied on to be there positionally is gold.

My vote is for George and Felipe.

After tonights appauling result, anyone want to disagree with me about gettin rid of Old, bringing in a seasoned centre-back and benching O'Dor?.....Thought not!

Could the Phoenix do QPR a favour and buy Zesh Rehman & Damion Stewart?

BRING IN BOBO BALDE

Can someone tell our center halves that they should start playing like old fashioned center halves and start thumping people!!!! although I must admit it would be nice to see someone screening the back four and picking up the deep runners who seem to cause us so much problems

Additional problem we had yesterday wa not enough defensive cover from midfield. There was a big gap between midfield and the defensive line for Adelaide to exploit and get into dangerous positions. Yet when the back four couldn't really push up to close the gap as every time they tried to they got burned by the superior pace of Adelaide forwards and midfielders.

We obviously missed the presence of Karl Dodd! my vote is Cleberson and Dodd at centre back, Old is not up to it, I have said that from day one, everyone raves on about him, he has done absolutely nothing!! and O'dor??? Old would be good playing in the NZFC, But thats about it!

I reckon our centrebacks  are too slow to run back and too slow to get the ball away. We need a complete reshuffle in the transfer window and bring in new defenders

Our defenders are too scared to commit to the tackle - how often do you see a Phoenix play commit to the tackle - too often they'll hassle, harass, shepherd the player - but in the meantime they've carried the ball 30 yards and usually get a pass off.
If our defenders were willing to stick a boot in and break down opposition attacks I doubt we'd find ourselves under so much pressure at the back.

by the sounds of it it was all O'dor and Olds  fault?? yep they played pretty crap, couldnt mark and wernt aggressive enough..

but who the hell was ricki meant to play anyway??

considering Old hasnt played centre back for sometime,even with the all whites you chuck him in there with a 20 yr old and you probably had the youngest pairing in the league!

where was the rest of the team?

what did our magical brazilians do the whole game? and what midfield did we have?

it was just an all around pretty crap game, no link up between anyone, no movement, no support for smeltz, full backs hardly got up and attacked.. just move on..

adelaide are good.. move on.. we will play better this week, we have dodd back and we are playing Perth whom we are higher placed and better than!

It looked like Ricki had actually told our fullbacks to not get forward as much, fair call considering how young our centre backs were.

Clebo is nursing a damaged Hamstring.  Wouldn't bet on him being available. Hard News2007-10-29 14:28:34

He better be available.