Just START Rojas (now with added Kosta)

I'd love to see him start, but i think people are right in saying, that he's a perfect tactical substituion for us at the moment. Him running at tired defenders is PERFECT.

It's what i thought Daniel used to do a couple of seasons ago, when he came on, he lifted the team by running at the defence, and bringing a whole new wave of attack.

If Bertos can step up his game and pace again, and run INTO the box like Rojas has been doing, i think Bertos can run himself stupid for 60 mins or so, and then Rojas can come on and continue blitzing them down the flanks.

I would like to see Ifill come off the bench around 60 too, i think him being fresh and attacking tired defenders would be an interesting tactic too

I think people are forgetting Marcos is just getting over ankle surgery. He was out of action for more than 6 months. He has had 2 games for the "A's " and a few cameos for the top side. I think they are doing the right thing with him at the moment by using him as an impact sub. You can see he looks a little nackered after each run he makes.

Ricki got Daniel to start tracking back and putting in slide tackles (and I even saw him win a good header that went to Ifill) so I think Rojas will improve that part of the game too

  Dwyer2010-12-06 19:38:24

at least marco can find nix players from a set piece.  a skill that daniel,elliott and bertos sadly miss. kinda like siggys crossing ability showing a few up

Why not run it more like the league sides do? fansince20102010-12-10 12:16:05

haha lol.

I dont think daniel would be allowed to come back on.

And yes HUGE waste of a sub

answers that question. 

Go back into hiding.Buffon II2010-12-10 16:50:28

Two Bertos.... no thanks, one is plenty unless of course we are looking to clone a team of lazy players who cant cross

Too much rugby for you, son.

Rojas would get my vote over Bertos and Daniel on their current form

Rojas touched the ball as soon as he got on last night, can't remember him doing anything else after that though.

It's because he was made to switch wings when Leo came on - as soon as that happened, neither Leo or Rojas did much. I can't even remember Leo touching the ball. Was a silly decision because Rojas actually did about 3 or 4 good things - including beating 2 guys shortly after back heeling to Siggy

Interesting people talking about him always looking knackered.. when Ifill looks like he's hobbling about on two broken ankles for the last 60 minutes of a match.

Doesn't affect his play, it's just how he is.

Yeah i think Bertos was the wrong sub.

We lost one with Paston, it was wasted on Bertos. Should have been Big Mac with all those long balls we reverted to.

This.

Daniel should have stayed on too, who put in some great crosses. Ifill looked buggered and needed to be off, big mac up from, grennie behind him and brown, rojas, and daniel supporting him would have been ideal.

Strewth! Why is there so much about protecting the poor little chap? He's been playing 90 minute games for years hasn't he? A certain David Beckham was playing Premiership and England games at this age, and I seem to remember him doing OK (MANY more examples from EPL of course). Get the kid on. let him learn his trade the only way, the hard way. We really need his skills right now....if we fanny around not letting him play you bet he will look for offers elsewhere before long. Deja vu. anyone? Grandadi2010-12-13 10:56:58

I think you are missing the fact that he missed most of last season through injury. Of course he is capable of playing 90 mins, but after a long lay off with a serious injury, then I think there are legitimate concerns around whether he is able to play 70-90 minutes at the moment.

Ok, if this is right apologies. Most posters on here seem to think that he is being "protected" because of some sort of perceived vulnerability (not related to injury). I will say though that if he can play this well when not 100% we should all hoping he's on form ASAP!

Na he shouldn't start.. too young!

Faded in the second half. But the best wing option we have, willing to try beat his man. Must be the hair cut.

Okay i put my hands up and say maybe i was wrong.Still think he needs to be protected at times as there are a couple of sh*ts in the "A" league who would like nothing better than to knock him down.And given the way some of the refs let some players get away with crap he does need to be well for a time.

He was outstanding in the first half, maybe didn't have the legs for 90mins but great signs, he's got massive shoes to fill with Ifill out.

I'm guessing the concern about needing to "protect" Marco relates to his size. He is a wee lad, but that probably ain't gonna change much so he might as well just get on with it.

Regarding his ankle injury: he looks pretty well rehabilitated to me.

Regarding his age: he's actually marginally older than Chris Wood.

Anyway, it's fantastic to see Marco doing so well. I reckon this "start/don't start" debate is pretty well over.

No one ever really doubted his talent just his injury and ability to start and play 90 minutes. Nothing else :/ Ricki eased him in and it was thr right thing to do.

Still isn't ready for 90 mins imo but is quickly getting there.

I was impressed and surprised with his tracking back and the fact that he stood up to the likes of Topor Stanley on occasion and didn't take a backwards step

Yeah still not match fit, but neither is Leo and he easily outshone him. He'll get there though.

"Are you Messi in Disguise?"

Leo simply shouldn't be playing right now - he obviously can't stretch out because of his injury and most of the time he stops and passes backwards because of it

Yeah I'd rather he just rest it as Wardy is. It'll be the best for everyone

After the show Rojas put on last night STARTING, no doubt he deserves to be in the starting 11. He had a hand in on nearly all of the goals last night. The first, excellent speed to draw three defenders and skill to find the man on the wing to put it in the box which resulted in a goal. The second, good positioning, and a tidy finish.  Does anyone see the logic? Say, Nix vs Adelaide on the 5th. A disappointing first half, then when Rojas made the sub, hello, he starts creating chances which opened up the defense, but his supporting strikers couldn't finish the job. Also, his lobbed crosses and corners float beautifully down onto the striker's head. Seriously, this boy has a massive future.
YellowMellow12010-12-19 12:09:39

Wow, I just realised he has near the exact playing style of Lionel Messi. His trademark runs, his perfect crosses, maybe not as deadly at finishing as Lionel, but wow, you have a point there, sir.

Well that worked alright then!

"We've got the best Hobbit in the league"

Good enough for the next All Whites squad?

Clone him and feed the clones steroids!