Leo's Future

Leo's Future

I think the return of Paul Ifill is possibly the beginning of a new era for Leo, because it gives Ricki a much better option for a wide spot and I think comes at a time when it seems pretty clear Bertos has lost his Mojo (Possibly shouldn't have started selling it).

I think it's been covered that the pace he once had is gone, probably as result of his groin injury and he turns 30 in a month. He still can, at times, deliver a good ball and technically is one of our better players, paricularly when making space for a cross.

However, he's no longer flying down the wings and for this reason I'm not sure he has a furture starting out wide, paricularly when you consider that without pace he's actually a similar player to Daniel, who offers a better cross, more creativity and link up play and a left foot.

For this reason, I think Daniel, Ifill and possibly Nick Ward are our best options for wide midfielders/wingers and was wondering where that leaves Leo. He's still a good A-League footballer and with the squad size we have must be involved at least on the bench.

With less pace, fullback may be an option, it would free Manny up to play in midfield and unlike Tsatallios he has a right foot. Obviusly his wingback role at the World Cup is a bit of an indication of his capabilities there.

When Sanchex pulled out before the Roar game I think he had some time centrally. I think with the amount of attack minded central midfielders we have he may not get a go there, but I could definately see him mkaing a Giggs like switch to the centre of the park.

In season 2 he got some time playing up front with Judas V1. He was kind of a mixed bag up there, but we then, like now, had limited striking options. I remember a fantastic header he scored against Sydney from a Tim Brown cross from this position just off the main striker.

Thoughts?

Woops, meant to hit bench. Prettymuch voided the entire poll. Apologies.

Remove muppet as he's not one. But yep, I think he's days are numbered. I'm  British so techinically I can't support NZ , but it's a lovely memory, one of the finest footballing things I've seen in recent years was Leo running past Italian players in the world cup, to me that was NZ had joined football. - You will never take that from him and he was good.

dont think he has the positional sense to make it as a fullback, however I think he could potentially have a future there if given some time.

Hearfield was arguably a less skilled player, but with time he managed to put in some decent performances.

Leo could potentially solve our problems at RB, at club and national level.
Also could work as a wingback.


I'm not sure it is his destiny, but it would solve problems for us, and give him more chance at starting. Otherwise its the bench, if that

Ifill/Ward out wide. Leo in middle next to Smith with Brown and Manny behind Bertos/Smith!

where is the caffe zoro option?

Phoenix players call the one's left out of the matchday aquad muppets, in case you thought I was just insulting him.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/3351748/Tim-Browns-goal-celebrations

This is the crux for me, I think he can be a useful player, just not on the wing. I'd like to see him start coming off the bench into fullback or the centre of the park.

Phoenix kids birthday party appearances?

fullback for club and country...think its still another season or 2 away though

I think he is the most unfairly criticised in the squad. He runs his arse off in defense, which for the phoenix style is vital to have up the field. He is still our quickest player, he is one of the few players who won 50/50 balls against Brisbane and he rarely gives away the ball cheaply. His crossing has been disapointing but it was never his strength. He is often very heavily marked due to the fact we are hellbent on playing down the flanks.

Have you actually watched any of the games this season.Just when has he shown he is one of our quickest players.Rarely gives away the ball,yep you have top be having a laugh.

Yes every minute. You can judge a players pace when they are competing for 50/50 balls. Who do you think is faster? Nick Ward, who has been mentioned here as the other option, is an example of a player who gives the ball away cheaply and often.rjmiller2011-11-22 08:20:32

I just think people are expecting too much from him and not giving him credit for the work he is doing. If he is covered by two men I would prefer he passes back for the switch, which a lot of people boo, rather than taking a low percentage option. He isn't and has never been a great dribbler like Rojas, I don't want to see him taking on two men. Our best games are usually ones where we have a pressing defence to stifle the oppositions game and defensively he is our best winger.

I think he was once a great dribbler - he did bring flair and the ability to beat a man with his stepovers or just raw pace.

But not any more.

Wingers always get caught in possession, though - as long as they do it high up the park while trying to take players on then I don't have too much of a problem with it valeo2011-11-22 11:20:01

The first couple of seasons he was at the Nix Leo was always in the first couple of names in my team sheet - his pace and flair were energising and a pleasure to watch.

I tend to agree with this, at least Troy offered bit of mongrel at times.

I think the way Leo found space using Daniel making a run outside him and delivered the ball to Ward coming in from the opposite flank against the Roar was fantastic, he definately is valuable in the final third, but can he offer more than Sanchez, Smith, Ward or Daniel?

[QUOTE=ForteanTimes]

Remove muppet as he's not one. But yep, I think he's days are numbered. I'm��British so�techinically�I can't support NZ�, but it's a lovely memory,�one of the finest footballing things I've seen in recent years was Leo running past Italian players in the world cup, to me that was NZ had�joined football.�- You will never take that from him and he was good.

This, definitely.

It has become frustrating to watch him surging up the wing with the ball at his toe and then either coming all the way back with it because the opp defence just shut him down or seemingly hanging on indecisively to the ball until that split moment for the cross has dissolved.
I still love him, in a manly way, but perhaps a more defensive role for him?

He was a preety good right back in the world cup. We could do worse

Well, at least he's not a potential keeper. Thats eliminated.

Perhaps he should get a couple of games where Ricki just says to him- run at the players, doesn't matter if you lose out. If he's got the coaches licence to do those things maybe he'll feel the confidence to go for it.

I think for him it is also about getting to the player at pace. He's not as gifted technically as Marco, but if he's got a little bit of space perhaps he can turn things around again. Everyone can remember him last year carving up at the World Cup h4e's just gotta get his confidence back too.

d'arcy waldegrave talks to Leo about why he ain't playing so good

http://www.radiosport.co.nz/ThisWeek/51630.wma

Interesting to here a player talking about his own form like that. It does make me feel sorry for him in the sense that we, as fans are very hyper-critical about our own players and those players must really find it a bit tough to take.
He really is one of those players that when he makes those surging runs up the wing he really gets the crowd going! That's why I find it so frustrating watching him sometimes. That promise is still there, but he's just holding back for some reason.

Leo's been doing extra at the gym - see him there all the time - so good on him

Buffing up for his new defensive role...

Having the privilege of watching Leo Bertos take apart Boca Juniors was one of the coolest things I've seen live.

I blame Kruse

with a sprinkling of Cahill

Leo will not be dropped cos he's a Wellingtonian.
He and Tim Brown are the only locals in the squad - that's why Ricki always plays him.

Right?

This thread could be drawing to a close if he keeps on playing like today.

Hey, we're now into Leo's future! Go Leo Lee-oo Lee-oo

Not so long ago I was sure Leo had lost his pace but he is looking pretty damn nippy lately and is obviously fit as.Then it seemed he couldnt beat his man and always looked back for support.At the same time he wasnt crossing to well and never seemed to take a shot.Well after watching his recent form and especially him smoking the GCFFA defence and then smashing it goalwards (to be denied by what was a f**king good save) I think he is back in the saddle well and truly. hamezilla2012-03-07 19:40:44

i really think he is a good impact player off the bench .