Match 10 vs Perth Glory | Sun 7th Mar | 6:05pm | SS7

coochiee

Jazzy Jeff

Got to say, I think Alex Rufer is incredibly undervalued. Yes he is more prone to giving the ball away which he showed in the first half hour of the game before Reno scored (which he assisted), but after that he was fantastic. His passing has been brilliant and his long balls have really improved, and he seems to be shutting down attacks with more regularity too. The two biggest improvements seem to be mental though. He seems incredibly calm on the ball - this was shown when he was being closed down on either side by Perth attackers and deftly turned and stormed up the pitch leaving them in the dust. He didn't panic, just trusted his ability and saw the opportunity to start an attack from such a defensive situation, instead of passing back to Sail. That's just one example but he seems to be a lot more in control and getting his head up. The other is how direct he is. He seems much more inclined to play long balls and through balls to attackers, and they are working. The man has 3 assists to his name already and I don't think it's a coincidence. Top Stuff

Very much agree. He had a scratchy start, but after that some of his decision making in tight spots was great. Definitely playing with his head up, and looking for the opportunity to go forward even when squeezed in.

Also like an extra CB when defending and crosses are played in, and without DeVere is not the biggest CB pairing at the moment. Rufer's height is useful. Think it was the prior Newcastle game when he came off, was getting some big backslaps from Talay.

For moment is Lewis and Devlin playing to be his midfield partner, Rufer locking in a starting role.

But since Uffie has started mixing up his selections the last few weeks (some forced through injury/suspension), there is now genuine competition for almost every spot in the 11. Only say Davila, could get away with 2-3 bad games and not expect to get demoted back to the bench for a game. 

A few years back I think it was touch and go if he would become a good player at A League level, now he clearly belongs. Has clearly worked hard. The other thing is his size and strength, he's bulked up a lot.... used to be pretty light weight (which isn't unexpected when younger), not so any more.

Also good for the All Whites (if we ever play a game again!) as we lacked depth in that position... we now have Rufer and Stensness, both who are young, looking good in the A League, along with Bell overseas (also young) who is quality.

Next part to his game, talk to his uncle and learn how to score goals!

How long did we give Jeff Sarpong? We should give Hemed at least the same chance

Doloras

How long did we give Jeff Sarpong? We should give Hemed at least the same chance

9 starts and 4 sub appearances.
Hemed has had 4 starts and 3 sub appearances

While I agree Hemed has been poor, I think there's a couple of mitigating factors at play - coming out of quarantine and then a hammy injury have meant that he hasn't really hit full match fitness yet.

That said, it doesn't excuse everything and he will need to pull finger and start to put it together soon to have any chance of getting a start over Waino.

I see Rufer's value, but he's incredibly sloppy on the ball a lot of the time and struggles to take it on the turn - a lot of the time our CBs are scared to play it into midfield as it usually bounces straight back. He also runs like he's wearing concrete blocks, so when Fenton or McGarry push up, he struggles to cover. Was a big reason why Perth completely dominated possession. That wasn't a plan. We just couldn't hold onto the ball. 

He's usually good at intercepting balls and breaking up play, but we've already got Devlin for that. I will say that he has a good switch of play every now and then when it comes off, something Devlin certainly doesn't have.

I always thought Rufer looked more like a CB anyway.

In saying that, he's much better than Ridenton who barely looks like a footballer these days. His mini resurgence at Brisbane seems a lifetime ago.

re: Hemed - if you're not scoring as a striker, you need to be contributing to build up play and at least working hard. He doesn't work hard. He doesn't make runs. He looks absolutely spent after 5 minutes. I just don't know what he brings. Can make all the excuses in the world, but every single player in this league has had to deal with a less than ideal pre season.  Hooper came here half injured and everytime he touched the ball you could still see his class.

At least Ball looks like he's found the fountain of youth - he's running around just as much as Waine. I also think Waine has been really impressive. I'd like to see more combination play from him, but he'll grow in confidence.

Hemed for all his experience continues to be regularly caught offside. That's almost unforgivable.

Lonegunmen

Hemed for all his experience continues to be regularly caught offside. That's almost unforgivable.

I genuinely don't see what he brings to the team at the moment. I haven't seen glimpses of potential, but I will be honest and there were a few games i've missed. I was quite sure he was injured for most of those mind.

Mainland FC

I was surprised that the highlights did not include Keogh's disallowed goal.  Not shown much in a way of Perth dangerous moves in the first half.  Effectively we saw three Nix goals and the excellent triple-dip save by Sail and that was it.

The half hour highlights package of Nix matches is a better bet on Prime TV generally at 6pm the day after the match.
For some reason they didn't show highlights of the Perth game as they usually do, the day after.
My complaints and those of others to Prime TV (Sky) seem to have worked.
I got three replies from Mohammed at Sky / Prime Customer Service.
Here is the latest update:
"We’ve added in some Wellington Phoenix A-League highlights this Friday at 6.30pm, as well as A-League round highlights from 10.30pm that same night.

 

All Wellington Phoenix highlights we aim to have the day after their games and round highlights on Friday evenings – both where possible.

 

Thanks for your patience!"

I don't agree with your comments around Rufer being sloppy on the ball. He wins a lot of fouls by opening his body and turning with the ball as his opposites come in. I think technically he is very good, but lacks visions IMO.

valeo

I see Rufer's value, but he's incredibly sloppy on the ball a lot of the time and struggles to take it on the turn - a lot of the time our CBs are scared to play it into midfield as it usually bounces straight back. He also runs like he's wearing concrete blocks, so when Fenton or McGarry push up, he struggles to cover. Was a big reason why Perth completely dominated possession. That wasn't a plan. We just couldn't hold onto the ball. 

He's usually good at intercepting balls and breaking up play, but we've already got Devlin for that. I will say that he has a good switch of play every now and then when it comes off, something Devlin certainly doesn't have.

I always thought Rufer looked more like a CB anyway.

In saying that, he's much better than Ridenton who barely looks like a footballer these days. His mini resurgence at Brisbane seems a lifetime ago.

re: Hemed - if you're not scoring as a striker, you need to be contributing to build up play and at least working hard. He doesn't work hard. He doesn't make runs. He looks absolutely spent after 5 minutes. I just don't know what he brings. Can make all the excuses in the world, but every single player in this league has had to deal with a less than ideal pre season.  Hooper came here half injured and everytime he touched the ball you could still see his class.

At least Ball looks like he's found the fountain of youth - he's running around just as much as Waine. I also think Waine has been really impressive. I'd like to see more combination play from him, but he'll grow in confidence.

Not good at right back either. I guess he took one for the team but got caught out ball watching way too often and played a hand in 3 of their goals. Hopefully Ufuk won't ever play him there again. He was also too slow in moving forward or in retreat. He is a midfielder through and through and some of his long passing is good. Although last night it wasn't. To be honest and fair to him - he just had a bad day at the office.