MOTM vs Melbourne

Are people voting for ferrante because of his 3 off target shots?????

odor played rubbish.

You're not still on the Paston bandwagon are you....?

Why so long to bring Daniel on? He made the biggest difference once he came on. What would have happened if he played from the start I wonder?

Has Daniel fallen out of favour?

He has been on the bench for his last two games. I don't understand why because he has been one of our most consistent players this season. It was quite obvious when he came on against Melbourne that he made things happen. Plus with Lockhead out he seemed the obvious left side option.

I believe he may have been carrying an injury and Ricki is taking it easy with him so as not to aggrivate it. I stand to be corrected though.

I can't understand why people have posted criticisms of Dodds performance(s). He is consistently Phoenix's best player.  He may not be the best defender in the world but he is playing for a Phoenix team in its inaugural season and playing alongside some weaker defenders.  Most of the goals conceded seem to come from the poor defending by the likes of O'dor, Old and Brown.  Dodd on the other hand sticks out like a sore thumb in terms of experience, tackling, heading and positioning in defence.

Looking back at the Melbourne game, I think Elrich had yet another poor performance.  Coveny and Schmelz yet again did not get any good service from the midfield. Felipe kept falling over and not too sure why Ferrante got a lot of votes for MOTM: was it because he hit one shot which went over the crossbar or because he made one good long range pass?

Dodd was the only man for Phoenix who was actually trying to move forward and link up with players which is pretty hard being a defender and all.  Must have been given orders by Ricki to push forward?

I think yesterdays performance was long overdue for the Phoenix.  It has exposed all the players who are not good enough and gives Ricki an idea of areas where Sereposis needs to invest some of his money if Phoenix are to challenge for a top spot next season.

Schmelz needs a pacey forward who can create chances to partner him up front. We need someone on the wing who can actually cross a ball.  We need a defensive-midfielder to partner Daniel and Ferrante.  And we need a central defender to partner Dodd in defence. Oh and we need a decent stadium too.  Westpac stadium just wasn't made for football. 

Anything else wrong, or is that it for now ? 
Jag2008-01-13 14:34:33

you spelt Smeltz wrong  

I'll back up Dodd. High work rate every game, saves blushes after serious blunders from others time and again. If he had a few others round him performing then he'll be even better. Most of the problem comes from opposition mid fielders walking through the middle of the park in wide open spaces. Makes it hard for 3 at the back, so while a blame has been placed on the defence, the midfield hasn't worked going backwards. Also, if you have wingers they should be tracking back constantly. I find it hard to believe that Ricki would tell the one on the left to track back and work his arse off and tell the guy on the right to sit on half way and wait for the ball. The coaches I plaed for seemed to give the same message to both.

Dodd should be the first one they keep for next year. Rees can stay too. Fix the midfield

 

i was one of the two cowboys, with the black flag/cape, yeah went to the charles dickens afterwards for a while, you guys headin to tennis tomorrow

Can't understand thise who bag Dodd, he has not cost us goals due to poor passing, like Lia, been caught out of position like O'Dor, forgot to defend and header like Rees etc etc.

Rees gets caught out a hell of a lot more than Dodd. I feel sorry for both of them  - having to play with muppets like Old and O'Dor has to be hard.
valeo2008-01-13 20:19:44

Daniel  was suspended for 2 games but prior to that he was carrying an injury, perhaps it's still causing him problems. a groin injury I believe.

that is the 1st time ive seen the phoenix play really poor all season long, its the worst ever, i dont know what happened, but i do think the 35 degree heat played a huge part in it.

It was about 25 degrees and had been so for most of the day. You just got out played by a team that's finally hitting its straps - although a little too late.

Gotta agree with you Matt, What ever happened to body on the line. I mean tip-toeing out the of way of the shot.

Dodd for me has been our best this year with Moss