Newcastle Jest Match Thread

Like everyone disappointed with the result - especially after making the long trip across to watch it but some positives; Greenacre is class on and off the pitch and will be very good for us - a real fans player seeking out the travelling supporters when he scored and first to acknowledge the supporters after the game - he will get better and better with good service. Ifill has a great first touch and is very strong on the ball - once he and Greenacre learn each others game / runs they will be an excellent strike duo. Leo - always always gives 100%, my first pick every game. McKain will also be strong again this season.

Whitby boy2009-08-10 00:24:26

I'm not going to bother bagging everyone - it's the first game, and perspective is needed. I am just disappointed. Disappointed that Ricki seemingly hasn't clicked on to the fact that long balls to no one and almost 0 penetration through midfield (the transition from defence to attack is almost non existant - a problem that was pretty obvious last season too) valeo2009-08-10 00:43:07

I was going to post a rant straight after the game but I reckon its always better to cool off a bit.

Agreed. I couldn't watch the game but I've got the jist of it. Tactics are very important and if we play liker that then GCU will rip us to shreads.

We NEED to play a creative player in the park and surely Brown hasn't proved himself in that lineup. Costa has played consistently better but doesn't get a look. Brown is just dissapearing in most games. Waste of space.

It is the first game, so we have to look at the positives. At least we scored two and created well. Bertos has carried his Confeds form and truly deserves all his praise.
We scored more goals than Melbourne!!
Now we just need to have some more creatiion in the park

I kinda agree with those saying that maybe it's time for Ricki to step aside. Most would have to agree sometimes his tatics leave alot to be desired of.


And you can't keep saying it's not his fault that the defence sucks or certain players are not playing well. At the end of the day it is his job to make sure that the defence is ok and that players play to their best. He is there to make sure that Phoenix can field their best team week in, week out and to be honest I don't think he is doing that.

And I'm not saying this because of the game. I felt he should of gone last season. Maybe the responsibility of the AWs as well is putting added stress to his job. It would not be easy.

Wellington vs Melbourne 26th August 2007:

VENUE : Westpac Stadium
KICKOFF TIME : 4:00 PM
REFEREE : Mark Shield
CROWD : 14421
WEATHER : Fine
PITCH : Good

Score 2-2
Goals Wellington
'79     Daniel
'84     S. Smeltz

Goals Melbourne
'19     K. Muscat (pen)
'60     D. Allsopp

Yellow Cards

Wellington
'8     S. Old
'18     C. Souza Santos Gois
'63     Daniel
'70     R. Aloisi

Melbourne
'20     G. Brebner
'25     L. Milicevic
'39     D. Allsopp
'77     K. Muscat
'89     J. Keenan

Attempts at Goal: WP 18, MV 11
Attempts on Target: WP 3, MV 3
Attempts off target: WP 13, MV 8
Attempts Woodwork: WP 2, MV 0
Keeper Saves: WP 1, MV 1
Corner: WP 6, MV 3
Offsides: WP 4, MV 6
Fouls committed: WP 21, MV 15
Possession: WP 52% MV 48%

**************************************************************************

Wellington vs Queensland 17th August 2008:

VENUE : Westpac Stadium
KICKOFF TIME : 5:00 PM
REFEREE : Ben Williams
CROWD : 10516
WEATHER : Rain
PITCH : Slippery

Score 1-1

Wellington Goal:
'53     S. Smeltz

Queensland Goal:
'46     C. Miller

Yellow Cards:

Wellington
'52     K. Dodd
'55     Daniel
'56     L. Bertos

Queensland
'65     D. Dodd
'79     M. Zullo
'90     M. McKay

Attempts at Goal: WP 8, QR 15
Attempts on Target: WP 2, QR 5
Attempts off target: WP 6, QR 10
Attempts Woodwork: WP 0, QR 0
Keeper Saves: WP 4, QR 1
Corner: WP 1, QR 4
Offsides: WP 4, QR 3
Fouls committed: WP 20, QR 16
Possession: WP 49% QR 51%

***********************************************************************

Newscastle vs Wellington 9 August 2009:

VENUE : Energy Australia Stadium
KICKOFF TIME : 3:00 PM
REFEREE : Chris Beath
WEATHER : Fine
PITCH : Good

Score 3-2

Newscastle Goals
'12     J. Hoffman
'22     J. Hoffman
'84     J. Naidovski

Wellington Goals
'26     B. Sigmund
'43     C. Greenacre


Yellow Cards
Newcastle
'20     A. D'Apuzzo
'73     L. Milicevic

Wellington
'48     J. McKain
'59     T. Lochhead

Attempts at Goal: NJ 14 WP 10
Attempts on Target: NJ 7 WP 3
Attempts off target: NJ 7 WP 7
Attempts Woodwork: NJ 0 WP 0
Keeper Saves: NJ 1 WP 3
Corner: NJ 3 WP 4
Offsides: NJ 2 WP 2
Fouls committed: NJ 16 WP 25
Possession: NJ 46% WP 54%

************************************************************************

The game in the first round was statistically noted to have

More goals (i.e. 5 goals in the 3-2 result)
The first time losing in first round. (i.e. the other games were draws)
First away game in first round.
The two quickest goals for Wellington in the 26th and 43rd minute.
The first and third quickest goals against Wellington in the 12th and 22nd minute.
The least yellow cards given out to both teams.
Wellington's 2nd most attempts at goal as being 10 compared to 18 against Melbourne.
Wellington's 1st equal attempts on target as being 3.
Wellington's 2nd most keeper saves at 3 (most keeper saves is 4)
Wellington's 2nd most corner given at 4 (most corners given is 6)
Wellington's lowest offside count at 2
Wellington's most fouls committed at 25 (takes over previous most fouls of 21)
Wellington's most possession % at 54%.

Match summary:

Overall, considering that it was their first away game in the first round, it was a highly attacking game with more controlled attacks than their previous first round games. Wellington was able to control the ball movement with slightly more purpose than previous first round games whilst still able to give reasonable threats of shots at goal despite having less shots than Newscastle. This is mainly because of reckless goal shooting against Melbourne Victory in the first season and the slippery conditions against Queensland Roar. Both of which are also home game for Wellington.

Early goals and having 4 out of the 5 goals in the first half has set up for an intense contest in the second half with both teams probing for that lapse in defence or that possession turnover to capitalise for the winning goal. This came for Newscastle with a well executed 2v3 counterattack (via an accurate inch perfect cross picking out an effective header finish) from a turnover of possession in their own half to fully exploit the space around the Wellington defenders.

Wellington feel rightly disappointed not to grab a point from an away game after being 2-0 by the 22nd minute to comeback by half time at 2-2 only to lose at the later stages of a highly competitive second half where it was anyone's game to snatch the winning goal whilst not losing a goal themselves.

Comparing to other A-league first round games, the game was open and had more willingness to attack with a high amount of change of possessions. This willingness, however came about from risky long ball in the attacks from both teams hoping to catch the defenders out of positions while at the same time thinking that their attackers will have a better initiative of running onto the ball flight. This thinking was not executed tidy as defenders able to generally prevent this occurring except in Newscastles winning goal when there was a long ball angle cross for an 1 on 1 challenge for the ball for a successful counterattack. However such an attack was enough to create doubt as to the defensive positioning making gaps where on other days, a solid defence could easily be tighter and more prepared especially in the first half. Such lapses were resulted in goals that should have not been through Wellington's central defence. In the second half, it was clearly tighten up as it should be, despite that 5th goal. Generally Wellington looking to exploit their long wing attacks rather than their centralised attack as they lacked a creative attacking central midfielder opting instead to use two defensive central midfielders to maximise their defensive output in an away game. With wing backs to push up down the line in support and lateral midfielders having the licence to go down the line or cross from the deep or cross from the side of the box as their main attacking point there was plenty of Newscastle defence able to shut most of it down before it gets near the central forwards. Newscastle attack was utilising Song on the right wing whilst Welington's left winger Bertos was utilised make that side of the park being the most active and heavily contested. Both opposing wingers were able to enter the attacking third on the side of the box with great threats.

It would be interesting to point out that their only goal from field play (i.e. not set play) came from Leo Bertos left wing interception of a pass in the left midfield. That allowed Leo to move centrally and exploiting the Newscastle's defence having options to pass either left or right hereby spliting the defence on the counterattack and giving room for either attackers to have the space to control and shoot comfortably with power along an exposed channel towards the goal net. The Greenache goal was certainly a delight from a tactical point of view in counterattacking. It is a worthwhile to see the strategic importance of this attack for future games. It would be beneficial to replicate the same conditions from which the lateral midfielder is able to cut into the central midfield by the lateral midfield which opens up those same counterattack patterns exploiting those spaces.

To realise that cutting in from the lateral midfield EARLIER to the centre can open sufficiently new attacking emphasis not used in previous seasons as well as being more unpredictable for most opponents defence to cope with. With a lack of an attacking central midfielder, this is the next best thing for an attack should the wing crossing attack fails to deliver consistent threats in a game.

The chances are quite critical in an away game if it is expected that two defensive central midfielders will be playing against a strong attacking opponent in the early rounds as certain experienced attacking central midfielders are looking to regain full fitness health before they are able to be in the starting line-up.AllWhitebelievr2009-08-10 02:25:09

How can you continue to blame the coach for the way the players play the game. I can't imagine Ricki telling Durante to push far forward that he can't get back to help out in D, nor can I imagine his telling his CB to leave their wide backs behind as they push forward. His plans have been pretty clear - to play a passing game and attack from the mid - Bertos proved that he could follow the instructions and played well, the backs let Ricki down big time, Brown (as much as I love seeing him play) was nowhere to be seen, McKain did very little to help either. Effesctively your 6 defensive guys (4 backs, 2 DM's) really let the siude down, they were weak.

Hearfield played ok but once again lost crucial ball, and defensively pretty m,uch lt players waltz past him.

that's not tactics lads, its just poor execution!

plenty of positives in this game, nice comparison. 

I wonder how long Ricki will stick with Brown for - how many games where he does nothing on attack and gives way freekicks with clumsy tackles...

Oh when will the scales fall off your eyes , Ricki...!

If he had someone within 40 metres to pass to then he wouldn't have to pump long balls to the opposition's back four. The change in formation should see to that.

Can you summarise in 10 words or less?

Trust me 2ndBest, I have tried. They just don't understand.

The Phoenix lost this season's opener, whereas previously they drew.

aint read this thread yet, but why did Paston stick his arms up AFTER the ball had gone past him on the second goal?

Because of the average defending.

To be honest, I felt sorry for Paston last night. That was a sorry display from the back four.

By the way, I haven't read this either, but I didn't think Pastie could have done anything, not any one thing, better for the Hoffman goal.

I had $5 on the 2-2 draw so it was a double whammy for me

As one of Moss's biggest fans and Pastons biggest detractors, I think its ridiculous to blame Paston for the goals.  Perhaps he may have parried the 2nd goal somewhere else, buy it was fair smashed at him.  Some may accuse him of lead feet for the third but i'm not sure if anyone could get to that header.  As for the first, anyone blaming Paston for that needs their head read.

(In saying all that, I really do wish we had someone else there, very nervous with Paston in goal)

Man you can't blame Paston for any of those goals! He was left stranded by himself for all three. The marking wasn't there. How long do you persevere with Lockhead? He's not good enough for this level in all honesty. I'm not just talking about last nights game either. Previous seasons he's been really bad. The Korean guy toyed with him. He was caught out of position so often.

If his plans were to play a passing game through the midfield then he shouldn't of played two DMs. I couldn't see any quality passing through the Mid, just same hail mary passes forward or give it to the wingers to do the work.

If ricki wanted an attacking mid then he should of played atleast one AM.

3 Goals Conceded

Am puzzled. Phoenix are two seasons and one game old. How come I get so nervous/wound up/involved in it all?   Last night had me pulling my hair out.... 

Interesting match, showed promise and flaws. Lets hope next weekend will be a good one.

So last week I wrote an A-League/Phoenix preview for Salient (the vuw student mag) and it was published today, with last night's performance unfortunately not really justifying my faith in them.

Some optimism though: it's unlikely that we will defend quite so poorly again all season and I thought Greenacre and Ifill showed promise up front and when they develop a partnership could be great. Leo played well at times too.

We always knew that we needed more creativity in the middle (rather than the two DMs) but we also knew that away from home Ricki was very unlikely to take that gamble. Home next week against Perth should see a more adventurous selection and if they play well and justify the change in focus then Ricki may stick with them.

So in all, a disappointing result, but it's not all doom and gloom just yet!

Now I've calmed down, I realise it could have been worse. We could have been Norwich. 

Reserve keeper Crowther is an Australian.  And he's young.

 

Can we get a leash about 60 - 65meters long and tie one end to McKain and the other end to our goal post. That way he cant get into the attacking 3rd and kick the ball away

No.  Come out quicker, catch the ball.  If he hit Hoffman after he caught it I don't care, it probably wouldn't be a penalty.

I'm aware of the sorry performance of our defence and I don't blame him for either of the other goals.

Having said that, Norwich aren't the only foreign team in the competition and, as far as I'm aware, don't have the prospect of being kicked out of the league hanging over their heads.

[QUOTE=dairyflat]Am puzzled. Phoenix are two seasons and one game old. How come I get so nervous/wound up/involved in it all?   Last night had me pulling my hair out....  Classic case of Phoenix-itis.
Your symptoms commonly felt by many suffers of this malady.
Other signs include breathlessness, racing pulse, heavy perspiration, involuntary swearing.hair-pulling etc.
A seasonal affliction,more prevalent this time of year.
Incurable, sorry to say.Take a pint and a pie daily, or as required, for relief.

Thought Ifill linked up play well. So that was encouraging. Bertos seemed to be the only one with any real pace for us, and was pretty good. But, as has been highlighted many times, the defence was a worry! Pretty disappointing game on the whole, apart frmo the second half of the first half. Good to see Siggy score! And Greenacre, although with a little help from the Newcastle keeper!