Nix @ CCM, Thursday 7th Feb 9:00pm SkySports 3

Unsure why this game is being played on a Thursday but a chance for the Nix to give me a win for my birthday. 

Siggy is out suspended, I expect Boxall coming in to be the only change.

I would be very surprised if Hogg doesn't keep his starting spot.

I wouldn't. But he really should. 

For us to win Dura is gonna have to have a big game. Assuming that Hogg will start, he'll need help with positioning and Dura will have to cover for him a bit as well as giving Box a hand in the middle. Manny will need a big game in the middle too and so will....
Actually flag that, for us to win the whole team are gonna have to have a big game.

I'm with Tegal on this one, wouldn't be surprised to see him dropped for the returning Lochhead. Would not be the first time I thought a replacement should keep the spot, but the suspended player was straight back in. 

The only remotely reasonable reason I can see Ricki putting Lochy back in is if he thinks he'll need Tony's 'experience' to help win what will be a bloody tough match. Although it would be a bit of a cop out but ya never know.

'He has photos of me, incriminating photos'

expect staring lineup to be

Paston - although would prefer moss

Leo, Boxall, Sura, Hogg(Ricki could suprise with Lochhead)

          Muscat

Lia (prefer Sanchez) Cernak

Ifill      Stein     Brockie

Lia offers more defensively. More likely to be beside Muscat with room to rove than beside Cernak and track back.

fair enough re Lia's defensive ability I'm just keen to see what we can do on attack with two mids who seemt o want to pass the ball to feet. It would give Stein the best opportuinity to cause some problems to. Lia, manny and the wings all seem keen to lump the ball into the box via the air - not Steins best option

Yep.

This, the lumped balls in the air with Stein there...my biggest frustration this season :)

Not sure that we can have both Stein and Brockie in the team. CCM will be pushing their FBs very far forward and are a very important part of the CCM game as they provide width to CCM game. Would like Fenton to come in, my preference in place of Brockie as he has a better work rate. In midfield I think Sanchez is a better player than Cernak but Cernak is quick, plus Ricki will want to have another look.

think club needs to make a move for dan keat ala hogg. would put a good deal of pressure on the midfield

Manny at RB, Smith into the side?

Despite how Manny will feel about it, it's vital that he plays at RB now. CCM's two fullback would run rings around Lia if he were to fill in at RB.

Oh-oh.Not good.They'll be down that side like a rash.Ricki please pick Manny there(rb). #nonebetter

Leo not travelling means Manny at Right back, then would like to see Sanchez into midfield with Lia & Cernak...

=> Just saw the Fenton coming into midfield bit, so guess that would mean Lia/Fenton/Cernak, like the idea of Fenton in the middle, really worried that CCM will be all over us though, don't think Fenton or Lia can handle McGlinchey, and as already mentioned can't see Brockie dropping back to help out wide either...

Right no more negativity, Come on YOU NIX! Lets play the ball to Stein's feet and get him back in the scoring books.

Piney's guess at probable starting XI is

                Paston

Muscat   Boxall Durante   Hogg

    Lia     Fenton  Cernak

    Ifill   Brockie  Huysegems

Fenton has played CAM his entire life, it wasn't until he came to the Nix that he went out wide. I'm not saying that it means he is an A-League quality central midfielder, just that it may not be as fundamental a change as you think.

Tend to agree. That said I'd rather have Fenton in there than Sanchez. I don't think Sanchez deserves to get near the side based on what he's served up this season, although that would probably apply to 80% of the squad.

I'm wondering, not very deeply, how a 2-3-1 of (same back 4 as above) would go.

                         Lia      Smith

                   Ifill    Fenton   Cernak

                     Huysegems (purely for his workrate)

Obviously sacrificing a goalscorere (our main scorer) for someone who'll roll his sleeves up. Ah well, we'll see. Ricki knows best. Kind of.

 ...so Lindsay really is out of favour.  I'd have him playing if we're going to have a gap at right back or (non-attacking) midfield.

Yay quality imports!

I'm not convinced Sanchez adds more than Lindsay currently and he offers a more defensive option.

He was also slated for Right Back against Heart which is better than removing our one A-League quality midfielder to Right back.

 Any option leaves us short of about 3 A-League quality midfielders.

 Hello TAB.

 Smith/Lia/Cernak? Crumbs. I think Fenton maybe the man to do the job on McG- will chase him all day.

I believe in Louis. 

I'd rather have Lia at right back than Manny- I want manny in the midfield. Ifill just has to tackle Josh Rose if he tries to get forward, ball or no!

Leo has been Mr Consistency this season for me- not bad at the back, and useful going forward.

Agree Re Leo. My person for the player of the year.

Hope we add more pain to your season... but you always seem to give us trouble.... 

Sounds like when you add extra chilli to a stir fry...