Nix v NZ u20.

sharp eyes there from burkina faso mjp22010-08-07 14:56:44

crowther spotted on the sideline

Bambang gave us an extra dimension, even in those conditions. Agree, he could be a handful on the dry. Hard to get a handle on Toto in the limited time. Positioning's good. Pretty fraustrating for him though to have to prove yourself in the mud. 

Just cause, he hasn't played much or any part in pre season has he? I thought he had a niggling injury. And Herbie said this lineup was pretty much full strength with the exception of Big Mac and Ifill. Could be wrong though.

Probably more than me. I haven't seen any preseason games.

I don't remember seeing a sixth either...

mjp22010-08-07 15:36:23

I saw five... agree with most of whats been said re Toto and Bambang... did someone have a bet with Vinnie "I'll have a pop" Lia in the first half?... then in the second he had the best chance of all and passed to a marked player lol...

Was a bit comical at times due to the pitch (and less so, the wind) but looked a fair run for the most part.

How many of those U-20's would be in the top line-up?... there seemed to lack any sort of spark. Thought reasonable at the back until Bambang came on - maybe that extra physical presence psyched them out :p

Would liked to have seen more of Greenie tbh.SurgeQld2010-08-07 15:41:43

U20s looked out of it apart from Musa.  Nix way faster at passing as u would expect.

Toto > Bertos....or at least Bertos wil have to work for his spot.

Bambang<G**..dont sign.

Just one goal in the first half - Bertos after 25 minutes direct from a left-wing corner, although there were noises about an own-goal by a defender on the line. 

 

Sorry can someone give me the lowdown on what happened with Bambang? How long did he play and did he impress? Were the conditions awful?

Was hanging out in the "trial" thread but missed this.

Toto was decent, some sharp touches when he got involved. Kept drifting over to the left flank with Daniel to do some good one-two linking.. Good ball for Pavs goal

Bam didnt seem that fired up.. Had a few touches and was moving around alot, seemed to have trouble with his boots.. Spending most of halftime putting them on and was then tying them when we were on the brake.. Liked the turn he did after falling over in the corner tho but its hard to say from that little performance if he will sign

Ifill should have had a penalty at the end but was sweeter blasting it in from the pulled back freekick

Musa looked good for the U20s I thought, very chatty leadership.

bambam won't sign. Apartenly he doesn't take to well to the weather and will be a squad player here as opposed to a superstar back home.

The weather will only get better...generally.

Yeah I believe I am getting my hopes up over very little. But hey, we are allowed to dream 

Steve-O, is that really you?

Way too optimistic - what have you done with the real Steve-O??

Just a question - a contract cuts both ways right? So I guess we firstly have to want him, then he's going to have to want us, and thirdly both are going to have to agree on a price.

Wouldn't he have had some idea on the adverse weather here before coming over, and surely he would have known the possibility of being a squad player?

Could you elaborate more on your thoughts and tell me from which aspect you think the signing won't happen? Player, club or both?

Cheers
ahmad2010-08-07 16:07:56

Club..he didnt lok that keen for someone who had 20 mins to shine..didnt hear him cal once for it whereas Toto was grunting away all the time and running around and defending also.  Bambang had  afew good touches but just didnt put his heart into it for me..so club will say no for my money.

whew - i can count - just misinformed about the first half

Enjoyed it v much:    wind, (some) rain and Phoenix .. real football stuff!  And amazing to be so close to a full on Nix game .. quite different from training or when watching from stand .. you see (and hear *#@!!) so much more .. down at Nix end in 2nd half, thought Ifill (when he not slipping over) was in great touch. cronus2010-08-07 16:50:31

Basically agree with everything people have said so far, thought Toto looked very good when he came on though as Piney said he drifted out of it for 15 minutes in the middle. He also seemed to be hugging the flank a bit and would have liked to have seen him get in the middle a bit more. Impressed by Bang Bang also, as other people have said offers something we don't have.

A shame if that is the case. Most people seem to think he is A-League standard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8WXTF4OG0Y

Siggy scores!

Happy fans!

Now that brings back some memories!

Thought B4E's assessment on the harsh side. Particularly earlier suggestion of Bambang < G**.

It's a little easier for a midfielder to be running around being involved (I think there were question marks around Toto's positioning and role - there seemed to be messages from the bench not quite getting through). Also, one wouldn't expect the front running target to be defending a hell of a lot, so hard to compare the respective performances.

Not the most convincing display from Bambang, but I saw some pretty deft touches here and there and not sure if the bog in the Hutt is a good place to assess.

As for attitude, hard to tell (I thought he put himself about pretty well), but he speaks good English and team management will be onto it.

I guess we'll see.

Marco play for u20s?

He is hurt atm I think

cut his foot two weeks ago apparently and is said to have played 20 games in off-season over in Finland

Toto's main asset shown thus far is ability to see a decent option and release the ball quickly - esp from set pieces

I expect we'll see his contribution increase when he gets a settled combination around him

Pav looks like he might have what it takes , esp if we do get a mid-week team going and he listens and learns from Greenie, Iffy and the coaching staff


tigers2010-08-07 18:25:57

I'm surprised Bambang didn't get more time. That was his only chance to impress, other than training, right?

So Musa looked good? I only caught 30 minutes of the 1st half! Nice to see these guys have to come and play on the same kind of sh*te we have to play on.

Ricki had commented Lochy had an injury of some sort coming back from the World Cup, thus has been rested for most of the preseason matches.

I'd expect him to get some game time, but not a lot if they do go to 3-4-3

Hope that isn't the case with Bambang as he will be playing a lot in Australian conditions which are quite a lot warmer...

He hasn't met the Yellow Fever yet either! Then he'll know he's a star- just ask Daniel!

I would really love to see Bambang in the squad but at the end of the day I want what is right for club.

Just to reiterate that my "support" is condition on him fitting into the team culture and being a great guy with the fans like the rest of the Phoenix lads whom I adore.

I know that the team management won't take him on if they don't feel he will fit in but I'm just saying.