Nix Vs Adelaide - Match Thread

Nix Vs Adelaide - Match Thread

OK next week we are up against Adelaide Utd in Adelaide. We have a bit of momentum behind us now with three wins in our last matches. What do we do from here on in to ensure that we dont fall off the top 4?? 

Keep winning?

Have to keep playing like that each week and not drop off to how we played against a 9 men Newcastle.
valeo2008-11-29 12:42:51

Be pleased with a well played draw here, same line-up I think, that'll be hard on Doddy though.

great to see dura earn a probable start v adelaide

If Dodd doesn't start I reckon we'll see him leave to the GC or NQ

good point, could be a factor in giving him a run

be intersting to know how/if the initial Mossy dropping was linked to contract negotiations

Moss will be wanting some trophies if you ask me. Paston's stepped up now anyway.

And after that match I really do agree with the members who keep saying how he organizes the defence, I think that could be a fairly significant difference.Michael2008-11-29 13:51:22

A medal for warming the bench?

Theo hasn't been performing well lately so it wouldn't suprise me if he ended up staying and Moss was 3rd choice and playing youth league.

given that Mossy's 'gone' (but still a great lot of memories of his heroics last season espec), it's interesting to look at paston's strengths (nightz, must be happy)

Would be tough to leave Dodd out, he's been pretty solid in the last month or so..but everyone performed last night. if he comes in (i dont think he will) it could be for Manny with Dura/Siggy to RB.

On the rationale that Dura didn't come into the team last week I can't see Doddy getting in for next week

I now what I'd prefer, with our current style not really using wingers as much I like having two proper fullbacks. Lochhead pretty much controls our left hand side and as Bertos becomes more used to the second striker role I can see more space opening up for Manny on the other side. Oska2008-11-29 14:13:49

apart from Valeo's point that not re-instating Doddy might make hanging onto him more difficult

I reckon a Lochy/Dura/Dodd/Siggy backline would be better for an away game against a team that thrashed us last time tbh.

Valeo makes a fair point on this, I would happily take a point out of this one. Putting Siggy at RB would signal an intention that Ricki would take a point aswell. Adelaide are very strong going forward and seems to me like Siggy seldom mises a one on one challenge

I just have a feeling that Muscat will struggle against the likes of Dodd.

Agreed, Siggy is very strong 1v1 and that's how he approaches the RB position as well.  Muscat is far better going forward but if we're going to play defensively Sigmund to RB is a very strong defensive choice.

I think that Ricki will play the same lineup against Adelaide, with Dodd on the bench so that if we steal the lead he can be brought on for Muscat (Siggy to RB) to hold on to another 3 points.

Hmm...yeh. 3 class class players going for 2 spots, one of whom is the captain. Would you take a defender on the bench? So Muscat or Dodd on the bench?

The right back has to deal with Jamieson and Cassio. Fortunately Brown and Mckain are there to help out in the middle. But...hmmm...

interesting. If we do play Siggie on the right isn't that saying we are playing not to lose? Why on earth would we want to do that?

Ride our confidence and back ourselves to score goals. Fred, Smeltz, Bertos, Hearfield. They need decent support from the flanks.

Siggie has to start I guess, but would one option be starting Muscat, but keeping Siggie on the bench hoping that we can get up, and then bring Siggie on and shut up shop?

Siggie and either of Dodd or Durante has been a good partnership. I think Dodd and Durante didn't go that well when they started together from memory?

ohh and not in this thread I know, but re:Valeo et al saying the Smeltz goal was tinged for them by him leaving, I thought that too, but I also thought, man, haven't we been lucky to have him. Hopefully he shows this form and takes us to the World Cup.

edit: err or what Nickel said above.
martinb2008-11-29 17:51:02

geez, one week away and already a thread. keen eh?!

Maybe Newcastle they need defenders seeing as Griffiths and North are leaving.
As much as I would hate to see him go it's probably the only position we can afford to lose a player.

I dont think that Dodd will get a start next week. Why would he after we played so well defensively last night?

I'd be very surprised if Ricki thought " Oh I had better start him or he'll go",  he hasnt operated that way so far this season.  He seems to pick the team he thinks best, week in week out, regardless of any possible consequences we dream up.

If Manny can handle Melbourne, with Thompson, Allsopp,  Pondeljak, Fabiano,  etc, then he will be allright at Adelaide. He is improving every game in that position.

I didnt like Sigmund out on the right to be honest,  we were getting beaten with him there, and he seems to have found his spot is in the centre of defense.

We were getting beaten with Siggy on the right?

I just think it's better defensively. Manny is pretty lightweight in that regard and Dodd/Cassio will run rings around him imo. He didn't really get tested against Melbourne because they never went wide (they never do). It's a much different prospect facing Adelaide.

Ricki should pick the team he feels is best for the situation, not just because they happened to of won the last game.
valeo2008-11-29 19:21:35

re Sigmund, that's my impression, and he/we are better since he was moved in, no question

Manny has improved immensely, cant believe he "wasnt tested".

Ricki doesnt change his team much at all if they have won, I expect very few this time if any

It's a fact that Ernie is allergic to wing play so no he wasn't tested as much as he will be against Adelaide. Just a though, is all.

This game is now so crucial. i would normally be happy with a point playing Adelaide away, but if we can get 3, we would have to back the boys to beat perth at home next week and we would be looking solid in the top 4.

but Melbourne is the team that ran him silly last time, Danny Allsopp beat him time and time again that game

Friday he was much more stable and all credit to him, must have been dreading Allsopp again

With the way Adelaide Utd have been playing thus far i believe that we will have a fair chance of putting 2-3 past them if anything is to go by on tonight's performance.

Agreed, btw mods should prob sticky this

I think that's football. Sometimes you play well, get injured or booked and lose your spot for a bit. It's only natural. Durante didn't whine when he didn't start vs Jets on his 50th A-League match. And to be fair that was a good choice as Manny was and is playing very well!

Heard people saying that if Dodd doesn't start he'll leave. That's not a professional attitude. Look at Daniel. Lost his spot to that Chinese gimp called Gao. Now he's not playing much but he still re-signed and is still part of the Nix.

In football you have to deal with these things and always be ready to re-gain your spot. Say if Durante has a bad game vs Adelaide, I'm sure that Dodd will be back in the team, and so on..

I don't think he will (if we are talking about a full-back position). Dodd is better than Manny as a center back. However, Manny's got more pace and skills (he can actually pass the ball from A to B) and is better suited for a full-back position. And he's very good at headers, which are one of Dodd's forte.

I think he meant Travis Dodd

If the lads could nick all three points, then surely we will finish towards the top of the league and certainly have enough points between us and the Jets & Perth??

Yeah, should be good if we can win (when isnt it?)

well then he should've said T. Dodd, not just Dodd! :P
yeah I think it's gonna be hard for Manny, but hay he's playing great football. he never gives up and can really mark his man. plus he's decent at offending/providing the midfielders with quality balls, so let's cross fingers.

in Manny we trust.

Ps he's got the sexiest mustache if you ask me

cos he's the SEX PANTHER

get the bloody hell in there Cos! sexpanthersexpanthersexpanthersexpanthersexpanthersexpanthersexpanthersexpanthersexpanthersexpanthersexpanthersexpanthersexpanthersexpanthersexpanther