Nix vs Gold Coast 7:30pm Friday 13th

Think he would have been bad even from then actually. He wasnt good at all, and has been shown up in the last 2 games.

Thought that Ifill was brilliant first half and Greenie probably had his best performance in a Nix shirt - good signs going forward, I think.

Brown surely wont play another game that bad - Vinny, i'm not so sure.

Yeah I must admit its the first time I've questioned Ricki's subs. He does hold them until late but I would have thought Ifill (who was limping) for Toto at the 60th when we went 3-1 up would have given us 10 mins until the 70th to say 'oh look its working, Mac and Greenie are getting wedge, keep at it' or 'this is not working, lock it up tight, Disco in at right half for Leo and get him to shade deeper'
I think that would have at least allowed us to attack for longer and if it wasn't working, then shut it down.

Daniel looks like he had a dozen of the Stadium pies at half time. Looks a big boy this year.
Jeff Vader2010-08-13 21:45:40

Disappointed with the result But I am happy the Greenie is off to a good start...Should be great if him and Ifill get a good partnership going early.

I'm not convinced that our preparation for the season was that brilliant with everyone gtting back late, half the team being at the WC and Herbert really only arriving back half way through pre-season so it's probably to be expected that we're a bit dodgy at the back (with a new CB pairing).  But Siggy's going to have to improve a lot and Jade North can't arrive soon enough plus Lia and Brown need to work together more.  Too often one would be caught in an area of the pitch and theother would be nowhere.  We just let the game get too open as well. 

This blows... When did Hearfield get so bad?

Too much time spent on Courtenay Place.

Throwing Toto on in that weather for his debut would've been crazy.

IMO, three conclusions for me:

1. Our attack was very potent

2. Our defense was absiolutely shocking

3. Ifill, Greenacre, and for the most part, Bertos were fantastic.

Jeff Vader2010-08-13 21:49:04

Why do you say that Valeo?

What makes you think that? Do you know if he is a good player only in the dry??

Look at the game and the conditions, the whole thing was crazy. Would you have picked Brown, Lia, Hearfield to be that bad? Crazy right... so why so crazy to give the guy his debut when everyone else is playing in those conditions, Ricki preaches attack and the guy is signed as an 'attacking midfielder.' Ifill and Bertos seemed to play fine in it.

Whats crazy is using 'its wet' to not give a guy his debut. He a pro footballer, not a Sunday school choir boy.
Jeff Vader2010-08-13 21:54:06

Because he looked like he was about to cry on the sidelines and certainly didn't look like he was dying to get on.

Ricki obviously thought the same because before the game he said Toto would definitely get game time - obviously the weather and the pitch called for players who we knew could play in those conditions. I thought Pavlova should've been on the bench instead of Toto because his style of play would've suited the game more.

Toto would've wanted to run with it which just wouldn't of worked on that pitch. Even Ifill had trouble.valeo2010-08-13 21:55:20

Pure speculation judging on a few facial expressions Valeo

So based on conditions you pick the 21yo untested kid vs the experienced pro because 'experience (sic) called for those who knew how to play in those conditions'

Are you reading what you are writing Valeo? Again Ifill and Bertos did fine in it and their style is to run with it.

Dewhurst and DeJong obviously do not realise it gets cold in Argentina in winter.

Like I said, Ricki agreed and that is enough for me. Not sure why you think that throwing a completely unproven Toto on in the worst weather and conditions imaginable would've been a great coaching move.

Pavlova would've been better because he doesn't rely on skills, deft touches and running at players (which I assume Toto does from what i've seen and heard) and can play a bit more like Greenie did. Ifill did well - at times - but he's a different beast altogether.

Toto also looked crap in his cameo against Boca in slightly better conditions while Pavolva seemed to revel in it. Not that those 15 mins or so were enough to make a real judgement on either, mind you.valeo2010-08-13 22:01:23

What the hell does he rely on then???  :)

You have hardly seen Toto play, not sure why you think you know him so well

I'm just pissed that we lost (to me it was) after being up 3 -1
hepatitis2010-08-13 22:03:27

just got back.

who exactly in the YF zone thought it was a good idea to get a 'smeltzy what's the score' chant going at 83min?  with f***ing inevitable consequences. 

Physicality - like Macallister or any CCM striker ever

Toto impressed me at Hutt Rec last week ..albeit in less wet conditions..anyway..its done and dusted.  Roll on next week..

I respect you are backing up your point but you are doing it based on a lot of assumption and a bit of creative license from yourself.

And the assumption coming from you that Toto would've done anything but flail around in the water and look lost is just as creative :D

Agree to disagree. He could've come on and been brilliant but i'm just saying it would've been very unlikely.

it really was as wet as it looked on the telly 

i actually thought not a bad game, although gutted to only get 3-3 after ahead 3-1. conditions were unforgiving, and while there were afew mistakes, plenty of positives (not only being dry and drinking emersons limited release oreti red while in dunedin!) thought ifill was great, some fancy stuff even in the puddles. Leo did well at the world cup, but god it was great seeing him take on defenders again. yeah, he lost the ball for 2nd- or 3rd goal- but he made some great runs, seemed to play the ball a bit flatter than last season, with great effect.  Paston showed he was the best nz keeper (let the debate continue!) and also seemed to thoroughly  enjoy himself, which is a great sign. It was a bit of a lottery,  but both teams contributed to a pretty good game in the conditions- look forward to seeing them both in the finals (nix to win 5-4)

One thing then I'm going to be sweetness and light, and it's probably been mentioned. 

Hearfield for MacAllister.  Why ?  As it happened I thought it was stupid idea and I'm still baffled by it.

Anyway.  3 goals.  Pair to Greenie - f**king well done that man.  

lolnix

nice positive write up there shauneboy.  can't say i felt quite as chipper sitting in the stands watching a 3-1 lead go down the toilet.  specially since there was only tui to flush it down with.  if only the stadium served emerson's!

agreed, still very confused about that substitution, nothing we can do about it now i guess...
well done to greenacre as well, played very well, my mate had him as captain on fantasy!

Typical Herbert conservative game - cost us three points. At home when you are 3 - 1 up you go for four not sub your striker.

+1

3 headers conceded, not a good look. Hearfield was awful, didn't rate Lia or Brown to highly either. Mccalister gives us some structure and allows Ifill to attack from the wing where he is best. Definitely 2 points lost after 3-1, but they did have some pretty good chances.

Culina is a c**t.

Most coaches would've done similar I would think? Unless their name is Miron

Hearfield was brought on so Manny could go into DM and prevent Caravella/Culina from dominating like they had all game. Didn't work that well though.

Agree.Next

Crowd?