After the last two weeks I am beginning to feel somewhat optimistic - performances are better but on a whole because our youth are stepping up and showing they belong.
Who looks the better prospect for 2018 / 19 season:
Singh / Carace / Fox / Ridenton / Rogerson / Patterson
plus with the A League stopping for international windows we may see more NZ youth getting a chance.
plus with the A League stopping for international windows we may see more NZ youth getting a chance.
But IF the A-League stops for international windows, wouldn't there'd be less chance for NZ youth as they wouldn't need to be promoted to cover while the senior players are away on International duty?
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Patterson seems a huge upgrade on Parkhouse at the very least. Singh, Cacace and Fox seem ready to compete for first team spots regularly. Ridenton's had a decent break-out season, although I wonder if we need an upgrade on him (don't ask me for names) if we want to make the top six (or higher) next season. Haven't seen enough of Rogerson, don't think what I've seen is enough to justify a regular spot on the bench for next season.
I would honestly keep Kaludjerovic. Kalu just ended a goal-drought sure, but we don't want to go back to the days of #notastriker. Unless the club has a replacement lined up that they're confident is better, or at least matches Kalu, keep him on. It seems like Rossi is on his way out, meh. Wouldn't mind if we kept Ljucic on, not sure what I think of Paracki for next season.
Not completely certain that Patterson is an A-League player but I am a little smug that he looks more like one centrally than he did wide.
Also would like to be proven wrong on Rogerson. His mindset seems to have improved this year (not season) and he's been more impressive in the Handy as the season has gone on as well. Jury is still out though and will need a bit more to prove it's not just an Italianoesque snapshot.
I think you can assume Rossi and Kalu are gone. The other two will depend on options and coaches call. Think it comes down to if you think Tim Payne (as an example) would add more or the same as Paracki and is Singh likely to be a choice ahead of Ljujic. If that is the case then why bother using an import slot for those roles or for a back-up player? If you could sign a better import than a Payne or a Singh then yes but I'm not certain either of them are enough of a step up.
But IF the A-League stops for international windows, wouldn't there'd be less chance for NZ youth as they wouldn't need to be promoted to cover while the senior players are away on International duty?
That's a good point JF.
The good news is that once the Phoenix injury curse settles in and a couple of imports throw tantrums we should be back to the kids getting a chance.
Cacace has certainly given them a decent option if Doyle ends up being centre back.
Oi Oi Edgecumbe... lets have a clean sheet
It sounds harsh, but we need much better imports. I know Ljujic was great the other day and Kalu and Paracki were good, but we need imports that make a huge difference. This could be Ljujic, it might be Paracki, but it's unlikely to be Kalu and it won't be Rossi
I really rate Ljujic and hope he stays on for another season. Big frame and doesn't get bullied on the ball, looks up and can dribble in a variety of directions and offload the ball pretty well with a touch of class at times.
If he turned in a game like last night every week you wouldn't even debate it.
Possibly needs to look for an option other than a shot anytime he's less than 30 yards out.
He's stepped up from a pretty low level to the A League pretty admirably and will probably continue to improve as he experiences the level of play. If he can put in a few more good performances then I think we keep him on.
...again though the question is, is he significantly better than Singh and therefore is that a good use of an import slot seeing as they play the same role?
He does offer something different to Singh though, I don't think import players neccersarily have to start all the time, they can bring something different to the team.
...again though the question is, is he significantly better than Singh and therefore is that a good use of an import slot seeing as they play the same role?
Considering he doesn't get pushed off the ball with a feather.......
...again though the question is, is he significantly better than Singh and therefore is that a good use of an import slot seeing as they play the same role?
...again though the question is, is he significantly better than Singh and therefore is that a good use of an import slot seeing as they play the same role?
My concern with Ljujic is not so much what he does on the ball, but what he does off it. He's got a decent attackimg work rate, but his defensive cover/positioning is pretty suspect. Of course he could've been instructed?
I think Ljujic, Goran and Kalu are all used to European football and get frustrated with the lack of movement/understanding. You can see them visibly getting annoyed and looking for options that aren't there.
Cacace's a breath of fresh air, but needs to work on his positioning.
Singh's got great vision, but needs to bulk up and work on the weighting of his passes.
Both are excellent prospects and I really hope it comes with experience.
I'm not convinced by Doyle or Rogerson. Ridenton is hit and miss - he's obviously still learning, but some of his decision making is shocking.
My concern with Ljujic is not so much what he does on the ball, but what he does off it. He's got a decent attackimg work rate, but his defensive cover/positioning is pretty suspect. Of course he could've been instructed?
I think Ljujic, Goran and Kalu are all used to European football and get frustrated with the lack of movement/understanding. You can see them visibly getting annoyed and looking for options that aren't there.
Cacace's a breath of fresh air, but needs to work on his positioning.
Singh's got great vision, but needs to bulk up and work on the weighting of his passes.
Both are excellent prospects and I really hope it comes with experience.
I'm not convinced by Doyle or Rogerson. Ridenton is hit and miss - he's obviously still learning, but some of his decision making is shocking.
My concern with Ljujic is not so much what he does on the ball, but what he does off it. He's got a decent attackimg work rate, but his defensive cover/positioning is pretty suspect. Of course he could've been instructed?
I think Ljujic, Goran and Kalu are all used to European football and get frustrated with the lack of movement/understanding. You can see them visibly getting annoyed and looking for options that aren't there.
Cacace's a breath of fresh air, but needs to work on his positioning.
Singh's got great vision, but needs to bulk up and work on the weighting of his passes.
Both are excellent prospects and I really hope it comes with experience.
I'm not convinced by Doyle or Rogerson. Ridenton is hit and miss - he's obviously still learning, but some of his decision making is shocking.
And from putting "hit" and "miss" in the same sentence until the end of this season :-)
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
this is Stockholm syndrome
My concern with Ljujic is not so much what he does on the ball, but what he does off it. He's got a decent attackimg work rate, but his defensive cover/positioning is pretty suspect. Of course he could've been instructed?
I think Ljujic, Goran and Kalu are all used to European football and get frustrated with the lack of movement/understanding. You can see them visibly getting annoyed and looking for options that aren't there.
Cacace's a breath of fresh air, but needs to work on his positioning.
Singh's got great vision, but needs to bulk up and work on the weighting of his passes.
Both are excellent prospects and I really hope it comes with experience.
I'm not convinced by Doyle or Rogerson. Ridenton is hit and miss - he's obviously still learning, but some of his decision making is shocking.
Yeesir. Not the same league I'll concede, but Doyle's defensive work is highly suspect
this is Stockholm syndrome
I read a book on Stockholm syndrome once. It really sucked to begin with, but by the end I'd started to enjoy it.
this is Stockholm syndrome
Defender.
Plays in a Flat Pack 4
"Ive just re-visited this and once again realised that C-Diddy is a genius - a drunk, Newcastle bred disgrace - but a genius." - Hard News, 11:39am 4th June 2009
this is Stockholm syndrome
Defender.
Plays in a Flat Pack 4
Also, let's not forget our own Stockholm Syndrome right there:
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
