Phoenix report card (with one game of the regular season to go)

So, I’ve been wasting my wet Easter Monday … here's my Phoenix report card with one game of the regular season still to come.

danepak asked in late Nov “Is this was the weakest team ever?” At the time, it was perhaps a not unreasonable question, but …

Here’s what an analysis of our player (not team) stats on the Hyundai a-league website shows:

• we have the best goal scorer – Roy Krishna (more goals than anyone else in the league)
• we have the best goal keeper – Philip Kurto (more saves than any other keeper in the league)

However, there's not much to mention in between those two standout individuals, because …

• there is no Phoenix player in the top 10 for ‘crosses’
• there is no Phoenix player in the top 10 for ‘passes’

Although, we do appear to have the ‘niggliest’ (or unluckiest?) midfielder – Alex Rufer (more yellows than any other player in the league)

Honourable mentions also to

• David Williams (6th equal in the golden boot race with 11, alongside Adam Taggart and Roy O’Donovan)
• Sarpeet Singh (3rd equal for ‘assists’, 7th equal for ‘chances created’)

Other interesting fact:

• Roy is only 5th on the list for ‘shots’, yet the top goalscorer

And the team stats from the same website:

• 5th on the table
• 3rd best for goals scored, but
• 4th worst for goals conceded
• only four clean sheets
• our goal keeper has made more saves than any other (but that implies he had to, so our defence hasn’t been so good …?)
• 4th worst for fouls and red cards, 2nd worst for yellow cards conceded

and yet I wouldnt say we are a particularly physical or dirty side. A lot of our yellows have been needless and often harsh reactions by refs.

It's a good start, but I think stats can only tell us so much.  Yes we have the leading marksman in Krishna, and Kurto has been an absolute beast between the sticks at the back, but I think there has been a lot more to this season than just those two. Of course they get all the plaudits but several others have really stepped up this season.

Louis Fenton - Best season as a Nix player. A lot of people asked why we even retained him after his 'year off' and his long history of terrible injury troubles, but he has repaid the faith in spades this season and provided another option going forward as he grabbed 3 goals and a couple of assists. Similar to numbers he got when he first burst on the scene for the Nix back in 2012/2013 when he played a lot further up the pitch. He grew into his role and put his hat in the ring as one of the better RB/RWB's going around the A-League. Unfortunately had another season ending injury, but he had a very strong season.

Liberato Cacace - Had a fantastic season, didn't think he'd be the go to first choice LB/LWB when the season kicked off but he's made it his own. Been a menace down that left hand side too, has some good delivery into the box, although could have better delivery/decision making (Keep in mind he's only 18!). He got his first goal and has 3 assists to his name. Generally very good, good pace, likes to take on opposing players when he gets the chance and has been decent at fulfilling his defensive duties.

Alex Rufer - For me, probably the battler of the season, get's stuck in and has had a bit of a thankless task in that defensive midfield/midfield role, especially earlier in the season when we were getting overrun a wee bit. Heavily involved in a midfield that hasn't always been there and has kept up a consistent work rate, he's put himself about and I feel he's just been doing those little things that don't grab the glory and the headlines, but are important to the team as a whole. Who would've thought he'd be a first XI regular after being asked to trial again for the club in pre season? Must be thanking his lucky stars Matthew Ridenton jumped ship to the Jets, because he's stepped up and made that DM role his own - As a comparison, he's made more appearances and played more minutes than Ridenton has managed at the Jets too. A very solid season.

Sarpreet Singh - Very good season as a whole, still young and still learning his trade. Has had some brilliant games where people were falling over themselves to describe his play, but, probably coming down to inexperience/youth he's probably tried to overplay his hand in recent weeks. Just needs to go back to the fundamentals, playing the simple ball and getting into good areas to support the likes of Williams & Krishna. In saying that he's had a productive season with 5 goals and 7 assists. Only going to get better, but a good first full season as a pro.

Max Burgess - Bided his time before cracking the XI on a regular basis. Has shown he's got a good touch and great vision which match his persona as having a very intelligent footballing brain. Hasn't gotten on the score sheet for us yet but he's shown he's capable of running the midfield with good distribution and deft runs in between the lines, while also showing some good close control, if he could add a couple of goals I think we could unearth a star.

Steven Taylor - One of our best ever pickups. A leader, with a bit of quality and has shown good awareness at the back. Even though we've conceded a few I think structurally he's brought a lot to our club both on and off the pitch, and he's enjoying his time here. Wants to win and that shows on the field. Good move for him away from the cut throat environment in England where he was starting to break down with injuries. He's no spring chicken, but he's provided the experience, knowledge and impetus to drive us forward this season.

Too lazy to do the others, but in general I think the composition of the squad has been good . Yes we looked weak on paper before the season kicked off, but I thought with this squad we were well capable of making the 6. But full plaudits must go to Rudan, who worked with what he had and has run a really tight ship, bringing out the best in a lot of our more unheralded players, which is a huge credit to him. 

Would love to know anyone else's thoughts, even if they disagree with mine. Like I said, stat's only tell us so much, so I've tried to go a bit deeper on this one.

Since I've got a lot of time off work at the moment, I thought I'd have a rundown at the rest of the squad. So there will be some big posts coming up. I'll try break them down into smaller ones just so it doesn't become a bloody novel.

Just wanted to touch on this before I get started though;

I feel as though this is more a reflection of our style of play. We're not going to pass teams to death - we have good passers of the ball, but we're no Barcelona/Liverpool/Manchester City - and that's completely ok. 

As illustrated against City on Sunday - We sit a bit deeper without the ball and press hard to get the ball in our defensive third (around 25-30 metres from goal). When we get the ball it's moved quickly up field either through the middle to Singh/Krishna, or down the flanks through Williams/Krishna with Cacace/Fenton in support or on the overlap. This style of play doesn't lend itself to leading the league in passes. It's quick, it's direct, counter attacking type play that catches teams on the break, and it's worked very well for us so far this season. 

Also very noticeable this season that instead of getting wide and crossing the ball in, or even having the ball crossed in from deep, Krishna/Williams/Singh/Cacace/Fenton/Burgess would look to get the ball and attempt to get in behind opposition defences, or drive into the box (or get close to it) attacking the byline and taking on defenders before attempting to make a cross or cutback. 

There's no doubt we're not a crossing team, as seen in the below table, and it would probably only be a viable tactic when we have Sheridan on the park.

Sorry for the stats breakdown, just thought it would lend more of a background to how we've played so far this season, to give a bit more context.

It might take a while, but I'll start working on these report cards now. 

Filip Kurto - For all the talk about using an import slot on a keeper, my word what a buy! Pick up of the year across the league in my books. He has been fantastic, most saves, highest save percentage, and probably most importantly he's saved us a lot of points! Regularly lauded in the media, he's been highly deserving of the adulation that's been coming his way.

Will be disappointed when he goes, as is rumoured to WU (Has it been confirmed yet?) as we've taken the chance on bringing him to the A-League, but won't get the long term benefit of having him in between the sticks - he's only 27 FFS, but it is what it is. Has had an excellent season no less.

Oliver Sail - Surprised by this one, but actually looked very solid when he's been called upon, especially in that game against the Jets, he was brilliant, good reflexes, some smart saves, and kept us in the game for a hard earned point. It's hard to give a good judgement from such a small sample size, but he did well when he came on against Perth when Kurto went off with a head knock, and to be fair, he didn't actually have much to do in the 3-1 win over Sydney. 

Good to see he's signed on for another couple of years just recently and hopefully he can replicate some of the form that Kurto has shown this season. Don't think he'd be a starter, but a solid backup to call upon if needed.

Ryan Lowry - Hasn't really had too much of a chance, but I feel as though he hasn't really stepped up when given an opportunity. Mostly made cameo appearances off the bench and stepped into the fold when injury or suspension has arisen. 

Found out badly at RB/RWB as a replacement for Fenton in the loss to Adelaide and was basically on a hiding to nothing away to Perth when Durante and Taylor were out, and the back three of Fox - Doyle - Lowry didn't really cut it. Serviceable player, but honestly hasn't really stepped up when given a chance. 

Justin Gulley - Was happy when he was signed, as it was another Kiwi getting a pro gig and I thought he was deserving of another chance at A-League level. As it unfolded, spent a lot of time in the Handy, got injured, and then when given a chance against Brisbane, was quite a long way off the pace. 

Again, it's a bit harsh based on only one appearance, but just goes to show how hard we've found it to replace Fenton after his injury, and the lack of depth we have in that RB/RWB position. Only contracted until the end of the season on a short term deal, but I don't think he'll be back next year.

Anthony Golec - Was a bit surprised that he came in when he did, considering at the time we were all clamouring for another midfield addition after the demise of Mitch Nichols. Add to the fact he was coming back from a lengthy injury layoff too, so was initially quite sceptical of his signing, as were a few others.

However I feel he's equipped himself quite well, has provided cover at the back and is an adequate replacement when Durante or Taylor have been out. Slow as anything, but has provided good cover to the squad and has a bit of experience at this level too. Good pickup.

Tom Doyle - I'm sort of conflicted with this one. I feel he's one of those players that could be so much more but just doesn't reach those heights. Love his attitude and his spirit and can't ever question his commitment, he gets stuck in and gets himself about but I feel he could work on his distribution and passing a bit more (think he's under 70% across the season), he just seems to get rushed and often will hit a stray/wayward pass, definitely something he needs to work on. Otherwise, a bit of a frustrating season so far with quite a long injury layoff, and Golec/Kopczynski stepping up to the plate in his absence.

Andrew Durante - Captain fantastic, what a servant this guy has been to the club! Some still questioning if he's getting a bit past it for the A-league, but to be fair I think he's adapted his game quite well. He's not going to keep up with some of the pace that's going around in the league these days, but generally think his positional play has been outstanding, his leadership as always has been exceptional, and his partnership with Steven Taylor has really given us a solid spine (well, more solid than the past couple of seasons) at the back from which we have built upon. 

Michal Kopczynski - Only at the club on a one season loan from Legia Warszawa in Poland, I remember there being a lot of conjecture on here about what his best position would be (initially in midfield) and him being torn apart only weeks into the season after our loss to Bentleigh Greens in the FFA Cup, where it seems he was largely ineffective. 

I think he's been worthy of an import spot for this season, but only just... His position is not anywhere in midfield - personally reckon that Goran Paracki was a better player who could've been useful for us this season. He does get found out and doesn't get overly committed, quite often gets found out in a positional sense and just sort of drifted in and out of games when he should have been imposing himself on games. Seemed to me to be quite standoffish if that's the right word to describe him. However I think when he's been in the backline he's looked more solid, had some better touches and equipped himself well. He had a bit of a howler in the 3-1 loss to Adelaide recently (they all did to be fair) but in general has done well in defence.

It's 3 months since our last clean sheet - 26 January 1-0 vs City.

Agreed.  I didn't hate Rickiball like some did, but often we dominated games in balls into the box and crosses while getting completely outplayed just because our style was to bomb it down the wing and get it into the mixer.  That isn't how we play now, so we aren't going to rack up the same numbers.  The numbers don't mean we are playing better (or worse) just playing a different style.

Thank you.  I totally agree.  Since seeing him start this season with games in the reserves, I have viewed this player with some scepticism.  

For me a player in that defensive midfield role needs to impose himself.  If not completely dominating that patch with physicality, positioning and technical superiority, then at least being a major nuisance, breaking up attacks and distributing well, as Rufer does.

Kopa didn't cut it at all.  He comes across as someone who has regretted his move here and wants to avoid injury to save himself for a European gig next year.  

His style is to position for the intercept but in doing so he seldom closes players down or forces them to the lines.  Generally he will hold back and wait rather than pressuring the opponent early.

With Rufer in front of him he has been better in the back three but still exhibits that absence of spine for the tackle.  Combine that with a lack of size and you get a lot of balls in from his quarter.

I'm not sure what Rudan sees in him.

Kopa  is a reasonably priced loan deal for a year because his wife was coming here to play rugby. Rudan likely wanted a European influence in terms of reading the game etc. However Kopa  struggled with positioning (although he played midfield for Legia) but also because we play here at higher tempo than he experienced in Ekstraklasa.  Remember that he never played outside Poland (I mean never played for a club outside Poland).  I agree with your assessment of his visible aversion to pick up an injury  - but it could be simply his reaction to having missed quite a few games with injury early this season.

Hadn't thought about that, that's a really long time. But I guess the results kept coming