Who chested the ball down for Lia's shot v Melbourne again?
Felipe is the only one that takes the ball and drops his shoulder +
gets into good positions. The only problem is he fumbles at the
last hurdle often.
Here's the squad for tomorrow....good to see Ricki hasn't fallen
for all the Costa hype being thrown around on here...
1. Mark PASTON (gk), 20.Glen MOSS (gk), 2. Jeremy
CHRISTIE, 3. Tony LOCHHEAD, 5.Karl DODD, 6. Tim BROWN, 8.Vaughan
COVENY, 9. Shane SMELTZ, 10.Michael FERRANTE, 11.DANIEL, 12.
Richard JOHNSON, 13. Steven OLD, 16.Kristian REES, 17.Vince LIA,
18. Ahmad ELRICH, 21.FELIPE *One to be
omitted
Permalink
Permalink
I think Smeltz should come off the bench as well
totally agree. his first touch is often poor, numerous times
agaisnt the galaxy his touch took him out of potential shot taking
opportunities. finally someone else sees beyond the pro smeltz
hype. coveny to me looks more of a threat then smeltz. the boy just
never takes shots, which i think is down his touch taking him out
of good spots.
mind you nobody seems that keen on taking shots though.
Permalink
Permalink
If we have 0 chance of getting to finals I still hope that Costa
gets a full game/a start though. At the moment it's the right
decision though - he only played well against a tired LA Galaxy
team in an exhibition match..
btw Rod when Smeltz took the shot early v Adelaide (the 4-1 loss) I thought that would be the turning point for him. He still seems a bit scared to shoot though.
You can't really argue with the fact he has the most goals in the team however and has been scoring pretty consistantly for both the Nix and the All Whites.
valeo2007-12-06 15:27:36
btw Rod when Smeltz took the shot early v Adelaide (the 4-1 loss) I thought that would be the turning point for him. He still seems a bit scared to shoot though.
You can't really argue with the fact he has the most goals in the team however and has been scoring pretty consistantly for both the Nix and the All Whites.
valeo2007-12-06 15:27:36
a.haak
Permalink
Permalink
I think Smeltz should come off the bench as well
totally agree. his first touch is often poor, numerous times
agaisnt the galaxy his touch took him out of potential shot taking
opportunities. finally someone else sees beyond the pro smeltz
hype. coveny to me looks more of a threat then smeltz. the boy just
never takes shots, which i think is down his touch taking him out
of good spots.
mind you nobody seems that keen on taking shots though.
Permalink
Permalink
From today's team release...
Herbert said the Phoenix
would most likely start with a 3-5-2 formation, with veteran
striker Vaughan Coveny linking with Shane Smeltz
upfront.
�Having Vaughan in the mix gives Shane the option to do other things. Sometimes when Shane is on his own he�s having to win all the aerial stuff and get down channels and that�s probably because we haven�t had alternatives going down the flanks.�
The onus would be on Ahmad Elrich, in particular, to put pressure on the Glory�s defence out wide.
�I�m looking to Ahmad to be better with his decision-making. I think that if we can start taking fullbacks on, get more advanced down the pitch and add a little more variety in what the crosses look like, then that�ll help.�
Permalink
Permalink
liverpoolfan1, i'm sure i've read that somewhere this week.
Permalink
Permalink
I think Smeltz should come off the bench as well
totally agree. his first touch is often poor, numerous times
agaisnt the galaxy his touch took him out of potential shot taking
opportunities. finally someone else sees beyond the pro smeltz
hype. coveny to me looks more of a threat then smeltz. the boy just
never takes shots, which i think is down his touch taking him out
of good spots.
mind you nobody seems that keen on taking shots though.
Great move, he's only our top scorer.
I would prefer to play with two up front with a second
out and out striker (Covney or Brownlie) and take some of the
pressure off him, he puts in a lot of leg work for very few
chances.
Permalink
Permalink
rofl.... auskiwi u do make a good laugh... Lochhead in the middle
of defence is truely laughable, as is playing old ahead of rees, as
it playing Daniel on rioght wing.. as is, well hell u get the
picture..
aso 3-1-3-1-2 is not the be all and end all of formations.. far from it. for a start it cant be 4-4-2 depending on situation, cause we've already killed off the Johnson should be tryed at central defense cause he can tackle" bs, its basically just 3-5-2, which is exactly what we've been doing, with players in slightly different spots.
look, i'm as keen as the next guy to see 3 defenders keep working to bring out our attacking potential, but stop trying to lose and games and wake up, if we dont play enough defense these guys will own us down the sides and we'll find ourselves 4 goals in the negative.. WE have to play 4 at the abck, so logically the most attacking we can be is 4-3-3, and if ur that set on Costa playing u can play Brown Daniel and Felipe in midfield with Costa Smeltz and Covs up front
aso 3-1-3-1-2 is not the be all and end all of formations.. far from it. for a start it cant be 4-4-2 depending on situation, cause we've already killed off the Johnson should be tryed at central defense cause he can tackle" bs, its basically just 3-5-2, which is exactly what we've been doing, with players in slightly different spots.
look, i'm as keen as the next guy to see 3 defenders keep working to bring out our attacking potential, but stop trying to lose and games and wake up, if we dont play enough defense these guys will own us down the sides and we'll find ourselves 4 goals in the negative.. WE have to play 4 at the abck, so logically the most attacking we can be is 4-3-3, and if ur that set on Costa playing u can play Brown Daniel and Felipe in midfield with Costa Smeltz and Covs up front
lmfao. How would you set up a 3-1-3-1-2, player wise. Old
-Rees, Both seem to be Knights type players. Maybe Rees in the
middle of three and Lochead in front to cover the back threes
deficiencies of pace etc. Flick Johnson, if he can't takle he can p
o.
As for the flanks, hopefully we are not playing a 'zone'
defensive and can show enough initiative to move. I like the
3 - 3 though covs and smeltz as strikers and some one as a central
attacking midfielder would be better and might allow the left and
right midfielder to ' risk ' both on attack and defense to use the
flanks.
Permalink
Permalink
�Having
Vaughan in the mix gives Shane the option to do other things.
Sometimes when Shane is on his own
he�s having to win all
the aerial stuff and get down channels and
that�s probably because
we haven�t had
alternatives going down the
flanks.�
I like this point, I think that Smeltz does get pulled out of position to receive the ball and works really hard off it. Hopefully this will allow one of our strikers to be in a better position to take chances.
Permalink
Permalink
yea you could be right about the sharing of the ball winning
responsibility. we will have to agree to disagree about his touch
though it's poor imo.
Permalink
Permalink
btw Rod when Smeltz took the shot early v Adelaide (the 4-1 loss) I thought that would be the turning point for him. He still seems a bit scared to shoot though.
You can't really argue with the fact he has the most goals in the team however and has been scoring pretty consistantly for both the Nix and the All Whites.
but who's to say coveny (or someone else) wouldnt be the
top scorer if he had started the number of games smeltz has up
front. you'd hope a striker who has started 13 games would be your
top scorer when the next most used striker has only started
6.
Permalink
Permalink
From today's team release...
Herbert said the Phoenix
would most likely start with a 3-5-2 formation, with veteran
striker Vaughan Coveny linking with Shane Smeltz
upfront.
�Having Vaughan in the mix gives Shane the option to do other things. Sometimes when Shane is on his own he�s having to win all the aerial stuff and get down channels and that�s probably because we haven�t had alternatives going down the flanks.�
The onus would be on Ahmad Elrich, in particular, to put pressure on the Glory�s defence out wide.
�I�m looking to Ahmad to be better with his decision-making. I think that if we can start taking fullbacks on, get more advanced down the pitch and add a little more variety in what the crosses look like, then that�ll help.�
OMG, is this really from the coach? " Having Vaughan in the
mix ...... "
maybe Smeltz needs some one with him up front, D'oh. HASN"T
THIS BEEN AS OBVIOUS AS SUN ON A CLEAR DAY?
" I'm looking to Ahmed to......"
What a vague lot of C**P!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sometimes. Probably. I think. If.
Now I KNOW a testicular inplant is in order!!!!!! and some
glassess, and I dont mean of Bourbon.
Permalink
Permalink
putting the onus on elrich suggests to me that it will be daniel
who comes off the bench if lf1 is correct which he normally is.
ferrante or lia will be sent to the left and elrich will be given
free reign on the right. interesting to see how he works out with
felipe if this is the case
www.kiwifromthecouch.blogspot.com
Permalink
Permalink
I still don't think the 3-5-2 is the right option. Lochhead doesn't
know what he is doing and Rees is much too slow.
a.haak
Permalink
Permalink
I still don't think the 3-5-2 is the right option. Lochhead doesn't
know what he is doing and Rees is much too slow.
sounds like we need to by some backs. Lochead has no idea and
Ress a slug? Who brought these players and the others
seem worse by all reports. Can we get a refund and start
again?
Permalink
Permalink
I still don't think the 3-5-2 is the right option. Lochhead doesn't
know what he is doing and Rees is much too slow.
sounds like we need to buy some backs. Lochead has no idea and
Ress a slug? Who brought these players and the others
seem worse by all reports. Can we get a refund and start
again?
Permalink
Permalink
btw Rod when Smeltz took the shot early v Adelaide (the 4-1 loss) I thought that would be the turning point for him. He still seems a bit scared to shoot though.
You can't really argue with the fact he has the most goals in the team however and has been scoring pretty consistantly for both the Nix and the All Whites.
but who's to say coveny (or someone else) wouldnt be the
top scorer if he had started the number of games smeltz has up
front. you'd hope a striker who has started 13 games would be your
top scorer when the next most used striker has only started
6.
Think you've just answered your own question there Rod.
Exactly the point Ricky and the others on this forum
understand, smeltz has started as the "lone" striker 9 games this
season (covs has only started with him 4 times - twice when smeltz
was on AW duty).
How is the boy (remembering hes a lone striker) supposed to
bring down elrichs wayward crosses against 4 defenders, turn, beat
the other 3 defenders and shoot?
Think also about the delivery from felipe - forward, back,
step over, step over, back, forward, fall over - how does he get
into a good position then? Wait in the box half facing goal? If he
ever gets the ball he wont be in a shooting position because of all
the fussing around.
The lone striker role is different, you are barely ever facing
goal in the box (he scored early against adelaide by beating 2
defenders outside the box) - you have to hold it up and pass as its
low percentage to take on the 4 defenders on your own.
IMO - has done a great job - lone striker but 3rd best
striker in the league in terms of goals scored - its not "smeltz
hype" as you put it Rod, its respect for a job well done. Smeltz
should not be the one copping it for our performances - although
how often do (uninformed) commentators blame the striker (and a
lone one at that!)
fevrpitch2007-12-06 17:56:44
Permalink
Permalink
I still don't think the 3-5-2 is the right option. Lochhead doesn't
know what he is doing and Rees is much too slow.
sounds like we need to buy some backs. Lochead has no idea and
Ress a slug? Who brought these players and the others
seem worse by all reports. Can we get a refund and start
again?
yeah but Lochhead is quality at left back and Rees will be a good centre back in a 4-4-2 combination. The fact that we don't have a proper right back (which I think is predominantly due to the lack of decent ones available for transfer) is the main problem.
I like tautologies because I like them.
Permalink
Permalink
I got to see my first Phoenix match when the Beckham game was played...cos it was on the internet and I'm in Korea...But I have to agree with the comments re Costa! man exciting kiwi player for the future. Don't let him get kicked to death by the viscious Aussie defence...let him get some strength first...plenty of time...
Coveny looked really good, fantastic in combo with Smeltz and
in taking time to make a shot on target. I think we need to make
our shots to beat the keeper, perhaps a dumb obvious thing to
say...but a long shot when the keeper has a long time to see and
anticipate it has a very low strike rate...none of our guys are
real bombers I don't think....
man if Felipe, Coveny and Smeltz could get on the same
page....
I thought Brownlie wasted the ball. He didn't look the
goods.
Wingbacks? James Pritchett? another defensive mid/centre back
utility?
Man I wish I could watch more games, got the poster on my
wall...Haven't seen the best of Elrich or Daniel...did see the
Felipe goal on Youtube!
don't know much about the defenders...
Permalink
Permalink
I better see two Brazilians on that pitch tomorrow..
Founder
Permalink
Permalink
drink enough and you probably
will�
Maybe even more than 2...
Permalink
Permalink
ok I better see 4 Brazilians out there tomorrow
Founder
Permalink
Permalink
well if we have two Brazilians, will the lineup be Elrich Johnno
Felipe Ferrante Daniel in midfield
Oi Oi Edgecumbe... lets have a clean sheet
Permalink
Permalink
rofl.... auskiwi u do make a good laugh... Lochhead in the middle
of defence is truely laughable, as is playing old ahead of rees, as
it playing Daniel on rioght wing.. as is, well hell u get the
picture..
aso 3-1-3-1-2 is not the be all and end all of formations.. far from it. for a start it cant be 4-4-2 depending on situation, cause we've already killed off the Johnson should be tryed at central defense cause he can tackle" bs, its basically just 3-5-2, which is exactly what we've been doing, with players in slightly different spots.
look, i'm as keen as the next guy to see 3 defenders keep working to bring out our attacking potential, but stop trying to lose and games and wake up, if we dont play enough defense these guys will own us down the sides and we'll find ourselves 4 goals in the negative.. WE have to play 4 at the abck, so logically the most attacking we can be is 4-3-3, and if ur that set on Costa playing u can play Brown Daniel and Felipe in midfield with Costa Smeltz and Covs up front
aso 3-1-3-1-2 is not the be all and end all of formations.. far from it. for a start it cant be 4-4-2 depending on situation, cause we've already killed off the Johnson should be tryed at central defense cause he can tackle" bs, its basically just 3-5-2, which is exactly what we've been doing, with players in slightly different spots.
look, i'm as keen as the next guy to see 3 defenders keep working to bring out our attacking potential, but stop trying to lose and games and wake up, if we dont play enough defense these guys will own us down the sides and we'll find ourselves 4 goals in the negative.. WE have to play 4 at the abck, so logically the most attacking we can be is 4-3-3, and if ur that set on Costa playing u can play Brown Daniel and Felipe in midfield with Costa Smeltz and Covs up front
lmfao. How would you set up a 3-1-3-1-2, player wise. Old
-Rees, Both seem to be Knights type players. Maybe Rees in the
middle of three and Lochead in front to cover the back threes
deficiencies of pace etc. Flick Johnson, if he can't takle he can p
o.
As for the flanks, hopefully we are not playing a 'zone'
defensive and can show enough initiative to move. I like the
3 - 3 though covs and smeltz as strikers and some one as a central
attacking midfielder would be better and might allow the left and
right midfielder to ' risk ' both on attack and defense to use the
flanks.
simply put, i wouldnt play your 3-1-3-1-2 at the moment with our squad against this oppostition, but hey this is just my opinion. also, what is this bs about knights type players, ffs...
if i played 3 backs i would playrees dodd and old, then put lochhead at left mid and put one of the brazlias on the bench for impact, lochhead is a wingback who's job it is to defend the side and get forward, he doesnt know what to do in a 3 man defense cause its not his position as hes basically a centre back, o, and as for ur last post about not wanting players like Lochhead, comments like that are absurd, lochhead is good for us, and we miss his runs up the side when we had 4 backs
Permalink
Permalink
Moss
Plodder Rees
Dodd Lochy
Elrich Brown
Ferrante Daniel
Felipe
Smeltz
Founder
Permalink
Permalink
From today's paper it seems:
Moss
Old Rees Dodd
Elrich Lia Ferrante Lochhead
Daniel
Smeltz Covney
Bench: Paston, Felipe, Brown, Johnson
Moss
Old Rees Dodd
Elrich Lia Ferrante Lochhead
Daniel
Smeltz Covney
Bench: Paston, Felipe, Brown, Johnson
Permalink
Permalink
I think that is wrong on a few fronts. Hopefully it will go well.
Founder
Permalink
Permalink
From today's paper it seems:
Moss
Old Rees Dodd
Elrich Lia Ferrante Lochhead
Daniel
Smeltz Covney
Bench: Paston, Felipe, Brown, Johnson
Moss
Old Rees Dodd
Elrich Lia Ferrante Lochhead
Daniel
Smeltz Covney
Bench: Paston, Felipe, Brown, Johnson
Offensively very good, defensively a bit questionable?
Permalink
Permalink
From today's paper it seems:
Moss
Old Rees Dodd
Elrich Lia Ferrante Lochhead
Daniel
Smeltz Covney
Bench: Paston, Felipe, Brown, Johnson
Moss
Old Rees Dodd
Elrich Lia Ferrante Lochhead
Daniel
Smeltz Covney
Bench: Paston, Felipe, Brown, Johnson
haven't seen the paper yet, so thanks for that
to me (despite all the questions about 1 or 2 brazilians and 3-5-2 vs 4-4-2) the most interesting things are Lochead in mid that should help with quicker transitions (and, perhaps, to shut Downey down early - sounds like a f'n folk song!)
and the make up of the bench, 3 midfielders as the outfield players - suggests a high tempo game
and less clearly, but possibly, the option of bringing Johnno and Tim on to shut things down if we get a few goals up
it also suggests that Lochead and/or Lia will need to last the whole match to drop back if a defender needs to come off
I reckon this will be a fascinating game
Permalink
Permalink
Chill out Aussie, all those red faces must be making your balls
swell rather painfully. And telling Ricky to get a 'testicular
implant' is out of order.
Personally, I think the bosses comments in the press were
honest and ballsy too. It's not too hard to get the message
that he's asking Elrich to step up and that he's saying
to Smeltz that he's backing him to win this match by giving him
Cov's support up front.
Not too many managers are this honest in the press and it's a
luxury for supporters of football in New Zealand that
they can read such frank and honest comments that aren't full of
hyperbole and spin like they are here in the UK.
I also see you've taken some pleasure bagging players,
including Lochie, further up on this thread and I think you
should breath through your nose. This is a supporters forum and is
a great read when written in the right spirit.
Permalink
Permalink
Quite dissapointed Ricki didnt give Costa another spot on the bench
this week after his performance last weekend.
Permalink
Permalink
Assuming that the yomcat has it right, I guess you would remove
Johnson uncle steve?
I don't really like how the A-League only allows a bench of
four - it seems somewhat limiting. Five is more common. In Germany
it is seven.
Permalink
Permalink
interesting that it seems lochy will play in the midfield. if it is
a move to shut down this downey character then it has some merits,
if it is a ploy to get him back in the game and playing like he was
then why move daniel from a wide position to one in the middle?
also no holding mf seems a bit dodgy, i guess ferrante will do his
best to fill that role. i think we will see a big one out of elrich
tonight
www.kiwifromthecouch.blogspot.com
Permalink
Permalink
Assuming that the yomcat has it right, I guess you would remove
Johnson uncle steve?
I don't really like how the A-League only allows a bench of
four - it seems somewhat limiting. Five is more common. In Germany
it is seven.
Should be 4 plus 1 more for youth player. I really hope that gets introduced.
Permalink
Permalink
Quite dissapointed Ricki didnt give Costa another spot on the bench
this week after his performance last weekend.
I'm fine with it. Unfortunately the A-League is stupid and only allows 3 outfield players on the bench - I'd much much rather have Johnson, Brown, Felipe etc. there than Costa at the moment. Costa is a player for the future and he will get a good go in time - I don't think this is the right moment to bring him in though. It's a very important game and Costa has only shown promise in the last 20 mins of an exhibition game when the Galaxy were tiring/hanging off a bit (which doesn't really count for much imo).
Very interesting Lochhead being played in midfield. Though I guess he'll pretty much just be a wing back - which he is much more suited to. I guess Ricki was reading my posts on YF :D
a.haak
Permalink
Permalink
Unfortunately the A-League is stupid and only allows 3 outfield
players on the bench
You could go with 4. Some managers don't mind gambling on
not putting a keeper on the bench.
Permalink
Permalink
Unfortunately the A-League is stupid and only allows 3 outfield
players on the bench
�
You could go with 4. Some managers don't mind gambling on
not�putting a keeper on
the bench.
A-League rules don't allow this. One of the subs must be a designated goalie and must only play in goal.
Permalink
Permalink