Phoenix v Adelaide - match thread

Well, was drunk and somewhat distracted by other goings on while the game was on, but I kept an eye on it and what I saw was absolute bollocks.

We seem to have turned into Real Madrid - no matter who we have playing at the back, we find ways to ship goals in at a frustrating rate.

As for lack of quality forwards after Smeltz, I've made that point too often by now to keep labouring it. Though I guess I just did...

There wasn't much to smile about in the performance last night, but looking at the positives:

Lei Lei Gao looked dangerous, went round defenders time and again and when he was dispossessed he went to get the ball back.

Daniel when he came on started putting through balls up to the strikers - we got caught offside a couple times but if runs can be timed properly these are the kinds of attacking passes we needed.

Leo Bertos basically wasn't there for the first half, but in the second half when he was moved into the striker position got a lot more ball and some opportunities to break the line.  I think partnering him with smeltz up front may be the best strike pair we've got atm.  Also he wasn't afraid to take shots and most were on target - good to see someone other than Smeltz actually going for goal rather than just passing around in the box and giving the ball away.

Karl Dodd when he came on had some of that fight and intensity in him that Johnson was lacking, he went up and was always challenging for the ball and getting in attackers faces.  That's what we need - now if only he can sort out his passing game he will do well in our defensive midfield.

Pretty right except Gao. Time and again I saw him lose the ball and stand there while his opposite ran away with it. In fairness they all did it

we have played arguably two of the top three teams. Way to early to get super upset....was dissapointing last night though Tyler2008-08-31 20:29:29

Where was the passion and effort? I saw it from Coveny and Daniel when they came on and god only knows why these two were not in the starting line up. Watching Ricki sitting on the bench witnessing this was painful, why wasn't he trying to spark them up or organise things.

I'm trying to figure out how when we go forward the strikers seem to have such little support and yet when the attacks break down we seem so exposed at the back. I cannot bare to watch a replay of that game so I'll just throw my theory out there.

Our back four sit too deep when we are going forward and this means Ferrante and Johnson are also sitting deep. When play breaks down we do not have a competitive midfield up the park and the opposition come away with the ball with bugger all pressure on the ball carriers. All of the teams we have played have figured out that our formation leaves the outside backs exposed as Bertos and Gao do not track back, (Hearfiels didn't in the opening game either). If you're going to play wide players then they need to be delivering balls into the area with strikers attacking the ball and midfielders coming through to compete for the clearances. The game needs to be compressed otherwise there is no way your midfield can get up to support the attack and if it breaks down get back if their is too big a gap between the attack and midfield.

But regardless of this if you play without spirit and passion you're generally going to get spanked.   

we wish they were real madrid!!it was a shambles at the back, looked out of their depth which is frustrating to watch after the promising pre-season.

herbert needs to sort them out, OUT with the coloured boots and hairgel and start playing like they mean it, and not just taking there pay checks.

if its any consolation, we conceded the fewest goals of all losing teams this week..

Coceded the fewest but played(i use this term loosely) the worst.

if christie is the answer the question is wrong...

If you're the sort that slows right down so you can get a good look at the result of a car crash on the other side of the motorway, then let me recommend to you the following:

Very Disappointing result.... 1st game I've seen this season as I was away the previous two weeks and wish I hadn't... Still you've got to stick by the boys...  Everything's been said pretty much - and to belabour the point, as good as Smetlzy is, he shouldn't be the difference on the park... and as was pointed out to my by a learned football man... No central midfield whatsoever... Sneaky Butcher2008-09-01 13:34:53

We also scored the least

I see that the knives are out for the defence / back four ... but frankly I'd be taking a much closer look at the work rate and intensity of the midfield combination.

Maybe they have been over prepared and peaked during pre season?

I would expect better from Ed, but the intensity all over the park is worrying. I agree the formation is right and Ricki obviously recruited for this formation, so being too experimental too early could be worse.

Back to basics, communication and intensity in the middle of the park.

Right, after watching that performance,I have handed out a written warning to all concerned. They breached the Code of Conduct by "performing in a way contary to the vision's and value's of the Employer".

LMAO

well done