Least the FFA didn't forget our stats this week...
http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/stats-shot-|-round-3/51073
Wellington Phoenix v Brisbane Roar
Brisbane were unable to
match their heroics of last week against Victory, as the Phoenix put up
an altogether more successful resistance to the champions.
Possession: Phoenix 43% / Roar 57%
Shots on goal: Phoenix 5 / Roar 4; total: 9 / 6
Tackles: Phoenix 33 / Roar 24; effective: 77% / 71%
Completed passes: Phoenix 160 / 503; accuracy: 69% / 85%
Crosses: Phoenix 24 / Roar 9
It’s somewhat reductive to call this fixture a mismatch but that’s what it looks like on these numbers alone.
Brisbane,
as we’ve come to expect, had the lion’s share of possession and
completed an astonishing 503 passes, and 85 per cent accuracy.
Wellington,
on the other hand, made 33 tackles – the most of any team in Round 3 –
and just 160 passes – the lowest of any team in Round 3.
The
difference in the way the two sides are constructed can also be seen in
the crosses; the Phoenix utilised their ability on the wings to send 24
balls in the opposition are, while the Roar kept the ball mostly on the
ground.
Calling it a mismatch is a little harsh on Brisbane don't you think? ;)
Seriously though, I think that some of you are are just too in thrall of the "passing game". What on earth is the point of having 57% posession and making 500+ passes to only generate 6 shots on goal, 4 on
target? Likewise, what the hell is up with your defence when you allow your opposition to get in 24 crosses, 9 shots on goal (5 on target) with only 43% possession and 160 completed passes? There were times in the second half when Brisbane were dinking it around when it was actually getting boring. They were literally going nowhere.
Yes, Brisbane were good, probably better than us overall, but there's no way that game should be called a mis-match.
Likewise though, what's the point in putting 24 crosses in when no Nix players get on the end of them? The accuracy in the crosses we put in is very poor for the most part.
I do agree that the pass...pass...pass stuff can get boring - I hated watching Spain at the Euros just gone for example, mind numbing stuff!
My point is mainly that when we do get it down and do quick passes with some attacking intent, we can look pretty good. We just don't do it often enough and resort to the old 'get it out wide and get a cross in' tactic.