Phoenix vs Clogs - Match Fred

Phoenix vs Clogs - Match Fred

With the pre-saeson cup final behind us thoughts turn to the line up for next Sunday.

Hearfield is not a right-back's asshole. You looked infinitely weaker on that flank when he came on. Yes, it was a tactical sub by Herbert, but it was a poor one. You were lucky Berger had run out of gas by that point, otherwise it could've been ugly.

Johnson has also shown up Ferrante over 90mins in both previous games - if any CM is dropped it's that tard surely.

If I was Herbert, I would go for...

-------------------------Moss

Sigmund-------Durante---McKain----Lochhead

------------Dodd-----------------Johnson
Bertos----------------Daniel------------------Gao

-----------------------Smeltz

BENCH:
Paston
Ferrante
Hearfield
Kwasnik
Jaza2008-08-07 12:52:24

Just personally I'd like to see this one!

WellyT2008-08-07 13:50:23

According to Ricky on the radio today he should be in the mix for selection against CCM.

It was definitely an injury replacement - at the Kings Siggy was saying he got clobbered and hurt his hip and made normal running impossible.

I totally disagree with you re Hearfield. Granted, he isn't a natural right back and I certainly wouldn't start him there. I think the whole point of bringing him on is that he was looking to add some more attack down the flanks and given that the Victory players were tiring sending Hearfield down to exploit that flank was a valid, and at times effective, tactic. Hearfield made some fantastic runs down that side and generally looked dangerous in my opinion.

Oh and Ferrante and Johnson aren't in competition for a place anyway. Johnson is the defensive mid (competing with Dodd and maybe Brown later on) whereas Ferrante is pretty much our only genuine center mid, box to box type player. He has loads of gas, generally plays wonderful crossfield passes (although he wasn't playing at his usual standard last night). He is also excellent at hustling the opposing midfielders off the ball, often high up the pitch, giving us possession in dangerous parts of the ground.

As for our starting XI, I'm pretty sure Ricki will go for a lineup similar to the one he named vs CCM.  I tend to agree with it as well, so here goes:

-------------------------Moss-----------------------

Mulligan-------Durante---McKain----Lochhead/Muscat

------------Dodd-----------------Ferrante--------

Bertos----------------Gao------------------Daniel

-----------------------Smeltz-------------------------

Bench:

Paston
Johnson
Hearfield
Kwasnik

The 'holy trinity' of Gao, Bertos and Daniel are a must. The only positions that are close are Dodd/Johnson. Ricki clearly sees the value of Ferrante (as do I) and he will certainly start. I'm pretty sure Muscat is right footed, and he could well compete with Mulligan for right back should Lochy return. I wasn't totally convinced with Sigmund down the right (mostly because he is left footed), he looked uncomfortable at times and didn't combine well with Bertos.

That bench looks useful as well. Johnson covers the middle, or comes on to allow Dodd to cover the center backs, with Hearfield covering at fullback and for the 'trinity.' Kwasnik  gives you your wide/striking cover.

I have to say, Hearfield's arrival don't bode well for Costa's prospects, at least for this season anyway. He looks a quality prospect to me and could be a valuable impact player for us. His versatility could be a big plus and that finish against Sydney (not to mention that PK last night) showed that he has excellent composure for a young player.


KTBW2008-08-07 14:51:54

I think most of the head scratching will be around the full backs. Muscat and Sigmund are both honest, solid players - they will give you 100% and will do a pretty good job of shutting down attacks down the flanks. Neither, I think, offers much going forward - I would be very uncomfortable playing both at the same time.

Apparantly Muscat is known for being an attacking fullback with good crossing skills, he certainly has the pace to do it. I think he was just being a little bit cautious because of the threat of the counter attack and also because we simply didn't attack down his side very much. Also given that he was on trial he probably didn't want to be up one end of the pitch and allow the Victory in down his wing.

I think once he settles in he will prove to be a useful threat going forward as well. Hard to see Sigmund doing that though, particularly if he has to play as right back (given that he is left footed).

I actually thought Sigmund looked OK for a fill-in at RB. He looked much better there than he did at CB v.s. us, though a lot of that may be because the difference in opposition (Brosque v.s. Berger)

yeah, i don't get the "invisible" accusations that surround Ferrante,, he is usually busy as, and was last night

Maybe Ferrante needs to shave his head again or dye it a strange colour so that people can see all the work he does :)

                                                Moss

Ferrante is my favourite Nix player....gets through a power of work and has a wonderful long pass on him. 

He is our midfield general.

what impresses me mos tabout all those line-ups is the quality of our bench

Whatever team we play - Daniel needs to be on the ball as much as possible. When he came on last night he gave everyone else a kick up the ass.
valeo2008-08-07 21:04:52

Dont think we will see Mully for a few weeks.
Ferrante has put his game together nicely and confirmed his confidence with a well struck penalty.
It would be harsh to leave Gao out, on performance i think Kwasnik should be on the bench leaving Gao, Bertos and Daniel to start. Muscat definetely looks like a promising defender and is worthy of a start. Not convinced of Dodd at all, but he was very good last night and is still improving.

Kwasnik looked completely lazy out there on Wednesday. Gao was killing the opposition at times so he should definatly get a start, he's very confident to.

i would start heafield in CM (like against SYD) or behind smeltz...looks very good in attack and has composure and a good finsih

I think against Queensland we need a physical line-up.  I'd go for:
                                     Moss

Sigmund           Durante      McKain         Muscat

                                    Dodd

                     Johnson            Brown

    Bertos                                                 Gao

                                  Smeltz

Subs:
Paston
Ferrante
Kwasnik
Daniel

In my opinion Daniel doesn't deserve a starting spot until he gets over his current laziness.  I would prefer to have two strikers (Kwasnik and Smeltz), but as I went for a more physical line-up (as that's how the Roar tend to play) I could only fit one striker in.

anyone have any word on how long till we see mully?

I heard somewhere around the CCM game in mid-September.

crud, how about Tim Brown, how is he coming along surely he is finally recovered

How many times, Brown is crap, provides no X Fctor, no creativity and to be honest, isnt good enough for the A-League, he shows no flair, just runs around all day and does nothing, why do people rate this guy???

That's very, VERY harsh.

Daniels not lazy! He was everywhere against Mariners couple of weeks back. Covered nearly every inch of grass on the attacking third.

I think Johnson and Ferrante should be our two holding mids. Dodd is no poor substitute but Johnson seemed to have a good game against Melbourne and Ferrante is just the complete midfield package really. Gao and Bertos on the wings with Daniel in a free role in the attacking third.

I think Daniel should definately stay out on the wing. I don't mind if he switches from time to time but the best thing about his game is his crossing. I thought there was a lack of movement from Smeltz and Kwasnik and then Coveney. I would still like to try Bertos up front with Smeltz and Gao out on the right. Otherwise maybe Hearfield up front. Whoever it is has to cover more ground.

daniel seemed sow when he got on

There aren't three defensive mids there.  Dodd is DM, Johnson and Brown are normal Mid, and Bertos and Gao are attacking mids.  I think against QLD we need a physical line-up, and Dodd, Johnno, and Brown could each beat Ferrante in a fight to the death so they qualify.

                            Moss

Muscat     Durante       McKain   Lochead

                Ferrante        Dodd

Bertos                  Gao                 Daniel

                           Smeltz

That would be my first choice team I think. Haven't seen much of Mulligan though, and if Lochead goes then Sigmund can provide good cover at teh back. I think Johnson is solid and will give Dodd good competition for the holding role, but also, if we go behind or need more attacking impetus, we can bring on Hearfield or Kwasnik for Dodd and go 4-1-3-2.

Anyone who doesnt pick Ferrante needs to learn what a midfielder does. He is everywhere that boy, and is easily our best passer in the team, name anyone else who can knock 40 yard passes in our squad.