Player ratings v Raw

A lot better than capitulating like we did last week. A few indiviual errors cost us big time. Created chances, sadly they weren't put away.

Moss 6 Didn't have a lot to do, good save at the feet
Lia 5.5 His best performance at right back
Siggy 6 Gutsy performance
Dura 6 Much better than last week
Lochie 6 A good performance, got fwd well too
Boyd 4 Sadly, didn't track his man for their goal, then didn't bury a great header chance laid on by Manny. Did improve in second half
Manny 6 Strong first half, faded a bit but having to do the work of two
Cernak 3 Looked totally at sea, lost possession too many times before subbed
Fenton 6 Excellent work rate,tried it on, only fault not having the vision to find final pass, e.g. when down left wing, Stein free and  calling in front of goal, but didn't see it
Ifill 3 Looked disinterested in first half, not available, improved then subbed, looked like Dura had a go at him leaving field at half time
Cory 6 Nice to see aggression up front, shame his goal was ruled out, surely North was holding him first
Dani 4 Gave away ball for their second, some good play going forward, but that was crucial
Stein 5 Had some hunger and looked useful again

Feeling strangely positive. What do you think? 

I don't think that Lia rated a 5.5..hes far too slow and unskilled

I thought Lochie was shite and would give him a 2

agree with Ifill and Cory, Dura. Siggy was a bit of a carthorse tonight

Cernak played out of position, Sanchez was awful. A bit of energy from Fenton (needs to pass more. Not too convinced with continuing to give Boyd game time

Stein was man of the match for me, probably his best performance

Anyone can give a gutsy performance but really Siggy was about a 4 at best.

Stein looked a lot better picking up the ball from deep rather than playing up top I thought.

Ifill at 2 for me; not only playing poorly - two bad turnovers and nothing of value added - but he is a leader and senior pro who is being unprofessional enough to have the sulks.  Right now he appears to be a big negative influence on the squad.  Maybe harsh, but just how I am seeing it. 

Fenton, I thought, improved over his last few games and while he may have missed a few pass opportunities I thought he got his head up and played a number of earlier balls than he has in the past and seldom over-ran the ball.  Plus he put himself about with effort.  If Ifill just said f*ck it, I'm going to put in as much as this kid is, we would be a lot better off.  

Boyd; soooo much we need a full development team playing competitively every week.  He's a four at this level, but if he was getting time at the next level down, every week, with decent coaching, he's got the potential to be a 6 or seven plus in the A-League proper in a years time.  Those goals he's missing will come with a bit more experience and composure and that belated tracking for the goal will hopefully get learned out of him.  

Agree re North - he cut accross in front of Cory and caused the contact.  

... and Lia at RB.  For me he's a 4 there.  Always is, always has been.  Just cause they did not really attack him this week doesn't make him better.

Maybe we should play Stein as the AM - seemed to hold the ball better than anyone else and took generally good options, albeit he clearly has no right foot.

We just can't score, we create enough chances, don't score then do stupid stuff and conceed.

Give Hogg and Lindsey a run Ricki... Lochead, we know what he can do and its not great and Sanchez isn't a DM.

Siggy..."gutsy performance".....if he was playing League. Really looks clumsy now. Maybe is not as sharp physically as he was a few years ago and now is getting caught out.

Iffil....nothing sadder than a once great player looking a shadow of their former self. Whats up with him and Ricki?, could not have been more frosty between the two when he came off

Stein.....he's a good player when he gets the ball played to his feet. Would be a player you could build your attacks around if you had the right tactics

Boyd....keep your chin up son!  Considering he has only just turned 18 he is a talent. No one should underestimate how hard the daily grind of pro football is. Especially for someone just out of school. He will learn and he will adapt and he will be a very good player for us one day. Both him and Fenton need to be a bit more calmer and composed when confronted with a goal scoring opportunity...though Fenton has got better. This will come with time.

Stein - Is composed on the ball. Played well. 6.

Ifill - Horrendous. 1.

Lochhead - got smoked, a lot. 2.

Boyd - Looks like he has some talent but isn't what the Phoenix need up front at the moment. 

Siggy - Age / body is catching up on him. A no nonsense defender that's for sure. 

Cory - Looked hungry/aggressive and wasn't afraid to have a crack. 

Ifill was absolutely shocking, to be fair the pitch didn't help but definitely one of his worst performances.
Gameiro looked promising, goal disallowed for a bit of stupidity off the ball but took it on if it was there to be hit.

What you got is what you see, Stein is not going to get any better... 

I do remember Chris Greenacre taking time to adjust to how we played and how he fitted into to that system. He became better at it over time.

You both have valid points and to be fair to Stein I should have quantified my comments.

As an out and out striker he lacks the physical attrbutes, skills to be effective. The pace that we heard hasnt been shown in games. HE doesnt seem to be able to instruct the players around him to play as a unit. Whether this is communication or respect I cant tell from here. I do not expect his scoring stats will be any better than Greenacre.

It is only an opinion piece, :)