PS v Miralympic | Sun 25 Aug | 2:30PM | Farrington Field, Miramar

Is MiramarOlympic out playing us?

For a time ?

Slightly concerned after seeing this performance.  Could no see any game plan at least none that got me excited.

It’s early days. I saw Sydney draw midweek against manly. All their first 11 started. 

Toothless would be a complement when describing their attack. At least we scored some goals from open play!

Huh? I was generally very impressed with them all; all of the youngsters looked promising and Steinmann very solid in the middle. I’ve seen countless number of these pre-season games over the years and I’ve generally been underwhelmed with the Phoenix. Today I left feeling it was a pretty good performance.

I believe he played in the one at Endeavour.

Rufer and Sutton the stand outs for me. Concerned about Marinovic but I always have been even at All Whites level.

Good competitive hit out - the Marbbles had some periods where they were competitive but think the Phoenix controlled the game. Considering the players missing it was a good sign. I think we're probably better depth wise than ever before so if one of the gambles fails we have genuine depth across the park.

I have certainly seen us look sharkter in equivalent games over the years.

What about Marinovic concerned you? I thought he did alright for his half, seemed to be vocal with controlling the defence, a tricky moment or two on the corners I think but overall, good?

Think Sail controlled the area much better and Marinovic looked glued to the line.

Agree with the earlier call re: Steinmann - rarely takes more than 2 touches before shifting ball, well positioned on both attack and defence. He looks like he has a lot of time. Standard today obviously helped him though.

Sutton did himself no harm at all - good shift from the boy. Waine solid and several quality touches.

Stevens was good for them - real shame that he's not been able to make the step up (yet?). 

We gave them a bit of space in 2nd half as it looked like when Taylor subbed on we intentionally practiced playing a period without the ball. 

Difficult to play in a proper formation when opposition was several notches below. There were lots of gaps and I think our midfield in particular were playing at half-tempo for sustained periods.

I see what you mean about him being glued to the line, that could go differently against better strikers of the ball. 

 Sail is our very own sweeper keeper. 

Also what’s the deal with Stevens? I thought he was just with Wellington while it was the Swedish off season. 

Why? Raph had a run last time out, but those 3 are Phoenix boys, NZ U17 reps and eligible to play A-League for Phoenix. Why wouldn't you give them a shot? Who knows, WPX might even be looking at filling one or two scholarship slots.

Rufer and Steinmann, if they can gel together give us two ways of playing out from the back which I like, harder to box us in, hopefully. 

Will we play with 3 at the back during the HAL?

Steinmann was big and imposing but took a good 20mins to settle and liked to play the ball to players feet rather than into space - unsure if that means anything - maybe just wanted to make sure of his passes - as you can imagine the odd one went astray as the combinations were coming. Not sure about his calibre - early doors.

I thought Libby and McCowatt, and when they switched, Waine, combined well on the left. It would be nice to see McCowatt have a go on his left foot if he is going to switch to the left channel, cutting back on his right is not always going to work, McCowatt also shanked a tap in when he switched to the right. 

I can see what a season in the A-league has done for Waine, he has the goods on McCowatt at their current stage of development - that will be an interesting duel if they are up for the same place in the future.

The player from MarOly (12) who took out Libby was a tool, did it just cause he could, as a supporter of Wellington football that's a dick move to try and injure someone in a pre-season.

I thought Sutton tried very hard, then when I heard his age from pundits on this forum I was impressed - his over-enthusiasm at times, made sense.

Joel Stevens could be a squad player for the Nix.

GK highlight - Basalaj's point-blank save in the first half and throwing the ball up and over halfway to his strikers in the 2nd - quite an arm.

Libby and Elliot looked great on either wing - an exciting time for young Phoenix players - but as we all know it is a development season - so we'll win some and certainly lose some. It will be another season for the fans only.

I did say when Marinovic was signed that this was not one that impressed me, however...

I thought McCowatt was excellent, rarely looses the ball and has a great touch. I’m excited to see him play with a full strength team.

Steinmann looks quality too, super composed....Albert Riera Mach two

I thought McCowatt's effort was excellent as well. He and Devlin were often back in the Phoenix half adding to the defence and helping out the more defensive midfielders.

Any video of this game?

Agree largely with peoples assessments of the game.

• Watched Steinmann closely. Thought he took a while to grow into the game but then worked well with Rufer recycling the ball. His range of passing increased throughout the game but he faded and made a few errors later on. Defensively had decent position to break things up in the final third. Wasn't the bulldog we were promised but you can forgive a player for not throwing themselves about in an early hit out. Not an imperious performance but a slightly above average first game for the club.
• I'm late to the McCowatt party since I don't watch Handa Prem but he looked a cut above in terms of quality. Played in the central role and combined excellently with Waine and Sutton in particular. You'd imagine the visa players get dibs but can see his 65 minute arrival becoming a steady injection of energy. Would prefer him over Soritio in most situations.
• I really did want to like Marinovic but agree that he seemed a little off. I was on halfway and didn't hear much chat from him at all (although would've been hard to hear anything over Devere). Would've preferred to see him in goal in the second half when we invited pressure and see how he got on. Sail was much more communicative for whatever that's worth.

No Shrijvers yesterday. Is he injured, didn't make himself available or didn't make the side?

he's overseas

Did Ball play?

Nope.

Sail and TAHW played Second half. Taylor and Scott played about half an hour, Payne 20ish and van Hatt the last 5 or 10.

Sail for Marinovic
TAHW for DeVere
Taylor for McGing
Scott for Elliot
Payne for Steinmann
van Hatt for Rufer (Sutton dropped into midfield with Payne) and van hatt went up front.

I'm sure I saw Old get on. Was wearing number 7.

when do Ball and Davila start developing combinations? Hardly seen them yet.

Edit: also, where does Sotirio sit in the pecking order now?

Davila would have to be not injured.

Pretty sure they announced it as Old when he came on but it was van Hattum.

Doubt it'll be reflected in the team sheet (at least at the beginning of the season) but imo Sotirio is the least talented forward we have by some distance

Looks like we have our designated scapegoat for the year.

I am a traditionalist.  Designated Scapegoat has to be a DM otherwise the world order breaks down.

Smith, Keegan

Smith, Keegan.

And no it's not.

It's the same thing really. Opposition scores a goal and instead of the DM being too slow, not being in the right position, giving away posession etc. It'll be blamed on Marinovic not commanding his area, being too static on his line, not being solid dealing with high balls etc. We don't score enough goals and it'll still be his fault for poor distribution, no ability as a sweeper keeper to start attacks from deep etc.

These are all actual criticisms of Marinovic that have already been mentioned on this forum, long before the season even starts. Scapegoat.

Escape goat will be Sotorio at least for the first three games after which he may never be seen again.

any idea who our best front line is?

Piscopo/Davila

Hopefully they all can get on the park together sometime soon