Wellington Phoenix Men

R1 vs Adelaide United | Sun 8 Oct | 5:00pm | RoF

458 replies · 51,458 views
over 8 years ago · edited over 8 years ago · History

C-Diddy wrote:

patrick478 wrote:

TWhat summed it up for me was the Adelaide striker lurking behind him when he was about to distribute the ball, the canny old striker knew he was new and inexperienced and was ready to pounce if Smith had dropped the ball to his feet.

Just to make sure I'm understanding you properly, you're blaming Smith for something he a) didn't do, b) didn't get caught out by and c) players do to attempt to trick experienced keepers too?

You obviously weren't understanding me properly. My point is that the player was standing in wait because he identified Smith was green and quite possibly would make an elementary error of the type I described. And you will find that is not a common practise in serious levels of competition either.

It was like watching someone playing FIFA against their drunk mate

Galloway dribbling past one or two but ultimately ending up losing the ball way out of position had that vibe for me too

People like Coldplay and voted for the Nazis. You can't trust people.

Permalink Permalink
over 8 years ago

I didn't watch all the game but from what I saw I frankly I didn't think Smith was ready. He made one spectacular save but that was more reflex than anything, I think, and he bobbled the ball too much. On the other hand I thought there was a lot of unfair criticism about not taking all of his goal kicks - Darije made it clear that he'd picked Smith for being able to play with the ball at his feet, and he did just that. Hoofing the ball into the opposing box is one skill set - actually being able to pick out players from a ground kick is another.


Ramming liberal dribble down your throat since 2009
This forum needs less angst and more Kate Bush threads



Permalink Permalink
over 8 years ago

I'd be interested in hearing from someone who knows of Smith's development at Ellerslie/Weenix.

Full article

Kotahitanga. We are one.

Permalink Permalink
over 8 years ago · edited over 8 years ago · History

2ndBest wrote:

patrick478 wrote:

Is Smith ready for A-League level right now? Maybe not.

Is Smith better than Italiano right now? Probably.

I need more evidence to say either way.

It's a concern to me that we went into the season being unable to definitively say that our supposed number 1 is better than our youth keeper.

Permalink Permalink
over 8 years ago

Iker Casillas started in a Champions League final when he was 18.

But these sort of comparisons aren't helpful. Players develop at different rates physically, psychologically, and technically. The question here is whether this specific 18yo is ready - and I don't think that one game is enough to judge personally. Hard to tell what's debutant nerves and what's his actual weak areas. Give him a couple more games and see. I wasn't impressed buh I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

People like Coldplay and voted for the Nazis. You can't trust people.

Permalink Permalink
over 8 years ago

Thought Paracki was the best on show by some distance, then the likes of Galloway and Rufer.

I like Ridenton but he was just terrible, miss-pass followed by miss-pass, and Abbas looked slow and was beaten time and time again.

Keegan Smith was extremely nervous and I can't see why the DK thought playing him ahead of Italiano was a good idea, who has always looked decent/sound in the HAL games he has had. The only decent thing Smith really did was a complete reflex save which numerous keepers would make. Football  is full of decent 'shot-stopper's but its the keepers who dominate their box that really stand out.

He punched (rather than caught) too much and when he did punch, he didnt punch upwards, rather down or directly infront which almost always lead to another chance/half-chance for Adelaide 

The one thing going in his favour apparently is distribution, so it was farcical to see Rossi taking the place kicks.

From Stuff here:

Of interest was Rossi taking goal kicks instead of Smith in the second half, which Kalezic said was just to get more distance in the kicks. They plan to work with Smith on that so Rossi is not required in the future.

So its basically his ability to throw the ball to his defenders or make a short pass.

4-2-3-1 might make for some tough watching this year.

Early days of course but plenty of work to do.

I wonder quite how much difference Gui, Mikey, Doyle and Dura will really make to this side.


"You can never get a bloody tradesman at Easter, it's a wonder Jesus got crucified" - Karl Pilkington

Permalink Permalink
over 8 years ago

patrick478 wrote:

Doloras wrote:

Interesting that Smith is now being given a grudging passmark when people were yelling about how diabolical he was during the game.

Different people have different opinions, Doloras.

Also, a difference between commenting on (a few) dodgy moments during the game, and writing off an 18 year old as a hack with no place in the league based on that one game.

Permalink Permalink
over 8 years ago

We have more depth and a much more balanced squad this season. And a striker.

That's always good to hear going into a new season, particularly after so many disappointing ones.

I'm always a late-starter with the Phoenix. I've just signed-off an NZ Warriors forum for the season. That always takes some getting over.

Spain '82 is where it all really began for me. There were a few moments before, plenty of moments after, but that World Cup was the zeitgeist.
Permalink Permalink
over 8 years ago · edited over 8 years ago · History

Doloras wrote:
Smith had a hard-to-watch game but the first goal was Abbas's fault.

The poor kid, can you imagine the sledging? At its worst it'd be like an apprentice on a building site, and that might just be from his own side.

Spain '82 is where it all really began for me. There were a few moments before, plenty of moments after, but that World Cup was the zeitgeist.
Permalink Permalink
over 8 years ago

I'm not sure where all this frustration is coming from.

I thought we did pretty well. We didn't bloody lose for a start, which we do *every* *year* in our first game.

Smith didn't c0ck anything up of any significance, and he made a super save to keep the draw for us.

Abbas was quite bad, but that's the only real negative I've got. I thought Roy looked sharp and we looked dangerous in the front third quite often. Our goal was a good one. Parrotski looks like a great acquisition. 

When you factor in the player we had away I reckon it's all gravy. A battling point to open the campaign. I'll take it. We definitely didn't look terrible (compare with, for example, Central Coast Mariners).

By some distance the worst performance of the day was the Fever Zone (I was there, partly to blame). Deathly silence from about the 15th minute. Not our best work.

Cheer up everyone.

Incredible stamina. No shame. Yellow Fever.

Permalink Permalink
over 8 years ago

Blairinho wrote:

Doloras wrote:
Smith had a hard-to-watch game but the first goal was Abbas's fault.

The poor kid, can you imagine the sledging? At it's worst it'd be like an apprentice on a building site, and that might just be from his own side.

He has played at Wakefield v the Greeks and was coping all sorts of Gobsharke from their supporters, so A League should be a doddle!
Permalink Permalink
over 8 years ago

Smithy wrote:

I'm not sure where all this frustration is coming from.

I thought we did pretty well. We didn't bloody lose for a start, which we do *every* *year* in our first game.

Smith didn't c0ck anything up of any significance, and he made a super save to keep the draw for us.

Abbas was quite bad, but that's the only real negative I've got. I thought Roy looked sharp and we looked dangerous in the front third quite often. Our goal was a good one. Parrotski looks like a great acquisition. 

When you factor in the player we had away I reckon it's all gravy. A battling point to open the campaign. I'll take it. We definitely didn't look terrible (compare with, for example, Central Coast Mariners).

By some distance the worst performance of the day was the Fever Zone (I was there, partly to blame). Deathly silence from about the 15th minute. Not our best work.

Cheer up everyone.

Roy went well but his Hairdresser had a fudgeing mare!
Permalink Permalink
over 8 years ago

Funny how people come up with dozen names of some outstanding and world class goal keepers to justify Smith's selection, all OK, I would have prefered Manual Neuer playing for us.

Agree with Smithy, I think we will be happy if we draw more games like this. A point is point. Last year any other team would have scored in the 89 minute. Dura, Finkler and McGlinchey will bring more stability and Abbas will do better in the next game. Bring it on.

Permalink Permalink
over 8 years ago

[quote=Global Game]

I'd be interested in hearing from someone who knows of Smith's development at Ellerslie/Weenix

The word around the traps here in Auckland was that he was not seen as first 11 material at Sacred Heart by Danny Hay. They went with rather new to keeping option I am told instead, and was a lot of surprise when he was asked to go down to Wellington. Watched him play quite a bit for Ellerslie, including the 17s tournament that he was scouted to head south, and never looked the same level as some of the other better known keepers up here including the last under 17 campaign back up keepers to the superb Michael Woud. He must have developed a lot to be given this gig, but I for one think he is not ready at A league level and the lack of strength we saw in punches, kicks will develop over time but will cost us I worry.

Permalink Permalink
over 8 years ago

Sunseeker wrote:

[quote=Global Game]

I'd be interested in hearing from someone who knows of Smith's development at Ellerslie/Weenix

The word around the traps here in Auckland was that he was not seen as first 11 material at Sacred Heart by Danny Hay. They went with rather new to keeping option I am told instead, and was a lot of surprise when he was asked to go down to Wellington. Watched him play quite a bit for Ellerslie, including the 17s tournament that he was scouted to head south, and never looked the same level as some of the other better known keepers up here including the last under 17 campaign back up keepers to the superb Michael Woud. He must have developed a lot to be given this gig, but I for one think he is not ready at A league level and the lack of strength we saw in punches, kicks will develop over time but will cost us I worry.

I've watched him in Central League,some friendlies for phoenix youth & last nights game & tbh I haven't been "wowed" to think he should be an A league starter yet.  

Not being able to kick over half way from a goal kick & overall physicality is a concern. Saying he was "good" at kicking it with either feet (whilst under no pressure) to a team-mate about 5/8 metres away is something to be expected of any higher level player. I cant describe it well but I actually think he looks unbalanced/awkward when making those small distance kicks.     

Permalink Permalink
over 8 years ago

For all I read about Smith's alleged ball distribution skills, I thought he actually look quite uncoordinated and didn't have great technique when kicking the ball (even over short distances).

This being said, I thought he had a good game, especially considering his age and the fact that he was on debut.

I have said many times over the off-season that I was worried about Italiano being our number 1 as I don't rate him. At the end of the day there is a professional duo at the helm who would have seen a keeper or two train in their time, so if they picked Smith over Italiano, I trust them.


VUW AFC - Victoria University Football for life

Permalink Permalink
over 8 years ago · edited over 8 years ago · History

2ndBest wrote:

I'm pretty sure I recall Matt Ryan being particularly dodgy when he first started too. 

He certainly was, but he didn't have issues with goalkeeping basics like kicking over half way and catching the ball.

I'm hoping the poor punches can just be put down to nerves.

a.haak

Permalink Permalink
over 8 years ago

Yes, I read that too. It's never nice reading something like that before a season starts.

However, let them write that and we'll just try to do our own thing. For example, I'm quite relieved Roly's gone. Sure, journalists will see his name absent from our squad and reach conclusions such as the one written above.

But for me, I'll no longer tune in expecting match-winning brilliance from player's like him, only to be mostly disappointed by their individual performances.

Spain '82 is where it all really began for me. There were a few moments before, plenty of moments after, but that World Cup was the zeitgeist.
Permalink Permalink
over 8 years ago

number8 wrote:

Funny how people come up with dozen names of some outstanding and world class goal keepers to justify Smith's selection, all OK, I would have prefered Manual Neuer playing for us.

Just that feverish said that "an 18 year old keeper is never gonna cut mustard" - which I, and others, were happy to disprove. 
Permalink Permalink
over 8 years ago

We can't have been that bad or else Steve-o would have shown up by now

People like Coldplay and voted for the Nazis. You can't trust people.

Permalink Permalink
over 8 years ago

I thought he caught the ball well? It was his punching that was dodgy - but that’s not unexpected for an 18 year old goalkeeper. 


Allegedly

Permalink Permalink
over 8 years ago · edited over 8 years ago · History

Hard News wrote:

The one thing I thought is that we just looked calm.  At no point did it seem like anything was out of control and there was panic, it was people doing their jobs and if it went wrong they dusted off and went back to it.  It felt less frantic and I didn't spend the game waiting for it all to go pear-shaped despite Chris Beath's best efforts

Personally I'd have started Singh ahead of Rufer once Finkler went down.  That was my thought pre-game and hasn't changed since.  Not sure how Singh didn't make the bench unless he is also broken.

Seeing how we have played most of pre-season without WeeMac, Dura and Doyle I do wonder if they will just walk straight back in, particularly knowing we lose them again for a period next month.

Despite not being much of a fan of Rufer  (from what I've seen), I actually think he deserves quite a decent amount of praise for that performance. I also thought that I would've preferred Singh at the start of the game, but I don't think he would have fared better.

He was given no service by Ridenton, but still managed to turn his marker on at least 3 occasions with very good bits of skill and create good opportunities - with the one that big K got on target the best of them. Also took a wild swing at a shot, but I don't mind that - showed good intent.

I thought it was easily the best performance he has put in for us.

On the flip side, RIdenton was extremely disappointing. He was good tracking back and covering our roving full-backs, but he was so, so poor with his distribution. It was embarrassing at times. Surprsiing, as he has been very solid every time has gotten a chance.

a.haak

Permalink Permalink
over 8 years ago

Tegal wrote:

I thought he caught the ball well? It was his punching that was dodgy - but that’s not unexpected for an 18 year old goalkeeper. 

When he pulls on a Nix first team shirt, he is not an 18 year old keeper. He is an A League GK.
Permalink Permalink
over 8 years ago

sthn.jeff wrote:

Tegal wrote:

I thought he caught the ball well? It was his punching that was dodgy - but that’s not unexpected for an 18 year old goalkeeper. 

When he pulls on a Nix first team shirt, he is not an 18 year old keeper. He is an A League GK.

That said, I don't think he was bad enough to warrant dropping him. He has clearly had a very impressive off season, so I am ok to put the few errors largely down to nerves
Permalink Permalink
over 8 years ago · edited over 8 years ago · History

sthn.jeff wrote:

Tegal wrote:

I thought he caught the ball well? It was his punching that was dodgy - but that’s not unexpected for an 18 year old goalkeeper. 

When he pulls on a Nix first team shirt, he is not an 18 year old keeper. He is an A League GK.

I think on the whole, A league keepers are quite poor. You can spend some decent coin and get a fairly average goalkeeper like Vuka or Moss, or get young keepers who aren’t that much worse but have the potential to be better. I’d say he isn’t much worse than a few other keepers in the A league, and much cheaper. In a salary capped league I’d call that value gained. 

He also didn’t have a bad game at all. That’s why I find it odd he is receiving so much negative attention for fairly minor flaws that he will improve on. I guess this makes him the new designated scapegoat with Lia gone. 


Allegedly

Permalink Permalink
over 8 years ago

A bad game, no, but he did make  a number of errors that on another day could have cost us dearly.

He is also hardly being "scapegoated" or is that what it is now called when a fairly reasoned discussion is taking place. I have not yet read anyone that has said out right, he was shark

Even the fact that he was selected ahead of Mambo and Sail, was always going to result in a fair amount of discussion

Permalink Permalink
over 8 years ago

mjp2 wrote:

For physique I was trying to remember the name of the only other lighter weight goalkeeper I can remember in the League - Tando Velaphi.  First game for Perth SC at 19.

Seen here filled out a bit in his mid twenties, training with Carlos.  


Should we get Smith a KFC badge on his sleeve too?

Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days

Permalink Permalink
over 8 years ago

Tegal wrote:

sthn.jeff wrote:

Tegal wrote:

I thought he caught the ball well? It was his punching that was dodgy - but that’s not unexpected for an 18 year old goalkeeper. 

When he pulls on a Nix first team shirt, he is not an 18 year old keeper. He is an A League GK.

I think on the whole, A league keepers are quite poor. You can spend some decent coin and get a fairly average goalkeeper like Vuka or Moss, or get young keepers who aren’t that much worse but have the potential to be better. I’d say he isn’t much worse than a few other keepers in the A league, and much cheaper. In a salary capped league I’d call that value gained. 

He also didn’t have a bad game at all. That’s why I find it odd he is receiving so much negative attention for fairly minor flaws that he will improve on. I guess this makes him the new designated scapegoat with Lia gone. 

The logic in this though is flawed because we had our 2 keepers in our 23. Now we have picked someone outside of that 23 and he has to go into the cap. Essentially its an additional payment we don't need so you really need to pick your players in the 23 and stick with them.

I would also take Moss over any of the other 3 and I would say that it is worth it. Italiano and Sail are not however. Smith, he can grow with it and your point about being not much worse for a lot less is salient

Grumpy old bastard alert

Permalink Permalink
over 8 years ago

sthn.jeff wrote:

paulm wrote:

Long goal kicks looked dodgy and he was rather green at moments throughout, but the good part was his distribution via throws and short passes (off both feet I noticed too). Very basic skills but it was obviously the game plan, he always looked to quickly distribute to a defender along the deck, or even direct to Paracki/Ridenton whenever it was on. I liked that. 

Bit of work on defence, with Durante and Doyle probably back in, and a change in the midfield structure to have a better link between Paracki and the attackers, and we're off and running I reckon. 

Definitely a lot of good signs to take from that in my opinion.

All true, but personally I prefer a GK that can actually catch the ball or punch the ball on a consistent basis above distribution but hey I am just old fashioned I guess

So do I. I was just pointing out the one part of his game I liked yesterday. 

Permalink Permalink
over 8 years ago

sthn.jeff wrote:

Blairinho wrote:

Doloras wrote:
Smith had a hard-to-watch game but the first goal was Abbas's fault.

The poor kid, can you imagine the sledging? At it's worst it'd be like an apprentice on a building site, and that might just be from his own side.

He has played at Wakefield v the Greeks and was coping all sorts of Gobsharke from their supporters, so A League should be a doddle!

good to hear, 'cause you'd imagine he's going to get a lot of stick in the away games.  This was a friendly audience!

Permalink Permalink
over 8 years ago

Sunseeker wrote:

[quote=Global Game]

I'd be interested in hearing from someone who knows of Smith's development at Ellerslie/Weenix

The word around the traps here in Auckland was that he was not seen as first 11 material at Sacred Heart by Danny Hay. They went with rather new to keeping option I am told instead, and was a lot of surprise when he was asked to go down to Wellington. Watched him play quite a bit for Ellerslie, including the 17s tournament that he was scouted to head south, and never looked the same level as some of the other better known keepers up here including the last under 17 campaign back up keepers to the superb Michael Woud. He must have developed a lot to be given this gig, but I for one think he is not ready at A league level and the lack of strength we saw in punches, kicks will develop over time but will cost us I worry.

These are probably the best comments of the day regarding Smith.

If you are old and wise you were probably young and stupid

Permalink Permalink
over 8 years ago

Jeff Vader wrote:

Tegal wrote:

sthn.jeff wrote:

Tegal wrote:

I thought he caught the ball well? It was his punching that was dodgy - but that’s not unexpected for an 18 year old goalkeeper. 

When he pulls on a Nix first team shirt, he is not an 18 year old keeper. He is an A League GK.

I think on the whole, A league keepers are quite poor. You can spend some decent coin and get a fairly average goalkeeper like Vuka or Moss, or get young keepers who aren’t that much worse but have the potential to be better. I’d say he isn’t much worse than a few other keepers in the A league, and much cheaper. In a salary capped league I’d call that value gained. 

He also didn’t have a bad game at all. That’s why I find it odd he is receiving so much negative attention for fairly minor flaws that he will improve on. I guess this makes him the new designated scapegoat with Lia gone. 

The logic in this though is flawed because we had our 2 keepers in our 23. Now we have picked someone outside of that 23 and he has to go into the cap. Essentially its an additional payment we don't need so you really need to pick your players in the 23 and stick with them.

I would also take Moss over any of the other 3 and I would say that it is worth it. Italiano and Sail are not however. Smith, he can grow with it and your point about being not much worse for a lot less is salient

Good point. Not sure how that plays out in regards to the 23 and the salary cap. Has he even signed a senior deal?


Allegedly

Permalink Permalink
over 8 years ago

Global Game wrote:

I'd be interested in hearing from someone who knows of Smith's development at Ellerslie/Weenix.

Full article

what do you want to know?

Permalink Permalink
over 8 years ago

aitkenmike wrote:

patrick478 wrote:

Doloras wrote:

Interesting that Smith is now being given a grudging passmark when people were yelling about how diabolical he was during the game.

Different people have different opinions, Doloras.

Also, a difference between commenting on (a few) dodgy moments during the game, and writing off an 18 year old as a hack with no place in the league based on that one game.

No one has said that at all, the worst thing said was he wasn't ready for this level. 
Permalink Permalink
over 8 years ago

aitkenmike wrote:

patrick478 wrote:

Doloras wrote:

Interesting that Smith is now being given a grudging passmark when people were yelling about how diabolical he was during the game.

Different people have different opinions, Doloras.

Also, a difference between commenting on (a few) dodgy moments during the game, and writing off an 18 year old as a hack with no place in the league based on that one game.

No one has said that at all, the worst thing said was he wasn't ready for this level. 

Exactly. The point people are making is yes, he will improve his game and become stronger over time, but should we risk the teams results within that time? 

Again. He can't kick the ball past halfway for goodness sake. Do we really want a defender out of poisition every goal kick?



Permalink Permalink
over 8 years ago · edited over 8 years ago · History

I hate to agree with nufc, but I agree with nufc.

I don't think anyone is ragging on the kid because anyone with a brain recognises that blaming him for being not quite ready is ridiculous - it was the managers decision to put him in, and thus the manager should be the one questioned.

Facts;

Negatives;

 - He punched at every opportunity. On at least 2 occasions this led to clear goal scoring opportunities for Adelaide when other keepers would have likely caught it.

 - He could not kick the ball over half way. Rossi had to do it, which is never ideal.

 - Was not commanding in his area. On a couple of occasions he literally dropped it on an opposing players head and regathered.

 - Poor communication. Once with Rossi and once with Abbas. Both almost led to goals.

Positives;

- Good reaction save off his leg.

- Was always keen to get the play going quickly, with decent distribution from his feet and hands when passing to players in close proximity.

- Is still very young, can learn.

- Post match interview showed maturity in recognising he made mistakes.

Now, I'm not a goal keeping expert, but for me it seems like he had a bad game if measured to the same level as any other professional keeper..?

a.haak

Permalink Permalink
over 8 years ago

Without labouring the point, we need the finished article rather than a project as our starting custodian.Kind of backs up a conversation we had last year where it was put forward that you can get away with a substandard keeper more than you can in other positions and make salary cap savings. I remember Rikki Herbert playing in that first qualifying game vs Australia on our run to the 82 World Cup, much criticism, not ready for international football etc - look how that ended up. I hope the young fella goes on to have a great career, just think its too soon to be our number 1 keeper. How bad must Italiano and Sail have been pre season?

Permalink Permalink
over 8 years ago

Tegal wrote:

sthn.jeff wrote:

Tegal wrote:

I thought he caught the ball well? It was his punching that was dodgy - but that’s not unexpected for an 18 year old goalkeeper. 

When he pulls on a Nix first team shirt, he is not an 18 year old keeper. He is an A League GK.

I think on the whole, A league keepers are quite poor. You can spend some decent coin and get a fairly average goalkeeper like Vuka or Moss, or get young keepers who aren’t that much worse but have the potential to be better. I’d say he isn’t much worse than a few other keepers in the A league, and much cheaper. In a salary capped league I’d call that value gained. 

He also didn’t have a bad game at all. That’s why I find it odd he is receiving so much negative attention for fairly minor flaws that he will improve on. I guess this makes him the new designated scapegoat with Lia gone. 

Proportionally, are HAL 'keepers that bad (comparing to other positions in the HAL)?  Seems to be that HAL 'keepers seem to have relatively more success in 'bigger' leagues than players in other positions.
Permalink Permalink
over 8 years ago · edited over 8 years ago · History

...I remember Rikki Herbert playing in that first qualifying game vs Australia on our run to the 82 World Cup, much criticism, not ready for international football etc - look how that ended up...

Also, Wynton Rufer debuted for the All Whites at aged 17 and was at the World Cup Finals playing powerhouses Scotland (at the time), the USSR and Brazil at aged 19. If you're good enough...

'Keepers often need big, bold personalities. That might be difficult at aged 18.

Spain '82 is where it all really began for me. There were a few moments before, plenty of moments after, but that World Cup was the zeitgeist.
Permalink Permalink
over 8 years ago

valeo wrote:

Despite not being much of a fan of Rufer  (from what I've seen), I actually think he deserves quite a decent amount of praise for that performance. I also thought that I would've preferred Singh at the start of the game, but I don't think he would have fared better.

He was given no service by Ridenton, but still managed to turn his marker on at least 3 occasions with very good bits of skill and create good opportunities - with the one that big K got on target the best of them. Also took a wild swing at a shot, but I don't mind that - showed good intent.

I thought it was easily the best performance he has put in for us.

On the flip side, RIdenton was extremely disappointing. He was good tracking back and covering our roving full-backs, but he was so, so poor with his distribution. It was embarrassing at times. Surprsiing, as he has been very solid every time has gotten a chance.

I'm pretty convinced Ridenton was targeted by Adelaide.  But as you and someone else has pointed out he also got dragged back a lot to cover others, and I don't believe he got a lot of help from his FBs or Rufer when he had  two or three men on him while trying to play forward.  It was just an overly compressed mess.  

So I'm thinking we've got some work to do in how we manage the midfield as a team, because Paracki is deep, Finkler/Rufer both play high (Sunday and v ACFC) and neither of those CAMs have a particularly high work rate from what I've seen; and I think Ridenton/McG are going to be vulnerable to being isolated in that linking midfield role. 

I agree Ridenton had a 'mare.  But I'm interested to see, with the experience of this game and some coaching thought, and adjustments, if we handle that sort of pressure better next time, particularly whenever Ridenton's in that role again. You'd hope McG's experience would have him calling some shots a bit more and forcing some switches and for some play to go away from him. Plus he probably has a better turn to get out of trouble.

I wonder if Rufer needed to work back more to provide another option for Paracki - and didn't.  And that we needed to do the obvious to switch play away from the congestion more.  

If we fix that we'd look a lot more fluent.  And we need to.

But I agree Rufer did look good with a number of touches, though I thought I also saw that problem with work rate and fading out of games. 

So overall I don't know that we should put the midfield problems entirely at Ridentons feet.  If your mate is getting buried, staying high and not showing as a second option is just as big an issue.  It's just that Ridenton cops the heat because he is the guy getting mugged.  Not to say that it's all Rufer's fault either, but I think we had a number of issues that two relatively young inexperienced players and two new FBs playing their first A League game with this team and with a new DM didn't get to grips with.  In some ways, Ridenton did his bit covering others, but he got less help from those around him when he was clearly in trouble.

Just what I think I was seeing (and also at the ACFC game, but less obviously).  Interested in others thoughts on that.

Great result though, particularly with four starters out and a limited pre-season.  And we avoided that 89th minute killer. 

Best opening game result in five seasons.

Permalink Permalink