I really like when the kids come on, there full of energy and push forward. The same cant be said about Hooper, he just comes on and does fk all.
R10 vs Melbourne Victory | Sat 14th Dec | 7:00pm | SS7
anyone else a bit worried that we never look like scoring? not sure how many shots on target but it felt low. never really felt like we were going to lose (which is nice!), but not up to much in that front third
I agree, we really seem to struggle in open play. Can't help but feel we would have won this and other games if we still had Krishna and Williams up top (the only players I miss from last season).
I miss Singh...
I miss anyone who has a good amount of goals in the past..apart from Davila trying to do everything(and doing all except score well) we never really carved out good chances. Certainly didn't have the class to take them if they did. There was a sameness to the passing in the last 20 metres which meant it was generally defendable against in numbers.
always going to be hard when the other team parks the bus for most the game. Probably needed to start crossing into the box rather than looking for the ground ball. Wasn't a huge fan of devlin before this game but he was amazing- great use of the body for a smaller player, going to be great competition in the midfield. Nothing better than seeing the victards struggling- plenty of green seats in the stadium too!
Never seen a Phoenix side play like this, and certainly not away to big clubs.
Also standing up for ourselves when they try to kick us to death.
Something special brewing here. Checking out some away trips now for the New Year.
Love the way we are playing but when the league is so tight we cant afford to be dropping 2 points in a game we dominated so much.Thought Davilla had another good game but does seem at times that he is trying score those spectacular goals when he might be better looking for someone in abetter position.
Shark i hope we get to see a fully fit Hooper at some stage because some of the stuff he does is brilliant its the little flick ons and touches that could lead to goals for others.
Loved the edge to his game Devlin showed and he showed he can give us another option.
Have been saying it for a while but when these guys realise how to put away some of the chances they create someone is going to get belted.
So bring that game home guys and lets give it to Sydney,
I think it's a yellow, he pulls out. Either way, he's still off and honestly he was so shark that it barely changed the game.
Best thing to come out of this game was Devlin. He was terrific.
That ball which Hooper laid back, I have no idea why Davila didn't hit it first time...I thought he looked a bit off today; maybe getting a bit worn down with all the thuggery from Victory.
Davila and Cacace appear to be the two players every team has identified as our most dangerous and they are both pressed hard. Libby is struggling with this much more than the Mexican, but he's good enough to push through it and will be a much better player because of all the attention he gets in the pitch.
never thought i'd be saying that Devere played well
To be fair to him, he's gotten better each week; that applies for all of our back 4, really. So many times in the first few games we defended poorly in the box; last 4-5 we've been much better.
he also missed a lot of games last year with injury - looks to be coming back to the level that earnt him a Socceroos call out.
I think it's a yellow, he pulls out. Either way, he's still off and honestly he was so shark that it barely changed the game.
Best thing to come out of this game was Devlin. He was terrific.
That ball which Hooper laid back, I have no idea why Davila didn't hit it first time...I thought he looked a bit off today; maybe getting a bit worn down with all the thuggery from Victory.
Davila and Cacace appear to be the two players every team has identified as our most dangerous and they are both pressed hard. Libby is struggling with this much more than the Mexican, but he's good enough to push through it and will be a much better player because of all the attention he gets in the pitch.
I think it's a yellow, he pulls out. Either way, he's still off and honestly he was so shark that it barely changed the game.
Best thing to come out of this game was Devlin. He was terrific.
That ball which Hooper laid back, I have no idea why Davila didn't hit it first time...I thought he looked a bit off today; maybe getting a bit worn down with all the thuggery from Victory.
Davila and Cacace appear to be the two players every team has identified as our most dangerous and they are both pressed hard. Libby is struggling with this much more than the Mexican, but he's good enough to push through it and will be a much better player because of all the attention he gets in the pitch.
Agreed; I still think Libby is playing quite well. Gets better each game.
I really like when the kids come on, there full of energy and push forward. The same cant be said about Hooper, he just comes on and does fk all.
This is a terrible take considering he laid it on a plate for Davila (twice)
I really like when the kids come on, there full of energy and push forward. The same cant be said about Hooper, he just comes on and does fk all.
you what
What do we think the positives and negatives about starting Piscopo are? Personally quite like the guy but we've had a lot more discourse about having Sotirio start
I think Piscopo has looked very good in patches. Shows great potential, but needs more game time to help his decision making. Same can be said for McCowatt.
I like the way Talay has been giving them both starts and rotating them both. Creates competition to perform. Piscopo will likely be away with Aus U23 in January. So McCowatt will have his chance to get more game time then,
I hope McCowatt resigns for next season. I would have thought Talay's style suits him.
Piscopo is already signed for another two season, so its in Talays interest to give him starts and game time and try and release that potential.
I think Piscopo has looked very good in patches. Shows great potential, but needs more game time to help his decision making. Same can be said for McCowatt.
I like the way Talay has been giving them both starts and rotating them both. Creates competition to perform. Piscopo will likely be away with Aus U23 in January. So McCowatt will have his chance to get more game time then,
I hope McCowatt resigns for next season. I would have thought Talay's style suits him.
Piscopo is already signed for another two season, so its in Talays interest to give him starts and game time and try and release that potential.
I'd like to see them both start and relegate Sotirio to the bench.
I think Piscopo has looked very good in patches. Shows great potential, but needs more game time to help his decision making. Same can be said for McCowatt.
I like the way Talay has been giving them both starts and rotating them both. Creates competition to perform. Piscopo will likely be away with Aus U23 in January. So McCowatt will have his chance to get more game time then,
I hope McCowatt resigns for next season. I would have thought Talay's style suits him.
Piscopo is already signed for another two season, so its in Talays interest to give him starts and game time and try and release that potential.
I'd like to see them both start and relegate Sotirio to the bench.
The attack seemed a bit disjointed in the first half. Sotirio got in behind, but the front four (and Payne) didn't seem to be quite on the same wavelength. We didn't have a striker who could make space for a shot, but neither did they. Haven't watched the second half yet.
I think Piscopo has looked very good in patches. Shows great potential, but needs more game time to help his decision making. Same can be said for McCowatt.
I like the way Talay has been giving them both starts and rotating them both. Creates competition to perform. Piscopo will likely be away with Aus U23 in January. So McCowatt will have his chance to get more game time then,
I hope McCowatt resigns for next season. I would have thought Talay's style suits him.
Piscopo is already signed for another two season, so its in Talays interest to give him starts and game time and try and release that potential.
I'd like to see them both start and relegate Sotirio to the bench.
The attack seemed a bit disjointed in the first half. Sotirio got in behind, but the front four (and Payne) didn't seem to be quite on the same wavelength. We didn't have a striker who could make space for a shot, but neither did they. Haven't watched the second half yet.
Attack wasn't disjointed at the start of the second. Victory defended well and we got no luck. Red card didn't help us- they sat deeper and clogged up the box and the central space in front of it.
We've required pens to win our games in a couple of cases. We're not suddenly more or less potent.
Devere came the closest. I don't think we had a clear cut opportunity apart from that. They had two shots from outside of the box- and the pedigree of Kruse, Toivenan and Nabbout is nothing to be sneezed at.
Hope we can win the next one.
That was the first game I've watched end to end this season and been able to pay almost complete attention to, bloody hell! We were good! It was great fun to watch. (Helped that the product being offered on Sky Sports 2 was not enticing at all)
Though I nearly threw my iPad when Davila took that touch after Hooper had put him through in the box.
Very promising signs.
Being disappointed with a draw away to Victory shows how far this team has come in a short time! Five unbeaten, bring on Sydney.
It's good to put a run together, but let's not get so bound up on the whole "unbeaten run" thing like last year. End of the day it's better to win one and lose one than to draw two in a row.
I only watched the last half an hour, but it seemed clear that (a) Hooper is way above the rest of our players, and (b) we haven't yet figured out how to get him involved. Balls were being fired in and his knock downs were first class, there just wasn't anyone getting on the end. Ball ended up dropping into midfield, would like to see the two of them get 90 minutes alongside each other as I think he would be most likely to pick up those knock downs
Being disappointed with a draw away to Victory shows how far this team has come in a short time! Five unbeaten, bring on Sydney.
It's good to put a run together, but let's not get so bound up on the whole "unbeaten run" thing like last year. End of the day it's better to win one and lose one than to draw two in a row.
I only watched the last half an hour, but it seemed clear that (a) Hooper is way above the rest of our players, and (b) we haven't yet figured out how to get him involved. Balls were being fired in and his knock downs were first class, there just wasn't anyone getting on the end. Ball ended up dropping into midfield, would like to see the two of them get 90 minutes alongside each other as I think he would be most likely to pick up those knock downs
His involvement has been limited thus far, which is understandable due to his injury, but I wouldn't say that he is way above the rest of the players in the team just yet. For me Davila has been an incredible signing. I'm looking forward to seeing Hooper start and play a lot more minutes once he reaches full fitness.
Being disappointed with a draw away to Victory shows how far this team has come in a short time! Five unbeaten, bring on Sydney.
It's good to put a run together, but let's not get so bound up on the whole "unbeaten run" thing like last year. End of the day it's better to win one and lose one than to draw two in a row.
I only watched the last half an hour, but it seemed clear that (a) Hooper is way above the rest of our players, and (b) we haven't yet figured out how to get him involved. Balls were being fired in and his knock downs were first class, there just wasn't anyone getting on the end. Ball ended up dropping into midfield, would like to see the two of them get 90 minutes alongside each other as I think he would be most likely to pick up those knock downs
His involvement has been limited thus far, which is understandable due to his injury, but I wouldn't say that he is way above the rest of the players in the team just yet. For me Davila has been an incredible signing. I'm looking forward to seeing Hooper start and play a lot more minutes once he reaches full fitness.
Just my two cents on the point people are trying to make Re having Krishna and Williams. While, yes, they wouldve most likely been able to finish the chances we created on the weekend, would the team as a whole be playing the same slick style of football that they are with them up front. I seem to remember us last year a lot of the time playing long or in behind to either of them hoping they would finish them and the team as a whole hardy retaining the ball. This year we have a very good midfeild and defense who are both confisdent and able to play out from the back through the lines. I personally think it's only a matter of time before our forward line starts converting chances into goals.
Just my two cents on the point people are trying to make Re having Krishna and Williams. While, yes, they wouldve most likely been able to finish the chances we created on the weekend, would the team as a whole be playing the same slick style of football that they are with them up front. I seem to remember us last year a lot of the time playing long or in behind to either of them hoping they would finish them and the team as a whole hardy retaining the ball. This year we have a very good midfeild and defense who are both confisdent and able to play out from the back through the lines. I personally think it's only a matter of time before our forward line starts converting chances into goals.
This time last year we only had a couple more goals than we do now. It was at about this point when Williams started to fire.
Although I do remember a few penalty misses last year, where as this year we are slotting them.
There is no doubt about Hoopers quality. I'm looking forward to when he is match fit and getting starts. That will add another dimension to our attack.
I have a nagging feeling that Ball may be a natural AM rather than a striker. Reminds me more of Max Burgess than of David Williams (difference in overall class notwithstanding). Ball has excellent touches and is very aware positionally, but does not really line up an opportunistic shot often enough (which is what Davila does).
At the same time, despite a frustrating draw, I think this was a very entertaining game to watch. I could not find fault with any of our players in that game. This is a worry; as my scores for the Scapegoat of the Season rankings crashed and burned this time.
I have a nagging feeling that Ball may be a natural AM rather than a striker. Reminds me more of Max Burgess than of David Williams (difference in overall class notwithstanding). Ball has excellent touches and is very aware positionally, but does not really line up an opportunistic shot often enough (which is what Davila does).
At the same time, despite a frustrating draw, I think this was a very entertaining game to watch. I could not find fault with any of our players in that game. This is a worry; as my scores for the Scapegoat of the Season rankings crashed and burned this time.
Agree; Ball is a second striker or AM; not a traditional number 9. His career record speaks to that as well.
When Piscopo is away with U23's, I think dropping Ball back into his role and bringing Hooper in may be the best option.
Being disappointed with a draw away to Victory shows how far this team has come in a short time! Five unbeaten, bring on Sydney.
It's good to put a run together, but let's not get so bound up on the whole "unbeaten run" thing like last year. End of the day it's better to win one and lose one than to draw two in a row.
I only watched the last half an hour, but it seemed clear that (a) Hooper is way above the rest of our players, and (b) we haven't yet figured out how to get him involved. Balls were being fired in and his knock downs were first class, there just wasn't anyone getting on the end. Ball ended up dropping into midfield, would like to see the two of them get 90 minutes alongside each other as I think he would be most likely to pick up those knock downs
His involvement has been limited thus far, which is understandable due to his injury, but I wouldn't say that he is way above the rest of the players in the team just yet. For me Davila has been an incredible signing. I'm looking forward to seeing Hooper start and play a lot more minutes once he reaches full fitness.
He was on for 20 minutes..
Theres no way Devlin doesn't start next game. MotM and in the team of the week, the guy was running the midfield. I would be interested to see how we would go starting Rufer, Steinmann and Devlin in a midfield three - would be the hardest working midfield in the league and we could dominate the middle of the park (unless it is against teams like City or Sydney). Uli could play as a false 9 that drops in between the lines without the ball but gets high and runs at the defence when when have it (basically does that already). Ball and Sotirio as wide forwards/inverted wingers.
Theres no way Devlin doesn't start next game. MotM and in the team of the week, the guy was running the midfield. I would be interested to see how we would go starting Rufer, Steinmann and Devlin in a midfield three - would be the hardest working midfield in the league and we could dominate the middle of the park (unless it is against teams like City or Sydney). Uli could play as a false 9 that drops in between the lines without the ball but gets high and runs at the defence when when have it (basically does that already). Ball and Sotirio as wide forwards/inverted wingers.
Think we have to start playing Gary Hooper as soon as he is fit. The goals are the problem at the moment. Seems like we are doing everything else except putting it in the net. We have an answer. We need to start seeing him play 60 minutes - rather than 20 at the end. As soon as hes fit enough we have to make this change. Think benching Piscopo/McCowatt is the best way to go. Sotirio is a good complement with his pace.
How long does it take to get match fit? Surprises me that he hasnt been starting or coming on earlier.....Maybe not as good as we hoped?
I am a bit concern about his speed though. Fitness is one thing, ability to move fast enough without pulling up with a hammy is another.
To be fair though, I had the same doubts about Ball early on as he was clearly out of practice and low on confidence, but has recovered nicely and seems to have finally got the hang of what Talay wants him to do.
I am a bit concern about his speed though. Fitness is one thing, ability to move fast enough without pulling up with a hammy is another.
To be fair though, I had the same doubts about Ball early on as he was clearly out of practice and low on confidence, but has recovered nicely and seems to have finally got the hang of what Talay wants him to do.
Hooper looked pretty fast at one stage of his cameo against Vic. I remember seeing him chase down one player and being surprised at his change of pace.
I agree would have liked to see the subs come on a bit earlier against Victory. McCowatt included.
To be fair Devlin has been fantastic. I didn't rate him when I first saw him play but he's really proved me wrong. Really promising signs from what I've seen of him.
Reno Piscopo named MOTM by FTBL.
Do not want to take anything from him, but I am not sure this would have been my choice. Happy for the lad though.
If it was up to me, Steinmann would be the MOTM. Closely followed by Devlin and Libby.
I am a bit concern about his speed though. Fitness is one thing, ability to move fast enough without pulling up with a hammy is another.
To be fair though, I had the same doubts about Ball early on as he was clearly out of practice and low on confidence, but has recovered nicely and seems to have finally got the hang of what Talay wants him to do.
I am a bit concern about his speed though. Fitness is one thing, ability to move fast enough without pulling up with a hammy is another.
To be fair though, I had the same doubts about Ball early on as he was clearly out of practice and low on confidence, but has recovered nicely and seems to have finally got the hang of what Talay wants him to do.
There were about 3 occasions in the final minutes where he brought balls down that he had no right to win, just needed someone on hand to sweep home. Got to get him starting
I think him, ball, McCowatt and uli will develop relation ships. Just needs game time. But there were glimpses of him and uli linking well. Just need to build an understanding.
Really enjoyed what I saw. Bit frustrated we couldn't convert those half chances. They were definitely there and the football were playing is vastly superior to last year.
I am a bit concern about his speed though. Fitness is one thing, ability to move fast enough without pulling up with a hammy is another.
To be fair though, I had the same doubts about Ball early on as he was clearly out of practice and low on confidence, but has recovered nicely and seems to have finally got the hang of what Talay wants him to do.
Hooper looks pretty fast for a guy who's not match fit and is injury prone tbh