By the same token, Ernie inherited those players. When he cleans out those that can't play that style, things should look better.
He is making the proverbial silk purse out of a sows ear with what he has and I think considering there was no real expectation that this team could play that way, I think he has done a decent job.
I'm not sure last-equal and winless equals a "silk purse". Maybe more he's making a sow's ear purse out of a sow's ear?
I agree that he's done a decent (great in fact) job. I like watching us this year a lot more than I did in previous years, even though we're not winning.
+1
Enjoyed but frustrated with our fragility, and also we have been most dominant with one up front. I expected us to recover from our start and win 3-1 with the quality we had on paper.
Yet 1)Ernie has insisted on persisting with both Stein and Brockie up front. That's on him. I liked his decisive substitution in the first game. It showed judgement and intent, which we haven't really seen from him since.
2)The decision to sign 0 journeymen such as Clapham or Thompson or someone else from the state leagues a la Manny I think is also on him. If one of Rufer , Ridenton or JBS was not signed until next year, we could have had better cover on the bench or at least some more experience. Maybe these 3 will show their benefits to the team, but they haven't yet.
3) My final criticism is that after saying the fullbacks were crucial for attacking, he has used two inexperienced fullbacks. They may produce and I thought actually that Fenton was good value- he struggled at first, but we didn't concede from that and he looks like one of our real attacking threats when he gets overlapping. But chosing to play him at right back means he can't play further forward. Would Leo at right back and Louis further forward also work? Again, not suggesting this, but while both showing promise neither are bankers for solid performances and Merrick's systems requires them to attack effectively.
And yes two podcast points- I liked Reira. Thought he pressed really well, passed well, had his head up and then when the ref basically gave up he smashed Edwards mark III. It's what Manny would do. We lost our shape when he came off and looked much less threatening. I'm not a big fan of Moss, though he's ok. He doesn't look sure when he comes out to get the ball and yes Paston made mistakes early in his Phoenix career and then became much more reliable. Rarely conceded at his near post or dropped the ball into the goal. I also would have liked to see Spoonley there pushing for a place, rather than unknown Aussie Italiano.
In short, like the ideas from Merrick, not happy with the lack of results and the last minute losses or draws conceded. Not happy with cop outs. Want to see more responsibility from coach and players and desire. Is there a Merrick chant? Don't think he's earned one yet, if he's got one, but a run of wins would help.