R14 v Perth Glory | Thurs 5th Jan | 11pm | SS3

Some grit and determination wouldn't go amiss here.  I'd like Smeltzy right from the get go.  No Lia so I guess A-Rod will start.  I wouldn't mind a few of the youngsters on the bench like Rogerson & Rufer.

I don't agree with the coaching appointments but I will support them and hope they can produce a win.

WelNix got anyone in Auckland that can stand over NZF on Wednesday to make sure Smeltzy's paperwork gets filed at 9am?

Tomorrow Perth is 39 degrees - Fudge that!

Tough on the body clock playing that late. Still, probably better than a game in the heat of a Perth afternoon (although obviously not an option for the midweek game anyway)

i was happy with the effort in the last game - more of that would be good.

Doyle was a bit rusty playing the ball forward so hopefully he works on that a bit - wouldn't be against seeing WeeMac in for Lia - I think he can do that role - if we get overrun in midfield then we could sacrifice Gui for A-Rod.

Will need legs on the bench due to the fixture congestion and the travel and the heat etc.

Happy with Parkhouse to add spark off the bench with Smeltz maybe and Lowry can cover the back four.

if it is under 35 at that time, good luck to them. But unless there is a major weafher bomb, I feel very sorry for our players.

I really worry about defensive midfield without Vinnie. A Rod and Roly are not great defensively. Where's Manny when you need him?

As I've said for the past few games, a win could really put our season back on track. We're not far from the top five, and although I'm dubious about the coaching decision, I'm cautiously optimistic on seeing Des and Greenie stamping their mark on the team. Away from home against our arch nemesis' (grrr) is never easy, but I'm feeling good about this one. 

I, for one, welcome our new GreenBuck overlords.

Real hard fixture outcome this one..all the way to Perth 4 days after last game.  Would have been nicer for that tight game to be between Aussie based teams. 

I genuinely feel for our players. After the weather of last weekend to this must take an enormous toll on you physically...along with the long haul flight etc.

Huge loss missing Lia

I hope we win but will take another draw 

Perth has a Mediterranean climate. It is not a desert.

What is a real climate?

On the other hand ...

they might be looking forward to a bit of warmth and sunshine after the last few days here.

Hope they enjoy themselves and kick some arse at their midnight party.

And how did last season go?

Lia also played the same role for much of last season too, so by your logic he shouldn't be there either

A Rod is good, but if not a #6, what position? #8?

What position would you have him take, JV, and in what type of team formation?

My concern is whether we actually had a shape (this season) that he'd fit in.

Doyle didn't seem to be the worst offender either. We did a lot of just looking for the pass and having it intercepted, rather than drawing in the defender and passing the ball

I really liked Doyle's work against Adelaide. Maybe I'm imagining it but he seems to have beefed up a bit this season and is now stronger in the challenge. Got some mongrel and self belief in his game too.

Our highest paid (apparently) player, our vaunted Marquee, Wellingtons favourite son, Mr Barbarouses needs to pull finger.  He has been minging for most of the season. Did anyone count how many times he gave the ball away on Sunday ?

When you look at what marquee players are doing for other teams it is little wonder we are were we are.

How long is Kosta going to get a free ride before the war drums start beating  ?

I would agree that he receives and passes ball quickly.

However, with Lia suspended for Thursday, would you not have A-Rod play in Lia's position against Perth?

Yes A-Rod starts, surely. 

I gave him some slack in the past, I'm disappointed by his performance, He had some better games in recently, but nowhere near his skill set. He is very fast but he never gets a pass behind the defence, I blame  partly our slow decision making shark passing midfield, Smeltz will hang out dry waiting for balls. Kosta is also not very good in beating a man or two. Last week the goal was good work. I still hope he will show more of it.

My biggest hope for this game is A-Rod pulling the strings in defensive midfield. Faster and more precise than Lia. And Smeltz demanding more balls from Finkler, McGlinchey. We can win this!

For me, he is the most over rated player. Should have been dragged at half time.

I reckon Roly pips him as the most overrated.

Roly was brilliant his first season here, playing as a CM in a midfield diamond. Since then his form has generally tanked but he is still capable of occasional moments of magic. I think the problem is multifaceted. He was pushed forward more last season and wasn't suited to the more advanced role. Now he's been playing further back but the balance of our midfield has changed. He tends to be quite static when he receives the ball, but is good at turning a man and opening up sooner space to pass into. Other teams know this so they double team him with a pressing game and if he beats one man the second mops up. He doesn't move the ball on fast enough to break the press. Also, I think he's got a bit full of himself on the pitch and tries to do too much on his own too often - like his form in the first season went to his head. He also has the shark kicked out of him quite often but never gets help from refs which must be frustrating but it's also frustrating to watch him go down and ham it up clutching his ankle or shin for a few minutes while the play goes on around him.

Long story short, I think the potential for Roly to be great is there  if the right coach could get him to simplify his game and find a role which suited him, but at the moment he's definitely nowhere near the player he could be.