R14 vs Brisbane Roar | Sun 10 Jan | 7:00pm | SS1 | Kids go free

Thought the new guys were great, damaskos, fox, gulley. First half was like watching Wimbledon in the 80s. But it actually put brisbane under some pressure, powell did well up there considering, snd it was great to see us actually try and go forward rather pass it backwards all the time. Moss was great. Very entertaining game anyway, for a nil-nil.

I thought Appiah was great as well. Obviously can't finish but really disrupted the Brisbane build-up and often stealing balls in dangerous areas / forcing Brisbane to make bad decisions because he's barrelling down on them. If he could do that every game, keep stealing the ball in dangerous places and creating chances for our other strikers, then I'd be happy to retain him.

Appiah is quick. That's about it.

my grandaughter had an absolute great day out, ended up bringing 2 of her uncles and their partners and they all enjoyed it as much as her.all she talked about on the way home was the game meeting some players and getting her ball signed by most of the team. glenn moss gave her a high five at the signing session just about knocked her arm off but she loved it.

i have heard others on here say you should not take children in the zone, i am now in a position to disagree anna is 10 now and loved the atmosphere and the chanting. it was her first ever phoenix game and i think she may of come away from the game with a slight case of  yellow fever .

got home about midnight and she was still talking about her day and planning when she can talk me into bringing her to another phoenix match in the near future.

He really is Totori 2.0

Who told you that? There is usually plenty of kids in the zone. as long as you don't mind them hear a naughty word or two, then there isn't much issue.

Its not so much you shouldn't take kids into the zone.  Its that the zone has swearing and lots of drinking, and if you don't want that around your kids, then I wouldn't take them in the zone.

It sounds like your grandaughter is around the age when a kid is big enough (IMO) for the zone.

But more importantly, Im glad to hear she had an awesome time.  Hopefully a lifelong football fan was just created.

Just don't let her bring in a Liverpool blanket.

Booing Jade North was fun

He made a nuisance of himself, put pressure on the roar defence, and got the ball in dangerous locations. He almost scored and almost set up a few attempts at goal. At least he showed intensity and enthusiasm which is more than you can say for Sarpong.

Every game needs a pantomime villian.

Just watched a highlight package, Geez our defense in the box was frigging awesome at times.  Could have lost that game so many times.

In summary, his football skills are miles behind this athletic skills.

Unlike ACFC's Micah Lea'alafa.

I have not read all the comments, but has anybody praised Ridenton for his amazing goal-saving clearance in the second half?

He hooked the ball away from the goal-line when it was already behind him.  Top marks.

Thats wher he was facing the wrong way and flicked the ball with his heel right?

If so that was one of the awesome D in the box things I meant.

not sure who said it just read it in a thread a few months back

I think they may have meant "don't bring your kids in the Zone if you're going to freak out about them hearing cuss-words".

See what he's like with a full season under Ernie, Krishna's game developed. Although Appiah has been a pro for years and Popavic is no slouch in the coaching stakes so he probably won't become a revelation. Still a useful player to come on in the 80th minute and run at tiring defenders espeacially if they are commited to play out.

I said exactly the same thing to Fortean Times Mrs at the game, Just like Totori. But that he made a nuisance of himself and annoyed the crap out of their defence was a good thing. He showed spirit and eagerness which is just what we need. Ridenton did the same imo. Still buzzing at how well the Fantastic Mr Fox did in our defence. For a debut, he played like a season pro with a wise head. 

PS: Before I forget....Thanks Brisbane fans for the banner of support. it was and is appreciated. I did laugh when one of their fans came up into the zone to speak to a friend. The fun Police came out into the walkway area, I counted 4. As if there was any of the crap ever in the Zone, NOT. 

Both Dura and Fox make team of the week, think Moss must have been a close 2nd for goalie of the week behind Sorensen.

http://bit.ly/1Zlxo5q

Thanks to all involved in such a fiercely committed display - was unreal considering we had 7 players out. 

Stunning debut by Fox, but commitment by all was great.

All we need now is some good news with the license. 

What i really liked about Appiah was that he look interested in playing, getting stuck in and supporting people (even if at one point over the effects mic you can hear someone telling him how out of position he is, and that he should rather quickly resolve that). Sarpong had a good 5mins at the start of the 2nd, but the rest of the time he is 2nd to the ball, a pace off the play or not interested in putting in a shift. He clearly has the technique ( the opposite can be said for Appiah) but not the application (again, the opposite to Appiah). I know he was under an injury cloud, but there have been several games where he has put in so-so shift. 

Id almost start Appiah next match, have him hassle Carney(or whoever is the RB) for 60mins, really run them raggered just like he did to hingert(?). Once they are stuffed, bring on sarpong to get in good positions and finish them off. Thats fair reward i think for the good showings he has put in with his limited time off the bench. will it happen though? probably not. 

do not think she even knows who liverpool are.

Very happy with defense. I saw enough to regain faith in this season. Who is back for us next week? That back 4 was excellent and Doyle was also good when he came on.

Got back Rolly and Rodriguez.

Cracking game. Probably the most excited I've been about a nil all draw. Fox and Moss were outstanding. Gulley and Danaskos were bloody good as well. Not a bad atmosphere in the zone was especially nice to taunt Jade North

did any of our players on 4 yellows pick up any more . i dont recall any maybe durante ?

Na only Powell and Fox got yellows so Dura, Lia and Reira are safe for another week.

Great effort by our defence. Especially impressed with how committed they were to get back once they got caught on the break, I noticed a couple of times Gulley got caught out of position, but busted a nut to get back and make up for it. Unfortunately Doyle didn't seem to have the same urgency when he came on (though did push up a bit more often).

Loved Appiah's energy off the bench, even if the finish wasn't there. Reminds me a bit of Pav without the red-mist.

Disappointed with Sarpong and Ridenton though they did have their moments (e.g. Sarpong's run at the start of the 2nd half, and Ridenton's clearance). Powell did a hang of a lot of running to shut down their options playing it out, but really needs to start converting some of the half chances he gets at some point. Lia and Albert put in a good shift in the middle shutting theirs down, but seemed to tire a bit in the last 20.

Ernie is a good coach and would be as good as anyone at getting the best out of him, but to turn Appiah into a good A League player Ernie would need to wear a long robe, have a wand and be named Merlin.

Really good to have those two back! I'd say three of the next four games for us are very winnable. We really need at least 7 points. Also we are now on a 5 match unbeaten run at home

So now that the dust has settled.  Can anyone confirm were those 2 handballs handballs?

Apart from Brisbane missing McLaren and Borello, what was the difference between Phoenix last night and a week ago (playing CCM)?

Going out on the limb here, but my guess is that WeeMac and Roly play so differently from each other that they almost do not belong in the same team, despite both being big assets in the team. 

WeeMac has lots of goal assists, but none to Roly, which may also indicate something. He has a natural fit with Krishna, and even Powell, while Roly seems to have a more natural understanding with Riera (and both often take the ball back despite an overlapping winger making a run).

i concur with this even though people were screaming for the handball, it was ball to hand for me and play on. someone beside me said but he got the advantage by the ball hitting his hand and falling to his feet but i believe that means no free kick as he did not try to handle the ball it just hit him.