I think we're a little harsh on Burns- he's not going to beat a defence that's set with 5-6 back. I feel he, Krishna and the others- Mikey, Roly etc profited on fast breaks, balls in behind and defenders retreating and dragged out of position.
We've gotta be more realistic- fast breaks 3 on 3 or better is better odds than 3-4 on 6 or 7 defenders
I think we're a little harsh on Burns- he's not going to beat a defence that's set with 5-6 back. I feel he, Krishna and the others- Mikey, Roly etc profited on fast breaks, balls in behind and defenders retreating and dragged out of position.
We've gotta be more realistic- fast breaks 3 on 3 or better is better odds than 3-4 on 6 or 7 defenders
I was stunned how easily he got dispossessed by Papadopoulos late in the game, and basically stayed on the deck for a while.
If it was anything but a clean tackle, Papa would have been worried, being on an early yellow and all.
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
Looking back at both Steven Taylors attempts in the long goal challenge promotional video earlier in the week, they both hit the post and stayed out https://twitter.com/WgtnPhoenixFC/status/1055614551285059585. Should we be surprised :-)
Looking back at both Steven Taylors attempts in the long goal challenge promotional video earlier in the week, they both hit the post and stayed out https://twitter.com/WgtnPhoenixFC/status/10556145... Should we be surprised :-)
He is the clubs poster boy
⚽ xG matchplots for @aleague Round 2 #BRIvWEL
— Rob Scriva (@rovingrob) October 29, 2018
I always thought that the "waste of an import spot" line was really a suggestion that goalkeepers aren't important. I only watched the second half of the first game but surely Kurto's got it in spades over Smith, Italiano, Sail or Tandoori Flappy.
There is generally less of a difference in skill levels between Aussie/NZ keepers v International keepers (who would bother to come to NZ) in comparison to players across the rest of the pitch - there is still a dearth of players in CM with good technique in NZ, for example, and a dearth of true goal scorers (except for Wood)
Also, where can I watch Rudan's post match presser?
Good thing we get 5 visa spots so we can address those issues in different positions on the pitch. Goalkeeper isn't any less important than any other.
Valley FC til I die?
I think we're a little harsh on Burns- he's not going to beat a defence that's set with 5-6 back. I feel he, Krishna and the others- Mikey, Roly etc profited on fast breaks, balls in behind and defenders retreating and dragged out of position.
We've gotta be more realistic- fast breaks 3 on 3 or better is better odds than 3-4 on 6 or 7 defenders
Burns needs a real fluky one to go in somehow - he's a bit at sea I think and low on confidence
Normo's coming home
From the post match, the GK coach comments to the Roar coach was interesting to hear as I'm sure a similar thing occured when the All Whites played Mexico at the confederations cup.
Not really I wasn't there to witness either incidences but Rudan touched on it a bit in the post match how Aloisi was a bit upset by one of his staff. The nix GK coach must have said or done something to really piss-off one of the Aloisi bros. If he was the previous All Whites GK coach then it could be a similar situation to when he said or done something to piss-off the Mexican coach. Still have no idea what it is that was done or said though.
Yes it's the same guy who was AW GK coach in that match against Mexico - Paul Gothard. Loves a bit of niggle!
Rudan outlines what happens in the press conference.
All Whites | Phoenix | Baggies
I always thought that the "waste of an import spot" line was really a suggestion that goalkeepers aren't important. I only watched the second half of the first game but surely Kurto's got it in spades over Smith, Italiano, Sail or Tandoori Flappy.
There is generally less of a difference in skill levels between Aussie/NZ keepers v International keepers (who would bother to come to NZ) in comparison to players across the rest of the pitch - there is still a dearth of players in CM with good technique in NZ, for example, and a dearth of true goal scorers (except for Wood)
Also, where can I watch Rudan's post match presser?
Good thing we get 5 visa spots so we can address those issues in different positions on the pitch. Goalkeeper isn't any less important than any other.
Disagree. There is a reason other teams never use the Visa spot on a GK. I don't look back at Sorensen and think he made such a big difference. You usually want your imports to run the game/score goals/provide excitement; I just think we were in a unique situation with a whole lot of bad NZ/Aus options.
a.haak
I always thought that the "waste of an import spot" line was really a suggestion that goalkeepers aren't important. I only watched the second half of the first game but surely Kurto's got it in spades over Smith, Italiano, Sail or Tandoori Flappy.
There is generally less of a difference in skill levels between Aussie/NZ keepers v International keepers (who would bother to come to NZ) in comparison to players across the rest of the pitch - there is still a dearth of players in CM with good technique in NZ, for example, and a dearth of true goal scorers (except for Wood)
Also, where can I watch Rudan's post match presser?
Good thing we get 5 visa spots so we can address those issues in different positions on the pitch. Goalkeeper isn't any less important than any other.
Disagree. There is a reason other teams never use the Visa spot on a GK. I don't look back at Sorensen and think he made such a big difference. You usually want your imports to run the game/score goals/provide excitement; I just think we were in a unique situation with a whole lot of bad NZ/Aus options.
You want your imports to win you games. I don't give 2 flying fudges what they bring excitement-wise, a goalkeeper is equally as important to winning a game as any other player on the pitch, we saw that in great detail last season. Kurto is arguably the biggest upgrade on any position we've made this season (further performances pending and Steven Taylor might want a word). That's more than enough reason to use a import slot. Not to mention that a goalkeeper is incredibly important to "running a game", which is one of the key #metrics you mentioned.
There's no unique situation, we bought in imports to cover weaknesses in our squad, same as every other team. We would have been remiss not to sign an import goalkeeper given the alternatives available.
Valley FC til I die?
I always thought that the "waste of an import spot" line was really a suggestion that goalkeepers aren't important. I only watched the second half of the first game but surely Kurto's got it in spades over Smith, Italiano, Sail or Tandoori Flappy.
There is generally less of a difference in skill levels between Aussie/NZ keepers v International keepers (who would bother to come to NZ) in comparison to players across the rest of the pitch - there is still a dearth of players in CM with good technique in NZ, for example, and a dearth of true goal scorers (except for Wood)
Also, where can I watch Rudan's post match presser?
Good thing we get 5 visa spots so we can address those issues in different positions on the pitch. Goalkeeper isn't any less important than any other.
Disagree. There is a reason other teams never use the Visa spot on a GK. I don't look back at Sorensen and think he made such a big difference. You usually want your imports to run the game/score goals/provide excitement; I just think we were in a unique situation with a whole lot of bad NZ/Aus options.
You want your imports to win you games. I don't give 2 flying fudges what they bring excitement-wise, a goalkeeper is equally as important to winning a game as any other player on the pitch, we saw that in great detail last season. Kurto is arguably the biggest upgrade on any position we've made this season (further performances pending and Steven Taylor might want a word). That's more than enough reason to use a import slot. Not to mention that a goalkeeper is incredibly important to "running a game", which is one of the key #metrics you mentioned.
There's no unique situation, we bought in imports to cover weaknesses in our squad, same as every other team. We would have been remiss not to sign an import goalkeeper given the alternatives available.
I don't disagree with this; I am just saying that there is a reason, in the 14 years the A-League has existed, that there have only been 3 import keepers. You even said yourself that we tried to sign two Kiwis first - the only reason we got an import in was because we literally had no other choice.
Anyway, no matter the reason - I am happy he's here, I just think that ideally you would want a good Aussie/NZ goalkeeper so we could get a striker or another DM.
a.haak
I always thought that the "waste of an import spot" line was really a suggestion that goalkeepers aren't important. I only watched the second half of the first game but surely Kurto's got it in spades over Smith, Italiano, Sail or Tandoori Flappy.
There is generally less of a difference in skill levels between Aussie/NZ keepers v International keepers (who would bother to come to NZ) in comparison to players across the rest of the pitch - there is still a dearth of players in CM with good technique in NZ, for example, and a dearth of true goal scorers (except for Wood)
Also, where can I watch Rudan's post match presser?
Good thing we get 5 visa spots so we can address those issues in different positions on the pitch. Goalkeeper isn't any less important than any other.
Disagree. There is a reason other teams never use the Visa spot on a GK. I don't look back at Sorensen and think he made such a big difference. You usually want your imports to run the game/score goals/provide excitement; I just think we were in a unique situation with a whole lot of bad NZ/Aus options.
You want your imports to win you games. I don't give 2 flying fudges what they bring excitement-wise, a goalkeeper is equally as important to winning a game as any other player on the pitch, we saw that in great detail last season. Kurto is arguably the biggest upgrade on any position we've made this season (further performances pending and Steven Taylor might want a word). That's more than enough reason to use a import slot. Not to mention that a goalkeeper is incredibly important to "running a game", which is one of the key #metrics you mentioned.
There's no unique situation, we bought in imports to cover weaknesses in our squad, same as every other team. We would have been remiss not to sign an import goalkeeper given the alternatives available.
I don't disagree with this; I am just saying that there is a reason, in the 14 years the A-League has existed, that there have only been 3 import keepers. You even said yourself that we tried to sign two Kiwis first - the only reason we got an import in was because we literally had no other choice.
Anyway, no matter the reason - I am happy he's here, I just think that ideally you would want a good Aussie/NZ goalkeeper so we could get a striker or another DM.
Australia produces good keepers; the best ones play abroad including EPL. They are also happy to see their domestic scene as a good outlet. On a much smaller scale this applies to NZ also, except that Phoenix is only one option out of many and clearly not seen by the good keepers as the best option at present. This was not the case even 5 years ago, but clearly is now.
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
I always thought that the "waste of an import spot" line was really a suggestion that goalkeepers aren't important. I only watched the second half of the first game but surely Kurto's got it in spades over Smith, Italiano, Sail or Tandoori Flappy.
There is generally less of a difference in skill levels between Aussie/NZ keepers v International keepers (who would bother to come to NZ) in comparison to players across the rest of the pitch - there is still a dearth of players in CM with good technique in NZ, for example, and a dearth of true goal scorers (except for Wood)
Also, where can I watch Rudan's post match presser?
Good thing we get 5 visa spots so we can address those issues in different positions on the pitch. Goalkeeper isn't any less important than any other.
Disagree. There is a reason other teams never use the Visa spot on a GK. I don't look back at Sorensen and think he made such a big difference. You usually want your imports to run the game/score goals/provide excitement; I just think we were in a unique situation with a whole lot of bad NZ/Aus options.
You want your imports to win you games. I don't give 2 flying fudges what they bring excitement-wise, a goalkeeper is equally as important to winning a game as any other player on the pitch, we saw that in great detail last season. Kurto is arguably the biggest upgrade on any position we've made this season (further performances pending and Steven Taylor might want a word). That's more than enough reason to use a import slot. Not to mention that a goalkeeper is incredibly important to "running a game", which is one of the key #metrics you mentioned.
There's no unique situation, we bought in imports to cover weaknesses in our squad, same as every other team. We would have been remiss not to sign an import goalkeeper given the alternatives available.
I don't disagree with this; I am just saying that there is a reason, in the 14 years the A-League has existed, that there have only been 3 import keepers. You even said yourself that we tried to sign two Kiwis first - the only reason we got an import in was because we literally had no other choice.
Anyway, no matter the reason - I am happy he's here, I just think that ideally you would want a good Aussie/NZ goalkeeper so we could get a striker or another DM.
Australia produces good keepers; the best ones play abroad including EPL. They are also happy to see their domestic scene as a good outlet. On a much smaller scale this applies to NZ also, except that Phoenix is only one option out of many and clearly not seen by the good keepers as the best option at present. This was not the case even 5 years ago, but clearly is now.
Yeah, unfortunately it seems like our keepers see MLS as the best destination currently and it's hard to disagree with them.
a.haak
Iooks to be a massive gap between Kurto and Italiano as well but it is early days.
Iooks to be a massive gap between Kurto and Italiano as well but it is early days.
Valley FC til I die?
I am sorry for Keegan Smith and I hope that he does well in the HandyPrem and goes on from there.
Interesting it only has Taylor's chance at less than 0.5
Actually, that's a good point. Guess it assumes the keeper is in a more central location.
