Only saw the last 30 minutes but it was great to see us passing the ball confidently, creating some chances and generally looking very positive
All I do is make the stuff I would've liked
Reference things I wanna watch, reference girls I wanna bite
Now I'm firefly like a burning kite
And yousa fake fuck like a fleshlight
Ernie will use Ifill as an impact player. Cunningham needs games to settle in. Still think he'll be the goods. Most players struggled to get into the pace of the torrid WSW start, and yes Lia had a bad 5 mins there. But stats will be interesting. Sorry don't have that app.
A point taken and a fair result. The best measure of that is Moss was the busiest in the 1st half and Covic was watching, 2nd half, it was a reversal.
I think between Durante, Manny, Ifill and Hernandez who had good games, one of those 4 is MOM. I was slating Brockies work rate until Stein got subbed off but he showed more of what he has when he was moved up front. Bertos looked a bit more stable at RB than Adams but he looks past it running at the opposition LB. Hicks has some nice touches but perhaps not so many minutes just yet, Caira needs to keep improving, Cunningham looks questionable, Lia less than questionable
I think there are some really good signs to come out of this game
1: Ernie. Early sub of Stein (and I was the biggest moaner that it was the wrong man). He was playing a 4-2-3-1 and using Brockie as a wide man on the right (Kenny on the left) but it showed the Brockie is not a wide man. Stein came off, Hicks on the left, Kenny on the right and Brockie up front. Essentially, Ernie is set up as a 4-2-3-1 but Fox choose not to show that as a graphic and had 4-3-3. For anyone that cares, we did not play that. When you realise that we were getting nothing from either flank, you put a proper man in there and (in this case) move the striker up front. Kudos for making the early change and also dragging an ordinary Cunningham at half time. I wonder if he had not made the changes, would we have come back into it?
2: Ifill is hardly a spent force. I think 45 mins a game is ideal for him with his age, pace and propensity for injury. If he spends the rest of the season putting in 45s like that, he'll get player of the season. You also need to have someone prepared to only play 45 for him to come on though.
3: Durante is one of the best CBs in the league. He was rock solid and did exactly as he should have.
4: Other than Brockies cross into Row Z, how many others were from out wide? Ernie has really knocked that out of them and we no longer play the old fashioned out wide up the line cross in.
5: Manny Muscat got an early yellow and I thought he would not last the game. He did and stood up strong for the rest of it. I laughed preseason when they had one of those fluff videos with the 3 radio hosts and Ernie said something like 'Manny Muscat fancies himself as a bit of a hard man'. He was rock solid today. Thats two on the trot.
6: Carlos Hernandez is a lovely footballer and he is the missing link. I think others around him need to step up to his level but his has some class touches. Think he needs a bit of motivation as he does drift in and out on his own whim.
7: Once that first 20 was out of the way, both Sigmund and Durante locked it up. The team settled down and started to play. I recall saying that we need to get a hold of the ball and play football. The first 20 we looked panicked but after that, we had some nice interchange.
8: We have played Brisbane and were unlucky and WSW and got a point. I think considering these two are likely to be in the top half of the table, we have performed with credibility and deserved to have 2 points in the bag and not one. I am hoping we string it together against an awful Jets side and punish them.
The bad
1: Vince, your time is done. No more needs to be said. Admittedly he was utter garbage in the first 20 and dropped us into so much shit, he improved to what I would classify as 'servicable' for the rest of it. Still needs to be more. Everyone is calling for Riera but the 5 mins he had, he did not instill be with confidence either.
2: The look on Steins face when he got dragged. He was not happy at all. I think this showed that Ernie has two strikers and only one can start in his scheme. How is he going to handle that when he has so much attacking options. Someone is going to be unhappy
3: The amount of long ball or 'default to long ball' in the first half. This team is a WIP but once they settled, they got back into playing football. The default to long ball position needs to be done away with.
Question mark
1: Kenny. I was on record saying he would be a star in this league before seeing him but now I really have to check myself and ask 'What does he have?' I'm hoping its an adjustment period having not had much of a preseason and a new league.
2: Cara. He defaults to Durante to bail him out a lot. He is a mixed bag but would hope that the experience makes him better.
3: Team fitness. Again, we looked like we ran out of gas.
4: Hicks. I am a fan and liked what he did when he came on but he also had some brain fades. Considering its his first two weeks as a pro footballer, there is a lot of hope but I am not sure if he warrants that volume of minutes just yet. Maybe 45 and see if we get the best from him then slowly extend him.
Next week, its obvious that Ernie cannot start with the same line up. Brockie or Stein, not both. Cunningham will start but he needs to show something. Hicks will probably start. Ifill will be the half time sub for one of these two. Lia will probably start again in lieu of better options and I think Bertos will stay at RB until Fenton is back.
As a separate question, had you not known Moss or Spoonley from a bar of soap, who should be the starter considering their showing in 1 game each. The gap is not as big as some think.
What did we learn or have confirmed tonight ?
We've got a coach who knows what he's doing
Hernandez is absolute class
We can play football - hoofball is just a painful memory
Not being able to play on the road because of the "travel factor" always was a complete and utter cop out
I'm going to say Kenny is still adjusting. He nearly scored last week, and had he had I'm sure we'd all be singing his praises. They don't hand out caps for the Costa Rican national side like 5th grade reading certificates. We're only 2 weeks into the season. Just like the rest of the side I'm sure Kenny will step it up. A couple of wins will do wonders for everyone's confidence.
And lol at people comparing Kenny to Totori. Seriously..
What did we learn or have confirmed tonight ?
We've got a coach who knows what he's doing
Hernandez is absolute class
We can play football - hoofball is just a painful memory
Not being able to play on the road because of the "travel factor" always was a complete and utter cop out
my team....... Moss
Siggy Boxhall Dura Caira
Riera Manny Henandez Kenny C
Brockie Huysegems
subs.....Spoons, Hicks Ifill ,Boyd, Adams
I always find it weird when fans put up formation changes at this stage of the season. We've seen Ernie set out his entire preseason around a 4-2-3-1 shape. To think he's going to go all 1998 Alex Fergusson on it now is totally weird. Combine that with the fact that Riera is about as much of a winger as Boxall and I find that formation from SuperFrank totally bamboozling.
I also think people forget the Riera is a natural left footer (unless he was faking at ACFC) where if he was not in the midfield, he was at LB. For the Phoenix, I suspect he would play in goal if asked.
My hope is that by giving him 60 odd minutes we'll be a couple of goals up. Then Cunningham could come on and get more space, less pressure.
Lia is my major worry after the first 2 games. Dithers around and loses possession too often. Riera looks a lot more composed IMO, which has surprised me.
Yeah but boy he gives it away in some bad places. Who remembers the pass straight to one of Poljak in the 3rd minute? Pretty much setting Poljak for a free shot on goal. And that wasn't the only time that happened. He really struggles and turns it over way to many times. Not sure how you came up with only giving the ball away twice. He will start costing us goals as the season goes on.
2: The look on Steins face when he got dragged. He was not happy at all. I think this showed that Ernie has two strikers and only one can start in his scheme. How is he going to handle that when he has so much attacking options. Someone is going to be unhappy
I might have this wrong, but I thought Stein played as a winger in Europe, not a striker. Could it be worthwhile trying him on the wing instead?
"That Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick felt compelled to change Stein Huysegems for Jason Hicks so early was a clear sign not all was well. Huysegems stormed down the tunnel in disgust."
Others have said that and he has too. Ernie plays him as a striker. I would be interested how he goes as a LW and Cunningham as a RW. Carlos between them and Brockie further forward as the striker. I think Steins pace may be against him.
Grumpy old bastard alert
Can't blame him for being a bit pissed off, especially after he scored and played so well last week. Pro footballer egos can be notoriously fragile in these matters but I'm confident Ernie will be able to keep it all under control.
Merrick made a good decision with the sub. I think we can see we need a new LB, Caira oh my word is dreadful! and Hernandez effortlessly our best player by a country mile
Stein played up front on left in 4-3-3 hes hardly a 'winger'
"Yellow Fever are fantastic – I have to say that"
I think Caira will come right, he has pace to burn and is still young. The biggest question for me is whether his last name is pronounced Cai-ra or Ca-ira.
My hope is that by giving him 60 odd minutes we'll be a couple of goals up. Then Cunningham could come on and get more space, less pressure.
Lia is my major worry after the first 2 games. Dithers around and loses possession too often. Riera looks a lot more composed IMO, which has surprised me.
Yeah but boy he gives it away in some bad places. Who remembers the pass straight to one of Poljak in the 3rd minute? Pretty much setting Poljak for a free shot on goal. And that wasn't the only time that happened. He really struggles and turns it over way to many times. Not sure how you came up with only giving the ball away twice. He will start costing us goals as the season goes on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qe_B5CzbTJo - Caceres winning penalty v Perth - footage from the Fever Zone
Yeah very surprised about Caira hating. He was being battered by hersi and polenz with Cunningham not defending. Once hicks came in, I thought Caira was actually decent against Hersi.
Gotta give the ref some credit, from what I've seen he's done pretty well tonight.
Like what I see from Ca-ira and Ri-dent-on....
No seriously don't mind Caira- he's better than Hogg was for us, though it would be interesting to see how Hogg would go with Ernie's coaching.
Huysegems- tough luck buddy. You are part of the team. And the team had a good game. Don't think you did much wrong, and don't think you deserved to be dragged, but the team played much better after he did.
I think the clear thing is that Ernie is the boss. I think last season (and with management undermining him) is the players did accept that Ricki was the boss. And it seems that we have more than one tactical shape and we may even have several and not be afraid to change them if they are not working. Decisive leadership. Huysegems, love your work last week mate, but Ernie made a call for the good of the team and tough. Put in a good shift at training, cos I don't think anyone thinks you are a spent force this week, or that Brockie has cemented his place. One goal a piece.
We didn't create enough good chances. Few shots on target. I can think of 4 including the goal, no 5 one from Hicks too.
Hicks looks like a player who is confident which I like and he made a real difference when he came on and he seemed to work quite hard in defence too. Was really worried after the first couple of minutes. Even when we attacked our crossing was appalling (mostly Brockie) and it seemed like we were still playing like last season.
Cunningham is a bit of an enigma at the moment. Looked better last week. Didn't do much this week.
Worried about Moss and Lia. Though both, in the end, had ok games and didn't cost us anything.
Players pressing for inclusion: Boxall- a nice headache to have. Think he has always been A-league starting quality. Hicks.
Can Louis really replace Leo? Can Riera really (stop and think all you haters) really replace Lia?
Anyway a good start away from home. Expect us to be more attacking at home and hopefully score a few goals.
Lucky Nix sports bra tops?
"Phoenix till they lose"
Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.
Genuine opinion: FTFFA
Good performance and we probably could've won with a bit of luck.
Next week I'd have Riera in for Lia, and Ifill on from the start too, for either Stein or Cunningham.
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
Can we have two halves like this second half every game, please? Terrific effort/ result boys, and a well deserved point.
I am UTTERLY CONVINCED that we are going to get better and better. Please go easy on some of the newer signings- everyone deserves a chance, and there is great promise (especially Hicks). The Blessed Ernie is going to take us a long, long way this season.
I am really looking forward to driving to Napier this weekend, and the Jets getting what we can clearly dish out.
Oh Napier is wonderful,
Oh Napier is wonderful,
They've got the sand, the sea and the ice cream,
Oh Napier is wonderful
Nostalgia isnt what it used to be...........
Good performance and we probably could've won with a bit of luck.
Next week I'd have Riera in for Lia, and Ifill on from the start too, for either Stein or Cunningham.
Also - how intimidating must it have been for the team? 16k+ mad WSW fans and a slick, fast opponent.
This would have been a new experience for a few of the boys.
Signs are good for the season - cautiously optimistic.
"Phoenix till they lose"
Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.
Genuine opinion: FTFFA
What did we learn or have confirmed tonight ?
We've got a coach who knows what he's doing
(---)Not being able to play on the road because of the "travel factor" always was a complete and utter cop out
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
Lucky Nix sports bra tops?
Well I do think we were lucky to get the point (but well deserved lucky)...
"Phoenix till they lose"
Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.
Genuine opinion: FTFFA
For anyone that hasn't, go back and read this thread for the timespan of the game last night, some epic lols, people throwing toys everywhere for the first 45, so so funny
A couple of points for me, we settled quite well after the opening 20 minutes and actually bossed reasonable periods of the second 25 mins of the first half.
We need to remember that Caira was matched up against one of last seasons stars in Hersi, and once he settled in after that first 20 mins he did a pretty decent job against him.
Leo looked ok defensively and was a step up from Adams last week at right back, but he simply no longer has the pace to get forward with much effect. The key to a full back overlapping with success is to do it late and do it with pace. He no longer has the pace so makes his runs early which make them easy to read..
Kenny C, prepared to give him more time, but I have seen him in three matches now, Yesterday, the Roar and against the Central league selection and he has not shown much in any game, certainly not to be in the "star" class. Yes it is only two games in, but he has been here now for 8 or more weeks, training daily. It is not like he has just turned up, although at times it looks like it. Jury out, but I think he needs a big one on Sunday. Our Lord and Master Ernies patience will only last so long.
Lia is the new Brown / Lochead. Scapegoat Central! He had a mixed opening 20 minutes as did everyone else under the pressure applied by WSW and yes he gave the ball away, (Manny was no better initially), but two points in that, he often is given the ball in some tough situations with payers all around him, and he was definitely targetted by WSW yesterday with them often "double teaming" him every time the ball is played towards him. He improved as the game wore on, He wins a lot of ball, he has a huge engine and very rarely leaves anything on the park.
Once a player turns into a scapegoat, only the bad is seen at the cost of anything good he may do. When a player in a DM position gives the ball away it looks bad. Others were just as guilty yesterday, but a little less noticeable. He had a pretty good game against the Roar and I would give him a passmark yesterday.
Hicks did some good things, but he also gave the ball away. A lot. will be interesting to see how he develops.
Riera limited chance yesterday. gave the ball away a couple of times but worth perservering with and he will undoubtedly get some time in his preferred position.
Ifill, despite the pace being gone, he is still a class act. Great touch. Great vision. Others have said he is a 45 min player. His professional pride will not see him settle from that. I think he will probably start on the Bench next week and unless Kenny steps up next week, I would see Ifill back in starting 11.
What can you say about Hernandez? He was fantastic yesterday, and was one of the reasons we strted to get a foot hold after 20 minutes when he started to drop a lot deeper to receive the ball, hold it up and give everyone some time. Generally you want him in rthe attacking third, but at times he will need to do just what he did. He really seems to have the bit between his teeth and could not fault his work rate.
Those here saying Travel is not a factor, probably have never been further North than Levin. Yes it is only a three hour Plane ride but by the time you take in waiting times it is probably 7 or 8 hours from the time a player leaves home till the time they check into a Sydney Motel. Considerably worse if the are out of Sydney. The Travel is a huge factor. Ernies whole mantra has been that it will not be an excuse. Fair enough but it still is a factor and was certainly one of the reasons behind our unbeaten run at home of a few years ago.
For anyone that hasn't, go back and read this thread for the timespan of the game last night, some epic lols, people throwing toys everywhere for the first 45, so so funny
Top post Jeff
"Phoenix till they lose"
Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.
Genuine opinion: FTFFA
For anyone that hasn't, go back and read this thread for the timespan of the game last night, some epic lols, people throwing toys everywhere for the first 45, so so funny
Well said that sthn.jeff, Lia is going to get a lot of stick this season from us and the opposition as he is seen as a weak link. Unlike Hicks, Rieira, Caira etc he doesn't have the "new boy" tag and he really shoukldn't be losing the ball or giving the ball up where he does - I for one think his time is limited and hope that Ernie is planning on putting Reira in that role with Manny.
We do have to remind ourselves to that ublike other seasons we currently have the youngest squad in the A-league (avg age).
Queenslander 3x a year.
For anyone that hasn't, go back and read this thread for the timespan of the game last night, some epic lols, people throwing toys everywhere for the first 45, so so funny
Wowsers. Just went back and read. Plenty of people with egg on their face after 90 minutes.
For anyone that hasn't, go back and read this thread for the timespan of the game last night, some epic lols, people throwing toys everywhere for the first 45, so so funny
Wowsers. Just went back and read. Plenty of people with egg on their face after 90 minutes.
I think you are all forgetting that hindsight is always perfect. At the time they posted their comments were legitimate it is only now the game is over that you can say they were wrong.
I for one love reading the forum because of the comments, without people posting we're not much of a forum. And if everyone just waits till after the game then I think the forum would lose alot of its character.
For anyone that hasn't, go back and read this thread for the timespan of the game last night, some epic lols, people throwing toys everywhere for the first 45, so so funny
This, shows what a negative bunch of pricks there are out there in Fever Land
If I could be arsed I would copy and paste the comments of NUFC_NZ. the condradictions in the space of 45 mins are unbelievable. I wonder if Jeff Vader thinks Ernie subbed the wrong bloke still? Brockie made some mistakes early but at least he was getting into the position to make those mistakes.
As you say, some epic lols
Nufc's U-turn on Brockie was particularly lulzy
"Started like a house on fire" seems like a poor choice of words given current events...
