R2 vs WSW, Sunday 7pm SS1

all good!! I don't think Lia was great, but did seem to be quite fit...which many of our players weren't...not offended, and every now and again I seem to find myself taking up devil's advocates positions...but the main reason I was pissed off is that after being a successful drinker for most of my life in an attempt to shake off a bit of ill health I haven't had a drink since February and I would love- LOVE- to be on a 5 day bender and talking smack about football....

maybe my Boyd comment was misinterpreted I meant I was happy that we have enough quality that he was on the fringes fighting for a place in the squad rather than a mainstay like last year...

Anyone but fucking Leo. He's absolute horse shit in the back. Who remembers what happened when he moved up the pitch after Ricki left? We started playing football again.

Think it was more a fresh set of tactics rather than Leo moving positions that caused that rejuvenation.

I'll be disappointed if Rierai is dumped into RB slot.he looks like he can pass a ball...play him in DM where he is used to playing

Agree with the above three comments.

FT, you obviously don't have the new app, unless you are agreeing with what I'm about to say :-).
Which is unlikely.

Heh, I was thinking exactly the same thing Turfy.

prefer Cunningham to start  over Ifill at the moment

So was Shermy injured last week? Interesting he's basically come into the squad for Adams. My guess, and preference is that Shermy gets the spot. RB is a specialist spot so I'd rather we stop makeshifting players into it.

In the little I've seen of Shermy I think he'll be fine. Young, fit, keen to get forward and defends well.

If he gets help from Cunningham like Cunningham offered last week I think Shermy will be fine. And he'll offer a good attacking threat overlapping. One way to tire Hersi out and that's to make him defend. Wingers hate it. Shermy has to want the ball though. Fullbacks who are always an outlet offer a team so much

Actually the stats showed Lia had a good game against the Roar. Midfield stats

                    passes     % completed

Carlos              45              88.9%

Broich              44              84%

Manny              29              82.8%

Lia                   42              78.6%

Miller                53              77%

Franjic             41               73%

Bratten            67                64%

Lia was also 2nd equal on the number of tackles and first equal for tackles won by midfielders

It seems to me that many Forum members need a scape goat each season. It was Brown, then it was lockhead now it appears to be Lia.

It is  possible that players can improve under a different coach. Lia's first game under Ernie went OK. In fact Ernie said he did not bring Reira on as a midfeild sub because Manny/Lia were working well. 

Fair call to bag a player if they don't perform but Lia did OK last weekend

I am one of the few people here who genuinly thought that Lia had a good game. Good to know that the stats back me up somewhat.

I thought he had a great first half then a bad second half. 

Thought Lia did a good job in a game where we've never played like that before. RB was the only real issue, plus running out of steam, like Adelaide did last night playing the high line in the first half.

I think it's just that when he makes a mistake, he really fucks up. I remember he tried to pass to a wide player on Sunday and ended up being to far in front of the guy and the ball rolled over the sideline. Stuff like that sticks in your mind. Also, wasn't he the one who gave away the free kick which led to their second goal ? Just stupid shit like that.

Where is stadium in relation to fires?..any chance of game not going ahead?

I have no really opinion on Lia, but he must have something that the alle his coaches like. I just read an article the other day about Toni Kroos and why he is a world class player and most people don't recognize it, his coaches know. The article said that he has excellent positioning skill and creates space for the other player around him. Maybe Lia is more effective without the ball, just where he's positinoiend, don't now, just saying.

Cheers.

Fenton reckons he's a chance for returning next week.
From his twitter: "going good, might be ready for next week, fingers crossed."

If it might be next week, make it the week after. All he has to do is an Ifill (re-injure) and he has another 6 weeks.

Agree boyd is a headless chicken, woeful

....and it's game day today ladies and gents.....

Game day. Fire up farken.

Also. Cheap beersies at the Kings from 5.

FARRKEN FARK UP YOU FARKS 

There's gonna be a fight in our place, Watching the Nix or watching Doc McStuffin to keep my 2 1/2 year old happy.

Turn that into a gif and I'll love you nufc.

I like it...Siggy's a good stand-in until Fenton's back, Dura goes straight in IMO.

Ifill on for Carlos when he tires. Hicks can be the fresh legs for the midfield.

You too can be the Phoenix Manager...........

A nice day in Sydney 32 degrees. Will be warmer at Parramatta.

The Pheonix will be on fire