R7 vs Sydney Sat 23rd 7:30pm

A fair result in what was an even game against Perth. We probably edged the first half, but the tempo we played at was far too slow to exploit any advantage we had in the game. Maybe the travel is taking is starting to take its toll on the players? A general lack of pace in the starting eleven is really hurting us too, especially in the attacking third, and we definitely haven’t figured out our best formation or our best starting lineup.

I thought Huysegems was one of our better players in the first half of today’s game. His hold up play and his ability to bring others into the game with nice little touches really stood out. Disappointingly, he disappeared in the second half and I just don’t think he offers enough of a goal threat to justify his place up front alongside Brockie.  Personally, I think the Phoenix should be playing one up front, and because Huysegems doesn’t offer enough of a goal threat, that position should be filled by Brockie.

With only one up front, I’d be bringing Cunningham back into the side to play down the right. He’s been unconvincing so far, but he needs to be given a chance and he would provide us with some much needed pace. I’d also bring Hicks into the side and play him on the left as it’s noticeable that our play in the final third improves whenever he comes on due to his distribution and his willingness to make himself available for the pass.

Having a couple of wide players in the starting eleven also gives us a more balanced side and would provide more support for our fullbacks on both defence and attack. In particular, the two wide players would prevent the opposition fullbacks from getting forward and exploiting our defensive vulnerability out wide. At the moment there’s no point playing Caira and Fenton (who should be stuck with for now) because they aren’t great defenders and neither of them is able to get forward without exposing our flanks when we lose the ball.

If Hicks comes into the starting eleven, then one of our midfield trio has to go. Riera had a great game today (why was he taken off for Ifill?) and he should be a regular from now on. Not only does he take up good positions on the field for a defensive midfielder, but he’s also the best at bringing the ball out from the back. That leaves Muscat or Lia and for me it has to be Lia who goes. While Lia was the better of the two today, Muscat has been the better of the two so far this season and he doesn’t give the ball away in dangerous areas of the pitch like Lia does.

Obviously Hernandez takes his place in the side just behind Brockie. It was great to see him get on the ball more in the first half today, even if he only had an okay game. The Phoenix will be better off in the long run if he continues to get a lot of touches. However, I hope Merrick has a plan in place to ensure that he doesn’t get worn out by the end of the season. He’s disappeared in the back end of the second half in a few games already this season and we definitely rely on him to be our playmaker.

This would be my starting lineup for our game against Sydney:

MOSS

FENTON; SIGMUND; DURANTE; CAIRA

RIERA; MUSCAT

CUNNINGHAM; HERNANDEZ; HICKS

BROCKIE

Thoughts?

Was this not similar to the start of the season and it did not work?

Siggy and Brockie would be lucky  to get on the bench.

Not really. Adams was at right back, Lia was in midfield and Stein was up front against Brisbane. Against Wanderers we started Bertos at right back, Lia in midfield and both Brockie and Stein up front. Against Newcastle we started Bertos at right back, Lia in midfield and Brockie, Ifill and Stein in a front three.

I was really meaning the 4 up front and 2 DMs. That's 4-2-3-1 which Ernie would like to play but does not really work for us (if we had a monster DM....)

I must admit I prefer Stein to Brockie however what I prefer and what works are very different

Game is actually the Saturday after the return fixture in Wellington..all Nix AWs players may be tired/hungover/depressed not just those two.

You are correct.

Richie -

how about this for a wacky lineup:

Moss

Manny, Dura, Boxall, Caira

Fenton, Reira, Hicks,

Carlos

Brockie, Ifill

Stein didn't take a single shot against Perth.

Stein has taken 6 shots (4 shots on target, 2 shots off target) in 348 minutes this season, whereas Brockie has taken 9 shots (2 shots on target, 7 shots off target) in 357 minutes. That's an average of one shot every 58 minutes for Stein and one shot every 40 minutes for Brockie.

I think that just shows that we are really struggling to create good scoring opportunities.

Chances are there but they are difficult ones to be fair. How close and how many times have we hit a post? Nice to have met you by the way.

Likewise LG. Top work on the Hard News masks.

Would it not be round 7 vs Sydney? Mods take control!

I watched the game this arvo, HN made a few appearances. there in spirit I guess. Mind you, he also made more of an effort to get involved than the locals sadly.

Sydney Under Farina: Home W8 D2 L2, Away W1 D3 L8.

Gonna be a tough ask.

Using the shots per game stat is silly IMO.
In fact using those exact numbers posted earlier, you will see that shots on target completely changes things

Average mins per shot on target:

Stein 87 mins
Brockie 178 mins

Brockie does have a hell of a lot of pot shots that go nowhere near the goal often. Can't remember Stein ever doing that.

I'm indifferent between Brockie and Stein, i mean, Stein didn't shine under Ricki and it's only early stages this season so can't judge as yet.

Brockie played 2116 mins last season, 24 games, 24 starts, 78 shots, 36 on target, 16 goals.

0.681 goals per game (90min), 0.205 goals per shot, 0.444 goals per shot on target

Stein played 1368 mins last season, 23 games, 17 starts, 24 shots, 12 on target, 5 goals.

0.329 goals per game (90min), 0.208 goals per shot, 0.417 goals per shot on target

In terms of "goal threat" in think they are both good.  I think Stein hit the post 3-4 times last season as well...and he might be affected by the style of football we played last season.

But we know there is a 20% of scoring, everytime they pull the trigger.

100% agree JD

Stein frustrates me sometimes because I think he relies on his left foot too much when using he right would be a better option. 

Yes, the one he's scored a few times with.

I can't believe that we signed him without actually seeing that he has pace, just does not make sense. Not Benji pace, but the ability to keep the ball at speed/use power, beat players and create chances, you know pace! When I first saw him play I thought "WTF? That's pretty average" but Vickmeist said he was carrying injuries.

I'm sure it's got to be niggles or confidence he surely can't be a tugboat?

I keep hearing that Cunningham has loads of pace but im assuming that he's playing this skill very close to his chest because I havent seen any evidence of yet..so quite right el grap

Still remember cunningham failing to outgas old broichy :/

After yesterday's game i feel so lucky that RH is gone, otherwise we might see Christie partnering Lia in this game...

Just saying...

Bump!

We want 7?