v Cold Ghost, Fri 11pm SS3

Can't say I am surprised we lost really, team was dead flat for the game, lacking in ideas for long periods.

Every time I see the 'nix turn to play the ball backwards, it frustrates the sh*t out of me. They wasted so many chances to play the ball wide by having already made a decision to keep playing the ball back.

Keeping possession is one thing, looking utterly hopeless and holding on to the ball is what we're doing.

First goal for GCU was great, the other two utter shockers from our defenders and Vuka. Paston back next game?

And back to the topic of subs, Ricki really needs to break up his 65th minute sh*t. He makes all his changes so late, needs to try more tactical changes, not just changes to empty the bench for some run-ons.

Giving bench players little time to do anything, then expecting miracles seems to be the current substitution method.

Scared more than lazy. Scared to play football.

It's a bit of a Kiwi curse tbh.

Having Ward, Ifill and Hearfield in the team at the same time (3 of the laziest players you will ever see) did not help one bit. Greenie, Manny, Siggy and possibly Dura are the only ones that can hold their heads up high after that atrocious game. valeo2010-10-02 01:02:54

She'd be lucky.

Greenacre has been fantastic this season IMO. He seems more alert and a bit quicker. You notice although Pav beats a few players he loses the ball and often gives up.

Any opinions on North? Can we get McKain back? Or is that too harsh?

Pavlova was horrendous when he came on - lost the ball about 3 times then complained to the ref and argued with Toto

North does ok,  Greenie always gives 100%.  We need to shoot more often,  our crossing is woeful

They talk about the Breakers and Warriors having a poor record away from home...our hit rate is far worse.

I'm just looking to see where we get a decent stretch of home games (say 2 in a row or 3 in 4)...something to get us going.

Regroup and we take on the Heart in 16 days.

Totally agree.

Someone needs to speak to the boys and let them know that this form away from home is not acceptable.

North is another Mr Invisible it would appear. I'm not even sure I've heard his name mentioned in any of the games so far!! Is he bad? Is he good? I actually have no idea, but the defence doesn't really seem any better at this stage.

Agree, Greenacre shows he can do a lot, just not tall enough for the long-ball lottery that he gets given.
Greenacre vs Rees, and you have to wonder what goes through their mind trying to give Greenacre long balls.

I'd have McKain back in a heartbeat. Clear that North and Durante don't yet have the partnership that McKain and Durante had last season.
We can only hope it develops fast, because defensive blunders like tonight we cannot afford.

How many shots in the second half? Maybe one shot/cross from Manny?

Jury is still out on North IMO. Signed to be marquee at NQF, backed out, left a sinking ship. Poor run overseas, yet still selected for the Socceroos. 

valeo2010-10-02 01:10:42

At least we didn't get spanked 6-0, but we were certainly bending over and asking for one.

Sorry. I hate seeing Hearfield having to fill in at the back as much as the next guy but holding him in any way responsible for the second goal is ridiculous. He had his man in the corner with a miracle ball his only option and 1) Ward and 2) Manny or Brown left acres of space for Panty-shields to collect that miracle ball and play in Sjhite.

Hearfield may be dodgy at the back but I don't blame him for that goal tbh.

Let's keep the faith.

We still look very strong at home and you'd have to think we find some luck soon away from home. It'll all turn out.

I don't like to whine well last season I did but I've kind of grown up a bit, but honestly tonight makes me feel like screaming, I can't take one positive out of it.

That sucked 

I'm burning my scarf.

i'm just gonna borrow one of the forum's tin foil hats here and say that aussie aren't happy about us signing a socceroo so the broadcasters are under instruction not to mention or have the cameras on him at any time. he made one major cock up tonight for the first goal but i don't think he's playing badly all round.

obviously i need some sleep.

The 3rd goal was worse.

Sack Burgess and Kitschin.

This.
I'm usually glass half full, but this performance really got to me.

All I can think of right now is the old warriors tv ad about keeping the faith, remember this song? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=le7t-ro8xGk

I liked the old one better.

3 more points thrown away.  I said to my missus, the club could save travel/accomodation money by getting local lads unattached to clubs to play for the Nix in the Aussie cities,  only problem with that is that they might win a game

They are not playing as a team

I'm probably very wrong when I say this so I don't mind being shut down, but when I've been to training Ricki doesn't actually do a lot its more Trani (sp) any reason for this?

Daniel and toto can go play beach soccer.Troy should go fulltime at the nightclubs.ifill needs to get off the pi**.he looks out of sorts for his high standards.while browny looks like he can get a super 14contract at tomes.the only players who have shown promise this year are greeny manny and siggy.sometimes I wonder what Rick does at trainings midweek.is he a robot?

Ricki doesn't seem to do anything when I go.... maybe hes more just the brains now?

Maybe the Phoenix should just start giving Rojas, Musa etc a run. Not as cheap as your solution, but same dif.

He didn't do much either last year... And we got third.

Good point and I agree at least they will be keen and eager to impress

well, I have no clue how the Nix will win away from home next game, so I'm going to sleep.

Why not go to sleep,  the team were in the second half