v Fury Mon 27th 10:15pm SS1

Yep, that young whipper snapper might make it to the big leagues one day

He'll knock in 20 for the Roar next season.

Might even go all the way and score himself a million dollar contract in Qatar.

I personally think Troy should be established a a defender and rather than constantly swapping him all over the park. Surely it'd be better for him to be focussed on his D.

I guess his versatility could be considered quite a good thing, so maybe its best for him to sit on the bench as defensive cover, but also a roll of the dice up further if needed.

Unfortunately there are people better than him in all areas and his options are either focus on one spot and go for it, or realise he will be more of a bit-part player kept for his versatility.

Hearfield needs to work on his heading - so many times a ball is floated over him and he gets nowhere near it. Has cost us a few goals. A part from that I reckon he's come on leaps and bounds defensively so i'd agree with you that there isn't much point moving him again.

Wellington Phoenix: 2. Manny MUSCAT, 3. Tony LOCHHEAD, 4. Nick WARD, 6. Tim BROWN, 7. Leo BERTOS, 9. Chris GREENACRE, 10. Oscar Roberto CORNEJO, 11. DANIEL, 12. James MUSA, 13. Troy HEARFIELD, 15. Jade NORTH, 17. Vince LIA, 18. Ben SIGMUND, 19. Danny VUKOVIC (gk), 20. Reece CROWTHER (gk), 21. Marco ROJAS, 22. Andrew DURANTE, 23. Dylan MACALLISTER

*three to be omitted*

In: Nick WARD (return from injury), Tony LOCHHEAD (return from injury), Andrew DURANTE (return from suspension), Oscar Roberto CORNEJO (return from injury)

Out: Paul IFILL (leg � 8 weeks)

Musa and Toto to be omitted, youd think

As far as Hearfield goes, he has stated several times that his prefered position is to play on the wing, I think he has done well as a makeshift defender, getting better almost everytime he plays in defence, but with lochhead comeing back into consideration, daniel and Leo being generally poor recently, and Ifill injured i think we should give the guy another chance on the wing to see what he can do.

toto to star as the new flores

He might prefer to play on the wing, but I honestly don't think he has the ability to play there at this level.

He has the pace.

I agree with that

Yeah, but his delivery really doesnt seem to be good enough. At least Daniel can deliver a  lot better than Hearfield.

A few interesting points here:

I certainly agree there, and that is the main reason I was ok with the attempt to turn him into a wing back. As i'm sure you know, there is more to being a winger than just pace though.

You would have Musa over Ward?

Is Ward fit then?   Id rather have Ward if hes fit but I thought he was out for a few weeks

Hearfield would be enough defensive cover on the bench for me, but I'm not sure how Lochhead fits into the equation?

If we play 2 up front again (please yes), then we are gonna have to fit Lia, Brown and Muscat in somewhere and the obvious would be to leave moosecat at LB and start Lochhead on the bench. But then that means Troy has no spot on the bench, so the only option for him to make the squad would be starting out wide.
I' m not the biggest fan of this idea.

For me, Ward and Toto shouldn't be back just yet, but Lochhead gets a shot off the bench.

I'm afraid that Ricki may not drop Leo no matter how he's performing though..

i think ward would make the bench and lochie wont be playing. Would prefer north on the left. even playing muscat in front of hearfield on the wing or vice versa. Sucks that Pav hasn't travelled either
We should keep it as a 442

                          Vuko
Siggy     Durante    North        Hearfield/Muscat
Rojas     Lia             Brown       Muscat/Hearfield
               Big Mac    Greeny

Crowther, Bertos/Daniel, Ward, Musa

http://www.a-league.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=37704

Yeah interesting we arent taking a third striker. Hope thats no indication of a revert back to one CF?
Guess Pav hasnt impressed of late

Fury have now lost four of their last five games and scored just one goal in those five matches.

I would like that trend to continue

Ward back, Lochy back, Dura back

according to today's Domp Lochy is expected to be kept back until Jan 5, but Ward might get a run (after 45 mins with reserves last night)

Ricki seems to be foxing about Dura's return

thank god hes still gonna play a front two.
And good hes seeming cautious about bringing Leo in too quick.

                    Vukovich
Sigmund Durante North Muscat
Rojas     Lia          Brown     Bertos
          MacAllister Greenacre

Crowther Hearfield, Daniel, Ward

^^^^That'll be it, pick three for the bench of Hearfield, Daniel, Ward and Lochy.

1 goal in five games, that's 1 more than the number of $ they have too. Time for the Nix to get ruthless and kick 'em while they're down. Two on the trot boys, COYN.

Oh and I can't believe people are even discussing the possibility of leaving Durante out. First of all Ricki would never voluntarily leave his captain out of the side, and secondly, he's played 50 straight games. 50. Of which maybe 1 or 2 were poor buy his standards. People have staggeringly short memories around here.

                 Vukovich
Sigmund Durante North Muscat
Rojas     Lia          Brown     Hearfield/Daniel
          MacAllister Greenacre

Subs: Hearfield/Daniel, Ward, Crowther, Bertos.

Can't see us losing this one.  A win or a draw.  Though it'll be bitter-sweet if we win as I know how the NQF must feel.  I too have had to go through supporting a sorry bunch of under-performers, never knowing if or when they'd get the chop.
loyalgunner2010-12-23 16:50:24

I have a funny feeling bertos will have the game of his career.

or aggravate his injury more lol

Gotta win this.

you jinxxxed us! As well as us needing to keep in touch with the top 6, Fury will want to get off the bottom of the table (shared with Smurfs). A desperate team is a dangerous one.

Must win

Plus at home in conditions we're not familiar with.

It's no cake-walk.

Although I'm with you on this Scooby, I think their argument was the fact North had a blinder without him.