History for Jeff Vader

 I watched this game twice before deciding to post

• If ADP had the name 'John Smith' on the back of his shirt, he would have not even have got a mention. The people that a gushing over him really didn't watch the game. He had maybe a couple of nice touches but maybe just a couple. I would not have even called him an influence on the game, anything that he did memorable or that he was even worth the price of admission. Objectively, he was strangled of ball but what he got, he didn't do anything were you would go 'yup he's worth his pay cheque or made his team better'. The only way I knew it was him was because of the solid black boots and nothing else.
  
• If Necevski starts next week, I'll eat my hat. For a keeper with that much experience, you either write that off as an out-lier for a performance or you drop him - it was that poor.
• Paston was never tested which is a positive sign. I think I recall 1 scramble but there was no shot that was ever going in that needed to be saved and he was not exposed at all. To add to that, Sigmund and Durante were never in a position where they needed to take evasive action because of the following
• Muscat and Smith: These two complimented each other magnificently. They did nothing flashy. Muscat broke up the attack and the gave the ball off and Smith when he got it, made the right simple pass each and every time. Nothing flashy. They were content to let others have the nice little touches. They just did their job extremely effectively with great efficiency. I think considering our midfield has always been an interesting topic of who to play/who not to play, these two have started the season with a 'now force me out' statement. I don't recall either of them being caught in possession or out of position. I wont be too fussed if Sanchez doesn't play again if these two play like this all year.
  
• Up front, we had some nice interplay. Huysegems might take some critique for his style vs our style but there is no mistaking with his touches - he is thinking 3 plays ahead and always knows where his teams mates are. Positionally aware and tidy feet. The first thought I had when he slotted it was 'that would not have gone in last year'. It is first game and its easy to get a head of ourselves (next point) but there is enough there to suggest that we should be genuinely excited. Either that or Sydney really were that shit. The combinations will flow better between the front lot with a couple more games but it looks very promising.
• I was quite impressed with our front guys in pressuring Sydney defense when we did not have the ball and I think this looked better from our front guys than any other time I have watched. They got a lot of ball back and this just helped the defensive line from being exposed. I hope they keep doing this rather than choosing to sit off like other teams do. After all, other teams have done it to us for years so its about time we started doing it.
  
• Fenton for a young guy making his debut and was a fan last year, played like he had been in that team for a while. There was no shyness of what he should do (some young players are scared to take options because of their position in the team). I thought he moved very well with the ball at pace and as much as Ricki made the comparison to Kosta and Rojas, I think this lad moves a little differently. I'm not sure I can describe what I mean. He is not a trick footed as Rojas as I think Rojas likes to wait for the defensive mistake before he takes his man - Fenton just ran at them and had no problems cutting back or going around the outside. As JD mentioned, he is still young making his debut but it would appear he has been consistent in all his games and simply produced today what he has done all preseason. He'll have a some poor moments but I think on the whole, if we manage him correctly, we've got a good little footballer on our hands. The only criticism I have is at times when Lochhead was making his run/overlap, they were literally right beside each other and negated the effect of trying to create the overlap or draw the defense. Not sure whom is to blame with that one. The goal was great reward for a 40 yard sprint considering he was exactly the same distance from goal as Manny when Sydney coughed it up at half way. Combined with the finish makes this a definite contender for goal of the year this early.
  
• Pace. We had pace to burn and we transitioned really quickly. This team play a lot quicker than last years team
• If Ifill never played another game for the Phoenix, I would not be as worried if you had said that to me this time last year. We've got enough good players where there is some genuine competition and I think more importantly, manage Ifill where we get the best from him. He is not a 90min player anymore I believe but I think he can be used to better effect to get the maximum from him. Whether thats from the bench or starting is up to Ricki. Still class though and I hope he is played in a manner that enhances his value to the team and effect on the game. He is not the workhorse Greenacre was nor should we expect him to be and thats a combination of age, fitness and injuries.
• The angst of whether Ricki should have forced Greenacre into retirement has gone quiet. I do not believe if he was in the playing squad, he would have added value today. No disrespect to him because he served us well but I prefer to salute what he did for us and remember it for what it was. For that reason alone, I think Ricki should get some kudos for showing some of that managerial nous that the knockers say he has not got.
  
• I'll begrudgingly admit that Totori was better than my expectation. I think when teams figure out that he has no physicality, they'll lump him off the ball early in the game ala Felipe and he'll lose his effectiveness. He was still guilty of some wrong options but I think there was more on the right side of the ledger than the negative. I suspect he will do a role reversal with Ifil which would be my preference.
• Terry McFlynn really is a sheet carnt.
  

We've assembled a decent team I think. We did to Sydney what the Wildcats did to the Breakers last night. Based on one game, this is either

1. an assured solid performance that we should genuinely have some optimism around for the season and the playoffs or
   
2. Sydney really were sheet carnts and should be worried if this is how they are going to play this year or
   
3. an anomaly of a game that nothing can really be taken from it.
   

Only time will tell that but I prefer to take the first option

Next week it'll be Basalaj for Paston, Rowe for Lochhead, Boxall for Sigmund, Lia for Bertos, Ifill for Totori and Boyd for Brockie. Thats not as bad as I thought it might be. Bring on the jam tards.

 I watched this game twice before deciding to post

• If ADP had the name 'John Smith' on the back of his shirt, he would have not even have got a mention. The people that a gushing over him really didn't watch the game. He had maybe a couple of nice touches but maybe just a couple. I would not have even called him an influence on the game, anything that he did memorable or that he was even worth the price of admission. Objectively, he was strangled of ball but what he got, he didn't do anything were you would go 'yup he's worth his pay cheque or made his team better'. The only way I knew it was him was because of the solid black boots and nothing else.
  
• If Necevski starts next week, I'll eat my hat. For a keeper with that much experience, you either write that off as an out-lier for a performance or you drop him - it was that poor.
• Paston was never tested which is a positive sign. I think I recall 1 scramble but there was no shot that was ever going in that needed to be saved and he was not exposed at all. To add to that, Sigmund and Durante were never in a position where they needed to take evasive action because of the following
• Muscat and Smith: These two complimented each other magnificently. They did nothing flashy. Muscat broke up the attack and the gave the ball off and Smith when he got it, made the right simple pass each and every time. Nothing flashy. They were content to let others have the nice little touches. They just did their job extremely effectively with great efficiency. I think considering our midfield has always been an interesting topic of who to play/who not to play, these two have started the season with a 'now force me out' statement. I don't recall either of them being caught in possession or out of position. I wont be too fussed if Sanchez doesn't play again if these two play like this all year.
  
• Up front, we had some nice interplay. Huysegems might take some critique for his style vs our style but there is no mistaking with his touches - he is thinking 3 plays ahead and always knows where his teams mates are. Positionally aware and tidy feet. The first thought I had when he slotted it was 'that would not have gone in last year'. It is first game and its easy to get a head of ourselves (next point) but there is enough there to suggest that we should be genuinely excited. Either that or Sydney really were that shit. The combinations will flow better between the front lot with a couple more games but it looks very promising.
  
• Fenton for a young guy making his debut and was a fan last year, played like he had been in that team for a while. There was no shyness of what he should do (some young players are scared to take options because of their position in the team). I thought he moved very well with the ball at pace and as much as Ricki made the comparison to Kosta and Rojas, I think this lad moves a little differently. I'm not sure I can describe what I mean. He is not a trick footed as Rojas as I think Rojas likes to wait for the defensive mistake before he takes his man - Fenton just ran at them and had no problems cutting back or going around the outside. As JD mentioned, he is still young making his debut but it would appear he has been consistent in all his games and simply produced today what he has done all preseason. He'll have a some poor moments but I think on the whole, if we manage him correctly, we've got a good little footballer on our hands. The only criticism I have is at times when Lochhead was making his run/overlap, they were literally right beside each other and negated the effect of trying to create the overlap or draw the defense. Not sure whom is to blame with that one.
• Pace. We had pace to burn and we transitioned really quickly. This team play a lot quicker than last years team
• If Ifill never played another game for the Phoenix, I would not be as worried if you had said that to me this time last year. We've got enough good players where there is some genuine competition and I think more importantly, manage Ifill where we get the best from him. He is not a 90min player anymore I believe but I think he can be used to better effect to get the maximum from him. Whether thats from the bench or starting is up to Ricki. Still class though and I hope he is played in a manner that enhances his value to the team and effect on the game. He is not the workhorse Greenacre was nor should we expect him to be and thats a combination of age, fitness and injuries.
• The angst of whether Ricki should have forced Greenacre into retirement has gone quiet. I do not believe if he was in the playing squad, he would have added value today. No disrespect to him because he served us well but I prefer to salute what he did for us and remember it for what it was. For that reason alone, I think Ricki should get some kudos for showing some of that managerial nous that the knockers say he has not got.
  
• I'll begrudgingly admit that Totori was better than my expectation. I think when teams figure out that he has no physicality, they'll lump him off the ball early in the game ala Felipe and he'll lose his effectiveness. He was still guilty of some wrong options but I think there was more on the right side of the ledger than the negative. I suspect he will do a role reversal with Ifil which would be my preference.
• Terry McFlynn really is a sheet carnt.
  

We've assembled a decent team I think. We did to Sydney what the Wildcats did to the Breakers last night. Based on one game, this is either

1. an assured solid performance that we should genuinely have some optimism around for the season and the playoffs or
   
2. Sydney really were sheet carnts and should be worried if this is how they are going to play this year or
   
3. an anomaly of a game that nothing can really be taken from it.
   

Only time will tell that but I prefer to take the first option

Next week it'll be Basalaj for Paston, Rowe for Lochhead, Boxall for Sigmund, Lia for Bertos, Ifill for Totori and Boyd for Brockie. Thats not as bad as I thought it might be. Bring on the jam tards.