Too lazy to go and do all player ratings, but overall the team performance had to be an outstanding 8.5/10, maybe even creeping up towards a 9 for some aspects. Especially the defensive effort and the anchors/endeavours of Rufer/Lewis in midfield.
Only points lost for me would be in the final third. And no, I'm not undermining our work last night at the top end, but more the fact it came down to the game situation overall;
•Victory being the quality side they are (despite starting Rojas, Brimmer, D'Agostino from the bench).
•The technical/tactical battle for the match overall, which didn't really allow chance after chance at either end, but was overall played more like a good game of chess - picking up on opponents mistakes and making them count. Which we did.
•Both sides were on short turnarounds, more so for us, having played on the Sunday. It was hardly going to be end to end open/manic football.
Overall I think the chances were very even, there was not much separating either side in that regard, and Rojas will definitely be kicking himself for that effort Sail deflected behind. But I feel, especially in that first half we tried to play that one final ball that wouldn't quite come off. Even though we retained a lot of control & tempo on the ball. Compare this to the second half, where we mixed up our passing (a range of short/direct/cross field) and although that didn't always come off I think that bit of variety worked for us at the end of the day. We became more unpredictable and that's where we caused them issues as it freed up more space between the lines for Piscopo/Ball/Sandoval to move in between, which in turn gave us the option to go wide when we got into those pockets having dragged defenders from their positions. Victory (with the 42% possession they did have) tried to pass their way through us right till the death and overall it worked to very little effect. We were very well set up for there style of play.
Maybe some will say I'm harsh, maybe some will see it how I saw it. Overall was a very good game of football, a great battle. And yes I was yelling at the TV when we scored, much to the chagrin of my sleepy girlfriend. 🤭😆
Technically and tactically outplayed them, we wanted it more. A lot of people saying it was a Victory hangover. That's just being disingenuous to our boys and the shifts they all put in last night. Moneybags Melbourne v Empty stadium, home team Nix, who'd have thought we'd be the ones controlling the game?
Top performance from back to front, everyone put in a shift and a half on that one. Very pleasing to see on such a tight turnaround.
May the mid season unbeaten streak continue!
