WPM R12 vs Melbourne City | Fri 3rd Jan | 7:00pm | Sky Sport 3

Name one positive thing Retre did last night.

There is a reason he couldn't get off the bench in India.

Never seen a DM so afraid of making a tackle... just sat on our backline watching his opposites pass the ball around for fun.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEGWkw2KdH-/?igsh=dWNneThzOWtrMndu

This seems to be the solution.

Nixieboys222

Went last night like i do every Melbourne game and it was far the worst I’ve seen them play, and the standards set by previous Melbourne game was quite high.. to me playing at around the backline and sideways shows that the players don’t have the confidence and belief in the game plan, that is no way a coaching instruction.. I don’t think there is belief in whatever system the coaches are trying to implement and some of the younger players are being exposed badly..

 speaking of young players, I couldn’t believe how small some of our compare to City.. when some of the city young lads came on, like Schreiber and Memethi they looked like seasoned pros with their body, some of our guys like Walker, even Sutton who isn’t that young, Spruyk and van Hattum look like a year 9 kid in the first day of high school, the second goal came from Walker being easily outmuscled on the ball, and the reason we lose so many balls is because they lack that physical element to their game, I think that’s something the academy staff should look into..

I won’t add more then what people have already said, we are miles off it in almost every aspect of our game..

It's an interesting point about physicality. Definitely something I've noticed in footballers around the country, there seems to be almost no emphasis on the athletic side of football. A lot of coaching is spent drilling costs of passing and general skills but I don't think any of them are encouraged to hit the weights at all.

Players need to be physically strong. You don't see olympic track and feild athletes skimping on their power cleans or whatever weird variation of deadlift is in vogue at the moment I don't really know why NZ football seems to think fostering an unathletic culture will help long term. 

Look at the size or premier league players compared to most NZ footballers, the difference is night and day.

Look how much strength cacace put on since joining Empoli, it’s like a different body.. and made him a better player also 

Monto

Nixieboys222

Went last night like i do every Melbourne game and it was far the worst I’ve seen them play, and the standards set by previous Melbourne game was quite high.. to me playing at around the backline and sideways shows that the players don’t have the confidence and belief in the game plan, that is no way a coaching instruction.. I don’t think there is belief in whatever system the coaches are trying to implement and some of the younger players are being exposed badly..

 speaking of young players, I couldn’t believe how small some of our compare to City.. when some of the city young lads came on, like Schreiber and Memethi they looked like seasoned pros with their body, some of our guys like Walker, even Sutton who isn’t that young, Spruyk and van Hattum look like a year 9 kid in the first day of high school, the second goal came from Walker being easily outmuscled on the ball, and the reason we lose so many balls is because they lack that physical element to their game, I think that’s something the academy staff should look into..

I won’t add more then what people have already said, we are miles off it in almost every aspect of our game..

It's an interesting point about physicality. Definitely something I've noticed in footballers around the country, there seems to be almost no emphasis on the athletic side of football. A lot of coaching is spent drilling costs of passing and general skills but I don't think any of them are encouraged to hit the weights at all.

Players need to be physically strong. You don't see olympic track and feild athletes skimping on their power cleans or whatever weird variation of deadlift is in vogue at the moment I don't really know why NZ football seems to think fostering an unathletic culture will help long term. 

Look at the size or premier league players compared to most NZ footballers, the difference is night and day.

Interesting observation re physicality. I've noticed that too, a lot of our players are lightweight and skinny. Not hitting the weights room enough?

If David Ball is the answer, then we are asking the wrong question. His performance in the first game showed that. 

Ranix

Is it second season syndrome for chiefy. His tactics have been found out and are now easy to counter. Let the CBs have the ball and close down all the passing lanes in midfield. Then press on queue when we box ourselves in the corner.
Appears we don't have much of a plan B. 
This I guess is where we find out what chiefy is really made of as a coach. Can he change and adapt.

We haven’t got Old, Kraev or yesterday even Payne to drive us forward from the midfield. So we get stuck there.

InsulinMachine

Interesting observation re physicality. I've noticed that too, a lot of our players are lightweight and skinny. Not hitting the weights room enough?

From conversations with a lot of the first team lads at my local club there just seems to be no desire to gain any size or lift any weights. Now I'm aware that TKFC is a long way away from pro football but it seems to be a culture that starts fairly young.

Perhaps there's a mental association here or weights=rugby and some of them don't want to be associated with that? Or maybe theve just never been taught about the necessity of it in the modern game?

It hurts me a little inside as someone who's very into competing in sports and always does my s&c lol. 

I think one of the biggest factors is this is looking like the first season since Talay took over where our imports are a miss. The Japanese boys are just not cut out for the physicality of the A-League which is probably why we haven't seen many Asian players in the league and excelled too, Oluwayemi is a decent keeper but not an upgrade on Paulsen and not much of one over Duncan how he's been going so thats a wasted spot and then we have Ball who doesn't play.
You need at least two visa's carrying the team and another couple to be solid enough to do well in this league.

Agree with the calls for some better hold up play from our forwards. I mean think about it - who upfront is versed in hold up play at the moment? Barba - he is literally it - and Barba's strengths lie elsewhere.

Without Rufer we were so exposed by this yesterday - no one could hold the ball. Since last season we've lost Zawada (best in the league at hold up play), Ball (solid at hold up play), Kraev (excellent at hold up play - often won fouls), Old (who could wriggle out of almost any situation and win fouls) and not to mention Pennington who was not always liked on this sub.

We've replaced those players with Rojas - who is injured most of the time exposing our juniors who have limited physicality. Nagasawa - who i dislike more and more, I'm honestly starting to think he is worse than Sasse. Nagasawa always loses the ball, its incredible how bad he has been. Retre - who has shown very little chops for hold up play and has overall been below average. Ishige - who I like but is the worst at hold up play simply because of his stature.

With Rufer out now for 4 weeks where is our ball security coming from? I think ball security in any gameplan is a must so I'm not sure where we go from here? I think Chiefy has been forced to fall back on the safer style of play we had last year but the players just are not up to it. Agree Chiefy should change something up but what system could suit these players? 

More pain to come lads. If we try play more attacking football against Adelaide we'll be beat by 4 goals or more. Least it will be a better watch...

What happened in the first game?  I don't even remember him playing at all this season. 

kwlap

If David Ball is the answer, then we are asking the wrong question. His performance in the first game showed that. 

Procrastinixing

What happened in the first game?  I don't even remember him playing at all this season. 

kwlap

If David Ball is the answer, then we are asking the wrong question. His performance in the first game showed that. 

Ball came on as a sub in a 1-1 home draw against western united and the for some reason didnt travel to Perth - being replaced by that lump Piper.

Boys against men. In the games i have seen live its been quite obvious that our two Japanese players are really struggling with the robust physical nature of the A league. Nagasawa in particular looks shell shocked.

oh dear, I completely forgot about that.  Did he give away the ball for WU to score? 

theprof

Procrastinixing

What happened in the first game?  I don't even remember him playing at all this season. 

kwlap

If David Ball is the answer, then we are asking the wrong question. His performance in the first game showed that. 

Ball came on as a sub in a 1-1 home draw against western united and the for some reason didnt travel to Perth - being replaced by that lump Piper.

 

theprof

Procrastinixing

What happened in the first game?  I don't even remember him playing at all this season. 

kwlap

If David Ball is the answer, then we are asking the wrong question. His performance in the first game showed that. 

Ball came on as a sub in a 1-1 home draw against western united and the for some reason didnt travel to Perth - being replaced by that lump Piper.

In fairness, he didn’t look up to speed up front, and I had the fear for him. But right now, we need someone to stand up and there is no reason why he couldn’t do a job in mid. This persistence on an unknown and complicated system has to stop. It’s not working. 

A couple of people now have said Rufer is out for 4 weeks, where'd that come from? 

WanderingSheep

theprof

Procrastinixing

What happened in the first game?  I don't even remember him playing at all this season. 

kwlap

If David Ball is the answer, then we are asking the wrong question. His performance in the first game showed that. 

Ball came on as a sub in a 1-1 home draw against western united and the for some reason didnt travel to Perth - being replaced by that lump Piper.

In fairness, he didn’t look up to speed up front, and I had the fear for him. But right now, we need someone to stand up and there is no reason why he couldn’t do a job in mid. This persistence on an unknown and complicated system has to stop. It’s not working. 

Bit rough writing off someone who came on for limited minutes in the 1st game of the season. Yep he may not be the answer but given whats happening surely you give him a decent crack at it.

imanixsupporter

A couple of people now have said Rufer is out for 4 weeks, where'd that come from? 

Cant recall but he has glandular fever so not going to be a quick fix. Im always optimistic but not this time think we are done. We were told it would be 5/6 weeks and they would be firing just looks like the boys are confused and Chief dosnt have an answer.

ballane

WanderingSheep

theprof

Procrastinixing

What happened in the first game?  I don't even remember him playing at all this season. 

kwlap

If David Ball is the answer, then we are asking the wrong question. His performance in the first game showed that. 

Ball came on as a sub in a 1-1 home draw against western united and the for some reason didnt travel to Perth - being replaced by that lump Piper.

In fairness, he didn’t look up to speed up front, and I had the fear for him. But right now, we need someone to stand up and there is no reason why he couldn’t do a job in mid. This persistence on an unknown and complicated system has to stop. It’s not working. 

Bit rough writing off someone who came on for limited minutes in the 1st game of the season. Yep he may not be the answer but given whats happening surely you give him a decent crack at it.

I’m with you. I absolutely think he should be given a go. 

Chiefy did indeed say 2-4 weeks for Rufer, hopefully it is on the earlier side of that. But since Rojas is likely out until at least Round 17 and we have just had Round 11 then we will be missing him for another 5 games minimum. If there was ever a time for a January signing it's this season. Come on Welnix help us out 

kwlap

If David Ball is the answer, then we are asking the wrong question. His performance in the first game showed that. 

 
Sadly true. I’ve criticised Chief for not making use of all his resources, but I was thinking more of a holding onto a game we were winning type scenario. 
But he would surely been better than one leg Payne or the rest of our shy midfield at advancing the ball in this game.

I can’t believe that some people here ask for bulkier players! 99% of football is passing the ball around before anyone comes close to touch you, it is awareness and positioning and technique with the ball. I’m pretty sure all our players are strong, but not they don’t need the big kind of heavy muscles. They have lean muscles. I’m also pretty sure you can pump up muscles in a few months with the right workout and diet, but learn to being good in football takes like 10 years. The only players who actually beat a player in one in one situation is Sutton and Brook-Smith.
I think our issue is the coache team because non of the playing guys, except a few more seniors, don’t play to their potential. They literally can’t play a single vertical pass, it’s all in their head.

number8

I can’t believe that some people here ask for bulkier players! 99% of football is passing the ball around before anyone comes close to touch you, it is awareness and positioning and technique with the ball. I’m pretty sure all our players are strong, but not they don’t need the big kind of heavy muscles. They have lean muscles. I’m also pretty sure you can pump up muscles in a few months with the right workout and diet, but learn to being good in football takes like 10 years. The only players who actually beat a player in one in one situation is Sutton and Brook-Smith.
I think our issue is the coache team because non of the playing guys, except a few more seniors, don’t play to their potential. They literally can’t play a single vertical pass, it’s all in their head.

Have you seen the size of our lads vs top pros? It's night and day.

This isn't an either or situation either, out players could be more muscular, more athletic and still be just as technical. Again, the existence of the elite pros proves this.

No one is suggesting that the reason things aren't working is because of the physical aspect though it may have some baring. Just look at our midfield.

Coach does need to work a lot better with what he's got however, I totally agree that the issues are more there rather than if Sutton has solid enough quadricep development.

It wasn't ideal that Wooton looked confused as fudge about the mote he had to read either.

number8

I can’t believe that some people here ask for bulkier players! 99% of football is passing the ball around before anyone comes close to touch you, it is awareness and positioning and technique with the ball. I’m pretty sure all our players are strong, but not they don’t need the big kind of heavy muscles. They have lean muscles. I’m also pretty sure you can pump up muscles in a few months with the right workout and diet, but learn to being good in football takes like 10 years. The only players who actually beat a player in one in one situation is Sutton and Brook-Smith.
I think our issue is the coache team because non of the playing guys, except a few more seniors, don’t play to their potential. They literally can’t play a single vertical pass, it’s all in their head.

"99% of football is passing the ball around..."
...and we can't even do that at the moment.

David Ball is not the answer.

I’m still kinda buzzed. 

1) I thought our collapse after last season’s high was going to happen waay earlier. 
2) I’m still buzzed from yesterday’s New Year party.
3) Hughes came back after his misfortunes and played a damn solid game, which despite the flaws we have speaks to a strong team culture and a fantastic mentality for a young player. 
4) Welnix and Chiefy can’t ignore this window now. Last year we could cost cut because of a few planets aligning. Those factors don’t exist now. 
5) Sutton was great despite Payne’s injury and all else. Payne was good despite his injury!
6) We didn’t give up after the first goal, which again despite injuries, lack of squad depth, weaker players than last season shows a good mentality. We Mark Richardsoned the crap out of it. (Unfortunately Richardson had 8 or 9 attacking players around him! Missing part 2 of the Richardson approach- blunt and maraude!)
7) Brooke-Smith, if managed correctly, is guna be great to watch develop. 
8) Who’s Rufs been kissing? Glandular fever is known as ‘the kissing disease.’ It is a real irritating one. 
9) We’re never that good in Melbourne anyway. 
10) Yellow is a great colour. 
11) Phoenix till I die. We’ve made a few marginal decisions and got injuries. We’ll sort it. The boys need our support and Chief needs to chill and get in a midfielder/goal scorer x 2. 
12) Imagine losing your first game 4-0 and booing the ref. Stay classy Yellow Fever. Happy New Year! 

Monto

number8

I can’t believe that some people here ask for bulkier players! 99% of football is passing the ball around before anyone comes close to touch you, it is awareness and positioning and technique with the ball. I’m pretty sure all our players are strong, but not they don’t need the big kind of heavy muscles. They have lean muscles. I’m also pretty sure you can pump up muscles in a few months with the right workout and diet, but learn to being good in football takes like 10 years. The only players who actually beat a player in one in one situation is Sutton and Brook-Smith.
I think our issue is the coache team because non of the playing guys, except a few more seniors, don’t play to their potential. They literally can’t play a single vertical pass, it’s all in their head.

Have you seen the size of our lads vs top pros? It's night and day.

This isn't an either or situation either, out players could be more muscular, more athletic and still be just as technical. Again, the existence of the elite pros proves this.

No one is suggesting that the reason things aren't working is because of the physical aspect though it may have some baring. Just look at our midfield.

Coach does need to work a lot better with what he's got however, I totally agree that the issues are more there rather than if Sutton has solid enough quadricep development.

Akinfwnwa anyone?
Make your mind up girls.
Wasn’t that long ago you were all saying Singh was the answer to all prayers.  The lad would have to be tied down on a windy day in Wellington if it wasn’t an enclosed stadium.
Newcastle’s Gordon weighs less than my daughter, Lingaard less than my left nut.

martinb

I’m still kinda buzzed. 

1) I thought our collapse after last season’s high was going to happen waay earlier. 
2) I’m still buzzed from yesterday’s New Year party.
3) Hughes came back after his misfortunes and played a damn solid game, which despite the flaws we have speaks to a strong team culture and a fantastic mentality for a young player. 
4) Welnix and Chiefy can’t ignore this window now. Last year we could cost cut because of a few planets aligning. Those factors don’t exist now. 
5) Sutton was great despite Payne’s injury and all else. Payne was good despite his injury!
6) We didn’t give up after the first goal, which again despite injuries, lack of squad depth, weaker players than last season shows a good mentality. We Mark Richardsoned the crap out of it. (Unfortunately Richardson had 8 or 9 attacking players around him! Missing part 2 of the Richardson approach- blunt and maraude!)
7) Brooke-Smith, if managed correctly, is guna be great to watch develop. 
8) Who’s Rufs been kissing? Glandular fever is known as ‘the kissing disease.’ It is a real irritating one. 
9) We’re never that good in Melbourne anyway. 
10) Yellow is a great colour. 
11) Phoenix till I die. We’ve made a few marginal decisions and got injuries. We’ll sort it. The boys need our support and Chief needs to chill and get in a midfielder/goal scorer x 2. 
12) Imagine losing your first game 4-0 and booing the ref. Stay classy Yellow Fever. Happy New Year! 

We lost to City's under 12s with the third oldest team in the league, our squad is never an excuse.

ClubOranje

Monto

number8

I can’t believe that some people here ask for bulkier players! 99% of football is passing the ball around before anyone comes close to touch you, it is awareness and positioning and technique with the ball. I’m pretty sure all our players are strong, but not they don’t need the big kind of heavy muscles. They have lean muscles. I’m also pretty sure you can pump up muscles in a few months with the right workout and diet, but learn to being good in football takes like 10 years. The only players who actually beat a player in one in one situation is Sutton and Brook-Smith.
I think our issue is the coache team because non of the playing guys, except a few more seniors, don’t play to their potential. They literally can’t play a single vertical pass, it’s all in their head.

Have you seen the size of our lads vs top pros? It's night and day.

This isn't an either or situation either, out players could be more muscular, more athletic and still be just as technical. Again, the existence of the elite pros proves this.

No one is suggesting that the reason things aren't working is because of the physical aspect though it may have some baring. Just look at our midfield.

Coach does need to work a lot better with what he's got however, I totally agree that the issues are more there rather than if Sutton has solid enough quadricep development.

Akinfwnwa anyone?
Make your mind up girls.
Wasn’t that long ago you were all saying Singh was the answer to all prayers.  The lad would have to be tied down on a windy day in Wellington if it wasn’t an enclosed stadium.
Newcastle’s Gordon weighs less than my daughter, Lingaard less than my left nut.

Are you really denying the possibility that a more robust emphasis on strength and conditioning might lead to more athletic outcomes for players? Cause that's a weird hill to die on.

Sutton was rubbish I am not sure what you’re saying.. he either passes back, or if he goes forward he falls over easily and loses the ball.. he has not developed to the player we all hoped he would… They lost Kuen within 15 minutes, and had 6 teenagers on the field.. Kuen had more touches in those 15 minutes then Kosta had all game…

martinb

I’m still kinda buzzed. 

1) I thought our collapse after last season’s high was going to happen waay earlier. 
2) I’m still buzzed from yesterday’s New Year party.
3) Hughes came back after his misfortunes and played a damn solid game, which despite the flaws we have speaks to a strong team culture and a fantastic mentality for a young player. 
4) Welnix and Chiefy can’t ignore this window now. Last year we could cost cut because of a few planets aligning. Those factors don’t exist now. 
5) Sutton was great despite Payne’s injury and all else. Payne was good despite his injury!
6) We didn’t give up after the first goal, which again despite injuries, lack of squad depth, weaker players than last season shows a good mentality. We Mark Richardsoned the crap out of it. (Unfortunately Richardson had 8 or 9 attacking players around him! Missing part 2 of the Richardson approach- blunt and maraude!)
7) Brooke-Smith, if managed correctly, is guna be great to watch develop. 
8) Who’s Rufs been kissing? Glandular fever is known as ‘the kissing disease.’ It is a real irritating one. 
9) We’re never that good in Melbourne anyway. 
10) Yellow is a great colour. 
11) Phoenix till I die. We’ve made a few marginal decisions and got injuries. We’ll sort it. The boys need our support and Chief needs to chill and get in a midfielder/goal scorer x 2. 
12) Imagine losing your first game 4-0 and booing the ref. Stay classy Yellow Fever. Happy New Year! 

Monto

ClubOranje

Monto

number8

I can’t believe that some people here ask for bulkier players! 99% of football is passing the ball around before anyone comes close to touch you, it is awareness and positioning and technique with the ball. I’m pretty sure all our players are strong, but not they don’t need the big kind of heavy muscles. They have lean muscles. I’m also pretty sure you can pump up muscles in a few months with the right workout and diet, but learn to being good in football takes like 10 years. The only players who actually beat a player in one in one situation is Sutton and Brook-Smith.
I think our issue is the coache team because non of the playing guys, except a few more seniors, don’t play to their potential. They literally can’t play a single vertical pass, it’s all in their head.

Have you seen the size of our lads vs top pros? It's night and day.

This isn't an either or situation either, out players could be more muscular, more athletic and still be just as technical. Again, the existence of the elite pros proves this.

No one is suggesting that the reason things aren't working is because of the physical aspect though it may have some baring. Just look at our midfield.

Coach does need to work a lot better with what he's got however, I totally agree that the issues are more there rather than if Sutton has solid enough quadricep development.

Akinfwnwa anyone?
Make your mind up girls.
Wasn’t that long ago you were all saying Singh was the answer to all prayers.  The lad would have to be tied down on a windy day in Wellington if it wasn’t an enclosed stadium.
Newcastle’s Gordon weighs less than my daughter, Lingaard less than my left nut.

Are you really denying the possibility that a more robust emphasis on strength and conditioning might lead to more athletic outcomes for players? Cause that's a weird hill to die on.

I’m not the one calling for Piper to play every week if that’s what you mean.
It’s not how big, it’s how you use it. 
But no, wouldn’t want a squad of 20 Singhs in any side.

Monto

number8

I can’t believe that some people here ask for bulkier players! 99% of football is passing the ball around before anyone comes close to touch you, it is awareness and positioning and technique with the ball. I’m pretty sure all our players are strong, but not they don’t need the big kind of heavy muscles. They have lean muscles. I’m also pretty sure you can pump up muscles in a few months with the right workout and diet, but learn to being good in football takes like 10 years. The only players who actually beat a player in one in one situation is Sutton and Brook-Smith.
I think our issue is the coache team because non of the playing guys, except a few more seniors, don’t play to their potential. They literally can’t play a single vertical pass, it’s all in their head.

Have you seen the size of our lads vs top pros? It's night and day.

This isn't an either or situation either, out players could be more muscular, more athletic and still be just as technical. Again, the existence of the elite pros proves this.

No one is suggesting that the reason things aren't working is because of the physical aspect though it may have some baring. Just look at our midfield.

Coach does need to work a lot better with what he's got however, I totally agree that the issues are more there rather than if Sutton has solid enough quadricep development.

 
I asked the internet…our average height is in the ball park. So we do not a have a particular small group of players.
Payne is just 1.79 and 73kg, I would not say he is weak or easy to get tackled off the ball. He’s also our fastest player.
Yes, I watch some top pros, they play one touch football and every pass is precise and perfectly weighted. Our guys are respectable football but not top pros like they have in top European clubs.

theaucklandphoenixfan

iirc at the start of the season Chiefy was harping on that we were going to be playing exciting football and be the best team in the league to watch.
WTF has happened to that?
He kept saying round 7 it’ll be together and it hasn’t.

Maybe his 3 month free subscription expired and he only got as far as season 2 episode 6.

I don't think any of the Nix side are weenies. Our defenders win almost every single aerial duel in our box, and we have far more than our fair share of those as a team. Our players are not bullied off the ball in possession due to strength, if anything it is a lack of quick movement, technical ability & footballing intelligence as we are passing out while the other team's relentless press is forcing us into mistakes. Putting on more muscle mass won't help in that equation, it'd just slow us down. A team of Corban Pipers won't help us. Though I think Corban should be played as a 9 if anywhere, could do with a physical presence there, though we all know Chiefy doesn't believe in having a big strong 9 from all his comments about Zawada. 

All things being equal, sure being a bit stronger helps in football, but it is not our biggest problem. 

Ninja

David Ball is not the answer.

I dont think even his most ardent fans are saying he is the answer. But what we are saying is sure as hell cant be any worse than what we have seen so far. Also dam sure he would be great help to some of the young guys  late in a game no matter if we are trying to hold on or chase the game.

We need to do some shopping this window. Matthew Garbett's been given the chop from NAC Breda. Wonder if we could sell him on getting out of a cold and potentially clubless European winter and come home to Un-Zud for a 6 month sint to bolster our midfield and score some goals? Although don't know about Wellington but so far summer down here in Christchurch has been akin to a European winter 

Nixieboys222

Sutton was rubbish I am not sure what you’re saying.. he either passes back, or if he goes forward he falls over easily and loses the ball.. he has not developed to the player we all hoped he would… They lost Kuen within 15 minutes, and had 6 teenagers on the field.. Kuen had more touches in those 15 minutes then Kosta had all game…

martinb

I’m still kinda buzzed. 

1) I thought our collapse after last season’s high was going to happen waay earlier. 
2) I’m still buzzed from yesterday’s New Year party.
3) Hughes came back after his misfortunes and played a damn solid game, which despite the flaws we have speaks to a strong team culture and a fantastic mentality for a young player. 
4) Welnix and Chiefy can’t ignore this window now. Last year we could cost cut because of a few planets aligning. Those factors don’t exist now. 
5) Sutton was great despite Payne’s injury and all else. Payne was good despite his injury!
6) We didn’t give up after the first goal, which again despite injuries, lack of squad depth, weaker players than last season shows a good mentality. We Mark Richardsoned the crap out of it. (Unfortunately Richardson had 8 or 9 attacking players around him! Missing part 2 of the Richardson approach- blunt and maraude!)
7) Brooke-Smith, if managed correctly, is guna be great to watch develop. 
8) Who’s Rufs been kissing? Glandular fever is known as ‘the kissing disease.’ It is a real irritating one. 
9) We’re never that good in Melbourne anyway. 
10) Yellow is a great colour. 
11) Phoenix till I die. We’ve made a few marginal decisions and got injuries. We’ll sort it. The boys need our support and Chief needs to chill and get in a midfielder/goal scorer x 2. 
12) Imagine losing your first game 4-0 and booing the ref. Stay classy Yellow Fever. Happy New Year! 

Jesus Christ. So previously he could have passed to Old, Kraev, Ball, Colakovski, Kosta, Zawada, Pennington, Rufer…
This game he had sod all options ahead of him, so several times was able to go himself. He was the only player on the park apart from Kosta beating a player and dribbling forward. With this thanks (you’re rubbish mate!) from the Fever blaming him for the 3 players calling for the ball behind him…

ballane

Ninja

David Ball is not the answer.

I dont think even his most ardent fans are saying he is the answer. But what we are saying is sure as hell cant be any worse than what we have seen so far. Also dam sure he would be great help to some of the young guys  late in a game no matter if we are trying to hold on or chase the game.

 
Especially with what was clearly plan b- Colakovski-fast and direct- out with a long term injury.