Rojas has now signed for Brisbane. Hoping he won't play against us, but has been training with them. Amazing signing for them but not sure if it will be enough to turn their season around In time
I'm surprised he didn't sign for Auckland and get loaned to the Roar. Also, shame he didn't come to us. Would be awesome to have Kosta and Marco in the same team, two of the best players in the history of the comp uniting for the first time at their home country club to take it to a maiden championship, would make a heck of an A-League insider episode, if they still made it.
We have Rufer and Payne out suspended. They get O'Shea and Jelacic back from suspension. Now add Rojas to that. With the probable temps and humidity. Can see a back 5 being rolled out by us again in this game.
I'm surprised he didn't sign for Auckland and get loaned to the Roar. Also, shame he didn't come to us. Would be awesome to have Kosta and Marco in the same team, two of the best players in the history of the comp uniting for the first time at their home country club to take it to a maiden championship, would make a heck of an A-League insider episode, if they still made it.
We have a settled front line that is scoring goals - at least either Kosta or Zawada can on a good day, with Kraev also getting one in from time to time. - Rojas was good in his day, but he is not a player we need on the park in our squad right now; I think it would be almost a distraction. Nice to have not a must. A new DM that can play RB, and was in a qualified WC squad: now, that is way more useful for us right now.
Back 5: Sutton, Kelly heald, wooton, surman, Al-Taay Midfield (2 or 3): Pennington, Old ( Kraev if 3) Forwards (2 or 3): Ball, Kosta (Kraev if 3) I think it’s unlikely Zawada is ready to start, but if he is, Zawada for Ball. Otherwise Zawada will come on between half time to 60 mins.
Last week, we had Al taay in midfield and Pennington as right back. However as Rufer is gone, I suspect Pennington moves back into midfield as he is the best anchor alongside Rufer and that will force al taay to full back.martinb
What’s our starting lineup likely to be with the suspensions etc?
Conchie will be hoping for some minutes - it might be one of the last times we see him on the bench this season with Salas in the team
Salas not available for this game. Will hopefully be ready for the Mariners game on Waitangi Day.
Shaun Gill was saying it could take 10-14 days for all paper work to be done (I think that interview is 1 or 2 days old now). Worst case scenario Salas not available for the next 3 games?
Sutton out. So change in plan to a back 4, with maybe OVH to start? Or does Hughes come in as CB to keep a back 3/5? Hughes & Surman have together alot incl at U20 WC.
Sounds like neither Zawada or Old are fit enough to start. Conchie in for Rufer. Looks more & more like a draw in this one will be a good result. Keep it tight & then try pinch a result when Oskar & Old come on in tandem about 60 mins in.
Temp high in Brissy tomorrow will be about 31 degrees, bit cooler by 6.45pm local time KO. Humid as.
Adding to coach Giancarlo Italiano’s selection headache, striker Oskar Zawada and Ben Old, who combined for the winning goal in last week’s 2-1 win over Newcastle Jets, will once again be limited to bench roles.
I needs some people to endorse me so I can start an new and positive topic about our amazing team. Please. I have been 'with' the team for dozen years - never missed a match btw
I think we should play this Paulsen Al-Taay - Wootton - Surman - LKH Conchie - Pennington - Ball Kraev - OVH - Kosta
Frontline is sorta interchangeable where you actually put them.
I like that. About as good as we could hope for in the starting XI given the circumstances.
Surprised Conchie hasn't even been getting minutes off the bench of late. Big ask for him to get the start tomorrow, but hopefully if given the chance, he grabs that opportunity with both hands. If he doesn't get the opportunity now, will he ever?
Part of me is still thinking we line up in a 5-3-2 though. Purely because of our propensity to shut up shop on the road to try and eek out a result. If that was to be the case, this is how I think we will line up. Paulsen - No brainer. Pennington to RB. Hughes in at CB alongside Wootton & Surman. LKH on the left. Al-Taay, Ball, Conchie as the three in midfield, who are in behind Kosta & Kraev up top to start with.
Pretty thin on defensive stocks on the bench if this is the way we go, but obviously we'll have Old and Zawada will come on at some point, and one would assume OVH too.
Interesting idea. I reckon Chiefy will be very tempted to stay with 3/5 at the back. Nix's road form has been impressive this season, equal to their form at home?
Why change the rope-a-dope away strategy, if it's working. Sucker punch of Zawada & Old's fresh legs in the 2nd half. Conchie you think will struggle to go much past 55 mins.
Yeah, nah. Cahn has been dealing with cancer recently so that is a bit on the nose by that person.
Really feel for Cahn, been talked about for ages & I think had the role pushed on him before he felt ready for it. Hopefully whatever has come up gets under control & he comes back on his own timetable.
Very interesting in light of Rojas' comments about Brisbane aligning with his values lol
His values statement is basically a crock! He may have grown up a lot since he was with us but from what I've seen/read his values are pretty much driven by what attention he can get for himself. I wouldn't be at all shocked if it was him and his Dad who came up with the "kiwi messi" moniker
Very interesting in light of Rojas' comments about Brisbane aligning with his values lol
His values statement is basically a crock! He may have grown up a lot since he was with us but from what I've seen/read his values are pretty much driven by what attention he can get for himself. I wouldn't be at all shocked if it was him and his Dad who came up with the "kiwi messi" moniker
absolutely clueless. nonsense comment of the year.
You obviously don't know Marco and how can you say his values are a crock. Boy is humble as they come and on his own journey. Comes from a great family and old man sure didn't create family nicknames.
Great for Marco, Great for All Whites, Great for fans that he's back in football. Marco at his best is a great watch. Time out of the game would've done him some good, refreshed, recharged and ready to go.
Very interesting in light of Rojas' comments about Brisbane aligning with his values lol
His values statement is basically a crock! He may have grown up a lot since he was with us but from what I've seen/read his values are pretty much driven by what attention he can get for himself. I wouldn't be at all shocked if it was him and his Dad who came up with the "kiwi messi" moniker
absolutely clueless. nonsense comment of the year.
You obviously don't know Marco and how can you say his values are a crock. Boy is humble as they come and on his own journey. Comes from a great family and old man sure didn't create family nicknames.
Great for Marco, Great for All Whites, Great for fans that he's back in football. Marco at his best is a great watch. Time out of the game would've done him some good, refreshed, recharged and ready to go.
Sure i don't know the guy personally, as you appear to. I'm only making a judgement on what I've read about him over the years. The word humble would not be one I'd use when describing him. Never said he wasnt great to watch (at his best) for the AW's particularly, having said that. he's been far from his best in recent years. I'd wager his best years were during his Vicotry years. If he can bring those to Roar for a few months after a long time of no footy then great. Will be interesting to see where he lands next season. But I'm sure you'll tell us cos you're the expert of course.
As for great family - you're talking about the family that thought their kid was better than the nix and needed to be playing more after being injured for almost an entire season so moved him to Aus cos the nix werent gonna give him more gametime? Yeah they sound just awesome.
Very interesting in light of Rojas' comments about Brisbane aligning with his values lol
His values statement is basically a crock! He may have grown up a lot since he was with us but from what I've seen/read his values are pretty much driven by what attention he can get for himself. I wouldn't be at all shocked if it was him and his Dad who came up with the "kiwi messi" moniker
absolutely clueless. nonsense comment of the year.
You obviously don't know Marco and how can you say his values are a crock. Boy is humble as they come and on his own journey. Comes from a great family and old man sure didn't create family nicknames.
Great for Marco, Great for All Whites, Great for fans that he's back in football. Marco at his best is a great watch. Time out of the game would've done him some good, refreshed, recharged and ready to go.
Sure i don't know the guy personally, as you appear to. I'm only making a judgement on what I've read about him over the years. The word humble would not be one I'd use when describing him. Never said he wasnt great to watch (at his best) for the AW's particularly, having said that. he's been far from his best in recent years. I'd wager his best years were during his Vicotry years. If he can bring those to Roar for a few months after a long time of no footy then great. Will be interesting to see where he lands next season. But I'm sure you'll tell us cos you're the expert of course.
As for great family - you're talking about the family that thought their kid was better than the nix and needed to be playing more after being injured for almost an entire season so moved him to Aus cos the nix werent gonna give him more gametime? Yeah they sound just awesome.
I mean, it was the right choice because he had his best years at Victory and won titles.
A very odd choice to assassinate the character of a very unproblematic person.
I think we all respect Marco as a player, and I only focus on that. So, lets hope he is rusty if he plays tonight. Tonight is a very tough test for our team, so I look forward to seeing how everyone steps up to cover for our missing players.
Squad is so thin I'm pretty worried, might be wishing I was out doing something else on a Saturday night rather than sitting at home watching this. Guessing we'll park the bus and try and counter, but without Old and Zawada available until late in the game we're going to be one dimensional.
Hope this is the game that OVH realises the form he's been growing into.
