about 1 year ago· edited about 1 year ago· History
LT01
Fenix
I won't entertain any criticism of any of our players for tonight's performance.
It was a simply massive shift by all of them, very proud indeed of the way they stood up and went about it.
Bloody marvelous.
We're all elated about somehow winning this game but let's not paper over the cracks.
We just won on the road against a top 6 side, we were the better side second half with a team absolutely gutted by injury and packed with academy players.
That wasnt papering over the cracks, that was a big fudge you to those writing us off prematurely (Andy Harper mostly)
There was a play where Piper failed to even touch the ball inside our own penalty box. He's like a cone when it comes to defending, sorry.
FFS he isnt the only reason things arnt looking good but for some the lad cops way more than his share of shark. Has done some good things but no mention from any body about that. LKH has given them a revolving door but buggar all said about that. ( sorry spotted some after i had posted) Still think Piper cops more than he deserves.
Piper is 22, that warrants less leeway tbh
Rubbish he is new to this level Walkers touch is just as bad. We have had late developers before in fact some of them have been useful at least give him a fair go.
The good thing about shark nix is I can go to bed at half time and sleep like a baby. Good nix teams over the last few years would have had me up till 11 and my heart racing too much to sleep after.
I won't entertain any criticism of any of our players for tonight's performance.
It was a simply massive shift by all of them, very proud indeed of the way they stood up and went about it.
Bloody marvelous.
We're all elated about somehow winning this game but let's not paper over the cracks.
We just won on the road against a top 6 side, we were the better side second half with a team absolutely gutted by injury and packed with academy players.
That wasnt papering over the cracks, that was a big fudge you to those writing us off prematurely (Andy Harper mostly)
We were all despairing prior to the two goals, and they still had a heap of chances. 66% possession and 19 shots to 6 in the second half illustrates that.
Bloody huge win for regaining our confidence and getting us within achieveable range of top 6 but like I said let's not get carried away and let the final result paper over many of the cracks in our performance.
Conchie to start on Saturday, we looked so much better when he came on.
Also, probably Nagasawa's best game in a Phoenix jersey so far.
Both the high press and Conchie on in the mid will be interesting strategies now the opposition has a bit more time to prepare against them.
Let’s be honest did we create that much more in the second half? Just enough I guess.
lol- Ishige only does the spectacular, so we just need a few folks doing a bit of bread and butter in between!
Actually, I didn’t say before but I asked my soccer rellies here about Nagasawa and Ishige and they didn’t know who they were. I think tho they are more of the playing soccer, casual Kawasaki and Real Madrid fans and not so much fans in the sense some who know all the players are. Didn’t want to say while all the criticism was flooding!
(Met some lads who knew Cacace cos they had encyclopedic knowledge of every Japanese player overseas a year or two ago. Plus he’d been at the Olympics.)
Anyway thanks lads! 4 out of the six with a game in hand. Get to it.
about 1 year ago· edited about 1 year ago· History
LT01
Nelfoos
LT01
Fenix
I won't entertain any criticism of any of our players for tonight's performance.
It was a simply massive shift by all of them, very proud indeed of the way they stood up and went about it.
Bloody marvelous.
We're all elated about somehow winning this game but let's not paper over the cracks.
We just won on the road against a top 6 side, we were the better side second half with a team absolutely gutted by injury and packed with academy players.
That wasnt papering over the cracks, that was a big fudge you to those writing us off prematurely (Andy Harper mostly)
We were all despairing prior to the two goals, and they still had a heap of chances. 66% possession and 19 shots to 6 in the second half illustrates that.
Bloody huge win for regaining our confidence and getting us within achieveable range of top 6 but like I said let's not get carried away and let the final result paper over many of the cracks in our performance.
19 shots, but how many actual chances? 1 or 2? When we're controlling the game without the ball, like that second half, we don't mind the other team having possession.
Did you watch us last season at all? That second half was straight from last year. 3 games in a row we've taken strides in the right direction. Get a few players back available and we'll be a lot better for this run.
I thought we where pretty shark and just woke up the last 25 minutes to finish the job. McArthur should have destroyed us in the 1st half. I’ll take the win and agree with everyone that Brattan is very unlikeable brick.
I won't entertain any criticism of any of our players for tonight's performance.
It was a simply massive shift by all of them, very proud indeed of the way they stood up and went about it.
Bloody marvelous.
We're all elated about somehow winning this game but let's not paper over the cracks.
We just won on the road against a top 6 side, we were the better side second half with a team absolutely gutted by injury and packed with academy players.
That wasnt papering over the cracks, that was a big fudge you to those writing us off prematurely (Andy Harper mostly)
We were all despairing prior to the two goals, and they still had a heap of chances. 66% possession and 19 shots to 6 in the second half illustrates that.
Bloody huge win for regaining our confidence and getting us within achieveable range of top 6 but like I said let's not get carried away and let the final result paper over many of the cracks in our performance.
19 shots, but how many actual chances? 1 or 2? When we're controlling the game without the ball, like that second half, we don't mind the other team having possession.
Did you watch us last season at all? That second half was straight from last year. 3 games in a row we've taken strides in the right direction. Get a few players back available and we'll be a lot better for this run.
I watched nearly every game thanks - and yes there were definitely times when it was hairy and overall as a team we defied numbers like shots and expected goals.
But today wasn't much like that, we certainly didn't control the game without the ball in the way we did last season - frankly we have Alby Kelly-Heald who was absolutely bloody awesome to thank for us only being 1-0 down, then a couple of moments of magic and hey we're in the lead.
God I don't want to sound like a negative nelly because I'm elated we won and it is a huge win for confidence and hopefully turning momentum but I hope behind the scenes they are more focussed on the things they didn't do well than some of the people getting carried away on here.
Piper as a RB ❌ Piper in any duel/aerial contest 😍
He's very very good in the air. A constant go to down that right flank to beat the press. Big reason Chiefy keeps picking him.
And I didn’t notice him at all in the second half= defending right. No air swings, diving in, no getting burned for pace or failing to shepherd his player, no majorly under hit passes…Maybe he’s a RB when he’s got some energetic midfield screening going on.
Must have been in sync with his teammates.
Maybe it helped he was on the other side to the camera!
Definitely ‘a targetman’ for that big switch, even though it didn’t lead to a goal for us, it’s another threat or way to play.
It weirds me out that if someone is clumsy and clips a player it’s a foul, but if they’re clumsy or second best in the air and full on headbut someone that’s a drop ball! I get the logic and it’s hard to determine fault, but still…one is clearly much much more dangerous!
What was the formation when Conchie came on? Was he playing box to box? Seemed like at times there were 3 in the forward press?
about 1 year ago· edited about 1 year ago· History
Yeah it he was a very heavy head butt on Piper. Was worried him (and later Hughes) would be potential concussion stand downs. Last thing this wafer thin squad needs.
Piper had a quietest 2nd half, but again AKH often goes long and wide to him when there is no visible playing out on the deck option. And Corban will mostly win the knock down header, giving the Nix a chance to win possession beyond the press.
Conchie, Piper, Hughes, Sheridan, Walker, the Kelly-Healds, Supyk and LBS are all only 1st-2nd year professional players. Add in GSR. Like Old, Surman & Paulsen they need to be given more time to really shine.
Then as Chiefy said your imports are usually better in their 2nd ALM season, as they adjust to the league. Reasons to be really optimistic about next season, without of course writing off campaign 2024/25 just yet.
Edit - the last 3 games give hope the team will remain in the playoff fight deep into the season.
I won't entertain any criticism of any of our players for tonight's performance.
It was a simply massive shift by all of them, very proud indeed of the way they stood up and went about it.
Bloody marvelous.
We're all elated about somehow winning this game but let's not paper over the cracks.
We just won on the road against a top 6 side, we were the better side second half with a team absolutely gutted by injury and packed with academy players.
That wasnt papering over the cracks, that was a big fudge you to those writing us off prematurely (Andy Harper mostly)
We were all despairing prior to the two goals, and they still had a heap of chances. 66% possession and 19 shots to 6 in the second half illustrates that.
Bloody huge win for regaining our confidence and getting us within achieveable range of top 6 but like I said let's not get carried away and let the final result paper over many of the cracks in our performance.
Felt like on another day we lose that one 5-2. Macarthur had absolutely woeful finishing.
I but hey, a win is a win and at this point, with a squad clearly lacking in quality, I'll take it.
about 1 year ago· edited about 1 year ago· History
LT01
Nelfoos
LT01
Nelfoos
LT01
Fenix
I won't entertain any criticism of any of our players for tonight's performance.
It was a simply massive shift by all of them, very proud indeed of the way they stood up and went about it.
Bloody marvelous.
We're all elated about somehow winning this game but let's not paper over the cracks.
We just won on the road against a top 6 side, we were the better side second half with a team absolutely gutted by injury and packed with academy players.
That wasnt papering over the cracks, that was a big fudge you to those writing us off prematurely (Andy Harper mostly)
We were all despairing prior to the two goals, and they still had a heap of chances. 66% possession and 19 shots to 6 in the second half illustrates that.
Bloody huge win for regaining our confidence and getting us within achieveable range of top 6 but like I said let's not get carried away and let the final result paper over many of the cracks in our performance.
19 shots, but how many actual chances? 1 or 2? When we're controlling the game without the ball, like that second half, we don't mind the other team having possession.
Did you watch us last season at all? That second half was straight from last year. 3 games in a row we've taken strides in the right direction. Get a few players back available and we'll be a lot better for this run.
I watched nearly every game thanks - and yes there were definitely times when it was hairy and overall as a team we defied numbers like shots and expected goals.
But today wasn't much like that, we certainly didn't control the game without the ball in the way we did last season - frankly we have Alby Kelly-Heald who was absolutely bloody awesome to thank for us only being 1-0 down, then a couple of moments of magic and hey we're in the lead.
God I don't want to sound like a negative nelly because I'm elated we won and it is a huge win for confidence and hopefully turning momentum but I hope behind the scenes they are more focussed on the things they didn't do well than some of the people getting carried away on here.
I haven't seen anyone suggest thay they shouldn't be focused on continuing to improve, thats a very different thing to being happy with a second half of football.
Having the GK to thank, along with every other player on this pitch, is no different to last years performances. Limit the opposition to low xG chances, and take high xG chances ourselves. The second half tonight was that blueprint. You'll notice I haven't said shark about the first half lol.
There's plenty of work ons, I just don't see the need to focus on them when this place has been unjustifiably (imo) miserable the last few weeks. Just seems a glass half empty approach to call it "papering over cracks" instead of "putting together our best 45 minutes since this horror run of injuries started".
Maybe I'm optimistic, but i don't think we've been anywhere near as bad as this forum has made out, with the exception of the WSW and City games. 4 points outside the 6 despite our worst run since Kalezic (or maybe that last run under Talay) and people are calling for Chiefy to be taken out back and put out of his misery - I mean come on.
A wins a win right? I'll take it cos it never looked like being a thing last night until it was. We never really looked like we wanted to score and certainly MacArthur didnt look like they wanted to put us to the sword - we are lucky Alby had a good night and their shooters were horrid.
So we are 4 points of the 6 (yay) - almost half way into the season.. Our squad is at the bare bones of being a squad, injuries and just short 2/3 potential starters.
I'm still not convinced about Retre's ability to control the midfield, even though Harper was going on about he was our best on the field. Retre's poor defence was the reason they had space in the centre of the field for their goal. His lack of effort to track back gave them so much space. Defensively we were so passive. When we pressed high we caused massive issues and that led to mistakes, but in our own defensive half we literally just stood and watched. Conchie coming on at the half made a massive difference. Supyk clearly needs more time to develop. Stoked for Kosta to get his 100th goal. Happy with the win. Alby looks to be the keeper for the rest of the season and beyond. Now we just have to wait and hope that Chiefy has some replacement players on the way in.
I think papering over the cracks may be a harsh way at looking at it imo. If this was in isolation, then fair enough, but we’ve seen a shift in mentality over the last 3 games, Sydney being the key one and I am hopeful, is the basis for us going forward. I’m hoping to catch some extended highlights somewhere as the normal ones show fudge all. But very pleased for Nagasawa. That goal is fitting to win any match.
We’re far from the finished article, but progress is being made, just very slowly. Absolutely need those signings asap to provide us with some depth, but great to read that we were generally positive (in the second half). Hopefully has a positive effect on the crowd numbers in chch. COYN.
An old Aberdeen manager once said “statistics are like miniskirts, they show you good ideas but hide the most important parts”. I thought I’d drop that in for all the statisticians 😂
Couldnt give a shark how we did it but bloody hell the day starts better after waking up after a win. Instead of analyzing it to death and still moaning about this and that just enjoy it. Its that type of fight we want to see.
Was really pleased to see Hughes stand up to Bratton. He had a good game. Conchie really helped solidify the midfield. Piper shows the blood and guts we need. I remember shuddering in the past when Kosta was gonna take a pen, but not this time.
Excellent win from a thread bare squad. I thought the negativity over the last few weeks was way over the top tbh. I'm really pleased for Chiefy. To win away with a team of youngsters and get the tactics and motivation bang on takes some coaching. There will be more ups and downs but if the kids keep developing and we get our veterans back then we can be quietly optimistic for the rest if the season.
Great to get the win. Couldn’t see how it would happen at half time but a few obvious changes made a difference. Alby Kelly Heald was outstanding, the no 1 on the park Congrats Kosta, 100 goals is a great achievement
about 1 year ago· edited about 1 year ago· History
For anyone feeling negative about our performance, just remember there was a period under Talay where even with a much more experienced squad than last night, we were never able to equalise after conceding first, let alone go on to grab the three points.
Last night, we came back and grabbed the three points with an injury-ridden and consisting of a number of still up and coming academy players team.
This is definitely not me saying there aren't problems that we need to work on/resolve, it's just something to be mindful of.
Every game I watch with Brattan in it Im always left wondering how he manages to stay on the field. Absolute thug!
Feels like the type of guy you'd want on your team - maybe when he was a bit younger. Fights like an absolute dog for 90 minutes and tries his best to put the opposition off their game. Knows exactly the buttons to push and when not to go too far. Proper sharkhousery that I like watching in football, too bad it was against us last night. I bet Rufer would have cracked him with a few tough tackles if he was on the park, would have been fun to watch
Every game I watch with Brattan in it Im always left wondering how he manages to stay on the field. Absolute thug!
Feels like the type of guy you'd want on your team - maybe when he was a bit younger. Fights like an absolute dog for 90 minutes and tries his best to put the opposition off their game. Knows exactly the buttons to push and when not to go too far. Proper sharkhousery that I like watching in football, too bad it was against us last night. I bet Rufer would have cracked him with a few tough tackles if he was on the park, would have been fun to watch
Yep just like Besart Berisha and Joel Griffiths you hate the shark out of them but if they played for us its a whole different story. Yeah you wonder where a battle with Rufer would have ended up though, was good to see some of our young guys not back down to him. He should have been carded for the two handed shirt front grab.
I wouldn't necessarily say lucky but we definitely got away with a robbery. We can't sit back and let them ping shots off left right and centre. If they had taken their chances we likely would have been thrashed, relying on teams not taking their goal scoring chances is not a strategy...
Saying that, the second half was much better and I hope that they continue to build off the way that we played and shore up the defense a little more. Lots of positives to take away but one half of good football doesn't erase the issues we have at the back.
