Sounds like it'll be something like this. Will be very interesting to see how Sandoval goes at CM. Not sure if he has the engine/defensive capablities.
He does also lose possession a fair bit through the middle, or so it would seem, but hopefully he'll offset that with some killer balls at the other end!
Without being defeatist I'd already rule out getting any points from the 3 away games in Victoria. Away to Western United, Victory & Melb City. Might have a chance against the VUC, but if Elliott or Fenton have to start in the front 4 this weekend - already looks grim to be honest.
So that leaves trying to get 10 points from Wed 13: v Perth Glory (Sydney) Sun 17: v Central Coast Mariners (ROF) Sun 24: v Western Sydney Wanderers (Eden Park) Thu 5: v Western Sydney Wanderers (Sydney - away)
Possible, but far far from easy. Team should get a big lift in NZ, playing in front of fans at last. Really need to get a win or draw against the Glory, so they go to NZ with a morale boost, and knowing they are still in the playoff hunt.
Without being defeatist I'd already rule out getting any points from the 3 away games in Victoria. Away to Western United, Victory & Melb City. Might have a chance against the VUC, but if Elliott or Fenton have to start in the front 4 this weekend - already looks grim to be honest.
So that leaves trying to get 10 points from Wed 13: v Perth Glory (Sydney) Sun 17: v Central Coast Mariners (ROF) Sun 24: v Western Sydney Wanderers (Eden Park) Thu 5: v Western Sydney Wanderers (Sydney - away)
Possible, but far far from easy. Team should get a big lift in NZ, playing in front of fans at last. Really need to get a win or draw against the Glory, so they go to NZ with a morale boost, and knowing they are still in the playoff hunt.
With our current form and the makeshift 11 the Western game is going to be hard but I am more hopeful of getting a result there than the other games as all the teams we've lost to badly play a high pressing, good passing game but Western tend to sit back a lot and I think that'll help us a lot more.
Time for the boys to really step up and be counted here. As much as we can use injuries and illness as reasons for the drop off in form, the last two results are 100% unacceptable. There's being beaten by the better team which I will always accept, and it will happen. But for the effort and determination to fly out the window like it has done, really has been disappointing. I know City beat us by 6 (but even in that first half we played well and should've gone into H/T level) but that CCM game was possibly the worst I can remember us ever having played.
Today I want effort, I want running, I want commitment and I want the boys to be giving it their all when they cross that white line onto the pitch.
Like Talay has been saying in the build up to this one, it's the chance for the youngsters to step up and make a name for themselves. No time like the present lads.
Time for the boys to really step up and be counted here. As much as we can use injuries and illness as reasons for the drop off in form, the last two results are 100% unacceptable. There's being beaten by the better team which I will always accept, and it will happen. But for the effort and determination to fly out the window like it has done, really has been disappointing. I know City beat us by 6 (but even in that first half we played well and should've gone into H/T level) but that CCM game was possibly the worst I can remember us ever having played.
Today I want effort, I want running, I want commitment and I want the boys to be giving it their all when they cross that white line onto the pitch.
Like Talay has been saying in the build up to this one, it's the chance for the youngsters to step up and make a name for themselves. No time like the present lads.
COYN! Farken fire up!!! 🔥🦅 Please!!
Yes Talay made a comment along lines that these young players have an opportunity. That opportunity (through injuries, Covid etc) may never come along again. Do they want a long pro career or a short one!
Blunt, brutal assessment. Hopefully it gets a reaction!
Whatever happens on Saturday, the Phoenix’s younger, less-experienced players are going to have big roles to play as they chase the 10 points their coach feels they need to make the finals series, and he’s calling on them to seize the day.
“These young players that we are playing at the moment, they need to understand that these opportunities may never come again,” Talay said.
“Opportunities arise with suspensions and injuries, and you’ve got to take the opportunity that's given to you because at the end of the day, you can either forge your career out of it, or have a very short career.”
Interesting to have Payne at left fb. I wonder if they considered playing him in midfield and Sutton left back instead... Feel like we lack any tackling ability and aggression in the midfield so Payne might of helped there and I vaugely recall he played there on occasion in his younger days?
Time for the boys to really step up and be counted here. As much as we can use injuries and illness as reasons for the drop off in form, the last two results are 100% unacceptable. There's being beaten by the better team which I will always accept, and it will happen. But for the effort and determination to fly out the window like it has done, really has been disappointing. I know City beat us by 6 (but even in that first half we played well and should've gone into H/T level) but that CCM game was possibly the worst I can remember us ever having played.
Today I want effort, I want running, I want commitment and I want the boys to be giving it their all when they cross that white line onto the pitch.
Like Talay has been saying in the build up to this one, it's the chance for the youngsters to step up and make a name for themselves. No time like the present lads.
COYN! Farken fire up!!! 🔥🦅 Please!!
Yes Talay made a comment along lines that these young players have an opportunity. That opportunity (through injuries, Covid etc) may never come along again. Do they want a long pro career or a short one!
Blunt, brutal assessment. Hopefully it gets a reaction!
Whatever happens on Saturday, the Phoenix’s younger, less-experienced players are going to have big roles to play as they chase the 10 points their coach feels they need to make the finals series, and he’s calling on them to seize the day.
“These young players that we are playing at the moment, they need to understand that these opportunities may never come again,” Talay said.
“Opportunities arise with suspensions and injuries, and you’ve got to take the opportunity that's given to you because at the end of the day, you can either forge your career out of it, or have a very short career.”
Well I hope it’s not throwing lambs to wolves. It’s a chance, but also it may be unfair in a similar way that we didn’t see the best of Musa, and Rufer hadn’t secured himself as a starting A league player in the fans eyes until very recently, despite a reasonable spell with the club. Anyway! Let’s watch and find out. Surman has enhanced his reputation. The others from the academy haven’t damaged theirs. Not sure where Elliot and McGarry are at at the moment as far as the fans regard them.
Interesting to have Payne at left fb. I wonder if they considered playing him in midfield and Sutton left back instead... Feel like we lack any tackling ability and aggression in the midfield so Payne might of helped there and I vaugely recall he played there on occasion in his younger days?
Time for the boys to really step up and be counted here. As much as we can use injuries and illness as reasons for the drop off in form, the last two results are 100% unacceptable. There's being beaten by the better team which I will always accept, and it will happen. But for the effort and determination to fly out the window like it has done, really has been disappointing. I know City beat us by 6 (but even in that first half we played well and should've gone into H/T level) but that CCM game was possibly the worst I can remember us ever having played.
Today I want effort, I want running, I want commitment and I want the boys to be giving it their all when they cross that white line onto the pitch.
Like Talay has been saying in the build up to this one, it's the chance for the youngsters to step up and make a name for themselves. No time like the present lads.
COYN! Farken fire up!!! 🔥🦅 Please!!
Yes Talay made a comment along lines that these young players have an opportunity. That opportunity (through injuries, Covid etc) may never come along again. Do they want a long pro career or a short one!
Blunt, brutal assessment. Hopefully it gets a reaction!
Whatever happens on Saturday, the Phoenix’s younger, less-experienced players are going to have big roles to play as they chase the 10 points their coach feels they need to make the finals series, and he’s calling on them to seize the day.
“These young players that we are playing at the moment, they need to understand that these opportunities may never come again,” Talay said.
“Opportunities arise with suspensions and injuries, and you’ve got to take the opportunity that's given to you because at the end of the day, you can either forge your career out of it, or have a very short career.”
Well I hope it’s not throwing lambs to wolves. It’s a chance, but also it may be unfair in a similar way that we didn’t see the best of Musa, and Rufer hadn’t secured himself as a starting A league player in the fans eyes until very recently, despite a reasonable spell with the club. Anyway! Let’s watch and find out. Surman has enhanced his reputation. The others from the academy haven’t damaged theirs. Not sure where Elliot and McGarry are at at the moment as far as the fans regard them.
Wouldn't surprise if Uffie's comments were partly aimed at Elliott to motivate him. No idea his contract status (think Fenton is long term) but Elliott is surely at risk of being released by the Nix, and his first overseas gig in Greece was a non event.
Pennington has to make his passes stick. Three times he's turned the ball over already and none of them especially difficult passes for an A League level mid.
Pennington has to make his passes stick. Three times he's turned the ball over already and none of them especially difficult passes for an A League level mid.
Overall our passing has been poor this first 15 minutes. A lot of misplaced passes. Disappointing from us so far, but still a long way to go in this.
Pennington has to make his passes stick. Three times he's turned the ball over already and none of them especially difficult passes for an A League level mid.
Overall our passing has been poor this first 15 minutes. A lot of misplaced passes. Disappointing from us so far, but still a long way to go in this.
Maybe laying in an early stock of excuses but this is yet another massively rejigged lineup, so I don't expect us to click straight away. Just need to stay in the game, not concede and hopefully with the wind behind us we might start to threaten them more.
Delightful from Gael! I was admonishing him for his silly yellow, but first he delivers a pinpoint corner, and now a delightful run and ball through for Jaushy. Look at what it meant to the boys.