Well I was leaning towards 'Chiefy Out' about a month ago, I'm back on the fence as it's been less of a chore to watch the team play over the past 3 fixtures. But, it is frustrating that it took us being pretty much out of play-off contention to actually implement a Plan B (e.g. no longer trying to play out from every GK).
Agreed with a lot of the sentiment around Oluwayemi, he's a brilliant shot stopper, definitely above average in the league in this regard, but seems well below average in every other metric of goalkeeping such as distribution (long and short), handling, and commanding the air.
Corban Piper was MOTM for me, he was everywhere and despite some people writing him off earlier in the season I do agree with the Siggy 2.0 sentiment. He needs a contract ASAP, however I can just see the management taking their sweet time to announce who's coach next season that by the time that's done he's already in advanced talks with Auckland FC... He could be a good number 9 or CB, but he has quite the engine on him that might be wasted on those positions, maybe not technical enough to be a CM, but could be a box-to-box or maybe even a wingback?
Not the best of games for Woots or Rufer unfortunately.
At this point, just play the players we know will be around next season, the more minutes together the more cohesion.
Agreed with a lot of the sentiment around Oluwayemi, he's a brilliant shot stopper, definitely above average in the league in this regard, but seems well below average in every other metric of goalkeeping such as distribution (long and short), handling, and commanding the air.
Corban Piper was MOTM for me, he was everywhere and despite some people writing him off earlier in the season I do agree with the Siggy 2.0 sentiment. He needs a contract ASAP, however I can just see the management taking their sweet time to announce who's coach next season that by the time that's done he's already in advanced talks with Auckland FC... He could be a good number 9 or CB, but he has quite the engine on him that might be wasted on those positions, maybe not technical enough to be a CM, but could be a box-to-box or maybe even a wingback?
Not the best of games for Woots or Rufer unfortunately.
At this point, just play the players we know will be around next season, the more minutes together the more cohesion.
I think the role Chief’s got him playing is interesting!
A CB who can pop up at the CF to finish or burst down the right. In a way he’s more fun to watch than a virtuoso type player. You spin the dice and you might get a run beating 3-4 players or you might get a simple square ball lumped out of play. Maybe not someone who you’d feel certain could make it overseas, though again stranger things have happened with time and training, but certainly someone who can make the game fun for the locals. And he seems to be improving all the time.
I don’t think you can afford to have too many players like that, but one or two in a squad maybe okay.
How was Siggie’s ball playing? Better than we remember because he also didn’t mind cuffing Kruse occasionally?
I think Tim Brown was a decent ball player, especially in that A league, who wished he was bulked up and hit bullet headers (and to be fair he did occasionally), but sneaking the ball past the keeper however he could and arriving late in the box were his specialties.
Both loved to celebrate their goals and successes too! As well, both had had success before they joined the Nix too. Piper is kind of starting out in that regard.
Also he’s the point of the spear, mostly as it were. He isn’t selected for a Payney pass or a Kosta feint or an Ishige back heel…