I was worrying for that sucker punch and Connors delivered. We don’t defend well against quick players- seems we try and have a foot race against them rather than drop off 2-3m so that we can beat them to the ball. You can’t rely on the AR to call an offside so just give yourself a head start to win a race to the ball. Edwards didn’t have a very confident/dominant display in goal, a few times she should have been more assertive in calling and clearing the ball. Barry always does well. I wasn’t impressed with Taylor today some pretty average passes and very big first touches, then when she dribbled forward into midfield tried to do too much and then we got caught at the back in transition. Wisnewski was pretty quiet in the first half and Knott was an option to receive the ball from the centre backs but often just passed it straight back when she could have turned on the ball and played forward. In that respect we are keeping possession a whole lot better than before. Now we have to do more with it. Hassett should stay as 10, and she’s putting in some really gritty determined performances recently. Clegg was our biggest threat again, and will only get better. Pritchard isn’t going to win us games so Rolston should start the next game if she’s fit. She has a great touch and close control and decent striker of the ball. Should have made more of an effort to stay on side with that late cross, but I feel she is more likely to score than Pritchard or Satchel so she should start. Satchel needs 2 moves to beat players aside from knocking it past them and sprinting after it. She is working hard when she comes on though. I reckon if we have the same squad next year we could be around top 4. The aim should be to try and win the league within 5 years.
If everyone was fit I would have:
Rolston
Clegg. Hassett. Robertson
Gomez. Knott/Wisnewski
Foster. VanDM. Barry. Cicco
Alfeld
Subs
Edwards
Knott/Wisnewski
Satchel
Taylor
Whinham
I’m pleased we are competing heaps better than at the start of the season, but I still feel we can significantly improve with the players we have.
What is the deal with having to have certain numbers of Aussies in the team next season? For next season I would like to see more kiwis in the other teams, so long as they are getting game time, so I would be fine if some of our players head to other clubs to challenge themselves, so long as we keep at least 8 starters.