Maybe I saw the wrong interview after the game with Sail. Oli was pretty pissed off with the team effort and he even said that they did not play to the game plan as laid out by Ufuk. So not Ufuk's fault the team went and did their own thing so to speak.
Sutton was hung out to dry by Payne, Kraev, Lewis & Ugarkovic. They wouldn't back him up. Leaving him exposed to the counterattack time and time again.
Wootten has the speed and turning circle of a Wellington bus. He & Payne are not a good pairing. Give Laws & Pennington their dues. They are a lot quicker and more commanding in the air. Both can pass the ball.
At season's end we are losing a GK, a CM, a DM. What I'd like to see (It wont happen because we can't afford it and I can appreciate that) is two new CB's, 2 new DM's (Move Rufer further forward - his passing is pretty good overall) & 2 Wingers.
My reasoning for this is it allows us to go 4-4-2 in either a flat formation or a diamond formation, or even a 4-3-3 not just the 4-2-2-2.
When we do the wing back thing, we are too slow in the midfield and central defence to get back and cover our wingbacks.
I'd also like to see the constant passing from one side to the other side of the field across the back line. All that does, is put our already fragile defence, under even more pressure. It invariably goes back to the GK whom then hoofs the ball long and gives it back to the opposition. The other thing that this pita pata passing does, is allow the opposition defence to reset constantly and we lose any advantage.
How many times have we seen Sutton or Elliot get right down about 25 yards out, only to pass backwards and across the park it goes. It does my head in. This needs stopping. And if they say it is because no one further up is available - that's where the midfielders should be changing their positioning.
Lewis & Urgarcovic . Either works well with Rufer, but not well together. It just leave big gaps.
Anyway, that's my 2 cents worth. I hope to nip down to the practice on ANZAC Day. I will wish them all well genuinely. I'd love to see them smash MacBulls. Finish on a high and get back on track.
Oh & give Chiefy a break, Next season is his. Let's see what he can achieve and giving him the benefit of the doubt please.