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13 Feb v Homeless FC (Perth)

Tevor

Well-Known Member
it was coming all game
Yep I said it at half time to my Son, “bet glory score at least one this game”. Just looked at the table and bracing myself for being last. Glory are ordinary and if we can’t beat them at home after they are coming back from covid we don’t deserve to be any higher. Absolutely disgraceful game. How do we expect to beat Victory and a city who are hitting their straps. No chance at all.
 

Ancient Mariner

Well-Known Member
I thought Smith while solid offered very little going forward.
Cy is still looking better each game.
I want to watch the replay before being more definite on any of these calls. Especially, the Eastside assistant, some of the fouls the ref called on our players, and who went missing.
I also thought Nizzy was brought on to strengthen the defence in midfield. I was not too disappointed with this call by Monty.
 

Wombat

Well-Known Member
Frustrating game.

I will get my 321 out of the way first.

3. Birras.
2. Miller
1. Marcos and Kye

The positives......Kye is in lovely form, Smith played well....clearly not a Faz going forward but was solid and had plenty of good moments. Birraz was superb. Cumdog and Marcos are starting to blend well. Miller was immense, still made a few errors. Muller is improving. Steele had a good touch and was less negative than normal.

Nizzy and Cumdog appear to be the crowd favourites.

No one appears to control/organise our backline.

The crowd atmosphere was excellent for only 4,000 people...again to the softcocks that couldn't be bothered.....what is actually wrong with you (if its covid or fear of covid...then you get a pass!)... do you support a Football team or not? If you do then get to the games you tosspots.
 
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Ironbark

Well-Known Member
Funny how we all see the same game so differently -
I was actually quite positive at the final whistle.

Disappointed that we didn't convert our dominance and again let in a piss weak equaliser.
Bemoaning the dropped points, again.

But I see this as a team developing, with only early season cohesion and fitness. The starting 11 has a new combination of faces and the covid disruption had a pretty big impact.
We played a beatable Perth team who are down at the moment but not out and they won't be with some of the quality in their players.

We did some pretty great stuff tonight and anyone who watches a replay please look out for it. I thought we were good value to watch and can beat the big teams.
But we did waste our near total dominance of the 2nd half and let in a crap goal, so until those lessons are learnt it'll keep happening
 

Tevor

Well-Known Member
Funny how we all see the same game so differently -
I was actually quite positive at the final whistle.

Disappointed that we didn't convert our dominance and again let in a piss weak equaliser.
Bemoaning the dropped points, again.

But I see this as a team developing, with only early season cohesion and fitness. The starting 11 has a new combination of faces and the covid disruption had a pretty big impact.
We played a beatable Perth team who are down at the moment but not out and they won't be with some of the quality in their players.

We did some pretty great stuff tonight and anyone who watches a replay please look out for it. I thought we were good value to watch and can beat the big teams.
But we did waste our near total dominance of the 2nd half and let in a crap goal, so until those lessons are learnt it'll keep happening
Did you miss the 28 minutes of passing the ball around trying to kill off the game??? I did not think that was special at all. Worst game this season by far. It was like let’s just get a goal and then save ourselves for the away trip from hell. And we all know how that has ended for us.
 

Ozhammer

Well-Known Member
As I spoke to Wombat at half time. We have no real penetration through the midfield. Some good runs into space but no one-twos, there is nobody terrorising the opposition up the middle. The only terrorist on the field was Miller who runs at the defence with the ball.
Urena and Matty combined brilliantly together last year. Nizzy and Urena play beautiful one-twos together. They are the only two players who have taken full advantage of Marco's skills.
Hopefully Cummings and Marco can develop together, early days yet.
Unlike others I do not mind Moresche or Benni both are raw but cause oppositions heaps of headaches, give them time to learn.
Ollie needs a decent, defensive skilful #6 or #8 next to him so he does not have to cover both roles. Hopefully that will be Nizzy when he fully recovers.
Muller had a good game, but looks more like a forward than a winger but will suit Monty's game of having one winger (if not both) cutting in. Hopefully he and Cy will be he wingers and allow Nizzy back in midfield with Ollie.

Specifically on individual players:
Miller, Ollie, Birraz and Kye. Pick your own 3 2 1 from those four.

F***, this team looks ordinary without a fit Nizzy.
Nizzy said post-game that he is fully fit, so that begs a question doesn’t it?

Everyone, including our coaching staff, should be able to see that Ollie is having to do all the heavy lifting in midfield at the moment and needs someone of a similar level alongside him to free him to have a more positive impact on the game. When Nizzy was bought on (far too late in the half imho), he clearly improved our midfield presence. Steele is willing but is not yet able to impose himself on opponents and I am beginning to become concerned as to why the obvious solution to our midfield problem appears to be being ignored.

I really hope Monty isn’t allowing his connection to the academy boys overrule the need to play our best players in their best positions.
 

Ironbark

Well-Known Member
Did you miss the 28 minutes of passing the ball around trying to kill off the game??? I did not think that was special at all. Worst game this season by far. It was like let’s just get a goal and then save ourselves for the away trip from hell. And we all know how that has ended for us.
I did not miss that, no.
Perth kept us out, we need to be better. No doubt about it. And that was acknowledged.
But that doesn't take away from the fact we overall played well and deserved to win, and there's reason for some optimism.
 

Forum Phoenix

Well-Known Member
Saw this game a bit differently than most who've commented. Last minute draw really hurt. Not sure if that may have influenced peoples views or somehow I was just tripping today.

Not a perfect performance by any means but I thought it was actually a good game of football. Perth were being written off on here, but I don't think they're a bad side. First half they moved the ball really well, they have a strong midfield and Fall-and-rolli is still very dangerous. Yet we clearly should have got all three points, disappointing but we had some great passages of play. Especially between Miller, Mueller, Cum Dog and Marcos. Our attackers got mixed up a few times, and shoulda/coulda have scored more or at least made more of some great breaks, but can see so much to be excited about there. Was a great goal. And stoked to see Mueller really proving what kind of player he is. Some great driving runs, just need the release to be timed well with our strikers.

Biggest negatives for mine in:

Attack - we lack width and penetration down the left and hugely rely on Miller down the right. If we had an attacking LB on at the same time.
Taking more of our chances. (bit of luck wouldn't go astray either)
We never win headers at corners. No idea why we can't do better here.

Defence - I preferred Mueller beside Olly, and whilst we still allow teams to march to our 18 yard box far too easily imo, I still thought Steele had an improved performance, but on the ball we still need him to go up another level. However today was a step in the right direction.

Smith wasn't terrible, but he's pretty clearly a step down from Faz. But Faz looked like he needed a rest anyway and Smith as cover will be much better for the hit out.

Obvious comment time... (cover your eyes FFC) Miller was just unbelievable today. Absolute bloody monster. 3 huge points.

Coaching... hard. Seventy two hour turn around is just brutal. Monty had to rotate. Otherwise in a normal world, he'd have been training and solidify on last games line up but instead they're forced to scramble.

I know a backline sub looks crazy on hindsight. But Smith (playing right in front of where I sit in the second half) not surprisingly after coming in for his first start, was beyond cooked after 70 minutes and had fresh legs running at him. Monty obviously felt our major weak point defensively at that point was Smith and his strongest defensive player on the bench, was Niz. Imo, easy to see how he made that call. But really, without knowing the fitness of other players, the bigger mistake seems likely not having left Hatch in the bench as cover and starting Beni or Cy or Moresche wide instead. But these are decisions mostly being forced upon him due to the short turn around.

Probably the biggest mistake imho, was that I didn't like that we took our foot of the throat at 1 zip when they looked tired and we clearly had them on the ropes. If we'd pushed I think we'd absolutely have run over the top of them. But a few times Monty has complained about us not controlling games when we're in front and closing them out. And that's obviously tonight what they were looking to do, but that's just not how the game was playing out. They were on the edge of collapse. Instead as someone else commented. They actually got to rest through their weakest period, and then finally got a bit more energy with enough subs.

Anyway, we wanted, and I thought deserved, 3 points, but we're a good side and will only continue to improve I think. And Mariners games are so much more enjoyable again now.
 
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Forum Phoenix

Well-Known Member
Frustrating game.

I will get my 321 out of the way first.

3. Birras.
2. Miller
1. Marcos and Kye

The positives......Kye is in lovely form, Smith played well....clearly not a Faz going forward but was solid and had plenty of good moments. Birraz was superb. Cumdog and Marcos are starting to blend well. Miller was immense, still made a few errors. Muller is improving. Steele had a good touch and was less negative than normal.

Nizzy and Cumdog appear to be the crowd favourites.

No one appears to control/organise our backline.

The crowd atmosphere was excellent for only 4,000 people...again to the softcocks that couldn't be bothered.....what is actually wrong with you (if its covid or fear of covid...then you get a pass!)... do you support a Football team or not? If you do then get to the games you tosspots.

Ah there you go. That sounds like the game I saw :cheers:
 

Forum Phoenix

Well-Known Member
Did you miss the 28 minutes of passing the ball around trying to kill off the game??? I did not think that was special at all. Worst game this season by far. It was like let’s just get a goal and then save ourselves for the away trip from hell. And we all know how that has ended for us.

He actually said that in his post.
 

Forum Phoenix

Well-Known Member
Funny how we all see the same game so differently -
I was actually quite positive at the final whistle.

Disappointed that we didn't convert our dominance and again let in a piss weak equaliser.
Bemoaning the dropped points, again.

But I see this as a team developing, with only early season cohesion and fitness. The starting 11 has a new combination of faces and the covid disruption had a pretty big impact.
We played a beatable Perth team who are down at the moment but not out and they won't be with some of the quality in their players.

We did some pretty great stuff tonight and anyone who watches a replay please look out for it. I thought we were good value to watch and can beat the big teams.
But we did waste our near total dominance of the 2nd half and let in a crap goal, so until those lessons are learnt it'll keep happening
Began typing my mini essay before you posted. Obviously agree with the above. Glad someone else was on the same pills.
 

Forum Phoenix

Well-Known Member
Nizzy said post-game that he is fully fit, so that begs a question doesn’t it?

Everyone, including our coaching staff, should be able to see that Ollie is having to do all the heavy lifting in midfield at the moment and needs someone of a similar level alongside him to free him to have a more positive impact on the game. When Nizzy was bought on (far too late in the half imho), he clearly improved our midfield presence. Steele is willing but is not yet able to impose himself on opponents and I am beginning to become concerned as to why the obvious solution to our midfield problem appears to be being ignored.

I really hope Monty isn’t allowing his connection to the academy boys overrule the need to play our best players in their best positions.

Really? I assumed Niz had to still be struggling with fitness. That really does bother me.

I'd had similar concerns that maybe his affection for Ballard and Steele could be influencing this, but wasn't sure so didn't want to voice it. Now... though still can't know, I'm more worried.

Coaches often get weird or have funny blind spots about the positions they used to play too. Pure speculation, but I wonder if he sees in Steele a DM that is more akin to him and what he thinks a DM should be...

All I know is Niz was closing down and winning important ball within seconds of getting on. Definitely should be starting if fit. Madness from Monty if he isn't imo.
 
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Ironbark

Well-Known Member
We played hardly any games, then an intense cup final, short turnaround then an intense 3-all, short turnaround then this

I just think several players are a bit cooked, especially those who had a longer return to pre-covid fitness. My read was that team choices and the inability to keep up the intensity towards the end of this game when we needed it reflected this more than anything else
 

Big Al

Well-Known Member
Really? I assumed Niz had to still be struggling with fitness. That really does bother me.

I'd had similar concerns that maybe his affection for Ballard and Steele could be influencing this, but wasn't sure so didn't want to voice it. Now... though still can't know, I'm more worried.

Coaches often get weird or have funny blind spots about the positions they used to play too. Pure speculation, but I wonder if he sees in Steele a DM that is more akin to him and what he thinks a DM should be...

All I know is Niz was closing down and winning important ball within seconds of getting on. Definitely should be starting if not fit. Madness from Monty if he isn't imo.
I was actually happy to see Niz late as it showed Monty remembered he can play midfield.

Niz has been seen as Rightside high for a bit now and is maybe seen as this is position and now has to beat out some competition.

Monty is clearly playing around with midfield and trying some things and the move to Mueller was very interesting and is still not perfect but shows Monty does know there are weaknesses.

Monty is also investing in out future and the only way Steele and Ballard improve is by playing BUT I think it should be as subs but when you have 2 local lads i can understand the flipping of the two especially with Covid but hopefully soon he picks 1 (unlikely with the fixtures ahead).
 

Ancient Mariner

Well-Known Member
Really? I assumed Niz had to still be struggling with fitness. That really does bother me.

I'd had similar concerns that maybe his affection for Ballard and Steele could be influencing this, but wasn't sure so didn't want to voice it. Now... though still can't know, I'm more worried.

Coaches often get weird or have funny blind spots about the positions they used to play too. Pure speculation, but I wonder if he sees in Steele a DM that is more akin to him and what he thinks a DM should be...

All I know is Niz was closing down and winning important ball within seconds of getting on. Definitely should be starting if not fit. Madness from Monty if he isn't imo.
I am pretty sure that Nizz has been struggling for fitness. It was pretty clear that the battery was running out in the last 2 games. Possibly he is now finally fully fit but the coach/medical staff are playing it safe. Long term damage can be done if you come back to soon after covid.
The other possibility is that he is so keen he is a player who always says he is fit enough even when not.
When I was a kid we had a player in our team who had a pretty bad dose of the flu. His mother knew what he was like and hid his boots. He still escaped from his sick bed, made his way to the ground and tried to borrow someone else's boots so he could play.
I hope the story is like this and Monty does not prefer to play Steele or Ballard in front of him. If he does, Houston, we have a problem.
 

Big Al

Well-Known Member
Saw this game a bit differently than most who've commented. Last minute draw really hurt. Not sure if that may have influenced peoples views or somehow I was just tripping today.

Not a perfect performance by any means but I thought it was actually a good game of football. Perth were being written off on here, but I don't think they're a bad side. First half they moved the ball really well, they have a strong midfield and Fall-and-rolli is still very dangerous. Yet we clearly should have got all three points, disappointing but we had some great passages of play. Especially between Miller, Mueller, Cum Dog and Marcos. Our attackers got mixed up a few times, and shoulda/coulda have scored more or at least made more of some great breaks, but can see so much to be excited about there. Was a great goal. And stoked to see Mueller really proving what kind of player he is. Some great driving runs, just need the release to be timed well with our strikers.

Biggest negatives for mine in:

Attack - we lack width and penetration down the left and hugely rely on Miller down the right. If we had an attacking LB on at the same time.
Taking more of our chances. (bit of luck wouldn't go astray either)
We never win headers at corners. No idea why we can't do better here.

Defence - I preferred Mueller beside Olly, and whilst we still allow teams to march to our 18 yard box far too easily imo, I still thought Steele had an improved performance, but on the ball we still need him to go up another level. However today was a step in the right direction.

Smith wasn't terrible, but he's pretty clearly a step down from Faz. But Faz looked like he needed a rest anyway and Smith as cover will be much better for the hit out.

Obvious comment time... (cover your eyes FFC) Miller was just unbelievable today. Absolute bloody monster. 3 huge points.

Coaching... hard. Seventy two hour turn around is just brutal. Monty had to rotate. Otherwise in a normal world, he'd have been training and solidify on last games line up but instead they're forced to scramble.

I know a backline sub looks crazy on hindsight. But Smith (playing right in front of where I sit in the second half) not surprisingly after coming in for his first start, was beyond cooked after 70 minutes and had fresh legs running at him. Monty obviously felt our major weak point defensively at that point was Smith and his strongest defensive player on the bench, was Niz. Imo, easy to see how he made that call. But really, without knowing the fitness of other players, the bigger mistake seems likely not having left Hatch in the bench as cover and starting Beni or Cy or Moresche wide instead. But these are decisions mostly being forced upon him due to the short turn around.

Probably the biggest mistake imho, was that I didn't like that we took our foot of the throat at 1 zip when they looked tired and we clearly had them on the ropes. If we'd pushed I think we'd absolutely have run over the top of them. But a few times Monty has complained about us not controlling games when we're in front and closing them out. And that's obviously tonight what they were looking to do, but that's just not how the game was playing out. They were on the edge of collapse. Instead as someone else commented. They actually got to rest through their weakest period, and then finally got a bit more energy with enough subs.

Anyway, we wanted, and I thought deserved, 3 points, but we're a good side and will only continue to improve I think. And Mariners games are so much more enjoyable again now.
Nailed. I saw all that to.

The little bit i can add.

C-Dog is pushing it a little bit with excitement and maybe trying to hard. He is so keen to get on the left foot from outside/ top of the box that he’s rushing it and hitting them straight at the keeper. He had a couple of shots straight at the keeper. Usually I’d be happy with that for a Mariners player but he looks like can do better.

It wasn’t just him as first half we peppered the goal and they all went down the keepers throat.

Fornaroli’s hold up play is simply outstanding, for his size he uses his body so well and wins every ball. Kye and Dan still did a great job on a very good striker.

Mueller wasn’t as effective today but his control is exceptional. When he does drive down the middle it really makes things happen. He got caught in good tackles yesterday and just couldn’t get through and turned it over but I still prefer that. We are very weak at getting to the middle and outwardly aim to hit the wings so someone taking it through the middle is exactly what we need.
Agree the attack was looking better and there was some nice touches and now they are finding there places in the pecking order.

Very disappointed with the goal.

Not sure Beni offers anything Koul or Tskenis couldn’t.

The flick free kick. I saw some say we should have gone for the corner. No it was a perfect play but Mueller reached for it when he had time to let it bounce and finish. He rushed it. We had two attackers go after it and there defence was missing and the keeper didn’t come for it. Just a little more composure from Mueller required
 

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