HAL 2011/12 - Round 1 vs Brisbane Roar

[Kareem]

Any defeat is disappointing but it was the manner of the defeat that disappointed me the most. Last season Brisbane set the standard, a very high standard, for the League; by season end the Mariners had worked wonders to close the gap. The last two visits to Suncorp had seen them completely unafraid and taking the game to the Roar. We saw none of that the yesterday, while Brisbane looked to be playing the same beautiful, intelligent quality football the Mariners seem to have gone backwards. Where was the possession game? Where was the mental attitude? We were fortunate to get away with 0-1 after being out played for so many patches of the game. In Mat Ryan we are priveleged to see a future Socceroo great, he was magnificent; Zwaanswyk was unlucky to make the error as he had a dominant game, Bojic worked hard in another great contest with Broich, Porter, the great club man, gave his all in an unfamiliar and unexpected role (you have to question our so-called depth when Arnie prefers to play a diminutive light-weight midfielder at CB instead of Sainsbury or Gallagher - can't see those two with us next year), Rose was off-colour. The mid-field worked hard but to very little effect, they allowed Mitch Nicholls way too much space and failed to dictate terms. Simon worked hard and held the ball up well and Baird was very unlucky that his excellent header was cleared by Matt Smith. I was diappointed that Arnie did not have the team in the right frame of mind, he set them up well last year and this year has to ensure the team improves, not regresses.

+ 100000000

really sad to see
I will give Arnie and the boys the benefit of the doubt, seeing as Wilko was missing. I think that may have played on Arnie's mind, and hence why we were set-up the way we were...

 

[neverwozza]

^^ This. I was expecting a lot more from our boys given how they performed towards the end of last season and the fact that Arnold had a full pre-season with them this year. Anyway, I've never been a huge fan of Simon but he improved a lot last year thought he was our best behind Ryan last night. The refs give him no help as well and I thought a couple of fouls on him weren't given.

 

[midfielder]

Capn & Kareem

Good summary...

Ryan ... could force his way into the Socceroos if he keeps that form up...

 

[Capn Gus Bloodbeard]

^^ This. I was expecting a lot more from our boys given how they performed towards the end of last season and the fact that Arnold had a full pre-season with them this year. Anyway, I've never been a huge fan of Simon but he improved a lot last year thought he was our best behind Ryan last night. The refs give him no help as well and I thought a couple of fouls on him weren't given.

I didn't think there was anything missed against Simon, tbh. I thought Beath did pretty well. One or two that could've gone the other way but that's unavoidable really. Don't forget about Simon blatantly pushing Theo when a high ball was dropping in

 

[Ancient Mariner]

We handed the ball over far too often. They were prepared for us, they defended high and pressured whoever had the ball and forced us back. Whenever Pedj attacked up our right they were straight back down that channel when it was handed over.

We were too slow in our decision making when on the ball. Because of high defense there was plenty of space in behind, however whenever we attacked there bals played through were just too late leading to offsides. Correct tactics but timing poor.

Baird did not show his blinding speed and midfield was slow when were did get into their danger area.

They were slick with their passes and quick to get numbers forward. Much more creative as well. As individuals they looked to have much more skill and creativity on the ball.

We are missing Perez.

Work to be done, but I still think we watched 1st and 2nd for this season.

Very impressed with Porter.

 

[Wombat]

Agree we badly missed Perez!!!!

I'm totally missing the Porter thing. Played quite well but still looked like an accident waiting to happen. Replay the match and watch his defending at set pieces...scary at times is all i will say.

 

[Wombat]

I didn't think there was anything missed against Simon, tbh. I thought Beath did pretty well. One or two that could've gone the other way but that's unavoidable really. Don't forget about Simon blatantly pushing Theo when a high ball was dropping in

I thought Beath heavily favoured Bris. I just thought Brisbane were more intelligent with there fouls AND their diving. Simon was hacked all night.

 

[true believer]

i didn't see the doom and gloom.the boys cut through enough times .if bairds timing is a bit better
the lads are up early and it's a different game.
they won't win the comp this year without mckay .they'll win two more games then start coming back to the pack as other teams see their vulnerable
i was intimidated most by melbourne .they will be playing light years better by mid - season

 

[midfielder]

TB

Sydney impressed as well TBH ...

 

[scottmac]

i didn't see the doom and gloom.the boys cut through enough times .if bairds timing is a bit better
the lads are up early and it's a different game.
they won't win the comp this year without mckay .they'll win two more games then start coming back to the pack as other teams see their vulnerable
i was intimidated most by melbourne .they will be playing light years better by mid - season

I'm with you TB.

Pick any game against Brisbane from last year and show me one where we dominated possesion or didn't play a fast counter attacking game. Our plan against Brisbane was never a possesion based one but one where we defend for extended periods and then counter fast. Our games against them more often than not end up 60 - 40 or worse in possesion. Give Arnold the benifit of the doubt? Give me a break.

I was shocked by the pace of the Victory v Sydney game but any team that can take control of possesion and keep it will find major holes in both their defences

 

[Muppet]

It galls me to see the Jets sitting top of the table. Hopefully not for too much longer.

 

[McGrime]

We looked like a team playing away from home, after a 7 month break, who had just had just lost their captain to injury and needed a quick re-shuffle.

Problem being for the CCM was very high standard that we set for ourselves last season.

We were also comparing our guys against the Roar who seemed to click straight back into their very slick and effective passing game even though they were debuting quite a number of new boys to their style.

At the end of the day this was always going to be the hardest game that we will play for quite some time.

Everyone will be looking to judge the CCM form based on the upcomming home fixture Vs Gold Coast.

There are some things that need fine tuning and a lot of them have been mentioned in this thread.

-Pelligrino looked slow on the ball he needs a crisp passing game in this role at the top of the diamond once he gets this going things will open up for him later in the game. We need to give our 2 front guys a chance to put them on the back foot early in the match. This did not happen.

-Porter had a pretty good game in an unfamiliar position. I'm just not sure this is his role. We may see changes here this week. Although I think he will stay in the team.

-Team Formation was an issue and I think Arnie knew he was outfoxed early in the game with the way the Roar played wide around our diamond pulling our guys wide which dismantled our midfield. Things settled down for us once we dropped into a flat 4 across the middle. The interest here will be how Gold Coast approach our formation. Then again it may not make to much of a difference as they are certainly have the abilities of the Roar.

Good games from Ryan, McGlinchey & Simon

 

[Forum Phoenix]

Bring back the SPEED, MOVEMENT & the CONFIDENCE to run at players.
THIS is what we dished out to the Roar and made us all but their betters last year.

Our lack of movement was painful. Again and again the ball was passed and no one would present.
By the end of last year there was nearly always 3 options for the ball.

This time it was give and... walk casually, while barely even looking at who you just passed to.
Let alone expecting or wanting the ball back.

I though our midfield were our worst culprits, but thought we can do MUCH better than this across the entire team.

Come on Mariners. STEP IT UP!