Mariners 2012 AFC Champions League megathread

[scottmac]

Big call.

There were two or three others who would contend for that title.

Not really a big call. Worst i've seen him play for some time.

You can gauge a Hutch performance by how much time he spends sliding around on his arse. I reckon there wouldn't be a patch of skin on his backside not covered by grass burns.

In saying that, I reckon he tried to move the ball alot quicker than he usually does but was caught out by the opposition pressure. When it did come off we got through the middle and down the flanks with ease.

 

[Roy Law]

The ACL is a hard gig; it's why Arnie wants us to play at this level. We are outgunned financially by the Japanese, Korean and Chinese and the J League is definitely superior to the A league so I just wonder why, when it is already a tough ask, do we insist on passing the ball to the opposition? I don't mean difficult defence splitting passes but easy, obvious simple passes. From Patrick, to Rose , Hutch, Bozanic and McGlinchey they were all at it, esp. in the first half. The Koreans didn't even have to run around like blue-arsed flies (as Roar did) to put us under pressure. We really do need to improve on the simple basics.

Rose was unlucky with penalty in that he fell over but he was caught the wrong side of the player - just as he was against Henrique - and Ryan may well have blocked it anyway. For their goal it asks questions of what our defnce was doing - Rose was on the penalty spot isolated one on one without another defender in sight - were they all in the East Stand because they were almost out of camera shot.

Agree with the Bozanic comment - running forward twenty metres then propping and playing the ball back. Very frustrating. Hutch gets caught in possession because he is too slow to move the ball - perhaps it is why Borussia think Musti can play in that role, just get it and move it.

Thought Arnie was keeping his powder dry with the Brisbane game coming up - Bernie immediately made an impression when he came on - Sutton was very close to scoring from his cross. It was Sutton's best game - he had a shot and a powerful header - but we do need more from him.

Thought we did well to hold on for the point and Gallagher unlucky not to score.

And also agree - our best campaign - that's two more goals scored at Bluetongue than we managed last ACL!

 

[Wombat]

Big call.

There were two or three others who would contend for that title.

Agreed. I thought Rose and WeeMac were far worse than Hutcho.

 

[Wombat]

This campaign has been vastly superior than last time he played in Asia and in much more differcult circumstances but that first half was dire and we need to come out of the blocks on fire against Brissy.

 

[MrCelery]

I didn't think Hutcho was the problem. At least he was in there mixing it.

I put the slow start down simply to tactics. I could be very wrong, but if I were Arnie I'd wear down the opposition (don't forget they travelled), watch what develops and search for the weaknesses (they, like all Asian teams we will play, have far higher credentials), and crank up the pace in the second half. I think that's exactly what we did.

Rose certainly had a shocker, and one hopes Holger wasn't watching.

Clear message to the midfield and defence - don't boot the ball and expect Sutton to run on to it. That's Bernie's gig. Sutton looks best when the ball is played to his feet.

 

[style_cafe]

Signed with Victory hasn't he?

Yeah,my bad. It more wishful thinking I suppose.
First time I had seen him in the top flight & he looked impressive..
apologies to all..

 

[pjennings]

Clear message to the midfield and defence - don't boot the ball and expect Sutton to run on to it. That's Bernie's gig. Sutton looks best when the ball is played to his feet.

If only that was true. He gave up on a heap of balls and didn't pressure their defence at all.

Bernie was only on for a short time but for the most part ambled around like he'd play 120 minutes. In the first leg of the semi Musti tried to press the Roar defence but Rogic and Bernie just hung back. after doing that a few times he figured - bugger that and we conceded ground to them for the rest of the game.

 

[Forum Phoenix]

we conceded ground to them for the rest of the game.

This is bloody maddening sometimes. I understand our zonal defence. But you also have to respond to what's happening.

Watching a Roar player, in trouble, on, and facing, his own by line, and we all turned and run back up the park the other way.

10 seconds later with a simple switch of play and Steffanuto has them attacking down our right flank and whipping in a bloody dangerous ball. It was infuriating to watch. Even if you are not tactically pressing up the park. There are still key moment when you should obviously press up the park.

No matter how well drilled you are in anything you must still respond to the needs and opportunities of the moment.

I also watched a moment against Seongham where with the simplest of runs Sutton was in behind in the box off a throw in. But he didn't even consider it, nor did the thrower, because -- we throw long.

Anyhow, undefeated after 3 rounds... I'll take.

 

[MrCelery]

If only that was true. He gave up on a heap of balls and didn't pressure their defence at all.

Bernie was only on for a short time but for the most part ambled around like he'd play 120 minutes. In the first leg of the semi Musti tried to press the Roar defence but Rogic and Bernie just hung back. after doing that a few times he figured - bugger that and we conceded ground to them for the rest of the game.

Take your point, however, ambled around or not, I suggest Bernie's the fastest we've got in a sprint. He only has to take one stride for Sutton's four\five!

They usually do sprint tests during training/pre-season. It would be interesting to see the results over 50 meters.

 

[elevated position]

I would be interested to see the times when the player was first signed and then again after 2 yrs

 

[elevated position]

With the team that played last night it appears that GA might be sending the B team away after we beat Perth.

 

[true believer]

forget the naval gazing or bitchfesting .
he real question is what foxtel channel is the mariners on tonight? 501? 503?
i've got adelaide on t-box

go mariners

 

[adz]

501 at 8:25

 

[true believer]

501 at 8:25

thanks dude

 

[true believer]

i probably should know this . but because we finished 3rd in the finals series are we 3rd in asia? ie do need to play a qualifier for the AFC? or are we No1 for first past the post?

 

[adz]

i probably should know this . but because we finished 3rd in the finals series are we 3rd in asia? ie do need to play a qualifier for the AFC? or are we No1 for first past the post?

Premiers and Grand Final winners go straight through. If they are the same team, the Grand Final runner-up goes through. Then ... no idea how they get the 3rd team ...

 

[Gratis]

i probably should know this . but because we finished 3rd in the finals series are we 3rd in asia? ie do need to play a qualifier for the AFC? or are we No1 for first past the post?

we're automatically in for winning the premiership

 

[true believer]

Premiers and Grand Final winners go straight through. If they are the same team, the Grand Final runner-up goes through. Then ... no idea how they get the 3rd team ...

thank you once again and thank sir d. go mariners

 

[Gratis]

Premiers and Grand Final winners go straight through. If they are the same team, the Grand Final runner-up goes through. Then ... no idea how they get the 3rd team ...

i suspect it then goes back to the ladder, it's us, roar and perth regardless this year - and their weekend tussle is for 2nd and 3rd into ACL to add to the stakes

 

[Wombat]

hopefully Bernie gets the full 90.