R10: Nix v CCM, Hamilton NZ

[nebakke]

f**king shades of last year this.

 

[tim...]

Yep, one opened up right down the middle of our own half just then, Phoenix goals set to flow down it...

 

[FFC Mariner]

Eddie then?

Coaching master stroke. Could be a lot of they don't get a grip

 

[nebakke]

Wtf are the replays? This one now was the first one :-(

 

[Holy]

Ball movement is too slow, passing not crisp enough, there is no off the ball movement, no penetration. I hope Okon gives them one of those half time speeches

 

[Forum Phoenix]

Not sure how anyone can look at our side and not see it's in the middle that we are lacking the creativity and ball retention we so clearly need.

That said, I think they're all working hard and we still look a chance to get something out of it. However Phoenix are neutralising our wingers very well and Roy's runs are not being rewarded and or he is too easily shut down as we have no one in the middle who can go past his man and create space.


We could move the ball quicker its true, But I assume the reason we don't regularly hit longer fiagonal balls is because our players lack confidence / ability in the passing range. As is... we're fighting hard but achieving little more than ineffective huffing and puffing.

 

[Forum Phoenix]

Also wish our players would just protect the ball and take a foul far more often, force the kiwis to ease off and put them in foul trouble - was obvious how physical they would be.

 

[Pirate Pete]

A shot.... on target would be nice

 

[nebakke]

They're sitting pretty far back to negate or wings but we just have nothing productive in the middle front again.

 

[Forum Phoenix]

f**k off. Seriously Lia has to score his once ever 3 years fluke ass goal now. FFS.

 

[nebakke]

This is a f**king joke. I'm not even sure why but I'm f**king disgusted with this.
There's no f**king urgency on our side. They've shown f**k all tonight.

 

[Forum Phoenix]

He scores every 70 odd games... how is our luck.

 

[Forum Phoenix]

i actually think they're working hard. Just that man for man we're outclassed and being out muscled.

I think our biggest mistake is if players want to tear in at you - then you either have to go past them - as at least our full backs are doing or otherwise take a foul. Admirable to always try and keep your feet... but not smart in a game like this. Hutch would have drawn half a dozen fouls by now.... We've allowed them to bully and run over the top of us.

I don't dislike Rose Berry or Powell but they are simply not a strong enough central midfield and we're now pinned back and under the pump because they have lost the battle and we have no field position or shape.

Oh and the memo on Krishna got lost and Neil is still not HAL level.

 

[nebakke]

i actuslly think they're working hard. Just that man for man we're outclassed and being out muscled.

Yeah in fairness i think I'm just frustrated - especially because i think defence has been putting in a seven
Decent shift - Micky Neill actually even had a couple of decent touches but - just like last season, when we're asking them to perform constantly for 90 minutes, they're bound to stuff up at times and again we just have nothing in the front mids.

 

[nebakke]

This is starting to feel decidedly like a dropping though

 

[greenlig]

Ivan has been solid, looks fitter. Zero creativity on the pitch for us unfortunately.

 

[MrCelery]

Where do I start. How about the front third. Basically we don't have one it seems. Lots of huffing and puffing by Pain, but bugger-all else. No support whatsoever. Wellington are showing us how to attack, but we don't seem to have a clue. Fabio totally ineffective.

 

[FFC Mariner]

They simply aren't good enough. End of discussion. They aren't unlucky. They are sub standard and they seem to play like they know it

 

[dibo]

Powell isn't a 10, Ferreira isn't interested, Pain has been poor and Rose hasn't got into the game. All ball, no result. A true 10 would help but won't fix that.

Ascroft has been our best, which shows what sort of day we've had.

Here's a thing - we don't have a 10, we won't get one until at least Jan - why not consider changing the shape? Just push Powell to be a second striker to give Roy some help and encourage Berry *or* Rose to push on.

 

[dibo]

Heads are out of it. Same happened last week.