Round 1 2018/19 v Brisbane Roar

[marinermick]

We can if Big Mac plays as the 10.

Despite him starting brightly and scoring, Pain frustrated me from about 50 mins with his reluctance to defend. Murray was much better in that regard when he came on, whilst still trying to get forward when we were attacking.

Wee Mac was playing as an eight but defending more as a ten, the spot where McCormack should have been. At times Mikey was closing down the keeper he was that far up the field. This was isolating Hiariej and why we looked so frail defensively in the centre of midfield, with the Dane and especially Lopez having a field day. They were easily picking and passing through the lines between fullbacks and centre backs, which were also loose causing Brisbane to get behind our defence way too often.

Lots of work to do both defensively and attack but we haven’t jagged a point in Brisbane for a long time so I am happy.

Agree that O’Neill has to start next week but at whose expense?

 

[Wombat]

Wee Mac was playing as an eight but defending more as a ten, the spot where McCormack should have been. At times Mikey was closing down the keeper he was that far up the field. This was isolating Hiariej and why we looked so frail defensively in the centre of midfield, with the Dane and especially Lopez having a field day. They were easily picking and passing through the lines between fullbacks and centre backs, which were also loose causing Brisbane to get behind our defence way too often.

Lots of work to do both defensively and attack but we haven’t jagged a point in Brisbane for a long time so I am happy.

Agree that O’Neill has to start next week but at whose expense?

3 blokes didn't do enough to be safe.
Pain, Or and WeeMac.

 

[Tevor]

From the start I was always happy with at least a point from this game and I'm stall happy as we just stole two points off Roar and you could see that on their faces at the end of the game. The last 3 years we would have lost this game, I'm not overly concerned with the game plan as I think MM had a plan and it wasn't too pretty but it achieved a point. I really like that MM uses tactics, Brisbane is a humid place and MM knows this very well so we played at a slower pace much to Roars frustrations and I can not think of another coach we have had since Arnie that has been smart enough to use different tactics for who and where we are playing.

I watched every game and wow is this an even comp, I know it's only the first round however there was no stand out for the best team or the worst team. Lots of comments that we were lucky however Jets and Perth were just as wasteful as Roar yesterday and the two victors were somewhat gifted the win by controversial decisions so it could have been five draws for the first round. Every point especially an away point will be crucial this season.

I can not help but think we will be a different side at home this week, I'm sure MM is looking to win as many at home as possible and pick up points when ever possible on the road even if it is ugly. The team showed character and hope this continues this for the whole season.

Trying so hard not to mention the refereeing, I pity whoever plays MV as they will not be hard done by two weeks in a row and I'm crossing my fingers we do not get Beath for too many games this year as he seriously hates us. The mute button is a powerful weapon against the drivel that came out of Harpers mouth during that game, can not believe he was suggesting the ref should just allow one of Taggart's goals even when it was clear he was off side. New low even for him.

 

[BrisRecky]

soon as i Heard the name Mauk...this occured

 

[BrisRecky]

was it just me or did Simmo and McCormack not seem to be on the same page
Wee Mac was definate not a DM, I think in the coming weeks he may swap spot with AO on a more permanent basis
How good was Dutch Tommy (and im not even being byast)...the Brissy Tommy was hot and cold
as the game went on young Kye grew to ten feet...as opposed to Cisse ad Golec who went missing on occasion
hell even Kennedy was better than half decent
Painy apart from his goal really didnt get into it that much (or im mad , one or the other)
as for Brisbane ..Taggart must be thinking his lost his mojo...and Aloi$i is a babbling numbnut

 

[marinermick]

was it just me or did Simmo and McCormack not seem to be on the same page

Definitely not on the same page. Simmo was winning a ton of ball but no one was reading it. Ross's workrate was also poor which affected the dynamic up front and cascaded to midfield. O'Neill will help here in taking some of that burden. As well if we can get balls to McCormack's feet in positions he can do stuff this will better suit him. He is not a workhorse and we must accommodate that given his abilities.

 

[Offsider]

Brisbane were reading it ............

Can’t think of anything positive. Brisbane were not even challenging for the ball in the end ....... just letting simon close his eyes and try to hit the ball with his head.

 

[Offsider]

Brisbane were reading it ............

Can’t think of anything positive. Brisbane were not even challenging for the ball in the end ....... just letting simon close his eyes and try to hit the ball with his head.

 

[BrisRecky]

https://itsamarinatedworld.blogspot.com/2018/10/roar-v-coasties-mulvey-era-game-uno.html
blogaroo completed..COYY

 

[Michael]

3 blokes didn't do enough to be safe.
Pain, Or and WeeMac.

Pain took his goal well, but then returned to the Pain of last season. Which was frustrating thinking back. Makes Murray that much closer to starting next week.
I’d say Oar will be safe for this week, Hingert had a cracker and gave tommy o no time, annoyingly. But Tommy O has enough experience and know how these days to remedy that going forward.
Imperative that O’Neil replaces Mikey next to Tom H.

 

[Offsider]

Roux has a nice contract at Victory .......... obviously not everybody agrees with you........... except mr & mrs Training-Cone.

 

[Offsider]

Roux has a nice contract at Victory .......... obviously not everybody agrees with you........... except mr & mrs Training-Cone.

 

[Antlion]

soon as i Heard the name Mauk...this occured

 

[style_cafe]

The VAR did check when Cisse scored, and either agreed it was off or was inconclusive. Thing is, it was a very, very quick check - as opposed to several minutes up the other end.
Given that Cisse appeared to be level, I really question wtf is happening there.

Also, what about Cisse getting thrown to the ground by his neck? Off-the-ball contact to the head or neck is a red card unless it's negligible.

As for the concerns about the performance - let's also remember that this is, quite literally, their first game together, given how MM approached preseason.

I. had a really good look at the VAR Cisse was marginally onside the goal should have been allowed

 

[Antlion]

Murray will start a game soon, and deserves to on his showings.

I think Weemac was out of position for him, he never was a Jedinak/Monty/Hutch type. It's to his credit that he has the ability to be flexible. But he excels in midfield as an attacker and preferably at right wing. His preseason shows he is pretty sharp too.

When everyone is fully fit I'd like to see

Simon
Oar - McCormack - Weemac
O'Neill - Hiariej*
Clisby - Golec - Cisse - ?Rowles

Subs: Pain, Murray, Shabow, McGing/Millar
*not sure who should be left/right

Final thought - someone else mentioned it but this first 11, and last nights first 11, have never played a game together. And Oar and McCormack have only been here two weeks. Several returning from being unfit or injured.

There is A LOT of growth to be seen here. Becoming fitter, gelling etc. Exciting when you see the fight they put up to stay in it last night.

 

[style_cafe]

Kennedy 8. MOM
Rowles 7. A proper defender. Needs to polish his marking and positioning.....but can make that spot his own on that performance.
Clisby 7. Good tough game.
Golec. 6.5. Still gets lost at times but a real defender and saved us countless times.
Cisse 6. Not sure why Harper was fapping over him like he used to over Caceras. His "goal" was beautiful but suspect early on and needs to tighten his defending.
Weemac 5.5. Worked hard.
Pain 6. Great finish but needs to be busier.
Tommy 6.5. Superb assist and some lovely moments. Worked hard but id like to see him drive forward with the ball sometimes.
Oar 6. Was aggressive and tried hard but not at his best.
Ross. 6 Needs to be hungrier but his quality is obvious.
Simon 6.5. Good captains knock.

O"Neill needs to start.

Kennedy. MOM? Who's on the casks now?...

 

[marinermick]

I was really spewing that the two McCormack freekicks were no where near the mark. A couple in preseason also didn't hit the target.

Those that have played would know you get a run on in these things and it is either a flood or drought situation. Hoping he finds his range soon.

 

[Antlion]

Other thoughts.

I thought Roar were very sharp and dangerous, except in front of goal. They are quality, and much advanced on us in terms of cohesion, understanding and game preparedness. Which is totally to be expected considering we essentially have a brand new team playing together more or less for the first time.

Cisse was better than I was expecting. I think he'll improve over the season but thought last night was going to be a howler, and it wasn't.
Murray looked sharp.
Rowles did well - but unless he really excels as a RB we will get targeted there and have troubles.
O'Neill! I hadn't seen him yet but holy dangus, so impressed! With him firing and fit our prospects go up several notches.

O'Neill and Hiariej will be Steel and Silk.
O'Neill is the steel in the CDM role that can break up play and burst forward with power and purpose. I think he'll score a few too. Hiariej, with that strength beside him, will be free-er to apply those silky skills, setting up play and creating in an ala-AM role.

Simon is captain so there is no chance of him starting on the bench. Or else I'd consider trying Oar at AM with McCormack at 9, Pain and Weemac either side

In 6-8 games I think this will be a ruthless squad that will take teams by the throat or go down fighting til the very end. That's all I can ask for, would be very happy if it goes that way

 

[adz]

I thought Cisse was better than a few comments I've seen. But then again, even after watching the A-League from day 1 I still have very little idea about positioning, tactics, and gameplay in general... I put this down to the shit commentary who are more interested in coming up with stupid catch phrases instead of explaining the game. Commentators even had an argument about one of the rules in our game, no clue.

 

[turbo]

I thought Cisse was better than a few comments I've seen

I agree, Golec did some important things but also seemed to hang too far off Taggart on a few occasions that should have cost us dearly. Of the two I'd say Cisse had the better and more consistent game. Maybe it's due to coming back from injury and the new CB pairing needing a little more time but that's something we need to tighten up. Would be nice to see us holding on to possession a bit more, I'm not sure I've ever seen a team play well while heading it back and forward with the opposition. I'm all for taking a risk when the long ball is on but turning it over in the middle cheaply just puts us under pressure.

Good to see Rowles put in a decent performance, even when beaten he got right back in there and had another go. Going to be hard to give one of the others the nod after that.

Not quite sure what was going on with Clisby's set pieces and corners, felt more like the Hoole days than what we've seen in preseason.