Round 18. Newcastle away.

[true believer]

Thanks mate all good.

I suspect that the real reason for the blood pressure spike, was the body going into shock due to being off the grog for a fortnight.

That'll do it

 

[true believer]

It’s folly.

You don’t throw a 20yo to CB when he has never played there.

I think its his spot .
And he's what we have

 

[Forum Phoenix]

We had no fight in two obviously critical games and that's unforgivable. Mistakes happen, you cop unlucky moments or a worldie sometimes, players have bad games but almost the whole team couldnt care less yesterday and barely turned up for Brisbane. It could be Staj losing the dressing room but I do wonder if there has been some drama in the January window we dont know about, influential figures not offered extensions? Signings elsewhere we don't know yet? The guys arent playing for each other or themselves and certainly not for the club & fans. If we had the depth I'd rest Duric, Stensness and Silvera after that effort but if needed let Stensness play.

This is it in a nutshell.

 

[Forum Phoenix]

I think freeing Kim up from some defensive duties while limiting Stens to defensuve duties would better suit where were at right now.

I don't really want to free up Kim from defensive duties. I think having a solid back four with those two in front dedicated to screening and breaking up play would mean we finally stopped having players waltz in to our final third. And if we could just upgrade on Clisby I actually think our back 4 would be ok given how solid Tongyik looked in his cameo and I'd be starting him and pushing Rowles into LB ASAP.

But our midfield seems to have packed up shop for the year and they were failing to provide assists before they gave up, or I guess we can blame our forwards for failing to score. Duric is our highest scorer with 4. Matty has 3, but two were pens (can't remember the third).

The club has a lot of squad problems to overcome once again. And losing Birra is going to hurt us BAD.

 

[shipwreck]

It was the loss against Western United that f**ked us. We haven't looked right since then.

 

[pjennings]

And losing Birra is going to hurt us BAD.

Is this speculation or an opinion or have you heard something

 

[Ancient Mariner]

I have not been a supporter of moving Rowles to fullback as I thought he was too important in the centre. However after his performance at set pieces recently, maybe it is time.

 

[Elite]

Why are we dropping Ziggy? Throws his body into blocks every game.

Really likeable character, always thanks the fans whether it's at home or away matches and you cannot question his commitment.

I know he's on the slower side but I hope we can keep him honestly.

 

[turbo]

I know he's on the slower side but I hope we can keep him honestly.

The only issue is if we want to keep playing Rowles or Tongyik in CB as well it stops us bringing in a high quality visa CB to really run the back line so we need to decide what is realistic and what we want. IMO unless we can line up a big improvement we should keep Ziggy and probably chuck him the arm band.

 

[jacobsfl]

keep Ziggy and probably chuck him the arm band.

A captain that doesn't start fights? What is this madness

*in all seriousness I'd like to see that.

 

[Ancient Mariner]

We need to spend money on a spine.
Bizzaz
Quality experienced Centre Back a la Patrick Z.
Quality beast DM, like Mile. Or non beast like Musti or Tommy H.
Quality AM or #10. Many different ways to go.
Striker who can score.

The rest will take care of itself. As long as we have fast wingers (Harold is a start) and stop playing 4-2-2-2).

 

[Ancient Mariner]

Really likeable character, always thanks the fans whether it's at home or away matches and you cannot question his commitment.

I know he's on the slower side but I hope we can keep him honestly.

Ziggy is not necessarily slow. He is just not quick, but I would back him against most over 100m.

 

[jacobsfl]

We need to spend money on a spine.
Bizzaz
Quality experienced Centre Back a la Patrick Z.
Quality beast DM, like Mile. Or non beast like Musti or Tommy H.
Quality AM or #10. Many different ways to go.
Striker who can score.

The rest will take care of itself. As long as we have fast wingers (Harold is a start) and stop playing 4-2-2-2).

Given we have some quality youth strikers, a top dollar visa striker would be able to teach the younger lads how to finish. Silvera still has a spot but he needs to fix his attitude first. Having players like Milan in his ear is only going to be a detriment.

Is it possible to resign Kim? i want to see him again next season.

 

[Big Al]

I mentioned in another post that maybe there’s some drama coming out of the January window we aren’t aware of that’s really upset the squad because something is off and the timing lines up.

If this is his response to not being offered an extension mid season it supports whoever made that call. If he kept up the form he’d have us and a bunch of clubs banging on his door. Keep playing like he has in the last two and he’ll be heading home without any offers. I’m hopeful that he has a niggle and maybe just needs Staj to rest him for a round or two.

We’ve been falling apart in January for the last few years especially Okon.
The if we just beat this shit team and then that one and we’ll be in the 6 keeps turning into the spoon and contract discussions have to be a major part of this

 

[Tim]

Gee hasn’t the tide turned on Milan on this forum. The guy is a classy player who appears to be tired or perhaps is carrying a niggling injury or two and hasn’t been at his best after such an explosive start to the season. If it continues, it’s a problem, but for now I think we give him the benefit of the doubt...

 

[Forum Phoenix]

Is this speculation or an opinion or have you heard something

Just a few mutterings but nothing solid.

As a matter of opinion though, almost certainly would be looking onward and upward. It’s hard to imagine why he would stay unless he can’t get a competing offer. And his form would justify a decent move.

 

[Forum Phoenix]

Really likeable character, always thanks the fans whether it's at home or away matches and you cannot question his commitment.

I know he's on the slower side but I hope we can keep him honestly.

I'm won over. His speed can be a liability but he has great timing and 1000% commitment.

 

[Forum Phoenix]

A captain that doesn't start fights? What is this madness

*in all seriousness I'd like to see that.

wilko?

 

[Forum Phoenix]

We’ve been falling apart in January for the last few years especially Okon.
The if we just beat this shit team and then that one and we’ll be in the 6 keeps turning into the spoon and contract discussions have to be a major part of this

For sure. I don’t think it’s coincidence either... the better reputed and better performing players and their agents would all start looking to the future as the coaches vision implodes.

3 more wins which we could easily have had and it’s probably a very different story.

 

[Forum Phoenix]

Gee hasn’t the tide turned on Milan on this forum. The guy is a classy player who appears to be tired or perhaps is carrying a niggling injury or two and hasn’t been at his best after such an explosive start to the season. If it continues, it’s a problem, but for now I think we give him the benefit of the doubt...

yeah I think it could be the hernia issue was it? He’s clearly holding back at present. But my money would be it’s not from lack of heart with him, but it might be...