-
Join ccmfans.net
ccmfans.net is the Central Coast Mariners fan community, and was formed in 2004, so basically the beginning of time for the Mariners. Things have changed a lot over the years, but one thing has remained constant and that is our love of the Mariners. People come and go, some like to post a lot and others just like to read. It's up to you how you participate in the community!
If you want to get rid of this message, simply click on Join Now or head over to https://www.ccmfans.net/community/register/ to join the community! It only takes a few minutes, and joining will let you post your thoughts and opinions on all things Mariners, Football, and whatever else pops into your mind. If posting is not your thing, you can interact in other ways, including voting on polls, and unlock options only available to community members.
ccmfans.net is not only for Mariners fans either. Most of us are bonded by our support for the Mariners, but if you are a fan of another club (except the Scum, come on, we need some standards), feel free to join and get into some banter.
Tony Walmsley's Yellow Army!
- Thread starter dibo
- Start date
Rowdy
Well-Known Member
Then introduce goal line technology at a local level...
As if football wasn't already expensive enough for kid's parents to be paying.
Make them all bring their KRudd lap-tops, network them up with some Swann Home Security cameras, some fencing wire and 'bob's your uncle'. Aussie enginenudity.
Ancient Mariner
Well-Known Member
OK enough of the goo feasting. I think it is time to take a step back and examine why so much hope after the first couple of games has turned to despair and to check whether it is really time slash wrists or look to the light at the end of the tunnel.
We all now that this season is for rebuilding for the team and the club, a lot of dead wood was cleared away, and the team was paired back to the bone.
The model was for a team of enthusiastic young players built around a core of old heads. Recruiting while done cheaply showed some promise. Too early to call yet, however Austin and O'Donovan look good.
So what went wrong?
The old heads consisted of Monty, Rosey, Eddy, Reddy and possibly Fab. Unfortunately 2 of the old heads (Eddy and Reddy) were not only up to the task but apparently were undermining the model before it was even tried. They had to go, no argument. Unfortunately that is half your "old head" experience and leadership gone. Not only that getting rid of them does not free salary to replace them this season as their contracts (or part thereof still have to be paid). A very serious hit especially with an inexperienced defence.
Defence seriously damaged.
Second problem, our 2 best attacking options (Fab and Austin) get injured along with Monty copping a suspension. Disaster, only one old head left, and limited attack. Result 1-5.
Attack stuffed.
This season is stuffed in terms of making the playoffs and the battle now is to avoid the spoon.
Is it the end of the world and time to give up? Does it show that the direction taken is wrong?
I don't think so. We were light on in terms of experience and not strong enough to withstand some really bad knocks.
I do not see an alternative and still believe it is a good model for CCM.
For those who want Charlesworth to open his cheque book forget it, it is not going to happen. His plan is to build a club that is sustainable and able to stand on its own feet. This is essential for the long term survival of the Mariners on the coast, and indeed all A-League teams.
Forget the idea that someone is going to come along and buy the licence it will not happen. FFS, FFA cannot find a buyer for Newcastle which is a much more attractive proposition than CCM. If the were an idiot out there with more money than sense who wanted to buy an A-League team and pour money into it there are better buys out there than CCM.
And for those that hope the licence will be returned to the FFA. If that happens you can kiss good bye to Mariners staying on the Coast. Gallop would have the Southern Sydney Mariners up and running in the blink of an eye.
So where does that leave CCM now?
We are still rebuilding.
There are some players I am looking forward to seeing develop. I want to see Roy show us his full capabilities. I want to see how far Austin can go. I think Rose junior is a great prospect, as is Kalik. I want to see our young defenders grow "old heads", the potential is there. I want to see someone find the right position for Caceras, I suspect it could be up front. That run into the box against Glory scared their defence shitless, but he is not a #10.
I want to see Fab back to full fitness and see the team play like it did for the first three games.
We can still support the team that with a fair run of no injuries to key players will still jag wins.
But most of all I want to see this team play next year with the identification and removal of more dead wood and the import of a couple of key players.
For those that are result driven, if that is your thing hop off now and go and watch Arnie's SFC.
If you want to see wins with a "bought team" follow Victory or take your pick of and EPL side. I would rather put up with the rough times and stick with a team that will provide results and when they do those results will be much more satisfying and real than anything bought.
Blind optimism? Maybe but that's what being a supporter is all about.
COYY.
We all now that this season is for rebuilding for the team and the club, a lot of dead wood was cleared away, and the team was paired back to the bone.
The model was for a team of enthusiastic young players built around a core of old heads. Recruiting while done cheaply showed some promise. Too early to call yet, however Austin and O'Donovan look good.
So what went wrong?
The old heads consisted of Monty, Rosey, Eddy, Reddy and possibly Fab. Unfortunately 2 of the old heads (Eddy and Reddy) were not only up to the task but apparently were undermining the model before it was even tried. They had to go, no argument. Unfortunately that is half your "old head" experience and leadership gone. Not only that getting rid of them does not free salary to replace them this season as their contracts (or part thereof still have to be paid). A very serious hit especially with an inexperienced defence.
Defence seriously damaged.
Second problem, our 2 best attacking options (Fab and Austin) get injured along with Monty copping a suspension. Disaster, only one old head left, and limited attack. Result 1-5.
Attack stuffed.
This season is stuffed in terms of making the playoffs and the battle now is to avoid the spoon.
Is it the end of the world and time to give up? Does it show that the direction taken is wrong?
I don't think so. We were light on in terms of experience and not strong enough to withstand some really bad knocks.
I do not see an alternative and still believe it is a good model for CCM.
For those who want Charlesworth to open his cheque book forget it, it is not going to happen. His plan is to build a club that is sustainable and able to stand on its own feet. This is essential for the long term survival of the Mariners on the coast, and indeed all A-League teams.
Forget the idea that someone is going to come along and buy the licence it will not happen. FFS, FFA cannot find a buyer for Newcastle which is a much more attractive proposition than CCM. If the were an idiot out there with more money than sense who wanted to buy an A-League team and pour money into it there are better buys out there than CCM.
And for those that hope the licence will be returned to the FFA. If that happens you can kiss good bye to Mariners staying on the Coast. Gallop would have the Southern Sydney Mariners up and running in the blink of an eye.
So where does that leave CCM now?
We are still rebuilding.
There are some players I am looking forward to seeing develop. I want to see Roy show us his full capabilities. I want to see how far Austin can go. I think Rose junior is a great prospect, as is Kalik. I want to see our young defenders grow "old heads", the potential is there. I want to see someone find the right position for Caceras, I suspect it could be up front. That run into the box against Glory scared their defence shitless, but he is not a #10.
I want to see Fab back to full fitness and see the team play like it did for the first three games.
We can still support the team that with a fair run of no injuries to key players will still jag wins.
But most of all I want to see this team play next year with the identification and removal of more dead wood and the import of a couple of key players.
For those that are result driven, if that is your thing hop off now and go and watch Arnie's SFC.
If you want to see wins with a "bought team" follow Victory or take your pick of and EPL side. I would rather put up with the rough times and stick with a team that will provide results and when they do those results will be much more satisfying and real than anything bought.
Blind optimism? Maybe but that's what being a supporter is all about.
COYY.
Last edited:
Wombat
Well-Known Member
Good post.
However, MC does need to open his wallet.
There is not much dead wood left but there is NO experience in the squad apart from Monty, Roy and Rose.
If we don't bring in some experience to our spine we will continue to flounder and lose games we could easily win.
To think you can win with a disorganised bunch of kids is delusional.
COYY
However, MC does need to open his wallet.
There is not much dead wood left but there is NO experience in the squad apart from Monty, Roy and Rose.
If we don't bring in some experience to our spine we will continue to flounder and lose games we could easily win.
To think you can win with a disorganised bunch of kids is delusional.
COYY
Ancient Mariner
Well-Known Member
Wouldn't you just love to hear we are signing Patricio Perez and Wilko in January.
Let me dream.
Let me dream.
Last edited:
Gratis
Well-Known Member
Good post AM. I essentially agree with all you are saying and it needs to be said and us all reminded. I do agree with wombat though in that we must have a little more experience in there asap.
Once Fab is back (and don't forget Tricky) we'll be better but that shows how shallow the depth is - an injury or suspension and we're completely out to sea. Example - Monty may miss the roar game with a hammy.
As has been seen this run is testing even for the faithful. The lite fans won't be renewing memberships or going to games if the season stays this way, and it'd be the same at any a-league club. If they drop from 5000 to 3000 next season good bye sustainable model.
Once Fab is back (and don't forget Tricky) we'll be better but that shows how shallow the depth is - an injury or suspension and we're completely out to sea. Example - Monty may miss the roar game with a hammy.
As has been seen this run is testing even for the faithful. The lite fans won't be renewing memberships or going to games if the season stays this way, and it'd be the same at any a-league club. If they drop from 5000 to 3000 next season good bye sustainable model.
Last edited:
Forum Phoenix
Well-Known Member
I really like a lot of that post Ancient. On players like Rose Jr, Kalik, Austin Roy etc I feel exactly the same.
I don't think you have to be blindly optimistic though, as there are some pretty pessimistic football supporters out there who are also passionate devoted fans and the majority of people would likely lie somewhere between both extremes, or oscillate. My step mother is a shocker. Always fears the worst, but loves the Mariners to death, member since V1, travelled OS for ACL, and has barley missed a game. She cracks us all up with her endless pessimism. Really is very funny. Room for a mix as ever I think.
Maybe this is not what you were saying, but you obviously don't have to be results driven and demand wins with a "bought team" to also feel concerned about your club and believe a few things needs to change. That would seem a pretty polarised take on things. And I'm sure you would agree that it would be a pretty unreasonable position to tell people to simply jog on if they hoped for more when the team goes bottom after 10 rounds and has not won away in 22. Again, I think there's a lot more room in the middle. You can be on board the vision, supportive of our youth policy, realistic about our expenditure and sustainability etc... yet still think we are in dire need of some reinforcements or that we will continue to languish, that this will hurt us, maybe even badly, and we will fail to achieve the vision the club outlined.
On new players:
I don't expect Charlesworth wants to spend more $$ at all. And you might be right unfortunately and he will not. And I agree re spoilt overly demanding or whiney fans etc. But from where I sit I think you may have the wrong end of the stick on this point.
A wooden spoon won't stop me renewing, but for some it obviously will... and for how many casuals is probably a bigger question. People always give bandwagoners a hard time. But we need bandwagoners. And I'm positive Charlesworth wants as many Bandwagoners as he can possibly get. He doesn't really care where the numbers come from. It's why he was trying NSO not because he was trying to destroy the club. And that's why he's talking about being the entertainment factory now. He conceded we don't even need to win as long as we're entertaining, because he believes that will still drive crowds, and that will make us sustainable. Fair enough. But the truth is, we are not executing his vision at present. And he did not state he's happy to lose, even if we are playing poorly and our fan numbers start to dwindle. How could he want that? He doesn't. Neither do we.
A couple of players may not change things (which is why I feel four are required to be a lot safer) but all evidence suggests that if he doesn't spend to bring in at least a little more experience and quality now, it will very likely equate to us staying around the bottom and losing a few thousand in gate for each of our remaining home games - plus all the bad press and impact on memberships next year etc. Not to mention how it impacts on current players, their careers and future recruiting. Like Coach said on here the other day, if he was a defender he'd be running for the hills to preserve his career prospects. You can see why a player may feel this way.
And as I see it, all the hard work and the vision for the year will quite possibly fail, possibly all because of a couple of dickheads and a few hundred thousand in squad depth.
I don't think this would be throwing good money after bad. We're not that far off the pace when our best 11 is on the field and in form. And the vision is sound I think. But the model clearly needs some tweaking. And not because we had problems. Any good plan expects some unforeseen problems and has a contingency built in. And though harder to budget for, contingencies become even more important when you are so bare bones.
From how we began, Walmsley looks like he really might be able to pull off the vision given time and the right depth and balance in the squad, but right now, it seems pretty clear that he needs some more depth and experience for it to be balanced, and that the task at hand to play attacking entertaining football against much better resourced opponents, is too big a burden and unrealistic for such a young squad as we now have. Even with Reddy and Bosnar acting like they'd been pumped full of ecstasy it may well not have been enough. So imo the club needs to throw some support behind them, and I think they deserve it despite the results. Because they have shown promise. But the players and TW are clearly feeling the pressure now (never seen Rosey snr so frustrated) and make no mistake their is a lot of judgement being placed on them all around the league, from pundits, other coaches, players and even ex players it would seem. And a lot of people have always seemed liked they would be quite happy if we folded.
So I want to be clear, I'm not saying we desperately need some reinforcements from any expectation of monstering the league, or even expecting to win a lot more games this season, (though a ratio greater than 10% would certainly be hoped for and fair enough to expect I think) I'm saying it because it seems blatantly obvious to me that we now have to spend on a couple of players at least if we hope to execute the vision of playing entertaining attacking football and drawing good crowds for the rest of the year that the club has outlined.
Because intention is not enough, potential is not enough, even effort is not enough. Because the quality of other teams directly impacts on how entertaining you can be regardless of your intentions. Potential must be realised before it's ultimately of value. And huge effort that bares no results can be very frustrating and even highly demoralising. I think you can see this in some of the players now.
From what I can tell they've busted a gut and been brave and bold this year and really were having a go at making something special and finding a new way forward, all in the face of criticism. Which is why I think there isn't mass call of TW out, but rather MC, please support the vision now or all that hard work looks like it will come to naught. (or worse)
I'd much prefer that to TW getting the sack and another over haul etc etc... as I've said multiple times, he seems a really good guy and so good for the club in so many ways.
Anyway. Just my perspective. But I think we need to spend to support the vision. Not because it was inept and I'm sick of losing. (Though I'm sick of losing
) But so we can achieve it.
I don't think you have to be blindly optimistic though, as there are some pretty pessimistic football supporters out there who are also passionate devoted fans and the majority of people would likely lie somewhere between both extremes, or oscillate. My step mother is a shocker. Always fears the worst, but loves the Mariners to death, member since V1, travelled OS for ACL, and has barley missed a game. She cracks us all up with her endless pessimism. Really is very funny. Room for a mix as ever I think.
Maybe this is not what you were saying, but you obviously don't have to be results driven and demand wins with a "bought team" to also feel concerned about your club and believe a few things needs to change. That would seem a pretty polarised take on things. And I'm sure you would agree that it would be a pretty unreasonable position to tell people to simply jog on if they hoped for more when the team goes bottom after 10 rounds and has not won away in 22. Again, I think there's a lot more room in the middle. You can be on board the vision, supportive of our youth policy, realistic about our expenditure and sustainability etc... yet still think we are in dire need of some reinforcements or that we will continue to languish, that this will hurt us, maybe even badly, and we will fail to achieve the vision the club outlined.
On new players:
I don't expect Charlesworth wants to spend more $$ at all. And you might be right unfortunately and he will not. And I agree re spoilt overly demanding or whiney fans etc. But from where I sit I think you may have the wrong end of the stick on this point.
A wooden spoon won't stop me renewing, but for some it obviously will... and for how many casuals is probably a bigger question. People always give bandwagoners a hard time. But we need bandwagoners. And I'm positive Charlesworth wants as many Bandwagoners as he can possibly get. He doesn't really care where the numbers come from. It's why he was trying NSO not because he was trying to destroy the club. And that's why he's talking about being the entertainment factory now. He conceded we don't even need to win as long as we're entertaining, because he believes that will still drive crowds, and that will make us sustainable. Fair enough. But the truth is, we are not executing his vision at present. And he did not state he's happy to lose, even if we are playing poorly and our fan numbers start to dwindle. How could he want that? He doesn't. Neither do we.
A couple of players may not change things (which is why I feel four are required to be a lot safer) but all evidence suggests that if he doesn't spend to bring in at least a little more experience and quality now, it will very likely equate to us staying around the bottom and losing a few thousand in gate for each of our remaining home games - plus all the bad press and impact on memberships next year etc. Not to mention how it impacts on current players, their careers and future recruiting. Like Coach said on here the other day, if he was a defender he'd be running for the hills to preserve his career prospects. You can see why a player may feel this way.
And as I see it, all the hard work and the vision for the year will quite possibly fail, possibly all because of a couple of dickheads and a few hundred thousand in squad depth.
I don't think this would be throwing good money after bad. We're not that far off the pace when our best 11 is on the field and in form. And the vision is sound I think. But the model clearly needs some tweaking. And not because we had problems. Any good plan expects some unforeseen problems and has a contingency built in. And though harder to budget for, contingencies become even more important when you are so bare bones.
From how we began, Walmsley looks like he really might be able to pull off the vision given time and the right depth and balance in the squad, but right now, it seems pretty clear that he needs some more depth and experience for it to be balanced, and that the task at hand to play attacking entertaining football against much better resourced opponents, is too big a burden and unrealistic for such a young squad as we now have. Even with Reddy and Bosnar acting like they'd been pumped full of ecstasy it may well not have been enough. So imo the club needs to throw some support behind them, and I think they deserve it despite the results. Because they have shown promise. But the players and TW are clearly feeling the pressure now (never seen Rosey snr so frustrated) and make no mistake their is a lot of judgement being placed on them all around the league, from pundits, other coaches, players and even ex players it would seem. And a lot of people have always seemed liked they would be quite happy if we folded.
So I want to be clear, I'm not saying we desperately need some reinforcements from any expectation of monstering the league, or even expecting to win a lot more games this season, (though a ratio greater than 10% would certainly be hoped for and fair enough to expect I think) I'm saying it because it seems blatantly obvious to me that we now have to spend on a couple of players at least if we hope to execute the vision of playing entertaining attacking football and drawing good crowds for the rest of the year that the club has outlined.
Because intention is not enough, potential is not enough, even effort is not enough. Because the quality of other teams directly impacts on how entertaining you can be regardless of your intentions. Potential must be realised before it's ultimately of value. And huge effort that bares no results can be very frustrating and even highly demoralising. I think you can see this in some of the players now.
From what I can tell they've busted a gut and been brave and bold this year and really were having a go at making something special and finding a new way forward, all in the face of criticism. Which is why I think there isn't mass call of TW out, but rather MC, please support the vision now or all that hard work looks like it will come to naught. (or worse)
I'd much prefer that to TW getting the sack and another over haul etc etc... as I've said multiple times, he seems a really good guy and so good for the club in so many ways.
Anyway. Just my perspective. But I think we need to spend to support the vision. Not because it was inept and I'm sick of losing. (Though I'm sick of losing
) But so we can achieve it.
Last edited:
pjennings
Well-Known Member
As you identified a couple of the old heads caused problems. TW said in the press conference that the players were looking at each other for leadership. The old heads need to be replaced.
An experienced spine of Wilko, Monty, Perez and Donovan. I like your dream - that would transform the team in both defence and attack.
--------------Izzo-----
Poscoliero-Wilko-McGing-Rose
---Montgomery--Rose
-----------Perez---------------
Ferriera--O'Donovan---Austin
Not expecting any real changes in January - but it really wouldn't take that much to have a really competitive team
Spacks
Well-Known Member
Why on earth would you dump Roux? You really want Perez? Dude left a year before his contract was due to expire because of homesickness. Be realistic.
pjennings
Well-Known Member
TBH - I said I don't expect any major changes and that includes both Wilko and Perez. Possibly only Stella for Caceres.
I think Roux offers a lot going forward - but leaves a lot of gaps as a fullback - my pet peeve with most modern fullbacks. With Fab in front of him we can't afford that. Roux's creativity, ease on the ball, ability to play a nice through ball and willingness to take a shot to me makes him look like a potential #10. He also tries to find space - rather run into trouble like Caceres
We've have needed an top drawer CB, a real #10 and a striker for 2 years. We may have the striker in Roy - but without an effective #10 we will never know.
Rowdy
Well-Known Member
Also
Lucas Neil €500,000
Adrian Leijar €500,000
Josh Mitchell €350,00
Rob Weilaert €350,000
Kew Jaliens €300,000
Adrian Madaschi €300,00
Adam Griffiths €250,00
And my pick of that bunch is
Ljubo Milicevic €250,00
OR can be paid in Pill's.
Edit: Syd you need to develop a sense of when someones being humourous as opposed to being serious, without the aid of an emoticon. (I wouldnt sign any of them, maybe at a pinch Leijer if he was super fcukn cheap)
Lucas Neil €500,000
Adrian Leijar €500,000
Josh Mitchell €350,00
Rob Weilaert €350,000
Kew Jaliens €300,000
Adrian Madaschi €300,00
Adam Griffiths €250,00
And my pick of that bunch
isLjubo Milicevic €250,00
OR can be paid in Pill's.
Edit: Syd you need to develop a sense of when someones being humourous as opposed to being serious, without the aid of an emoticon.
(I wouldnt sign any of them, maybe at a pinch Leijer if he was super fcukn cheap)
Last edited:
sydmariner
Well-Known Member
Ronaldinho is available for 2.5m I'd have him
nebakke
Well-Known Member
Ok - bit of the edge has worn off after doing some lurking
I'd like to throw my whole-hearted support behind you FP... I don't think the vision is the issue or the coach, right now it's more about how to best execute it...
Looking at it a bit, I'd be interested to see what a good-quality CB could do for us... I'm sort of thinking that a lot the problem is that we've got a bunch of young boys that we've thrown in and told 'em to learn how to swim... They'll learn something and they might even learn how to swim, but they'll never be champion swimmers - barring that 1 chimp with the Shakespeare play, to mix my metaphors up a bit.
They need someone around them to show them the ropes, warn them about that one move that every experienced defender already knows, that one mind-f**k that is always attempted and whatever else comes with experience.
I'm thinking that Walmsley probably hoped that Bosnar would've done that for the back-line, forgetting that Bosnar seems to only really be in it for Bosnar...
Rosey seems happy to try, but he's not a CB, he's role was never intended to be captaining the defence and so, we're left with well-meaning, but inexperienced leadership at the back, only exacerbated by Reddy's replacement with Izzo.
To my mind, ideally we'd get a more experienced keeper as well as an experienced CB... Now that my frustration has dropped to a gentle simmer, I'm OK to stay with Izzo, if someone'll bl**dy talk to him about how to set a bl**dy wall!
But I'd really like to see us with an experienced CB who could maybe take Posco's seeming willingness to step up, and support it a bit... I think he could develop into an excellent defensive asset with a bit of help there... In the long run then, we might be able to get a bit of a production line going again, with Posco taking over when the older CB goes, pushing McGing etc. etc...
I'm thinking this might be part of Roux's problem right now - simply not getting the right verbal direction from the back. Not to say that he's without blame, but I'm thinking it doesn't help either.
An achievable, if unlikely, dream for me right now, would be Wilko - definitely. Something like:
Izzo
Storm - Wilko - Posco - Rose
---- Rose Jr ------ Monty-----
------- Caceres/Fitz -----------
-- Fab --------------- Austin --
------------ Roy O' -------------
I know that Cac/Fitz isn't exactly the preferred approach and I'm mostly on that, but trying to be realistic about the sort of spend we're likely to (not) see, I'm thinking that one CB could have the potential to make a whopping bit lot of difference...
Problem is that the relative lack of experience is so big currently, that I think we need something more than just an "average decent CB"
I'd like to throw my whole-hearted support behind you FP... I don't think the vision is the issue or the coach, right now it's more about how to best execute it...
Looking at it a bit, I'd be interested to see what a good-quality CB could do for us... I'm sort of thinking that a lot the problem is that we've got a bunch of young boys that we've thrown in and told 'em to learn how to swim... They'll learn something and they might even learn how to swim, but they'll never be champion swimmers - barring that 1 chimp with the Shakespeare play, to mix my metaphors up a bit.
They need someone around them to show them the ropes, warn them about that one move that every experienced defender already knows, that one mind-f**k that is always attempted and whatever else comes with experience.
I'm thinking that Walmsley probably hoped that Bosnar would've done that for the back-line, forgetting that Bosnar seems to only really be in it for Bosnar...
Rosey seems happy to try, but he's not a CB, he's role was never intended to be captaining the defence and so, we're left with well-meaning, but inexperienced leadership at the back, only exacerbated by Reddy's replacement with Izzo.
To my mind, ideally we'd get a more experienced keeper as well as an experienced CB... Now that my frustration has dropped to a gentle simmer, I'm OK to stay with Izzo, if someone'll bl**dy talk to him about how to set a bl**dy wall!
But I'd really like to see us with an experienced CB who could maybe take Posco's seeming willingness to step up, and support it a bit... I think he could develop into an excellent defensive asset with a bit of help there... In the long run then, we might be able to get a bit of a production line going again, with Posco taking over when the older CB goes, pushing McGing etc. etc...
I'm thinking this might be part of Roux's problem right now - simply not getting the right verbal direction from the back. Not to say that he's without blame, but I'm thinking it doesn't help either.
An achievable, if unlikely, dream for me right now, would be Wilko - definitely. Something like:
Izzo
Storm - Wilko - Posco - Rose
---- Rose Jr ------ Monty-----
------- Caceres/Fitz -----------
-- Fab --------------- Austin --
------------ Roy O' -------------
I know that Cac/Fitz isn't exactly the preferred approach and I'm mostly on that, but trying to be realistic about the sort of spend we're likely to (not) see, I'm thinking that one CB could have the potential to make a whopping bit lot of difference...
Problem is that the relative lack of experience is so big currently, that I think we need something more than just an "average decent CB"
Forum Phoenix
Well-Known Member
We could probably do worse than Leijar. Not the greatest CB, but very nice guy, strong mentally and physically and excellent work ethic. Better passer and faster than Anderson as a comparison.
To his detriment, was thrust into the limelight before he was ready by Muscat. Similar situation to now in some ways. Muscat went with a young CB pairing that he personally felt most comfortable with - but for the next two years his/victorys defence was sub standard.
Anyway, he'd be my pick off that list. Saw Jaliens have some great games but some shockers too. Attitude might be an issue.
To his detriment, was thrust into the limelight before he was ready by Muscat. Similar situation to now in some ways. Muscat went with a young CB pairing that he personally felt most comfortable with - but for the next two years his/victorys defence was sub standard.
Anyway, he'd be my pick off that list. Saw Jaliens have some great games but some shockers too. Attitude might be an issue.
Forum Phoenix
Well-Known Member
I think PJ is right though and we need to solve the other key position in our spine as well.
Who was it calling for Caceres to be played as a second striker? Was thinking it sounded crazy at first, but reflecting on it more, as a false nine he could hold the ball up and draw fouls like only those with great feet can... and running at defence is arguably the biggest contribution he could look to make - skipping past a couple of players with amazing footwork in an isolated pocket on the left wing after he has received the ball flat footed is of little use every game. But even if he stands flat footed at the edge of the box and receives the ball, if he regularly skip past a defender or two, he becomes a very dangerous player. At present he's too rarely in positions to be dangerous at all - and is not succeeding in playing others consistently into dangerous positions.
Food for thought when:
We are cash strapped.
Our other key striker is no longer even getting time off the bench.
Bingham is playing RM - and I still haven't seen anything that makes me believe he will be a HAL level striker capable of scoring more than a handful at best.
Who was it calling for Caceres to be played as a second striker? Was thinking it sounded crazy at first, but reflecting on it more, as a false nine he could hold the ball up and draw fouls like only those with great feet can... and running at defence is arguably the biggest contribution he could look to make - skipping past a couple of players with amazing footwork in an isolated pocket on the left wing after he has received the ball flat footed is of little use every game. But even if he stands flat footed at the edge of the box and receives the ball, if he regularly skip past a defender or two, he becomes a very dangerous player. At present he's too rarely in positions to be dangerous at all - and is not succeeding in playing others consistently into dangerous positions.
Food for thought when:
We are cash strapped.
Our other key striker is no longer even getting time off the bench.
Bingham is playing RM - and I still haven't seen anything that makes me believe he will be a HAL level striker capable of scoring more than a handful at best.
Last edited:
Rowdy
Well-Known Member
Ronaldinho
Charlesworth could fit him in under the cap at that price.
Only problem is he'd just have to sack everybody else.
NO, NO, NO, Caceres's season numbers are 88 touches in the opposition box for 2 shots on goal. How could you possibly want him as a second striker based on those stats? Give Austin a go at the point, he will at least get there first unlike O'Donoduck
Online statistics
- Members online
- 29
- Guests online
- 263
- Total visitors
- 292
