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It seems the players and Joyce know just where we’re at. The defence is solid, but our attack is really 2nd rate ATM. No goals in open play in 3 games. No goals in open play at home (AAMI) in 2 games. In short, back to the drawing board with our midfield, and our plans on moving the ball up field and creating chances. We’ve played 5 games, we’ve built the defence, so now it’s time to establish an attacking plan (even if it’s a simple attacking plan [it doesn’t need to be Barca football, it just has to be effective]).

I think they played a better brand of football. Didn't really deserve the win any more than we did based on chances though. Test of character to see how the team reacts to being down and was not suprised that we continued to press on. The fairytale start has come to an end but I'm very confident of us moving on with our great start with another home game next week.

Unexpectedly cold night. Oh yes the football, one of those weird games where either side winning or a draw was a fair result. Disappointed to lose but I think we have A) seen the start of a new rivalry B ) seen this year's two best teams go head to head If only ross was half an inch taller

I feel like I must of been watching a different game to some of you. I don’t get the negativity. We were desperately unlucky not to get a point or 3, we simply lost the game on Fitzy not tracking his man. Even then Wilkshire completely duffed the finish but got lucky. We had the majority of chances, I can’t really remember them troubling us other then the goal. Despite his error Fitzy is far and away our most dangerous weapon at the moment. He’s a limited player but not sure he lacks vision as others have said, his decision making is good and he’s the only player who penatrates with the ball & makes incisive runs. Could of easily had a couple of assists tonight if McCormack wasn’t on his heels at times. I thought Kamau also had a very solid game as well. His close control has definitely improved and for the most part, his defensive application is terrific. Sydney are a very well oiled machine but I feel we’re getting there. Good times ahead.

Funny feeling at the stadium amongst supporters... we lost but it didn't really feel like a loss because we played a solid defensive game and were not outplayed, and made a few good chances that we'd normally put away. In past seasons we'd race out of the blocks, score 2 quick goals, then lose 2-3 and our supporters would feel angry and shattered. Ross and Fitzy were off their games tonight, Fitzy lost his man for their goal which was soft. Marcin will be better for the run, Carussca should be getting more minutes, and I can see Killer eventually breaking into starting line up. Not a bad loss and plenty of opportunity to improve. Our midfielders are still working out how to play together ... once they gel, which will take a few more weeks, I reckon we'll push Sydney for the title.

The first game that I've attended this season, maybe I should stay away! The game probably deserved to be a draw but it benchmarks against last season's and probably this season's best organised team. Positives: Fairly even contest between 2 similar teams, each playing similar playing ugly football. Mainly solid defensively Improved enormously when Carusca came on, suddenly we had some fluency going forward and we were able to keep the ball long enough to apply some pressure. Good first half from Marcin Negatives: The contrast between the teams was clear from the first phase of attacking transition, the smurfs had an attacking plan and were able to keep the ball going forward. We had no attacking plan and poor ball retention. Marcin without influence in the second half Cahill's ankle I lived long enough to see Redders keep a clean sheet an AAMI Park, something that I thought impossible. The smirk on Arnold's ugly face

Sorry boys

I'm a massive fan of the double header and think all the ladies home games should be double headers obviously depending on the draw. The only thing Friday night is a bitch personally. Friday night after school sports. 1 of my adorables ditched basketball but another wants to play his futsal so going to miss most of the ladies. Saturdays or Sundays suit me better for a double header but I guess Friday's would be for some. Hopefully we get a few for ladies and can build some support for our best team.

Very disappointing match in front of 11,034. Yes, we were tight defensively, but we were painfully pedestrian in moving the ball forwards, and far too many passes were going astray. Most disturbing aspect for me is that we were seemingly unable to lift after the goal was scored. IMO that's a result of being in a defensive mindset. I thought Joyce erred in starting Cahill, and waited far too long before subbing off Brattan and Muscat, neither of whom were doing anything much.

Cold.

Go away

Interesting that Cahill is starting. Thought Kilkenny would be the preferred option to help solidify the midfield. EDIT: On the official team sheet, it’s listed as a 4-4-2. Cahill and Ross the front two.

Thanks for clearing that up.

Wow. That's pretty incredible.

My prediction for the starting XI: Kamau McCormack Fitzgerald Budzinski Mauk Brattan Jakobsen La Rocca Schenkeveld Muscat Galekovic Pretty confident with that (the midfield is similar to the derby midfield). One or two surprises could be Jamieson being fit enough to start (then Jamo in, Jako to mid and Marcin to the bench), or Joyce making a defensive move, like keeping Jakobsen in midfield, and bringing Tongyik into the defence (and probably shuffling the back 4). For the record, I personally would be happy to see Kilkenny play. But based on the 4 selections so far, where the players with the most minutes have played again and again, I'm tipping Joyce to select a team like this.

Interestingly our only two goals conceded this season have been similar where the winger or full back of the opposition has snuck in at the opposite post. Both times said player has snuck in behind fitzy without his knowledge but both times it's happened because someone in centre defence hasn't man marked the correct player. I agree Fitzy should have been more aware but it's not his fault entirely.

Another dour city match between two defensively minded teams. A lot of similarities to the Wellington game really, as I see it Sydney had only two chances worth mentioning, one a free header that was completely butchered and then the goal. For us we had at least Three I reckon, McCormack completely butchering a red hot chance in the first half, Fitzy shot wide and someone (Bud?) not quite there for what would have been a tap in. Disappointing to lose at home to the self proclaimed (Branko Culina) "Manchester United of Australia" (aka scum) but it could have gone either way and thus I'm not too disappointed. Plenty of games left in the season. Performances: Schenveld continues to impress. Thought my boy Kilkenny gave us a lift when he came on, distribution quality kicked up and we started to look more threatening. Stress: Fuck, Timmy injured???? Oh shit hope he can at least play the home leg vs Honduras!

Bort by a country mile. Other than slipping over twice in the opening minutes he didn't put a foot wrong.

More concerned with victory chants gracing the terrace again in a non derby game.

I’d rather a loss early in the season to a top ranked side than towards the end of the season. It was 1:0 rather than a flogging and neither goal keeper was really tested. What Sydney continue to show is that they are very even across the pitch which makes playing them difficult if you have any weaknesses. We lacked sufficient creativity through the middle and we still aren’t providing enough quality service to McCormack. There were passages of nice one touch movement but not enough. Plenty to work on at Bundoora.

Wazza has got alot right this season, but putting kilkenny on for brattan wasn't one of them, killer is terribly unimaginative with the ball and it showed in last 5 minutes All in all the had one chance and they took it, we had a couple and didn't

On another note, how good was Carusca. Fresh air

Took the piss when he came on and then pulled an ozil and did completely nothing

Well Arnold said he would exploit our weakness and he did. The same as what Garruccio did to Kamau so did Zullo. Kamau didn't track him and he had too much time that eventuated in a goal. For the rest of the game he was even poorer than I thought possible at this level. Both Kamau and Fitzy lack vision and it's time we use Budzinski and Carrusca and have our DMs tracking their wingers with our more central attackers looking after the centre corridor defensively. Both Bud and Marcello are capable of breaking open the defence centrally and open more opportunities for Ross who atm does not get the appropriate service he needs. Watching him tonight he was in great positions but other player's hesitations cause the offside. Also on many occasions Bud would open the defence but had no close support so either lost the ball or was forced to go wide which played into the smurf's hands. I could go on but I won't as the failings are quite obvious and need to be addressed. Overall I am happy with the loss tonight only because Wazza now has a clearer indication where the team is at and what players aren't up to it. A good game defensively and a good game for the team going forward.

No JVS and no JD will do that to you...

I think we should talk about how cold it was. Did we mention that it was really, really cold?

And FWIW the referee was a cockwomble.

nope

Nil all in the Melbourne derby

Until he doesn't deserve it. 😉

Reckon the wtf was re Carrusca as a cdm... good luck with that one.

Joe Montemurro reportedly has become the head coach of Arsenal's women's team:

We have 10k plus members so all their seats are technically counted as attending, then there's corporate which I'm assuming is also included in the PAX number. Not trying to burst the bubble but that number probably has no reflection on how many people will actually go through the turnstiles. Hope we get at least that many though.

You clearly don't spend much time in our dom pol thread. Its a game of opinions, personally I'm sold on the girls

LOL NPL 2 men would absolutely batter the womens

Gee, I'm very happy watching the ladies, they play good football

As much as i might cop the pc battering here, i would like to watch the reserves over watching the ladies. Nothing against the girls i would just like to see the up and coming players we have.

Too much information

Excited to get my hands on this one. His last book was absolutely brilliant

You sir obviously attract quality.

Not the best photographery by me, but this is a small pitch on the water at Cinque Terre in Italy (Need more upload room)

I think FIFA understand what's happening. The Lowy model is to have the state feds in his back pocket and for them to simply rubber stamp his decisions. That's been the model since day 1 of the FFA. This will change I have no do doubt. Either a more democratic model gets implemented voluntarily or FIFA steps in. An independent A-league is an inevitability IMO.

They play in gold and green, they have a guy who's scores some goals with his head pretty well. Informant Status.

Another Aleague world wide search

https://soundcloud.com/fnr_footballnationradio/fnr_football-football-extra-25-october-2017-archie-fraser If you get a chance, have a listen to this interview with former head of the A-League Archie Fraser. He goes into great depth with his struggles and frustrations with the FFA whilst trying to improve the league. He compares it to his extensive experience in the corporate world and the AFL. It is fascinating stuff.

Sad story... He moved to Heart purely cos he thought if help his career in Europe. Played some great football in that first half of Hearts 2nd Season.

Gol Gol grabbed a hat-trick for Mlada Boleslav on the weekend, 2 very good finishes amongst them. Certainly more deserving of a call up the the Socceroos than Rukavytsa. 8 goals in 10 starts (3 sub) in league and Europa League this season