Defibrillator

It's not about height in defence, it's about aerial abilitly. That's the decision JA will have to make.

You are spot on Huzie - this is a selection conundrum. Gerhardt and Colossimo slaughtered Heskey down here last time - he didn't get a sniff. And yet we look so much more polished playing out from the back with Colossimo out. Smeltz did look incredibly dangerous in the air and, fortunately for us, he is so out of form. Whilst I'm really keen for the promotion of youth and looking to the future, I could excuse JA if he played Colossimo. I'm honestly glad I don't have to make the call.

Will he make us a better team?? He'd have to be total shite not to. Don't forget our midfield for most of pre-Christmas was Fred on half a leg, Thompson and Hoffman. Things started looking up when Germano returned, but Thommo has had a really ordinary season, and Kalmar today put in the best AM effort for the season so far which says a lot about how bad we've been there. Looking at his profile as a (mostly) DM, we may have to find someone new to take the armband next week.

Heard a rumour we might be clogging up our midfield, but decided the pun wasn't funny after all.

Against weak opposition it's easy to shine, but we should take the three points with glee. Kalmar's best game for the club - ffs, where did he pull that from?? Not only impressively creative, but incredibly strong on the ball - he wasn't going to be bossed at all. Something we haven't seen in an AM all year. Walker great as noted above. Get him a sprinting coach and he'll be a star. Vrankovic was intersting today. A few problems with his game. Caught under the ball just prior to Gerhardt bringing down Harold as the last man, and clearly beaten by Smeltz in the air for a close near headed goal from a corner. Also pushed off the ball a couple of times, but this is against the most physical team in the league. He is young and I think is improving with every game. The real difference I see with him however, and it is a big plus, is his ground passing is so much more accurate and assured compared to Colossimo. He's confident playing out and we look so much better for it. Far fewer long bombs out from the back. If Thommo finds form (average again) or we sign a competent DM to partner Germano (rumors abound!!) then this team can go places. Gerhardt was the quiet achiever of the game for me - incredibly solid bar the risky tackle mentioned above - and with Vrankovich we can build a solid defense. The problem, of course, is that if they kick on they'll be poached. haven't we suffered from that in the last 6 months!! Bar his early brain fade, Coyne looked ok but his fitness is a long way off. Certainly didn't press far forward - could also be the case of not wanting to fuck up and be caught out of position on debut as well. Too early to tell if he'll fly. Babalj also needs to work harder - still he's only been out of the nightclubs for a fortnight so his fitness will improve. Til next week. We have to break the duck outside Melbourne some time!!

Where are you reading this jw??

Just saw the highlights of England - Brazil. Jack is an absolute star and returning to his old self. At only 21, the future looks enormous for him. Just need to hold on to him for 10 years..................…

From what I've heard from within, concern over Edwards aggression and ability to dominate. Apparently technically excellent but needs to impose himself more on the park and come out of his shell. I even think this was mentioned on YouTube in the Nike academy clip. If only we could pump him full of roids and use appropriately placed electrodes!!

I like this squad and think we will run with it I think we have to give Mitchinson the start. The kid came up against a pretty tough opponent on Saturday and was certainly not disgraced. I've watched the replay and again am astounded how out of form Thommo is. He was very very poor Saturday and its a shame to see such an experienced player so down on form. I understand we need experience in front of the youthful back four, but is there anyone who can slot into DM besides Hoff and Thommo? Our transition from Thommo was woeful and, whilst I acknowledge a risk, are there any clean distributors who can play DM in the youth team?? Garcia definitely needs to be in the middle - we need to reclaim the middle of the park.

It's not about having the players early on. It's about setting a standard that is expected in effort and following instructions. Once you have set the tone, then you teach the kids (which is what a coach should do after all!!) or you go and get what you want and move on the deadwood. What we are accepting at the moment is ill discipline, mediocre football and poor effort. This is a slow burn to achieve success and requires a coach of strong character and will. I'm not saying sack the bloke at present - he is learning too. But unless he gets his act together soon and takes control, the damage to this club will more than outlast his appointment (no matter how long that will be!!) for many, many years. Culture takes years to mould, but can be eroded in a very short time. This is the same for any business/workplace/sporting club.

I thought Willo's yellow was pretty harsh. Especially given the photos on the derby thread. Could also simply be deemed as slipping over as he was going flat out at the time. Not sure how many yellow's he's had, but is it possible to have a yellow rescinded upon review? I know a red can, but unsure of yellows.

Just back from the game but first impression wasn't too bad. Etihad is such a shit place to watch the game and get a feel for our effort. I will watch a replay but some good things to look forward too. Redmayne was solid and made some stunning saves. His positioning was good and he is growing every game. Also a bit more verbal from him which is great to see. Well done to the kindergarten back four. Coming up against one of the most attacking team in the leagues they certainly weren't disgraced. Patty Gerhardt mister reliable as ever and agree with above about Mitchinson's pace. He did however read the play pretty well and coming up against the form player of the league, it was a fairly good effort for such an inexperienced player. No obvious major clangers from Vrankovich, and no heart in mouth moments compared to the early season Colossimo form. Midfield again our weakness and Tadic injury and Babalj fitness a worry. Willo did well against their kid and won the duel there, but that would be expected. Still, to see us pushing hard for a draw again should blow the lack of fitness theory out of the water. I've always maintained our lack of fitness is above the shoulders - tonight would support that. I'll have a look at the penalty - it did look dodgy, but we certainly got very little from the ref...............................yet again.

I think you're being a bit harsh on Mertesacker. If you look at the goals concede per game, the Koscelny/Mertesacker combination concedes at about a 50% lower ratio compared to the Koscelny/Vermaelen combination. He looks ungainly, but he's actually quite steady on the ball and is much better at reading the game and intercepting than Vermaelen. Just look at Vermaelems attempt at a "clearance" in the first Liverpool goal this week. Amateur hour stuff.

"red and white shirt...." duh

I fully understand the above. JA wants results and this is more likely with your senior players on the paddock in the short term. You increase your chance in the short term of holding on to your job. But I personally think it's a highly flawed approach. I believe a football manager has an incredibly huge influence on a team. He should dictate style of play and tactics ruthlessly to achieve his vision. To put up with the same players not following instructions week after week not only compromises the chance of success, it's like a cancer in the team. Mediocrity without consequence is a recipe for disaster and, if what he says is true and players aren't doing as they are told, then we have a real problem. I think most fans would tolerate a ruthlessness in our manager to achieve long term success. The beauty of our club is that this philosophy can easily be inmplemented with our youth policy - if you don't do what the fuck I say, then I'll promote a kid who will. You may forego initial results ( and I honestly would accept that) but you will win out in the long run. I can tolerate losing any match, as long as I see 11 players in a red and white short having a real go, and doing exactly what the gaffer says. All of the worlds best managers in all leagues have a "my way or the highway" approach and understand that if their way fails, it's a fickle and cruel industry that will spit them out. But those who insist on a successful plan earn the respect of their players and fans and ultimately experience success.

I'll second those nominations.

I'm confused. We have a CB sitting in a Visa spot not up to it, and a bloke who's naturally a forward "filling holes" in defence and the coach feeling it's unfair on the player. How about unfair on the fans?? There's a team across town with the same salary cap restrictions as us who seem to move underperforming players on readily, who target their deficiencies and chase solutions aggressively, and have a plan B developed for every position. They also have a vision for a playing style and the type of football they want to play, and headhunt to achieve this. What we have sounds incredibly patchwork and it seems we're putting square pegs in round holes. We're what, 18 weeks into the season, and we've seen the obvious problems described by JA all year. No midfield leadership?? Go and get it!! Put the armband on someone who bleeds for the club and is fit enough to stay on the park week in week out. . The Grella gamble failed and I can accept that, but it was always a gamble. We look pretty stupid with no plan B at the moment and both off field and on field leadership seem rudderless. Fish and rotting heads come to mind. The sense of frustration I have is only compounded by what I read above.

As an avid follower of the forum I think both of you are great for the club and appreciate your input and humor. I'm not saying kiss and make up, but the last thing I want to see is valuable comment disappear because of public spats. This club is struggling and I dont want to see the heart and soul of the place ripping in to each other. No one has answered the Hoffman question btw.

Not sure about that Croc celebration. Unless you score the goal the view is pretty ordinary.

Agree with the calls for calm. For months the signing has been debated as a gamble on this forum - it always was. Surprise, surprise, sometimes gambles don't pay off, otherwise we'd all be millionaires living in the lap of luxury. I never saw Vinnie as a savior, just the icing on the cake. We need to avoid the savior/gamble complex and concentrate on a solid and fit base of skilled players. I don't have any regrets at all signing him. It was always a risk, and no-one outside the tent can say what influence he has had around the club and it's culture. He may have really helped the young lads with their careers and outlook. Just seeing the effort and professionalism required to get back on the park could be a great spur to our younger players and raise their professionalism.

Emphasis on "should". He is a bit older and I think has a history with his calves (???). Club may take a conservative approach which would be understandable. Coming back too early can blow up in your face.

For sheer injustice, the 2-1 derby at the death, and then Milligan getting two weeks on video ref for hitting Germanoin the 14th (17th??) minute. If the ref had seen that, red card, penalty as it was in the box (the location, not anatomy) and away we go. For sheer crap play, yesterday. Timid, insipid, stupid selection and laughable coaching. The whole kit and kaboodle!!

Babalj back, Gella to come through unscathed this weekend and Rojas to put in a blinder in front of Liverpool and Juventus scouts and off to Europe straight away. We live in hope but the derby could be looking good.

Caught the end of a SEN piece today saying Vincent Grella possibly to return this weekend. Anyone catch it??