bt50

Agree. Largely i think the performances have been pretty good under Rado, but the uptick in risk taking for a return in attack is obviously exposing us at the back and making it very clear how teams should play against us ie Park the bus, hope we are a bit off in attack and then slice us up on the counter/set pieces if the chance presents.

Not taking three last night has opened the door ever so slightly for Adelaide, WSW aren't in the race. Realistically 8 points is still pretty likely to be enough, so we are def in the box seat, but it would sure be nice if WSW can do a job and basically kill off their run.

2 - Oneill 1 - Good

Agree, tbh i actually think Roar on that day, and perhaps Adelaide last week have been the single best performances anyone has had against us all season.

Almost certainly means they are getting a Roos call up.

Good on him. Happy for him tbh. Has copped a fair bit of flack over the years for one tiny stint at Roar, and is one of the leagues genuine nice guys. Can't say we havent been playing some really good looking stuff attack wise over the last month or so either.

Doesnt matter. We home and hosed for the plate bby

2 VdV 1 Bos

I dont think its that likely Berenguer will pull up stumps just yet tbh. If he plays the season out i see no reason why he wouldnt go around again, esp at the right price. His family seem fairly settled here imo.

He was the OG Lachie Wales. Hard worker, always in the right spots, but couldnt finish his breakfast.

I suspect the break glass option if O'Neill goes down is that Lam moves up and Nuno slots back in at CB

2 Leckie 1 Bos

I hope they do sack Popa, cos they won't be better off for it. They won't get a better coach than him without paying through the nose for it, and we all know that isnt overly likely. Think its far more a funk laying over their club than it is anything to do with the quality of gaffer they have there tbh.

2 - Glover 1 - VdV

Sure, but if its just for a game or two then we can make do. If Jmac goes down with something more serious, then we can use the injury replacement rules to bring in a more credentialed striker for a more appropriate amount of money.

Given we have Tilio, Nabbout and Leckie, and the latter two have both played up front for the Socceroos, then im more than content with not worrying about an injury replacement. We also have Rafa in the wings, and tbh i dont know that youre getting anyone remotely useful for the 60 oddk, if that, that Caputo is on.

Unlucky not to get three, reckon that was close to as well as we've played all season. Putting some good stuff out there under Rado since the Sydney game.

2 - VdV 1 - Lam

Win this and imo PlateRace is done and dusted.

I think he's been pretty good albeit maybe not the level i thought he might get to. Probably more workmanlike and less flashy than i expected, but thats by no means a bad thing and hes definitely playing his part in an effective system. I reckon its starting to play on him a bit that he doesnt have a goal yet though.

Im not sure i think he's underrated by our fans, albeit perhaps a few people were a bit slow on the uptake with how important he is to us. He's 100% the most underrated player in the league from an external viewpoint though, gets nowhere near the fanfare and kudos he deserves. I'd be doing everything possible to resign him for next season personally.

2 - Reis 1 - Leckie

Agree, and i think its also a reason the Asian teams are doing a bit better than usual. Most other teams don't get to play in conditions like these that often, albeit its in conditions of the year that are far cooler than what you cop throughout April to September, and the asian teams are much more used to it.

Well barring a Tunisian win over France, a draw against the Danes sees us through to the Round of 16. I think the game in Australia will get a significant shot in the arm from the Tunisian win anyway, but geez theres some real potential to lay some significant foundations if we can progress here.