bt50

There's definitely cause for negativity following the Nix result, the scale of that depends on the individual. Anyone getting worked up over yesterdays result needs a reality check tho.

I agree that i doubt theyd pull the trigger that early, but once it gets to midseason, your termination fee is essentially halved so i think it becomes a factor as the season wears on.

My guess for Wednesday is : Sorensen Rose Chapman Jakobsen Brandan Kilkenny Brattan Malik Kamau Cahill Fornaroli Subs Bouzanis Fitz Caceres Retre Muscat Or Sorensen Chapman Malik Jakobsen Rose Brattan Kilkenny Cahill Kamau Fornaroli Fitzgerald Subs Bouzanis Caceres Retre Brandan Muscat Potentially Jakobsen doesnt play or comes off the bench but i think they'll throw him in

4-3-3

They were more errors by the midfield in deep areas that left everyone caught out when the ball changed hands. Except the 2nd, that was a shit goal kick from Bouzanis.

I went to the game today, disappointing crowd but an expected one given that City had come out and said through the week pretty much no senior players would feature. Caceres, Muscat, Bouzanis and Retre were pretty much the only players with senior experience to play whilst Arzani and Tongyik also played from the actual 1st list. Newcastle went in at pretty much full strength, Jack duncan started in front of Ben Kennedy in goals but other than that it was full steam ahead. City started the stronger and for the majority of the first 35 minutes City controlled possesion into the breeze, although they also created precious few forward thrusts. Bouzanis produced a good save on about 35' and then Newcastle had the better of the next 10 although I'd hardly say they had a wealth of chances. Newy went in with two goals from three chances at the break and certainly the second goal at least started from a city gift out of defence. Without a doubt Caceres and number 8 (Arzani?) stood out in the first half. Second half with the breeze we looked much more likely to score and Crowley put one into the side netting and then just came up short in the first 10 minutes. As the half wore on and Retre, Arzani and Caceres were subbed out we dropped off although we still were able to limit the chances conceded. Even to full time I'd still argue that City had more possession and Newcastle were instructed to play on the counter. All four of their goals were pretty much identical; the striker getting played in from a City turnover then laying a square ball across for an easy tap in goal for whoever happened to be in the right place at the right time. Given the line up it was an expected, perhaps slightly worse result, but a better performance than I'd have thought. Our insistence to play out from the back yet have a refusal to play a through ball in the attacking third was clear as mud and probably typical of any JVS side. We were slow and predictable yet confident on the ball, which made it all the more frustrating. Still as the line up consisted of blokes that, aside from Caceres and Muscat, wont feature in the season proper the result is not highly relevant whatsoever.

Nah i only got $19.00 and im a pretty infrequent punter

Was 17/4.80 on Ladbrokes

Threw $10 each way on it. See how it goes.

Ill just buy mine on the gate tbh. Might be cheaper on the day, who knows? Pre-match beers and/or feed at the Bunch of Grapes from 1pm if anyone is interested.

One in the pink, one in the stink.

Because tickets have only just gone on sale for matches today. Its more aimed at away fans so they can purchase away bay tickets in advance.

I dont think we've ever been happy with a 4-1 loss. I highly doubt anyone is sitting there going ah well, it only a game. But you cant sit there and mope either, you need to take what worked, what didnt and apply that going forward. We wont be able to attract new players going forward if all our current players are having a shit time because of the negativity. That’s without even mentioning the marketing aspects and attracting new sponsors and fans. You’re hardly going to win anyone over by saying how shit we are all the time. As far as JVS goes, they fucked up. As I mentioned in another thread giving him a 3 year deal worth 700k a year was suicide given he is completely unproven as a coach. Now my assumption here is that Munn as CEO id required to meet certain targets, and that would include operating profit/loss targets. Writing off anywhere from 700k-1.4mil PLUS the wages the new coach earns completely blows those targets out, so he likely risks his and a lot of his staffs job by sacking JVS, unless he gets the permission of CFG. Not saying CFG cant afford it, but if you look relative to all clubs in this competition that’s an expense that would potentially send some of the HAL clubs bankrupt. A rich man is rich because he knows how to invest his money. It’s just food for thought I guess before screaming that the club are accepting mediocrity by not sacking him. Either way, in my opinion he’ll be gone at the end of the season if not sooner and we can move on. In the meantime lets hope our ‘onfield leaders’ can steer us to a trophy or two.

I vehemently disagree with you here. We've been nothing short of cold blooded in regards to moving players on; obviously the one thing that has been given too many chances is JVS, but undoubtedly thats a financial decision moreso than anything else and will be rectified by seasons end at the latest. There's not one part of the post CFG era that makes me think we've been accepting of mediocrity;everything is about winning and success. We just havent got there yet. As for taking positives attitude; a club that is over the top negative about anything and everything is a miserable, unsuccessful club. Players without hope get relegated (or are CCM). Im not saying we should be in fairyland or denial over our performances, i dont think by and large we are, but throwing the baby out with the bathwater doesnt help either.

Their front 6 is as good as anyones, with some pretty good depth in those positions. They have decent quality in their full backs as far as Georgevski and Geria goes, but much like us their CB's are an issue. Dont really rate Donachie or Ansell, havent seen Baro although he started on the bench behind the other two yesterday v Adelaide. Personally dont think Bozanic makes the starting 11, which is a fair complement to their depth. Going to be a good year for the two Melbourne sides imo

Mongs have just signed Essien on as guest marquee

Basically what i meant & think, but much better articulated.

Tbh that would be a pretty decent result imo. A cup win and a good performance on Wednesday night would be bloody great for everyone really, including this forum

Suspect theyll go after Topor-Stanley. Theyve signed Sergi Guardiola from Grenada and are rumoured to be poised to sign James Holland. Obviously strengthens them a bit, but perhaps underwhelming signings given their significance. Think they'll struggle to make the six this year.

Haha not in practice no, but thats the theory at least. Yeh may well kill a few birds with one stone if youre going to do it.

Good thread idea. Not sure if anyone will be able to stop @thisphantomfortress and @Fingman's heads from exploding though.

Oh im sure it was, but at the end of the day the people will get their vote and popular opinion will win out. AFAIK thats how democracy works. Its clearly a divisive issue that really, when it comes to running a country is irrelevant, so let the people have their vote and suck up whatever the consequences are at the end. May as well make a few other public votes concurrent at the same time whilst we're at it tbh.

Imo there was nothing wrong with our defence last season on a man for man basis. Sure the left full back position wasn’t overly strong but every A-League side usually carries one meh full back. Assuming Jakobsen is at least the equal of a Kisnorbo or Wilkinson, the story will be the same this season. The issue is, and always has been the way we play, not the people we put in the role. Comes down to MrVS at the end of the day and is the reason we aren’t winning the league in a canter. Last season we had the best squad, this year I think we’ve made it more rounded and still have the best squad. JVS will go regardless of where we finish this year IMO, let’s just hope the squad can organise itself into a premiership outfit based purely on the talent available.