LB

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.

Surely that's an injury to Fitzy.... there's no way he's your player to take off for Cahill.

A #10 would be a bonus but I don't think it rules us out of contention if we don't get a marquee #10. Mauk is capable playing there. If we get an average #10 who can consistently spray the ball to Fitzgerald & Kamau/Brandan, I think we'll give it a good shake.

For what it's worth Ive heard it was always the plan for either Bratten or Caceres to leave before this season, so I don't think suddenly losing one of them changed our transfer plans. I think Bratten may have even been offered the Arab offer as well / first.

Can play. Would be a terrific signing.

True.

Interesting final count. Deserved by Kilkenny, the most consistent all season without a doubt, however can't help but think Fitzgerald would of walked it home if he was used more prior to the last 10 games of the year. Ridiculous form over the last 3 months... combined with terrible form from the others obviously too. In the last 10 games there was only one where Fitzgerald didn't score a vote despite being a benchy for the majority. Unfortunately also shows Forna & Cahill didn't perform as hoped. Thanks for the effort neio.

Fark that was horrid. Mass clean out. But farken hell its more embarrassing the amount of people who come on here bragging about not watching the game or not attending the game like it's some sort of badge of an honour.

I'd seriously consider taking Forna off for Caceres, Fitzy for Kamau, Bratten for Malik all at the half.

Ummmm but he was...

Lol I didn't hear that one. TBH my source is generally 50/50 but he was pretty confident. He mentioned Caceres on right wing, Colazo left and Fitzgerald benched. Cahill AM.

If what I've just heard about our line up tonight is true, wow. This thread is about to get good. Edit: as is the Valkanis one.

I don't get the caceres selection hate. 11 v 11, he, Bratten and Fitzy were controlling the game, giving Sydney nightmares and creating a ton of space down the right flank. Was looking like a master stroke.

No expectation, no pressure, and we get to see some of the kids. TBH i havent seen much of the NYL guys, so i'm looking forward to it. Realistically I think we'll be under the pump for the majority, so I'd play 1 up front for 60 - 70 mins and then reassess at that time depending on the score/game. Play Fitzy up front on his own, he'll run and chase long balls all day and should occasionally cause a bit of panic with his pressure and speed. Sit Caceres behind him as AM. When the time comes, sub Fitzy, Caceres, or Kamau for Arzani and let him run at tired defenders.

So you pick players based on their reputation/the coin they earn rather than what they are actually bringing to the team.... That's whats happening now yeh? If someone if labelled a 'squaddie' they don't warrant a starting spot no matter what? This what you're saying? . No one is saying the 'squaddies' are better overall players than the 3 mentioned, but maybe giving some of the bigger names a bit of time on the pine might get them to lift their game accordingly which will only improve our team in the long run. I personally think at the moment we have a situation with too many cooks/flicks/chips/step-overs, we could do we a couple more average grafters in our team to balance the side.

I get your point but at the same time he really couldn't of done much more to warrant a crack in the first 11 or at least get more game time. IMO he's a terrific footballer just lacking in confidence. If we can show him a bit of faith and give him a consistent run I think he adds another dimension to our side. IMO it seems clear that the guys we have invested decent coin in e.g. Kamau, Cahill, Cozalo get an unlimited amount of opportunities to show their worth while our 'squadies' like Caceres, Fitzgerald and Retre yo-yo in and out of the squad irrespective of their performances. I think all 3 of them would currently improve our side in the short term.

Or not. Rose at the back again, Brandan on the bench and Fitzy out. Same shit, different coach.

I think we need Fitzys width as positional play to take advantage of the WSW slow backline. Gives forna a lot more room as well.

I don't come on here often but fark me, I'm too excited not too, what a win! Brilliant to watch. Agree with others, I thought Muscat was superb, as was Kilkenny. After having an average first 45, I thought Fitzy was tremendous in that second half. His engine is unmatched in the league. Bratten is a true baller. Probably doesn't (yet) have the vision of Mooy, but his athleticism and passing range are phenomenal. Well played JVS, I thought he got his tactics spot on tonight.

The DV accusation/charge was only the tip of the iceberg. He'll last a matter of months in Turkey. Loose cannon.

True. Will be interesting to see how we utilize him. In saying that, would rather him with us than against us.

What does his performance at a former club have to do with him playing for us? No one is saying he's the best winger in the comp or even our squad, but he's a cog in a machine type player and someone who finally gives us width and a winger with great positioning and an even better work rate. If i'm not mistaken he's also been involved in 8 or so goals (complete guess) in the back half of this year, which isn't bad for the 3rd best winger at the worst club in the year...

I don't want to come on here and be the guy who says you need to be positive all the time but fark me there is a ton of absolute dribble in here... Some of you need to pick the toys back up and put them back in the cot. I'm as disappointed as anyone, but that's football, its nowhere near a fail of a season. We had several factors against us (mainly injuries and fatigue) and simply lost to a very good team. I think everyone will be surprised if they don't take home the big one next week. Their ball movement is the best in the comp IMO, and they were relentless last night. At 2 - 1 we threw caution to the wind, as any team should, it didn't pay off. Happens every week in every league. The scapegoat shit has to end. Firstly both Malik and Fitzgerald (who seem to have copped the brunt for whatever reason) have a very limited impact on our salary cap. Both have been superb for us this second half of the year. If the first player you're going to release, is the hardest working player in the squad, who is the only player that gives us some sort of width and allows Mooy and Fornaroli some space, positions himself extremely well, chips in with vital goals and assists, than you're from the JVS school of tactics. Deadset. He's a limited player, but he has far exceeded my expectations and does his job well. Or should we bring back Williams...? Malik wasnt great last night, but has been a revelation at DM. Our improvement at the back, is just as much down to him as it is Wilko. He isn't the best ball player but for the most part takes the easy option as we need him too. IMO Mooy was great the first half last night, and just got shut down in the second. He wasn't a passenger by any means, Adelaide just cut him down at every turn and blocked the space between him and Fitzgerald, which seems to be his easy option most of the time. If we had Novillo, Adelaide wouldn't have been able to double team him, and I have no doubt things would of been different. Good year, enjoyable year. Gutted we couldn't take it further, but we were beaten by a very good side on their own turf.

We gotta keep feeding the flanks. For every couple of bad decisions Fitzgerald makes, he creates a goal scoring chance with the next. He'd be a serious player if he had some composure.

Hats off to JVS, I thought he managed the situation and subs perfectly. Cant for the world of me understand why Aloisi didn't bring on Oar earlier.