fensaddler

Unfortunately we're going to be without him next week. Will have to work out how to compensate for that.

And the better air quality...

Strong defence. Freaking hallelujah.

He'll barely get a game unless we're crippled with injuries.

Good move for him. I like the look of what Okon is doing there.

Rough translation, we've been shit for six weeks and now we need to be not shit and win stuff.

Re Chapman, that was my thought too when I saw him omitted. He's been seemingly untouchable for weeks (untouchable as in bargepole rather than brilliant...). Just interested to see who comes in, as I imagine that some of these deals will have been set up for a while.

Plate is beyond us, second will be hard work. We are just too far behind. If we can start playing well and winning again, and see how far that gets us. GF appearance should be our aim, winning it would be a bonus. Huge achievement to win the final from here, as we'll be playing at least the final away from home.

Best possible news for a new coach. Means he can pretty much select what he thinks is his best team and formation for this game. And we'll see what he's wanting to do. Players surely will be up for this, they will want to make sure they are in his plans.

I'm unduly excited about this match. I just want to see a reaction, some spirit.

Animosity to Aloisi doesn't run deep? It bloody does on the terraces. There would be a riot.

Just how much have you guys got to talk about this week? Double episode methinks...

Given the reasons, I'm disinclined to be harsh about this. JVS is going home to be with his dying father. That's a tough gig and my heart goes out to him. But time to move on and look to the future. Even if we can't top the ladder because Sydney are too far ahead, if we play to our potential we can still win the play-offs.

That would be Bruno 'got us a point we didn't deserve by scoring a penalty' Fornaroli, surely?

I think what I'm trying to articulate jw is the sense that a talented squad is increasingly failing and underperforming, particularly as a collective group. Good players are looking mediocre, or failing to perform effectively in the context of the team. At the same time, I'm worrying that players that we release will prove not to be poor players, but players who didn't or couldn't perform at City. I suppose it's a concern too that considerable investment and potential is being wasted because management, tactics, motivation, team spirit are not adequate. I'm concerned about the poor or inconsistent performance of some players, the freezing out of others, and the imbalance in the squad, particularly the lack of real depth in defence (which for example is now weakening our defensive midfield because we continue to pick an unfit or out of form Brattan, and to play Kilkenny as a defender, when he should be playing a genuine midfield role. I'm not sure I can articulate the complexity of the problem, or the tactical solution, other than change of management. But I do sense it's all gone badly wrong.

Early in the season we looked fabulous. What worries me is that good players seem to get worse the longer they are with us (Caceres, now Colazo appears to be going the same way) and players that appeared to be poor with us get better when they leave (Jack Clisby springs to mind). This can only be down to coaching and/or morale. Either way, something us very wrong.

We really need a none of the above option.

Especially as one or two of them don't get a game even when they are fit and we are short in their position (Chapman) or play in positions where our squad is over supplied (Retre). Our problems start with an unbalanced and poorly recruited squad, and we are starting to see the problems this causes.

Best game for Kamau for months. But we look desperate at the back. Anyone know why the goal was disallowed? Offside? Correct?

Three at the back again presumably, with Colazo playing left wing. No Fitzy and no back four, who the hell knows? Our selections make no sense.

We won't catch them. I doubt anyone will.

Anybody got the away kit at similar prices? Or is the red and white more popular, and hence not on sale?

Fix his head and he'd be a hell of a footballer.

Actually like the look of that. Not generally a fan of back three, but with those wing backs I'd be happier.

If we're losing Chapman, and given our lack of real cover in defence, particularly central defence, I'd be wanting another decent central defender. Whether we need to use the visa spot for that, or whether we can use that for a no 10, I don't know. But if we can work this stuff out, you'd really hope the people paid to work this out can see it too...