Round 15: City vs. Western Sydney, 1st February, 5.00 p.m.

[Murfy1]

My XI vs WSW:

 

Garuccio   Williams   Duff

 

          Mooy   Koren

               

               Paartalu

 

Clisby  Kisnorbo  Chapman  Hoffman

 

            Redmayne

 

 

Bench

Stevanja (GK)

Safuwan

Melling

Kennedy

 

Omitted

Ramsay

Archibald

 

 

Kennedy to play the last 30 or so minutes.

 

 

I'm keen to see Koren in the no 10 role now that he's fit enough to play 90 minutes. Would also like to see Garuccio at LW now that Clisby's an option at LB.

 

The only thing I don't like about my XI is that Melling gets shifted to the bench. I reckon Melling is a pretty good chance to start, in a formation like bt50's, as JVS did start Mooy, Melling, Koren in the UAE friendlies. But to have Koren as a no 10 and Garuccio in his natural position at LW, I'd like to see this starting XI.

[Luke]

WSW to be winless in feburary

[cadete]

I take it Garuccio must be the new Walkerist Claimant to the #yoofthrone.

[Murfy1]

Given that Kennedy almost certainly won't start, hence Williams will start as the striker, it's a pretty simple call IMO to play Garuccio at LW. Brown and Dugandzic are unavailable due to injury, so the only options to play LW are Garuccio, Ramsay or Koren out of position.

 

I certainly don't want Ramsay to play LW, so then either Garuccio or Koren has to play LW. I'd prefer to see Koren play in his main position, the no 10 position, where he played against Newcastle after Williams got subbed on and got 2 goals from late runs into the box. Also he's hinted that he prefers playing as the 10.

 

Ben Garuccio's only 19, and has said in the past that he's much more at home playing as a winger than a fullback. And despite all that he's been pretty serviceable at LB IMO. His return to the LB position in place of Ramsay has coincided with much improved defensive performances from Melbourne City. And more importantly, with regards to playing Garuccio at LW, is that Garuccio has looked impressive when making attacking runs up-field. Even from the LB position he's shown that he's a good dribbler and can take players on 1-v-1, his crossing has looked good to me and Garuccio has supported attacks well (despite starting from the LB position).

 

So all up Garuccio's been serviceable at LB, and I'm pretty confident that he'd play even better at LW. I'm convinced from what I've seen from him that he deserves a go in his natural position, and with injuries to Brown and Dugandzic it's a pretty ideal scenario to play him there. Also he's only 19, and has got the vast majority of his career ahead of him. Most players at professional clubs don't peak at 19, so I reckon there's a chance that if Garuccio plays in his natural position at LW that he'll develop and get even better.

 

 

It's funny how many complaints there have been over playing players out of position in the past, and now some are adamant that Koren should be taken out of midfield and put in any of the front 3 forward positions.

Edited January 29, 2015 by Murfy1

[HeartinHobart]

Whether you want it or not id take a bet that Garuccio won't be our starting LW come Sunday.

[silva10]

Well with the players available at the moment my team would be:

 

Redmayne

 

Germano

Chapman

Kisnorbo

Clisby

 

 

Paartalu

Melling

Mooy

 

 

 

Duff

Koren

Garuccio

 

Subs

 

GK?

Wielhart

Mauk (if fit otherwise Murdocca)

Brown

Kennedy

 

As far as I am concerned Williams, Dugandzic and Ramsay shouldn't be anywhere near the team unless we have injuries

With Safuwan signing then I will replace Wielhart with him as a sub

[n i k o]

Where is Germano in that list? He's not marked as injured or in or out????

[silva10]

Well with the players available at the moment my team would be:

 

Redmayne

 

Germano

Chapman

Kisnorbo

Clisby

 

 

Paartalu

Melling

Mooy

 

 

 

Duff

Koren

Garuccio

 

Subs

 

GK?

Wielhart

Mauk (if fit otherwise Murdocca)

Brown

Kennedy

 

As far as I am concerned Williams, Dugandzic and Ramsay shouldn't be anywhere near the team unless we have injuries

With Safuwan signing then I will replace Wielhart with him as a sub

Okay it looks like Germano isn't int he squad either so my revised team is

Redmayne

Safuwan

Chapman

Kisnorbo

Clisby

Paartalu

Melling

Mooy

Duff

Koren

Garuccio

Subs

Stevanjka

Hoffman

Williams

Kennedy

Ramsay

Looking at JW's squad there is only 17 players and he says 2 to be omitted, but you need 16 players.

Have you missed someone out JW?

[jw1739]

Where is Germano in that list? He's not marked as injured or in or out????

I really do think that we've given up on him. I cannot see him surviving after this season.

Edited January 29, 2015 by jw1739

[jw1739]

 

 

Well with the players available at the moment my team would be:

 

Redmayne

 

Germano

Chapman

Kisnorbo

Clisby

 

 

Paartalu

Melling

Mooy

 

 

 

Duff

Koren

Garuccio

 

Subs

 

GK?

Wielhart

Mauk (if fit otherwise Murdocca)

Brown

Kennedy

 

As far as I am concerned Williams, Dugandzic and Ramsay shouldn't be anywhere near the team unless we have injuries

With Safuwan signing then I will replace Wielhart with him as a sub

 

Okay it looks like Germano isn't int he squad either so my revised team is

Redmayne

Safuwan

Chapman

Kisnorbo

Clisby

Paartalu

Melling

Mooy

Duff

Koren

Garuccio

Subs

Stevanjka

Hoffman

Williams

Kennedy

Ramsay

Looking at JW's squad there is only 17 players and he says 2 to be omitted, but you need 16 players.

Have you missed someone out JW?

 

I cut and pasted that direct from the A-League web-site.

[n i k o]

I agree. But normally he is listed as injured at the very least. But to not have him listed at all and the fact he didn't play a minute overseas makes me wonder what stance they have taken on him.

[cadete]

Given that Kennedy almost certainly won't start, hence Williams will start as the striker, it's a pretty simple call IMO to play Garuccio at LW. Brown and Dugandzic are unavailable due to injury, so the only options to play LW are Garuccio, Ramsay or Koren out of position.

 

I certainly don't want Ramsay to play LW, so then either Garuccio or Koren has to play LW. I'd prefer to see Koren play in his main position, the no 10 position, where he played against Newcastle after Williams got subbed on and got 2 goals from late runs into the box. Also he's hinted that he prefers playing as the 10.

 

Ben Garuccio's only 19, and has said in the past that he's much more at home playing as a winger than a fullback. And despite all that he's been pretty serviceable at LB IMO. His return to the LB position in place of Ramsay has coincided with much improved defensive performances from Melbourne City. And more importantly, with regards to playing Garuccio at LW, is that Garuccio has looked impressive when making attacking runs up-field. Even from the LB position he's shown that he's a good dribbler and can take players on 1-v-1, his crossing has looked good to me and Garuccio has supported attacks well (despite starting from the LB position).

 

So all up Garuccio's been serviceable at LB, and I'm pretty confident that he'd play even better at LW. I'm convinced from what I've seen from him that he deserves a go in his natural position, and with injuries to Brown and Dugandzic it's a pretty ideal scenario to play him there. Also he's only 19, and has got the vast majority of his career ahead of him. Most players at professional clubs don't peak at 19, so I reckon there's a chance that if Garuccio plays in his natural position at LW that he'll develop and get even better.

 

 

It's funny how many complaints there have been over playing players out of position in the past, and now some are adamant that Koren should be taken out of midfield and put in any of the front 3 forward positions.

The thing is when WE have complained about JVS playing players out of position in most cases its been because these players are not great players in the first place and they are usually the types who even in their natural positions would maybe just fit into the middle tier of our list.

 

The players WE are talking about are those who have often been utilised as Full Backs and False Nines... with the obviously exception to this rule in terms of class being Mr Duff on the wrong wing - And that discussion has already been had great length so I will leave it for now.

 

Robert Koren is not a middle tier player... once fit it be hard to see him not being amongst the best ten or hopefully five players in the A-League so asking him to play on the wing is hardly going leave him out of depth. He can also play on the wing in a similar manner to Broich.

 

Not only this but he has also has already played out of position before as our only ever successful false nine so it does appears to be adaptable at this level at least. Personally I see him being similar at a A-League level at being capable to do what Harry Kewell was did in his prime for the Socceroos where he would play on the wing, as a playmaker or as a striker. (I concede that I might be going to far with that one)

 

Most importantly it also means that we can fit in the hardness and endeavour that Meiling brings and the last time Meiling and Koren played together they seemed to play pretty well... I remember it well because I was there in Newy.

 

I just cant see why a Manager would want to play Gooch (largely untested as a Winger) instead of Meiling (Who has been a bonafide revelation this season) if the only downsides are Mooy being the central playmaker (A role his performed well so far) and  playing a player of Robert Koren's ability out of position but still in the attacking third.

 

NOTE: I should mention I would start Kennedy and if his not fit enough go with the above midfield and hope Williams has a good day... a shit option but with so much midfield quality around him he "could" have one of those days... at least he might have a point to prove on Sunday anyway.

Edited January 29, 2015 by cadete

[AaronAV11]

We won't omit Ramsay with brown and duga out

[Murfy1]

It's pretty nice that Melbourne City now has enough good players to make picking the starting XI an uneasy task. Just about no-one picked the starting XI that played against Newcastle, and the 'problem' of who to pick will become more acute when Josh Kennedy is fully fit to start. This very good range of options to start is a luxury that the club hasn't really had before.

 

FWIW I'm pretty sure JVS will pick Melling to start. It's just my opinion that Garuccio could become a good A-League LW, which has actually been something of a problem position for the club down the years.

 

Agree that Koren is quality and can probably do pretty well either in midfield, or up front. Koren showed he can play well as a no 9 or false 9. I'm a bit more weary about playing Koren as a winger though, as it is a different and specialised position, and wingers are players who can be the least involved in a game, if certain contexts unfold (e.g. if the team doesn't have enough possession, or the team struggle to deliver the ball to one wing, or the opposition heavily defend one wing. The sorts of problems City faced when Villa was here).

 

Also I'm pretty sure Koren played in the striker position in pre-season, but I don't recall him previously playing on the wing. Koren on the wing might well be an unfamiliar set up for the team. 

 

Another thing is that I really don't rate WSW's midfield, and am doubtful that we'll need a lot of defensive capability in midfield. So in this game, playing WSW at AAMI, I can see a midfield set up for possession and a lot of attack paying dividends. 

 

Koren could work very well on the wing, I agree with that. But I'd like to see 2 classic and pacy wingers on the pitch this Sunday, especially by the time Kennedy gets on the pitch. And Koren would be a different type of wide player, a wide player like Broich who regularly cuts inside.

So I can see both setups working, and think it is largely a matter of personal preference which starting XI someone prefers with this squad (I'm sure others might like different players in a different formation as well).

 

 

I doubt I'll see my suggested starting XI on Sunday, but it's pleasing to know that there's lots of reasonable options nowadays regarding the players that should start. It certainly wasn't like this 12 months ago.

Edited January 29, 2015 by Murfy1

[strider]

if jvs isnt a lil bitch he'll play 3 at the back 

[kingofhearts]

Regardless of what the starting 11 is, we'll have one of, if not the best bench in the league. If only we had another keeper and a striker we'd be set.

[Red or Dead]

This is what I reckon might happen...okay, what I'd like to see us start with:

Redmayne

Safuwan   -   Kisnorbo   -   Chapman   -   Garuccio

Paartalu

Mooy         -        Melling

Koren

Duff                 -             Williams

 

Bench: Stevanja, Hoffman, Clisby, Ramsay, Kennedy

 

Subs: 1. Williams for Clisby - move Garuccio to LW

2. Safuwan for Hoff - give new lad a break

3. Melling for Kennedy - move Koren to Melling's spot

 

Look like this after the subs...though it depends on the score obviously:

Redmayne

Hoffman   -   Kisnorbo   -   Chapman   -   Clisby

Paartalu

Mooy         -        Koren

Duff                 -             Garuccio

Kennedy

[RedAndWhitePride]

Getting super fucking keen now.

[drewmelbcity]

Regardless of what the starting 11 is, we'll have one of, if not the best bench in the league. If only we had another keeper and a striker we'd be set.

This is presuming clisby and safuwan are any good and that Kennedy's back is in good shape, I'm still pessimistic about our back four.

[Defibrillator]

Wow, selection headaches. About time!! Given we've got sweet FA from our designated strikers this season, I hope JVS is feeling a little Spanish and experimenting with not picking a recognised striker.

With what we've got I'm of similar thought to silva 10 but I'd actually tweak it to a 4-2-2-2 and try:

Redmayne

Hoff/Safuwan Kisnorbo Chapman Clisby

Paartalu Melling

Mooy Koren

Duff Garuccio

This would allow Mooy and Koren to push up very high (effectively creating a 4-2-4) and we know they're clearly dangerous. Melling and Paartalu would provide the cover and steel.

Another option is to play, as JVS did last year when Engelaar was playing, a rolling diamond midfield with a 3-4-3. This would require Safuwan to join the other two CB's and play Williams/Kennedy up front. This seemed to work well - it requires a lot of discipline and concentration, but he actually caught a lot of teams off guard. With 4 outstanding midfielders to pick from, you could squeeze them all onto the park with Paartalu or Melling alternately anchoring the midfield and I think you would boss the midfield. With Garuccio and Duff as the wingers, you have two guys that work hard both ways and have some semblance of defensive capabilities. It would also mean that Kennedy wouldn't have to work as hard back and isolate him more as a target man to feed any of four players.

JVS seems to have lost his spirit of adventure this year. I'd love to see him get it back. Can't wait to see how he sets us up.

Edited January 29, 2015 by Defibrillator

[Jovan]

Agree with the above, I think his loss of adventure is that now he more at stake. His own position. I would love to see him roll the dice and really mix it up. Problem is we can't underestimate the Wanderers, yes their half what they were last season but this game after a time to rebuild they may come out stronger. Definitely be implementing a tight counter attacking game, just hope we have patience, and Redmanye doesn't cough up a couple easy ones.

[n i k o]

This is what I reckon might happen...okay, what I'd like to see us start with:

Redmayne

Safuwan   -   Kisnorbo   -   Chapman   -   Garuccio

Paartalu

Mooy         -        Melling

Koren

Duff                 -             Williams

 

Bench: Stevanja, Hoffman, Clisby, Ramsay, Kennedy

 

Subs: 1. Williams for Clisby - move Garuccio to LW

2. Safuwan for Hoff - give new lad a break

3. Melling for Kennedy - move Koren to Melling's spot

 

Look like this after the subs...though it depends on the score obviously:

Redmayne

Hoffman   -   Kisnorbo   -   Chapman   -   Clisby

Paartalu

Mooy         -        Koren

Duff                 -             Garuccio

Kennedy

Agree with most of that except the subs. Generally it's not a good idea to be changing any defenders during a match.

[Shahanga]

Where is Germano in that list? He's not marked as injured or in or out????

I really do think that we've given up on him. I cannot see him surviving after this season. Won't survive?

Injury must be pretty bad this time then!

[HeartinHobart]

The fact is if we can't beat a team that is winless this season, at home, with their 2 best players out our problems are deeper then I thought.

[bt50]

Who are also the champions of Asia.

Take it easy chicken little

[Dylan]

I dont think i rememebr a time where we could say. Shit, how are we going to fit all the best players into the 11?

[drewmelbcity]

The fact is if we can't beat a team that is winless this season, at home, with their 2 best players out our problems are deeper then I thought.

 

I agree not so much with the players missing theory because that has never advantaged us in the past, but the fact we are sitting sixth playing pretty well against a side that is clearly down on confidence and not as strong as they have been through their ACL tournament, it will be a massive black mark on our side if don't somehow manage to gain a positive result.

[n i k o]

What concerns me most is the Wanderers simply can't keep losing matches. The time has to come when they ahve at least one win, so I'm hoping that time isn't on Sunday.

[Red or Dead]

  This is what I reckon might happen...okay, what I'd like to see us start with:

Redmayne

Safuwan   -   Kisnorbo   -   Chapman   -   Garuccio

Paartalu

Mooy         -        Melling

Koren

Duff                 -             Williams

 

Bench: Stevanja, Hoffman, Clisby, Ramsay, Kennedy

 

Subs: 1. Williams for Clisby - move Garuccio to LW

2. Safuwan for Hoff - give new lad a break

3. Melling for Kennedy - move Koren to Melling's spot

 

Look like this after the subs...though it depends on the score obviously:

Redmayne

Hoffman   -   Kisnorbo   -   Chapman   -   Clisby

Paartalu

Mooy         -        Koren

Duff                 -             Garuccio

Kennedy

Agree with most of that except the subs. Generally it's not a good idea to be changing any defenders during a match.

I agree with your statement...I guess it all depends on their performance and the score at half time. If we're down 2-0 because Safuwan turns out to be another Archibald then you'd have to take him off for the evergreen Hoffman...also if Williams is having another shocker, I wouldn't mind moving Garuccio up to the left wing and giving Clisby a run at Left Back.

 

I just think that Garuccio has earned his spot in the line up and shouldn't automatically lose it to Clisby; I reckon Clisby should be gradually introduced into the team so giving him an appearance off the bench might be better.

 

On the other hand, starting Clisby and leaving Garuccio on the bench gives JvS the flexibility to sub Garuccio in for Williams or Clisby if one of the two aren't performing...

[Dylan]

Kennedy has suffered a 'setback' wont play this week. Derby is now the aim.

Lol here we go

[MaliMate]

Kennedy has suffered a 'setback' wont play this week. Derby is now the aim.

Lol here we go

Ahhhh, how long has he had to prepare for this?

Must be whiplash I reckon.

[Red or Dead]

Kennedy has suffered a 'setback' wont play this week. Derby is now the aim.

Lol here we go

I call bullshit!

[Deviant]

 

Kennedy has suffered a 'setback' wont play this week. Derby is now the aim.

Lol here we go

Ahhhh, how long has he had to prepare for this?

Must be whiplash I reckon.

 

While using the porta-loo, he lit a cigarette, unknowingly, next to a methane leak. 

[jw1739]

Kennedy has suffered a 'setback' wont play this week. Derby is now the aim.

Lol here we go

Where does this come from?

 

In any case, I never really considered that this guy would play too many games for us. IMO we need to sign another quality central striker for next season and beyond.

[hyperfuzz]

JVS presser today the sauce

[hyperfuzz]

Setback was in December

[Murfy1]

Setback was in December

 

This.

 

There's some poor rubbish journalism out there with BS headlines like "Injured Kennedy on ice for Melbourne City". But Kennedy is not injured at all. Kennedy trained with the team today, as can be seen in this video of today's training session: http://www.melbournecityfc.com.au/video/safuwan-baharudin-in-action/1119068

 

JVS said Kennedy had some sort of injury set back in December, but he's clearly been fine for a while. JVS just said it is a matter of "getting minutes into his legs".

 

JVS even said that Kennedy "can be a player that can be involved in the derby, and maybe even this weekend. We still have 3 days to go". 

 

 

So forget the media narrative of "Melbourne City's marquee curse strikes again". This is nothing like Engelaar or Koren, and there's some chance that Kennedy might even feature this Sunday (although I'd say it is probably unlikely). Kennedy looks an absolute certainty to feature next round (the derby) if he doesn't feature this round. And there's no evidence ATM that Kennedy's dealing with a chronic issue.

 

 

With Kennedy things could change and become another bad injury story, with him not playing most games this season. And if events unfold like that then the decision-makers at the club will deserve to get slammed. But right now it's way way too premature to forecast that Kennedy will miss lots of football due to injury, and it could well turn out to be the case that Kennedy plays this weekend or the next, with this report of some small setback in December being quickly forgotten.

Edited January 30, 2015 by Murfy1

[Fingman]

[silva10]

I believe Clisby will definitely start and I hope Safuwan does too at RB.

The full back areas are where we need to strengthen for the weekend's game.

Edited January 30, 2015 by silva10

[Nate]

WSW will be as hungry as anything to start clocking some points on the board, we'll have to be sharp to take the 3.