ROUND 5: Adelaide v City 5th November 8pm

[Tommykins]

Interestingly, I doubt Hughes would have helped, we were cut to ribbons on the flanks, thought Chapman and Kisnorbo acquitted themselves quite well. Jack Clisby with arguably the worst cameo in the history of football.

[belaguttman]

Interestingly, I doubt Hughes would have helped, we were cut to ribbons on the flanks, thought Chapman and Kisnorbo acquitted themselves quite well. Jack Clisby with arguably the worst cameo in the history of football.

Hughes was recruited because he can play across the backline

[knutty]

Really hope we can sort out our defence soon as it'd be a crime to waste what we have in attack now. 

[SF33]

Haha, he's so camera shy. It's nice. It's like he doesn't know much about football, he's just good at shooting goals.

If they ever got him and Tuna doing a tandem, it would play out like a comedy skit. They should tell Mooy that if he plays well, he doesn't have to do an interview.

I reckon I would have given $5 odds for anyone that wanted some action on our chances of keeping that clean sheet in the second half. Some absolutely dreadful breakdowns.

The most promising sign from tonight was Novillo. He didn't just put both of Fornaroli's goals on a platter for him, he genuinely seemed to get a kick out of doing so.

I've got to say, I'm not a fan of the bile that came Koren's way this week. If he was out there and playing like garbage, well fair enough.

I'm not taking a lot out of this game. If we get 4-6 points from the next two games, then I'll start to sit up and take notice.

[playmaker]

Interestingly, I doubt Hughes would have helped, we were cut to ribbons on the flanks, thought Chapman and Kisnorbo acquitted themselves quite well. Jack Clisby with arguably the worst cameo in the history of football.

Especially in the 20 minutes, don't know why this obsession with attacking when the game can be nullified. 5 back with a Hughes substitution would have stop the attacks especially when our midfield are spent. We looked most dangerous when bringing it to Bruno's feet through the middle. Stacking the defence in the last 20 mins would force the opposition the press forward, which is bread and butter stuff for Bruno on the counter.

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[Jovan]

Koren is just a big fraud.

Hoping for a smashing tonight and the start of our annual streak. 

2:4 win. 

green line please. 

[Murfy1]

Yes, the defence was shaky, but the team was always 2 goals up and got a solid 4-2 result on the road.

 

Now that we have most of our best attackers back we are already the league's leading scorers with 12 goals, as pointed out. Mooy, Fornaroli and Novillo put in big performances, and with more game time together there's no reason why their football can't get even better.

 

When we get most of our best defenders back I likewise expect our defending to lift. Right now our back 4 is the same as last season, and it's far from our best. Franjic in for Retre, Zullo in for Garuccio and Hughes in for Kisnorbo or Chapman will significantly boost our defence. I even reckon 1 or 2 of those changes will noticeably improve our defence.

 

All up a good attacking game, and for all their possession Adelaide only had 1 more shot inside the box than us (13 shots compared to our 12). We had enough good chances to score another 4 goals too--Williams 1-on-1 with the keeper, Fornaroli 1-on-1 with the keeper, Fornaroli's header, Novillo's header, etc. Novillo showed he can be a real team player and produce exciting attacking football with our other leading lights in attack. Aaron Mooy is a machine. And Fornaroli is the consistent and hardworking striker we've always needed.

 

So a solid result to build on. Bring on WSW next Friday at AAMI!

Edited November 5, 2015 by Murfy1

[kingofhearts]

Some observations out of tonight's game:

- Our fullbacks atm are just terrible. Whilst they are not going to cut out every wide ball given to the opposition wingers the amount of times retre and garuccio were beaten when there opponent got the ball one on one was just unbelievable. They need to do a better job in forcing opposition wingers wider, and getting their body in front their man to stop them crossing the ball in. It puts our defence under so much pressure when they have to constantly clear balls out of our box. Clisby didn't do too much better when he came on, we were just lucky both our CB's tonight were good enough that even when Adelaide did cross the ball in they were able to deal with it. Desperately need zullo and franjic back ASAP

-In saying that it was nice to win a game where we had less possession then the other team (53%-46%) and less shots (21-14). Whilst i feel Adelaide had more of the general play tonight (us having to make 51  defensive clearances to there 8) it was nice to see we took our chances when we got them. We've had so many games where we've dominated a number of statistics and yet still lost the game. It's a sign of skill IMO to be able to capitalise on your chances.

-Our forward 3 has the real potential to be scary good. We saw a brief glimpse tonight with harry and Bruno what type of damage they can do, imagine adding Corey and have a front 3 of them? Whilst our defence needs to still be sorted those 3 up front have the potential to be the best front 3 in the league.

Whilst i don't think tonight is anything to be too proud of, considering we were playing the worst team in the league currently, there was some positive signs that some things are coming together but until we get some competent fullbacks we can't talk about ourselves in the premiership race.    

 

[heart_fan10]

i'm liking the lineup in the second half today when Novillo came on and Mauk on the left wing

 

Add Franjic, Zullo and possibly Hughes into our defence and we've got a very promising first 11

[n i k o]

I don't give a fuck if we have 30% possession, if for that time we look dangerous and are scoring goals. Possession is boring if it goes nowhere. 

[haz]

Reading the match reports, it seems that it was Novillo's foul that caused the penalty...  If that's the case then the decision was atrocious!  I don't think you'll ever see a more blatant dive. 

[CityHeart]

i'm liking the lineup in the second half today when Novillo came on and Mauk on the left wing

 

Add Franjic, Zullo and possibly Hughes into our defence and we've got a very promising first 11

I agree, although I think it is more than a promising first XI - it is a title-challenging squad that JVS has been presented.

This is why JVS has to be on a short leash - if he aint the guy for the job (which he probably isnt) get somebody in who can do something here. We will only have Harry for 2 seasons (IMHO), Bruno if he is to stay will probably demand marquee wages in this time...Mooy, how long will he stay in Australia? etc.

Can we replace Koren now? What is the rule? If so, we may need to bite the bullet and get somebody in to life this team to another level - hopefully title winning.

Will we go for a guest for the final 14 games?

[Tony999]

Samaras 14 game guest stint

[Cityslicker09]

Great to get a win.

Bruno and Harry looking the goods like what I see there.

 

 

Hate watching Adelaide play in Adelaide and having to hear that stupid siren go off every 2minutes.

[Dylan]

Its quite funny the swap between defence and attack this season. Last season strong defence and weak attack and currently its the opposite. Although we do have 75% of what you imagine would be the starting defence. Although Adelaide did have a lot of chances at one period of the second half they were always going to come back press hard. It was there home game and you arnt going to have a game when the opposition has zero chances created or no time at all where they look the better team, so its pretty hard to say our defence is horrible because of those periods. 

 

I will defend JVS on one point. There was a bit of criticism with him not subbing on Hughes and putting on Zinni instead. I thought his intention was pretty logical, it was to stop that Adelaide high press by stretching them a bit toward the end and give them something to think about with a pacy winger down the side. 

[Jovan]

It's generally a gamble each week. You have 4 spots on the bench to cover several scenarios. The complicating factor is at the moment  (probably for a while) you need to be getting minutes into players coming back from not playing. So without a doubt Novillo was brought on at a predetermined time and was always going to replace Williams.  Maybe in weeks to come that will be reversed.  

Our problem has been Melling and Mauk running out of gas in the last 20 minutes so why not use Trofiro. I agree with not playing 5 across the back that's just asking for sustained pressure and throws out the shape. 

So what i think I'm saying is with the 4 subs one should be for each line defender, mid and forward and the fourth depends on players conditioning. It would be alot easier if the squads could be increased but i guess that's an issue for another discussion. 

[jw1739]

 

So what i think I'm saying is with the 4 subs one should be for each line defender, mid and forward and the fourth depends on players conditioning. It would be alot easier if the squads could be increased but i guess that's an issue for another discussion. 

I think that's logical. As you say, the bench is always a gamble, but not to have a midfielder on the bench at all seems a quite unnecessary gamble. Trifiro is the obvious choice.

[jw1739]

Reading the match reports, it seems that it was Novillo's foul that caused the penalty...  If that's the case then the decision was atrocious!  I don't think you'll ever see a more blatant dive. 

Correct. But IMO Novillo could count himself somewhat lucky to have stayed on the pitch. That was a very wild kick at the ball and many referees would have deemed it to be a kick directed at the player.

[Dylan]

Correct. But IMO Novillo could count himself somewhat lucky to have stayed on the pitch. That was a very wild kick at the ball and many referees would have deemed it to be a kick directed at the player.

he swung at the ball and missed the ball and player. Kamau clearly dived and even if there was contact with kamau it was hardly a wild swing.

[Shahanga]

he swung at the ball and missed the ball and player. Kamau clearly dived and even if there was contact with kamau it was hardly a wild swing.

it was a stupid option though. 

Agree with you 100% on zinni instead of Hughes. Every time I've seen teams do that the opposition camps on their 18 yard line. Have to keep them back by being a threat of sorts.

[strider]

Strider's weekly "Three things I learn't this game": 

1. Sorenson is shit, bring back the God

2. Tuna and Novillo are very sexually enticing -- I feel the love radiating through my plebian 32" television

3. I can't deal with games that aren't on Fri/Sat/Sun, I just fall asleep

[NewConvert]

Correct. But IMO Novillo could count himself somewhat lucky to have stayed on the pitch. That was a very wild kick at the ball and many referees would have deemed it to be a kick directed at the player.

Smeltz proved that taking a wild swing and smashing the GK teeth does not even lead to a foul. Novillo was hard done by.

[playmaker]

I agree with not playing 5 across the back that's just asking for sustained pressure and throws out the shape. 

Sorry need to disagree here.

The current problem is that we have lapses in shape in defence. We were very lucky they didn't score 3 easy goals in the last 30 minutes as our defence broke down and we were getting killed on the wings as we did last week and a better team would have put us away.

5 defender allow more coverage of the wing and a tighter centre and leave no space, especially with 2 defensive mids supporting. They wouldn't have had the opportunities they did with this tactic.

And with Novillo, Mooy and Bruno running the counter, the attack would be devastating if the opposition pushed too high.

We have to have better structure and tactics at the back if we are going to protect a lead against the better teams and a defensive 5 2 2 1 will do it.

[pattyd89]

best 3 way orgy ever.

[strider]

best 3 way orgy ever.

Real Madrid has BBC, Barcelona has MSN

Melbourne City have MNF

[belaguttman]

I can see the point in not wanting to disturb the back 4 at such an important stage of the game. Given that we've signed Hughes to play across the back 4 I would have swapped him for Retre who had found the going tough all night. This depends on things like Hughes fitness level that we don't know but 10 minutes as RB should be manageable. I would have asked him to emphasise his defensive abilities over attack. We would have then had 4 specialised defenders on the pitch. The gamble was that we were 2 goals up and 'could afford' to concede 1 more but I'm not sure that we could afford to concede one more at all.

[benzema23]

We have to be able to switch to a good defensive shape when we have the lead. I still haven't seen that this season. 

[playmaker]

And the dribble out of JVS mouth after the game saying we did what we didn't do last week, what rubbish.

It was exactly the same, holes in defence everywhere and killed on the wings when they pressed, we are just lucky they weren't linking up like the jets did and missed easy opportunities when they did.

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[Jovan]

With every player you drop behind the ball frees up space for the opposing player to move into. As Bela said the Retre Hughes swap could have been more prudent  the only thing Goodwin was causing issues all night and Hughes would have been done for pace.

[n i k o]

"We hate you cause your Victorian." Lel. 

[n i k o]

And the dribble out of JVS mouth after the game saying we did what we didn't do last week, what rubbish.

It was exactly the same, holes in defence everywhere and killed on the wings when they pressed, we are just lucky they weren't linking up like the jets did and missed easy opportunities when they did.

 

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Agree with this. We still conceded two goals in the second half and looked incredibly shakey. The difference was we had some great quality from Novillo and Tuna in that second half to score more goals which gave us enough of a buffer. I'd hate to imagine Adelaide coming within a goal of us last night. 

[strider]

"We hate you cause your Victorian." Lel. 

*ur

[playmaker]

My point is that when you occupy space then the attacker hasn't got it to fall into and your defence remains strong regardless of the quality of your defenders. What we have now in structure and function is no where near good enough to defend a lead against the better sides.

I think we have a side to win the whole thing this year, but we need the vision and leadership to apply the correct tactics. I recon we cant be out played this year as we have one of the best list in the A-league, but we can be out coached.

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[strider]

Quick update for you all:

Fornaroli is now 1st for most goals scored (5)
Mooy is now 1st for most assists (3) and 4th for most completed passes (263) 
Sorenson is now 1st for most saves (20)
Kisnorbo is now 1st for most clearances (24) with Chapman in 3rd place (23)

City is 1st for most goals scored (12)
2nd for goals conversion (24)
2nd for goals conceded (10) 
1st for discipline (79) 
and nowhere to be found in the clean sheet running.

To conclude, Sorenson is shit but our defense is shitter. 

[MHFC-FAN]

Quick update for you all:

Fornaroli is now 1st for most goals scored (5)
Mooy is now 1st for most assists (3) and 4th for most completed passes (263) 
Sorenson is now 1st for most saves (20)
Kisnorbo is now 1st for most clearances (24) with Chapman in 3rd place (23)

City is 1st for most goals scored (12)
2nd for goals conversion (24)
2nd for goals conceded (10) 
1st for discipline (79) 
and nowhere to be found in the clean sheet running.

To conclude, Sorenson is shit but our defense is shitter. 

Is it

A. Sorenson is shit

B. Defense is shit

C. Formation/tactics shit

B. All of the above

[playmaker]

And attack is

[n i k o]

This cunt.

[agoalie]

Would have thought we lost by the replies on this forum. 

[n i k o]

Would have thought we lost by the replies on this forum. 

To be honest there's no point jumping up and down like an idiot over one win. Especially with the bad loss last week and the uncertainty of the team going forward into next week. I think the responses so far are on par with where the team is at. 

[agoalie]

To be honest there's no point jumping up and down like an idiot over one win. Especially with the bad loss last week and the uncertainty of the team going forward into next week. I think the responses so far are on par with where the team is at. 

not really. We won convincing, never looked like we would lose the game, absorbed a decent amount of pressure and looked deadly on the counter. Things will get better, our kids are competing well and yes do get beaten a bit but we have a lot of experience to come back and if we get through this tough start of the season in decent shape then the second half of the season will be much improved. Wins away are vital in this league, something we have never been good at.