thisphantomfortress Posted October 18, 2017 Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 2 minutes ago, Murfy1 said: "MELBOURNE City’s Osama Malik has been cleared to play in Saturday’s home clash with Wellington Phoenix after his bruising derby cameo." "Fellow midfielders Luke Brattan and Neil Kilkenny are fully fit and available, Tim Cahill is training fully after returning from Socceroos duty and marquee super sub Marcin Budzinski pushing for selection with his stunning strike." http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/football/osama-malik-reveals-apology-from-rhys-williams-after-derby-tackle/news-story/201d4be12ea8951c67a43828b976e05e So, our midfield options are: Malik, Brattan, Mauk, Kilkenny, Budzinski, Carussca, Cahill. Maybe Jabobsen. We've got enough midfielders for 2 midfields. Big selection headache for Joyce this weekend. Based on form Mauk has to keep his spot, which leaves the rest to fight over the other two. I'd drop Malik to the bench, shift Bort right and Jako in the middle of defense. Then if Malik is fully fit he should be rewarded with a start. Brattan would then be my option besides him, gives us some creativity as I feel we will be doing more of the attacking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
playmaker Posted October 18, 2017 Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 Budzinski needs to start. His goal and opportunity on goal last game showed enough that he is a potential match winner every week. We can't leave a CAM with his scoring potential on the pine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jw1739 Posted October 18, 2017 Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 I sense that Wazza will keep an unchanged side if he can, and make minimal changes if he has to make any at all. Winning is going to be the priority this season, not pretty football or "giving someone an opportunity because they've trained well" a la JvS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hazzaverx Posted October 18, 2017 Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 8 minutes ago, playmaker said: Budzinski needs to start. His goal and opportunity on goal last game showed enough that he is a potential match winner every week. We can't leave a CAM with his scoring potential on the pine. I think that will depend on his fitness. I agree with an unchanged lineup. If malik is fit malik plays. Loving his form this season, hes a completely different player. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jovan Posted October 18, 2017 Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 I'm fully entrenched in the unchanged camp. So how we started last week would continue this week. Which will leave some quality not even making the squad. Times are a changin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hakz7 Posted October 18, 2017 Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 When was the last time we had 15 players fighting for a starting 11 spot where you wouldn’t mind if any of them were to start? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisphantomfortress Posted October 18, 2017 Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 5 minutes ago, hakz7 said: When was the last time we had 15 players fighting for a starting 11 spot where you wouldn’t mind if any of them were to start? When has any side in this league. It's a nice problem to have Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murfy1 Posted October 18, 2017 Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 I agree with the unchanged side, so Malik - Brattan - Mauk in midfield. The last game's bench was Bouzanis, Cahill, Budzinski, Carrusca, Tongyik. So the likes of Kilkenny will need to fight to make the bench, or miss out. Also if the captain Jakobsen isn't needed in midfield (and presumably gets moved back into defence), then someone of Jamieson, La Rocca, Schenkeveld, Muscat needs to be dropped. La Rocca and Schenkeveld have been a super solid pairing throughout all our 2 season games, so I don't like the idea of splitting up that pairing. Jamieson provided a team high 41 passes last game (more than twice as many as Mucat and with good passing accuracy). However Muscat was strong in defence, with 2 good tackles (other defenders only registered 1 each) and 5 interceptions (La Rocca had the high of 7, the other defenders had 1 each). The defence is arguably the toughest to pick (how to change something that's been working so well?). There are probably a few very good possible lineups, but I'd like to see: Jamieson - Jakobsen, La Rocca, Schenkeveld We'll learn a bit about Wazza with how he solves this selection headache. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hazzaverx Posted October 18, 2017 Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 (edited) TBH im enjoying the back 5 with the jak moving into DM when needed. Found it interesting that mauk said he preferred playing as a box to box mid. Always thought he preferred no.10 role. Guess we might see ourselves playing a lot without a CAM this season. Bart was huge as a CB so dont really want to push him to RB, leaving muscat as the RB. That being said, the likes of muscat keeping a kilkenny or brattan out im not a fan of.. but if the system works the system works. Edited October 18, 2017 by Hazzaverx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murfy1 Posted October 18, 2017 Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 (edited) Details here: https://www.melbournecityfc.com.au/news/how-claim-your-kids-go-free-tickets Edited October 18, 2017 by Murfy1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haz Posted October 18, 2017 Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 34 minutes ago, Murfy1 said: Fitzy's kid is my favorite, especially with a name like Harrison.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neio Posted October 18, 2017 Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 Keep the same 11, Sydney last year had the same team every week and their success showed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hazzaverx Posted October 18, 2017 Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 14 minutes ago, haz said: Fitzy's kid is my favorite, especially with a name like Harrison.. ill second that. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murfy1 Posted October 18, 2017 Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 New City dads revel in fatherhood AAP 18 OCT 2017 - 3:58 PM If you're looking for secrets behind Melbourne City's sharp start to the A-League season, June 5 is a good place to start. The otherwise inauspicious date - four weeks after the grand final, and two weeks before Warren Joyce was appointed coach - holds special meaning for two City midfielders. It's the day Nick Fitzgerald and Luke Brattan became fathers for the first time. And both believe it's sparked an upturn in their own form. "I've been really happy away from the pitch and that's carried onto the pitch," Fitzgerald said on Wednesday. "There's definitely a link." Fitzgerald, with son Harrison at Etihad Stadium, laid off both assists in last Saturday's 2-1 Melbourne derby win. Brattan missed the match after a training incident last week, but impressed in City's opening night victory over Brisbane Roar. The two-time Roar grand final winner said his baby girl, Amaya, brought balance. "It's a fantastic distraction away from football," he said. "We get caught up in football a lot. Thinking about it all the time. Everyone tells you your life is going to change and it does but it's very rewarding. "The sleepless nights are tough (as are) sicknesses. Your priorities change but I think it makes you a better person. It makes you a better footballer." Brattan says he's available for City's round three date with Wellington Phoenix on Saturday night. "I hate missing any game. I hate missing training so to miss that game was tough," he said. "It was the coach's decision. I got kicked in training but I said I was fine. It is what it is." At AAMI Park, City will gun for three straight wins to start the campaign for the first time in their eight-season history. They blew a similar opportunity last year when nemesis club Perth Glory completed a smash-and-grab 3-2 win. Brattan said the club had a chance to show improved maturity against the Nix. "We've got to learn from last year," he said. "We had a couple of good games last year at the start and it went to our heads a little bit. "We've got our fair share of critics and being at a big club they're going to continue to hang around until something goes wrong. "We've got to keep the momentum going ... (and) work extremely hard. "That's shown in the first two games it's going to pay off." http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2017/10/18/new-city-dads-revel-fatherhood Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belaguttman Posted October 18, 2017 Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 The side that we field has to be the best 11 players who can play the tactical game plan. I suspect that Wazza will be keener on a more possession-based game against Nix who doesn't keep the ball as well as the visit0rs. He's said that the team have trained to play a variety of formations that presumably reflect a variety of styles so I wouldn't be surprised if the formation, tactics and lineup were all different 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bt50 Posted October 19, 2017 Report Share Posted October 19, 2017 Durante ruled out for three months, Rossi very much touch and go as well for the Nux this week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hazzaverx Posted October 19, 2017 Report Share Posted October 19, 2017 6 minutes ago, bt50 said: Durante ruled out for three months, Rossi very much touch and go as well for the Nux this week. Unfortunate. Can anyone tell me though, what is it about the nux and not being able to string together a competitive side. Last time they looked half good we beat them away and theyve never recovered.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imtellingyou Posted October 19, 2017 Report Share Posted October 19, 2017 Timmy should start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harrison Posted October 19, 2017 Report Share Posted October 19, 2017 21 hours ago, haz said: Fitzy's kid is my favorite, especially with a name like Harrison.. Awful name. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forever City Posted October 19, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2017 Melbourne City squad vs Wellington Melbourne City FC Squad: 1. Dean Bouzanis, 2. Manny Muscat, 3. Scott Jamieson, 5. Bart Schenkeveld, 6. Osama Malik, 7. Nick Fitzgerald, 8. Neil Kilkenny, 9. Marcelo Carrusca, 11. Bruce Kamau, 13. Stefan Mauk, 17. Tim Cahill, 18. Eugene Galekovic, 21. Ruon Tongyik, 22. Michael Jakobsen, 25. Iacopo La Rocca, 26. Luke Brattan, 27. Marcin Budzinski, 44. Ross McCormack Ins: 8. Neil Kilkenny (promoted), 26.Luke Brattan (promoted) Outs: Nil Unavailable: 23. Bruno Fornaroli (ankle) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jovan Posted October 19, 2017 Report Share Posted October 19, 2017 Still 2 to be omitted that's some serious squad noting no Fernando and Bruno covered by Ross. Who gets cut let alone starts? Maybe Ruon only because we have 2 backups in Jakobsen and Malik already and the other probably either promoted players Brattan or Kilkenny. To think a fit Brattan or Kilkenny can't make a match day squad would be just crazy talk 3 weeks ago but in the light of where we at its highly likely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Afif Adam Posted October 19, 2017 Report Share Posted October 19, 2017 23 hours ago, hakz7 said: When was the last time we had 15 players fighting for a starting 11 spot where you wouldn’t mind if any of them were to start? City 2015/16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bt50 Posted October 19, 2017 Report Share Posted October 19, 2017 31 minutes ago, Jovan said: Still 2 to be omitted that's some serious squad noting no Fernando and Bruno covered by Ross. Who gets cut let alone starts? Maybe Ruon only because we have 2 backups in Jakobsen and Malik already and the other probably either promoted players Brattan or Kilkenny. To think a fit Brattan or Kilkenny can't make a match day squad would be just crazy talk 3 weeks ago but in the light of where we at its highly likely. Ruon and Killa for mine, purely on balance. Regardless of the fact that prob everyone here rates Killa above Malik, dropping him after his first 120 or so mins of the season would send a shocking message to the group imo. For mine Bratts gets the nod over Killa based purely on his performance in Round 1. Jako and Malik provide defensive cover from on the pitch if needed too, so Tongyik is a waste of a sub imo. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DukeVader Posted October 19, 2017 Report Share Posted October 19, 2017 City 2-0 Bart 23'⚽️ Fitzy 78'⚽️ Joycey put his defensive stamp on the new look city and going to keep the ball rolling 🤙🏻 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murfy1 Posted October 19, 2017 Report Share Posted October 19, 2017 Cahill: Competition will only make us better melbournecityfc.com.au 3 hrs ago When Socceroos saviour Tim Cahill has to work for his spot in the squad, you know you have an incredibly competitive team. After the forward’s heroics against Syria the week before, Cahill came off the bench in the Melbourne Derby to guide his side through the final minutes of the contest, rounding out the 2-1 result at Etihad Stadium. Despite playing 120 minutes on Tuesday night, Cahill understood Warren Joyce’s decision to start him on the bench and says whether it be anyone in the team or himself, they are focused on producing on the park. “I wanted to start [in the Derby] because obviously you come back and you want to be involved in the derbies,” Cahill said. “I also knew that the 11 starting played unbelievably the week before. You know when you look at the bench, the fight for starting positions is going to be tough, but we complement each other because when you come on you have to make a difference. “I always say, whether it’s five minutes or 95 minutes, you have to give everything and I think that was the difference the other night. [Marcin] Budzinski came on in the 42nd minute and scored so every single player played their part. “Importantly, we won a massive game that we won’t take lightly and we will take that confidence with us into the next game. Derbies mean everything to the fans and it’s something we can give back to the fans, with a reward for sticking with us and building that fan base throughout that game.” Saturday’s match against Wellington will see Cahill and City head into the contest unchanged and with the fight for places heating up, the Socceroos all-time leading goalscorer says it can only be good for the Club. “I feel we can only get stronger, because we’re improving,” he said. “Training is still ramping up even more, we’re gelling well as a group and we’ve got a lot of players who can play [in the first XI] and a bench that is just as strong as some of the starting line-up players. “We know we’re going to need all of the players throughout the season to contribute to the games.” https://www.melbournecityfc.com.au/news/cahill-competition-will-only-make-us-better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dconder13 Posted October 19, 2017 Report Share Posted October 19, 2017 3-0 win i reckon Macca Timmy & Kamoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simo Posted October 19, 2017 Report Share Posted October 19, 2017 This is the game in previous years we would lose. Has to be a win because people will see the change and will start coming to the games but if we lose everyone will hammer us saying same old city same old heart... we have to win 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin316 Posted October 20, 2017 Report Share Posted October 20, 2017 On 10/16/2017 at 8:29 PM, neio said: I watched Wellington yesterday and defensively they are all over the shop, I honestly couldn't work out if it was a back 3 or 4 for large parts of the game. Galloway started as a RB, then was a LB, then was a LM but no one replaced him at RB. Then they took Mullen off and Durante got injured, and for last 10 minutes absolutely no idea who was supposed to be where It took me back to the good old days of last year when we couldn't decide who was supposed to be where i was at the game as i was in sydney on the weekend they started with a 442 then went to a 343 coach was trying to win by changing structure i think there coach is tactically good not scared to change things up mid game Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forever City Posted October 20, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2017 Warren Joyce pre-game press conference. Video starts at 2:30. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forever City Posted October 20, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2017 City 3-1 Starting XI Fitzy McCormack Kamau Budzinski Malik(If fit) Mauk Jamieson Jako La Rocca Bart Galekovic Bench: Bouzanis, Muscat, Kilkenny, Carrusca, Cahill Goals City: Fitzy, McCormack and Budzinski Wellington: Krishna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imtellingyou Posted October 20, 2017 Report Share Posted October 20, 2017 What ever will happen, Nix is not opponent as Perth last year in the same time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Jovan Posted October 20, 2017 Popular Post Report Share Posted October 20, 2017 3 hours ago, Imtellingyou said: What ever will happen, Nix is not opponent as Perth last year in the same time. I had to read that four times and I still got no idea wtf you are on about. 17 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missing_Moy Posted October 20, 2017 Report Share Posted October 20, 2017 Budz cannot start he was f@cked after 30 minutes last week he needs to be eased in for another week or 2 to get up the 60-70minutes of good football! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murfy1 Posted October 20, 2017 Report Share Posted October 20, 2017 7 hours ago, Forever City said: Starting XI Fitzy McCormack Kamau Budzinski Malik(If fit) Mauk Jamieson Jako La Rocca Bart Galekovic Bench: Bouzanis, Muscat, Kilkenny, Carrusca, Cahill Agree with all of this--but what about Brattan? He was solid in Round 1, and apparently Brattan barely missed the derby because of a fitness concern (and is fully fit for tomorrow). So the one change I'd make is to put Brattan into the midfield in place of Budzinski--put Brattan next to Malik and play Mauk as the no 10---and put Budzinski on the bench and drop Carrusca (if Warren Joyce hasn't deemed him good enough to even make one substitute appearance over the first 2 rounds, then I reckon Carrusca can at least sit out of the match-day squad this round). Great competition for places ATM. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jovan Posted October 20, 2017 Report Share Posted October 20, 2017 The 2 games that have been won so far have been from primarily a very strong defensive set up followed by some neat finishing. So going into the game today with so many options it's very intriguing on the starting lineup. I think the back 4 will be unchanged. That is Jamo Bort La Rocca and Muscat. The question then arrises what to do with Jakobsen and 1 of the 2 holding mids. Does Brattan come in as a recognized number 6 or do you reward Jakobsen with another start in what is a new position for him. And where does that leave Kilkenny what's the point of Kilkenny and Brattan on the bench? Malik if fit must start and so to the front 3 of Fitzy Kamau and Ross. So that then leaves the Mauk Budzinski conundrum. For me Mauk needs to start but after his performance and goal Budzinski looks like a player that can unlock a packed defence as Wellington are likely to be. The final dilemma is Carusca when are we going to see his ability? Probably then only genuine playmaker in the squad he could even be dropped from it totally. So many choices as long as they made with the right intentions and based on fair parameters then a development of healthy strong competitive squad will result. I'm becoming a fan of Wazzas methods and can see another strong result today. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylan Posted October 20, 2017 Report Share Posted October 20, 2017 (edited) Carusca has to start, Wellington are going to sit back. Malik or Mauk drop to the bench. Wouldn't be surprised with a loss today, everyone has started to take notice now so thats the end of the season Edited October 20, 2017 by Dylan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shahanga Posted October 21, 2017 Report Share Posted October 21, 2017 3 hours ago, Jovan said: I'm becoming a fan of Wazzas methods and can see another strong result today. I'm very impressed how quickly he's turned things around since the Cup disaster. I wouldn't want to see Jako in goals, but apart from that I reckon he'll deliver whereever he plays, so I think it's right back for Jako this week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattyh001 Posted October 21, 2017 Report Share Posted October 21, 2017 Game day bitches!!! Tough to say which way Joyce either will or should go; stick with winning formula or horses for courses. Hoping to see a bit more outta Budzinski in any case Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heart of Melbourne Posted October 21, 2017 Report Share Posted October 21, 2017 Disappointing if we don't hit 11k tonight with the kids go free promotion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylan Posted October 21, 2017 Report Share Posted October 21, 2017 2 minutes ago, Heart of Melbourne said: Disappointing if we don't hit 11k tonight with the kids go free promotion. I reckon we will get close to that. 5:30 on a sat is a good time for everyone IMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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