Squad Development 2024/25

[StringerBellend]

38 minutes ago, theguyyouwishyouwere said:

I'd have had Priestman over Brillante. i reckon Scicluna has better distribution in him than either Priestman or Brillante, and i'd start Priestman because he shouuld only get better - while Brillante is only getting older and slower.

If we were serious about winning something this year we would have brought in a midifieder. 

those in the know what's the view on Dean Pelekanos?

 

[Bangaverage]

I watched Pelekanos quite abit of the last few years, from when he was at the Academy, then St George and then Rockdale. I must say im not a massive fan of his style of play, he seems to slow everything down and likes to play back a lot, and the ego on the kid is unbelievable! Pretty sure he is only in the squad because Staj used to be the coach at his high school. I think there are much better players who have an impact on a game floating around the NPL if thats what we where looking for.

4th choice Midfielder for me, but Staj has a soft spot for him, so you never know

Edited October 22 by Bangaverage

[Sithslayer1991]

I reckon Pelakanos was essentailly a depth signing because Staj knows there is an issue but the club didn't have the time or entice the right visa player to come to play DM for us. Pelakanos was a late signing and I know Staj was looking at LB to compete against Clisby but no one really around. I also found out why we didn't go after Matt Hatch, bloke is injury prone. Connor O'Toole didn't work out and is already looking at life after football after failing to get a new contract.

Well we have what we have now. And aside from Priestmann really that midfield isn't great. Its a problem because then how do we get the ball to the frontline where our best players are and they can do damage. I hope we have more answers against Western United.

[StringerBellend]

55 minutes ago, Bangaverage said:

, he seems to slow everything down and likes to play back a lot,

Sounds like the perfect Brilantte replacement 

[Upthehill]

2 hours ago, Bangaverage said:

I watched Pelekanos quite abit of the last few years, from when he was at the Academy, then St George and then Rockdale. I must say im not a massive fan of his style of play, he seems to slow everything down and likes to play back a lot, and the ego on the kid is unbelievable! Pretty sure he is only in the squad because Staj used to be the coach at his high school. I think there are much better players who have an impact on a game floating around the NPL if thats what we where looking for.

4th choice Midfielder for me, but Staj has a soft spot for him, so you never know

Slowing the football down has its place OCCASIONALLY. But for the most part, midfielders in a 442 have to be able to turn and play through lines pretty rapidly. Graham Dorrans is a perfect example of a guy who would kill every single attack because he was too slow on the ball. Technically great player, but would sophocate any promising attack. One of the reasons I like Scicluna is he's far more aggressive. He also has the capability to play great balls along the ground, where brillante heavily relies on lofting balls into wide positions (players cant run on to it properly at this skill level).

Personally I thought Pelekanos wasn't as bad as Dorrans but to be honest the bar isn't very high at the moment so theres not much to compare him to. My standards have probably slipped signifcantly. It doesn't help that most strikers these days don't know how to play in a 2 man front. Stretching and twisting the back line looks very different when they are man marking

[SBW]

4 hours ago, StringerBellend said:

 

those in the know what's the view on Dean Pelekanos?

 

Only watched him once when St. George played Wollongong a couple of years ago, tbh he didn't really stand out as such in that match. Thought he was average.

[WanderingToqui]

On 20/10/2024 at 9:29 PM, GunnerWanderer said:

Happy to be proven wrong but I do think CM is the biggest area of concern for this squad.

I’d play Mata in like a pirlo like role.
I don’t have any faith in any of those 3 (incl Brillante) to be able to dictate the terms of a game on a consistent basis for us to sustain pressure; which generally leads to better chances and more likelihood of goals. 

If there is one advantage we can exploit it’s balls in behind to Mila and Borello. Mata has the ability to ping balls from anywhere to me it’s a pretty big advantage Staj has as an option. ie - as a deep lying playmaker collecting the ball from the Centre Backs. 

Yes! Mata playing in a deep lying Pirlo role. For that to happen, he needs hard working midfielders around him to do all the running, harrasing, tackling etc. 

Scicluna, Priestman and Mata?

With Kraev, Milanovic and Borello up top?

We need a beast Centre mid in the January window. 

[Upthehill]

12 minutes ago, WanderingToqui said:

Yes! Mata playing in a deep lying Pirlo role. For that to happen, he needs hard working midfielders around him to do all the running, harrasing, tackling etc. 

Scicluna, Priestman and Mata?

With Kraev, Milanovic and Borello up top?

We need a beast Centre mid in the January window. 

Almost like we should be playing a flat 433...  

Just let Mata stroll around cutting passing lanes and let Brillante and Priestman run around kicking people. Kraev can do exactly what Amalfitano did when he was moved back to LW, come inside and hover around the traditional 10 role when in possession. Let those 4 carve up the midfield. Layouni used to just stay pinned to the RW, let Mila do that job. That was the setup we were using when Borello went absolutely bat **** mad and scored 12 in 14 or whatever it was.

ooooor we can stay in a 442 and smash long balls at sapsford... 

Im fine with either. I promise, I am totally fine with it!

[StringerBellend]

Said it before bollocks to this structure. Mata shouldn't be given a position he just be allowed to stroll around and improvise like the Miles Davis of football. 

With the defence acting like a kind of Jimmy Cobb providing a structure for Mata (miles Davis) to play within.

It wouldn't be a total free for all. Of course I'm not talking about it being Avante Gard jazz just more cool jazz.

I'm not crazy 

[pseudonym]

Dave Brubeck

"Back 5" 

 

[Upthehill]

37 minutes ago, pseudonym said:

Dave Brubeck

"Back 5" 

 

Slickest piece of Jazz ever recorded.... and I will use the headset I listened to it on to beat your head in if Staj comes out with a back 5 next week

[Edinburgh]

2 hours ago, StringerBellend said:

Said it before bollocks to this structure. Mata shouldn't be given a position he just be allowed to stroll around and improvise like the Miles Davis of football. 

With the defence acting like a kind of Jimmy Cobb providing a structure for Mata (miles Davis) to play within.

It wouldn't be a total free for all. Of course I'm not talking about it being Avante Gard jazz just more cool jazz.

I'm not crazy 

You had me believing until the last line!

[Jefski]

Playing Milanovic on the left would be a good place to start. He looked out of sorts on the right and only came to life in the last 10 minutes when he swapped to the left.

 

And, if Staj wants to play a 442, I'd also play Borello on the right with Antonson and Kraev up front and get them some decent service. No point leaving the strike power on the bench. I still think Antonson is a lot better than what we've seen. 

[Sithslayer1991]

Milanovic on the right really only works if we have him with the ball further forward so he can cut in. Hammond is right footed so I reckon that's what it is having the boys cut in from wide areas. Give them a bit more time they should be able to adapt. May also explain why Clisby was so exposed because Milanovic gets through a lot of defensive work.

I would really look at dropping Brillante no matter how I look at it he is the clear weak link in that midfield. He is basically Clisby but in DM I would rather Brillante come on to defend a lead its basically what he does disrupt opponents. 

[Sime11]

Milanovic on left & Borello on the right or he plays up front and chases defenders Santalab style.

unpopular but i think Antonsson would do well sitting behind Borello, but then you have Kraev - we cant have Visa options sitting on the bench majority of the season

[WanderingToqui]

............... Thomas ...............

..... Tae-Wook ... Bonetig .....

Cleur .............................. Holliday

..... Kraev ............ Scicluna .....

             ........ Mata ........

Borello ........................ Milanovic 

............... Antonsson ...............

 

 

[Sithslayer1991]

Lol I was so desperate for another LB that we just throw Holliday on? 

Agree on Borello switch to the wing get him back to what he is good at to build creativity and get more of the ball.

[WHACKO]

1 hour ago, WanderingToqui said:

............... Thomas ...............

..... Tae-Wook ... Bonetig .....

Cleur .............................. Holliday

..... Kraev ............ Scicluna .....

             ........ Mata ........

Borello ........................ Milanovic 

............... Antonsson ...............

 

 

Antonsson should be let go let alone be the striker.

[WanderingToqui]

3 hours ago, Sithslayer1991 said:

Lol I was so desperate for another LB that we just throw Holliday on? 

Agree on Borello switch to the wing get him back to what he is good at to build creativity and get more of the ball.

Stajic seems to develop youth players well. Clisby isn't going to get any better at 32 years of age. 

Holliday is still relatively young at 22. He can definitely grow under Stajic. 

[Jefski]

https://aleagues.com.au/news/a-league-transfer-news-adelaide-auckland-melb-city-western-sydney-wanderers-wellington-phoenix-latest-details/

[Davo]

Sounds like Football Manager with extra steps.

[StringerBellend]

Hope Kerem Bulut is on it

[billybob]

Can it be any worse than the dart board style, agent based signings that we have made in the past? 
 

Having “A” transfer system feels like an improvement. 

[torcidaSI]

I'm wary of the club relying too heavily on technology like TransferRoom to make decisions.

Background checks are absolutely vital, otherwise we're just going to get fleeced by greedy agents. Bigger clubs will also see it as an opportunity to offload players without having to pay out early termination fees.

 

[WSWJACK]

13 hours ago, torcidaSI said:

I'm wary of the club relying too heavily on technology like TransferRoom to make decisions.

Background checks are absolutely vital, otherwise we're just going to get fleeced by greedy agents. Bigger clubs will also see it as an opportunity to offload players without having to pay out early termination fees.

 

You make good points there mate

[Sithslayer1991]

So whats up with Simmons? He is fit yes? Does Staj not like him? He was our best RB last 2 seasons. Whats up?

 

Clisby is a problem at LB especially the way Staj likes to play exposes Clisby far more on 1v1s the deeper we defend.

Why can't Cluer play LB. Cluer is so versatile and while not the greatest defender around I see him superior to Clisby. Adding Simmons helps the structural issues in the team somewhat.

[Bangaverage]

I think you will find Staj doesnt like him as a defender? And pretty sure they cant start Panta at left back as he is the only real backup at CB as the rumours doing the rounds is Beadling is/has left the club? Not sure if anyone knows about this?

 

[StringerBellend]

13 minutes ago, Bangaverage said:

I think you will find Staj doesnt like him as a defender? And pretty sure they cant start Panta at left back as he is the only real backup at CB as the rumours doing the rounds is Beadling is/has left the club? Not sure if anyone knows about this?

 

Brilliant what idiot thought going into the season with this few experienced defenders was a good idea.

 

[William]

Yep toss a coin and we will probably find they are all idiots or kopits or some other foreign language at Rooty hill 🙄 it sometimes is good to listen to some good constructive views from people here who have some quality knowledge of Australian soccer 😀

[Wanderboy]

1 hour ago, William said:

Yep toss a coin and we will probably find they are all idiots or kopits or some other foreign language at Rooty hill 🙄 it sometimes is good to listen to some good constructive views from people here who have some quality knowledge of Australian soccer 😀

Yeh. The repetitive whining is becoming tiresome.