Moreno Late Show Wins It For Auckland

[WanderingToqui]

15 hours ago, Sithslayer1991 said:

That chance he butchered. Just how? How does he screw that up?

He's not that good of a player.  Overrated. 

Doesn't have a good football brain.

[StringerBellend]

11 minutes ago, SBW said:

Staj is insisting on playing long balls and hoping for the best, there's no structure in our attack, it is high transition but when we turn the ball over, our midfield gets over run and our defence gets exposed. 

I don't think Staj is capable of turning this club around, he thinks he can because he did it at the Mariners and with the Philippines women's team but we're neither of them.

I don't disagree but for a long ball team we don't half piss about with the ball at the back

[MartinTyler]

1 hour ago, StringerBellend said:

I thought Staj started the strongest line up he had available today (no problem with that) although the formation was wrong. 

What would you have changed?

 

[StringerBellend]

1 minute ago, MartinTyler said:

 

Me what would I change?

I still think we get over run in the middle with our 4 4 2.

 

To be fair Staj did try and fix it and this time with what looked like a diamond 4 in the middle.

But this meant Milanovic playing quite narrow so we lacked width.

I think we should try playing 4 2 3 1

                 Sapsford 

      Milanovic.  Kraev.  Antonessen 

                Priestman.  Mata 

Clisby.  Bonetig. Brillante.  Panta 

                Thomas

 

Or play Mata in the 10 and try Kraev deeper 

 

Chock the midfield up a bit more make it harder for teams to run through the middle 

[MartinTyler]

35 minutes ago, StringerBellend said:

Me what would I change?

I still think we get over run in the middle with our 4 4 2.

 

To be fair Staj did try and fix it and this time with what looked like a diamond 4 in the middle.

But this meant Milanovic playing quite narrow so we lacked width.

I think we should try playing 4 2 3 1

                 Sapsford 

      Milanovic.  Kraev.  Antonessen 

                Priestman.  Mata 

Clisby.  Bonetig. Brillante.  Panta 

                Thomas

 

Or play Mata in the 10 and try Kraev deeper 

 

Chock the midfield up a bit more make it harder for teams to run through the middle 

Must admit it was difficult to ascertain exactly what formation we were running in midfield.

[StringerBellend]

7 hours ago, EmMac said:

Agree

I was at the match yesterday.  I was prepared for us to lose to the 2nd positioned club, so the fact we were still nil all at the 95th minute was looking like a great result (let's face it we weren't going to turn into top tier premier league club overnight), so a draw was welcome. I thought they were lucky with their goal. Just like both teams were unlucky with several close shots not ending up in the back of the net.  

It all feels worse cause of where we are on the table. If we were 3rd or 4th, I don't think we'd have judged that performance quite so harshly,  especially going down to a ridiculously late goal (and in my opinion getting snub on a penalty call). It sucks, but I don't believe you can submit it as evidence for a beheading, milord 

Not expecting a premier league club overnight but a top 6 A League club that can win at home, against a team who have literally become a top A League club overnight. 

I agree though this game in itself isn't a beheading offence, it was far from our game of the season in fact it was probably one of our better home performances.

If we were third or fourth and this was an aberration then yes you'd go home thinking it was was a little unlucky and never mind we will win next week.

But we are eighth and won twice at home all season. So it isn't seen as a unlucky one off, as it isn't a one off it's another example of us not even being able to hold on, this season (actually last season too although I won't blame Staj for that).

Added that second half we were terrible.

So yes losing a close game at home isn't a stackable offence. 

But winning 2 games at home in a season might be it keeps on going.

Edited 18 hours ago by StringerBellend

[StringerBellend]

1 hour ago, MartinTyler said:

Must admit it was difficult to ascertain exactly what formation we were running in midfield.

First half due to sun I was sitting up high. When sitting up high, I find it easier to see a semblance of formation. My normal seat his too low and close.

To me it looked like the midfield was a diamond 4

              Mata

  Mila.               Kraev

              Priestman 

 

Rather than the flat 4 we have played.

But I'm not Craig foster (as much as I want to be).

For mine consistently this year we either get over run in the middle or play with 2 defence minded mids and so can't actually move the ball forward, or most weeks both.

I feel like and I'm a crap U13s coach so what would I know. But I would try playing more players in the middle.

Probably a 4 2 3 1.      Or some 4 5 1 variant. I can't see us doing 3 5 2 as we don't have 2 CBs let alone 3

Edited 18 hours ago by StringerBellend

[PedroPony]

1 hour ago, StringerBellend said:

First half due to sun I was sitting up high. When sitting up high, I find it easier to see a semblance of formation. My normal seat his too low and close.

To me it looked like the midfield was a diamond 4

              Mata

  Mila.               Kraev

              Priestman 

 

Rather than the flat 4 we have played.

But I'm not Craig foster (as much as I want to be).

For mine consistently this year we either get over run in the middle or play with 2 defence minded mids and so can't actually move the ball forward, or most weeks both.

I feel like and I'm a crap U13s coach so what would I know. But I would try playing more players in the middle.

Probably a 4 2 3 1.      Or some 4 5 1 variant. I can't see us doing 3 5 2 as we don't have 2 CBs let alone 3

Here's something I prepared earlier. Send these lads out in a 4231 formation with a pretty healthy bench for reinforcements after 60mins. Play long when you have to and let Mata do his thing as our no 10.

Thomas

Gersbach, Bonetig, Brillante, Cleur

El-tay, Priestman

Kraev. Mata, Milanovic

Sapsford

 

[GunnerWanderer]

Some of the conversation quite good here last 24 hours I agree I didn’t really expect to beat Auckland yday. On paper their team was better, but that itself opens bigger can of worms. 
 

That a team that has been around as Auckland can put a better field on then us who have been around almost 15 years now. 

if only we had a billionaire owner 

if only we had good facilities 

if only we were in an area where we have a big pool of young players 

 

I think you see my point 😎

Edited 14 hours ago by GunnerWanderer

[StringerBellend]

7 hours ago, SBW said:

Staj is insisting on playing long balls and hoping for the best, there's no structure in our attack, it is high transition but when we turn the ball over, our midfield gets over run and our defence gets exposed. 

I don't think Staj is capable of turning this club around, he thinks he can because he did it at the Mariners and with the Philippines women's team but we're neither of them.

 Did he do it at the mariners? he finished last then 6th and quit saying he couldn't do anymore.. Montgomery did more.

Admittedly he improved them from a very low base in 2 years. 

 

[Sithslayer1991]

16 hours ago, WanderingToqui said:

He's not that good of a player.  Overrated. 

Doesn't have a good football brain.

I think he has 2 brain cells. Shoot And *****. If only he had another cell that said score.

[Stokz]

Say what you want about Rudan - but in the 1st season the boys would run through walls for him.

Everyone performance seems like meh and just going through the motions. Win or Lose who gives a ****. 

I'm sorry that's on Stajcic... 

2 wins outside the top 6 is not a easy turnaround - you need the 3-4 teams in front of you to all drop points at the same time. 

[Sithslayer1991]

25 minutes ago, Stokz said:

Say what you want about Rudan - but in the 1st season the boys would run through walls for him.

Everyone performance seems like meh and just going through the motions. Win or Lose who gives a ****. 

I'm sorry that's on Stajcic... 

2 wins outside the top 6 is not a easy turnaround - you need the 3-4 teams in front of you to all drop points at the same time. 

What about the 2nd season when he went crazy and the team imploded.

[Legionista]

How about players running through walls because that's what they are paid to do.

They have signed contracts with the club, not with Rudan, Arnold, Farina, et al.

[Sithslayer1991]

What about Mata's performance against Auckland? We actually played him in his position, it was the most minutes he has ever played and it was meh. He had this one moment with Kraev in the 2nd half and came up with one of the worst passes I have ever seen I thought Sotirio came back.

If I was critical of any player it would be Mata it was crap. Simmons is a close 2nd with his cameo and his mistake that led to Auckland goal.

[Stokz]

57 minutes ago, Sithslayer1991 said:

What about the 2nd season when he went crazy and the team imploded.

Absolutely Fair.  

And that's why i said season 1.  

But we started his second season strongly as well - not sure what happened in 2nd half of year. 

What worries is we are half way through S1 under Stajcic - and it really looks like the players have lost interest already with him.

[Stokz]

21 minutes ago, Sithslayer1991 said:

What about Mata's performance against Auckland? We actually played him in his position, it was the most minutes he has ever played and it was meh. He had this one moment with Kraev in the 2nd half and came up with one of the worst passes I have ever seen I thought Sotirio came back.

If I was critical of any player it would be Mata it was crap. Simmons is a close 2nd with his cameo and his mistake that led to Auckland goal.

Only way Mata will work is an 10 role with 2 midfielders behind him to focus on the defensive grunt. 

Asking him to play a box to box midfielder at 36 over aussie summer in 2 man midfield is not going to work. Lets be real here. 

He's never played in a 2man midfield - and thats including at his prime at Chelsea.

[Sithslayer1991]

4 minutes ago, Stokz said:

Absolutely Fair.  

And that's why i said season 1.  

But we started his second season strongly as well - not sure what happened in 2nd half of year. 

What worries is we are half way through S1 under Stajcic - and it really looks like the players have lost interest already with him.

Rudan first full season did well with Marcelo Mrcel backline, and Amalfitano/Niewenhof midfield with Bozanic for cover and Schnederlin beefing us up 2nd half. All that was lost in 2nd season when midfield was reliant on Hendrix form and Marcelo.

This season we don't have Marcelo. I keep saying this, the backline is missing its general, its leader at the back. Jeong being injured and not working out has hurt us badly, because Bonetig and Panta are good defenders but they are young and WILL make mistakes. This is the first full season and Panta has been used as mr Fix it in the backline.

The midfield we saw issues last season whenever Brillante and Priestmann played together midfield didn't work, made even worst with getting Pelekanos who isn't much different to the other 2. Scicluna was the only midfielder giving us something different box to box player. Our form has gone to the toilet with his injury. And there is the 2nd major issue this squad has. Sciclune fixed a lot of issues we had in midfield with what he did, but his injury has affected the teams performance levels. Its a massive loss that I don't think people acknowledge enough. So now we are scrambling with Mata CM and Brillante at CB, this affects the bench because we are bringing on kids that can't see out a game.

Has efforts levels dropped? no I have disagree. I think Staj is trying to plug holes with the players he has, but its creating more problems due to a lack of depth in the defensive half. By depth I mean quality, it was an issue last season, its an even bigger issue this season. We can't even play defensive because we will make mistakes so we really can only try and outscore opponents.

We really missed Borello in this game as well. Sapsford is fast becoming Mark Bridge. Everything is good until its in front of goals and its 50/50 whether he scores. He buries any of the chances he had against Auckland and its a different game.

[Stokz]

8 minutes ago, Sithslayer1991 said:

Rudan first full season did well with Marcelo Mrcel backline, and Amalfitano/Niewenhof midfield with Bozanic for cover and Schnederlin beefing us up 2nd half. All that was lost in 2nd season when midfield was reliant on Hendrix form and Marcelo.

This season we don't have Marcelo. I keep saying this, the backline is missing its general, its leader at the back. Jeong being injured and not working out has hurt us badly, because Bonetig and Panta are good defenders but they are young and WILL make mistakes. This is the first full season and Panta has been used as mr Fix it in the backline.

The midfield we saw issues last season whenever Brillante and Priestmann played together midfield didn't work, made even worst with getting Pelekanos who isn't much different to the other 2. Scicluna was the only midfielder giving us something different box to box player. Our form has gone to the toilet with his injury. And there is the 2nd major issue this squad has. Sciclune fixed a lot of issues we had in midfield with what he did, but his injury has affected the teams performance levels. Its a massive loss that I don't think people acknowledge enough. So now we are scrambling with Mata CM and Brillante at CB, this affects the bench because we are bringing on kids that can't see out a game.

Has efforts levels dropped? no I have disagree. I think Staj is trying to plug holes with the players he has, but its creating more problems due to a lack of depth in the defensive half. By depth I mean quality, it was an issue last season, its an even bigger issue this season. We can't even play defensive because we will make mistakes so we really can only try and outscore opponents.

We really missed Borello in this game as well. Sapsford is fast becoming Mark Bridge. Everything is good until its in front of goals and its 50/50 whether he scores. He buries any of the chances he had against Auckland and its a different game.

Agree with backline 100% - but again this is on Stajcic as well. I made a similar comment before in another thread. Knowing the importance of 2 strong and experienced CBs - we went into the new season taking a big risk with what we had. 

Why do we insist on 2 man midfield is beyond me. Who d **** plays 4-4-2 and is successful man. 

No the players effort has dropped, not Stajcic. But it looks to me that what he is doing isnt really working. And thats part of the reason for the effort being dropped. 

[Davo]

On 27/01/2025 at 10:35 AM, StringerBellend said:

Nobody is calling for half the players to be sacked 

There was a recent post in the squad development thread listing the 15 players that are off contract at the end of the season. Here's your reply where you say 3 keep, 3 maybe, 9 go.

[StringerBellend]

15 minutes ago, Davo said:

There was a recent post in the squad development thread listing the 15 players that are off contract at the end of the season. Here's your reply where you say 3 keep, 3 maybe, 9 go.

Yes there was .... my reply didn't say mass sackings it said that  There is only three in there that I'd really miss  plus another three I'd  be disappointing if they went  "The rest range from meh(9), to thank God for that"

It's not calling for mass sackings. It's saying that 9 of those players for various reasons I wouldn't be upset if we did not resign them. Of them half of them barely play now as it is

 

Squad Players who aren't regular starters so it wouldn't change our best XI
Dean Pelekanos
James Temelkovski 

 Visa Player who isn't really doing enough for a visa player

Marcus Antonsson 
Jeong Tae-wook 

Probably going to retire, was only really ever a one season signing

Juan Mata 
 

Reserve Goalkeepers 

Taiga Harper
Jordan Holmes
Tristan Vidackovi

We have already signed a replacement

Jack Clisby 
 

[William]

Stringer you don’t think half the squad can go as as far as you are concerned is not mass sacking , your just playing with words  

[Davo]

16 minutes ago, StringerBellend said:

Yes there was .... my reply didn't say mass sackings it said that  There is only three in there that I'd really miss  plus another three I'd  be disappointing if they went  "The rest range from meh(9), to thank God for that"

It's not calling for mass sackings. It's saying that 9 of those players for various reasons I wouldn't be upset if we did not resign them. Of them half of them barely play now as it is

 

Squad Players who aren't regular starters so it wouldn't change our best XI
Dean Pelekanos
James Temelkovski 

 Visa Player who isn't really doing enough for a visa player

Marcus Antonsson 
Jeong Tae-wook 

Probably going to retire, was only really ever a one season signing

Juan Mata 
 

Reserve Goalkeepers 

Taiga Harper
Jordan Holmes
Tristan Vidackovi

We have already signed a replacement

Jack Clisby 
 

Surely "sacked" vs "don't renew contract at the end of the season" is a distinction without a difference, as in both cases they aren't playing for us anymore.

There were three replies to the post about the 15 off contract players. One said keep six players and two said keep eight players. It's an admittedly small sample size, but in response to "Nobody is calling for half the players to be sacked" it seems like the average number of players people are happy to get rid of is about 50%.

It seems like when people think of the squad as a whole it's amazing and Staj is a dud for not doing more with it. But whenever people talk about individual players many are crap and should be released.

[StringerBellend]

3 minutes ago, Davo said:

Surely "sacked" vs "don't renew contract at the end of the season" is a distinction without a difference, as in both cases they aren't playing for us anymore.

There were three replies to the post about the 15 off contract players. One said keep six players and two said keep eight players. It's an admittedly small sample size, but in response to "Nobody is calling for half the players to be sacked" it seems like the average number of players people are happy to get rid of is about 50%.

It seems like when people think of the squad as a whole it's amazing and Staj is a dud for not doing more with it. But whenever people talk about individual players many are crap and should be released.

Sacked v not renew I grant is splitting hairs.

But my point was my post wasn't saying mass sacking it was that in response to "it will be a major squad overhaul as 15 players are off contact.

Im point out that 50% of those aren't starters.

Three of them are reserve keepers. 

 

[GunnerWanderer]

1 hour ago, Stokz said:

Agree with backline 100% - but again this is on Stajcic as well. I made a similar comment before in another thread. Knowing the importance of 2 strong and experienced CBs - we went into the new season taking a big risk with what we had. 

Why do we insist on 2 man midfield is beyond me. Who d **** plays 4-4-2 and is successful man. 

No the players effort has dropped, not Stajcic. But it looks to me that what he is doing isnt really working. And thats part of the reason for the effort being dropped. 

Problems are ripe everywhere 

Stajic doesn’t seem to inspire much at moment 

Players like Borello and Mila are like Messi and Ronaldo one game and then next 3 games they are like jumpeI and sotorio 

our midfield is basically the worse in the league - we keep referring to the fact that we lost Dylan as the issue, losing a 20 year kid should NOT derail your season 

this is what brings an inconsistent season when you have multiple issues, if they were minor ones you can crack over the minor holes our issues are more major. 

It’s rinse and repeat form the previous 8 years 😎

the only thing we are consistent about is being inconsistent 😝