Soccer Ashes thread

[patjennings]

Until the subs came on, our passing to advantage was poor. Always behind, stopping runs into space, so negative.
I couldn't work out if it was the pitch, or rusty players not gelling or what. But then the subs were made and it was chalk and cheese, crisp passing to advantage, every touch. Was it just my own perception or did anyone else see it?

Don't worry - we will soon have the Popa cultists telling us we didn't see what we just saw with our own eyes.

 

[Barca4life]

Until the subs came on, our passing to advantage was poor. Always behind, stopping runs into space, so negative.
I couldn't work out if it was the pitch, or rusty players not gelling or what. But then the subs were made and it was chalk and cheese, crisp passing to advantage, every touch. Was it just my own perception or did anyone else see it?

Both teams made subs to be fair, but clearly we got better depth than NZ.

Could we imagine how good of a team we could be if we had a coach that could coach a much more progressive game style, the current structure is like putting train wheels on a bike, that need to be unleashed for better performances and even results.

 

[RIMB]

Popa learned a lot tonight - it depends what he now does with that knowledge.

The subs made the game and he will have to ask himself if that was because the boring, structured game he played in the first half wore NZ out, or if perhaps the subs actually allow him to have a safe attacking side start a game.

We know from experience that Popa is overly defensive - we can hope that he won't play his 7-3 formation next game using those subs up front and isolated because they will not produce without a positive minded midfield to open the front third up. He has done this before with game breakers and it causes failure.

Every play we went back to the keeper or centrebacks we lost any chance of building pressure tonight. Bos broke the mould with is effective runs and showed what a positive mindset can do. But still he was isolated when he got up there and I can imagine Popa seeing only the peril of a turnover without scoring and not the benefit it would be allowing more players to leave the defensive focus and create.

You can see Popa's structural control summed up in one play where we had someone run up the left wing but instead of pushing the attack they held the ball, turned this way and that, and waited until specific players ran into their set positions before proceeding. Too late to unlock the defence that had been shaky in the moment.

I am happy with the players Popa put out tonight and how he made some of the big substitutions we have been wanting to see. I would not be happy with the same players starting next game - that did not work despite the 0-0 score at halftime and we were lucky not to be two down at the break.

I am sure he won't start Irankunda. As lively as he is all Popa will see is that he can lose the ball in tight situations - and not how you get better results by having some element of risk to accompany your creativity. Popa cannot control how Irankunda plays - he can't structure a system around it because every play is different and I think Popa hates that lack of control.

In short - happy if Popa takes the lessons on board from tonight. These games are just as much about him managing players as it is about the players playing. I should probably put that in the Unpopular Football Opinions thread.

And FMD - now we know why Balard was not in the squad so long. What a waste of space . Well done Max.

 

[AUFC_Fan]

Well that was the most Poparoos game ever. Play the most boring, unconvincing brand of football ever and then somehow jag a win.

The subs showed exactly why people were calling for their inclusions into the squad and it’s up to Popa to finally pick the team on merit and reward good form

 

[verrelli]

Typical Popovic trash tonight. Why on earth are we seeing guys like Degenek, Hrustic and Boyle starting in a friendly. Shake things up for God's sake. The only thing I want in the return game is for Segecic to get game time but I wouldn't be surprised if the stubborn dickhead leaves him on the bench to make a point. I know Segs playing a friendly doesn't in any way secure him for Australia, but leaving him on the bench for two full friendlies in favour of Hrustic and Boyle etc sends a message to one of our hottest young players right now that he's not really part of the plans . Honestly can't stand Popovic as a manager. Never thought I'd find myself wishing we had Arnie back!

 

[Mr Cleansheets]

Despite my generally negative take on tonight's match, I will at least say that Izzo, Circati and Bos looked great. Burgess and Degenek looked decent but pretty much everyone else in the first half looked average to say the most. Metcalfe had his moments but just isn't as good as some on the bench.

Hrustic, Teague and Boyle were useless and I didn't notice Yazbek at all. Silvera might do better with better player around him.

Once the changes were rung we saw some action. Irankunda, Toure, Balard, Milanovic and Segecic have to start next time - alongside Izzo, Circati, Burgess, Degenek, Bos and (say) Miller they'd thrash NZ.

 

[Mr Cleansheets]

Noticable also how when Tara asked Popa was he happy for Max Balard he didn't answer the question.

It's almost as though he's pissed off Balard scored.

 

[Frankly Speaking]

Noticable also how when Tara asked Popa was he happy for Max Balard he didn't answer the question.

It's almost as though he's pissed off Balard scored.

Pretty much sums him up.

He's working hard to become our most disliked national team coach.

 

[JS96]

Just watched final 30 after having a work meeting. Over the moon for Balard. I guess it was about getting a win over the 90min. Final 15 looked better with NZ tiring.

Positives:
-Circati is world class and his channel balls are sublime. Burgess also has great wing passes
- The defence generally got the ball and could feed it back to safety
- The subs definitely care and really gave it a go
- Teague grew into the game and run in behind a lot but wasn't fed
- Bos is going to be a god.
- Izzo did really well on debut and we can have faith in our GK depth

Negatives
-Not their fault but Silvera and Metcalfe played in wrong areas. Metcalfe with handy touches. Again, he like the subs may be better from the bench against a tiring opponent.
- Hrustic and O'Neill are disgracefully casual given their experience and position in the squad. They're on borrowed time.
- A friendly but still a lot of players not entirely sure what to do. Many loose balls.

 

[JS96]

O'Neill tried to get involved but it was still a lot of disjointed or soft stuff and that was against a tiring opponent. Yazbek is tidy on the ball. Basically players are being played too narrow, deep or wide away from where they should be. Metcalfe and Yazbek close together can work. We were overstretched. Why wasn't Silvera told to overlap? He was just stuck in his spot where his speed wasn't used.

 

[JS96]

Until the subs came on, our passing to advantage was poor. Always behind, stopping runs into space, so negative.
I couldn't work out if it was the pitch, or rusty players not gelling or what. But then the subs were made and it was chalk and cheese, crisp passing to advantage, every touch. Was it just my own perception or did anyone else see it?

A number of overly casual mainstays in the 11 who need to be careful or lose their spot. Catch 22, don't injure yourself but also go hard in a friendly to impress the coach. NZ players know they're going to have to fight to make the squad.

 

[melbcityguy]

I thought hrustic was ok not amazing but had a few good touches

 

[JS96]

I thought hrustic was ok not amazing but had a few good touches

I think that's fair that the apparent poor ones had the occasional good touches but they weren't screaming that they wanted to be out there. The celebrations from the bench players after the goal was refreshing.

 

[JS96]

Look at the balance of the players involved in the goal. Patience and poise. Balard can just turn and hit it firmly. This next bunch have much better touches.

 

[LFC]

He leaves making subs too late…..
Do it 60min mark at least

 

[grazorblade]

offside about as close as it gets

Circati is tripping over here so the frame before wood is slightly more ahead so I think just offside

 

[JS96]

View attachment 3237
offside about as close as it gets

Circati is tripping over here so the frame before wood is slightly more ahead so I think just offside

I paused maybe a millimetre before yours and kinda saw it on despite the majority of pauses making it feel off. Never fear! Izzo annuls any VAR stuff ups.

Side note: Boyle was onside Saudi away.

 

[grazorblade]

I paused maybe a millimetre before yours and kinda saw it on despite the majority of pauses making it feel off. Never fear! Izzo annuls any VAR stuff ups.

Side note: Boyle was onside Saudi away.

I paused maybe a millimetre before yours and kinda saw it on despite the majority of pauses making it feel off. Never fear! Izzo annuls any VAR stuff ups.

Side note: Boyle was onside Saudi away.

Really close, glad we didnt need the var!

 

[JS96]

The goal again just love how Toure keeps coming back with the ball. Strong and good posture.

The post game press conference showed a lot of positive description and interaction for Balard from Popovic. I don't think we need to worry as much.

Totally gapped Kalik was an option too. Kalik and Botic omitted. Surely they get time in the second game.

I'd say send Circati, Teague and Boyle back to Europe already as we can play plenty of others. Circati needn't be risked.

 

[grazorblade]

The goal again just love how Toure keeps coming back with the ball. Strong and good posture.

The post game press conference showed a lot of positive description and interaction for Balard from Popovic. I don't think we need to worry as much.

Totally gapped Kalik was an option too. Kalik and Botic omitted. Surely they get time in the second game.

I'd say send Circati, Teague and Boyle back to Europe already as we can play plenty of others. Circati needn't be risked.

Kalik apparently a jetlag problem, poppa apparently worried about toure being injury prone