Good info. Thanks but yikes! Concerning but a trial match so not panicking yet. Do you know if we're still shopping? I was trying to work out how Valkanis will set-up. Maybe a mid-block with these players. I can't see a high line with Aldred in a back 4. And I'm not sure about Postolachi in a low block, although definitely not ruling that out. But I just don't think Valkanis will consider a low block. King is probably better sitting deeper because I don't remember him being that quick, more average pace. A mid-block would be ok for him, and no problem for Tate. Aldred would still be somewhat exposed for pace in a mid-block but if Bouzanis comes out further he can intercept balls in behind. With quick turnovers he could get lobbed but Stajic would have to be alive to the risk of that. Bouzanis could still play out from the back. I'm guessing the starting 6 and 10 would be Stajic and Nam respectively but it seems like Lauton put his hand up. Maybe he and Francois fight it out for the starting 8 role? Forward line I'm not sure but possibly Ilic, Postolachi and Ngor? I think Ilic is a left-footed crosser so maybe looking for the head of Postolachi who could make late runs into the box from not too deep. Ngor also left-footed but more likely to cut in I think? That could work if Tate makes overlapping runs to provide a crossing option. King more likely to sit and 2 crossers up there might kill rather than create chances anyway. Interesting days ahead.
It was a trial match as you say - and there was no sign of Dimi Valkanis; who we know is better than Bility but was over there with the team. He must have played in the first game.
There is every chance that 2 months out of season Valkanis is still trying things out and playing around with ideas - but to go to Indonesia to muck around can't do the squads confidence any good.
We just weren't sharp or effective really anywhere on the pitch - and not close to aleague level in our onfield presence.
I have not ruled out Valkanis playing a back 3/5 so seeing just Aldred and Bility at the back was unexpected. Nasso is not an imposing figure at left fullback and for Persija's goal up the middle Aldred looked to be suggesting that Nasso was meant to come inside when Bility pushed forward. It is not entirely out of Aldred's playbook to blame others unfairly but a fullback has to cover if the centreback goes forward. That's another learning experience for Nasso anyway.
From your thinking, I don't think Stajic can be used to back up from quick turnovers because he works wherever he is needed right up to halfway frequently. He and Maeroni rotate anywhere through a normal DM position and central/attacking midfielder but you can't say that one or the other was always back in the DM position.
Vidic and Lauton both looked keen enough to do some good, but Vidic missed a tricky but decent chance he put just wide of the left post when he had little time to react. Keeper was basically beaten had it been on goal and he will get some of those in; but in games of few chances other team's forwards would have scored it.
Ilic seemed awfully consistent cutting inside from left forward/wing just about every time last night. Did not mix it up to have the defenders in doubt. One thing in Persija's favour is that their players are quick on their feet and react well to their opponent's moves. Ilic cut in too soon at times - perhaps to avoid losing the ball in a close contest - but doing it early allowed the defence to close him down comfortably. He did not look dangerous.
Lauton is lively and makes runs through the last defensive line. We don't see his runs or make the passes that would make him dangerous. I think he plays a better attacking midfield role than 'just' a central midfield role.
All up we seem to have players who don't excel at their specific position but play a more fluid role around that area. Great if the parts exceed the whole but we are well short of that at this stage.
I hope we are still shopping for a solid defender.
We shipped 4 goals in the Cup game against SFC, and 4 goals both games in Indonesia.
Whether we play a low, mid or high block we have weaknesses in each that make goals scored against us look far too easy.
Aldred's pace is a liability on mid and high defensive lines. The decision making and reaction of our defensive group in a low defensive line is flawed. Bility does stupid things when players get past him.
We might yet be facing a season where we go in green and concede simple looking goals while we learn our roles. We can't practice against aleague equivalent opponents enough to learn quicker and you can't develop a resilient defensive structure playing only against lower tiered clubs and your own team mates.
Ngor did surprisingly poorly up the right wing. We had an overall inclination to pass backwards or hold the ball up when we went forward down the wings. I hope it was a deliberate strategy to maintain possession and not signs of a lack of confidence in our ability to get in behind.
Judging by the shirts sticking to bodies right from the start the conditions were hard for us. Cannot rule out the simplest cause of lacklustre play being humidity and heat drain. You can't do anything about that other than struggle.
Bottom line is we are not a cohesive, well drilled team. Until that starts to develop we can only guess where Valkanis has us heading.
