I think you had a plan for a game that did not eventuate.We looked like we pass the ball because it’s just part of the game.
They looked like they were passing the ball because they have an idea they’re attempting to execute on the pitch. You could see after their lay offs the movement. And passing with intent.
We psss and its like ‘ok my job is now done’
We really looked like we had no plan at all.
Disappointing start after a good pre season.
You were structured and marking like you would against a side trying to maintain possession and build attacks across the pitch. You were faced with a dynamic and fast opponent who did not play football like 'traditional' aleagues clubs do.
Failed to adjust at all in the first half and only partially successful in the second. I expect many teams to struggle similarly against the will-o-the-wisps until they figure out how to negate the fast interplay and seemingly random flow.
One thing though about Popovic in the stands. Every time I hear that, his former team or favoured players are on the pitch - and my only thought is that Victory could lose 10-0 and he would still only be considering his own trained players for a call up.
Baddolato is a good shout for a national training squad position if he maintains his form - but this close to the WC I don't think we should be looking too much at dark horses. We are now in the zone when it is important to build some cohesion and understanding between our starting players - which is totally irrelevant to this thread but also explains a lot about why Popa only picks his self-trained players - they can slot in quickly.