Give Nik another go

[FFC Mariner]

Interesting that Fury were intent on roughing him up tonight. Fergie obviously knows him and his "alleged" lack of heart.

Middleby's hack at his knee was an obvious example.

He took it and scored 2 goals - impressive

 

[krusty]

I started this and all i will say to all you knockers is go NIK go. You can bag him as much as you like but the stats speak for themselves. Mariners what a team. There is egg on alot of peoples face now but we our one we are many we are the mariners.

 

[bjw]

He has _alot_ to prove to Lawrie and the fans for the rest of this season... he's scored 3 goals in 2 games which is fabulous but dont go saying "ZOMG NIK IZ BACK IN FORM", give it a few more weeks/til the end of the season before we judge were he's at and if he deserves a contract.

 

[Ben]

great effort from nik but two good games won't make up for several crap seasons. keep it going and then I will reconsider not liking him

 

[fedelta]

He has _alot_ to prove to Lawrie and the fans for the rest of this season... he's scored 3 goals in 2 games which is fabulous but dont go saying "ZOMG NIK IZ BACK IN FORM", give it a few more weeks/til the end of the season before we judge were he's at and if he deserves a contract.

shouldn't you be pisseed?

 

[nikko]

I started this and all i will say to all you knockers is go NIK go. You can bag him as much as you like but the stats speak for themselves. Mariners what a team. There is egg on alot of peoples face now but we our one we are many we are the mariners.

good to see you can write a few words together champ. Now beat it before mrdja stops playing the tunes DJ

 

[nero]

Strikers are on the board, here we come. Look out for Matty to start getting some doubles now that he is not the only threat up front.

 

[MagpieMariner]

great effort from nik but two good games won't make up for several crap seasons. keep it going and then I will reconsider not liking him

You don't have to like him; as long as he keeps doing what he did last night you can hate him until you're black in the face.
And for "crap" seasons you should substitute "injured" seasons. He now looks like he's pretty close to being back to full fitness. The last time he was fully fit, he got a call-up to green and gold.
On top of his two good HAL games, he's also had three good games with the Youth team and scored 5 goals to go with his HAL 3.

 

[MagpieMariner]

He has _alot_ to prove to Lawrie and the fans for the rest of this season... he's scored 3 goals in 2 games which is fabulous but dont go saying "ZOMG NIK IZ BACK IN FORM", give it a few more weeks/til the end of the season before we judge were he's at and if he deserves a contract.

Fortunately for Nik, he only has to prove something to Lawrie and the others on the coaching panel. Judging by the amount of game time he's been getting lately, he's been doing that reasonably well. In fact considering where he was a month ago, I think he's doing bloody well.
His second goal last night also shows how well he's come on -- a month ago he would've stuffed up trying to pass it on instead of shooting, or he would've totally cocked up the shot.
As for another contract, could it be significant that Lawrie is working hard with him at training as reported by someone else in another thread? Remember that it was about this time last season that Sasho became bench bound when it became obvious that he was gone at season's end.

 

[UnitedsNo9]

Its funny when you see players who have been out of form for 1 reason or another and you think they are getting it back (especially after injuries) and then realise they are not.... For instance heff before the leg break. I've seen signs since he's been rehabilitated that he could be back, though you definately know when they are. He is there now I feel. He tackles hard, runs hard and is really physical as he was when he got the loan to Nurnberg (the injury does not appear to be having a psychologoical efftct any more)...
Mrdja has had a few false starts were ive thought maybe he's back. What makes me confident about Nik in the remainder of this season is the 2nd goal tonight. It reminded me of his goal rd 3 V3 Vs nix when he got the roo call up. You could see the confidence of him sizing up and firing. He looked BIG was my thought.
I expect his head to swell and for him to continue finding the back of the net. Confidence is EVERYTHING for a striker.

 

[Marquee]

The big thing for me was his willingness to get involved. In the first 15-20 mins he actually chased the ball, and immediately I knew he was going to have a good game. His touch was so much better that the boys could hit his feet and Nik would hold up and release, whereas lately that first touch would be a donkey.

Also the above comments about confidence post injury are spot on. The challenge on Nik's knee could have seriously put him back into his shell that he's spent so long coming out of. I think he's been scared of that sort of thing happening but he carried on in the game and it was good to see. Theres a long way to go but he is finally on track.

 

[FFC Mariner]

I liked his niggling, whining at the ref and general all round stroppiness.

Good trait in a striker - bit of mongrel

 

[Part_Timer]

his puzzled look is priceless

 

[Atomic]

Especially during the post match interview.... It was like he'd just arrived on pannet Earth and was taking his first look around

 

[Nik Mrdjas Disco Bikkie]

The big thing for me was his willingness to get involved. In the first 15-20 mins he actually chased the ball, and immediately I knew he was going to have a good game. His touch was so much better that the boys could hit his feet and Nik would hold up and release, whereas lately that first touch would be a donkey.

Took the words out of my mouth, his work rate was more impressive than his goals. Worked alot harder than Kwas so deserved his goals.

 

[goingtoadisco]

The big thing for me was his willingness to get involved. In the first 15-20 mins he actually chased the ball, and immediately I knew he was going to have a good game. His touch was so much better that the boys could hit his feet and Nik would hold up and release, whereas lately that first touch would be a donkey.

Cos its i need a new contract time ?

Took the words out of my mouth, his work rate was more impressive than his goals. Worked alot harder than Kwas so deserved his goals.

 

[BaysideMariner]

The big thing for me was his willingness to get involved. In the first 15-20 mins he actually chased the ball, and immediately I knew he was going to have a good game. His touch was so much better that the boys could hit his feet and Nik would hold up and release, whereas lately that first touch would be a donkey.

Also the above comments about confidence post injury are spot on. The challenge on Nik's knee could have seriously put him back into his shell that he's spent so long coming out of. I think he's been scared of that sort of thing happening but he carried on in the game and it was good to see. Theres a long way to go but he is finally on track.

 

[FFC Mariner]

His knee wont ever get a bigger whack than he got last night - IMHO that was worthy of a straight red.

Did I really just give him 2pts in the MoM?

Someone divided by zero didnt they?

 

[tuftman]

His knee wont ever get a bigger whack than he got last night - IMHO that was worthy of a straight red.

Did I really just give him 2pts in the MoM?

Someone divided by zero didnt they?

I do look forward to seeing if he can carry this form on for the rest of the season, one hot day doesn't make a summer etc. But well done to him for proving he's worthy of consideration again

 

[dibo]

He's looking good. Let's see if it can continue. He did score the winner in the last ever NSL grand final to win the championship with the purple people eaters so let's see if his form holds - he
might make a bit of magic for us yet. If he wins us a championship, all is forgiven.