Team performance 2024/2025

[Ancient Mariner]

I think it is an appropriate time for a general performance discussion thread in addition to the stop/start of week to week game discussions that tend to be one offs and tend to the form of tweets.
Hopefully the thread can be a constructive discussion of where the team is, what it doing right, what it us doing wrong and how to address it rather than a witch hunt for who made the mistake that led to that goal.
I will kick off.

 

[FFC Mariner]

My questions to the football dept would be:
Who is playing consistently well? A solid 7 every week.
Who is improving as a player?
When is Falatio leaving?

 

[Ironbark]

We are short on quality by a long way. Dollars and injury are the reason.

Always going to behind due to that - but also feel we have our tactics and structures allll kinds of wrong for the cattle we have

 

[Spacks]

We are short on quality by a long way. Dollars and injury are the reason.

This is why I harped on regarding the Nizzy/Balard free transfers. If we're going to develop players to sell, we actually need to get $$ for those players not just "reputation". The only reputation we got is that overseas clubs can just bend us over barrel and pay $0.

 

[Ancient Mariner]

Ok enough of the goo feasting. Understandable but it does not contribute a great deal to constructive discussion.

As I see it we have three problems in the team at the moment, defence, attack and effective transition between the two.

Beginning with defence. From last year we have only Kaltak and Roux as the only regulars returning from what was a reasonably effective back 5. Kaltak has been sadly out of form compared to the last two seasons. It must be remembered that he is a relatively inexperienced player at this level, he is not your usual 31year old, old head central defender. He was thrown in the deep end this year with a very raw partner next to him, a young very inexperienced keeper behind him, and a new less effective pair in front of him. Added to that he was saddled with the captaincy, an added burden that has appeared to be far too much for him to bear. The death of his mother and an earthquake back at his home would not have helped. His confidence looks shot.

The other problem that is obvious is that we have gone from a back four to a unsettled back three. This formation worked as a change up in one match but, in my opinion, has been less effective than the back four with which we began the season. I think we have had fat least our different combinations of three central defenders and two wing backs since it has been introduced.

Even with this unsettled defence Jacko still has them playing out from the back at just about every occasion. This is clearly the way to play, however there have been times when a long ball would be the better option. The short pass down the centre by DPC to a player under threat has quite often been almost suicidal.

I would like to see us return to a back four of Roux, Kaltak, Sainsbury and Mauragis/Smith/Kuz. With Doka and Theo as wingers. Doka is a much better attacker than defender and is needed higher up the park.

Comments from others, especially those with a greater knowledge of the game than me please.

 

[Ancient Mariner]

This is why I harped on regarding the Nizzy/Balard free transfers. If we're going to develop players to sell, we actually need to get $$ for those players not just "reputation". The only reputation we got is that overseas clubs can just bend us over barrel and pay $0.

I do not recall the original length of Nizzy's or Ballard's contracts, but when their contracts were in the final year the Club cannot force a player to sign another one.
If you have a good young prospect you can offer a long contract. If the player signs, well and good, but if the player wants only two years, do you give them that or lose them to another club?
It becomes even more difficult when you are short of cash.

 

[Tevor]

Ok enough of the goo feasting. Understandable but it does not contribute a great deal to constructive discussion.

As I see it we have three problems in the team at the moment, defence, attack and effective transition between the two.

Beginning with defence. From last year we have only Kaltak and Roux as the only regulars returning from what was a reasonably effective back 5. Kaltak has been sadly out of form compared to the last two seasons. It must be remembered that he is a relatively inexperienced player at this level, he is not your usual 31year old, old head central defender. He was thrown in the deep end this year with a very raw partner next to him, a young very inexperienced keeper behind him, and a new less effective pair in front of him. Added to that he was saddled with the captaincy, an added burden that has appeared to be far too much for him to bear. The death of his mother and an earthquake back at his home would not have helped. His confidence looks shot.

The other problem that is obvious is that we have gone from a back four to a unsettled back three. This formation worked as a change up in one match but, in my opinion, has been less effective than the back four with which we began the season. I think we have had fat least our different combinations of three central defenders and two wing backs since it has been introduced.

Even with this unsettled defence Jacko still has them playing out from the back at just about every occasion. This is clearly the way to play, however there have been times when a long ball would be the better option. The short pass down the centre by DPC to a player under threat has quite often been almost suicidal.

I would like to see us return to a back four of Roux, Kaltak, Sainsbury and Mauragis/Smith/Kuz. With Doka and Theo as wingers. Doka is a much better attacker than defender and is needed higher up the park.

Comments from others, especially those with a greater knowledge of the game than me please.

Nailed it, I’ll add the midfield as a problem as well. Last night particularly we are so slow in transition. That’s all in the mids, been mentioned heaps before that Alfie and Steele are too similar. I think we should be trying others in the mids, what can it hurt. Alfie and Steele pretty much played the whole season together so far with no improvement. Time to switch it up. The defence get pressed as we can’t get the ball moving so we get silly errors. The attack doesn’t get the service it needs not that I think Kuol has the touch to handle any more service unless it’s to his head. So many problem areas and no cash or resources to fix it unfortunately. I feel for Eames, De Lima and Co they are trying to establish themselves in a team that is truely dysfunctional.

 

[Ancient Mariner]

Nailed it, I’ll add the midfield as a problem as well. Last night particularly we are so slow in transition. That’s all in the mids, been mentioned heaps before that Alfie and Steele are too similar. I think we should be trying others in the mids, what can it hurt. Alfie and Steele pretty much played the whole season together so far with no improvement. Time to switch it up. The defence get pressed as we can’t get the ball moving so we get silly errors. The attack doesn’t get the service it needs not that I think Kuol has the touch to handle any more service unless it’s to his head. So many problem areas and no cash or resources to fix it unfortunately. I feel for Eames, De Lima and Co they are trying to establish themselves in a team that is truely dysfunctional.

I think midfield is the big problem. We have no transition to attack through the middle of the park. We rely On the wingers to much with ineffective crosses or with good crosses that our strikers do not seem able to get to.
It is one reason why I would prefer to see the formation revert to 4411 or 442 with overlapping fullbacks and wingers moving inside giving more options in attack. This needs an understanding and coordination between the players. At the moment we are shifting players around too much for these understandings to develop.
I would be very tempted to use youth (even starting) even if they are not quite ready, put up with the errors with a view to experience for next season.
Of course the counter argument is that you can destroy their confidence. However use them as much as possible.
In attack last night Sydney had a player open between our lines time and time again as a link to let their attack flow.

 

[Sam_Kelso]

Nailed it, I’ll add the midfield as a problem as well. Last night particularly we are so slow in transition. That’s all in the mids, been mentioned heaps before that Alfie and Steele are too similar. I think we should be trying others in the mids, what can it hurt. Alfie and Steele pretty much played the whole season together so far with no improvement. Time to switch it up. The defence get pressed as we can’t get the ball moving so we get silly errors. The attack doesn’t get the service it needs not that I think Kuol has the touch to handle any more service unless it’s to his head. So many problem areas and no cash or resources to fix it unfortunately. I feel for Eames, De Lima and Co they are trying to establish themselves in a team that is truely dysfunctional.

Before De Lima was gassed last night he really improved our transitional play and his constant movement provided options. Actually got to see Steele/Alfie play a few (still not enough) forward passes in that first half

 

[Sam_Kelso]

Ok enough of the goo feasting. Understandable but it does not contribute a great deal to constructive discussion.

As I see it we have three problems in the team at the moment, defence, attack and effective transition between the two.

Beginning with defence. From last year we have only Kaltak and Roux as the only regulars returning from what was a reasonably effective back 5. Kaltak has been sadly out of form compared to the last two seasons. It must be remembered that he is a relatively inexperienced player at this level, he is not your usual 31year old, old head central defender. He was thrown in the deep end this year with a very raw partner next to him, a young very inexperienced keeper behind him, and a new less effective pair in front of him. Added to that he was saddled with the captaincy, an added burden that has appeared to be far too much for him to bear. The death of his mother and an earthquake back at his home would not have helped. His confidence looks shot.

The other problem that is obvious is that we have gone from a back four to a unsettled back three. This formation worked as a change up in one match but, in my opinion, has been less effective than the back four with which we began the season. I think we have had fat least our different combinations of three central defenders and two wing backs since it has been introduced.

Even with this unsettled defence Jacko still has them playing out from the back at just about every occasion. This is clearly the way to play, however there have been times when a long ball would be the better option. The short pass down the centre by DPC to a player under threat has quite often been almost suicidal.

I would like to see us return to a back four of Roux, Kaltak, Sainsbury and Mauragis/Smith/Kuz. With Doka and Theo as wingers. Doka is a much better attacker than defender and is needed higher up the park.

Comments from others, especially those with a greater knowledge of the game than me please.

I think it’s pretty clear that our team that is most suited to Jackos play style is: DPC; Roux, Trent, Kaltak, Mauragis; Steele, Alfie; Theo, Doka; Kuol , MDP.

Sadly this side hasn’t been able to play together and we haven’t had the depth to adapt to Jackos preferred play style. If we want to look at positives atleast we have been able to see players like Kuz, Paull, De Lima and Eames look good to create some competition when we get back to full fitness.

 

[Sam_Kelso]

I think it’s pretty clear that our team that is most suited to Jackos play style is: DPC; Roux, Trent, Kaltak, Mauragis; Steele, Alfie; Theo, Doka; Kuol , MDP.

Sadly this side hasn’t been able to play together and we haven’t had the depth to adapt to Jackos preferred play style. If we want to look at positives atleast we have been able to see players like Kuz, Paull, De Lima and Eames look good to create some competition when we get back to full fitness.

Completely forgot about Brad Tapp aswell

 

[Ozhammer]

Midfield is definitely the area where we need to improve significantly if we want to exert more control of games but it is naive to the ‘blame’ the team for lacking in that area on Harry and Alfie. They both work their arses trying to cover holes and block passing lines that they just don’t have enough energy left over to force oppositions onto the back foot and build attacks.

Part of the problem there is that our so-called wingers can’t seem to provide enough attacking threat to force teams into a more defensive mindset and thus release pressure on our defence. Also, the likes of Doka and Theo will never deliver a high defensive output, which could perhaps be forgiven if they were smashing it in attack, which they aren’t sadly.

I won’t join the pile on regarding our attack, as it’s clear out entire attacking set up needs huge improvement, which needs to start in the midfield (see above) but I am certainly not viewing Edmo or Kuol as solutions to that conundrum, even if we were to solve our midfield issues.

For mine, I reckon we should set up with a back three and five in the mids, with a dedicated 6 (Harry) and two 8/10’s (Alfie and Migzy perhaps) with the wing backs instructed to work their arses off getting up and down the flanks.

We have three competent enough CBs to make that work and also candidates for wing backs plus an additional player at CM should help us to force our opponents back more.

At the moment we are playing that nothing brand of football that teams in a mire tend to fall into, neither attacking nor defensive, just nothingball, so we need to move away from that quicksmart if we want to save what is left of the season.

 

[turbo]

They both work their arses trying to cover holes and block passing lines that they just don’t have enough energy left over to force oppositions onto the back foot and build attacks.

I don’t really buy that. Harry especially typically plays negative right from the start.

 

[Ozhammer]

I don’t really buy that. Harry especially typically plays negative right from the start.

So what options does he generally have playing forward? That’s a big part of why he has to play backwards more often that not.

Granted there are times when he could play the ball forward (and has done to good effect in previous games) but we are seemingly playing every game on the back foot, which ultimately shapes a negative mindset.

If Tappy was available, maybe we would see a different midfield but he isn’t and our options at CM (especially DM) are extremely limited atm.

 

[Yorkshire Mariners FC]

I don’t really buy that. Harry especially typically plays negative right from the start.

I wrote but didn't post how much Alfie was slowing down play. Makes a extra pass when one swift pass will open up the field. It drives me crazy how often he does it. Having said that and as others have mentioned he is a solid defensive performer who does a lot of yards. Before I get the Alfie mafia on me I just have one question. Is he playing and making a big enough impact as an import? My opinion is obvious but he does play as a solid 6/7 out of 10 every game. I yearned for us to have one game of Tapp and Steele together before the injury as this was the obvious midfield pairing from the year before (after Nizzy/Balard).

 

[true believer]

Nailed it, I’ll add the midfield as a problem as well. Last night particularly we are so slow in transition. That’s all in the mids, been mentioned heaps before that Alfie and Steele are too similar. I think we should be trying others in the mids, what can it hurt. Alfie and Steele pretty much played the whole season together so far with no improvement. Time to switch it up. The defence get pressed as we can’t get the ball moving so we get silly errors. The attack doesn’t get the service it needs not that I think Kuol has the touch to handle any more service unless it’s to his head. So many problem areas and no cash or resources to fix it unfortunately. I feel for Eames, De Lima and Co they are trying to establish themselves in a team that is truely dysfunctional.

this probably should be done sober and again later after a bottle and a half of ripple wine
currently sober

i though alfie looked a lot better with a fitter sains behind him .
we lack a controlling midfield player (why i keep harping on about scicuna )
i also have come to like pauli and believe he has a future as a midfielder in a forward position
i see steele as a lesser alfie .
we cant play with 3 at the back .we are short a centre back
eames and de lema are very good kids but are 50 minute players at best

strikers are a total shit show .

maybe a formation worth of the wamsely era

DCP

storm sains diesel koslovski

alfie pauli

doka scicluna theo

wilson

where is that ripple wine

 

[Ancient Mariner]

For mine, I reckon we should set up with a back three and five in the mids, with a dedicated 6 (Harry) and two 8/10’s (Alfie and Migzy perhaps) with the wing backs instructed to work their arses off getting up and down the flanks.

Excellent post. Love your thinking. But how about either Alfie or Harry as the six. Both are workers but not necessarilly go forward players. Alfie has a lovely pass out of the #6 position when a receiver is available so I tend to favour him.
How about they fight for the #6 role while the #8 and #10 can be fought over by Miggsy, Eames and Wilson (Haven't written him off totally yet). The #8 needs and amazing motor and the ability to carry the ball forward. The #10 needs to be able to provide a ball for the striker or wingers to score or to score himself.
These are the positions that need creativity and imagination.

 

[Ancient Mariner]

Can anyone help me. I vaguely remember 2 years ago Monty shifted Kaltak at the 60 min mark either to fullback or DM and he absolutely ripped the opposition a new one.
Can anyone without a failing memory fill me in on the details.

 

[Ancient Mariner]

I am not including Tapoy at this stage. I hope he can make another recovery and come back, However I remember watching Corey Gamiero working his butt off in the the same Gym as me after his second ACL without returning.