Adelaide United hit the post twice and Ivan Necevski made six superb saves to secure Sydney FC three precious points on Sunday night.
It is a mark of Sydney's schizophrenic season that they could secure 65 percent of possession in the first half yet safely be described as undeserving winners. In the first 45 minutes Sydney enjoyed the ball without displaying real ruthlessness, until the previously-ineffective Joel Chianese caressed a difficult volley in from a corner.
The goal released all the pressure on Sydney FC and they came out after halftime determined to land a killer blow - yet Adelaide surged back and finished as the far stronger side. In the first half the South Australians closed down like Australian manufacturing, but in the second half they suffocated Sydney's creaky transition play.
Adelaide hit the post twice and while Eugene Galekovic made one save, clear man of the match Ivan Necevski made six and watched the ball smash against the upright.
Barbiero butchered a fantastic opporturnity, Cassio hit the post, Caravella drew the best out of Necevski from point-blank range and both managers acknowledged who Lady Luck favoured on Sunday night.
Sydney FC might sneak into the finals and will fancy themselves to do some damage. But they must be concerned after a dominant first half display with 65 percent of possession required a ricochet opening from a set piece.
A squad stacked with Socceroos in attacking positions should do better at fashioning opportunities (and congratulations to Brett Emerton and especially Nicky Carle for their well-deserved call ups for Wednesday night).
Wellington Phoenix are tougher prey and Viteslav Lavicka will have to weigh a number of issues.
The back five are sorted: Scott Jamieson put in an impressive attacking shift on Sunday and delivered the decisive through ball to Mitch Mallia after shrugging off a nasty head knock. Ivan Necevski keeps his place while Rhyan Grant continues his crash course at right back.
As ever, Sydney's front six are the paradox. Hiro Moriyasu put in a solid performance without expressing any real influence on the match. In fairness, Hiro is not a proper left winger and his best work comes in the middle of the park.
If Karol Kisel is fit to start, Moriyasu will probably drop to the bench despite Kisel's own dislike for the left side and Moriyasu's solid return to the starting line up (Terry Antonis should be given time in the youth league to reach proper match fitness for what will be a string of must-win games).
Goal scorer Joel Chianese will no doubt enjoy the opposite experience to Hiro: Chianese's strike will probably secure him another start, but the youngster stumbled over several other opportunities to shoot, cross or even trap and clearly remains a work in progress.
Chianese's scoring volley was sumptuously taken, but fundamental slips, such as failing to win a corner when trapped on the touchline, or not finding a yard to deliver a cross to Bruno (Chianese would be wise to study Cassio in this regard) will be more costly against an in-form Wellington.
In the end Chianese's game flattered and deceived. He often found dangerous positions but failed to make good decisions or execute them under pressure - except for a lovely goal. Obviously these elements of his game can be improved with time, but Sydney need to win to make the finals.
Chianese and Mallia both have potential but need to keep improving to keep Olyroos Dimitri Petratos and Terry Antonis out of the side when they return.
Sydney FC have every reason to beat Wellington Phoenix and every chance with the strong squad at Viteslav Lavicka's disposal. A win against the high-flying Phoenix could propel Sydney into outside chances for a grand final.
A loss would further dishearten those Sydney fans already dizzy from inconsistency and disappointed by defeat. Bring on the weekend.
Showing posts with label Brett Emerton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brett Emerton. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Monday, February 6, 2012
Melton Should Crucify Lavicka (now amended due to response from Melton)
Sydney FC CEO Dirk Melton has made his first big mistake. In an interview published on Sportal Melton delivered a rightly circumspect whip to the players but a rather stinging putdown to a growing group of Sydney FC fans.
"(Coach Viteslav Lavicka) has been here for three years and been given an absolutely dignified farewell and given an opportunity to do what he needs to do for the rest of the year. If people find any difficulty in that then they probably need to look in the mirror."
Melton has not been at the club long enough to tell the fans what to do. Even if he is right, and I do not believe that he is, those are poorly chosen words for the thousands who have clearly given up on the Lavicka school of football. Bluntly bagging fans for criticizing the coach, cruel as they may be, is a stupid thing to do at the best of times.
To do it in the name of dignity is particularly galling. If Sunday's game was a horse race Sydney FC would have found dignity behind a tent and a shotgun. They played with intent for less than half of a home match against geographic rivals.
By contrast the fans have largely held their tongues. The Cove has not chanted for Lavicka's head. The banners have not risen against the once-successful Czech. The venom is reserved for the people most to blame: the players who continually fail to deliver on their potential.
It is true that Sydney fans take too much delight in booing their own players. I wish it were a club that cheered on losing Sky Blues at half time. I wish that confidence players were given more than 30 minutes to change a game.
But changing that culture (a worthy mission that needs a different strategy than Melton's here) will take time and Sydney have bigger problems. Melton is smart enough in his remarks to hold back from trying to take the motivational reins. The players are Lavicka's problem and Lavicka has to deal with it.
This failing squad is Lavicka's responsibility and many fans, if not most, have lost patience with Lavicka's tenure. It's nothing personal. It's simply football.
For two years Sydney have been a bottom half side. They don't deserve a place in the finals this season, and they didn't deserve one last season. The evidence is quite obvious.
Since Lavicka claimed Sydney's sweetest title, the club has played 50 games, won 14, drawn 16 and lost 20. Those results do not include the club's desolate Asian Champion's League campaign.
Last season Sydney finished 9th. Right now they lie 7th and no one is tipping them to rise higher.
Sydney have won a single game in their last nine matches. They've lost 5-2 and 4-nil at home. The Sky Blues have kept four clean sheets in 20 matches. In the last nine games they've conceded 22 goals.
For the last two seasons the crowd rises slightly when success beckons or Brett Emerton debuts, but flee when Sydney lose. Football's Capital demands success with style. They've had neither for two weary years.
Melton would find it hard to find a fan who dislikes Lavicka as a person (although the man who threw his membership card at the Czech when he withdrew Nicky Carle against Gold Coast might volunteer). Lavicka is well-known and liked for the way he speaks to fans and applauds their efforts, particularly on away trips.
Obviously Lavicka's character and his debut double, combined with the front office's long-stated desire to stabilize a previously-bloodthirsty club, has stayed the knife. But Sydney FC is toxic now. The mood amongst the players seemingly matches their performances and the atrocious results. The crowd will shrink until only the malcontents remain because no one wants to watch a good man leave in disgrace.
Melton said Lavicka has been given an absolutely dignified farewell and an opportunity to do what he needs to do.
It won't be dignified if Sydney continue to lose. It may sink the club further into footballing disrepute. What Lavicka "needs to do" is find a way to win matches with one of the most expensive sides in the A League. A double in the first season is not enough to offset shame in the last.
And Lavicka's "dignified" long goodbye smacks of spin more than substance: perhaps the club wants to avoid a Melbourne/Durakovic situation while it hooks Graham Arnold or a big foreign fish for next season.
Saturday night's match against Perth should be a big occasion - Sydney fighting for a finals berth against a side brimming with talent. But the crowd won't reach ten thousand in "Football's Capital".
Pontius Pilate-like, Melton has appealed to the angry mob for mercy. But Lavicka's fate really rests in the hands of his supposed disciples: the players. Only they can save him from bitter, pathetic disgrace.
As unfair, undignified, dishonorable as it is, if Sydney fail against Perth, Lavicka should carry the cross - provided Ian Crook or Steve Corica are prepared to take the burden for the rest of the season.
Unfortunately this cannot even happen. Melton may be trying to re-shape Sydney FC, the most fickle club in the land, into a better place. I applaud the intention but today's interview is a serious misstep along a difficult path. The decision to name the Clubman Of The Year Award after Lavicka might reflect "core values" but it has effectively taken Melton's only option away.
Dignity and loyalty are things to be exchanged between players and fans, not ephemeral concepts to fall back on when poor decisions create a vacuum of leadership. Nature abhors a vacuum - this one has been filled with disaffection and vitriol. It started with the thousands of members who refused to renew their membership for this season, despite the recruitment of Emerton.
Melton struggled to understand that then. He surely has to understand now. Can he wash his hands of a good man's demolition? If Sydney FC fold against Perth, Melton should give the mob their head.
AMENDMENT: Dirk Melton replied to me on Twitter last night saying he's been misquoted and wouldn't disrespect fans. (You can see this on his Twitter account here: https://twitter.com/#!/Dirk_Melton).
As a former journo I know how things can quite easily be taken out of context. I hope this is addressed and corrected by Melton and the website in a more formal way.
You can see an additional post explaining what happened next here: http://afootontheball.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/meltons-look-in-mirror-comment-not.html
"(Coach Viteslav Lavicka) has been here for three years and been given an absolutely dignified farewell and given an opportunity to do what he needs to do for the rest of the year. If people find any difficulty in that then they probably need to look in the mirror."
Melton has not been at the club long enough to tell the fans what to do. Even if he is right, and I do not believe that he is, those are poorly chosen words for the thousands who have clearly given up on the Lavicka school of football. Bluntly bagging fans for criticizing the coach, cruel as they may be, is a stupid thing to do at the best of times.
To do it in the name of dignity is particularly galling. If Sunday's game was a horse race Sydney FC would have found dignity behind a tent and a shotgun. They played with intent for less than half of a home match against geographic rivals.
By contrast the fans have largely held their tongues. The Cove has not chanted for Lavicka's head. The banners have not risen against the once-successful Czech. The venom is reserved for the people most to blame: the players who continually fail to deliver on their potential.
It is true that Sydney fans take too much delight in booing their own players. I wish it were a club that cheered on losing Sky Blues at half time. I wish that confidence players were given more than 30 minutes to change a game.
But changing that culture (a worthy mission that needs a different strategy than Melton's here) will take time and Sydney have bigger problems. Melton is smart enough in his remarks to hold back from trying to take the motivational reins. The players are Lavicka's problem and Lavicka has to deal with it.
This failing squad is Lavicka's responsibility and many fans, if not most, have lost patience with Lavicka's tenure. It's nothing personal. It's simply football.
For two years Sydney have been a bottom half side. They don't deserve a place in the finals this season, and they didn't deserve one last season. The evidence is quite obvious.
Since Lavicka claimed Sydney's sweetest title, the club has played 50 games, won 14, drawn 16 and lost 20. Those results do not include the club's desolate Asian Champion's League campaign.
Last season Sydney finished 9th. Right now they lie 7th and no one is tipping them to rise higher.
Sydney have won a single game in their last nine matches. They've lost 5-2 and 4-nil at home. The Sky Blues have kept four clean sheets in 20 matches. In the last nine games they've conceded 22 goals.
For the last two seasons the crowd rises slightly when success beckons or Brett Emerton debuts, but flee when Sydney lose. Football's Capital demands success with style. They've had neither for two weary years.
Melton would find it hard to find a fan who dislikes Lavicka as a person (although the man who threw his membership card at the Czech when he withdrew Nicky Carle against Gold Coast might volunteer). Lavicka is well-known and liked for the way he speaks to fans and applauds their efforts, particularly on away trips.
Obviously Lavicka's character and his debut double, combined with the front office's long-stated desire to stabilize a previously-bloodthirsty club, has stayed the knife. But Sydney FC is toxic now. The mood amongst the players seemingly matches their performances and the atrocious results. The crowd will shrink until only the malcontents remain because no one wants to watch a good man leave in disgrace.
Melton said Lavicka has been given an absolutely dignified farewell and an opportunity to do what he needs to do.
It won't be dignified if Sydney continue to lose. It may sink the club further into footballing disrepute. What Lavicka "needs to do" is find a way to win matches with one of the most expensive sides in the A League. A double in the first season is not enough to offset shame in the last.
And Lavicka's "dignified" long goodbye smacks of spin more than substance: perhaps the club wants to avoid a Melbourne/Durakovic situation while it hooks Graham Arnold or a big foreign fish for next season.
Saturday night's match against Perth should be a big occasion - Sydney fighting for a finals berth against a side brimming with talent. But the crowd won't reach ten thousand in "Football's Capital".
Pontius Pilate-like, Melton has appealed to the angry mob for mercy. But Lavicka's fate really rests in the hands of his supposed disciples: the players. Only they can save him from bitter, pathetic disgrace.
As unfair, undignified, dishonorable as it is, if Sydney fail against Perth, Lavicka should carry the cross - provided Ian Crook or Steve Corica are prepared to take the burden for the rest of the season.
Unfortunately this cannot even happen. Melton may be trying to re-shape Sydney FC, the most fickle club in the land, into a better place. I applaud the intention but today's interview is a serious misstep along a difficult path. The decision to name the Clubman Of The Year Award after Lavicka might reflect "core values" but it has effectively taken Melton's only option away.
Dignity and loyalty are things to be exchanged between players and fans, not ephemeral concepts to fall back on when poor decisions create a vacuum of leadership. Nature abhors a vacuum - this one has been filled with disaffection and vitriol. It started with the thousands of members who refused to renew their membership for this season, despite the recruitment of Emerton.
Melton struggled to understand that then. He surely has to understand now. Can he wash his hands of a good man's demolition? If Sydney FC fold against Perth, Melton should give the mob their head.
AMENDMENT: Dirk Melton replied to me on Twitter last night saying he's been misquoted and wouldn't disrespect fans. (You can see this on his Twitter account here: https://twitter.com/#!/Dirk_Melton).
As a former journo I know how things can quite easily be taken out of context. I hope this is addressed and corrected by Melton and the website in a more formal way.
You can see an additional post explaining what happened next here: http://afootontheball.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/meltons-look-in-mirror-comment-not.html
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Sydney beat the best and hope is born
It has taken this long to collect my thoughts on Sydney's remarkable bludgeoning of Brisbane on the weekend. October seems an age ago. Perhaps Viteslav Lavicka has rediscovered his side's spine.
Ground level seats by a corner post prevented me really seeing how the game unfolded (plus a Homebake hangover that endangered the cleanliness of said corner post), but certain things were obvious. After the shock of the early goal, Sydney closed down with coordinated intent. Their clear game plan was invigorated by Petratos' drive and the side shifted to each flank as one.
Brisbane only had Plan A and Sydney made a mockery of it. Safe possession was ceded to the Roar centrebacks but the fullbacks were sharked and the midfield shackled. Sydney forced the match into a 30 yard square and dared the Roar to stitch a passing path through them. Brisbane utterly failed to do so.
Sydney's "long ball" game was aided by strong gusts that pulled the Sky Blues' long passes back towards them. Bruno Cazarine won a fair share of headers while Dimi Petratos harried, hassled and won an unbelievable number of knock downs and 50/50s. Sydney sucked in the Brisbane midfield and then played the ball first time to space.
Once Sydney established their lead and willingness to gamble for scraps, they began to put their foot on the ball. Pascal Bosschaart, Shannon Cole, Karol Kisel, Brett Emerton and Nicky Carle were able to relieve the pressure of Brisbane possession, while Terry McFlynn and Jamie Coyne played their part.
Liam Reddy is a man transformed. The intense keeper has built a platform of form and confidence from his strong opening match against the Victory and orders the side around like a tyrant. In front of him Michael Beauchamp and Pascal Bosschaart played the match Sydney fans have been waiting to see. They resisted Brisbane's attempts to pull them apart and some of Bosschaart's distribution bordered on the ridiculous and/or miraculous. Can the Cove finally forget Simon Colosimo?
Shannon Cole slotted in for the suspended Scott Jamieson and the left footer might be hard-pressed to win his spot back. Cole grew into the game and his swashbuckling forays in the second half caught the eye while some in the crowd caught their breath. One little run that led to a freekick was particularly risky but Cole looked immaculate in defence and his kamikaze block must make him undroppable.
It would be harsh to drop Jamie Coyne, who did little wrong and lends much needed height at set pieces, but Cole offers courage, technique and panache. If he does get left on the bench, expect to see him on at halftime if Sydney are chasing the game.
Terry McFlynn led the side like never before. He lifted the crowd, mostly kept the ball safe and constantly encouraged the troops to left. When Petratos butchered a chance to play Bruno in, McFlynn talked the justifiably petulant Brazilian into pulling his head in. The A League has grown past the notion of McFlynn as an attacking midfielder, but he might be the anchorman to guide Sydney to glory.
I couldn't see too much of the midfield duel but all pundits seem to have praised how disciplined Sydney's most experienced players were. Carle, Emerton and Kisel are the type to relish taking on Australia's best and they will want to push the club forward.
Dimi Petratos was waiting for a chance to impress, and boy did he take it. It was an enormous shame that he couldn't take more - Petratos is not quite the predator we would wish him to be, but suddenly Sydney look strong across the front. Petratos' touch and turn make him more of a scheming midfielder than a beat-the-line speedster, but it is clear he has intrigued Lavicka and invigorated Bruno.
Mark Bridge and Terry Antonis will rightly find it hard to win a starting spot. Potential must be matched by performance in a team of Sydney's ambition.
Sydney have options all across the park, are relatively injury free and know they can beat the best team in Australian professional sporting history.
Brisbane were well below their best but Sydney won't care. They won, won with style, won the fans and know they can win a title. It is the leaders that will decide whether they build towards glory.
Sunday's success has led some to ask whether Sydney FC should move to Kogarah. The answer is in the title. Sydney is the city's football club and must play near its central station. A cozy suburb with a community stadium is a fantastic place to visit, but until someone builds Sydney's answer to AAMI Park at Redfern, the SFS is home.
Ground level seats by a corner post prevented me really seeing how the game unfolded (plus a Homebake hangover that endangered the cleanliness of said corner post), but certain things were obvious. After the shock of the early goal, Sydney closed down with coordinated intent. Their clear game plan was invigorated by Petratos' drive and the side shifted to each flank as one.
Brisbane only had Plan A and Sydney made a mockery of it. Safe possession was ceded to the Roar centrebacks but the fullbacks were sharked and the midfield shackled. Sydney forced the match into a 30 yard square and dared the Roar to stitch a passing path through them. Brisbane utterly failed to do so.
Sydney's "long ball" game was aided by strong gusts that pulled the Sky Blues' long passes back towards them. Bruno Cazarine won a fair share of headers while Dimi Petratos harried, hassled and won an unbelievable number of knock downs and 50/50s. Sydney sucked in the Brisbane midfield and then played the ball first time to space.
Once Sydney established their lead and willingness to gamble for scraps, they began to put their foot on the ball. Pascal Bosschaart, Shannon Cole, Karol Kisel, Brett Emerton and Nicky Carle were able to relieve the pressure of Brisbane possession, while Terry McFlynn and Jamie Coyne played their part.
Liam Reddy is a man transformed. The intense keeper has built a platform of form and confidence from his strong opening match against the Victory and orders the side around like a tyrant. In front of him Michael Beauchamp and Pascal Bosschaart played the match Sydney fans have been waiting to see. They resisted Brisbane's attempts to pull them apart and some of Bosschaart's distribution bordered on the ridiculous and/or miraculous. Can the Cove finally forget Simon Colosimo?
Shannon Cole slotted in for the suspended Scott Jamieson and the left footer might be hard-pressed to win his spot back. Cole grew into the game and his swashbuckling forays in the second half caught the eye while some in the crowd caught their breath. One little run that led to a freekick was particularly risky but Cole looked immaculate in defence and his kamikaze block must make him undroppable.
It would be harsh to drop Jamie Coyne, who did little wrong and lends much needed height at set pieces, but Cole offers courage, technique and panache. If he does get left on the bench, expect to see him on at halftime if Sydney are chasing the game.
Terry McFlynn led the side like never before. He lifted the crowd, mostly kept the ball safe and constantly encouraged the troops to left. When Petratos butchered a chance to play Bruno in, McFlynn talked the justifiably petulant Brazilian into pulling his head in. The A League has grown past the notion of McFlynn as an attacking midfielder, but he might be the anchorman to guide Sydney to glory.
I couldn't see too much of the midfield duel but all pundits seem to have praised how disciplined Sydney's most experienced players were. Carle, Emerton and Kisel are the type to relish taking on Australia's best and they will want to push the club forward.
Dimi Petratos was waiting for a chance to impress, and boy did he take it. It was an enormous shame that he couldn't take more - Petratos is not quite the predator we would wish him to be, but suddenly Sydney look strong across the front. Petratos' touch and turn make him more of a scheming midfielder than a beat-the-line speedster, but it is clear he has intrigued Lavicka and invigorated Bruno.
Mark Bridge and Terry Antonis will rightly find it hard to win a starting spot. Potential must be matched by performance in a team of Sydney's ambition.
Sydney have options all across the park, are relatively injury free and know they can beat the best team in Australian professional sporting history.
Brisbane were well below their best but Sydney won't care. They won, won with style, won the fans and know they can win a title. It is the leaders that will decide whether they build towards glory.
Sunday's success has led some to ask whether Sydney FC should move to Kogarah. The answer is in the title. Sydney is the city's football club and must play near its central station. A cozy suburb with a community stadium is a fantastic place to visit, but until someone builds Sydney's answer to AAMI Park at Redfern, the SFS is home.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Mariners Rattle and Roll Over Sydney
Sydney FC's Socceroo-laden side was out-muscled, then out-hustled, and finally out-played on Saturday night. Central Coast were good value for their 3-2 win and Sydney FC must ponder some hard questions if they are to challenge for the title that "Football's Capital" surely deserves.
When Terry McFlynn left the field, perhaps succumbing to injury, perhaps to a tactical decision by Viteslav Lavicka, promising 17-year-old Terry Antonis was left to mind Daniel McBreen and a fierce Mariners outfit. Graham Arnold's side allowed Sydney a measure of harmless possession, then sharked at Mark Bridge whenever he received the ball at his feet.
The Mariners' winning goals were born from textbook transition play and when Arnold subbed McBreen for the wily Musti Amini a tiring Antonis was overwhelmed and eventually hooked. The youngster may have been overworked after Young Socceroos duties. Maybe he just had a shocker. Neither explanation should be surprising at Antonis' age, but Hiro Moriyasu might have been brought on earlier to stem the tide.
Antonis was far from Sydney's worst on a fairly forgettable night. Star marquee Brett Emerton endured a pretty average first half and was unable to shrug off Central Coast's disciplined defensive pattern. Like Antonis, Emerton should improve after a week's rest.
Michael Beauchamp was schooled by Matt Simon. Beauchamp was once selected for the Socceroos for his strength in the air and immovability on the ground. He was unable to win a header in the second half and his list of errors is starting to lengthen. Seb Ryall might start to fancy his chances of a recall at centre back, though that would leave a short Sydney team even more susceptible at set pieces.
Chris Coyne and Terry McFlynn did the dirty work, but Coyne did not take strong options with the ball at his feet and some of the passing from Sydney's "water carriers" was woeful. McFlynn was missed in the second half, particularly when the second goal was clipped in from the spot while Antonis was nowhere to be seen. Sydney will hope their captain can recover quickly - he provides the muscle that an A League competitor seems to need.
Mark Bridge seems to pop up in all the right places and then butcher all the best chances. He has never scored prolifically and is as likely to balloon a simple chance before playing an exquisite pass. Bridge failed at 10 last year and is, so far, failing at no 9. Bruno Cazarine is a man of slow feet and heavy touch but backs himself to score. Bridge fits better with Sydney's aspirations of play, but Bruno has scored 10 goals in 28 games. Bridge has 27 in 116.
Liam Reddy and Scott Jamieson built on their strong campaigns so far. Nicky Carle continues to impress but still seems more comfortable when he has more than one passing option in front of him. How to fit Carle, Emerton, Kisel, McFlynn and Antonis into a midfield diamond remains Lavicka's biggest dilemma. Right now he has decided to play his two marquee men out of position. Such a decision could be described as "courageous".
When Terry McFlynn left the field, perhaps succumbing to injury, perhaps to a tactical decision by Viteslav Lavicka, promising 17-year-old Terry Antonis was left to mind Daniel McBreen and a fierce Mariners outfit. Graham Arnold's side allowed Sydney a measure of harmless possession, then sharked at Mark Bridge whenever he received the ball at his feet.
The Mariners' winning goals were born from textbook transition play and when Arnold subbed McBreen for the wily Musti Amini a tiring Antonis was overwhelmed and eventually hooked. The youngster may have been overworked after Young Socceroos duties. Maybe he just had a shocker. Neither explanation should be surprising at Antonis' age, but Hiro Moriyasu might have been brought on earlier to stem the tide.
Antonis was far from Sydney's worst on a fairly forgettable night. Star marquee Brett Emerton endured a pretty average first half and was unable to shrug off Central Coast's disciplined defensive pattern. Like Antonis, Emerton should improve after a week's rest.
Michael Beauchamp was schooled by Matt Simon. Beauchamp was once selected for the Socceroos for his strength in the air and immovability on the ground. He was unable to win a header in the second half and his list of errors is starting to lengthen. Seb Ryall might start to fancy his chances of a recall at centre back, though that would leave a short Sydney team even more susceptible at set pieces.
Chris Coyne and Terry McFlynn did the dirty work, but Coyne did not take strong options with the ball at his feet and some of the passing from Sydney's "water carriers" was woeful. McFlynn was missed in the second half, particularly when the second goal was clipped in from the spot while Antonis was nowhere to be seen. Sydney will hope their captain can recover quickly - he provides the muscle that an A League competitor seems to need.
Mark Bridge seems to pop up in all the right places and then butcher all the best chances. He has never scored prolifically and is as likely to balloon a simple chance before playing an exquisite pass. Bridge failed at 10 last year and is, so far, failing at no 9. Bruno Cazarine is a man of slow feet and heavy touch but backs himself to score. Bridge fits better with Sydney's aspirations of play, but Bruno has scored 10 goals in 28 games. Bridge has 27 in 116.
Liam Reddy and Scott Jamieson built on their strong campaigns so far. Nicky Carle continues to impress but still seems more comfortable when he has more than one passing option in front of him. How to fit Carle, Emerton, Kisel, McFlynn and Antonis into a midfield diamond remains Lavicka's biggest dilemma. Right now he has decided to play his two marquee men out of position. Such a decision could be described as "courageous".
Monday, November 7, 2011
Kisel The Key Man
I missed the first half of Sydney FC's best game of the year thanks to a weekend stint in gaol. We arrived five minutes before halftime. The crowd was as I feared - restless, angry and smaller than it should be.
Sydneysiders sense their team's collective lack of belief. Last season the club scrapped and grappled for draws, in stark contrast to the team of two years ago who scored first and strangled teams into submission.
Viteslav Lavicka - surely the manager with the most to prove this season - identified the problem of a lack of leadership and re-recruited Karol Kisel before the close of a lost season. He beefed up Sydney's spine with Pascal Bosschaart and Michael Beauchamp, and the shock signing of Brett Emerton left Lavicka with as good a squad on paper as one could ask for: three Socceroos, three Young Socceroos, two former internationals and a host of home-grown footballers with lots to prove.
The opening arm wrestle against Melbourne was rich with promise - Sydney dominated much of the play until Mark Bridge's brain snap. The home fans endured a spanking from the Roar, but results against Adelaide and the Heart were encouraging.
What a shame it was that only 11 051 fans turned up on a gloomy Sunday afternoon to see Sydney wilt, straighten and run over Gold Coast United. It was the performance that proved Lavicka's point: he has more leaders. He can let the team off the leash because their capacity to entertain springs from mental strength.
I've previously called for Karol Kisel to be benched for Dimi Petratos and Terry Antonis. Kisel showed on Sunday exactly why he was the first player Lavicka wanted for this season. Kisel possesses belief, technique, nous and a competitive fire that spreads throughout the side.
It was Kisel, Carle and Emerton that forced Sydney FC back into the match after the calamitous second Gold Coast goal. They kicked the club into fifth gear. Passes previously delivered at a pedestrian pace skidded off the turf. Fullbacks were thrust forward while Terry McFlynn mopped up with venom.
I had figured that Kisel's inclusion would damage Sydney by forcing the messiah himself, Brett Emerton, out onto the left - a role which proved difficult against the Victory and the Roar. But Emerton proved his worth to Sydney on Sunday. His backheels, lay offs, flicks and driving runs inside and outside Gold Coast's defence pulled defenders away from Scott Jamieson, who has lifted his game this season. Perhaps Jamieson has been energized by some of the leadership that Lavicka was after. More could come from a raw, young talent.
The backline of Coyne, Bosschaart, Beauchamp and Jamieson seems settled but work is clearly required - Gold Coast's second goal would not have been out of place in an early edition of FIFA. United's forward movement often threatened to pinch a third goal - can a triangle of McFlynn, Bosschaart and Beauchamp keep up with a mobile threat?
Sydney's midfield is certainly mobile enough and technically adroit. Emerton, Nicky Carle, Karol Kisel and Terry McFlynn will take some replacing - though it was interesting that Lavicka did not decide to replace McFlynn with Rhyan Grant as the clock wore down. Instead Beauchamp galloped forward and won the crucial penalty after Gold Coast wrapped their legs around him.
Lavicka's biggest dilemma remains how to get the most out of Mark Bridge. The eternal enigma could have scored a hat trick and won a penalty, but took home nothing but the rage of the crowd after he blinked when Emerton bounced a cross towards his hip.
Some say that Bridge is the club's best natural finisher. It's time he proved it. With Bruno and Petratos nipping at his heels, to say nothing of the phantom Surgeon, Bridge will have to start taking opportunities.
Sydney's next home game is against their closest rivals - Central Coast, another side with a lot to prove. It will be a heated match but Sydney have the most cause to look forward to it. They know they can win tight matches by playing positive, ball on the ground football. They know Brett Emerton and Nicky Carle will only get better - Carle must be getting close to a Socceroos recall.
And Terry Antonis, one of the A League's brightest prospects, wasn't even playing on Sunday. This could be a great season.
Sydneysiders sense their team's collective lack of belief. Last season the club scrapped and grappled for draws, in stark contrast to the team of two years ago who scored first and strangled teams into submission.
Viteslav Lavicka - surely the manager with the most to prove this season - identified the problem of a lack of leadership and re-recruited Karol Kisel before the close of a lost season. He beefed up Sydney's spine with Pascal Bosschaart and Michael Beauchamp, and the shock signing of Brett Emerton left Lavicka with as good a squad on paper as one could ask for: three Socceroos, three Young Socceroos, two former internationals and a host of home-grown footballers with lots to prove.
The opening arm wrestle against Melbourne was rich with promise - Sydney dominated much of the play until Mark Bridge's brain snap. The home fans endured a spanking from the Roar, but results against Adelaide and the Heart were encouraging.
What a shame it was that only 11 051 fans turned up on a gloomy Sunday afternoon to see Sydney wilt, straighten and run over Gold Coast United. It was the performance that proved Lavicka's point: he has more leaders. He can let the team off the leash because their capacity to entertain springs from mental strength.
I've previously called for Karol Kisel to be benched for Dimi Petratos and Terry Antonis. Kisel showed on Sunday exactly why he was the first player Lavicka wanted for this season. Kisel possesses belief, technique, nous and a competitive fire that spreads throughout the side.
It was Kisel, Carle and Emerton that forced Sydney FC back into the match after the calamitous second Gold Coast goal. They kicked the club into fifth gear. Passes previously delivered at a pedestrian pace skidded off the turf. Fullbacks were thrust forward while Terry McFlynn mopped up with venom.
I had figured that Kisel's inclusion would damage Sydney by forcing the messiah himself, Brett Emerton, out onto the left - a role which proved difficult against the Victory and the Roar. But Emerton proved his worth to Sydney on Sunday. His backheels, lay offs, flicks and driving runs inside and outside Gold Coast's defence pulled defenders away from Scott Jamieson, who has lifted his game this season. Perhaps Jamieson has been energized by some of the leadership that Lavicka was after. More could come from a raw, young talent.
The backline of Coyne, Bosschaart, Beauchamp and Jamieson seems settled but work is clearly required - Gold Coast's second goal would not have been out of place in an early edition of FIFA. United's forward movement often threatened to pinch a third goal - can a triangle of McFlynn, Bosschaart and Beauchamp keep up with a mobile threat?
Sydney's midfield is certainly mobile enough and technically adroit. Emerton, Nicky Carle, Karol Kisel and Terry McFlynn will take some replacing - though it was interesting that Lavicka did not decide to replace McFlynn with Rhyan Grant as the clock wore down. Instead Beauchamp galloped forward and won the crucial penalty after Gold Coast wrapped their legs around him.
Lavicka's biggest dilemma remains how to get the most out of Mark Bridge. The eternal enigma could have scored a hat trick and won a penalty, but took home nothing but the rage of the crowd after he blinked when Emerton bounced a cross towards his hip.
Some say that Bridge is the club's best natural finisher. It's time he proved it. With Bruno and Petratos nipping at his heels, to say nothing of the phantom Surgeon, Bridge will have to start taking opportunities.
Sydney's next home game is against their closest rivals - Central Coast, another side with a lot to prove. It will be a heated match but Sydney have the most cause to look forward to it. They know they can win tight matches by playing positive, ball on the ground football. They know Brett Emerton and Nicky Carle will only get better - Carle must be getting close to a Socceroos recall.
And Terry Antonis, one of the A League's brightest prospects, wasn't even playing on Sunday. This could be a great season.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Emerton The Solution To Lavicka's Midfield Riddle
Brett Emerton is every manager's must-have player. Emerton is a model professional and a capable technician, and is positionally versatile and ridiculously fit (in the stamina sense - the other sense is perhaps best left to the marketing department).
But Viteslav Lavicka now has a devilish problem to resolve. Emerton is probably happiest playing as a genuine right winger, but the Czech master's preference for a midfield diamond is well known. He has shown no intention to play with wingers - in fact, he shipped off Kofi Danning, his only genuine wide man, and we know that Sydney FC were expecting to recruit Emerton next season but nabbed him 12 months early.
So how does Lavicka fit an EPL-standard winger into his starting 11, while making full use of his talents?
Emerton could play at right back. Lavicka has never settled on Shannon Cole or Seb Ryall in the troublesome spot, and the swift exit of Byun and recruitment of Jamie Coyne demonstrates his dissatisfaction with his younger options. Emerton has played right back for the Socceroos for years and would dominate opposing attackers.
But has Emerton really come to Australia to mark out a winger and mind a touchline, occasionally venturing forward in the conservative way that Lavicka has demanded of his fullbacks over the last two years? It seems doubtful, even though Emerton's decision making and enormous engine are actually perfectly suited to playing the wingback role behind a midfield diamond. It is to be hoped that the rush to push the marquee man goalwards doesn't stop Lavicka from trying Emerton at right back with Karol Kisel ahead of him.
One can however assume that Lavicka will want maximum influence from his premier player and will probably slot Emerton into a midfield role as soon as possible. One hopes he is smart enough to exploit the Socceroo's versatility. Emerton can play right back, defensive midfield, right wing or even genuine centre midfield, and he will probably fill all of these roles within a 90 minutes.
Lavicka demands that his players pass to feet along the grass. We are often told that ball on the ground football is best played by players rotating between positions. Such lofty ambitions are no longer beyond Sydney FC and there is a first 11 that would allow them to switch between formations while playing their young stars alongside their Socceroo mentors - a goal that Sydney should ignore for another year to their peril.
Here is a starting 11 within the current squad that can fluidly shift from a diamond 4-4-2 to a flat 4-4-2 and a classic 4-1-4-1. Let's start with Lavicka's preferred diamond:
-----------------Cazarine-------------------------
-------------------------Petratos----------------
---------------------Carle----------------------
-------------Antonis-----Emerton-------------
-------------------McFlynn---------------------
-Jamieson--Beauchamp--Bosschart--Cole/Coyne
----------------------Reddy--------------------
Here Petratos plays the role of support striker. Note that the formation already encourages players to swap and shift between the lines. Antonis, Petratos and Carle can all play at LCM, at 10 or at support striker, while McFlynn can push on with Antonis and Emerton covering behind as both have done for the Socceroos. Emerton can also switch with Shannon Cole, though Lavicka will probably choose new recruit Jamie Coyne.
This same 11 can quickly switch to the following shape:
-----------------------------Cazarine-------------------------
-------------------------Antonis/Carle----------------
Petratos-------Carle/Antonis----------McFlynn----------Emerton
---------Jamieson--Beauchamp--Bosschart--Cole/Coyne
-------------------------------Reddy--------------------
In this flat midfield Emerton plays in his favoured right winger role and McFlynn holds the midfield fort, but others are admittedly out of their comfort zones. Petratos is left-footed and has played left wing but looks more comfortable in central roles. Here Carle can float out left to bring Petratos back into the centre, while Carle and Antonis share their preferred number 10 spot as well as the "Modric" role in the middle. A lot would be required of Scott Jamieson, a confidence player at the best of times.
Still, the formation is remarkably fluid. All four midfielders can comfortably occupy central roles, while Carle and Emerton have repeatedly played wide positions for the Socceroos. Carle, Antonis and Petratos all love to play behind Bruno at 9, and Emerton can surge forward as well.
If the team gets a lead and Lavicka plays conservatively (an approach which did take Sydney to a double just a year ago), he can switch things up without making a substitution.
-----------------------------Cazarine-------------------------
------------Petratos-----Antonis-----Carle----------Emerton
--------------------------------McFlynn-----------------------
---------Jamieson--Beauchamp--Bosschart--Cole/Coyne
-------------------------------Reddy--------------------
This formation can break at pace. Carle and Antonis are particularly capable of playing through balls to Emerton and Petratos, and Cazarine is particularly adept at running across two central defenders to keep them interested.
The key man in all of this is probably the captain - Terry McFlynn. In each formation he is required to do much more than break heads and bust a gut. In the diamond McFlynn's distribution would be tested and if his passing goes astray (as is known to happen), the entire formation breaks down. In the second formation, McFlynn is required to "mind" a much smaller central midfield partner. In the defensive variation McFlynn is again the chief distributor as Lavicka loathes to bypass the man in the hole.
McFlynn struggled in central defensive midfield last season, but reports suggest that Lavicka has him in mind for Stuart Musialik's old role. If he can make it work, it will instantly free up what was a battling midfield. If he can't, the captain may be benched for Rhyan Grant or Hiro Moriyasu.
This starting 11 has other weakness - Petratos plays outside his natural central midfield role, and the squad might lack height at set pieces against physical outfits. But a creative midfield core of Petratos, Antonis, Emerton and Carle is a vast improvement on Musialik, Hiro, McFlynn and Bridge, which is what Sydney was reduced to when injury and poor recruitment cruelled last year's campaign.
But Viteslav Lavicka now has a devilish problem to resolve. Emerton is probably happiest playing as a genuine right winger, but the Czech master's preference for a midfield diamond is well known. He has shown no intention to play with wingers - in fact, he shipped off Kofi Danning, his only genuine wide man, and we know that Sydney FC were expecting to recruit Emerton next season but nabbed him 12 months early.
So how does Lavicka fit an EPL-standard winger into his starting 11, while making full use of his talents?
Emerton could play at right back. Lavicka has never settled on Shannon Cole or Seb Ryall in the troublesome spot, and the swift exit of Byun and recruitment of Jamie Coyne demonstrates his dissatisfaction with his younger options. Emerton has played right back for the Socceroos for years and would dominate opposing attackers.
But has Emerton really come to Australia to mark out a winger and mind a touchline, occasionally venturing forward in the conservative way that Lavicka has demanded of his fullbacks over the last two years? It seems doubtful, even though Emerton's decision making and enormous engine are actually perfectly suited to playing the wingback role behind a midfield diamond. It is to be hoped that the rush to push the marquee man goalwards doesn't stop Lavicka from trying Emerton at right back with Karol Kisel ahead of him.
One can however assume that Lavicka will want maximum influence from his premier player and will probably slot Emerton into a midfield role as soon as possible. One hopes he is smart enough to exploit the Socceroo's versatility. Emerton can play right back, defensive midfield, right wing or even genuine centre midfield, and he will probably fill all of these roles within a 90 minutes.
Lavicka demands that his players pass to feet along the grass. We are often told that ball on the ground football is best played by players rotating between positions. Such lofty ambitions are no longer beyond Sydney FC and there is a first 11 that would allow them to switch between formations while playing their young stars alongside their Socceroo mentors - a goal that Sydney should ignore for another year to their peril.
Here is a starting 11 within the current squad that can fluidly shift from a diamond 4-4-2 to a flat 4-4-2 and a classic 4-1-4-1. Let's start with Lavicka's preferred diamond:
-----------------Cazarine-------------------------
-------------------------Petratos----------------
---------------------Carle----------------------
-------------Antonis-----Emerton-------------
-------------------McFlynn---------------------
-Jamieson--Beauchamp--Bosschart--Cole/Coyne
----------------------Reddy--------------------
Here Petratos plays the role of support striker. Note that the formation already encourages players to swap and shift between the lines. Antonis, Petratos and Carle can all play at LCM, at 10 or at support striker, while McFlynn can push on with Antonis and Emerton covering behind as both have done for the Socceroos. Emerton can also switch with Shannon Cole, though Lavicka will probably choose new recruit Jamie Coyne.
This same 11 can quickly switch to the following shape:
-----------------------------Cazarine-------------------------
-------------------------Antonis/Carle----------------
Petratos-------Carle/Antonis----------McFlynn----------Emerton
---------Jamieson--Beauchamp--Bosschart--Cole/Coyne
-------------------------------Reddy--------------------
In this flat midfield Emerton plays in his favoured right winger role and McFlynn holds the midfield fort, but others are admittedly out of their comfort zones. Petratos is left-footed and has played left wing but looks more comfortable in central roles. Here Carle can float out left to bring Petratos back into the centre, while Carle and Antonis share their preferred number 10 spot as well as the "Modric" role in the middle. A lot would be required of Scott Jamieson, a confidence player at the best of times.
Still, the formation is remarkably fluid. All four midfielders can comfortably occupy central roles, while Carle and Emerton have repeatedly played wide positions for the Socceroos. Carle, Antonis and Petratos all love to play behind Bruno at 9, and Emerton can surge forward as well.
If the team gets a lead and Lavicka plays conservatively (an approach which did take Sydney to a double just a year ago), he can switch things up without making a substitution.
-----------------------------Cazarine-------------------------
------------Petratos-----Antonis-----Carle----------Emerton
--------------------------------McFlynn-----------------------
---------Jamieson--Beauchamp--Bosschart--Cole/Coyne
-------------------------------Reddy--------------------
This formation can break at pace. Carle and Antonis are particularly capable of playing through balls to Emerton and Petratos, and Cazarine is particularly adept at running across two central defenders to keep them interested.
The key man in all of this is probably the captain - Terry McFlynn. In each formation he is required to do much more than break heads and bust a gut. In the diamond McFlynn's distribution would be tested and if his passing goes astray (as is known to happen), the entire formation breaks down. In the second formation, McFlynn is required to "mind" a much smaller central midfield partner. In the defensive variation McFlynn is again the chief distributor as Lavicka loathes to bypass the man in the hole.
McFlynn struggled in central defensive midfield last season, but reports suggest that Lavicka has him in mind for Stuart Musialik's old role. If he can make it work, it will instantly free up what was a battling midfield. If he can't, the captain may be benched for Rhyan Grant or Hiro Moriyasu.
This starting 11 has other weakness - Petratos plays outside his natural central midfield role, and the squad might lack height at set pieces against physical outfits. But a creative midfield core of Petratos, Antonis, Emerton and Carle is a vast improvement on Musialik, Hiro, McFlynn and Bridge, which is what Sydney was reduced to when injury and poor recruitment cruelled last year's campaign.
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