Sydney FC trounced Melbourne on Saturday night and while the victory might have felt sweetest to the fans, Viteslav Lavicka and Karol Kisel can take the most pride in the performance.
Kisel put in a solid performance on the ball, was one cog in a dominant midfield and did not so much slot his penalty as smack it through to an adoring Cove. He later signed himself up for miss of the season (joining the unfortunate Joel Chianese) but the animated Slovak has adopted Sydney as his hometown and Melbourne as his nemesis.
Lavicka chose a predictable but fascinating squad - he kept faith with Chianese and relegated Dimitri Petratos and Mitch Mallia. Mark Bridge was restored to the bench, perhaps with his own record against Melbourne in mind, but did little to secure a spot next week.
Terry Antonis also returned from injury and mirrored Chianese's ability to find dangerous positions and shank passes and chances. The best news for Sydney is they have youngsters with potential fighting for places. The bad news is it is too late to be a real finals threat.
Melbourne's performance was universally disparaged (not least by their own manager) and Mark Bosnich apparently called it the worst in the club's history. Satisfying as the win was, Sydney's inability to score more than one goal or to extend their first half dominance will hardly have the Heart or the Jets shaking in their finals-bound boots.
Lavicka has established a new period of dominance against Sydney's most bitter rivals and will leave at the end of the season with some pride to go with disappointment - still, Sydney have not shown they can send their coach out as a winner. The best the club can hope for is a late run at the finals and a final look at some players.
Sydney have always had the squad to win this season. They have never displayed the ruthlessness required and a club in crisis will have to be ruthless in its contracting for the next campaign.
Obviously the biggest vacancies are at the top. Some might claim that finding the right CEO is more important to the club's future than the right manager, but Sydney have the remarkable record of employing more chief executives than managers - and the Sky Blues have sacked plenty of managers.
While the club desperately search for the right men (or, god forbid, women), Gary Cole is left with the job of finding the right players for next season. Proper contract negotiations are presumably on hold for now, but Cole will want to hook the players he fancies as soon as possible.
Sydney fans well know the importance of proper recruitment. After winning the double Sydney failed to replace a handful of key men and the club plunged to ninth place. A similar number of players are off contract at the end of this season (my thanks to those on The Cove forums who have compiled a series of excellent and comprehensive lists that I have shamelessly swiped):
Contracts expire at the end of this season:
Juho Makela (foreign)
Bruno Cazarine (foreign)
Karol Kisel (foreign)
Scott Jamieson
Shannon Cole
Michael Beauchamp
Chris Coyne
All these players have claimed first team roles (albeit some only briefly) this season and Cazarine, Jamieson, Kisel and Beauchamp started against Melbourne. If the club gets the recruitment wrong it risks sending Sydney back into the doldrums.
Makela and Kisel are almost certainly out the door - Kisel for a career in the law, Makela for more game time. While Kisel's decisive and dynamic contributions will be missed, few will mourn the loss of Makela, who managed to knock in a couple of crucial goals but rarely showed the touch required of a quality striker.
Bruno Cazarine remains an enigma. The burly Brazilian continues to win penalties, score goals and unsettle defenders, but occasionally goes missing from games and traps Sydney into playing a certain way.
More pertinently the club can only sign four foreigners next season and Pascal Bosschaart and Hiro Moriyasu are already on the books. Sydney are sure to go for a quality foreign striker or left midfielder and with Brett Emerton and Nicky Carle filling up the marquee places, the Sky Blues only have so much money left for wages under the salary cap.
If Bruno won't settle for a wage befitting a squad player, the Brazilian's nomadic career will continue elsewhere. Cazarine's goal-getting abilities will be missed but he looks like getting squeezed out by wage and foreign player demands. Sydney should retain him but not break the bank to do so.
Gary Cole and the club's new backroom masters will have to juggle some delicate backline management. Cole, Beauchamp, Jamieson and Coyne have all started in Sydney's defence this season and better alternatives are sparse on the ground.
Jamie Coyne is almost certainly gone. If Coyne makes one more appearance he will automatically earn a new deal with the club, but now that Seb Ryall has returned only an injury crisis will see Coyne on the field. Coyne carried the bag for some inconsistent defensive performances and despite starting his Sydney spell brightly, he won't be missed by most Sydney fans.
Michael Beauchamp came to the club in strange circumstances. Beauchamp and Simon Colosimo were supposed to form a Socceroo-quality rearguard at Melbourne Heart but neither managed to impress. Beauchamp went from World Cup player to damaged goods and was glad to come to Sydney as soon as possible.
Beauchamp's inconsistent performances have unfortunately continued and he's far from sure of a new deal. His consistent selection probably owes more to his manager's view of Seb Ryall than Beauchamp's own performances. Beauchamp has played some good matches but been dominated physically and aerially by the best in the league and is only going to lose more mobility as he ages (Beauchamp turned 32 last week).
Sydney would be wise to pursue alternatives such as Michael Thwaite, who will need a home after the demise of Gold Coast. As he ages Beauchamp might have to settle for less money to stay with Sydney.
If Beauchamp and Coyne depart Sydney, the club will be left with Pascal Bosschaart and Seb Ryall as recognized centrebacks, with the young Nathan Sherlock a untried alternative. One imagines the club will look for an upgrade of Beauchamp.
Sydney might look light on for central defenders but the club's real deficiency is on the left. The Sky Blues continue to lack a left-footed left midfielder and if Scott Jamieson and Shannon Cole leave, Sydney won't have a senior left back.
Shannon Cole deserves to stay but probably won't. Cole can play on either side in defence or midfield, is confident on the ball, scores spectacular goals from set pieces and broken play and is a local hero to many fans. But Cole has failed to win his place in the last two years and one can imagine the one-time Socceroo leaving if an established manager makes him an offer combining good money with game time.
Scott Jamieson is the man most likely to stay. Jamieson failed to impress in a midfield role last season, but has locked down the left back role and demonstrated a welcome ability to sling in a pacy, curving dead ball. Jamieson is young enough to improve all aspects of his game - hopefully including his rather poor right foot. Jamieson seems the likeliest to stay and probably deserves it the most.
Showing posts with label Bruno Cazarine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bruno Cazarine. Show all posts
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
McFlynn out for Forgotten Hiro?
"Dignity" and "honour" were the words of last week after Sydney hit rock bottom against Newcastle. Sydney faced the A League's form side last Sunday and wrestled out a 2-1 victory against Perth that provides some of the path ahead.
Sydney were far from dominant at home - in the first half the Sky Blues were barely seen; Bruno Cazarine provided the only attacking thrust. But certain signs were encouraging: Sydney were a little more desperate, a little more alert, a little more willing in the challenge and pacy with the pass.
Brett Emerton and Scott Jamieson led the effort while Karol Kisel, Hiro Moriyasu and Bruno Cazarine played their roles. Captain Terry McFlynn was absent yet Sydney roused themselves after a fairly diabolical first half to secure three precious points.
It was Hiro, Bruno and Kisel who made Sydney's first goal - Hiro showed great awareness to combine a tackle with a touch on, Bruno perfectly released Kisel and the Slovak scampered down his least favoured left side while Joel Chianese led the defence to the near post.
The highlights show the rest: Emerton's emphatic finish, the deliberate celebration in front of The Cove, and Sydney were off to the races.
Sydney found further joy down the flanks through Jamieson and Shannon Cole before Emerton showed wonderful judgement to curl a lofted ball around a defender on the goal line and on to the brave Bruno's bullet header.
Naturally a clean sheet was too much to ask, and Sydney's inability to keep the ball in the final stages provided a needlessly nail-biting finale as Perth surged forward.
Terry McFlynn will be available for selection against Adelaide and now the dilemma presents itself: will Lavicka restore his captain to a victorious side? Hiro Moriyasu has barely played for Sydney since signing an extended contract last season, but he was incisive and decisive against Perth.
Hiro has his limitations and some touches out of trouble seemed a little speculative, but Moriyasu made the most of his opportunity and does not deserve to be dropped.
The obvious move would be to ditch home debutant Joel Chianese, who looked willing but limited as a second striker, and move Carle forward, leaving a midfield of Kisel, McFlynn, Moriyasu and Emerton.
But Nicky Carle has repeated his statement that he prefers playing at 8 over 10 and Carle has always looked better with players in front of him. Unfortunately a central midfield of Carle and Moriyasu is hardly going to help in the mix or at set pieces and when Dario Vidosic starts sending freekicks at Adelaide's smorgasbord of big men, Sydney might rue their diminutive midfield.
Lavicka's alternatives are to play Mitch Mallia next to Bruno Cazarine in a classic little/large predator/target man pairing, and slot McFlynn next Carle; or to drop McFlynn to the bench.
Lavicka has run out of reasons to pick anything but a team that matches his footballing philosophy. The outgoing manager will probably push Carle forward behind Bruno and hope that Sydney's new-found width continues to threaten. Mitch Mallia, Rhyan Grant and Carle might need to wait for next year to get a go at their preferred positions.
The rest of the side picks itself: Bruno, Emerton and Kisel will start, while Rhyan Grant and the Beauchamp/Bosschaart central pairing are chiseled into the backline.
Scott Jamieson had a brain fade against the Newcastle Jets but he seems to have dodged the usual bullet for abandoning his post. The former Next Big Thing has shown glimpses of class this season and was a constant threat on Saturday.
Shannon Cole looked lively against Perth but will remain on the bench as the great struggle for a contract continues. It is hard to believe that Sydney could cut loose a local boy and fan favourite who can cover four positions and once earned selection for the Socceroos, but Cole might be running out of chances to win a new contract.
Earlier this season Sydney FC honoured William Doggadog Duran, a fan I never met but who was clearly loved within The Cove and respected by the players. Barely a month later, less than ten thousand Sydneysiders showed up for Saturday night's game. Those who stayed missed the dignified performance they've been praying for.
If Sydney beat Adelaide, who ended their own wretched run of form with a scrappy win over Gold Coast on the weekend, the fans should return for a pivotal clash against the high-flying Wellington Phoenix on February 25.
Sydney were far from dominant at home - in the first half the Sky Blues were barely seen; Bruno Cazarine provided the only attacking thrust. But certain signs were encouraging: Sydney were a little more desperate, a little more alert, a little more willing in the challenge and pacy with the pass.
Brett Emerton and Scott Jamieson led the effort while Karol Kisel, Hiro Moriyasu and Bruno Cazarine played their roles. Captain Terry McFlynn was absent yet Sydney roused themselves after a fairly diabolical first half to secure three precious points.
It was Hiro, Bruno and Kisel who made Sydney's first goal - Hiro showed great awareness to combine a tackle with a touch on, Bruno perfectly released Kisel and the Slovak scampered down his least favoured left side while Joel Chianese led the defence to the near post.
The highlights show the rest: Emerton's emphatic finish, the deliberate celebration in front of The Cove, and Sydney were off to the races.
Sydney found further joy down the flanks through Jamieson and Shannon Cole before Emerton showed wonderful judgement to curl a lofted ball around a defender on the goal line and on to the brave Bruno's bullet header.
Naturally a clean sheet was too much to ask, and Sydney's inability to keep the ball in the final stages provided a needlessly nail-biting finale as Perth surged forward.
Terry McFlynn will be available for selection against Adelaide and now the dilemma presents itself: will Lavicka restore his captain to a victorious side? Hiro Moriyasu has barely played for Sydney since signing an extended contract last season, but he was incisive and decisive against Perth.
Hiro has his limitations and some touches out of trouble seemed a little speculative, but Moriyasu made the most of his opportunity and does not deserve to be dropped.
The obvious move would be to ditch home debutant Joel Chianese, who looked willing but limited as a second striker, and move Carle forward, leaving a midfield of Kisel, McFlynn, Moriyasu and Emerton.
But Nicky Carle has repeated his statement that he prefers playing at 8 over 10 and Carle has always looked better with players in front of him. Unfortunately a central midfield of Carle and Moriyasu is hardly going to help in the mix or at set pieces and when Dario Vidosic starts sending freekicks at Adelaide's smorgasbord of big men, Sydney might rue their diminutive midfield.
Lavicka's alternatives are to play Mitch Mallia next to Bruno Cazarine in a classic little/large predator/target man pairing, and slot McFlynn next Carle; or to drop McFlynn to the bench.
Lavicka has run out of reasons to pick anything but a team that matches his footballing philosophy. The outgoing manager will probably push Carle forward behind Bruno and hope that Sydney's new-found width continues to threaten. Mitch Mallia, Rhyan Grant and Carle might need to wait for next year to get a go at their preferred positions.
The rest of the side picks itself: Bruno, Emerton and Kisel will start, while Rhyan Grant and the Beauchamp/Bosschaart central pairing are chiseled into the backline.
Scott Jamieson had a brain fade against the Newcastle Jets but he seems to have dodged the usual bullet for abandoning his post. The former Next Big Thing has shown glimpses of class this season and was a constant threat on Saturday.
Shannon Cole looked lively against Perth but will remain on the bench as the great struggle for a contract continues. It is hard to believe that Sydney could cut loose a local boy and fan favourite who can cover four positions and once earned selection for the Socceroos, but Cole might be running out of chances to win a new contract.
Earlier this season Sydney FC honoured William Doggadog Duran, a fan I never met but who was clearly loved within The Cove and respected by the players. Barely a month later, less than ten thousand Sydneysiders showed up for Saturday night's game. Those who stayed missed the dignified performance they've been praying for.
If Sydney beat Adelaide, who ended their own wretched run of form with a scrappy win over Gold Coast on the weekend, the fans should return for a pivotal clash against the high-flying Wellington Phoenix on February 25.
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.
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.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
A Wasted Summer Part 4: When 1.1 Goals Per Game Isn't Enough
Sydney FC won the last championship with a combination of clean sheets and clinical strikes. In 2010/11 the Sky Blues lost their defence and forgot how to score.
Injuries to key attackers Nick Carle and Alex Brosque and the club's decision to replace Karol Kisel with a left back crippled the front men from the start.
Add Mark Bridge's debilitating loss of form to the late recruitment of Bruno Cazarine and one quickly understands why the defending champions scored just 35 goals in 30 games.
The three goals against Melbourne in the opening game were almost as good as it got - Sydney attacked with confidence, intent and poise. And then it all went to shit, the season swallowed by what might have been.
The championship winners took the title by scoring 1.3 goals a game. But they also conceded 23 in 27, not the 40 in 30 of the "title defence". When strikers don't score or defend, as was the case with Mark Bridge and others throughout the season, any team is in dire trouble.
SQUAD REVIEW
STRIKERS
Alex Brosque, Bruno Cazarine, Juho Makela, David Williams (loan)*
Alex Brosque was Sydney's main man. A pacy, two footed and creative striker, as comfortable out wide taking on a fullback as he was flicking a pass to an onrushing midfielder, Brosque was the perfect support striker for Viteslav Lavicka's diamond midfield.
Before his acrimonious transfer abroad Brosque scored six goals in 13 starts and two appearances off the bench. His year was frustrated by niggling injuries and he tended to contribute in fits and starts, as opposed to dominating games.
Brosque was frequently Sydney's most direct player and the way he split and committed defenders immediately made space for others. Sydney will miss his mobility and, more notably, his agility. His departure has left Viteslav Lavicka with a pair of battering rams.
Bruno Cazarine was recruited after a prolonged courtship and his 9 goals in 20 starts are widely credited with saving Sydney's season. A cool finisher within the box with his head and feet, Bruno brought a direct option with a deft enough first touch, and a positional awareness often lacking from Bridge.
Big Bruno may not match the Samba template but he brought much-needed balance to a Sydney side. His obvious desire in the first half of the season lifted the club after he was finally signed in September. One imagines he could have made an even greater impact had he enjoyed a pre-season with Carle, Bridge, Brosque and company.
Bruno has re-signed for another season and his selection for the ACL shows Lavicka's faith in his ability. Cazarine can hold the ball up and choose the right option. His little and large combination with Dimitri Petratos was something to savour and it will be fascinating to see how Lavicka sends out the troops next Spring once David Williams has departed.
One hopes Bruno can work on his shooting from outside the box: a crucial option in the arsenal for less-mobile strikers, particularly in a Sydney side often guilty of over-elaboration.
Juho Makela is an interesting case. Allegedly recruited without the approval of his coach, the Shark sunk his teeth into the A League before his form petered out at the end of the season.
Lavicka tried pairing Makela with Cazarine but the two seem too similar, too comfortable leading the line and too predictable with the ball at their feet. Defending against the two was all barge and no risk and it was no real surprise when Makela was chosen to warm the pine for the ACL.
Someone should tell Sydney's webmaster, who still states that Makela's "height and size will be great attributes for Sydney FC in the 2011 AFC Champions League".
Makela has an obvious nose for goal and seems relatively effective in the air, but looks short of agility at a relatively sedate full throttle. Unless he can find a way to fit around Cazarine's style, I predict Makela will feature mostly on the bench next season as a perfectly able backup to Bruno.
Where Makela and Petratos play will be determined by David Williams. Williams has played for the Socceroos and long enjoyed the "next big thing" tag despite a rather unflattering strike rate of 12 goals in 85 career appearances.
Williams now occupies the attacking winger role but would be converted to second striker by the wing-shy Lavicka. He has what Sydney lack most of all - pace, and the ability to take defenders on in one on one situations. It seems extremely unlikely that Williams will sign a long-term deal but he would be a very welcome addition.
Sydney will most likely head into the next A League with a strike force of Cazarine and Makela as genuine number 9s, supplemented by Mark Bridge and Dimitri Petratos. A pacier option, perhaps in the form of a marquee signing, would be very welcome indeed.
*Mark Bridge, Dimitri Petratos and Kofi Danning's contributions are examined here.
Injuries to key attackers Nick Carle and Alex Brosque and the club's decision to replace Karol Kisel with a left back crippled the front men from the start.
Add Mark Bridge's debilitating loss of form to the late recruitment of Bruno Cazarine and one quickly understands why the defending champions scored just 35 goals in 30 games.
The three goals against Melbourne in the opening game were almost as good as it got - Sydney attacked with confidence, intent and poise. And then it all went to shit, the season swallowed by what might have been.
The championship winners took the title by scoring 1.3 goals a game. But they also conceded 23 in 27, not the 40 in 30 of the "title defence". When strikers don't score or defend, as was the case with Mark Bridge and others throughout the season, any team is in dire trouble.
SQUAD REVIEW
STRIKERS
Alex Brosque, Bruno Cazarine, Juho Makela, David Williams (loan)*
Alex Brosque was Sydney's main man. A pacy, two footed and creative striker, as comfortable out wide taking on a fullback as he was flicking a pass to an onrushing midfielder, Brosque was the perfect support striker for Viteslav Lavicka's diamond midfield.
Before his acrimonious transfer abroad Brosque scored six goals in 13 starts and two appearances off the bench. His year was frustrated by niggling injuries and he tended to contribute in fits and starts, as opposed to dominating games.
Brosque was frequently Sydney's most direct player and the way he split and committed defenders immediately made space for others. Sydney will miss his mobility and, more notably, his agility. His departure has left Viteslav Lavicka with a pair of battering rams.
Bruno Cazarine was recruited after a prolonged courtship and his 9 goals in 20 starts are widely credited with saving Sydney's season. A cool finisher within the box with his head and feet, Bruno brought a direct option with a deft enough first touch, and a positional awareness often lacking from Bridge.
Big Bruno may not match the Samba template but he brought much-needed balance to a Sydney side. His obvious desire in the first half of the season lifted the club after he was finally signed in September. One imagines he could have made an even greater impact had he enjoyed a pre-season with Carle, Bridge, Brosque and company.
Bruno has re-signed for another season and his selection for the ACL shows Lavicka's faith in his ability. Cazarine can hold the ball up and choose the right option. His little and large combination with Dimitri Petratos was something to savour and it will be fascinating to see how Lavicka sends out the troops next Spring once David Williams has departed.
One hopes Bruno can work on his shooting from outside the box: a crucial option in the arsenal for less-mobile strikers, particularly in a Sydney side often guilty of over-elaboration.
Juho Makela is an interesting case. Allegedly recruited without the approval of his coach, the Shark sunk his teeth into the A League before his form petered out at the end of the season.
Lavicka tried pairing Makela with Cazarine but the two seem too similar, too comfortable leading the line and too predictable with the ball at their feet. Defending against the two was all barge and no risk and it was no real surprise when Makela was chosen to warm the pine for the ACL.
Someone should tell Sydney's webmaster, who still states that Makela's "height and size will be great attributes for Sydney FC in the 2011 AFC Champions League".
Makela has an obvious nose for goal and seems relatively effective in the air, but looks short of agility at a relatively sedate full throttle. Unless he can find a way to fit around Cazarine's style, I predict Makela will feature mostly on the bench next season as a perfectly able backup to Bruno.
Where Makela and Petratos play will be determined by David Williams. Williams has played for the Socceroos and long enjoyed the "next big thing" tag despite a rather unflattering strike rate of 12 goals in 85 career appearances.
Williams now occupies the attacking winger role but would be converted to second striker by the wing-shy Lavicka. He has what Sydney lack most of all - pace, and the ability to take defenders on in one on one situations. It seems extremely unlikely that Williams will sign a long-term deal but he would be a very welcome addition.
Sydney will most likely head into the next A League with a strike force of Cazarine and Makela as genuine number 9s, supplemented by Mark Bridge and Dimitri Petratos. A pacier option, perhaps in the form of a marquee signing, would be very welcome indeed.
*Mark Bridge, Dimitri Petratos and Kofi Danning's contributions are examined here.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Game 25 - Sydney FC 1 vs Melbourne Victory 1 - 15/01/11
Melbourne had three of the five clear cut chances in this enthralling match but Sydney should have dominated a contest so full of hope and despair that Juho Makela's equalizing goal was, for a good two seconds after it hit the net, too good to be believed by half the crowd.
Sydney raced back to the halfway line ball in hand and buoyed by stunned supporters, somehow believing that after failing to score for 91 minutes, they could thrash one into the net in 90 seconds. Too little, too late for Viteslav Lavicka, who will be lucky to survive the week.
Finals football was a forlorn hope after the devastating draw with the Fury back in October's three-game stretch. Last night's failure has cut the cord. Sydney are six points back and have played two more games than the sixth-placed Jets.
The case against Sydney FC is simple. If you can't beat your biggest rivals when they are missing four of their best five outfield players, when you are playing in front of your biggest home crowd, when you have 16 shots at goal in the first half, then you don't deserve to play in the finals.
At halftime I wrote: "The game has the feel of a Sydney FC training run with everyone missing their shots. I fear a sucker punch."
If Juho Makela was fit to start, the Sky Blues would have won the match. If Alex Brosque was fit to play it would have been a rout. If Hiro Moriyasu's shot had slid inside the post, if Dimitri Petratos had even touched the ball...
A title defence should not depend on wishes or sentiment. Sydney have drawn or lost 19 out of 25 games this season. That the Sky Blues have a mathematical chance of finals football is an insult to other sides.
Judging by last night's glorious first half what hurts the most is what might have been. Sydney flew at Melbourne unburdened by the doubts that have crippled this campaign. Melbourne had the two best chances of the half but it seemed a moot point, such was Sydney's dominance.
The first 45 minutes were encapsulated by one Sydney movement when Nicky Carle rode a challenge then back-heeled the ball to kick off a raid that ended in a shot off target. Carle dominated the first half in the same way that he dominated the opening game of the season. How Sydney have suffered under the poor form of Mark Bridge.
Melbourne were desperate to slow the game down but still had the best chances of the first 45. Stephan Keller inexplicably decided to let a sliding cross roll past him along the six yard box and straight onto Danny Allsopp's boot, and Liam Reddy was lucky to see a feeble header spring from Matt Jurman's last-ditch challenge on Allsopp, whose movement troubled Sydney's back two all night.
By the 35th minute some Sydney players were getting restless. Bruno Cazarine put in more petulance than workrate and Juho Makela's drifting runs were a welcome addition after he came on for Hiro Moriyasu at the 55th minute. If Alex Brosque returns, Big Bruno will be lucky to keep his place. Stephan Keller's 80th minute shot from near the centre circle was selfish, stupid and hardly the thing to invigorate his supporters or his side. Skipper Terry McFlynn should not be allowing this sort of thing.
Nicky Carle deserved his man of the match award but his detractors (and there are many) will quite rightly point out that he failed to place a shot on target and that his cross to Makela may well have been a mis-cued shot. He was also peripheral in the first fifteen minutes of the second half when Sydney's passing was comical at best and atrocious at worst. McFlynn and Bruno, then Byun and Makela made pathetic efforts to attack down the right hand side and Carle should have demanded the ball to restore Sydney's possession.
All that said, Carle played in Petratos for what should have been a certain goal, put the ball right onto Makela's foot for his strike and tore Melbourne to shreds in the first 45. Things are looking up for what will be a very tough Asian Champions League campaign.
18-year-old Dimitri Petratos has played in four different positions: across midfield and as a support striker. He ran himself into the ground last night but looks most at home with players in front of him. The air swing was poor and but hopefully his confidence is shored up strong foundations. Does Viteslav Lavicka have the wherewithal to slot Petratos back into midfield before he has too much time to dwell on his miss? Time will tell.
Which brings us to the boss himself. If the Sydney board show the ruthlessness of their predecessors then this failure - and it is a failure - should be Czechmate for Lavicka.
It depends on the players. If they have lost all confidence in Lavicka then he should be congratulated for last season and retired. The first half performance does not indicate that things have degenerated that far. But Lavicka seems unable to improve the team at halftime which is when a manager should be at his best.
Few managers have enjoyed this much patience from a board. Lavicka has recruited the wrong replacements for the wrong departures, has stuck with the the wrong tactics at the wrong times and failed to shore up the confidence of a previously dominant and swaggering team.
One more game without a win should seal his departure. If the looming "mid-January" board meeting comes before Sunday's game against the high-flying Mariner, Lavicka may not get even that chance.
EDIT: One thing I forgot to mention was the fantastic contribution from The Cove. They were in amazing form with another brilliant tifo, and here's hoping everyone comes back for the final game of the season against the Phoenix next month. If you missed it, here's a link I snagged from parkingthebus on Twitter.
Sydney raced back to the halfway line ball in hand and buoyed by stunned supporters, somehow believing that after failing to score for 91 minutes, they could thrash one into the net in 90 seconds. Too little, too late for Viteslav Lavicka, who will be lucky to survive the week.
Finals football was a forlorn hope after the devastating draw with the Fury back in October's three-game stretch. Last night's failure has cut the cord. Sydney are six points back and have played two more games than the sixth-placed Jets.
The case against Sydney FC is simple. If you can't beat your biggest rivals when they are missing four of their best five outfield players, when you are playing in front of your biggest home crowd, when you have 16 shots at goal in the first half, then you don't deserve to play in the finals.
At halftime I wrote: "The game has the feel of a Sydney FC training run with everyone missing their shots. I fear a sucker punch."
If Juho Makela was fit to start, the Sky Blues would have won the match. If Alex Brosque was fit to play it would have been a rout. If Hiro Moriyasu's shot had slid inside the post, if Dimitri Petratos had even touched the ball...
A title defence should not depend on wishes or sentiment. Sydney have drawn or lost 19 out of 25 games this season. That the Sky Blues have a mathematical chance of finals football is an insult to other sides.
Judging by last night's glorious first half what hurts the most is what might have been. Sydney flew at Melbourne unburdened by the doubts that have crippled this campaign. Melbourne had the two best chances of the half but it seemed a moot point, such was Sydney's dominance.
The first 45 minutes were encapsulated by one Sydney movement when Nicky Carle rode a challenge then back-heeled the ball to kick off a raid that ended in a shot off target. Carle dominated the first half in the same way that he dominated the opening game of the season. How Sydney have suffered under the poor form of Mark Bridge.
Melbourne were desperate to slow the game down but still had the best chances of the first 45. Stephan Keller inexplicably decided to let a sliding cross roll past him along the six yard box and straight onto Danny Allsopp's boot, and Liam Reddy was lucky to see a feeble header spring from Matt Jurman's last-ditch challenge on Allsopp, whose movement troubled Sydney's back two all night.
By the 35th minute some Sydney players were getting restless. Bruno Cazarine put in more petulance than workrate and Juho Makela's drifting runs were a welcome addition after he came on for Hiro Moriyasu at the 55th minute. If Alex Brosque returns, Big Bruno will be lucky to keep his place. Stephan Keller's 80th minute shot from near the centre circle was selfish, stupid and hardly the thing to invigorate his supporters or his side. Skipper Terry McFlynn should not be allowing this sort of thing.
Nicky Carle deserved his man of the match award but his detractors (and there are many) will quite rightly point out that he failed to place a shot on target and that his cross to Makela may well have been a mis-cued shot. He was also peripheral in the first fifteen minutes of the second half when Sydney's passing was comical at best and atrocious at worst. McFlynn and Bruno, then Byun and Makela made pathetic efforts to attack down the right hand side and Carle should have demanded the ball to restore Sydney's possession.
All that said, Carle played in Petratos for what should have been a certain goal, put the ball right onto Makela's foot for his strike and tore Melbourne to shreds in the first 45. Things are looking up for what will be a very tough Asian Champions League campaign.
18-year-old Dimitri Petratos has played in four different positions: across midfield and as a support striker. He ran himself into the ground last night but looks most at home with players in front of him. The air swing was poor and but hopefully his confidence is shored up strong foundations. Does Viteslav Lavicka have the wherewithal to slot Petratos back into midfield before he has too much time to dwell on his miss? Time will tell.
Which brings us to the boss himself. If the Sydney board show the ruthlessness of their predecessors then this failure - and it is a failure - should be Czechmate for Lavicka.
It depends on the players. If they have lost all confidence in Lavicka then he should be congratulated for last season and retired. The first half performance does not indicate that things have degenerated that far. But Lavicka seems unable to improve the team at halftime which is when a manager should be at his best.
Few managers have enjoyed this much patience from a board. Lavicka has recruited the wrong replacements for the wrong departures, has stuck with the the wrong tactics at the wrong times and failed to shore up the confidence of a previously dominant and swaggering team.
One more game without a win should seal his departure. If the looming "mid-January" board meeting comes before Sunday's game against the high-flying Mariner, Lavicka may not get even that chance.
EDIT: One thing I forgot to mention was the fantastic contribution from The Cove. They were in amazing form with another brilliant tifo, and here's hoping everyone comes back for the final game of the season against the Phoenix next month. If you missed it, here's a link I snagged from parkingthebus on Twitter.
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