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.
Showing posts with label Dimitri Petratos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dimitri Petratos. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
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.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
A Wasted Summer Part 3: Sydney FC's Crippled Magicians
Sydney FC's championship defence was destroyed the moment Nicky Carle succumbed to his second injury, and coach Viteslav Lavicka had only himself to blame.
The Czech oversaw a clearout of seasoned veterans but failed to replace his favourite player: Karol Kisel. The decision to fill Kisel's left midfield spot with young left back Scott Jamieson hamstrung Sydney early on, but was brutally exposed when Carle took to the sidelines.
When Steve Corica was injured last campaign, Kisel took his place at the head of Lavicka's diamond. Equally at home in the playmaking Number 10 slot or minding the left side of midfield, Kisel provided creativity and confidence on the ball.
When Nicky Carle keeled over for most of 2010, Lavicka's only options were to play Mark Bridge at 10 or promote his new signing Hiro Moriyasu, who was only just finding his feet. Bridge's catastrophic loss of form and Hiro's inability to threaten in front of goal left the team without a way to score goals or even hold up the ball and transition from defence to attack.
Lavicka's plan to shoehorn Jamieson into left midfield left the young wingback all at sea. He failed to threaten with his first touch and his delivery is too wayward to trust him with the ball at close quarters. If Lavicka had to play a fullback in midfield to accommodate Jamieson, Shannon Cole and Sung Hwan Byun, Cole would have been a much better choice.
Later injuries to Alex Brosque and Bridge sealed Sydney's fate, and the Cove only had Bruno to cheer as Sydney fizzled in front of goal.
The one positive to come from this sorry season is the emergence of Dimitri Petratos and Terry Antonis. Sydney must play these two youngsters as much as possible in 2011/2012. The A League rewards clubs that promote and develop young players, and the fans will flock to see future Socceroos learn their craft.
SQUAD REVIEW
ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS
Nick Carle, Terry Antonis, Dimitri Petratos, Kofi Danning, Brendan Gan, (Hiro Moriyasu)
Viteslav Lavicka's 4-4-2 diamond with conservative fullbacks requires creative input from the two wide midfielders. Unfortunately Lavicka chose to play Hiro Moriyasu and Terry McFlynn in front of Stuart Musialik, a conservative approach that lost Sydney games and fans.
Nicky Carle showed in the opening match against Melbourne that he can more than replace Steve Corica. Carle might lack goals and genuine pace, but his sublime touch gives Sydney the rarest of players in the A League: one who can hold up the play under pressure, play the right pass and unlock a defence with a moment of magic.
If Carle stays fit for most of the next season (and his career shows no reason to doubt he will) Sydney will make the finals. If Lavicka can play Karol Kisel or another more offensively minded player with Carle in midfield, Sydney may well go further. Sydney must attack from the first game to win back their fickle fans.
The whinging minority who call Carle a false marquee should consider the gross wages payed to John Aloisi, a player who only came good for six weeks in two years, and measure Carle's contribution at the end of his contract. Carle's wages are far from obscene and I am confident he will prove to be value for money.
News that Sydney were chasing Matt McKay showed welcome ambition and is a great relief: it means that the club has finally acknowledged the gap left by Karol Kisel in left midfield (just in time for Kisel's return). But Brisbane would never let their captain leave for free and Sydney cannot afford a transfer fee. This transfer is extremely unlikely and Sydney would be better served looking elsewhere for versatile wide midfielders: Scott Chipperfield and Brett Emerton, anyone?
Terry Antonis found precious little time on the pitch this season but Sydney must promote and develop his talent. Antonis must play, and in Carle's position, at every opportunity next year (whenever Carle is injured, suspended or tired). Antonis destroyed Wellington in February and his understanding with Dimitri Petratos in that game is surely a sign of good times to come. In that match he ran at players, picked the right pass and controlled the ball despite atrocious conditions. We can only hope he does not move overseas too early.
Dimitri Petratos is an interesting case. He has Mark Bridge's versatility but twice the ability. Petratos can pick a pass, score a goal (his air swing against the Victory aside) and occupies intelligent positions. I still believe his best position is attacking central midfielder and I hope he will find a home on the left side of midfield, but his work as Bruno Cazarine's support striker at the end of the season was inspiring. Sydney should sign him up long term and Petratos deserves to start matches.
Sadly Kofi Danning has not come on in the same way. Danning is caught in a terrible bind. His pace and enthusiasm dazzles against players his age, but his first touch can be dire and is not up to A League standard. Danning's greatest problem is his coach's system. Lavicka only plays Danning up front as a last resort and the Czech rarely plays with out and out wingers.
Now that Lavicka has re-signed with Sydney for another season, it is time for Danning to leave. Though his departure would leave Sydney short of genuine pace, the kid is at the age where he has to play. Another season on the bench will do him no favours and he does not fit within Sydney's best 20. Danning may be a likeable lad and a crowd favourite but he has not lived up to the hype.
Brendan Gan is another player who looks likely to leave. Gan should have slotted into a wide midfield role after Kisel departed, but Lavicka is clearly reluctant to pick a player who divides fans. Gan is keen and adequate, and has a cool finish, but he will probably have to leave and fight for a spot elsewhere to prove his worth.
It is a great shame that the Fury are no more. Players such as Gan and Danning could have found a home there, but will probably end up on the Gold Coast or across the Tasman instead.
MARK BRIDGE
Bridge is the only player afforded his own section throughout my season review because he is a player without a natural position. He also deserves special mention because he was undoubtedly the major disappointment of 2010/11.
This season showed Bridge to be a jack of all trades and a master of none. 1 goal and 6 assists in 19 games would be a poor return from a winger, but Bridge has played as a target man, playmaking number 10, wide midfielder and second striker.
Unfortunately he was not particularly good at any of those positions. Bridge lacks the pace to play winger, the vision and confidence to slot in at Number 10, the acceleration and lethality to excel at second striker and the sheer dynamism to lead the line.
Bridge looks most at home up front with his back to goal, and suffered badly when Nick Carle's injury forced him into attacking midfield.
Players dream of this kind of opportunity. Bridge was asked to run the offence for the A League defending champions. He tried hard but became The Cove's greatest disappointment since John Aloisi.
By late spring Bridge lacked the confidence to turn on the ball when had metres of space around him. Teams crowded him early, destroyed his confidence and reduced him to training drill passes and robotic movement off the ball. His failure to close down properly also left the team dreadfully exposed against overlapping fullbacks.
Bridge tried hard and occasionally put in a good performance. But the former Young Socceroo has suffered the curse of versatility. A sustained spell at striker produced his best form last season, but the A League has moved on. Other clubs have Van Dyk, Smeltz, Thompson and Fowler, and Sydney's "Killer Bs" though never truly prolific, could just about match that standard.
But Bridge never got near the input of the new and improved number 10s: Broich, Flores, Perez and Amini, and is certainly no Carlos Hernandez or Daniel. If the man at the top of the diamond goes into his shell, the team falls apart, and Bridge failed all too often.
It is not too late for Bridge, who clings to his new and improved contract while young talent like Matt Jurman departs for bigger money elsewhere. Like Aloisi Bridge may redeem himself and he does not lack raw ability. He needs to back himself next time he gets on the ball. He must play with the freedom denied him by the shackles of his own mind.
The Czech oversaw a clearout of seasoned veterans but failed to replace his favourite player: Karol Kisel. The decision to fill Kisel's left midfield spot with young left back Scott Jamieson hamstrung Sydney early on, but was brutally exposed when Carle took to the sidelines.
When Steve Corica was injured last campaign, Kisel took his place at the head of Lavicka's diamond. Equally at home in the playmaking Number 10 slot or minding the left side of midfield, Kisel provided creativity and confidence on the ball.
When Nicky Carle keeled over for most of 2010, Lavicka's only options were to play Mark Bridge at 10 or promote his new signing Hiro Moriyasu, who was only just finding his feet. Bridge's catastrophic loss of form and Hiro's inability to threaten in front of goal left the team without a way to score goals or even hold up the ball and transition from defence to attack.
Lavicka's plan to shoehorn Jamieson into left midfield left the young wingback all at sea. He failed to threaten with his first touch and his delivery is too wayward to trust him with the ball at close quarters. If Lavicka had to play a fullback in midfield to accommodate Jamieson, Shannon Cole and Sung Hwan Byun, Cole would have been a much better choice.
Later injuries to Alex Brosque and Bridge sealed Sydney's fate, and the Cove only had Bruno to cheer as Sydney fizzled in front of goal.
The one positive to come from this sorry season is the emergence of Dimitri Petratos and Terry Antonis. Sydney must play these two youngsters as much as possible in 2011/2012. The A League rewards clubs that promote and develop young players, and the fans will flock to see future Socceroos learn their craft.
SQUAD REVIEW
ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS
Nick Carle, Terry Antonis, Dimitri Petratos, Kofi Danning, Brendan Gan, (Hiro Moriyasu)
Viteslav Lavicka's 4-4-2 diamond with conservative fullbacks requires creative input from the two wide midfielders. Unfortunately Lavicka chose to play Hiro Moriyasu and Terry McFlynn in front of Stuart Musialik, a conservative approach that lost Sydney games and fans.
Nicky Carle showed in the opening match against Melbourne that he can more than replace Steve Corica. Carle might lack goals and genuine pace, but his sublime touch gives Sydney the rarest of players in the A League: one who can hold up the play under pressure, play the right pass and unlock a defence with a moment of magic.
If Carle stays fit for most of the next season (and his career shows no reason to doubt he will) Sydney will make the finals. If Lavicka can play Karol Kisel or another more offensively minded player with Carle in midfield, Sydney may well go further. Sydney must attack from the first game to win back their fickle fans.
The whinging minority who call Carle a false marquee should consider the gross wages payed to John Aloisi, a player who only came good for six weeks in two years, and measure Carle's contribution at the end of his contract. Carle's wages are far from obscene and I am confident he will prove to be value for money.
News that Sydney were chasing Matt McKay showed welcome ambition and is a great relief: it means that the club has finally acknowledged the gap left by Karol Kisel in left midfield (just in time for Kisel's return). But Brisbane would never let their captain leave for free and Sydney cannot afford a transfer fee. This transfer is extremely unlikely and Sydney would be better served looking elsewhere for versatile wide midfielders: Scott Chipperfield and Brett Emerton, anyone?
Terry Antonis found precious little time on the pitch this season but Sydney must promote and develop his talent. Antonis must play, and in Carle's position, at every opportunity next year (whenever Carle is injured, suspended or tired). Antonis destroyed Wellington in February and his understanding with Dimitri Petratos in that game is surely a sign of good times to come. In that match he ran at players, picked the right pass and controlled the ball despite atrocious conditions. We can only hope he does not move overseas too early.
Dimitri Petratos is an interesting case. He has Mark Bridge's versatility but twice the ability. Petratos can pick a pass, score a goal (his air swing against the Victory aside) and occupies intelligent positions. I still believe his best position is attacking central midfielder and I hope he will find a home on the left side of midfield, but his work as Bruno Cazarine's support striker at the end of the season was inspiring. Sydney should sign him up long term and Petratos deserves to start matches.
Sadly Kofi Danning has not come on in the same way. Danning is caught in a terrible bind. His pace and enthusiasm dazzles against players his age, but his first touch can be dire and is not up to A League standard. Danning's greatest problem is his coach's system. Lavicka only plays Danning up front as a last resort and the Czech rarely plays with out and out wingers.
Now that Lavicka has re-signed with Sydney for another season, it is time for Danning to leave. Though his departure would leave Sydney short of genuine pace, the kid is at the age where he has to play. Another season on the bench will do him no favours and he does not fit within Sydney's best 20. Danning may be a likeable lad and a crowd favourite but he has not lived up to the hype.
Brendan Gan is another player who looks likely to leave. Gan should have slotted into a wide midfield role after Kisel departed, but Lavicka is clearly reluctant to pick a player who divides fans. Gan is keen and adequate, and has a cool finish, but he will probably have to leave and fight for a spot elsewhere to prove his worth.
It is a great shame that the Fury are no more. Players such as Gan and Danning could have found a home there, but will probably end up on the Gold Coast or across the Tasman instead.
MARK BRIDGE
Bridge is the only player afforded his own section throughout my season review because he is a player without a natural position. He also deserves special mention because he was undoubtedly the major disappointment of 2010/11.
This season showed Bridge to be a jack of all trades and a master of none. 1 goal and 6 assists in 19 games would be a poor return from a winger, but Bridge has played as a target man, playmaking number 10, wide midfielder and second striker.
Unfortunately he was not particularly good at any of those positions. Bridge lacks the pace to play winger, the vision and confidence to slot in at Number 10, the acceleration and lethality to excel at second striker and the sheer dynamism to lead the line.
Bridge looks most at home up front with his back to goal, and suffered badly when Nick Carle's injury forced him into attacking midfield.
Players dream of this kind of opportunity. Bridge was asked to run the offence for the A League defending champions. He tried hard but became The Cove's greatest disappointment since John Aloisi.
By late spring Bridge lacked the confidence to turn on the ball when had metres of space around him. Teams crowded him early, destroyed his confidence and reduced him to training drill passes and robotic movement off the ball. His failure to close down properly also left the team dreadfully exposed against overlapping fullbacks.
Bridge tried hard and occasionally put in a good performance. But the former Young Socceroo has suffered the curse of versatility. A sustained spell at striker produced his best form last season, but the A League has moved on. Other clubs have Van Dyk, Smeltz, Thompson and Fowler, and Sydney's "Killer Bs" though never truly prolific, could just about match that standard.
But Bridge never got near the input of the new and improved number 10s: Broich, Flores, Perez and Amini, and is certainly no Carlos Hernandez or Daniel. If the man at the top of the diamond goes into his shell, the team falls apart, and Bridge failed all too often.
It is not too late for Bridge, who clings to his new and improved contract while young talent like Matt Jurman departs for bigger money elsewhere. Like Aloisi Bridge may redeem himself and he does not lack raw ability. He needs to back himself next time he gets on the ball. He must play with the freedom denied him by the shackles of his own mind.
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.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Game 19 - Sydney FC 0 vs Queensland Roar 1 - 12/12/10
"It could have been worse."
That is the frightening defeatism that has infected Sydney FC. This season has seen a champion squad plunge into despair and disrepair, with nary a captain or coach able to bail the water out of a sinking ship.
To say that Sydney FC won the second half flatters the hosts mightily. Brisbane rarely got out of second gear. Imagine what they could accomplish with a top class striker. The Roar worked their way down field methodically and brazenly, while Sydney struggled to play out of their own half.
All the old bad signs were there. Stephan Keller thumping the ball long and wide. Static fullbacks hugging the touch line. Players pointing at positions where they expected each other to be, five seconds after the ball had gone. Sydney's playmaker, either Mark Bridge or Terry Antonis, settling for occupying a defender instead of running them ragged.
Viteslav Lavicka should guide the club to the Asian Champions League but Sydney FC should not be offering him an Alan Pardew-esque five and a half year deal. Lavicka clearly arrived with Plan A - the same 4-4-2 diamond that Sydney have played for a year and a half - and no Plan B, despite Brisbane playing the same way they have all season.
Lavicka identified that Gan and Antonis were struggling but changed personnel without attacking the cause of the problem. Few managers have disrupted Brisbane this season but the diamond left Antonis and Bridge completely impotent - exhausted by defence and desperately out of position in transition attack. Brisbane apparently enjoyed 68 percent of possession in the first half. I'm surprised it wasn't more.
To go man for man, as Sydney were unable to do:
Ivan Necevski should have done better to block Kosta Barbarouses's cool finish but made some smart saves in either half. A good back up option for sure, but it seems Crazy Ivan has found his level.
Shannon Cole was easily Sydney's most impressive player over the 90 minutes. He supplied Sydney's only moment of skill with a cool backheel in the second half, put in a few threatening runs and kept Thomas Broich reasonably quiet. Cole backed himself in the tackle and on the ball, which was something few other Sydney players seemed willing to do. His combination with Dimitri Petratos was encouraging and should be nurtured.
Sung-Hwan Byun put in possibly his worst shift in a Sky Blue shirt. Apart from supplying atrocious delivery from wide areas throughout the match, Byun was one of many Sydney players who seemed more intent on ordering his teammates around than getting in a helpful position himself. Byun's mind seems off the job and Scott Jamieson cannot return soon enough.
Hayden Foxe and Stephan Keller may have been a great central combination five years ago. But Foxe's distribution has degraded over the past month and Keller's has probably been atrocious his entire career. That Brisbane did not win by more is evidence of their honest hard work but they were often caught too far apart, too far from their Solorzano, too deep (to cover their lack of pace) and too scared of the ball. It is time for Lavicka to recruit some replacements.
Sydney's under fire manager was forced to substitute Brendan Gan and Terry Antonis at halftime and both youngsters deserved the hook. Hopefully Antonis will not stay benched for long. The lad has undoubted ability but today's match was too cruel a test so early. His confidence must now be sand-bagged, not sabotaged. Sydney's first responsibility was too relieve defensive pressure and neither Gan nor Antonis contributed, while Terry McFlynn's performance was similarly lacking.
Terry McFlynn may be a Foundation Player but he needs to be a proper captain. It has been too long since McFlynn, or any Sydney player, took a match by the scruff of the neck. It is McFlynn's duty to lead by example, but doing a job is no longer enough in a Sydney side of much lower quality than last year's edition.
Hiro Moriyasu also put in a fairly abject performance. He was played in what is allegedly his preferred position at the base of Sydney's midfield, but lost possession time and again, took too long to select an option, was weak in the tackle and failed to interact properly with his defence. Hiro is best employed as a box to box harasser and lacks the composure to play as the screening anchor. An in-form Stuart Musialik is a better option, but Sydney have precious few players in form at the moment.
Big bad Bruno Cazarine was obviously not fully fit and played for free kicks before halftime. Alex Brosque was dynamic, inspirational and alone.
Mark Bridge was absolutely anonymous. Again. His new contract should be read to him like the Riot Act. Hopefully a rocket up the backside can push him past the barrier of his natural abilities. Bridge is an enigma without the ability to justify his inconsistency. Nicky Carle, it has been said too often, cannot return soon enough.
A champion side should not regress so poorly. A great manager should not allow them to. Great managers adapt. Great players overcome adversity. Sydney FC simply flounder while their crowds dwindle and The Cove grows quieter. Sydney's names were not cheered and the side was barely applauded onto the park.
Something is out of kilter and it is not just Nicky Carle's back.
That is the frightening defeatism that has infected Sydney FC. This season has seen a champion squad plunge into despair and disrepair, with nary a captain or coach able to bail the water out of a sinking ship.
To say that Sydney FC won the second half flatters the hosts mightily. Brisbane rarely got out of second gear. Imagine what they could accomplish with a top class striker. The Roar worked their way down field methodically and brazenly, while Sydney struggled to play out of their own half.
All the old bad signs were there. Stephan Keller thumping the ball long and wide. Static fullbacks hugging the touch line. Players pointing at positions where they expected each other to be, five seconds after the ball had gone. Sydney's playmaker, either Mark Bridge or Terry Antonis, settling for occupying a defender instead of running them ragged.
Viteslav Lavicka should guide the club to the Asian Champions League but Sydney FC should not be offering him an Alan Pardew-esque five and a half year deal. Lavicka clearly arrived with Plan A - the same 4-4-2 diamond that Sydney have played for a year and a half - and no Plan B, despite Brisbane playing the same way they have all season.
Lavicka identified that Gan and Antonis were struggling but changed personnel without attacking the cause of the problem. Few managers have disrupted Brisbane this season but the diamond left Antonis and Bridge completely impotent - exhausted by defence and desperately out of position in transition attack. Brisbane apparently enjoyed 68 percent of possession in the first half. I'm surprised it wasn't more.
To go man for man, as Sydney were unable to do:
Ivan Necevski should have done better to block Kosta Barbarouses's cool finish but made some smart saves in either half. A good back up option for sure, but it seems Crazy Ivan has found his level.
Shannon Cole was easily Sydney's most impressive player over the 90 minutes. He supplied Sydney's only moment of skill with a cool backheel in the second half, put in a few threatening runs and kept Thomas Broich reasonably quiet. Cole backed himself in the tackle and on the ball, which was something few other Sydney players seemed willing to do. His combination with Dimitri Petratos was encouraging and should be nurtured.
Sung-Hwan Byun put in possibly his worst shift in a Sky Blue shirt. Apart from supplying atrocious delivery from wide areas throughout the match, Byun was one of many Sydney players who seemed more intent on ordering his teammates around than getting in a helpful position himself. Byun's mind seems off the job and Scott Jamieson cannot return soon enough.
Hayden Foxe and Stephan Keller may have been a great central combination five years ago. But Foxe's distribution has degraded over the past month and Keller's has probably been atrocious his entire career. That Brisbane did not win by more is evidence of their honest hard work but they were often caught too far apart, too far from their Solorzano, too deep (to cover their lack of pace) and too scared of the ball. It is time for Lavicka to recruit some replacements.
Sydney's under fire manager was forced to substitute Brendan Gan and Terry Antonis at halftime and both youngsters deserved the hook. Hopefully Antonis will not stay benched for long. The lad has undoubted ability but today's match was too cruel a test so early. His confidence must now be sand-bagged, not sabotaged. Sydney's first responsibility was too relieve defensive pressure and neither Gan nor Antonis contributed, while Terry McFlynn's performance was similarly lacking.
Terry McFlynn may be a Foundation Player but he needs to be a proper captain. It has been too long since McFlynn, or any Sydney player, took a match by the scruff of the neck. It is McFlynn's duty to lead by example, but doing a job is no longer enough in a Sydney side of much lower quality than last year's edition.
Hiro Moriyasu also put in a fairly abject performance. He was played in what is allegedly his preferred position at the base of Sydney's midfield, but lost possession time and again, took too long to select an option, was weak in the tackle and failed to interact properly with his defence. Hiro is best employed as a box to box harasser and lacks the composure to play as the screening anchor. An in-form Stuart Musialik is a better option, but Sydney have precious few players in form at the moment.
Big bad Bruno Cazarine was obviously not fully fit and played for free kicks before halftime. Alex Brosque was dynamic, inspirational and alone.
Mark Bridge was absolutely anonymous. Again. His new contract should be read to him like the Riot Act. Hopefully a rocket up the backside can push him past the barrier of his natural abilities. Bridge is an enigma without the ability to justify his inconsistency. Nicky Carle, it has been said too often, cannot return soon enough.
A champion side should not regress so poorly. A great manager should not allow them to. Great managers adapt. Great players overcome adversity. Sydney FC simply flounder while their crowds dwindle and The Cove grows quieter. Sydney's names were not cheered and the side was barely applauded onto the park.
Something is out of kilter and it is not just Nicky Carle's back.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Game 17 - Sydney FC 3 vs Wellington Phoenix 1 - 02/12/10
The four thousand hardy souls who ventured to the SFS on a wet and windy Wednesday night witnessed the possible birth of a new footballing star.
Terry Antonis only played for half an hour but he controlled the midfield with enthusiasm and daring. He ran at players with the ball at his feet, turned during his first touch despite the bucketing rain, took the initiative with a long range shot and most importantly - passed decisively, elegantly and forwards despite playing in the middle of a veritable monsoon.
Antonis played in Mark Bridge for Bridge's own drought-breaking goal and linked well with fellow super-sub Dimitri Petratos. If those two continue to improve Sydney have a pair of real prospects in their ranks.
Stuart Musialik must be wondering where he fits into Sydney's future as his contract winds down. Terry McFlynn is a defensive midfielder at heart and his status as skipper ensures his selection. Hiro Moriyasu is a box to box defensive type and was recently re-signed. Rhyan Grant has played junior international football and clearly has Lavicka's favour. Brendan Gan slotted in nicely on the right side of the diamond, though still fails to inspire complete confidence.
With Petratos growing into a deep-lying playmaker role and Musialik's selection anything but the sure thing it was last season, we may see Disco Stu head for safer pastures at the end of the season. It would be sad to see him go - at his best he offers far more than McFlynn, who maintains his spot thanks to Sydney's overall lack of aggression.
The match itself was a corker - and thanks to our Harbour City's allergic reaction to rain, I missed the first 35 minutes due to traffic jams. It boasted 26 shots - three of which hit the post - and four goals of high drama, if not high quality.
Bridge looked to be level as Antonis released him for his well-taken goal but Seb Ryall's handball for Sydney's third strike was as blatant as they come. Dylan Macallister's late goal was anything but a consolation as Wellington looked the marginally better side and finished far stronger than Sydney.
The Sky Blues reverted to some familiar bad habits after taking the lead. When opposing fullbacks push forward for a constructed overlap, Bridge in particular will often track back to within metres of a challenge but then not follow his man despite Sydney's left back committing to the opposing winger.
Sydney have been caught out by simple overlaps down the line time and time again this season and Wellington only failed to earn a point due to poor delivery. Kiwi crosses often found a sole Sydney defender with Phoenix strikers lurking to either side. When Sydney did have numbers back their marking was woefully poor and players failed to track fullbacks or close down Phoenix players as they pinged in crosses from deep.
If Sydney fail to cover these areas against the Mariners then expect an aerial bombardment aimed at their physically dynamic strikers. Of course, if Sydney are drawn too wide then Graham Arnold will direct his number 10 to drift into space.
The strikers must take responsibility for closing this increasingly obvious gap in Sydney's defensive set up. Bridge and Brosque need to track back and actually follow their man, not just get six feet behind the ball and wait for the opposition to lose it.
Sydney can take a lot from this match. The celebration with The Cove has returned with some welcome swagger on the ball. Scott Jamieson battled well before succumbing to illness and fatigue. Gan played well, Ryall was everywhere, Brosque and Bridge scored well-taken goals and Bridge in particular put in another impressive overall contribution. Hopefully some of Antonis's enthusiasm will encourage Bridge to pass first-time against the Mariners.
On the downside the delivery from Shannon Cole and Jamieson from wide areas was as rare as it was appalling, Hiro was largely anonymous, Ivan Necevski's distribution failed to improve and only Antonis had the wherewithal to test Mark Paston from distance in atrocious conditions (and did so weakly). But Sydney's inconsistency remains the biggest concern. Sydney take an even contest and find five minutes of beautiful passing football, but remain unable to wrest back the initiative when their opponent has the upper hand.
Sydney are playing below the Mariner's level, will be exhausted after a tough match in heavy rain and can only hope that the Mariner's are still in shock after the Roar savaged them 5-1. It is far more likely that Central Coast will be desperate to beat their rivals in front of their fans and salvage some pride. A point may be a good result.
Terry Antonis only played for half an hour but he controlled the midfield with enthusiasm and daring. He ran at players with the ball at his feet, turned during his first touch despite the bucketing rain, took the initiative with a long range shot and most importantly - passed decisively, elegantly and forwards despite playing in the middle of a veritable monsoon.
Antonis played in Mark Bridge for Bridge's own drought-breaking goal and linked well with fellow super-sub Dimitri Petratos. If those two continue to improve Sydney have a pair of real prospects in their ranks.
Stuart Musialik must be wondering where he fits into Sydney's future as his contract winds down. Terry McFlynn is a defensive midfielder at heart and his status as skipper ensures his selection. Hiro Moriyasu is a box to box defensive type and was recently re-signed. Rhyan Grant has played junior international football and clearly has Lavicka's favour. Brendan Gan slotted in nicely on the right side of the diamond, though still fails to inspire complete confidence.
With Petratos growing into a deep-lying playmaker role and Musialik's selection anything but the sure thing it was last season, we may see Disco Stu head for safer pastures at the end of the season. It would be sad to see him go - at his best he offers far more than McFlynn, who maintains his spot thanks to Sydney's overall lack of aggression.
The match itself was a corker - and thanks to our Harbour City's allergic reaction to rain, I missed the first 35 minutes due to traffic jams. It boasted 26 shots - three of which hit the post - and four goals of high drama, if not high quality.
Bridge looked to be level as Antonis released him for his well-taken goal but Seb Ryall's handball for Sydney's third strike was as blatant as they come. Dylan Macallister's late goal was anything but a consolation as Wellington looked the marginally better side and finished far stronger than Sydney.
The Sky Blues reverted to some familiar bad habits after taking the lead. When opposing fullbacks push forward for a constructed overlap, Bridge in particular will often track back to within metres of a challenge but then not follow his man despite Sydney's left back committing to the opposing winger.
Sydney have been caught out by simple overlaps down the line time and time again this season and Wellington only failed to earn a point due to poor delivery. Kiwi crosses often found a sole Sydney defender with Phoenix strikers lurking to either side. When Sydney did have numbers back their marking was woefully poor and players failed to track fullbacks or close down Phoenix players as they pinged in crosses from deep.
If Sydney fail to cover these areas against the Mariners then expect an aerial bombardment aimed at their physically dynamic strikers. Of course, if Sydney are drawn too wide then Graham Arnold will direct his number 10 to drift into space.
The strikers must take responsibility for closing this increasingly obvious gap in Sydney's defensive set up. Bridge and Brosque need to track back and actually follow their man, not just get six feet behind the ball and wait for the opposition to lose it.
Sydney can take a lot from this match. The celebration with The Cove has returned with some welcome swagger on the ball. Scott Jamieson battled well before succumbing to illness and fatigue. Gan played well, Ryall was everywhere, Brosque and Bridge scored well-taken goals and Bridge in particular put in another impressive overall contribution. Hopefully some of Antonis's enthusiasm will encourage Bridge to pass first-time against the Mariners.
On the downside the delivery from Shannon Cole and Jamieson from wide areas was as rare as it was appalling, Hiro was largely anonymous, Ivan Necevski's distribution failed to improve and only Antonis had the wherewithal to test Mark Paston from distance in atrocious conditions (and did so weakly). But Sydney's inconsistency remains the biggest concern. Sydney take an even contest and find five minutes of beautiful passing football, but remain unable to wrest back the initiative when their opponent has the upper hand.
Sydney are playing below the Mariner's level, will be exhausted after a tough match in heavy rain and can only hope that the Mariner's are still in shock after the Roar savaged them 5-1. It is far more likely that Central Coast will be desperate to beat their rivals in front of their fans and salvage some pride. A point may be a good result.
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