Dismal 3-0 Defeat To Melbourne Victory

4 minutes ago, wendybr said:

How many times has the back 4 been the same back 4?? And played in the same positions as part of the back 4?

Plus it was the first game with their captain permanently departed.

The team have been on a carousel ride all season....

 

Firstly it Shouldn’t matter that much. You have a system, that everyone knows how it works. Popa had a system he could swap players in and out of and they all knew what they were doing, even the Golecs, Hammils and Mullen’s of the squad.

Secondly who’s fault is it that we haven’t had a settled defence 

who  let our captain go mid season (and contributed to him wanting out?)

who played our right back at right wing in a derby and centre back at right back?  

im just watching the Gombau press conference and I think I may have found a leader for the delusional he’s totally off his head. I can’t belive the journalists are not falling about laughing 

what game was he at? It wasn’t the same one as me

The excuses need to stop

rant over

Is Gombau more or less delusional that Popa and his "we're improving every week and the results will come" press conferences?

Just now, mack said:

Is Gombau more or less delusional that Popa and his "we're improving every week and the results will come" press conferences?

A lot of people are suffering from short memory syndrome. 

3 minutes ago, mack said:

Is Gombau more or less delusional that Popa and his "we're improving every week and the results will come" press conferences?

Do I need to answer that  ? 

Popa comparisons aside the press conference was bizarre 

tbh I was one of the first people who wanted a new centre back. Cornthwaite would probably have been the player to go. But it would've been better to keep Cornthwaite until we got a new centre back. I don't get playing Clisby there. It is asking for trouble. Aspro and Hamill coming back doesnt fill you with confidence either.

We also need a new winger (as well as a new centre back) pretty quickly. Gombau might think he has the time. But another couple of beltings this season, and he might not make it to next season. His position isn't guaranteed. 

I get that he has written of seasons before, but I am not sure he will get the same leverage here if the morale within the club starts to go down. He needs to start to play to get results again and bring in new players to fill the huge holes we have. Otherwise he is risking a lot.

As we don't have any relagation/promotion here they think that nothing really happens if they don't make the finals (or end up with the wooden spoon). What they don't realise is for the fans it is a big deal. The only issue is that the club, FFA or Foxtel don't really care about fans.

4 hours ago, Ossified said:

I doubt I'll ever know if Josep was ever a fan of or had any interest in  WW1 French Marshall Ferdinand Foch. He is said to have declared to his General during the 1st Battle of the Marne "My Centre is collapsing. My Right is retreating. Situation excellent. I am attacking" 

You been listening to Blueprint for Armageddon?

3 hours ago, thefairy said:

Last night. Players played with heart. So I am happy about that.

Too bad our defense don't know how to defend.

Our full backs are shyte. They let us down big time. Long ponytail guy needs to pull his head in. 

Seemed to me that Raul was left pretty well isolated far too much.  It was only a couple of weeks back that this forum was kicking Jumpei to death with a major complaint being that he failed to track back to help the defence.  So who was, or was supposed to be supporting Raul?  He had run himself ragged during the first 60 minutes joining in the attack then racing back to defend.  Then he finds himself repeatedly one-on-one with Barbarouses in the latter stages, a player who could well have been spending the first 30 minutes of the game sitting beside Muscat, so little impact did he have before the first goal.  If you want to start hanging players over this game, Raul is not the one,

54 minutes ago, sonar said:

A lot of people are suffering from short memory syndrome. 

When popa was saying similar stuff he could point to our league and acl trophies to illustrate his point.

5 minutes ago, lloydy136 said:

When popa was saying similar stuff he could point to our league and acl trophies to illustrate his point.

So when Popa said, "results will come." he really meant "We have had results in the past".

Remember when we were 2-0 up in the derby??

Before Gombau came in, we hadn't lost a game. Sure we hadn't won many either, but we competed in every single game. 

Now, with more or less the same squad (some would argue better, Carrusca vs Jumpei for example), we seem to be in for a shellacking every time we play a half decent team. Under Popa you could count on one hand the number of drubbings we received over FIVE SEASONS. We've pretty much equalled that in a couple months under Gombau. 

There's only so much you can tolerate the 'building' excuse. The simple facts are that with close to the same squad, we are performing, much, much worse than we were under Hayden Foxe.

Why release players without replacements just about lined up?

i understand melling but the other 2, we could prolly could of used over last few weeks. 

Then have to players out of position or totally bizarre formations. 

Sat there last night and thought why is Antonis  playing in blue, thought he looked good in red n black, why after we let him go did we not have first dibs to get him back to the A league?

he was driving their midfield last night, Miligan the socceroo was their second best

out side the square, is Carusco being primed for assistant coach next season in the Gombau overhaul?

17 hours ago, StringerBellend said:

And this one 

did he go to the same game as me?

I was more worried about the Adelaide draw than that loss. 

They exposed our shakey defense, considering Risdon is horribly out of form and Clisby had to fill in at CB, it wasn't surprising. 

Riera continues to impress and Roly continues to concern. 

23 minutes ago, luisenrique said:

Under Popa you could count on one hand the number of drubbings we received over FIVE SEASONS.

Popa greatest hits:

• 4-0 Sydney FC Rd 1 2016/17
• 3-0  Melbourne Victory, R6 & 10 2016/17
• 5-2 Wellington Phoenix R19 2015/16
• 3-0 Melbourne Victory R21 2014/15
• 4-1 Melbourne Victory R1 2014/15
• 6-1 Urawa ACL 2017
• 5-1 Shanghai ACL 2017
• 4-0 Urawa ACL 2017

That's more than a handful.

5 minutes ago, lloydy136 said:

When popa was saying similar stuff he could point to our league and acl trophies to illustrate his point.

Lloydy, I'm not having a go at you personally when I say the current manager is being held to a different standard to such an extent that I must of imagined season 3. Where we came 9th and lost 17 games, yet after that debacle Popa and was still manager.

As other here are always saying it's the managers job to get the players to perform, regardless of previous results.

4 minutes ago, mack said:

Popa greatest hits:

• 4-0 Sydney FC Rd 1 2016/17
• 3-0  Melbourne Victory, R6 & 10 2016/17
• 5-2 Wellington Phoenix R19 2015/16
• 3-0 Melbourne Victory R21 2014/15
• 4-1 Melbourne Victory R1 2014/15
• 6-1 Urawa ACL 2017
• 5-1 Shanghai ACL 2017
• 4-0 Urawa ACL 2017

That's more than a handful.

A lot of people still drink the Popa kool aid. The thing we'll never know is how much his assistant coaches contributed to his success. 

Remember first two seasons and the amazing counter attacking game we had. Ante Milicic leaves assistant coach role at end of second season. Third season, Popa on his own. We have no game plan and look clueless. Horrible season to watch. Every team owned us.

Fourth season Popa brings in new assistant from Spain. We play more of a possession based game. Season goes well. The question is if Popa had to manage a team on his own, is he capable of being as effective as when he has an assistant?

The fact that the way we played changed so much with two different assistant coaches, means both had a massive influence in how we played, and therefore also our success.

40 minutes ago, sonar said:

Lloydy, I'm not having a go at you personally when I say the current manager is being held to a different standard to such an extent that I must of imagined season 3. Where we came 9th and lost 17 games, yet after that debacle Popa and was still manager.

As other here are always saying it's the managers job to get the players to perform, regardless of previous results.

 

 

you mean the season we won the champions league?

people forget too quickly what popa achieved. we had no right to be as good as we were as quickly as we were. even last season which people wrote off as poor - I thought he did an excellent job changing tactics and personnel on the fly and had us playing very well second half of the season which papered over to some extent at least the mistakes that were made in recruiting (by him)

his record and achievements are something that I don't think we will see at the club for a long time if ever. I don't think its likely that an australian club will ever win the champions league again.

I was skeptical of the gombau appointment at the time and nothing that has happened since has improved my viewpoint. he has alienated senior players instead of getting their support, forced a style of play that we simply don't have the personnel to implement, chased away players with no apparent plan to replace them and subjected us to a series of humiliating defeats.

its not like I expect instant success - I'm a leeds fan FFS - i was 10 years old the last time we won anything but I do expect the football club to make informed choices - to me this was a poor decision to hire gombau, he is not a good fit for our club or our players and personally I don't want to watch the style of football he plays. that first half for me yesterday was as frustrating as football gets. we are now stuck with him because the club won't pay out his 3 year deal no matter how many more times we cop a pantsing by one of our rivals.

as i've said a number of times - i hope i'm wrong and sonar, gremio etc that have debated this with me can bring back my posts and laugh at me next season while we are steamrolling the league. I will never be happier to be wrong if this happens - I'm just not seeing anything to suggest that its likely and I have thrown the question out a few times for you guys that are backing gombau strongly to explain to me what you see that is giving you this confidence - I love discussing football and want to hear it because I am seeing very few positive signs myself.

right now I am firmly Gombau Out because I think the mess he is making will take a long time for the next man to clean up.

end rant.

18 hours ago, MadKaw said:

My kid won a jersey so not a complete waste.....

 

 

or was it.....???

Turns out its a signed jersey....

On another note - Any tips on how to get ink stains out of football jerseys.?

just kidding .. 

We already know how to get them out...

1 hour ago, Harv said:

So when Popa said, "results will come." he really meant "We have had results in the past".

He said it with some history behind him, he had more than earned the loyalty shown to him.

The #InGombauWeTrust view is based on nothing, either here at wanderers or elsewhere 

I really hope he works, but he has done nothing to earn the level of support he is getting

1 hour ago, Harv said:

Seemed to me that Raul was left pretty well isolated far too much.  It was only a couple of weeks back that this forum was kicking Jumpei to death with a major complaint being that he failed to track back to help the defence.  So who was, or was supposed to be supporting Raul?  He had run himself ragged during the first 60 minutes joining in the attack then racing back to defend. 

Jumpei was an easy target, now that he is gone people here have to find another target...looks like it's Raul. That's like saying it's Vedran's fault ...he is the keeper, his job is to save them. The 3 goals yesterday all came from counterattacks (same vs ADL) which means our midfield/attack lost the ball/possession in the opposition half .....very harsh to blame the defense

42 minutes ago, lloydy136 said:

you mean the season we won the champions league?

people forget too quickly what popa achieved. we had no right to be as good as we were as quickly as we were. even last season which people wrote off as poor - I thought he did an excellent job changing tactics and personnel on the fly and had us playing very well second half of the season which papered over to some extent at least the mistakes that were made in recruiting (by him)

his record and achievements are something that I don't think we will see at the club for a long time if ever. I don't think its likely that an australian club will ever win the champions league again.

I was skeptical of the gombau appointment at the time and nothing that has happened since has improved my viewpoint. he has alienated senior players instead of getting their support, forced a style of play that we simply don't have the personnel to implement, chased away players with no apparent plan to replace them and subjected us to a series of humiliating defeats.

its not like I expect instant success - I'm a leeds fan FFS - i was 10 years old the last time we won anything but I do expect the football club to make informed choices - to me this was a poor decision to hire gombau, he is not a good fit for our club or our players and personally I don't want to watch the style of football he plays. that first half for me yesterday was as frustrating as football gets. we are now stuck with him because the club won't pay out his 3 year deal no matter how many more times we cop a pantsing by one of our rivals.

as i've said a number of times - i hope i'm wrong and sonar, gremio etc that have debated this with me can bring back my posts and laugh at me next season while we are steamrolling the league. I will never be happier to be wrong if this happens - I'm just not seeing anything to suggest that its likely and I have thrown the question out a few times for you guys that are backing gombau strongly to explain to me what you see that is giving you this confidence - I love discussing football and want to hear it because I am seeing very few positive signs myself.

right now I am firmly Gombau Out because I think the mess he is making will take a long time for the next man to clean up.

end rant.

It's all good, rant away. I never take it to heart. Part of being a supporter. 

Gombau has had 11 weeks.....11. 

He inherited a mess. We have players who can't or don't want to adapt.We are pedestrian and lack skill AND pace and it says a lot about  the players and their recruitment and attitude as much as it says about the coach. 

I cant wait till gombau clears out this team for a team that can actually look up and pass the ball. 

The conditioning of the team has gone downhill since our original S+C coach AW left. Early WSW teams could play comfortably for 90 mins and run rings around the opposition in the last 10-15. These days we're gassed by 60 mins and die in the ass... It's compounded by the amount of soft tissue injuries we are sustaining off the ball which is ridiculous. 

59 minutes ago, bkaza said:

I cant wait till gombau clears out this team for a team that can actually look up and pass the ball. 

Do you trust him to rebuild it? At this point I don’t

25 minutes ago, hughsey said:

The conditioning of the team has gone downhill since our original S+C coach AW left. Early WSW teams could play comfortably for 90 mins and run rings around the opposition in the last 10-15. These days we're gassed by 60 mins and die in the ass... It's compounded by the amount of soft tissue injuries we are sustaining off the ball which is ridiculous. 

Spot on , before we could last the distance and still have energy to press the opposition, now we can't even maintain the ball for more than five back passes then we get pressed and found out of position and conceded. Can't bother playing a possession based game if we don't have the legs to use the ball. 

I'm prepared to give Gombau next season to improve this as fitness conditioning starts pre season to be set up for the whole year not chasing it after major unforseen circumstances.

Genuine question, if we don’t make the 6 this year, do you give him next year? 

This team making the top 6 will probably just lose to City or Victory anyway so does it really matter?

He should get next year regardless. We don't want to turn into a SFC circus sacking coaches constantly.

2 minutes ago, StringerBellend said:

Genuine question, if we don’t make the 6 this year, do you give him next year? 

I believe his contract is for this season and next.Happy to be proved incorrect if it isn't the case.

As to your question....mmmmm......I think we will make the six,

If we don't I would give him next season. Let him pick his own squad, have a decent preseason and judge him them.  If he is not the manager then a replacement would need to be in  place at the end of tnis season not left to the last minute.

4 minutes ago, StringerBellend said:

Genuine question, if we don’t make the 6 this year, do you give him next year? 

I dunno.......i hear everyone.....but the situation is a bit like the shite at Boro this season. Monk bought players and went wide eyed and wild in the cash available, but he forgot to build a team; he bought individuals that to this day dont look like a team, just parts that never looked like gelling. 

So in comes Pulis and while i am not a fan of his stylw his is a VERY good organiser and will sorr this out, but he needs to get shot of some that dont want to be at Boro since Monk left and bring in his own players in to the side, Boro are starting to look more coherent now.

I dont like Gombaus style but this still is not his side as he would want it. Yes i would give him another year, i dont think  Popa recruited all that well again.

Unpopular post of the night lol