Squad Development 2024/25

[StringerBellend]

Ok watch the goal against CCM, and explain to me why Stajic is so reluctant to play Mata.

Oh yes he doesn't run up and down enough

Anyway on to Auckland, no travel excuse for that one.

hopefully home win #3

Edited January 21 by StringerBellend

[Davo]

15 hours ago, MathyouWSW said:

He might be already gone. 

When the NPL NSW announced the Wanderers NPL squad for this upcoming season, he was not mentioned. Tristan Vidackovic and Lucas Sinnott were the only two goalkeepers mentioned.

The club tweeted this yesterday which had a conspicuous absence.

 

[SBW]

15 hours ago, Del12 said:

I can't work out your logic. It's clear majority of the squad isn't good enough to keep, especially with a number of them on multi year deals so a complete overhaul on a salary cap + tight budget with lederer stepping down means you have to manage what's in front of you. Staj manages to get this weak team to 8th so far with a few unlucky results and strong performances against top 6 sides away. He can get his tactics wrong at times but again as stated, it's a weak squad so flexibility in tactics is going to be minimal. If you dont like the guy thats fine, but you can't ignore what he's had to manage walking in and fixing the mess left by the previous coach. Have we forgotten the way we limped into the last few games last season already, that team was an absolute mess in the end. 

Our squad isn't weak, its a squad that is good enough to win games and we should be at least in the top 6 at this stage of the season, my issue is that Stajcic has no structure or balance with his tactics which has often left us exposed at the back and regardless we get an experienced CB, that itself will not resolve any of the issues we have with our defence.

Stajcic is determined to play a fast transition, quick counter attack football with no build up in plays, its just the matter of getting the ball to the other end and score.

[Davo]

 

[StringerBellend]

16 minutes ago, SBW said:

Our squad isn't weak, its a squad that is good enough to win games and we should be at least in the top 6 at this stage of the season, my issue is that Stajcic has no structure or balance with his tactics which has often left us exposed at the back and regardless we get an experienced CB, that itself will not resolve any of the issues we have with our defence.

Stajcic is determined to play a fast transition, quick counter attack football with no build up in plays, its just the matter of getting the ball to the other end and score.

He also insists on a 2 man midfield against teams that have 3 in there. So teams pour through us. We are half way through the season and he still hasn't worked out how or where to play the best technical player in the league. 

There is no way that squad should be 8th and only won 2 home games. 

Limited squad or not, he could try a 3 man midfield.

Sure the squad has some issues (although the "Naysayers" get smashed for saying some players are crap, so which is it?) but every A League squad does, it's a salary capped league. Last game had Sapsford, Mata 
 

Do we really think that our squad shouldn't be beating that mariners squad at home, or the bulls, or roar? 

Also this is total deja-vu the Staj needs more time he is inheriting a mess that wasn't his doing... .. it's exactly the same thing that was said about Gumby, Babel, Carlo and Rudan. 

Last game had Sapsford, Milanovic and Mata on the bench, Juan Mata ffs! I'd think most teams in the A League would be happy with that weak squad

[StringerBellend]

3 minutes ago, Davo said:

 

bench player at best, doesn't run enough...

Yours 

A Stajic

[GunnerWanderer]

16 hours ago, Legionista said:

So when will the clean up be complete?

When Lederer finally departs the club 

[Sithslayer1991]

1 hour ago, SBW said:

Our squad isn't weak, its a squad that is good enough to win games and we should be at least in the top 6 at this stage of the season, my issue is that Stajcic has no structure or balance with his tactics which has often left us exposed at the back and regardless we get an experienced CB, that itself will not resolve any of the issues we have with our defence.

Stajcic is determined to play a fast transition, quick counter attack football with no build up in plays, its just the matter of getting the ball to the other end and score.

I can't see how we are top 6 with that CDM and CB pairing plus Clisby. I can't see how anyone tipped us to be in the top 4. Scicluna sort of helped as in CDM, but CB pairing was always going to be an issue without Marcelo. I remember one team said we were a Brillante suspension or injury to be Jets level with the defence.

Last year showed us what would happen when we were without Marcelo. Even at 37 and ageing legs the guy was holding our defence together with nothing more than pure will. He called it quits, we didn't replace and defence is shipping goals because we lack a leader. We are exactly where we should be until this has been addressed and the club is at least trying to get players.

I have a sneaky suspicion we may be one of the clubs chasing Gethin Jones because he can play CB. (Have no source other than trust me bro)

[SBW]

6 minutes ago, Sithslayer1991 said:

I can't see how we are top 6 with that CDM and CB pairing plus Clisby. I can't see how anyone tipped us to be in the top 4. Scicluna sort of helped as in CDM, but CB pairing was always going to be an issue without Marcelo. I remember one team said we were a Brillante suspension or injury to be Jets level with the defence.

Last year showed us what would happen when we were without Marcelo. Even at 37 and ageing legs the guy was holding our defence together with nothing more than pure will. He called it quits, we didn't replace and defence is shipping goals because we lack a leader. We are exactly where we should be until this has been addressed and the club is at least trying to get players.

I have a sneaky suspicion we may be one of the clubs chasing Gethin Jones because he can play CB. (Have no source other than trust me bro)

Some A-League clubs are playing 16 and 17 year old as CBs and are just doing just fine, Western Utd is a good example of this. It all comes down tactics and how the team is set up. An experienced CB may improve things for us but even the way how Staj has set up the team with a 4-2-4 formation, its not guaranteed that this will stop the goals leaking in

[Sithslayer1991]

1 hour ago, SBW said:

Some A-League clubs are playing 16 and 17 year old as CBs and are just doing just fine, Western Utd is a good example of this. It all comes down tactics and how the team is set up. An experienced CB may improve things for us but even the way how Staj has set up the team with a 4-2-4 formation, its not guaranteed that this will stop the goals leaking in

If you are using Western United as the example they have Angus Thurgate in midfield who is better than Brillante and Tomoki Imai at CB.

Adelaide had Isias at CB at one point and now have Bart Vriends as experience, and check out how well Sydney FC is doing relying on a 20 year old as their pillar of defence. Despite having an overall good squad the Smurfs are struggling without an experienced defender to shore up the backline with the high press.

Melbourne City have Souprayen next to Kai Trewin, Mariners had Kaltak next to Triantis and Hall and the last 2 seasons before Sainsbury came in.

 

[mack]

5 hours ago, Davo said:

The club tweeted this yesterday which had a conspicuous absence

Harper is still only 19 years old so he might be one of the keepers for the U20 squad (with Sinnot competing for that U20 position and the sub NPL team place).

There's an NPL trial match at Rooty Hill vs APIA tonight at 5pm apparently.

[SBW]

Return of the Mo confirmed

 

[bozwanderer]

13 minutes ago, SBW said:

Return of the Mo confirmed

 

Now just under 3 weeks of window to go. Still 1 visa spot open 

[bozwanderer]

On 22/01/2025 at 4:00 PM, mack said:

Harper is still only 19 years old so he might be one of the keepers for the U20 squad (with Sinnot competing for that U20 position and the sub NPL team place).

There's an NPL trial match at Rooty Hill vs APIA tonight at 5pm apparently.

Nothing changed from last season's NPL squad listings yet.

As some of the NPL academy coaches have changed from last season.

Last season the youngest Baccus Brother Kade was in the under 18s

[Themumf79]

There is one glaring obvious weakness and we haven’t addressed it. Yet.

[bozwanderer]

10 minutes ago, Themumf79 said:

There is one glaring obvious weakness and we haven’t addressed it. Yet.

CB which 3 weeks left.

Plus major european leagues close 3 February. So still some time after that say if a player at EU club doesn't get moved on, opens potential opportunity for a loan deal in that 9 day difference to Aleague window closing

[Bangaverage]

Don’t think any new CB’s coming, Brillante back there this week and I think with mo coming in that Brillante will stay there for a while

[bozwanderer]

7 minutes ago, Bangaverage said:

Don’t think any new CB’s coming, Brillante back there this week and I think with mo coming in that Brillante will stay there for a while

still 3 weeks of window to go

[Paul01]

Victory has officially entered the quest to sign Degenek 

[LetsPele]

On 22/01/2025 at 12:24 PM, Sithslayer1991 said:

I can't see how we are top 6 with that CDM and CB pairing plus Clisby. I can't see how anyone tipped us to be in the top 4. Scicluna sort of helped as in CDM, but CB pairing was always going to be an issue without Marcelo. I remember one team said we were a Brillante suspension or injury to be Jets level with the defence.

Last year showed us what would happen when we were without Marcelo. Even at 37 and ageing legs the guy was holding our defence together with nothing more than pure will. He called it quits, we didn't replace and defence is shipping goals because we lack a leader. We are exactly where we should be until this has been addressed and the club is at least trying to get players.

I have a sneaky suspicion we may be one of the clubs chasing Gethin Jones because he can play CB. (Have no source other than trust me bro)

Our squad, with a 4:5:1 formation. Should be top 6. 

Injuries to Jeung, Cleur, and Thomas haven't helped.

[LetsPele]

On 22/01/2025 at 2:25 PM, Sithslayer1991 said:

If you are using Western United as the example they have Angus Thurgate in midfield who is better than Brillante and Tomoki Imai at CB.

Adelaide had Isias at CB at one point and now have Bart Vriends as experience, and check out how well Sydney FC is doing relying on a 20 year old as their pillar of defence. Despite having an overall good squad the Smurfs are struggling without an experienced defender to shore up the backline with the high press.

Melbourne City have Souprayen next to Kai Trewin, Mariners had Kaltak next to Triantis and Hall and the last 2 seasons before Sainsbury came in.

 

Angus thurgate is a decent player. He ain't better than Brillante. 

[102megan]

6 hours ago, LetsPele said:

Angus thurgate is a decent player. He ain't better than Brillante. 

IMHO Thurgate is absolutely better than Brilliante. 
 

He has creativity, and knows more moves than the negative football play of playing out from the black. 

[Upthehill]

2 hours ago, 102megan said:

IMHO Thurgate is absolutely better than Brilliante. 
 

He has creativity, and knows more moves than the negative football play of playing out from the black. 

Brillante probably has him pipped for defensive work. Thurgate is a significantly better player on the ball

[immortalshogun]

8 hours ago, LetsPele said:

Angus thurgate is a decent player. He ain't better than Brillante. 

Thurgate kills us everytime he plays against us. Would love to have him in our team.

[Sithslayer1991]

Thurgate's an all rounder midfielder that has more to his game. Brillante is a defender that plays in the midfield and his form depends on the guy next to him

10 hours ago, LetsPele said:

Our squad, with a 4:5:1 formation. Should be top 6. 

Injuries to Jeung, Cleur, and Thomas haven't helped.

I respect your opinion, but I don't think Jeong fit would have helped us. The games he did play he was outmuscled, lost every duel in the air and was out of position Bonetig had to cover him. He got better yes but its almost like he was shocked how good the A-league was.

Thomas I agree would have helped in those first 5 games, especially against Adelaide the first time. I think Cleur is more on Staj, still not sure the level of fitness Simmons is at but he doesn't seem to want to play him at RB for some reason.

[William]

12 hours ago, Paul01 said:

Victory has officially entered the quest to sign Degenek 

Betcha Sydney FC are also bidding for him after Selling Mathews and they will offer top dollar or above even if they are probably already overspending the salary cap.

[StringerBellend]

3 hours ago, immortalshogun said:

Thurgate kills us everytime he plays against us. Would love to have him in our team.

So did Jason Hoffman, I wouldn't want him  

 

[StringerBellend]

2 hours ago, Sithslayer1991 said:

Thurgate's an all rounder midfielder that has more to his game. Brillante is a defender that plays in the midfield and his form depends on the guy next to him

I respect your opinion, but I don't think Jeong fit would have helped us. The games he did play he was outmuscled, lost every duel in the air and was out of position Bonetig had to cover him. He got better yes but its almost like he was shocked how good the A-league was.

Thomas I agree would have helped in those first 5 games, especially against Adelaide the first time. I think Cleur is more on Staj, still not sure the level of fitness Simmons is at but he doesn't seem to want to play him at RB for some reason.

This

Thomas being out was a massive issue and worth a few points.. e.g. the Adelaide at home fiasco.

Cleur being out weakens the backline for sure, although he seems to be this year taking the Tarore award for giving needless free kicks away

Simmons hasn't hit full fitness but it really looks like Staj doesn't see him as a right back. 

Jeong was a disaster zone before the injury so nothing so far shows that he would make the team stronger, arguably our defence has been better without him.

Brillante has been decent this year, the problem (and just my opinion) is that having him and Priestman in a 2 man midfield means we actually have nobody to take the ball from the Centre Backs and move it forward. 

For that reason Sciuluna (and also because of his sexual goals) being out is the biggest issue, and totally valid reason for some of Staj and WSW struggles. That said it looked like we solved it the other week putting Mata in there with Priestman, and Brilante in at centre back, for whatever reason Staj didn't agree and so moved it all round again for the Mariners game reintroducing both issues.

[LetsPele]

5 hours ago, Upthehill said:

Brillante probably has him pipped for defensive work. Thurgate is a significantly better player on the ball

There's a reason Thurgate has played for the Jets and Western while Brillante went from the Jets to Sydney, to Melbourne City, then Melbourne Victory. He also played Seria B and was transferred to a Seria A club. He's also been picked for the Australian men's team. 

Granted Thurgate is younger, and yes he is a talented player (he played for the Joey's at some point), but he simply ain't a better player than Brillante was or is.

Brillante has simply become a scapegoat for our poor performances. Every mistake amplified and his toil and hard work forgotten.

I would not swap Brillante for Thurgate. 

[LetsPele]

5 hours ago, Sithslayer1991 said:

Thurgate's an all rounder midfielder that has more to his game. Brillante is a defender that plays in the midfield and his form depends on the guy next to him

I respect your opinion, but I don't think Jeong fit would have helped us. The games he did play he was outmuscled, lost every duel in the air and was out of position Bonetig had to cover him. He got better yes but its almost like he was shocked how good the A-league was.

Thomas I agree would have helped in those first 5 games, especially against Adelaide the first time. I think Cleur is more on Staj, still not sure the level of fitness Simmons is at but he doesn't seem to want to play him at RB for some reason.

Same (respect).

Re Thurgate/Brillante: see my other post.

Jeung: agree to some extent, but Jeung is better than most people suggest. Away against Sydney, Staj left Jeung one on one against their striker defending long balls (repeatedly). Sydney exploited this cause they knew we'd continue with our largely ineffective press. Jeong still did a great job shutting their striker out. A large amount of our defensive frailties come back to the way Staj sets the team up. 4:5:1 strengthens our spine, gives us width, saturates the midfield, and provides defensive cover.