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  • Piovaccari Scores! City Smashed!

    mack

    By mack

    Federico Piovaccari scored his first goal in the Red & Black in a 3-0 rout of Melbourne City

     

    The evolution of the Wanderers continued in Round 6 of the A-League in Melbourne, and Western Sydney broke the shackles in front of goal with a storming second half, as Mark Bridge, Piovaccari and Mitch Nichols all hit the back of the net.

     

    Andrew Redmayne provided the best chance of the half for his former side, with a dreadful attempt at playing out from the back across the face of his own goal, he found City winger Harry Novillo. Fortunately instead of a first time shot, Novillo took enough touches that Redmayne could scramble back to smother his shot.

     

    Mere moments after the break, Mitch Nichols scored for the second game on the trot. The outstanding right flank combination of Vidosic & Neville got in behind the City defence, with Nichols having ghosted to the back post he was unmarked and couldn't miss from point blank range.

     

    Vidosic & Neville combined once again, assisted by some sub-standard officiating and a Melbourne City defence that decided to stop playing, Piovaccari had his long awaited goal. Neville was lucky enough to knock a pass against a City defender, while Vidosic was in an offside position he was not involved in the play itself, and the referee correctly allowed play to continue. Piovaccari kept playing and Neville found the Italian striker unmarked.

     

    Mark Bridge shut the game down as a contest in the 84th minute with yet another tap-in. Jaushua Sotirio worked enough space to get a shot away only to see it screw wide off the boot. Happily for Bridge it rolled into a perfect position between the City defence and keeper, Bridge knocking home his 50th goal in the A-League.

     

    After an early season of frustration, the Wanderers look like they've got a groove going. Andreu absolutely dominated the Mooy-less midfield of Melbourne, Topor-Stanley played more like Matthew Spiranovic in the heart of defence and Piovaccari finally getting on the scoreboard. Western Sydney are up to 3rd place on the A-League ladder and regardless of other results will stay in the top 6 after the weekend.

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    SomeGuy1977

    Great game, great result. City were poor. A dominant display by WSW that, for a change, was reflected in the score. The number of school boy errors are getting fewer too and they didn't cost us goals (also for a change). Thank you work for making it possible for me to be there by covering my travel costs!!

     

    I am interested to see the referees analysis as to why the Pio's goal stood. Hopefully they discuss it in the news letter (really enjoyed reading that, even though BW usually gives me cancer). From the replay it does looks like Dario was seeking an advantage from an offside position when the ball is played, but the defender cut off the pass and the advantage was denied. Offside is determined when the ball is played, so did the linesman get it right? Interesting stuff.

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    Zelinsky
    • Popular Comment

    In the last five matches we conceded one goal worth mentioning (Ninkovic). Other than that: one own goal, and one was offside. Quite remarkable, as Alberto has been out for most of the games, and according to some we don't have a No 1 goal keeper.

     

    We have control in midfield, fast wing backs, and have plenty of players who can score goals. City were bad because of us playing well, and we might even be getting the hang of closing out games. Last season we were flat in the last 20 minutes, this year we are the ones who have more petrol left in the tank.

     

    We don't need to fear anyone, and if or once Pio becomes good we'll be a force.

     

    As for the nay sayers, keyboard warriors, wise cracks, popa-out proponents, black painters, glass half emptiers, impatient Gen Z facebookers, and other misery gutses: see you around next time we lose a game.

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    MartinTyler
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    Wow! That's why most of us are armchair critics and few of us are football coaches whilst only one of us is Tony Popovic. I can't hear Popa's critics sing I can't hear Popa's critics sing...

    Open your eyes and ears. Popa critics are still there and with good reason. 3 games is only 3 games. Still has a lot to prove. I hope he can do it!

     

    EDIT: In before the "you can't open your ears comments." It's a figure of speech ;)

     

    Still has a lot to prove? **** me what more do you want from our brief history? Arguably we're playing our best football since inception !!

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    dmixtaaa
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    Wow! That's why most of us are armchair critics and few of us are football coaches whilst only one of us is Tony Popovic. I can't hear Popa's critics sing I can't hear Popa's critics sing...

    Open your eyes and ears. Popa critics are still there and with good reason. 3 games is only 3 games. Still has a lot to prove. I hope he can do it!

     

    EDIT: In before the "you can't open your ears comments." It's a figure of speech ;)

     

    WTF?  :smurfnono:

     

    Popa has nothing to prove. His record speaks for itself and any of the other 9 HAL gaffers can only dream of his resume.  :xnod:

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    marron

    Dario was seeking an advantage from an offside position when the ball is played, but the defender cut off the pass and the advantage was denied.

    That's the answer isn't it?

     

    He didn't receive the ball, got nowhere near it, and as a result he's nor interfering with play. The defender went after him sure but because the ball didn't get through its immaterial, no advantage was gained by us (the only advantage we got was city players switching off but that's not our problem, they need to play to the whistle)

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    eggs

    As i said in another thread - great result and great performance. We could've had a couple more at the end and I bet popa brought that up.

     

    Redders was getting that bored he was giving himself stuff to do. Good recovery from a complete brain snap. Also a good save from that free kick in the 2nd half, his shot stopping is very good and everything else is improving.

     

    Mitch is an early contender for Player of the Year, so bloody consistent.

     

    Lets hope Pio continues with more goals now he's off the mark.

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    marron

     

     

     

     

    Wow! That's why most of us are armchair critics and few of us are football coaches whilst only one of us is Tony Popovic. I can't hear Popa's critics sing I can't hear Popa's critics sing...

    Open your eyes and ears. Popa critics are still there and with good reason. 3 games is only 3 games. Still has a lot to prove. I hope he can do it!

     

    EDIT: In before the "you can't open your ears comments." It's a figure of speech ;)

    Still has a lot to prove? ***** me what more do you want from our brief history? Arguably we're playing our best football since inception !!

    The change in style is remarkable and demonstrates he's no one trick pony. I'm loving watching it. When without an in form striker as well.

    City were rubbish though it has to be said.

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    Redwog
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    On the Piovaccari issue, perhaps we should take our lead from Popa and the boys on the pitch. They looked pretty happy for Piovaccari. Popa gave him a hug, Fathead and Topor were geeing him up. It's great to see leaders go to him and support him. If he was lazy, overpaid and toxic, he'd not get the love from his team-mates.

     

    Piovaccari is in the squad, he wears red and black and the boys have got his back. For now we should too.

     

    3-nil away is great, we are contenders!

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    Chrissy

    What a beautiful morning. Last night was a class act. Andreu is fast becoming my favorite player to watch on the field.

    Neville had his best game yet. He pairs up quite well with Vidosic on the right flank.

    It was also great to see the relief on Pio's face after he scored. Hopefully it will help him build back up his confidence.

    King Mitch was brilliant as always. Captain Fathead scored his 50th goal, and we completely and utterly dominated the whole 90 minutes away from home. It was a very comprehensive trashing. Poor vant schip is getting schiprekt. Stupid plastic team.

    Bring on the Nix next week!

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    SomeGuy1977

     

    Dario was seeking an advantage from an offside position when the ball is played, but the defender cut off the pass and the advantage was denied.

    That's the answer isn't it?

    He didn't receive the ball, got nowhere near it, and as a result he's nor interfering with play. The defender went after him sure but because the ball didn't get through its immaterial, no advantage was gained by us (the only advantage we got was city players switching off but that's not our problem, they need to play to the whistle)

    Maybe it is, but I didn't think the player needed to actually gain an advantage or actually interfere in play to be called offside. Dario is seeking an advantage why he ball is played to him by Neville, which I thought was enough for him to be called offside. The fact that the the defender cuts it off, and that he then pulls away once the rebound is collected is irrelevant.

     

    Look at Pio. He virtually lives in an offside position. A through ball or lob is played in his direction, he's looking for an advantage when he makes his run, and is called for offside (rightly so). If the pass falls short and the defender cuts it off, Pio still looking for the advantage, and is (usually) called for offside. Is this not the same thing?

     

    It's all academic of course. The referee over ruled the linesman, which he's absolutely entitled to do. The City defenders broke the number one rule we're all taught as kids, which is TO PLAY THE WHISTLE!!! Pio gets his tap in and off we go. We'll gather around the water cooler on Monday, and my SFC colleagues will try to give it to me. When I give it back, I want to know if I'm making s**t up and don't have a leg to stand on, or if I'm right.

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    lloydy136

    my understanding of the current interpretation of the rule is that as soon as the player makes a move towards the pass the flag should go up. vidosic doesn't make a move towards the ball.

     

    Also its important to note that the AR doesn't stop play - his flag is a signal to the centre ref who then makes the decision. He did not blow his whistle so playing on at that point is what should have happened if the ref has decided to disregard the flag.

     

    I also should say that I find the 'passive' offside rule to be frustrating and too grey - would be happier (both as a fan and a ref) if we just went back to offside is offside. It is extremely hard for an AR to judge whether someone is interfering with play from the sideline.

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    braad

    my understanding of the current interpretation of the rule is that as soon as the player makes a move towards the pass the flag should go up. vidosic doesn't make a move towards the ball.

     

    Also its important to note that the AR doesn't stop play - his flag is a signal to the centre ref who then makes the decision. He did not blow his whistle so playing on at that point is what should have happened if the ref has decided to disregard the flag.

     

    I also should say that I find the 'passive' offside rule to be frustrating and too grey - would be happier (both as a fan and a ref) if we just went back to offside is offside. It is extremely hard for an AR to judge whether someone is interfering with play from the sideline.

    This.

     

    Vidosic needs to play at the ball.

     

    All those times Pio is called offside is because he plays the ball

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    Neverbloom

    read this on the city forum

     

    Brought a mate down to watch his first game. I just couldn't stop apologizing the whole night.

     

    made me laugh apart from the misspelling of apologising

     

    they have really lost their **** over there, cant fully blame them but at least they are not Adelaide

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    ptwsw

    We won 3 0 away from home and played them off the park can we not just enjoy it. I can't remember the last time we dominated a team like that

    Agreed. Other than Brisbane, we have dominated all the teams we have played since the first game.

    No luck in the final third. I truly believe we have so much more improvement in us compared to the other A League teams.

    Let's all enjoy the ride, something special is brewing. Boy, I love our team. :xbop:  :wub:

     

    Popa haters seem to be quiet, funny this fickle lot can't be big enough to give our coach and his staff the plaudits they deserve, but are very quick to jump on the Popa out bandwagon, on this forum we know who you are, well stick it up your Khyber passes the Wanderers don't deserve supporters like you.

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    Unlimited

    re: offside

     

     

    It's not offside - like, if I'm linesman-ing, I'm looking for whether the person in the offside position is gaining an advantage by being in that position. That means, I think, in this case, are the defenders' decisions changing because the person in the offside position is making them do so?

     

    The left back who blocked the Neville pass wasn't even looking at Vidosic, so I can just read that as a Neville trying to push the ball into some space, Vidosic turned but didn't move towards it, and then rightfully play on.

     

    The commentators were right when they said the linesperson put their flag up too early.

     

     

    Even in good old blacktown, I've been told that if a person makes a pass, to count to myself, "1, 2, 3" and if the player in the offside position is still making a run toward the ball or if I feel the defender has had to change their tactics to deal with the offside person, or if the offside player touches the ball, then flag up. I assume the linesperson will get the same advice.

     

    It's better to flag late than to flag early because as we can see, it just confuses everyone.

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    magicwand

    my understanding of the current interpretation of the rule is that as soon as the player makes a move towards the pass the flag should go up. vidosic doesn't make a move towards the ball.

     

    Also its important to note that the AR doesn't stop play - his flag is a signal to the centre ref who then makes the decision. He did not blow his whistle so playing on at that point is what should have happened if the ref has decided to disregard the flag.

     

    I also should say that I find the 'passive' offside rule to be frustrating and too grey - would be happier (both as a fan and a ref) if we just went back to offside is offside. It is extremely hard for an AR to judge whether someone is interfering with play from the sideline.

    If a player isn't interfering with play then he shouldn't be on the field. Even the winger on the opposite side of the field is keeping a defender occupied/adjusting his position. Every player is interfering with play.

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    MartinTyler

     

    my understanding of the current interpretation of the rule is that as soon as the player makes a move towards the pass the flag should go up. vidosic doesn't make a move towards the ball.

     

    Also its important to note that the AR doesn't stop play - his flag is a signal to the centre ref who then makes the decision. He did not blow his whistle so playing on at that point is what should have happened if the ref has decided to disregard the flag.

     

    I also should say that I find the 'passive' offside rule to be frustrating and too grey - would be happier (both as a fan and a ref) if we just went back to offside is offside. It is extremely hard for an AR to judge whether someone is interfering with play from the sideline.

    If a player isn't interfering with play then he shouldn't be on the field. Even the winger on the opposite side of the field is keeping a defender occupied/adjusting his position. Every player is interfering with play.

     

    That reminds me of a quote from the great Brian Clough !!

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    torcidaSI

     

     

     

    Wow! That's why most of us are armchair critics and few of us are football coaches whilst only one of us is Tony Popovic. I can't hear Popa's critics sing I can't hear Popa's critics sing...

    Open your eyes and ears. Popa critics are still there and with good reason. 3 games is only 3 games. Still has a lot to prove. I hope he can do it!

    EDIT: In before the "you can't open your ears comments." It's a figure of speech ;)

    Still has a lot to prove? ***** me what more do you want from our brief history? Arguably we're playing our best footbI'm all since inception !!

    The change in style is remarkable and demonstrates he's no one trick pony. I'm loving watching it. When without an in form striker as well.

    City were rubbish though it has to be said.

    Quite honestly, Ange Postecoglou should be worried. He (or any other domestic coach for that matter) has nothing on Popa. Postecoglou and Muscat have this philosophy - play possession and field your quickest players (to collect the loose balls when your team are pressured). Without solid defence you won't win a thing against real quality opposition.

     

    City were rubbish because they were trapped by a perfect high press. They had no answer for it. Popa forced them into two half time changes and they were still tactically overrun.

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    Edinburgh

    On the Piovaccari issue, perhaps we should take our lead from Popa and the boys on the pitch. They looked pretty happy for Piovaccari. Popa gave him a hug, Fathead and Topor were geeing him up. It's great to see leaders go to him and support him. If he was lazy, overpaid and toxic, he'd not get the love from his team-mates.

    Piovaccari is in the squad, he wears red and black and the boys have got his back. For now we should too.

    3-nil away is great, we are contenders!

    Spot on

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    montywoodpeg

    He can be in an offside position, even run toward the ball, and still not commit an offence. Similar scenario season 1 with Hersi and Ono in Brisbane, if I'm remembering correctly.

    Ej0HMwp.png

     

    Surely that says it all. If you want to read the whole document, it's available here.

    Edited by montywoodpeg
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    lloydy136

    Love to see all the Topor haters have a go at him based on last night. Had a few nice runs, kept it tight at back, played out from back quite well and almost scored.

     

    Showed he does deserve his place in the team and can play the new style.

     

    Am far from a 'topor hater' but I had my concerns about how he fit in to the new style - especially after that nix friendly.

     

    He was excellent both with and without the ball last night (as he was vs jets) and I am very happy he is proving me wrong because he has done a lot for the club and seems like a good leader

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    marron

     

    Love to see all the Topor haters have a go at him based on last night. Had a few nice runs, kept it tight at back, played out from back quite well and almost scored.

     

    Showed he does deserve his place in the team and can play the new style.

     

    Am far from a 'topor hater' but I had my concerns about how he fit in to the new style - especially after that nix friendly.

     

    He was excellent both with and without the ball last night (as he was vs jets) and I am very happy he is proving me wrong because he has done a lot for the club and seems like a good leader

    Could not agree more.

    I said with the new style I had serious reservations about him being able to play out.

    Has proved me wrong. Couldn't be happier for him.

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