Taranaki Triple Against Wellington

Santa, Nico and Antonis the difference. Another good match for Baccus.

 

Our season starts here...

Nice try Wellington but you were never going to hack yourselves back into the game.

Let's not get too excited. It was only Wellington. Two bonuses:

 

* We didn't play them into form.

* The game wasn't a draw.

 

 

Great performance for the most part. Dimas is a worry...especially his recklessness with sliding tackles. Agree with some who say our best midfield might be Baccus, Antonis & Nichols.

 

Speaking of Baccus, I think his form of late is showing that loosing Andreu might not have been such a disaster. I think there is a bit of revisionism with him...he wasn't that great during the 2nd half of last season. Even at his best, I don't think he was as good as Baccus has been recently. There, I said it. Baccus is a lot more proactive, as is Antonis.

 

Can't see Antonis losing his place, so Butters either has to replace Dimas (unlikely) or Jumpei (my preferred option) or sit on the bench. Definitely look a different side with Baccus, Antonis, Nico & Santa combining.

 

How good is Santa? Does anyone have the overall league stats for goals per minute played?

Top (half) of the table! 

 

Antonis was great. Not sure how to fit him and Nichols in. I'm guessing Baccus on bench and Antonis to sit deeper.

Let's not get too excited. It was only Wellington. Two bonuses:

* We didn't play them into form.

* The game wasn't a draw.

And we are back in the top 6 legitimately with a win.

In the next round the 4 teams currently fighting for the 5 and 6 spots play the following team

Perth (24 pts) play Adelaide away

Wanderers (21 pts) play Mariners at home

Jets (20 pts) play tards at home

Nix (19 pts) play smurfs away on Thursday

I thought we played very well but I am also aware that they played a much more open game and didn't have the defensive midfield set up that has troubled us.  Whilst they looked to counter they weren't as tight at the back or as aggressive in pressing.

Tied to that we played faster out and moved the ball better but also had a little more time than against SFC and Roar.

In essence their game suited us and gave us what we needed more than other teams, especially those who have tight defensive structure and quicker transition.  Having said that I think we played better across the park.  Mitch will add to the mix and we do need him.  Against better teams his work rate and movement off the ball, the amount of field he covers and is in everything will be vital.

Antonis was great on the ball but was given the time and space more than recent games.  I think he, Nico and Mitch could be a dynamic trio with Santa/Griffiths up front.  Good signs

I thought we played very well but I am also aware that they played a much more open game and didn't have the defensive midfield set up that has troubled us.  Whilst they looked to counter they weren't as tight at the back or as aggressive in pressing.

Tied to that we played faster out and moved the ball better but also had a little more time than against SFC and Roar.

In essence their game suited us and gave us what we needed more than other teams, especially those who have tight defensive structure and quicker transition.  Having said that I think we played better across the park.  Mitch will add to the mix and we do need him.  Against better teams his work rate and movement off the ball, the amount of field he covers and is in everything will be vital.

Antonis was great on the ball but was given the time and space more than recent games.  I think he, Nico and Mitch could be a dynamic trio with Santa/Griffiths up front.  Good signs

I thought we looked much sharper than previously. But maybe that was the cooler conditions and the motivation factor from all the events during the week. Antonis makes a huge difference as he is a more direct threat on goal and has a good football brain in the middle of the park. That's obvious to see.

 

Still we have to continue this form on next week and win..

We played them off the park really and could have won 5-0.

 

They had a good period after our second goal and that smeltz chance when he was unmarked from a free kick just before half time but the rest of the game was ours.

 

Their defensive organisation was so bad at times it was comical - they really struggled to read and contain the movement of our front 4, their offside trap was a joke and their holding mids allowed Nico and antonis to drift receive the ball between the lines all the time. Worst game I have seen bonavecia play - spent most of his time carrying on with the ref.

 

I thought we defended from the front really well - pressing hard when we lost possession so they couldn't play forward. It meant the back 4 didn't have much to deal with - except for poor Hamill who looked like he was on roller skates trying to defend barbarousses.

 

No borda, no problems

We played them off the park really and could have won 5-0.

They had a good period after our second goal and that smeltz chance when he was unmarked from a free kick just before half time but the rest of the game was ours.

Their defensive organisation was so bad at times it was comical - they really struggled to read and contain the movement of our front 4, their offside trap was a joke and their holding mids allowed Nico and antonis to drift receive the ball between the lines all the time. Worst game I have seen bonavecia play - spent most of his time carrying on with the ref.

I thought we defended from the front really well - pressing hard when we lost possession so they couldn't play forward. It meant the back 4 didn't have much to deal with - except for poor Hamill who looked like he was on roller skates trying to defend barbarousses.

No borda, no problems

They improved with Finkler on but why is he a bench player now

Top (half) of the table! 

 

Antonis was great. Not sure how to fit him and Nichols in. I'm guessing Baccus on bench and Antonis to sit deeper.

Benching Baccus?? Are you crazy?

With Dimas on 7 yellows I'd be giving him a rest next week and include Baccus, Antonis and Nichols (if fit) in the starting line-up.

Always fun in the away bay against the Nix

 

Great to see our best performance of the season live

With Dimas on 7 yellows I'd be giving him a rest next week and include Baccus, Antonis and Nichols (if fit) in the starting line-up.

Is he the only one on 7 or 4?

 

With Dimas on 7 yellows I'd be giving him a rest next week and include Baccus, Antonis and Nichols (if fit) in the starting line-up.

Is he the only one on 7 or 4?

He's definitely on 7. Need to save him for the derby.

Always fun in the away bay against the Nix

 

Great to see our best performance of the season live

How was the walk back to Wellington?

Were you made to sleep on the lounge?

Great win, but it is one that is only as good as what we do against CCM next week. If we are any chance, we need to prove we can string back to back games together.

Edited February 4, 2017 by nmh94

2 wins on the trot? Look at this madman!

I'm the only one on the yellow fever bus this morning back to wellington smiling and having a celebratory beer Jacko!!

I'm the only one on the yellow fever bus this morning back to wellington smiling and having a celebratory beer Jacko!!

How many ended up in the away bay? Three?

 

Antonis > Nichols ?

 

 

With Dimas on 7 yellows I'd be giving him a rest next week and include Baccus, Antonis and Nichols (if fit) in the starting line-up.

Is he the only one on 7 or 4?

He's definitely on 7. Need to save him for the derby.

 

 

Or let him play & get another slice of cheese, so he misses the Derby 

 

 

 

With Dimas on 7 yellows I'd be giving him a rest next week and include Baccus, Antonis and Nichols (if fit) in the starting line-up.

Is he the only one on 7 or 4?

He's definitely on 7. Need to save him for the derby.

 

 

Or let him play & get another slice of cheese, so he misses the Derby 

 

Ouch !!

I would like to make a comment on the way we played. Best example i can use is Antonis. He really impressed with his first 90 mins. He is different than Nichols in regards to his pressing he goes when other team mates are also pressing and anticipates rather than forces mistakes but i think it was more from Popa instruction than the player himself.

The whole team seemed to really double team and anticipate Pheonix errors which led to our chances but Antonis did it the most efficiently.

I think building on the defensive imrovements could lead us to the top 6 it will be interesting how we go into next week's game

I actually liked Antonis... hes a bit more direct than Nichols and doesnt try too hard either.

I think he is just smarter in his defensive duties. He looks to see where he can make the most damage defensively rather than forcing the mistake like Nichols does

somethings been off with Nichols of late. When he fires up and plays well the whole team lifts. But he's been quite poor.  

Very satisfied with Antonis taking his place so far.

If there was a way to sum up the whole game via action, it's that hug between Santa and Antonis after the 3rd goal. Magic. 

If there was a way to sum up the whole game via action, it's that hug between Santa and Antonis after the 3rd goal. Magic.

Add to that the hug between Santa and Popa when Santa got subbed. To me it showed how important the win was and not just for the 3 points.

If we don't make the top 4 I'd rather finish 6th than 5th. That way if we get past our first knockout game we play the smurfs away not Victory. Knocking them out at their mansion would be unbelievable

If we don't make the top 4 I'd rather finish 6th than 5th. That way if we get past our first knockout game we play the smurfs away not Victory. Knocking them out at their mansion would be unbelievable

But, unless I'm mistaken, that would mean playing the Grand final interstate. If we finish 5th and we both win all knockout matches this would mean us meeting in the Grandfinal in Sydney!