Mark Bridge

 

I reckon benching him would be the wrong move. To me he seemed to start the season a yard or so off the pace. It looked like a fitness issue to be honest but he's not shirking the workload and I see him improving every match.

I agree with you about the fitness thing. Last year he totally banned the booze. Maybe he has the odd beer these days. That can be the difference.

 

He probably enjoyed the off season a little, as long as there is improvement who can begrudge him ....... is going to be a long season.

Purely guess work of course.

It irritates me when people say (not on this thread, just in general) 'We attack down the right mostly cause Bridge sucks'. Clearly Bridge is at his best when Hersi/Polenz/Shinji gets behind the defense on the right and he could cut back to the edge of the box. He must have scored 5 or 6 goals last year from the exact middle of the edge of the box from balls on the right. However this year, the cut back crosses are coming but it's not Bridge on the end of them, more likely La Rocca or Mooy. He's more often towards the far post, and how many times has a cross gone there that he hasn't been in position for. IMO that's not his game, and I'm wondering whether he's doing it because other teams are onto the play now, or maybe because Juric has movement in the box that Dino couldn't really match and he's forced wider. I dunno, but he's not looking at all comfortable in those situations

It irritates me when people say (not on this thread, just in general) 'We attack down the right mostly cause Bridge sucks'. Clearly Bridge is at his best when Hersi/Polenz/Shinji gets behind the defense on the right and he could cut back to the edge of the box. He must have scored 5 or 6 goals last year from the exact middle of the edge of the box from balls on the right. However this year, the cut back crosses are coming but it's not Bridge on the end of them, more likely La Rocca or Mooy. He's more often towards the far post, and how many times has a cross gone there that he hasn't been in position for. IMO that's not his game, and I'm wondering whether he's doing it because other teams are onto the play now, or maybe because Juric has movement in the box that Dino couldn't really match and he's forced wider. I dunno, but he's not looking at all comfortable in those situations

There was a definite lack of positional awareness in the Wellington game that was noticeably better in the games against ESFC Adelaide, plus his work rate was up in defence and attack. Having said that he is undoubtedly not as important to the Wanderers going forward now that Juric and arguably Santalab gives the team more strike power in the centre-right, plus there is less emphasis on someone holding up the ball like Dino used to. For my 2 cents he's about 80% there at the moment in terms of fitness and adaptation to the varied systems in the new team structure, and it'll be interesting to see how he (hopefully) improves over the next few weeks. 

It irritates me when people say (not on this thread, just in general) 'We attack down the right mostly cause Bridge sucks'. Clearly Bridge is at his best when Hersi/Polenz/Shinji gets behind the defense on the right and he could cut back to the edge of the box. He must have scored 5 or 6 goals last year from the exact middle of the edge of the box from balls on the right. However this year, the cut back crosses are coming but it's not Bridge on the end of them, more likely La Rocca or Mooy. He's more often towards the far post, and how many times has a cross gone there that he hasn't been in position for. IMO that's not his game, and I'm wondering whether he's doing it because other teams are onto the play now, or maybe because Juric has movement in the box that Dino couldn't really match and he's forced wider. I dunno, but he's not looking at all comfortable in those situations

nobodys saying he sucks just that he needs to keep improving

I was THERE when Steve McGarry nodded on for Bridgey at Hunter stadium, don't call me a f log.

Bridge got a sense of reality perform or see pine or plastic chair. Should make him hungry again.

Think I read in the paper on Sunday that Bridge himself said he was sick the whole of the week before the Heart game and only trained the Thursday. He was surprised that he was even included in the squad that travelled down to Heart and then play, so not dropped per se.

I was at the Phoenix match and heard for the first time Bridge getting his own chant, was this the first time it has been done at home?

I was at the Phoenix match and heard for the first time Bridge getting his own chant, was this the first time it has been done at home?

AFAIK it's a new initiative. It's not specific to Bridge but for every goal scorer, just a small chant to show our appreciation.

It was only done for Bridge because he was the only one who scored that night.

 

I was at the Phoenix match and heard for the first time Bridge getting his own chant, was this the first time it has been done at home?

AFAIK it's a new initiative. It's not specific to Bridge but for every goal scorer, just a small chant to show our appreciation.

 

It was only done for Bridge because he was the only one who scored that night.

 

Gee the amount of Dino chants last year he must have scored heaps.... ​ 

IMO Bridge really needs to be benched/dropped for a week or two. He's been noticeably average this season.

I'm still baffled why he was given such a long contract.

Was so excited when I saw he'd been dropped. False dawn.

Not a #10

Needs to be benched, or even made as a sub, like Haliti is and Juric was today....

Yeah is off quite badly. Popa has given him enough games to try and find some form it's not happening. Sure he will come good but tonight was his worst game in a Wanderers shirt. Countless mistimed passes and butchered our best chance of the night. Oh well Bridgey work hard but surely can't play on Wednesday.

To his credit played his 3rd game in a week. So credit for that.

Yeah is off quite badly. Popa has given him enough games to try and find some form it's not happening. Sure he will come good but tonight was his worst game in a Wanderers shirt. Countless mistimed passes and butchered our best chance of the night. Oh well Bridgey work hard but surely can't play on Wednesday.

 

To his credit played his 3rd game in a week. So credit for that.

This!!

Time for Popa to put Santa or Labi on the left flank from the start if Tomi is fit, and bench Bridge. Without that second ball feed he had last season MB has fallen far and hard in terms of quality.

Remind me of the Mark Bridge at Sydney FC. Needs a spell on the bench.

Remind me of the Mark Bridge at Sydney FC. Needs a spell on the bench.

He needs something. This is becoming unbearable.

Remind me of the Mark Bridge at Sydney FC. Needs a spell on the bench.

No, he's still trying here.

things have been great but its not due to a lack of effort, as long as he is still in a wanderers jersey i will support him but he had a very poor game last night

on the plus side he did have a chance he butchered but to give him credit he did anticipate that the pass would get there and got in a great position but the 2nd touch was horrible

What a great goal from the head last night!

I think he has picked up his game in the past few matches

What a great goal from the head last night!

I think he has picked up his game in the past few matches

He was horrible in the first half last night. Touch of an elephant, terrible passing and positioning. But then after that goal, all of a sudden seemed to be guiding the team. Don't know what happened (confidence, understanding) but was great to see. 

Confidence player if I've ever seen one.

He hasn't been the best this year and never actually hit momentum, but I really loved that header last night. Pure class, killer instinct.

no bridge for the final

I think this is a popa mind games with everyone here...

He has been left out of the squad but on the channel nein news it said that he trained today and being left out if the squad doesn't mean he will miss the final!

pretty harsh

Bridgey got married in the offseason.

Congratulations!!

Bridgey got married in the offseason.

 

Congratulations!!

How are we only finding out about this now?!

Are there any pics from the wedding??? #GirlyPost 

 

 

Bridgey got married in the offseason.

 

Congratulations!!

How are we only finding out about this now?!

 

Are there any pics from the wedding??? #GirlyPost

Just saw in a video on the app called "a day in the life of Mark Bridge"

(The actual video was just following him around at the launch today + just him being generally awkward in front of the camera.)

But yeah, he was showing off his ring and gave the jeweller a plug.

Would love to see some snaps. I love weddings!