spectacular291

Updated - cheers!

Haha thanks for that. - I kept confusing Keogh with Taggart

Sorry Paul, I missed this last night. I like the idea of a number ten playing in behind Taggart. I feel they've been missing that the last couple of weeks as service to Taggart can be difficult for the Roar to create. I felt in the second half against Perth that McKay, Kristensen and Bauthéac (coming in more centrally) was creating better link up play to find opportunities around Perth's two holding midfielders. It'll be interesting if they replicate that against us as our DM's and back line is our weak spot currently. I felt O'Toole had a good game against the Phoenix. To pull him out as a result of a performance against Perth (guessing here) may be harsh as Perth is probably the best at the moment in going down the wings (Davidson, Franjic, Ikonomidis, etc.). I'm more concerned by Pepper as a centre back. Keogh was able to pull him out of position constantly in their match last week and I have no doubts that Riera could do the same. In terms of formation; if Roar go to a 4-4-1-1 - it doesn't tell me how the midfield will transition in attack or defence. With Kristensen & Lopez being the CM there - it may leave the Roar back line exposed in a counter. I'd maybe even go McKay as he can break up play and his a bit rougher too. I'll wait and see.

How To Beat: Brisbane Roar (rd 4) https://www.aroundthebloc.com.au/how-to-beat-brisbane-roar/

707 – Win in the Wind On this week’s episode the ATB team discuss the first win of the 2018/19 season in Wellington. We speculate that Babbel consumes our content with his approach to the Nix game. We also look towards our match in Mudgee against a vulnerable Brisbane Roar. This is Around the Bloc. https://www.aroundthebloc.com.au/707-win-in-the-wind/

How To Beat: Wellington Phoenix (rd 3) https://www.aroundthebloc.com.au/how-to-beat-wellington-phoenix/

705 – Point Taken This week we offer our ideas on how to improve the Western Stand of Western Sydney Stadium and discuss the tough away draw to Popa’s Perth Glory. We also look towards the W-League season kicking off this week with a Sydney Derby followed by the A-League Sydney Derby at the SCG. This is Around the Bloc. https://www.aroundthebloc.com.au/705-point-taken/

It's refreshing to see any Manager tell it how it is.

703 – Riff Derby The team gets together to discuss the FFA Cup Semi Final loss to Sydney FC. We discuss what went wrong and if any positives can be taken from the defeat. This is Around the Bloc. https://www.aroundthebloc.com.au/703-riff-derby/

I know this may be at the risk of the ol' ban hammer but I felt Sotirio was solid on Saturday night. Seemed to use his speed effectively; put pressure on Sydney's defence and forced them to change their switch a couple of times - knew when to pressure. Also seemed to be making the right run (pending quality of the pass) on the attack and had SFC chasing him for long periods. He also stretched their defence. Understandably subbed off around the 60' min due to how much running he was doing. I was impressed. Defensively - why we persist with playing long passes when we're building out from the back is beyond me (especially in our own half). I feel like a broken record - Baccus needs to drop in to the hole between Hamill & Elrich OR Hamill & Elrich need to be closer together with Baccus being the point in front (creating a triangle) to help the passing and transition. Late in the second half, Sydney FC were doing this with their backs and just passing out of harm's way. We were still persisting in playing a long ball between Hamill & Elrich when Sydney FC had been putting pressure on them to lose the ball - where what happened; creates an immediate counter. Also having two close CB's that are a little bit deeper than the LB & RB (typical) can suck in Sydney's forward line and create passing lines and space behind. I have no problem using the width in going forward, but Baccus & Grozos need to be the second option for the LB & RB when penetrating (again creating a triangle) not just Bonevacia or Majok - without them being that option there - it makes the wing so much more narrow to penetrate. Also having the 6 or the 8 a bit more centrally as an option for the LB or RB to pass too puts the opposition in two minds (are they going wide to Majok/Sotirio or are they going to centrally with Baumjohann). Without that linch being there - it's very predictable and as always - its easier to close down the wing than going through the middle. The second half; Sydney FC went out to dominate the middle of the park and they achieved that - they put a 'square' of four players that set out to dominate; it worked. They didn't need to go down the wings as countering through the middle was far more effective & fruitful. It closed Baumjohann's passing lanes (if he got the ball) and made it difficult to pass to him from either Grozos or Baccus. What was disappointing was that we persisted in going down the wings (which would be the obvious to do given Sydney's imperative to dominate the middle of the park along with Rhyan Grant getting forward as a wingback creating space behind) but rather - we could've brought Bonevacia & Majok more centrally when we had possession in their half and utilise a closer 3 behind Riera. This coupled along with the overlap of Llorente & Risdon going down the wings to stretch the CB pairing of Sydney may have created opportunities for Baumjohann to open up and find Riera. Nice to say in hindsight and sounds great in my head but who knows in real life. Risdon had a completely off game - I was furious with him at the time. His timing of his runs was poor, held the ball for a second longer than he should've when passing earlier was required and should've gone near post with THAT opportunity. I haven't seen a disjointed of a performance as I did with Risdon on Saturday night. Grozos couldn't get in the game. He isn't an 8 but I understand why he was played there due to injuries. I think the overall injuries to our squad dictated that formation that we were never going to get a solid line up given who was available for selection.

Yes.

Champions League Card or Normal Card?

Will probably come out soon when the kits been announced, etc.

I fought tooth and nail every day since that bastard #blackshortsin reared its ugly head over the hill in the far distance. I smirched at the prospect - giggled even - then went about my ways ruling the land that White Shorts In provided us. Then that one stormy night - I wake up to see the #blackshortsin was non longer on the hill in the distance... it was nearer! And some of the followers of White Shorts In felt the grass was greener and THEY ADOPTED BLACK SHORTS IN! Again, I felt this was a phase... in hindsight, I should have known better... I SHOULD'VE PREPARED! BUT HOW COULD I - IT WAS A FAR-FETCHED IDEA - SOMETHING THAT THE MASSES WOULD FLIRT WITH LIKE AN ALL PINK THIRD KIT! So I went about my way and continued grazing the crops that White Shorts In so delightfully provided us with; rich vegetables and fruits for all the land to indulge! Then... THEN... As I was nobly paying my grace to the beautiful White Shorts In land provided to me - that BASTARD #BLACKSHORTSIN NOW CONTROLLED THE MASSES AND THE LAST FLAG BEING THE CLUB. OUR KIT SUCCUMBED TO A DISGRACE AND THE EXPECTED RESULTS FOLLOWED. HOW COULD I BE SO BLIND! I stay resillient and I graze the beautiful land that White Shorts In gave us... the righteous fruits of the ACL & the delicious vegetables of domestic success - praying and hoping for its return... I now look at the peak of the hill I once notice #blackshortsin rear its ugly head and I await my white shorts knight in armour to come back and take its rightful claim!

I long fought for white shorts since the first #blackshortsin nonsense popped up