Yeah impressed with Davies. A few heavy touches but pretty good for first game. Jamieson played well. And good to have Thwaite back. Looking forward to having Gallas and Thwaite.

McGarry was a lot better after a bad start to the game, but might still want O'Niel there first. Want to see what he'd be like starting in that spot.

we havent been bad at producing right backs. i hope risdon doesnt suffer the same fate as neville now haha. having thwaite back was immense.

Need to fill up the south stand too. Maybe sell the tickets for that stand cheaper so it's not empty.

Mostly agree with you, but I'm not sure about Sidnei. He seems to have a big bag of tricks that for the most part, don't work (seemed to always be trying a little trick or flick that failed because a defender got a foot in). That said, I don't entirely hate that in an attacking sense - it's only got to work once to create an opportunity.

Yeah - I did say to a friend today that he needs to try to exploit the channels more. But then again he's already provided two assists this season and was desperately unlucky not to get a third today, as two crosses were heading right to Ryo's head only to take a deflection (I'm thinking that's a training ground move - Sidnei goes deep, crosses from the line, Ryo is at far post to head in. Worked against Adelaide.)

Sidnei tries stuff that doesn't always come off, but he has shown each game that he can beat players in dangerous areas, even starting off flat footed. I also like that he seems to be very focused with his crossing, he holds it up until he has an option and almost all of his crosses go close to a target.

I think the entire side needs to work in the channels more. We are starting to do it a bit, but there is still too much long ball wide to the wingers and hoping that short stuff Maclaren can get on the end of one. Maclaren has battled hard and I don't think he's had all that much service as yet. Hope he gets some more time after Smeltz comes back to work with the side as the side develops through the season. Right now, it looks like we are a bit tentative, trying to execute things in a controlled way. This is good early doors, but hope to see more expansive play and passing as time goes on.

I don't think we'll lose the long wide ball - was very common under Edwards last season, and again at the start of this one. Problem is though that neither McGarry or Burns, or even the CBs are as accurate or fast with the pass as Cordoba was last year.

If it's too slow, or not accurate enough or too common an outlet it just won't work. I don't really think we have the cattle at the back to get enough out of it. Edwards disagrees I guess. Also I think Miller was better than Burns/McGarry with the longer pass, though can't quite remember.

Edited by libertarian: 28/10/2013 12:34:02 AM

totally agree that the main problem lies with the McGarry/Burns combination. Although Cordoba took a while to settle, he was really excellent under Edwards. When we had him and Miller, McGarry was relegated to the bench by Edwards. I would have kept Cordoba over McGarry, but of course McGarry is a great club man and probably cheaper.

I don't mind the long wide ball as part of our attacking variety, but I think we have been overusing it.

TBF, I thought McGarry was one of our best today.

Solid performance overall. Vuko's kicking was better and did well when he was needed. Thwaite was excellent, Jamieson very good, Davies didn't look out of place. Panta didn't look like he was going to implode. though Burns was solid and McGarry had his best game this season. Nagai had an off day, Sidnei was great though. Edwards was poor in the first half but picked up a lot in the second. McLaren I'm still unsold on. Poor finisher and seems to mishit the ball fairly often.

Can't imagine that team under Fergie. With Risdon out, we probably would've seen Burns dropped into centre half and then Panta moved to full back. Nice to see the young boys get a go and play well.

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Good tifo by Perth fans.

Panta - so much a better player when he's not given the responsibility of leading the defence...

Completely agree. It speaks volumes for how good (and important) Thwaite is for us.

Thought we were very well organised defensively but a little too slow in our forward transitions and at times a little too hopeful in our crosses into our forwards. I would like to see the team recycle the ball a bit more once we go down the line and get stuck, and for Sidnei and Nagai to take on the last man a bit more to get in behind the defence. The diagonal balls out wide are ok, but they are too lofty and need to be played flatter so it gets out wide quicker. Probably done less often too, but I think that will happen as the team adapt throughout the year. McGarry was good, as was Burns until about the 85th minute when he realised he hadn't been booked.

I loved the way the boys helped out Davies to start the game and encouraged him to push up the field.
Watching Burns and McGarry drop back to cover RB while he went down the wings was excellent.

Our defensive qualities is where we have struggled this season so it was excellent to see them quite strong on the weekend.

Davies was immense for a debut and I think it will be a great push for Josh when he gets back in the squad. Any idea on timeframe? I saw him with a full leg boot on but didn't want to ask as he was being asked questions by every man and his dog yesterday.

Nagai couldn't quite get into the game yesterday but kept trying which was good and swapping with Sciola who had a fantastic game was good for the team to.

Mclaren had a good game I think and worked his ass off, He isn't the most talented player but works his ass off and think he will be great to slot in just behind Smeltz when he returns.

I think Risso's injury was put at 8 weeks, but I may be misremembering. I thought Davies performed admirably, however not to the same degree Risdon did to usurp Scotty Neville. I think Josh still has his number, but it is great to see that we have the depth to cover him. I was worried at the start of the season as we don't normally think about our fullbacks getting injured (with both Josh and Jamo being incredibly durable) that with Storm Roux leaving for the Mariners an unfortunate injury like Josh picked up may cause a lot of problems for us. Pretty happy that wasn't the case.

I don't think MacLaren will stay in the first XI once Smeltz is back in the starting lineup. He doesn't really have the range of passing to play behind Smeltz and link up with the defensive mids, and Edwards has said he won't change the system to accommodate them both. I think R.Edwards is safe purely from a lack of similar competition (Danny DS doesn't factor- he will be an impact player off the bench for the medium term future of the season. He is most useful for us against tiring players that he can string along with his technique and pace.)

I think Risso's injury was put at 8 weeks, but I may be misremembering. I thought Davies performed admirably, however not to the same degree Risdon did to usurp Scotty Neville. I think Josh still has his number, but it is great to see that we have the depth to cover him. I was worried at the start of the season as we don't normally think about our fullbacks getting injured (with both Josh and Jamo being incredibly durable) that with Storm Roux leaving for the Mariners an unfortunate injury like Josh picked up may cause a lot of problems for us. Pretty happy that wasn't the case.

I don't think MacLaren will stay in the first XI once Smeltz is back in the starting lineup. He doesn't really have the range of passing to play behind Smeltz and link up with the defensive mids, and Edwards has said he won't change the system to accommodate them both. I think R.Edwards is safe purely from a lack of similar competition (Danny DS doesn't factor- he will be an impact player off the bench for the medium term future of the season. He is most useful for us against tiring players that he can string along with his technique and pace.)[/quote]

Davies's debut was probably more impressive than Risdons. Although Risdon still starts for mine.

I have been quite impressed with Ryan Edwards, his work rate is great and his combinations with Maclaren and our wingers is great.

I like the look of Maclaren, he just seems hungry. There was one time Sciola centered a ball close to the by line and Maclaren instinctively turn on the ball to face the goal, his defender blew straight past him but he miscontrolled the ball. I know a few people are criticizing some if his touchs but he is always under pressure and even Van Persie puts a few into row z

Just bought a shit load of customised Glory stuff from here http://www.customfootball.com.au/index.asp

Wow.

$70 for a Glory soccer ball with my name on it? $20 for a Glory mouse pad with my name? $40 for a scarf?


Someone's making a killing there, but it won't be from me...

Me neither.

Why would I want to spend $70 for a ball with your name on it???

Talk about rip-offs!

Didn't get the scarf, can get customs one made up here.

http://www.ruffneckscarves.com/

As far as the debutants go Davies was a lot more solid than Risdon's debut.
I'm not saying Risdon's spot is in doubt just yet but the competition will be great and Davies could potentially be a back up for Jamieson as well. It's great for the team.

As far as Mclaren being dropped when Smeltz returns I would be a bit disappointed. Having him close in on defenders all season has been great and his speed is a huge asset. Granted his touch, passing and shooting isn't great but I think with a goal under his studs he will improve and could be very impressive playing behind and backing up Smeltz.
I'm not saying this will happen but I think it could work especially with Mcgarry and Burns being in great form and covering virtually everyone in defense and midfield.

Yeah I remember that site being posted a few months ago, while it looks great it is overpriced for my liking.
Great for gifts if you have people into the team though.

Was just my birthday and people gave me money to spend:)

Those fan designed supporter T-shirts will be available on Friday if anyone is interested.

A lot of bickering between the Shed and GFU on social media.

I thought this only happened when we're losing.

Never mind, perhaps 1/2 of us purple boys will get side tracked marching to the ground on Saturday and join the Pride March instead ,being held during the day this year, from 1.00pm - 2.00pm on Saturday.
(Feel free to correct if I've got that wrong).

Bit of talk bout moving to the southern stand :s

They won't move.

There is a lot of people in the shed all for the front of the shed area and are trying to work together.

It was a few people signing against FOTS.
In time it will hopefully all be sorted out.

It's all a bit of a mess at times, but it's nothing new. Home end has had factions well before the GFU, and after it. Physical separation is an obvious issue when you're all in the same end, but hopefully they'll work together to sort something out. There's some silly people on both sides of the fence, really.