Need some help, people. Can you please post here your MOST LIKELY Starting XI + Subs, including formation, for Round 1?

But I need people's help :(

I see it that we would only benefit from Dodd as an AM/CF, which he could definitely play. Harold will compete with Nagai and Sidnei for wide spots, while Cernak, Zahra, Edwards x 2, and Maclaren are probably all more likely subs/backups.

I know there's big hopes for Da Silva, but I still have doubts that it'll work out for us with him as first choice (almost the *only* choice) AM... this is where I think Garcia as a starter, and Da Silva to play as a sub or when one of Garcia or Smeltz is out, might've been a better set-up.

Even if we don't get Garcia, I reckon we need an attacking centre-mid and one more CB to balance the squad... and we're probably not going to get them. Therefore you'd assume some of the 'wingers' are going to have to play regular minutes as AMs during the season (which might work out who knows).

Garcia is an old flog and I would be livid if we signed him. Especially if the price tag was $400k.

Hmm pretty much agree I guess. Though IMHO we still can't know for sure where Sidnei may be played. I know we all presume LW, with Nagai RW, and maybe some pre-season games will re-inforce that. But given the AM scenario and Miller and co gone, then Sidnei could also be the #1 candidate for that role behind the striker. He certainly seems capable of playing there, going by his career/highlights. And given all our wide options (Zahra is primarily a wide player btw), the line up, 'from the existing squad', would be 'stronger' perhaps with Sidnei central and a Harold, Zahra or somebody on LW. Especially with Sidnei's goal scoring capability.

But IF we did indeed get Garcia, then that's Sidnei squarely on the LW, bring his pace and running into channels, creating for Garcia and Smeltz/striker centrally.

And with Smeltz's injury and absences, Garcia's presence there could be even more important, especially if a young MacLaren or Makeche is upfront?

Still, it seems far from a straight forward, a to b, scenario for me. Slight bit of a conundrum and obviously this is what Edwards is, inpart, paid for. So surely he KNOWS which way he goes. Will be interesting to see.

And with AM - I know you guys dispute me on McGarry, but IF we're desperate via injuries or what not, some SHUFFLING could go on, and McGarry being shifted up COULD happen as indeed it's happened before. Especially if one of the Edwards boys or O'Neill are seen to be capable of 'doing the job' alongside Burns.

Harold might be a possibility, especially as he's a striker or naturally inclined striker? Same with Maclaren too. He's a striker, but seems he can also play behind or wide in a front 3, which he did at the Under 20 World Cup. So a MacLaren behind a Smeltz or the like could be possible too, I guess.

Though when it comes to 'the young players' De Silva, not just on his talent, but also based on last season's experience and how he was utilised, seems the leading candidate.



That's the thing though f1dave, you'd THINK that, but there have been precedents MANY times before. Signings of old/dumped managers who haven't arrived yet, HAVE been cancelled before. Cernak even suggested I think, or the journo who reported did, 'surprise' that the transfer was confirmed/completed, despite it being a 'Fergie signing' and was still at a stage it could be cancelled (When Edwards came in)?

Though indeed, I both get what you are saying and ethically agree/understand. But there also 'does' seem to be a period there, or 'an understanding' that there is a timeframe, when the new coach comes in, that they can do this. I can't think of any examples.

Though even Brett Holman at Villa - he was a similar scenario being a signing of McLeish, just before McLeish departed, but he didn't arrive till during Lambert's reign. And Holman expressed similarly that he was unsure whether the new regime would want him, if the transfer would be confirmed, given there was that change in coaching regime?

I guess it depends on the technicality, stage of process or what not and indeed maybe in cases where they 'change their mind' they must obviously go the 'pay it out' route I guess.

Edited by GloryPerth: 10/8/2013 11:34:51 PM

Ok Bowden, I give it 'my best shot' - Bovs, ATE, Hotrod and the rest here may better refine it or have their insights and predictions too.

Infact if you read back past few pages, we have been 'pretty much' discussing this in a way, lol. That's what a long pre-season does to fans. :p


Anyway, going by our 'existing squad' it, going by 'a rough consensus' from discussion here, will be 'something' like this:

Vukovic (No doubting that, bar injury.
Jamieson at LB (No doubt, bar inj)
Risdon at RB (Same as above)
Thwaite at CB (Same^)

New/Last recruit at CB or, with existing squad, leading candidate = Pantalidis at CB. but note: Clisby is a close fighting third choice, in this existing squad, I truly believe. Not sure ATE or others agree. But I believe 'the difference' between he and Panta is not that great, just for experience/inexperience and ATE or somebody noted Clisby's defensive positioning could do with some improvement.

DM - Burns (No Doubt, bar inj)
DM - McGarry (Highly likely, bar squad shuffling during season)

RW - Nagai (Highly likely, though he played LW last season. Consensus here = with Sidnei arrival and Nagai being natural right footer, he switches to RW?)
LW - Sidnei (Reasonably likely, he's a natural left footer and highlights reflected a fast, attacking left winger. LW was a weak area for the squad last season and Sidnei seems to fill that void. Also allows Nagai to switch to right side, strengthening that also formerly weak area)

ST - Smeltz (Bar injury/absence, then MacLaren leading deputy)

...

AM - We aren't too sure, but De Silva is certainly a hot prospect as we all recognise. Whether he's 'ready to start from get go' well most of us agree, 'probably not' but he will most certainly see alot more minutes this season and may even earn this possie by late this season? IF not or variables to this equation - New signing, like Garcia. And from within existing squad - this is where it gets tricky.

But basically, front 4, could have many combos, including IF Sidnei switched there, McGarry, MacLaren or whatever. Though Garcia would change everything!

So again, the 'definite starter' rather than 'cover' for AM is uncertain, but De Silva edges rest.

Edit: Actually Cernak may 'edge the rest' given his physical presence/development AND A-League experience over 'the rest'. Where De Silva and some of the others may be seen as 'not quite ready' or 'physically capable, yet' - Cernak is relatively proven and experienced in the role, especially compared to the rest. Cernak 'may well' be the leading candidate?

Edited by GloryPerth: 11/8/2013 01:47:22 AM

Bowden, it will be interesting to see what some of the others who grace this thread say, in regards to what the 'most likely' line up will be. Especially that 'uncertain' (well, uncertain for me anyway) AM possie? Including those who may've caught live or checked out info online in regards to any of the pre-season friendlies so far, where I suspect a few combinations have been tried?

At a guess:

GK: Vuka
Back four: Jamo, Thwaite, Pants, Risdon
Middle 2: Burns, McGarry
Attacking 3: Nagai, De Silva or R. Edwards, Sidnei
Striker: Smeltz (or Maclaren seeing as he's injured)

Subs:
Young goalie whose name escapes me
Maclaren
De Silva / R. Edwards
Clisby

Cernak's injured, he won't be first choice due to the lack of pre-season exposure. Smeltz will miss the start of the season post-injury as well. MacLaren is a strong candidate, with Makeche being a possibility and Harold/Nagai dark horse potentials for front and centre.

Danny De Silva will continue to be an impact sub at the start of the season according to Edwards.

Agree that Clisby is close to starting CB, Pantaledis is only just getting back from injury and by all accounts Clisby has performed well in South Africa.

I think we need to see a few more friendly line-ups closer to round 1 to have any firm idea of starting XI. The "safe" call so far is:


with doubts on nagai/sidnei being locked in those positions or the starting lineup, though all evidence points to this being the case.

McGarry is pretty much a lock to be in there, but we can't say for certain which of the two CM positions he will be put in. Next to Burns is more likely, however he has played both and was arguably more effective in the more advanced position.

Now I'm no Glory fan, but I would have imagined you'd play Harold on the right with Nagai on the left (and Sidnei being on the bench), or is Harold more likely to take the role of backup striker or to come on late in the game as a pacey impact player?

Edited by A16Man: 11/8/2013 07:15:57 PM

GP, is italics and tl:dr not in your bag of tricks?

I am not helping cbowden's quest to be lazy when some actual research or desire to read the recent pages of this thread could show him what he desires.

edit - lol should have refreshed

Edited by andytoddselbow: 11/8/2013 07:34:57 PM

Harold and Nagai have both been played in the right wing position during the South Africa tour whereas Sidnei was played solely on the left.

Now, we don't know what AE is doing, but it seems that he prefers his wingers to cut in, which is why they are playing on opposite sides (well Zahra, Harold and Nagai) but he has mentioned with Smeltz out that Harold could be in contention for striker, though you would think Maclaren and Makeche would get first chance.

Right now (so there's a lot that can change) I think that Sidnei has impressed them enough to start on the left in front Nagai, and it's Nagai v Harold for the RW with whoever it is that misses out being able to cover both LW/RW from the bench (even ST too actually), which would be seen as a plus.

My own personal preference is to see Harold develop more as a striker but I don't think he will get those opportunities.

edit - this forum software SUCKS in firefox

Thanks for the diagram/change. Think I get it.

I don't really agree with De Silva suddenly turning into a midfield playmaker. I don't think we've seen enough of him for him to get so much responsibility. Even for the Young Socceroos he was not the point of most attacks (that was the DMs) and he was used more to try and send killer passes through the defence to the striker/wingers.

My worry is that Burns is a screening DM, McGarry for a his versatility is not a passing/technical DM. Cam Edwards, BON are a bit unknown, so we are bit undermanned in that regard so yes, a Miller-eque CM is what's missing.

Regardless of any subtle change, most of your ball movement will be through the middle, especially if the ball is on the ground, so you need players that are going to pass it. If your two mids are awol behind the ball that means you're only moving your ball on your wings and through the AM who should be higher up anyway, otherwise your striker will be isolated.


Have you not seen any of the reports from the South African games? They all list the formation and personnel used.

4-2-3-1 in every game.

Interesting that I received an invite to renew this week, the 7th I think, and upon checking the letter note that we have to renew by 14th August.

Maybe it's just because I had a fairly low-ish ranking membership last year, but uh... that doesn't seem a great deal of time to provide...?

An actual letter? I know its been mentioned in the email newsletter the last couple of week.

Not a large window of opportunity for sure.

We all know you are a trouble maker Dave, you ask questions and you expect the club to perform to a certain standard across the board - you a definitely not their target demographic ;) Also do you know if Muzza wants to do the pod again next season?

Ah. Perhaps I unsubscribed from the email newsletter - I think the ads and offers were getting a little annoying.

Gee I hope there aren't too many in your boat f1dave - hopefully you and any others can renew on-time!

I don't think the club helps themselves by refusing to release details of how many members have signed up so far when people ask them on Facebook. Creates the impression that either a) there's something bad to hide or b) the club doesn't feel like interacting. :/

Especially now that other clubs do these things quite openly.

It *is* a guessing game... but mu guess is:

GK: Vukavic
RB: Risdon
CB: Thwaite
CB: Clisby
CB: Risdon
CM: Burns (c)
CM: McGarry
RW: Nagai
AM: Harold
LW: Sidnei
CF: Maclaren

SUBS: Duncan (GK), Pantelidis, De Silva, Makeche


Smeltz would be in at CF with Maclaren on the bench and Makeche out, but he's injured.

De Silva I suspect will mostly start at AM but I reckon Edwards will hold him back after being part of the U20s World Cup over the off-season.

Nope can't say that I have, If I had I probably wouldn't have asked the question.
cheers

At the outset of the tour, Ali said that on tour he was not looking to change the formation for now (from 4231). The way he was quoted suggested to me that he might look at changing it over time or working with other formations later in pre season. But he didn't give any indication on how quickly he would change, if at all.

I would still maintain that 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3, 4-5-1 and even to a lesser extent 4-4-2 are the same formation with players in certain positions playing slightly more or slightly less attacking roles.

The only genuinely different set-up would be the 3-at-the-back formations (3-5-2/5-3-2 or 3-4-3/5-4-1). And I don't think there's any chance of us playing those formations.


The most flexible description of the structure is probably 4-3-3... but because the attacking midfielder within your midfield 3 starts to overlap with your wide forwards in the forward 3, it becomes 4-2-3-1. Drop the wide forwards right back into midfield and suddenly it's 4-5-1. Push your attacking midfield right up behind the striker and it's 4-4-2. Same dif.

Oh yeah, 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 are closely linked, it's all fluid and a case of wingers pushing higher and a midfielder pushing up and plenty of other cases. 4-4-2 is rather static and not like the others imo, although the way Arnold played/plays his 4-4-2 diamond he can get around that by making it almost 4-3-3 at times.

For describing, there's a reason the 4-2-3-1 is so popular, it's what you see. Two holding mids with a #10 up the pitch centrally to them to link to the striker, as opposed to closer. Not to be confused with say a typical 4-3-3 like Roar used to use with Paartalu screening and creating at the back and McKay/Broich being a CM pair in front of him

F1dave and any others - ESPECIALLY EXISTING MEMBERS (Or Members from last season that is) -

The Official Site's Membership section has been updated!

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/perthglory/membership

There is a link for 'Renewals' but as you guys discussed that period ends soon! No mention of when that period ends on the site though? :-s :?

Doesn't appear to be an Associate membership this year?

Well, I've caved and renewed. Glory can thank their lucky stars that Edwards is here and looks like playing some kids and decent football, because there's been absolutely nothing from the club itself that would make me want to sign up again otherwise.

Chris Harold v Ace Ventura:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BRjJ-vBCIAAnAkL.jpg:large

:D


Edited by f1dave: 13/8/2013 11:37:44 PM

=d> =d> =d>

Not a bad effort from Harold.

Would anyone know or be able to help out to find an online stream for tonight's game? Or is anyone based in Malaysia that will know?

Cheers.