Only saw the second half but out players looked so poor on the ball. Passes going astray, poor control. And when you could tell they were trying to push to make something happen, they were just doing the same bit with higher intensity, so faster poor passes, more hurried poor touch, resulting in never being in control, and so commiting fouls, copping bookings, and slowing the game again. It was poor all round.
I think we’re also missing a true #10, which is a pretty big deal… hence we play a bunch of holding/defensive midfielders to occupy the space in defence, but totally bypass the midfield in attack…. Either those long hopeful cross field passes to the opposite wings, or up the side channels for a lobbed-in cross that are easily defended when the other team is parking the bus.
Yes, we could be more risky and play a 3-5-2, but the same weakness we have missing a right back doesn’t get any better playing a wing back. then everyone would have a go at Arnie if we end up losing big (just think Ange trying to play attacking when he didn’t have the cattle).
Agreed. Our only route to goal was Goodwin trying to pick out Yengi, he’s good enough to have still nearly done it but by and large it was super predictable and easy to defend. In these types of games I’d be happy to start Nestory and give him the defensive responsibility of Messi.
Love Arnie. Hes over hated and the world cup run should be what he is remembered for (even if the many haters will mention the Bahrain game and other failures forever- and already seen the “we didnt appreciate Ange” not remembering at all how his reign ended).
That all said if its not a massively improved win over Indonesia then it may be time to move on.
And do also agree with starting Irankunda- we simply have no true creative players or ones that are going to make things happen. Sadly Hrustic cant get a game and we dont seem to have anyone else. May as well give him a go so someone can try make things happen
Reminds me a bit of how Corica got stale - and just kept trying Plan A and getting more and more risk averse and playing the ball sideways and back.
Uffy/Zdrilla turned it around with pretty much the same squad and changing the attitude - press, playing ball forward, giving higher energy kids more of a go.
Not saying that Nisbet and Irankunda or 3 at the back are the answer to all our problems, but seems like we do need to try something different - we are very slow and predictable.
You’re allowed to replace a player who has been sent off and suspended? Extraordinary.
Arnie gets a free pass from me but I was bewildered by the use of Irankunda - bring him on late on the right, then 5 minutes later switch him to the left. Not great for cohesion.
Bringing in someone from outside of the squad for a suspended player?
If a player gets sent off in the World Cup you don’t get to bring in another player for a game, you have to make do with who you’ve got in your squad.
If I was John Iredale’s club I wouldn’t be particularly happy about him flying to the other side of the world at such short notice just to make up numbers on the training pitch.
Slightly different though. World Cup allows for squad sizes of up to 26 players. Qualifiers allow for sizes up to 22. I think the assumption is, you’ve got more than enough for a World Cup to cover yourself in case of cards etc