Round 26 - Sydney FC vs Auckland - 12/4/25

Still better than Popovic

Have you guys watched us this year?

Yes they would both improve our backline.

No need to reach like this if you’re making valid points elsewhere. :wink: I’ll pay the tackle, but Sega literally just went “fuck it” and smashed it from 30 yards because no one was moving ahead of him. No creativity on show there.

As I said Sena’s tidy on the ball, but it’s easy to pad your passing stats when you’re the deep lying playmaker. So the majority of those line breaking passes would be after he’s taken it off our CB’s toes and then is playing it forward to someone like Caceres, who still has a stacked defence in front of him, so it’s contributing fuck all to our attack. He’s rarely providing assists or secondary assists / Kisel balls that are actually opening things up and leading to chances, nor does he get into shooting range edge of the box or make late runs to get on the end of things.

On the flip side he’s often bypassed and then doesn’t have the hustle to get back, track runners and protect our horrid backline. Actually just re-watched the 3 min highlight package from last night, look where he is on both Auckland goals. Not actually blaming him for either goal, but you simply won’t find better examples of just how far behind the play and pedestrian he regularly is when we don’t have it. I’m certain it was also him that challenged for the ball on halfway immediately after King hooked the ball off our own goal line, and all I could do was laugh at WTF our “box to box” midfielder was once again doing nowhere near our box. Hollman has hustled back to the penalty spot and prevents a cut back, Caceres is top of the box, Sena is not even in shot and bludging on fucking halfway.

Most of my criticism and viewing him as a luxury we can’t afford is down to the current setup. If we sat deeper and actually knew how to counter then some of his ball-playing strengths might result in actions that actually affect the outcome of games. At the moment he’s prancing around and knocking the ball about without actually contributing much on either side of the ball.

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I disagree that Sena is just sitting deep and pinging passes. His carries are brilliant . The way he takes opponents out of the game and then plays the pass - it’s a rare quality in this league. His problem is the way he’s meant to cover the fullback, in our current system.

The idea that the Fat Controller himself can’t figure out how to get this part of the park to function is truely frustrating.

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This feels like an intolerable way to treat a club icon. Perhaps Maxi getting frozen out makes us think that’s what’s going on elsewhere, but surely it’s far more likely he’s told the management he’s retiring and they are giving minutes to someone who might be in the squad next season?

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Sena’s passing is brilliant but hes still getting more defensive work than his game has. If Kamijo or Hollman develop into a 6 next season, or we bring in a 6, Sena can get alot better. Hes not too suited to the role he currently has.

Similarly agree we’ve got some frustrating picks with JCP who should really be at CB, Reddders absolutely should have come back months ago, King should never be at RB, Lolley should have had more minutes managed this season (which would be more games for Seg)

Your ‘theory’ is nonsense, HDM is the chosen keeper, they are investing time in him, right or wrong, to get him the experience they feel he needs. The plan is to have Redders at the club in some capacity next year, Redmayne isn’t happy about it but understands.

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Investing time? And how is that working out?

In 17 appearances, he’s conceded 24 goals, only keeping 5 clean sheets in that time.

In the AFC, he’s played 8 games conceding 10 goals and keeping 2 clean sheets against abject opposition.

Total games played: 25
Total goals conceded: 34

That means per game, he lets an average of 1.3 goals fly past him.

As for “developing” he’s already 28, hardly just starting out or learning the ropes.

Is he really going to suddenly become Socceroos / transfer worthy in the final 7 years of his career if these are his numbers in the a-league?

Utterly bizarre choice to start him over Redders AND give him a 2 year contract.

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Do people remember how redders was performing before the switch?

yes, hes been a magnificent servant to the club and is a socceroos legend due to a penalty shoot out but he is not the keeper he was and he was never comfortable with the ball at his feet which is crucial in the current “system”

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Which part of ‘right or wrong’ are you struggling with?

Or do you ACTUALLY believe that the club would persist with a player with all the failings you describe and all the consequences he’s had, solely in order to avoid having to give Redmayne another year.

You’re welcome to express your feelings on the club’s choices, what you’re not welcome to do is manufacture utterly baseless conspiracies that would embarrass even the dumbest Clive Palmer Trumpeter.

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If we are going to persist with this style then a new number 1 GK who is comfortable with the ball at his feet is a must. HDM is not the answer, he’s putting on a disaster class week after week.

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As said in another thread, i think this is likely the case… HDM was given an extension, Redders declined much quicker than anticipated so he has been given his shot (and failed) and a new #1 is going to be a priority in the off season

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We best sign the new coach first. :wink:

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You are a very grumpy man Grant.

I think you’re spot on here.

I fear that we’ll be stuck with Talay for at least one more season.

If we don’t make the top six with that squad and are knocked out on Wednesday - what progress could he point too to keep his job?

Absolutely none. The board have shown lately though that they are inclined to be patient with coaches. I don’t think there can be too much argument that Corica was kept for at least half a season too long. I can see Talay being shown the same patience.

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We were never doing anything of note this season with that defence and midfield.

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But making the top 6 isn’t really much of an achievement, even considering are bare bones defence which got worse as the season went on.
Ignoring whatever has and will happen in ACL2, this league has been a failure for Talay

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