By Tony Tannous
June 29th 2009 @ 6:05am
Related coverage
Sydney FC’s high tempo template from Lavicka
Okay, so it appears Sydney FC are looking for a more modest approach to the way they go about things this season, and ‘about time’ I hear you say. But ultimately the success of their upcoming season will be judged by how they fair on the pitch, and the start has certainly been encouraging.
Played eight, won eight, 20 goals for, zero against.
Any way you look at it and against any opposition, it’s an impressive record.
So what have been the hallmarks of their pre-season and what might we might we have learnt for the season proper? Here are some early observations;
1. Sydney have been flogged by Vitezslav Lavicka and strength/condition coach Craig Duncan, having upwards of eight sessions a week, including field, gym, recovery, yoga, swim and all forms of cross-training.
Couple that with the game-a-week calendar and it’s easy to see why FC has been finishing games so strongly. Against Sydney United they were full of running in the final 15 minutes, while they have scored seven goals in the second half in their past three games. It’s all about building one the fittest A-League teams, and it’s clear that hard work and honesty are the Lavicka way.
2. This increased fitness has laid a platform for the way Sydney wish to play, which is a high tempo and high octane style.
And this is as much about their work without the ball as it is with it. What has struck me has been their excellent work in transition from attack to defence, and how quickly they suffocate the opposition and win the ball back. This defending starts as soon as they cough it up, with the strikers setting the tempo.
3. The other encouraging thing about their defensive structure, and the reason they haven’t coughed up too many chances, is their higher position up the pitch.
When they lose the ball, the back four keep a fairly high line, not dropping to their 18 yard box. The compact shape gives the opposition little space to play and really does make the back fours job easier.
4. One thing that has impressed me about Lavicka is his rotation and use of the entire squad. It’s about building mileage, familiarity and experience in his young squad, and hitherto they have shown they can really do a job for the Czech.
The squad is young, and Lavicka admitted in our chat last week he will be relying on the kids to come through. The signs are looking good they can.
Gan and Grant have been the stand-outs and appear to be right in the first 11 mix, while Danning, Payne, Jurman, Cairncross and Casey haven’t been too far behind. A sign of any good manager is an ability to develop his players and get the absolute best out of them, and the early signs from Lavicka are good.
5. Casey has been interesting case, and the evidence is Lavicka wants to utilise his pace from deep, using him as a right back.
Cole has often occupied the left back spot and it clear Lavicka doesn’t see him as a wide midfielder. I sense that’s because of a lack of pace. In any case, Cole’s minutes look limited if Byun is any good.
6. Going the other way is Grant, who was used by Kosmina as a right back, but is getting plenty of time in an advanced central midfield role. Meanwhile Gan, used centrally by Kosmina, is being deployed on the flanks, with excellent effect.
7. While the kids have been adding the depth, the real stars of the pre-season have been Brosque and McFlynn.
Brosque looks electric in the front third, and has often been found tracking back to help the midfield and defence, getting a vital foot in. He has been Sydney’s everywhere man. Meanwhile McFlynn is the absolute boss of the midfield, dictating Sydney’s high tempo game with his ball-winning and efficient use. Musialik has work to do to get in the 11.
8. If Brosque and McFlynn have been the bosses of the front two thirds, the boss at the back has been Colosimo, who looks the fittest and sharpest I’ve seen him for at least five years.
9. Lavicka has nursed the other veterans, Corica and Aloisi. Corica has looked his usual assured self, however Aloisi still appears to be feeling his way in, and these days appears more of a back-to-goal target-man than a predator running angles, playing off the shoulder of the last man and looking to get in behind defences. However, no-one can fault his workrate.
10. Interestingly, against Sydney United, Lavicka used Kisel in a three-man central midfield. It proved the Slovak is adaptable and could provide some drive, getting into the box for a few chances. The width came from the likes of Brosque and Gan.
11. Ironically, despite scoring goals for fun, I sense Lavicka is looking for more fluidity in the front third. When I asked him if he was happy with how his front third was functioning, he stopped short and emphasised he was happy with how hard they were all working.
12. While 4-4-2 looks his preferred template, Lavicka has also used various forms of a 4-3-3.
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(54)
Slippery Jim said | June 29th 2009 @ 9:46am | Report comment
Great article Tony, I look forward to seeing how Sydney start the season! Hopefully Lavička can keep these outstanding pre-season performances consistent into the new season.
md said | June 29th 2009 @ 9:47am | Report comment
Great analysis TT. Presumably, we have Bridge to come back into the forwards too. I suspect he will benefit from faster service than he got last year. Would you fancy a guess as to what our best starting 11 might look like?
Looking forward to this season!
Cheers
md.
Pippinu said | June 29th 2009 @ 9:54am | Report comment
A coach flogging his players pre-season to get them fit – innovative.
Towser said | June 29th 2009 @ 10:18am | Report comment
Big Sydney=Big A-League=Big Moolah=Big Growth
md said | June 29th 2009 @ 11:38am | Report comment
Ah Pippinu – but you miss the point. It’s innovative flogging – and its working.
Cheers
md
whiskeymac said | June 29th 2009 @ 12:14pm | Report comment
so good to hear the up and coming “stars” being used and the whole squad being rotated. good analysis again Tony. with the problems at CCM and NJ it sounds like at least one NSW team might be competitive by August.
Greg said | June 29th 2009 @ 12:37pm | Report comment
It may not be innovative Pippinu, Guus in lead up to Germany ‘06 leaps to mind, however the point is that the coach doing the “flogging” must have the complete respect of the dressing shed to do so. On that note, the signs would appear bright for Lavicka. Great article TT.
Art Sapphire said | June 29th 2009 @ 1:26pm | Report comment
Its is more than likely that the appointment of Lavicka will result in an improved 09/10 season.
Tony’s thorough analysis and coverage of Sydney’s preseason can only confirm those impressions.
However, I dare the Roar to publish a piece on every other A-League club’s pre-season
before publishing yet another pro-Sydney piece of premature ejaculation.
Its getting rather tiresome for us non-Sydney folk.
In the AFL – Carlton used ‘They Know We Are Coming” as their slogan for the current season.
I suggest that Sydney FC hype machine use the same marketing slogan.
Just like Carlton they might just come too soon…
MVDave said | June 29th 2009 @ 1:59pm | Report comment
Its ok Art…down here in the sports capital of Oz we dont need the pre season hype. We already have a team playing football the way SFC would like…attractive and winning! Now once SFC have finished beating up all the little guys and new comers they will eventually have to play a side that is half decent.
Millster said | June 29th 2009 @ 2:06pm | Report comment
I do hope that SFC’s hard work and disciplined approach (and, in deference to Art’s valid point, that of other clubs really putting in a big pre-season) translates to success in the season and establishes a pattern of professionalism across our league. I’ve thought for a while that one of the sub-standard areas for the HAL was training quantity and quality, and indeed we have discussed this here over the last year. What this means of course is that my assessment is that we’ve not seen the full potential of many clubs and players. As a result, it is most certainly in my wish list that this kind of ethos spreads throughout the league and leads to better standards – both collectively and individually.
Good article TT, both from the point of view of a Sydney fan and also more broadly as someone who wants to see our whole league be a professional, elite affair that finds and stretches its true level in the world of football.
Vicentin said | June 29th 2009 @ 2:11pm | Report comment
There was an article about Sydney’s fitness training in the SMH on 21/6. Here’s the link …
http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/football/a-league/blood-sweat-science/2009/06/20/1244918232758.html
I’ll let others discuss whether this is old technology or whatever (they’ve been doing that in AFL for years ….) but I have to say that they looked great at the one pre-season game I saw them play and they played at a pretty high tempo for the full-ninety, with plenty of skill and invention to boot. Kissel is quality.
I also remember reading a lot of quotes from the players saying that they were doing a lot more ball work than usual in training – so it sounds like they’re both doing a lot more ball related fitness activities – good, why run when you can run and kick a ball, and it just seems like they are really putting the hours in. No premature ejaculation here, but I’m really looking forward to the coming season, and I’m usually pretty sceptical about Sydney’s chances.
Towser said | June 29th 2009 @ 2:21pm | Report comment
Art Sapphire
RE SFC & premature ejaculation.
Depends on whether Lavicka has them performing consistently as an 18 year old or not. The team is ready to go from the start,drops a gear for a second, & starts again without missing a beat. Whereas if performing like an OAP, hard to warm up the team ,shaky when on top & quickly shrinks into the background never to recover till the next match,hoping its more than a week away.
md said | June 29th 2009 @ 3:01pm | Report comment
MVDave – the tard’s “success” (comprising 2 good years and 2 shite ones) is mostly founded on a penchant for violence, with such flair as you do have being entirely imported (lets face it, Alsopp and Thompson are embarrassing at national team level). That you have mostly got away with it, is largely the fault of clubs that have employed Kosmina and continue to pay for it.
Cheers
md
MVDave said | June 29th 2009 @ 3:10pm | Report comment
md
The fact that other teams havent performed to MVs level, basically in all areas on and off the field is not MVs problem. Not too many football clubs that have had to move to a new stadium because they have too many supporters and now having a new stadium built for them. Next they’ll have to get a bigger trophy cabinet!
Last time l looked Archie had the world record for most goals in a WC qualifyer!
Seriously though playing a 4-5-1 formation tell me any Oz striker that has done well? McDonald…no, Jesus…just ok, any others?
md said | June 29th 2009 @ 3:18pm | Report comment
Yeah – fair play. Good on MV for getting away with it
. Pretty sure we lost to Kuwait because Archie couldn’t hit a barn with a brick, not because of formation.
Cheers
md
Pippinu said | June 29th 2009 @ 3:30pm | Report comment
Let’s see if I understand md.
The Victory have only won 50% of all the silverware on offer in the A-League’s short history because the other teams weren’t quite good enough.
I guess that’s one way of looking at it.
I now I understand why Arch and Danny are the two biggest scorers in the history of the A-League (by some margin I might add).
Because of the opposition defenders!!!
I’m now starting to understand how it all works!!
If the opposition isn’t quite good enough, they will allow you to score more goals than them and you win games!!
If you win enough games, you win silverware!!
How is it possible that no one has ever worked out how easy it is??!!
Get me IP Australia on the phone – I need to patent this idea now before someone steals it!!!
md said | June 29th 2009 @ 3:49pm | Report comment
No – you won the titles you did because Kosmina was coaching your main opponents. It’s all his fault. All of it, I tell you. There is no other rational explanation as to why Sydney did not win the league last year, or Adelaide in V2.
Tony – I am sorry for doing this to your excellent blog.
Cheers
md
GeneralAshnak said | June 29th 2009 @ 4:15pm | Report comment
MVDave – Viduka (though he couldn’t score goals playing that way).
md – you have it Kosmina is the curse! hopefully AUFC have gotten him totally out of their system now and the Pissants can take home the toilet seat!
Pippinu said | June 29th 2009 @ 4:57pm | Report comment
Vicentin
on that article – Ernie has a VIS background and I’m pretty sure he brought that sort of technology with him to MV (but I honestly don’t know anything more than that).
If the uptake has been slow in the A-League, I’d say it’s as much a question of resources as anything else.
All clubs are relatively equal when it comes to the salary cap – but move into areas such as player welfare, coaching, use of technology, facilities, etc – and a club like Melbourne (who generates decent revenue), and a club like GCU (with Fat Boy Slim and his deep pockets), and maybe even SFC (where owners don’t mind throwing good money after bad), can get a bit of an advantage on the rest.
To change topics slightly, I’ve had a theory for about a decade that the US NT has been able to improve steadily over the last 15 years or so because of access to superior sports science (that their other wealthy sports would have pioneered).
It’s just a hunch, but I liken it to the Australian wine industry turning some old-world traditions on their head to produce a superior product at a lesser cost via technology.
I’ve always felt that Australia should be in that space as well (and we’ve gone in that direction at least to some extent).
You can imagine that if you can combine the sports science (in which Australia is quite strong in world terms) with top shelf coaching expertise, well, you can see where I’m heading.
Art Sapphire said | June 29th 2009 @ 5:18pm | Report comment
Millster – I have long advicated the introduction of foreign coaches to the A-League as a good manager will always be more important than a marquee player. Sydney learnt the hard way after they got rid of Littbarski.
Sydney FC and Carlton should become sister clubs.
They think they are bling, like Sydney FC they breach salary caps and think they are more important than what they really are in the grand scheme of things. . Watching my AFL team, Essendon demolish the pompous Blueboys on Friday night in front of 83k brought back all those good feelings I get when I watch MVFC defeat Sydney.
Bring on the the A-League season!!
Pippinu said | June 29th 2009 @ 5:25pm | Report comment
Art
equating SFC and Carlton – now that’s just brilliant!!
They think they’re far more important than they actually are.
They think they’re better than they actually are.
Both slump into an ignomonious period of humiliating results after a period of success.
Both can’t hold onto a coach for more than a season.
Both have board members who use their respective clubs for self-aggrandizement.
Both cheat on the salary cap.
Both pay above market rate for pathetic players.
Both appeal to a narrow band of inner city dweller who has a liking for Kylie Minogue.
Both produce larger than life spokesmen who never tire of saying silly things and embarassing the club.
I could go on and on and on and on…..
md said | June 29th 2009 @ 5:25pm | Report comment
Does that make MV Collingwood’s Sister Club? Just askin
Cheers
md
Art Sapphire said | June 29th 2009 @ 5:29pm | Report comment
good try MD – but unlike the Magpies, MVFC don’t get the Colliwobbles when they make Grand Finals
Also, our supporters are collectively way too good looking when compared to that smelly rabble
Pippinu said | June 29th 2009 @ 5:30pm | Report comment
md
it’s a fair enough question, but looking at your suggestion objectively, I would say no.
The correct analogy would have to be a club and sport from outside of Victoria.
So I would perhaps liken MV (looking at it objectiveily and independently) to the ACT Brumbies.
One City/State one team.
The most successful Australian team ever (in their respective comps).
Backed by the most powerful people in Australia.
Brand names known around the world.
Both featuring a splash of dark blue and white.
Both displaying powerful emblems that characterise their respecive regions.
Both with the very best players of any Australian team (in their comps)
I could go on and on and on…
Art Sapphire said | June 29th 2009 @ 5:31pm | Report comment
Pip – the only thing Carlton have got going for are good looking female supporters.
That is why I enjoy going to Carlton games more than any other AFL game.
Pippinu said | June 29th 2009 @ 5:31pm | Report comment
For starters – well have our front teeth!!
Pippinu said | June 29th 2009 @ 5:31pm | Report comment
Art
It’s the Lygon St set!!!
Art Sapphire said | June 29th 2009 @ 5:36pm | Report comment
Pip – better to look at than the Thomastown set!!
Pippinu said | June 29th 2009 @ 5:49pm | Report comment
(it’s a guilty laugh, seeing that I’m from Footscray)
md said | June 29th 2009 @ 5:55pm | Report comment
Oh dear – this is just getting weird.
I love the braggadocio, but be fairly warned: SFC look the goods this year. No bollocks, and after last season, sights have been lowered, but just quietly, they might just surprise a few people who think the standard of the A-league has plateaued and are planning their campaigns and signings accordingly.
Cheers
md
Brickowski said | June 29th 2009 @ 6:36pm | Report comment
Normally at this stage of the pre-season I would be talking up Sydney’s chances, no matter how slim they are. This year, however, I have been sitting back quietly, watching the improvement in attitude and aptitude and silently salivating over the season to come.
Things are looking pretty good so far, the young guys re coming through well, Kisel looks the goods, McFlynn, Brosque & Colosimo seems to have settled in to The Bench’s system quite well and we are yet to add a solid Centre-Half as our final signing. The only other team I see doing some actual improving is Perth. GCU look OK, but I’m yet to see them play. If Saturday night is anything to go by NQF will fail spectacularly and Fowler will probably walk away by week 10, provided he isn’t still or again injured.
It’s to be expected that the Tards will have another horrible season, predictable predictable Tards.
What’s a Carlton?
Tony Tannous said | June 29th 2009 @ 8:27pm | Report comment
Art and Pippinu, fair crack having a go at FC, but don’t go bagging the blue-baggers.
Pippinu, flogging the team in the pre season mightn’t seem the most newsworthy thing, but sadly for Sydney it is, as evidenced by Corica’s words at the bottom of this piece this morning;
http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/build-a-blues-team-for-the-future/2009/06/28/1246127430206.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap2
Agree with the ‘professionalism’ sentiment Millster.
Vincentin, thanks for the link, some interesting stuff. Good to read the players are embracing it and moving with the times. I think they would be loving the fact they are in great shape.
md, lavicka has chopped and changed, but trying to read between the lines, and not including bridge for now, in a 4-4-2 it would look something likes this;
keeper – toss up, necevski just
right back – casey ahead of prentice
centre back – colosimo
centre back – jurman
left back – byun ahead of cole
right mid – kisel
holding mid – mcflynn
attacking mid – corica
left mid – gan
striker – aloisi
striker – brosque
bench – bolton, musialik, grant, danning, payne, prentice, cole, golec
Brickowski said | June 29th 2009 @ 8:39pm | Report comment
I repeat, What is a Carlton?
Further to that, what in the hell is a blue-bagger?
Pipps,
I must refute a few of your comparisons between SFC and ‘Carlton’ (Is it meant to be Carlton beer? please explain it to me, ‘cos I’m dying to know.)
Both slump into an ignomonious period of humiliating results after a period of success.
We’ve actually been fairly consistent, I would argue that it is the Tards that can’t string together 2 successful seasons
Both can’t hold onto a coach for more than a season.
Can’t argue with that
Both appeal to a narrow band of inner city dweller who has a liking for Kylie Minogue.
I may be an Inner City Dweller but I resent being lumped in with my Kylie Minogue loving neighbours. Can’t stand her, or her ilk.
Midfielder said | June 29th 2009 @ 9:02pm | Report comment
Pip
You are making life difficult for me.. let me explain first I hate the Choppers and the little smurfs… but then you come in and spoil it with that Mexican shit … now I don’t mind slipping in the boot to the Smurfs but having to side with Mexicans GEE WIZZ mate you make it tough … maybe I can hope when you play each other 10 players sent off and 10 carried off ARRRRRRR I can but dream…
Pippinu said | June 29th 2009 @ 10:21pm | Report comment
Bricks good to hear from you again – as Samps said earlier – it’s that time of year!! (and I’m glad to hear you’re not into Kylie!!)
If nothing else, you should know Carlton from the Skyhooks song (but maybe you’re too young for that).
Tony – fair call on Sydney – to my rather brief post on flogging the players pre-season (in the case of SFC, it’s like flogging a dead horse), one thing I had in mind was this – bring in the expert coaches from overseas, by all means, but surely if there is one thing an Australian coach should be able to manage on his lonesome is to get his players fit!!!
Getting back to the Mexican shit – well guys, it’s a little bit like this – occasionally on The Flog it would feel like me and all these Sydney blokes were talking a different language, but here on the Roar, there are some with whom I can have a meaningful dialogue – it’s such a refreshing change.
We are all better off understanding the secret of MV’s sucess – we’re not successful in spite of being in an AFL heartland – we are succesful because of it!!!
Midfielder said | June 29th 2009 @ 10:44pm | Report comment
Pip
When are you and the shit Mexicans coming to Bluetounge so I can bye you a beer.
Midfielder said | June 29th 2009 @ 10:45pm | Report comment
Pip
Better still have a weekend away with the wife and kids near summer.
jimbo said | June 29th 2009 @ 11:04pm | Report comment
A-League Season 1 MV miss finals
Season 2 – GTS
Season 3 – miss finals
Season 4 – GTS
Season 5 its MV’s turn to miss the finals again.
Sydney is a great city for sport and entertainment but the Sydney sporting public can be fickle and like winners. The Swans and the Bulldogs [Cantebury that is] and the Rabbitohs have found that out.
If Sydney do well then it will be good for SFC and good for the A-League.
You can’t discount their pre-season form, their renewed enthusiasm, professional approach and increased skill and fitness.
Despite not having conceded a goal in pre-season, one of the negatives from what I have seen of them is in central defence – Colosimo is very injury prone and Jurman is very inexperienced – they need to buy an experienced central defender to fill their final player spot.
They could also use another marquee striker like Henrik Larsson and if they managed to get him success is season 5 would almost be assured.
SFC is to Carlton beer like MV is to blue vein cheese!
Midfielder said | June 29th 2009 @ 11:14pm | Report comment
Jimbo
Aside from my initials what does GTS stand for..
jimbo said | June 29th 2009 @ 11:27pm | Report comment
Midfielder,
GTs Good Times
GTS Global Trade Services (SAP)
GTS General Theological Seminary
GTS Global Telecommunications System
GTS Global Transaction Services (Citigroup division)
GTS Generic Traffic Shaping
GTS Ghost in the Shell (anime show)
GTS GNU Triangulated Surface Library
GTS Global Telesystems (Europe)
GTS Going to Sleep
GTS Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome
GTS Gold Technical Support (Dell Computer Company)
GTS Geographic Text Search (MetaCarta, Inc.)
GTS Guaranteed Time Slot (networking protocol)
GTS GPS Tracking System
GTS Giga Texel Shader (nVidia)
GTS Gas Turbine Services (Wood Group division)
GTS Gas Turbine Ship
GTS Goody Two Shoes
GTS Great Trigonometrical Survey
GTS Grand Touring Sedan (Monaro GTS)
GTS Gran Turismo Sportivo
GTS Global Telecommunications Service
GTS Gas Turbine Starter
GTS Gary the Snail (Spongebob Squarepants)
GTS Grand Touring Sport (Pontiac)
GTS Global Technical Systems (Barrie, Ontario, Canada)
gtS Garantiert Traditionelle Spezialität (German: Traditional Speciality Guaranteed)
GTS Ground Transportation Service(s)
GTS Global Tri-State
GTS Government Telecommunications System
GTS Guam Tracking Station (AFSCN)
GTS Global Telecommunications Society
GTS God That Sucked
GTS Global Tire Standard
GTS Generalized Traffic Shaping (Cisco)
GTS Global Telecommunications Solutions
GTS Galactic Trade Standard (MMORPG Vendetta online gaming)
GTS Government Transportation System
GTS Geo. T. Schmidt, Inc. (machine tool manufacturer since 1895; Niles, IL)
GTS Gauge Tracking System
GTS Ground Test Set
GTS Guidance Test Set
GTS Ground Test System
GTS Geostationary Tether Satellite
GTS Ground Test Station
GTS Gadsden Transportation Services
GTS Graphics Terminal Subsystem
GTS Generic Test Station
GTS Generation, Transmission & Switch Gear (electrical engineering)
GTS Gone To Smoke
GTS Ground Tracking Station
GTS Go To Sync
GTS Ghost Town Streets
GTS Global Test Sequence
GTS Government Telephone Service
GTS Galaxy Tool Supply Inc (Chicago, IL)
GTS Golden Toilet Seat (A-League)
md said | June 30th 2009 @ 7:26am | Report comment
I thought the mighty Newtown were the blue baggers… Was that another sledge about Sydney inner city dwellers? Admittedly, “our kyles” would be pretty big in Newtown with the Imperial just about to re-open, but drag queens aside, I’d doubt anybody in Newtown would give a stuff…
Bheers
md
md said | June 30th 2009 @ 7:35am | Report comment
TT – would be happy to see that team run out (though, being an ex Qlder, I do have a soft spot for Clint from those days at Perry Park). Isn’t it nice to see 1 DM named – I don’t think we’ve had that since V1. Your point about the defenders playing a high line is a good one.
Also good have a couple of dead ball options as the moment too: Kisel, Byun and Cole all hit them pretty well.
Cheers
md
Pippinu said | June 30th 2009 @ 9:21am | Report comment
Mid
I’d love to bring the family and the kids to the central coast – the only thing is – someone will have to explain to me where it is!
Midfielder said | June 30th 2009 @ 9:27am | Report comment
Jimbo & Pip
Jimbo, Thanks for that .
Pip South of PNG, North of Tassie, East of Perth, West of Fiji … you should find it now no worries..
Tom said | June 30th 2009 @ 9:54am | Report comment
I really like the collection of players Sydney have, but every time someone posts their starting 11 I cringe a little when I look at their back four.
Colosimo and Jurman as starting centre-halfs? Colosimo’s a very versatile player but he’s not really a defender. Jurman I haven’t seen a lot of but I would have thought a team thats hoping to win the title would need some more experience back there.
McFlynn’s a decent holding midfielder but none of their full back options are noted for their defensive work, so I don’t think they’re going to get the cover they might need.
Of course, missing from Tony’s list is Ryall, who will be very important if and when he gets over his legal problems.
Art Sapphire said | June 30th 2009 @ 10:51am | Report comment
Here is a comparison of Tony’s XI for SFC and the current champions.
I can only see Sydney winning if Lavicka gets his tactics right. On paper MVFC look stronger.
keeper – toss up, necevski just
right back – casey ahead of prentice
centre back – colosimo
centre back – jurman
left back – byun ahead of cole
right mid – kisel
holding mid – mcflynn
attacking mid – corica
left mid – gan
striker – aloisi
striker – brosque
GK – Moss or Langerak
Surat
Vargas
Muscat
Kemp
Celeski
Pondeljak
Ward
Hernandez
Allsop
Thompson
Bench – brebner fabiano berger
Pippinu said | June 30th 2009 @ 11:21am | Report comment
Art
interesting comparison.
I note that you haven’t labelled our mids in the way you labelled Sydney – which points to one small isse that we had even last year for much of the season – and that was getting our midfield structure spot on – there was a lot of experimentation and we only got it right towards the end of the season.
Looking at the four you have included – they are mostly interchangeable – which is good – but we clearly dont’ have a specialist holding mid, and Celeski filled in in that role well at the end of last year – but I’m not sure whether he is the long term answer.
One other general observation – we have a reasonable spread of ages, but not too much at around 20, and maybe a bit too much around the age of 30 and above.
Sydney have concentrations around the age of 20 and 30+, but not a hell of a lot in the middle.
By the way – who is this Jurman bloke I keep reading about in these threads – he’s the only one that I don’t know anything about.
md said | June 30th 2009 @ 11:23am | Report comment
Just quietly: expect a clampdown on violence this year, which is linked to improving the image of the league, consistent with the ambitions that the FFA has for Australian football. Vargas, Muscat, Kemp, Tommy P and Allsop are going to have to change a lot or will be serious time in the stands. Tip: Pippinu to threaten to quit again.
Cheers
md
Art Sapphire said | June 30th 2009 @ 11:38am | Report comment
pip – i did not label the positions because of the quickfire nature of some of my messages.
I do have work demands.
But the squad can play as a 4-4-2 or 3-5-2
Celeski’s form as DM has been excellent which is the reason Lopez has gone back to Costa Rica.
md – you are being cheeky again.
the best way to improve the image of the A-League is to stop SFC supporters from sulking.
Not a good look
md said | June 30th 2009 @ 11:50am | Report comment
I’m only half joking: I wrote about this somewhere else – I reckon that MV take a Rugby approach to their tactics – they make sure their “forwards” (ie their spine) win the physical battle so that their backs (the foreign legion + Archie) are able to play creatively. It’s not a bad tactic provided you can get away with it, and in a physical league like ours you mostly can, but Vargas and Muscat are a tad prone to taking it too far.
Cheers
md
Midfielder said | June 30th 2009 @ 11:52am | Report comment
Md
LOL Pip will threaten to quit again and the refs will pick on MV.
Pippinu said | June 30th 2009 @ 11:57am | Report comment
Mid and md
I’ve said this before – in Melbourne, there’s a great tradition of threatening to tear up your membership card when things aren’t going your way (a threat we rarely carry through).
md
no use using rugby analogies with us Southerners – we haven’t got the foggiest idea of what you’re talking about!!
Now if you want to talk about enforcers, winning the hard ball gets, and feeding it out to the outside runners – that we can understand!!
Brickowski said | June 30th 2009 @ 1:21pm | Report comment
A point I made earlier seems to have been missed, Jurman and Colosimo will not be the starting centre-half pairing. Sydney’s final signing will be a Centre Half of The Bench’s choosing, some names being thrown around are Chris Coyne and Adrian Madaschi. Coyne will more than likely go to Perth, but I still remain hopeful we can get him.
From all reports Jurman is looking good and has improved his game markedly, if he starts it is likely that Colosimo will move to the DM role and the heart & soul of Sydney, Terry McFlynn will become more of an attacking player (an area he has certainly improved on recently), moving Musialik out of the starting team, probably a good thing considering his recent form & attitude.
md said | June 30th 2009 @ 1:36pm | Report comment
Has anyone else noticed the spooky similarity in appearance between Steve Corica and Vitje Lavicka? I know Mike Cockerill thinks players like Steve exercise far too much authority within Sydney FC, but that is just weird!
Cheers
md