Expert
Joined March 2019
21.7k
Views
29
Published
1.1k
Comments
Shabab Hossain is a football writer with a specific interest in statistics and tactics. He digs deeper than most into the game to find out how and why your favourite team is performing the way they are.
Published
Comments
It’s been a tough couple of years to be a Jets fan. This season started in ominous fashion when their marquee signing, former Ireland…
This season has been poor by Melbourne Victory’s lofty standards. More than two-thirds of the way through the campaign, they sit ninth with only…
In a season where there have been plenty of breakout stars, from the Toure brothers in Adelaide to Jerry Skotadis at Western United, there…
The A-League now has a majority – six of 11 – of teams whose usual formation involves three centre backs and two wing-backs. The…
Over the past few weeks, Brisbane Roar have risen from the foot of the table to a relatively comfortable position as one of the…
The Asian Champions League (ACL) has kicked off this week, Melbourne Victory starting their group stage campaign last night while Sydney FC have a…
It’s hard to talk about football tactics without mentioning formations. Whether your team is playing in a classic 4-4-2, an aggressive 4-2-3-1 or perhaps…
Sydney FC are running away with the league, Perth Glory have bumpy beginnings to continue their ascent from last season, while Melbourne City are…
Ernie Merrick, Marco Kurz and now, after a prolonged period of suffering for the Western Sydney Wanderers, Markus Babbel. In the end, given the…
After only 13 games Melbourne Victory’s board have made the hasty decision to remove Marco Kurz as head coach seemingly due to disappointing results.…
Changes to the Laws of the game in football have always been a decisive factor in how the sport is played at its most…
Adam le Fondre. Kosta Barbarouses. Rhyan Grant. Milos Ninkovic. These are the names that first spring to mind when you think about Sydney FC’s…
The A-League season has been full of surprises, from Wellington Phoenix’s continued rise to the initial hope followed by the familiar disappointment of Western…
From his humble beginnings in South Melbourne to leading Yokahama F Marinos to the Japanese championship, Ange Postecoglou’s football philosophy has captivated players and…
Match result: Western United retain bragging rights as they defeated Melbourne Victory 3-1 courtesy a brace from Besart Berisha, a dagger into his former…
In May Perth Glory were moments away from lifting the A-League trophy when they fell to Sydney FC in penalty kicks. Now, less than…
When James Troisi arrived at Adelaide United, there were mixed reactions about how much of a coup this was for the team. He is…
Match result: Central Coast Mariners kept their first clean sheet in 639 days as they fought to a one-nil victory against Western United at…
Six rounds in and Melbourne City are top of the A-League table, with Jamie Maclaren firing on all cylinders. The team has a visibly…
Match result: The Newcastle Jets will be frustrated after they let go of a one-goal lead against a 10-man Perth Glory as they shared…
Although Davila is the standout star, the rest of the team aren’t slouches. Piscopo was the best player for the Olyroos at the recent AFC U23 tournament, mainly because of his creativity, while Devlin, Hooper and Ball carry responsibilities too. Not a one man show by any means. Not that I think teams will be stopping Davila, he’s too good!
Wellington Phoenix are best placed to challenge Sydney FC's crown
It would be absolutely amazing if they go from almost being kicked out to then winning the whole thing.
Wellington Phoenix are best placed to challenge Sydney FC's crown
I don’t think any team has won the championship in their first grand final except for the first few seasons of the A-League where obviously that was the case. Even still, it doesn’t really make sense to me that this current Phoenix crop would carry any burdens of not making a GF before. I see your point about Perth perhaps having an extra motivation to win the finals this time around, and I could definitely see it happening.
Wellington Phoenix are best placed to challenge Sydney FC's crown
Always nice to see you comment Fadida, thanks for reading 🙂 But yes, I think Wellington have been the team to trouble Sydney the most in the fixtures so far, coupled with their strong form for the past 2 months or so and I believe they can take down the mighty Sky Blues! Watch them not even make playoffs now 😂
Wellington Phoenix are best placed to challenge Sydney FC's crown
Thanks very much Boris! Completely agree with you. I have had so much fun watching the Nix this season, and Davila is a huge reason for that.
Wellington Phoenix are best placed to challenge Sydney FC's crown
Wellington have been the team that has troubled the most this season. Their most recent draw saw Sydney thoroughly outplayed but they hung on for a draw. History might come into it down the line, but based on form Nix is the best competitor for me.
Wellington Phoenix are best placed to challenge Sydney FC's crown
For sure. Davila the main protagonist but Hooper and the rest are a splendid supporting act. He’s not hit top stride but I think his ability to make the most out of his physical strength to hold play up and get Davila and co involved has been brilliant.
Wellington Phoenix are best placed to challenge Sydney FC's crown
Thanks very much for reading! Hopefully you can continue to enjoy 👍
Wellington Phoenix are best placed to challenge Sydney FC's crown
100% agree, my friend
Wellington Phoenix are best placed to challenge Sydney FC's crown
Yeah, it’s definitely been an incredible rebuild this season from Uffy. After losing so many key players and their coach, I was expecting them to finish 10th this season. Instead they look even better!
Wellington Phoenix are best placed to challenge Sydney FC's crown
Yeah that has to be the goal now because their fanbase is one of the liveliest in the league. Give them a boutique stadium and it could really kick off.
Wellington Phoenix are best placed to challenge Sydney FC's crown
Yeah, you’re right. Facing all the top 3 teams in the next 4 weeks as well a match against WU, which is never easy. Will definitely tell us a lot about them, but I think they’ll come out relatively unscathed. Minimum 6 points from these next 4 fixtures imo.
Wellington Phoenix are best placed to challenge Sydney FC's crown
Thanks mate. Personally, they’ve been the second best team in the league for me behind Sydney obviously. I don’t think it’s a far stretch, but it is all just perspectives!
Wellington Phoenix are best placed to challenge Sydney FC's crown
Yeah I agree — I’m just saying that I think right now, Phoenix are the best placed team to challenge them.
Wellington Phoenix are best placed to challenge Sydney FC's crown
Which is why I said that they’re the best placed to challenge Sydney. Of course any team can win any given match, but if I had to pick an opponent that I think would be likeliest to beat Sydney in the finals, I would nominate Wellington Phoenix.
Wellington Phoenix are best placed to challenge Sydney FC's crown
For the league, yeah, I’m talking about the finals in May. Phoenix have been the second best team this season, and I think they could give Sydney a run come finals
Wellington Phoenix are best placed to challenge Sydney FC's crown
I don’t think it’s silly at all. In Europe, a lot of clubs just give the captaincy to the most capped player for the team. Obviously doesn’t mean they are naturally leaders. Are you telling me if Beckenbauer, Cruyff or Keane didn’t have the armband they wouldn’t have acted exactly the same?
Three basic steps for Jean-Paul de Marigny to begin the Wanderers rebuild
Sure, but they would have been the same whether or not they are “officially” captain.
Three basic steps for Jean-Paul de Marigny to begin the Wanderers rebuild
Well you’ve got to get the foundation right first if you want to build on top of that.
Three basic steps for Jean-Paul de Marigny to begin the Wanderers rebuild
I like the looks of their full-backs who have played some part this season, Tate Russell and Daniel Wilmering (unfortunate that he’s out for the season) look like they could come good if they continue playing for a couple of seasons. Lots of midfield talent like Kosta Grozos and Nick Sullivan who should get more starts imo. Mohamed Adam also should probably be ahead of the Yeboah in the picking order.
Three basic steps for Jean-Paul de Marigny to begin the Wanderers rebuild
All due respect Buddy, I use the stats to back up my own arguments and perhaps bring up new points. The gist of this article really is that WSW are bad in a lot of different ways and that’s what they need to work on. I’m sure you’d agree with that, not sure what the issue with stats is. I actually agree with a lot of your analysis, midfield is a sore point for Wanderers because they lack someone who can first get the ball into the final third from deep, then someone creative who can penetrate the defence once they are there. Also don’t even think this team is much of a sideways passing team, and they actually have one of the lowest average possessions in the league. They’re just bad when they have the ball.
Three basic steps for Jean-Paul de Marigny to begin the Wanderers rebuild
My personal view on captaincy is similar to Nemesis. A leader will display those qualities that change a team with or without the armband. It’s not that leadership isn’t important, but it doesn’t require them to be told “you are the captain” to do what a captain would do. My own theory is that the symbolic importance of captaincy comes from the role captains play in cricket, but that’s a story for another day..
Three basic steps for Jean-Paul de Marigny to begin the Wanderers rebuild
I don’t think there’s any issues in the team dynamics from what I’ve seen while attending the games. Just think they’re a passionate bunch and not happy with the situation they’re in right now. I think Duke is fine as a captain. What makes you think he is a poor captain?
Three basic steps for Jean-Paul de Marigny to begin the Wanderers rebuild
They had one of them by the name of Baumjohann, and they let him go only to now see him prosper at the other side of Sydney.
Three basic steps for Jean-Paul de Marigny to begin the Wanderers rebuild
One of the great stories of the A-League, but unfortunately don’t get much attention on our side of the ditch
Wellington Phoenix are best placed to challenge Sydney FC's crown