Hmmm... where to start... So it was a disappointing match, the Roar did ok in the middle of the park but lacked any kind of conviction at either end of the pitch. Zullo struggled at left back again, Oar was reportedly sick during half time and never really looked in it, Murdocca was stuck deep for most of the game and Sarota was back to his ambling worst on the right side of midfield. Sarota wafted around with neither the pace to get behind or the will to take his fullback on.
It would be tempting to think that Sarota would have been of more use in the centre of the park, where he played his best game for the Roar, with Murdocca given the run of the right side with his extra pace and dynamism.
Reinaldo and Van Dijk looked dangerous on the rare occasion the ball came near although the big brazilian seems a little rusty. Set out in a flat 442, the Roars really missed a Nicholls or Miller to link between the midfield and attack.
The substitutes had little impact although the introduction of Mundy for Oar allowed Zullo to take up his preferred position on the left wing from where he looked more dangerous than Oar had managed to be.
All in all, fans should remember that it has been more than a year since anyone beat Wellington at home, not even Sydney, Melbourne have managed it and the Roars got out of it better than the Gold Coast did (6-0).
Its easy to forget that despite loosing Smeltz, the Nux have a talented team with plenty of depth. Even in the absence of the injured Daniel, Wellington had the luxury of bring a player of Diego's quality of the bench. Currently the Roar don't have a player with Diego's creative ability at the moment and it showed. And while many may rue the loss of Charlie Miller, there is no denying that this season he was not doing the business.
Hopefully the Roar will give the fans a January present... perhaps a loan deal for a frustrated world cup hopeful looking for game time... no Ange, we don't mean Lucas Pantellas...
Agree the Roar shape looked 2 years out of date. Everyone has moved on from a flat 442 - even the FFA.
What do you think of the FFA's strategy of pounding the Roar in the press? As if they had the money to make a difference.
Posted by: John | January 14, 2010 at 11:45 AM
Its all bit odd - they should be talking the game and clubs up in public...
Posted by: Ed | January 16, 2010 at 02:01 AM
Hi. . . unrelated topic, sorry. My tv has crapped itself, does anyone know where game will be shown on sat night in Brisbane?
Posted by: Andrew | January 22, 2010 at 07:09 PM
Hi Andrew, I've been living in Vietnam since november so it is justintv.com for me. I am a bit out of touch, but when in bris I lived in Paddington and the game was usually on at most of the pubs near the stadium, also usually on at the muddy farmer in annerly, pig and whistle in tow, queens arms in New farm (you may have to ask but they are very obliging and have many screens) and the melbourne hotel at west end.
Good luck, fingers crossed for a better performance than last time we went north!
Posted by: Ed | January 23, 2010 at 02:48 PM