Firstly, apologies for missing a week but as you may or may not know I have recently moved houses and have not got around to transferring my internet etc. I won't harp on the loss to Qld except to say that Jobe Wheelhouse's send off was a joke.
Now on to the good stuff! Friday night, how good was it? I'll now proceed to tell you.
It was amazing, it was fluent passing football, it was clinical finishing, it was exciting attacking play from well worked build up all the way from defence, through the mid field to the strikers. If i wasn't so drunk from a work Christmas party I probably would've got an erection! I'd like to point out my highlights, i actually watched the game again this afternoon just to gather my thoughts. My first viewing of the game was blurry, i think Bob's reception is going bad on his Foxtel!
Matt Thompson, see below for how much i rate this man. He is an ever present utility who everyone should admire. He's finishing on Friday night looked nothing like the defender that he once was and looked totally like a class striker. A well earned, hard worked hat trick that firmly gives him his place in Jets folk law for my mind. It could've actually been a couple more as he created at least two other chances as well! Well done mate on a top performance!
Song. What can we say, i suppose it has been a long time coming but it was brilliant in its simplicity. He collects the ball from some hard work by Adam Griffiths, plays in Joel Griffiths, and even though its late in the game and he's been running flat out for 80 odd minutes, he continues his run. Like he deserves Joel plays it back to him and he hits the back of the net with a relatively easy finish! Well done, just reward for some hard work. Hopefully this will be the start of some more to come from this young man. His quotes in the Herald today were definately worth reading too!
Mark Milligan. As long as we can hold on to him for ACL and next year he will go a long way to replacing the massive loss of Adam Griffiths. He was solid and his passing range is just brilliant. With the news today that he gets moved to Marquee for the remainder of the season hopefully the 'China Syndrome' won't come to anything and he can go on to wear the gold for a while yet!
There were a few negatives. Adam Griffiths being so good, given the fact that he's leaving just put the back room turmoil back in full view. Conceeding two very soft goals was a blemish when Covic in particular could of used the boost of a clean sheet. They were generally from a lack of organisation in defence and i think this highlights further the need to sign an experienced defender quickly! The denail of a clear penalty at the death just again highlights the poor refs, although given the denial of Thompson's early opener for Victory i spose we'll take that one!
On to the only other game i watched on the weekend. Perth Vs Sydney. Sydney were rubbish and got what they deserved. Aloisi needs to have a good long look at himself, he missed two sitters, i'm even going to put it out there that i could've scored the second one, and thats saying a lot! I put my money wear my mouth was and got $10 on perth at $4.75. It was money in the bank. People may point out that there were two own goals involved however this does nothing to take away the fact that Sydney were woeful. Perth looked like a championship side out there running rings around a disjointed Sydney unit. If it wasn't for a former Jet, in Stuart Musalik, providing a moment of individual brilliance it would've been 4 zip. Whilst i understand the boo's i cannot tolerate real fans booing their team off the park (see an early post on this matter!). I'm going to publish one of Bob's quotes here: "We may be bottom of the table, but at least we don't pay Aloise to play!" Need we say more.
Finally, well done Jets. Whilst it is still a mathematical possibility to make the finals i think its a long shot and will just be happy for the Jets to continue the form from Friday for the rest of the season into the ACL. I enjoyed watching the boys play for the first time in a long while, and further performances will take away some of the hurt of a terrible season. Well done boys, we'll see you on Boxing Day. Merry Christmas to the three people who read this as well!
Yours in Football
B!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Sunday, December 7, 2008
RIP Season 08/09
Well... I think even the most die hard Jets fan, myself included, can now admit that the title defence is over. Whilst it is still mathematically possible to make the four it is now very unlikely. I'll start with some analysis of the game yesterday but I'll also attempt to some up in a few words where it went wrong in general.
So what happened yesterday. First 60 minutes i thought the boys did very well. They showed good movement through the mid field, good one touch football at times, reasonably solid defence (except from set pieces) and a good work rate across the park. I was also impressed to see an almost total lack of stupid, mariner like, route one football. Jesic continued to shine like the future he will be, although i think Naidovski (spelling?) was a bit out of his depth and needs to be filtered back in with sub appearances now that JGrift will be back. He seems a bit behind the ball mixing it up with the big boys. James Holland played the best game since his return from extended national team commitments, maybe he has finally shaken the fatigue of his hectic schedule.
Jobe's goal was well deserved, i think he looked sharper playing in front of the back four rather than as a part of it. He does cop a lot of flak from the Newcastle faithful but he is a stayer it would seem and his performances the last month have been a breath of fresh air in a team where sometimes it seems that other players minds are elsewhere. Ditto for the ever present Matt Thompson, a better and more complete utility player i can't think of across the league. He doesn't know week to week whether he'll be part of a back four, part of a back 3, or part of an attacking 3 behind a lone striker. He handles this with an astute work ethic, unwavering commitment to the cause and he looks heaps like a friend of mines boyfriend (don't think you'll ever read this Troy but if you do, good on your look alike). I kind of got side tracked there didn't I.
Sydney's first goal was a bit lucky on their part, but if you watch the replay, Jade North lets Ian Fyfe sneak in over his shoulder at a time when he seems to be ball watching rather than marking up. Second goal full credit to young Gan, (shame on you the world game for a piss poor pun, 'Sydney's Gan derails Jets', you know like the Ghan, come on enough of the Dad jokes). However when a defensive midfielder (AGrift) pushes up (like he should) on the player with the ball (Old man Corica, speaking of dad jokes), the defence should slide to fill the gap. They didn't, Gan finished well, end of story.
Apart from that we were wasteful in front of goal, look at the shots status if you don't believe me, i don't have them handy but trust me (or check if you don't). This isn't Jesic or Naidovski's or Thompson's or any one's fault. The fact is they are either inexperienced or not recognised strikers. GVE/Con/Crook have been unable to find a replacement for Zura, have been unfortunate with injuries (Hoffman, although still has youth problem) and are paying for stupid suspensions (JGrift, Milligan I'm looking at you).
As an aside, the rubbish in the Herald today about the squadron's chants, pull your head in, support your team, don't jump off the band wagon just because the boys are struggling. It makes me so angry i can't comment further for now, go read it if your interested.
I promised an analysis of what went wrong, but I've waffled on enough for this installment. Good luck against QLD Jets, welcome back to Grift and Milligan, although I'm still unsure how long Milligan's stint will last this year, whether he gets installed as a replacement for Suspence(r) or what ever. I still love you, i hope to see some results late on the season, they need the momentum to carry into the ACL next year.
Yours in Football,
B
So what happened yesterday. First 60 minutes i thought the boys did very well. They showed good movement through the mid field, good one touch football at times, reasonably solid defence (except from set pieces) and a good work rate across the park. I was also impressed to see an almost total lack of stupid, mariner like, route one football. Jesic continued to shine like the future he will be, although i think Naidovski (spelling?) was a bit out of his depth and needs to be filtered back in with sub appearances now that JGrift will be back. He seems a bit behind the ball mixing it up with the big boys. James Holland played the best game since his return from extended national team commitments, maybe he has finally shaken the fatigue of his hectic schedule.
Jobe's goal was well deserved, i think he looked sharper playing in front of the back four rather than as a part of it. He does cop a lot of flak from the Newcastle faithful but he is a stayer it would seem and his performances the last month have been a breath of fresh air in a team where sometimes it seems that other players minds are elsewhere. Ditto for the ever present Matt Thompson, a better and more complete utility player i can't think of across the league. He doesn't know week to week whether he'll be part of a back four, part of a back 3, or part of an attacking 3 behind a lone striker. He handles this with an astute work ethic, unwavering commitment to the cause and he looks heaps like a friend of mines boyfriend (don't think you'll ever read this Troy but if you do, good on your look alike). I kind of got side tracked there didn't I.
Sydney's first goal was a bit lucky on their part, but if you watch the replay, Jade North lets Ian Fyfe sneak in over his shoulder at a time when he seems to be ball watching rather than marking up. Second goal full credit to young Gan, (shame on you the world game for a piss poor pun, 'Sydney's Gan derails Jets', you know like the Ghan, come on enough of the Dad jokes). However when a defensive midfielder (AGrift) pushes up (like he should) on the player with the ball (Old man Corica, speaking of dad jokes), the defence should slide to fill the gap. They didn't, Gan finished well, end of story.
Apart from that we were wasteful in front of goal, look at the shots status if you don't believe me, i don't have them handy but trust me (or check if you don't). This isn't Jesic or Naidovski's or Thompson's or any one's fault. The fact is they are either inexperienced or not recognised strikers. GVE/Con/Crook have been unable to find a replacement for Zura, have been unfortunate with injuries (Hoffman, although still has youth problem) and are paying for stupid suspensions (JGrift, Milligan I'm looking at you).
As an aside, the rubbish in the Herald today about the squadron's chants, pull your head in, support your team, don't jump off the band wagon just because the boys are struggling. It makes me so angry i can't comment further for now, go read it if your interested.
I promised an analysis of what went wrong, but I've waffled on enough for this installment. Good luck against QLD Jets, welcome back to Grift and Milligan, although I'm still unsure how long Milligan's stint will last this year, whether he gets installed as a replacement for Suspence(r) or what ever. I still love you, i hope to see some results late on the season, they need the momentum to carry into the ACL next year.
Yours in Football,
B
Monday, December 1, 2008
tears and beers - a weekend as a B...
Well. First of all a shout out to all you fans in Goblins land for a great end of season trip. Even though i'm no longer a Goblin proper i was privledged, honoured, drunk and happy to be part of a top weekend. Shout outs to Mikey fopr organising it etc.
On to the football at hand. Unfortunately for me i only saw one game this weekend so this entry will be focused solely on the Jets, well i'd like to say game, but i'll use... the jets heartbreak. What was always going to be a tough ask against a very battle hardened Adelaide outfit actually started ok. Even though the first half was a pretty boring affair i thought the Jets had the better of the general play, and they reverted to the passing game that we all admire so much (most of the time).
Matty Thompsons opening goal was a well deserved highlight for a top game from the ever present utility. He played well in the number 10 role in the absence of one young Song. As ever he ran all day and made numerous good runs into the box and probably should've had another one. A.grift also had a screamer and reiterated how much we'll miss him next year. Covic also kept us in the game with 3 or 4 brilliant saves, the blip at the end was unforunate as a clean sheet and a strong performance would've put him back on track i believe. a lack of finishing in generally probably cost us a bigger lead which would've sealed the points.
The Jets didn't sit back until about the last 10 minutes, but it was always going to be a risk to conceed late as it was pretty clear about the 80 minute mark that they were defending a slim lead. My comment at 87 minutes was 'i don't know whether i can watch'.
Quite frankly, i shouldn't have. A questionable amount of injury time, coupled with a questionable free kick, led to a Covic mistake, slip and the Adelaide equiliser. Heart break. It wasn't what the boys deserved and it has probably cost them their season (if it wasn't already over).
At this point i feel it is my duty to point out the one big negative from the game. the 'fans'. the turn out was already bad to start with. but thats fine, tough times financially etc. but the reaction at the end of the game was a disgrace. I hope, i really hope the squadron were booing the ref for letting injury time drag on, but i am 100% sure that the people around me were booing the players. I even heard one neanderthal remark, "fuck you Covic, your fucking shit, i'm never coming back here!"
Now, as a die hard Jets fan i was nearly in tears (literally), but that sort of behaviour is totally unacceptable and typical of the problems facing the Jets as a club. People are all too quick to forget, a championship, 3 years of finals appearances and playing a brand of football which is one of the best in the league. Yes the Jets have struggled this season, but they haven't been helped by losing players, some bad luck and of course Mathew Breeze.
So to you people who booed and swore and carried on, i plead with you, pull your heads in. Part of being a supporter is enjoying the game even when times are tough. If nothing else, not booing makes as better than the ever fickle Sydney fans, and surely that is something worth aiming for! I beg you to get to the game next weekend, clap, cheer, support, abuse Sydney and even shed a tear if the result doesn't go our way! Please????? It may seem hypocritical that i won't be there but my geographical location does not help.
Honourable mentions to the female Jets who are forging ahead in their competition and are most likely to be the only gold team in the finals this year. I also can't go past without mentioning Shane Smeltz's screamer that put him into leading goal scorer, well deserved and sums up the Pheonix revival (i refuse to use shit pheonix rising puns).
Hopefully the Dutchy texting saga doesn't come to anything, didn't he learn anything from warnie? We welcome back J Grift and Milligan next week and hope to capitalise on Sydney's poor recent form. 3 points is a must, not for finals hopes, but restore some people's faith in the club.
I love you Jets, and i love the game.
yours in football
B
On to the football at hand. Unfortunately for me i only saw one game this weekend so this entry will be focused solely on the Jets, well i'd like to say game, but i'll use... the jets heartbreak. What was always going to be a tough ask against a very battle hardened Adelaide outfit actually started ok. Even though the first half was a pretty boring affair i thought the Jets had the better of the general play, and they reverted to the passing game that we all admire so much (most of the time).
Matty Thompsons opening goal was a well deserved highlight for a top game from the ever present utility. He played well in the number 10 role in the absence of one young Song. As ever he ran all day and made numerous good runs into the box and probably should've had another one. A.grift also had a screamer and reiterated how much we'll miss him next year. Covic also kept us in the game with 3 or 4 brilliant saves, the blip at the end was unforunate as a clean sheet and a strong performance would've put him back on track i believe. a lack of finishing in generally probably cost us a bigger lead which would've sealed the points.
The Jets didn't sit back until about the last 10 minutes, but it was always going to be a risk to conceed late as it was pretty clear about the 80 minute mark that they were defending a slim lead. My comment at 87 minutes was 'i don't know whether i can watch'.
Quite frankly, i shouldn't have. A questionable amount of injury time, coupled with a questionable free kick, led to a Covic mistake, slip and the Adelaide equiliser. Heart break. It wasn't what the boys deserved and it has probably cost them their season (if it wasn't already over).
At this point i feel it is my duty to point out the one big negative from the game. the 'fans'. the turn out was already bad to start with. but thats fine, tough times financially etc. but the reaction at the end of the game was a disgrace. I hope, i really hope the squadron were booing the ref for letting injury time drag on, but i am 100% sure that the people around me were booing the players. I even heard one neanderthal remark, "fuck you Covic, your fucking shit, i'm never coming back here!"
Now, as a die hard Jets fan i was nearly in tears (literally), but that sort of behaviour is totally unacceptable and typical of the problems facing the Jets as a club. People are all too quick to forget, a championship, 3 years of finals appearances and playing a brand of football which is one of the best in the league. Yes the Jets have struggled this season, but they haven't been helped by losing players, some bad luck and of course Mathew Breeze.
So to you people who booed and swore and carried on, i plead with you, pull your heads in. Part of being a supporter is enjoying the game even when times are tough. If nothing else, not booing makes as better than the ever fickle Sydney fans, and surely that is something worth aiming for! I beg you to get to the game next weekend, clap, cheer, support, abuse Sydney and even shed a tear if the result doesn't go our way! Please????? It may seem hypocritical that i won't be there but my geographical location does not help.
Honourable mentions to the female Jets who are forging ahead in their competition and are most likely to be the only gold team in the finals this year. I also can't go past without mentioning Shane Smeltz's screamer that put him into leading goal scorer, well deserved and sums up the Pheonix revival (i refuse to use shit pheonix rising puns).
Hopefully the Dutchy texting saga doesn't come to anything, didn't he learn anything from warnie? We welcome back J Grift and Milligan next week and hope to capitalise on Sydney's poor recent form. 3 points is a must, not for finals hopes, but restore some people's faith in the club.
I love you Jets, and i love the game.
yours in football
B
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