When beautiful isn't working - try hard nosed

Well. I think I'm not alone when I say that I breathed a sigh of relief when at full time the Jets had managed to hold on to an initial 2-0 lead to win 2-1. It has been a long time coming, and whilst the performance left a lot to be desired, the result was certainly what the players, the club and most importantly the fans needed! Plus it is always nice to get a derby victory!

I'm going to say that it was the worst performance by the team I've watched this year (remembering that I was OS for the Brisbane home defeat). A brilliant opening 20 minutes died off into a 7 or 8 man back line that any Italian side would've been proud of. Our attacking flair died but the defense to it's credit did not once leave BK exposed. The two 'saves' he was forced to make late on were 30 or 40 yard speculators which the defense could do little about. Whilst he did deal with them well, there were still some moments where he hesitated to come of his line (or stay on his line) which does nothing to erase my seed of doubt that he his fit to play at this level.

Up front I think Branko would be mad to change the Bridges/Haliti combination unless some how we managed to sign Drogba on a guest stint. They worked brilliantly together on Friday night and were justly rewarded with a goal each! Despite an abundance of strikers now fit I would definitely be leaving them on the bench for what has to be our solid first choice combo.

Kudos as well to Ange Costanzo (or gorgeous George as we like to know him). He has struggled for game time, even struggled for a spot on the bench but has not complained and played the team line all year. He was rewarded for his patience on Friday night and I would like to think that he will retain his spot regardless of Lljubo's fitness. I think it also highlights the fact that Branko has 3 class centre backs in, George, Lljubo and T-S, and he should not thrust someone like Kanta into the back line 'a la' the week before. These guys have a wealth of knowledge and experience, read the game like it's a short children's book and barring an injury to two of them at any one time 2 out of the 3 should be on the field. If Lljubo does make a return from injury I think there is merit in pushing him into the holding midfield role and keeping the back line as is. We need to tighten up enough to maintain a clean sheet however, from my memory the last one was against the Gold Coast and that isn't good enough to win games or challenge for a finals spot!

Unfortunately for the faithful, wins to Nth Qld and a Wellington thrashing of Gold Coast (comedy gold for those who watched) does not alter the Jets position on the table. They need to back it up this weekend against the Roar who, if their game against Sydney is any indication, will be hard to break down and dangerous on the counter. Also be ware the team with a new coach! Shut down Van Djik, Mitch Nicols and Tommy Oar and you'll isolate Reinaldo (assuming his injury was only a knock). Easier said than done!

The players confidence should be back up, I know mine is as a supporter and I'm looking forward to back to back wins for the first time this season. I would like to see more than 20 minutes of beautiful football that we are capable of being played. But if it means another 3 points in Brisbane, I probably won't even mention it next week!

Yours in Football,

B!

Not Again... Beautiful game, heart breaking result...

Ok so I know it's been a few weeks again but I do have a life after all (including a work relocation to Newcastle through the week now!) To the Football...

Why? For the third week in a row the boys have managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Now I know your screaming that they had a draw with Adelaide yesterday but when you play as well as they did in the first half and only walk away with a point, it feels like a loss. At least from where I'm sitting it was. So what's going wrong? I just don't know. They have a solid back line with hard nose centre halves and quickish left and right backs. A dynamite midfield anchored by D'appuzzo (who had his best game in a gold shirt yesterday) who is most probably the weakest link. 3 out of, Fabio, Abbas, Patafta and Song is just amazing. Fabio distributes and the others buzz around him like very skillful little puppies it truly is beautiful to watch. But up front.

Ok so it's not ground breaking to say that it's up front where we are not getting the results from our players. I think we have the personnel to score goals but like all strikers they just need to find some form. My new concern after watching Bridges is that we have signed not a goal scorer but yet another provider. Considering it was his first game in over 6 weeks he was outstanding. But not as a 6 yard box striker which is what we need but dropping back and picking up the ball and creating (like the assist for Song).

Ok so i kind of rambled without much of a point. I guess that's because i don't really no what to say. They are playing brilliant football but just not finishing, and because of that just not getting results. All i can hope is that one, or even better, all, the strikers hit some form and capitalise on what really is the best football in the a-league.

Keep it R, L! Yours in Football.
Peace