Phoenix Academy
75
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160
·
almost 17 years
Starting XI
1.4K
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4.5K
·
over 16 years

Does he often come back to get the ball? I hope we'll have enough penetration when Ball's deep.

Trialist
85
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63
·
about 5 years

Based on his experience playing as a 10 recently. I really don't think Ufuk has signed him with the intention of trying to use him as a traditional striker. I've got a feeling we're gonna try play like Liverpool and have the wingers as the players who get the bulk of our goals, with Ball linking the play together and holding the ball up.

RR
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Bossi Insider
9.2K
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33K
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over 15 years

Based on his experience playing as a 10 recently. I really don't think Ufuk has signing him with the intention of trying to use him as a traditional striker. I've got a feeling we're gonna try play like Liverpool and have the wingers being the players who get the bulk of our goals, with Ball linking the play together and holding the ball up.

The 'rapa game will be a good indication of how we will set up. I've been assuming we will be a 4-3-3 but who knows, Talay hasn't really said much about formations.
First Team Squad
2.9K
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1.9K
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over 6 years

He said in the Ball press conference that he likes to play with a "second striker". That to me indicates he wants to play two up front, but have one striker stay on the shoulder of the defensive line and make runs in behind, while ball as a second striker drops deeper to get the ball and give Davila and co another option to play it to when trying to move the ball forward. That's just my understanding anyway

Woof Woof
2.7K
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19K
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over 16 years

RR wrote:

Based on his experience playing as a 10 recently. I really don't think Ufuk has signing him with the intention of trying to use him as a traditional striker. I've got a feeling we're gonna try play like Liverpool and have the wingers being the players who get the bulk of our goals, with Ball linking the play together and holding the ball up.

The 'rapa game will be a good indication of how we will set up. I've been assuming we will be a 4-3-3 but who knows, Talay hasn't really said much about formations.

Doubt that Rapa game will be a good indication of anything, they've been abysmal in the Central League this season so it's hardly likely to be a decent pre-season hit out. Suspect the game is more about engaging fans in the Wairarapa catchment. 

Lawyerish
1.7K
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4.8K
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about 13 years

looking at his scouting promotional video after scoring a goal he appears to have some pace running around celebrating so may do better then I initially thought 

Legend
2.1K
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16K
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about 17 years

He said in the Ball press conference that he likes to play with a "second striker". That to me indicates he wants to play two up front, but have one striker stay on the shoulder of the defensive line and make runs in behind, while ball as a second striker drops deeper to get the ball and give Davila and co another option to play it to when trying to move the ball forward. That's just my understanding anyway

Stand down soldier 

Lawyerish
1.7K
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4.8K
·
about 13 years

After reading the secret footballer and considering his history I refuse to believe that Steven Taylor of all people was in Dubai for pre season training

JC
Phoenix Academy
230
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240
·
over 9 years

After reading the secret footballer and considering his history I refuse to believe that Steven Taylor of all people was in Dubai for pre season training

I think it's believable, as long as you put 'pre-season' and 'training' in inverted commas. 

One in a million
4K
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9.5K
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almost 17 years

After reading the secret footballer and considering his history I refuse to believe that Steven Taylor of all people was in Dubai for pre season training

There were plenty of instagram photos of him doing lots of fitness training in Dubai.

Bevan
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First Team Squad
210
·
1.7K
·
over 16 years

Now that we have a Ball, we should get a Field and a Line next.

Starting XI
300
·
4K
·
almost 17 years

Bevan wrote:

Now that we have a Ball, we should get a Field and a Line next.

Aaron Lines?

GK
Phoenix Academy
100
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410
·
over 10 years

NHpeter wrote:

Bevan wrote:

Now that we have a Ball, we should get a Field and a Line next.

Aaron Lines?

Greenacre or two.

Trialist
110
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110
·
over 16 years

I'll check transfermarkt to see if there is a Jeremy Jumpersforgoalposts.

One in a million
4K
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9.5K
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almost 17 years

Hasn't Bally been terrific, consistent, hard working, good vision and now the goals are rolling in too. He's up for A League player of the month. Vote him in!

https://www.a-league.com.au/news/vote-hyundai-a-league-player-month-February

Legend
8K
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14K
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over 16 years

done, ball needs our votes - duke leading on 53% bally on 43%

Phoenix Academy
250
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160
·
over 6 years

Bally now in front 59% to Duke 33%. Nice work YF.

LG
Legend
5.5K
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23K
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over 16 years

Another vote for him. He's been immense with his work rate on and off the ball (Sorry about the pun)

First Team Squad
1.3K
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1.1K
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over 5 years

done. Much like the rest of the team, have thoroughly enjoyed watching him. His work rate is second to none and the trickery a joy to watch. Chuffed for him that he’s started to get a few goals to his name.

RR
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Bossi Insider
9.2K
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33K
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over 15 years
and 3 others
Appiah without the pace
6.4K
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19K
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over 16 years
He's not had a good season. Hopefully just a blip rather than a tailing off of his career. 
Ball.png 8.68 KB
Legend
8K
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14K
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over 16 years
Agreed, output wise it wasnt his best, but I'd be confident to suggest if we looked at the number of times he was involved in a scoring play his numbers would be higher, pretty sure he was often involved in a pass before an asisst occurred on a number of occassions. Stats like these are all good as a measure of success but his work off the ball and in defence was massive this season.
First Team Squad
2.9K
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1.9K
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over 6 years
Reposting this in here from the Barbarouses thread because DB deserves some love recently - 

Getting a bit off topic I know, but I've been on a stats binge all day. You're spot on about his impact. I feel like in other leagues assists stats are talked about way more than here, but they're just as important as scoring. Across his time with us, David Ball has 33 direct goal involvements in the league (18 assists, 15 goals). Only Ifill (20) and Bertos (19) have more assists ever for the club, and David is also in 3rd for most direct goal involvements behind Krishna (62) and Ifill (53). Regardless of what happens going forwards, David Ball is a certified Nix legend.
and 5 others
Marquee
6.9K
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9.3K
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over 13 years
Just wish he'd chip in with a few goals too.
Legend
6.8K
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14K
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over 16 years
Ryan
Just wish he'd chip in with a few goals too.

I just mentioned elsewhere we’ve got a long way to go in the season. While it’s kinda scary, it is also plenty of blank canvas for Bally to nab a few goals too! Fingers crossed. 
RR
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Bossi Insider
9.2K
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33K
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over 15 years
Ryan
Just wish he'd chip in with a few goals too.
His last goal was 2nd January last year, it was the first time he scored & we had lost. Hopefully he rediscover his scoring form soon.

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