R24 vs Newcastle | Sun 26th March | 7:00pm | RoF

Watson did his job - distract and annoy the defence and drag them all over the place.

He also got the 'assist' for the OG.

I should have added a lotto win!  

I was over the moon, what a fantastic afternoon/evening with two of my favourite sports teams.  Thanks to both for making my day that much more enjoyable.

I don't want to see Jack Henry Sinclair make his debut... the moment he does any thoughts of a US scholarship are gone.

He will end up playing in the SSP like  (memory black) the quick young team wellington striker who played a handful of games.

If he plays, its because we see him as a genuine player going forward.

Because our midfield wilts at the first sign of pressure.  Rodriguez and Lia get pulled apart by any decent movement.  Last night they played with their head up because there was no pressure on them at all, the Jest sat back and let them play.  I still don't get the praise for Rodriguez, he has no passing range and has gone completely missing time and time again against the big teams

Reality is though those shots from 25+ are going to go in maybe once a season, it's a low percentage option.  Plus he didn't actually manage to get a shot away; they were all blocked weren't they?  I thought he was pretty poor, he's better off doing the simple things really well than trying to score worldies

Seeing JHS on the bench makes me feel old, his dad was my Economics teacher in Palmy. If he wanted to go the US College route, he probably would have left when Joe Bell did earlier this season? But without knowing the kid personally, I can't say for sure.

double post

I'll agree that the combination of Lia and A-rod lacks mobility. Disagree on A-Rod goes missing - go re-read some game reports against the big teams we lost to, many mention A-rod being one of our best despite the result. Try watching him play (without blinkers on) he's not fast but the amount of last ditch tackles he makes is impressive, he'll also always be available to recieve a pass, and once he passes he moves into space to receive again immediately (something that NZ raised midfields struggle with, pass and move). Passing range is debateable, he clearly has a mandate to not pass long, but keep the ball moving through the midfield, and even with the occassional mis-placed pass, has the highest completed passing percentage in the team and the highest completed passing percentage in the league while in the opposition half.

What, like bring the ball down and holding it up for other attackers? Or turning defenders inside out while running at the byline as other attackers were getting in position? Or when crossing, going low and hard across the face of goal? I get you're hard to please, and to be fair I'd replace him with Roy any day - but give the guy some credit, he was poor in a 5 - 0 win? jeez.

I didn't say he was poor.  I thought he was limited but did ok.  I was specifically responding to the point that "it's good to see a striker taking a shot".  My point is those were pretty poor options, he should just be recycling the ball and just playing the percentages

Channelling some Trump there?

For what its worth I do agree that his decision making could use some work. The same could be said for Chris Wood when he was 23.

I just don't think Rodriguez affects games anywhere near enough.  He is a very tidy short passer but that's just not enough - he doesn't shoot, pass long, run with the ball, create chances or assists.  Our results with him in the team ahve generally been poor for 2 seasons.  Even yesterday the standout ball from midfield was Lia to Kosta for the first goal.  Rodriguez just doesn't make passes like that.  We need to try something else

End of the day if A-Rod is such a good player why haven't we done better with him in the team?  And if he's great and I just can't see it then who is the problem?

Ok let me rephrase - he was ok.

Chris Wood was playing in the CHampionship when he was 23 so I suspect his decision making was at a slightly different level

Great to see Dylan Fox, Roly and Kosta all in the A League team of the week.

Watson worked hard in the game. Think recently he has been trying to over hit shots and not making as good opportunities- he's frequently getting shots blocked. 

On the other hand shooting from there means the defence won't sit off you and maybe will free up some space for others. 

I didn't think he was minging, but it wasn't his best game. On the other hand, seems we all love Roly and his shot went in off a deflection, and wasn't blocked. If Watson had had some similar luck, he'd be getting all the plaudits for a goal and a great ball across goal for the OG.

Watching the replay and shark some of you are a bit harsh on Watson he has done some good things so far and its from some of his work that our 2nd goal came.Yep he may not be a Roy or Smeltz but i dont think he is as bad as some of you go on about. As good as Smeltz has been for us remind me how many he has managed to score since being back.

 Like others i hope some of these guys are given a chance in our remaining games and i hope like hell some of you dont turn on them if things dont go well given that what they have coming up is likely to be sharkloads better than the Jets.

I liked this part of the game plan against Newcastle. Win the ball, feed it to Roly. Roly don't dwell on it, pass and move.

Here's a question... who has been our biggest disappointment this season?

For me its Kosta - despite some improved performances of late, he has generally taken poor options and shown a heavy touch. Closely followed by Finkler.

A - Rod is well done the pecking order in this list, behind Smeltz (only 2 goals from open play), Lia, Roly, and Durante.

In contrast I found TV3 report disappointing. It was stuck at the end of the long bulletin, just before netball which came dead last. No interviews, rushed through the goals footage and said "... but their season is over anyway". Pathetic.

End of the day we need to change our midfield structure and personnel.

It is really

Definitely Finkler for me.  I don't think he has improved our play overall and his set pieces have been pretty hit and miss.  Smeltz is 35!  And still think that's harsh on Kosta, he's looked a lot better recently after a slow start.  McGlinchey has had a really disappointing season although mostly injury related

i would love to see the game start without krishna or at least start him on the bench, just carry on the passing when attacking the box. finklers mind wasnt on footy but family, now thats rosey hes relaxed. someone commented fox didnt play well against victory, i think moss makes him nervous....imo

Would love to see Italiano stay between the sticks for the last few games. Id like to see how his organisation of the back four differs from shouty Moss.

'Moss makes him nervous'. That is ridiculous. He is a professional footballer.

ive seem moss giving the evil eye to fox and lowry at least they get a pat on the back from dura, nervous maybe i meant naucious..and who said pros dont get nervous?.....

If it affects them to that extent then they aren't good enough to be pros. Have to be strong mentally as well as good at football.

Foxy seemed to cope perfectly well with Vinnie giving him the eye after Fox nearly flattened him on Saturday

Neither of those two could compete at our level either.

For me without a doubt Roly has been the most disappointing, followed by Finkler. I don't think Kosta has been, overall as bad as has been portrayed, and with the numbers of talent we have shouldn't be expected to carry the attack alone.

The simon comparison is pretty insulting to simon IMO. He scored a truck load of goals for the Mariners back in the day. Yes he's a cod and not the most technically gifted footballer, but he's well above Watson.

On the imports, yes you don't need all 4 to start, but you need probably one of them to be your star player that does a consistently great job for you. Nix have only had that with Burns since Paul If left, though you could argue that Rossi has done his job well this season.

I think these are fair comments. I am not a fan of Simon but agree that he is a better performer than Watson now. But what was he like at Watson's age?

While not an outstanding player even at A-League level, Rossi is a decent CB and if he keeps his cool better than what I've seen, he will be a long term asset (assuming he even wants to stay on).