2017-18 Preseason

[Stuckey]

Ochieng and Brook round out the scoring. 4-0

[Reds4Life]

Good to see Brook on the scoresheet, reckon he will be a very good player for us

[sevengoals]

Well that sounded positive.

[EdDog]

Baba arrived unfit apparently. Hence why he missed this game.

Would be doubtful whether he will play against the Jets.

[Old Gregg]

Starting XI:

-----------------------Izzo---------------------
Marrone---Regan--Elsey---Garuccio
---------------------Isaias (C)---------------
------------------Lia------O'Doherty-------
Ochieng------Mileusnic-----Absalonsen

The first half was a really good test. Comets were well in the game, were very well drilled and structured and had some quality players. Tested Izzo a couple of times - he had to make a very sharp save from a header, and also collected a couple of high balls really well. Izzo looked really good tbh. Galekovic-esque with the ball at his feet & distributing.
CB pairing of Elsey & Regan was solid as to be expected, played the ball out well under pressure and Regan is a real leader in the backline. Marrone one of the best on ground - overlapping on the right, dangerous in attack.
Isaias was Isaias, and the captain's armband suits him. Lia I was impressed with - structure and steel, and switched play nicely a few times. O'Doherty didn't get on the ball too much and so didn't really show what he's capable of .. we seemed lacking a bit of a creativity through the midfield, a top-quality #10 would be very welcome.
Ochieng worked really well & seemed to link up nicely with Marrone, and Mileusnic was a livewire. Absalonsen looks quality, seems to prefer to stay wide and put crosses in (rather than running a lot with the ball a la Cirio) but what I liked most about him was workrate and professionalism. Was often in good positions and didn't get the passes he would have liked, but didn't get frustrated, just kept doing the right things.

Few changes for the start of the 2nd half, including D. Mullen on for Elsey - he did well and looked a bit faster & more mobile than I remember - and gradually all the young'uns were brought on.

XI by the end of the game was something like this:

--------------------------Izzo-----------------------
Strain---Wilson--N.Konstandopoulos--Carpenter
-------------------K.Konstandopoulos-------------
--------------------Brook----Mori-------------------------
Marino------Stamatelopoulos----Niyongabire

The best thing is that the quality of play didn't really drop, these guys all know each other's games and worked off each other well. A few standouts: N.Konsta was initially playing in the Isaias position and dropped into the backline when Mullen came off - he looked great on the ball, calm, good passing range. K.Konsta extremely solid too. Brook has the midfield all-rounder kind of vibe, might well be the Mauk/McGree type player we need & the hype around him seems justified. Mori, Stama and Niyongabire always buzzing around, full of smart & incisive runs. Future looks pretty bright

Oh and I had my stout. Perfect weather for it.

If Baba is unfit then we're certainly at a disadvantage, Mileusnic was good up front but he's not really a lone striker.

[blahblah]

Great feedback, OG. Thanks for this, it is much appreciated.

[mcjules]

The comments when Regan scores

[Ghost]

Did Blackwood play?

How did Elsey go?

[EdDog]

The comments when Regan scores

Yeah haha so good.

Love Reegs - such good value on Twitter for anyone who follows him.

[EdDog]

Did Blackwood play?

How did Elsey go?

I think Blackwood was rested because he picked up a knock/light injury at training.

[Ghost]

Did Blackwood play?

How did Elsey go?

I think Blackwood was rested because he picked up a knock/light injury at training.

A bit of a blow ahead of the FFA Cup game.

[sevengoals]

Excellent Old Greg!
Thank you for the summary.
Sounds positive.

[Old Gregg]

I think it was positive. Missing some imagination and magic but that will be rectified when Chelo comes ba......
..
oh

[Reds4Life]

Looks like 2 up top tonight. Blackwood and Baba starting

[Futbol_Crazy21]

Ersan starts as well.