Comments on: Rd 16: Melbourne v Adelaide: 2-2

By: David

David — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:01:17 +0000

I couldn’t believe when the team went up on the screen what the line-up was, curiously enough the night before I’d looked at the squad and picked my players and formation then thought nah, that’ll never happen, so to see Ryall with Patafta, Hernandez and Caceres all starting together was a pleasant surprise, I’d thought Keenan would start though. The first 20 mins showed real promise, and had one of those chances gone in I’m sure Melbourne would have gone on to win, but the intensity and creativity was there that we’d all been hoping to see. Both the Adelaide goals were scrappy and it looks on the replay like Muscat just ball-watches as Agostino pounces for the first, and is bundled from behind by the same player for the second – actually looks like a foul now. At two-nil down I thought it would prove too much but the character was there to fight back, unlike last week, interestingly both goals came after the substitutions and Keenan won the free-kick that lead to the equaliser. Those last few minutes were some of the best moments for a while and you could sense belief returning and confidence growing. After the Wellington draw it felt like a loss, but after this one it felt like a win, more importantly it felt like a step forward and breath of fresh air. Let’s hope it continues.

By: Peter

Peter — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 08:49:12 +0000

As much as I am also unhappy with Merrick’s performance this year, I actually think he will reward Patafta’s performance next week.

My only reason to doubt this is Nick Ward entering the fray. Someone will likely make way for him and whether that is Patafta, Caceres or Hernandez is anyone’s guess (I doubt Vasilevski would be the one, considering his good performances and Merrick’s clear preference towards him). The other distinct possibility is that Ward would come on as a substitute.

By: Ben

Ben — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 08:39:04 +0000

What we’ve been missing from Fred all year it looks like we may have had sitting on the bench all year. Patafta is quick and creative, something which is hugely lacking in the so called ‘experienced’ players. Let’s hope merrick is clever enough to realise that allsopp, brebner and kemp haven’t showed why they should be in the starting lineup, and keeps patafta, caceres and vasilevski in.

By: Max

Max — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 05:35:51 +0000

Merrick will drop Patafta you’ll see, agree with Josh that he reminded of Fred. All(crap)sopp will come back in as well as Brebner if they’re fit and we’ll go back to the usual slow play. It was a sort of awakening on Saturday but I fear that we’ll go to sleep again. Hernandez i thought played pretty well and had more room to move. He was denied a chance of a 20m free kick but a selfish and bossy Muscat who just couldn’t help himself…what a great leader??? We have no chance of making the finals but hopefully we can go down swinging!!!!

By: Astri

Astri — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 02:14:01 +0000

He wont dare drop Kaz after that performance. Vasilevski impressed me and proved to me he deserves a start which I doubted at first. Even though Carlos is my favourite player I can’t help wondering if Alsopp would have finished those chances. The style of play suited Alsopp especially with vas and caceras getting in behind the defence. That was a much better midfield without Brebner. I left the ground somewhat content even though we didn’t get the points. As long as we keep improving and build momentum, even if we miss finals we will be ready for an in-form assault on the Asian teams.

By: Josh

Josh — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 21:36:19 +0000

I strongly believe that we would have won the game, had Keenan started in place of Kemp.

Kemp had a few opportunities in space, but the muppet has absolutely no talent and squandered them. The lucky volley of his floored everyone in the stadium – he’ll never get that close again.

Merrick will drop Patafta, even though he created 5 amazing chances. Eerily, he reminded me of Fred.

By: Round 16 Goals

Round 16 Goals — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 20:36:46 +0000

[...] Comments Eric on Rd 16: Melbourne v Adelaide: 2-2Damon on In Defense of Ernie MerrickPeter on In Defense of Ernie MerrickDamon on In Defense of Ernie [...]

By: Eric

Eric — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 20:36:16 +0000

Obviously it was quite an experimental line-up, but it certainly worked – especially in the first half. If only one of those half-dozen near-misses had been on target…

A draw doesn’t really do a whole lot for our chances of making the finals, but at least it was an encouraging performance. If we play with that level of urgency in the Asian Champions League, I definitely think we can make it past the group stage.

By: S Nkawy

S Nkawy — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 12:37:54 +0000

I agree that this was one of the season’s most attractive performances from the Victory but I don’t think it was the only one, the problem is that they can’t find the goal, even in this match Adelaide helped them and scored one goal for them.