Sydney vs Newcastle - Post Game

I couldn't watch all of last weeks game in Brisbane because I am 'Foxtel impaired' and couldn't get to the pub because of work so I thought there was no point in trying to write about it. The thing I want to say about that game is: PATRICK! Also an honorable mention to what sounded like an epic effort and return to form Bolton and Rudan.

Onto this weeks match... Its always good to win at home and failing to get the three points here during the first 5 weeks made it so much sweeter. Although I can't see Branko losing his job for anything this season, there were whispers about his decisions starting to creep forward and this game seemed like a must win. Both for the sake of his job as well as Sydney's season, both on and off the pitch.

Sydney started something resembling:

--------------Bolton
Casey--Milligan--Rudan--Fyfe
----------Zad--Mcflynn
--------Corica--Juninho
-----Santalab
-------------Brosque

I was happy that Branko didn't touch the backline combination that for once all season didn't look like crumbing everytime the opposition got the ball. With Popovic available for selection again, I really thought that Branko would be soft and either drop someone or rearrange the formation to include his 'mate'. Once again Milligan was solid in defense and Rudan did enough, in my opinion, to keep Poppa on the bench for another week. My only gripe with Milligan's game was some long balls the he just hit and hoped for the best on. Not your game mate, what are you doing?! Fyfe and Casey still aren't fullbacks but meh, neither made me cry this match.

It was also interesting to see Zad keep his spot in midfield, pushing Talay to the bench so as to make way for Juninho. I'm not Zad's biggest fan although I suppose it is good that he will always try something with the ball going forward and take shots, something noone in Sydney's side seems to ever do. Something different to Talay, and the breath of fresh air in midfield seemed to work with Sydney controlling possession and playing with confidence again. Though I do wonder how much of this you can put down to the presence of Juninho?

However, this is where I want to bring up the issue of refereeing again. Wouldn't it be smart to protect the 'marquee' and more skilled players on the ball from rash challenges and shoulders? Juninho has copped way too much of this throughout the season and surely enough is enough and the referees have to take some responsibility. This just increases our reputation of being 'overly physical' which I know isn't the right way of describing how we play the game. Juninhos little fist punch into the air when he finally got a foul given to him summed up how we all felt.

Corica again was quite average in a role where he wasn't the lone playmaker and forced to play wider. I have said previously that Patrick should play as the man up front and let Brosque run off him but the more I see of the guy, the more I see him coming back into midfield to collect the ball and start running at, and beating players. Could he maybe fill some of the attacking midfield void, tracking back if Corica was to spend some time on the bench and saved for later in the game? Patrick really deserves another chance to start. Yes he has only impressed off the bench but with more exposure to our style of play I think its time to try him again, either in place of Corica as said before which would require a little tweaking of the formation or in place of Santalab who although was impressive chasing everything and trying his guts out, I just don't think he is quite up to standard.

Brosque again showed why he has been the best player for Sydney this season, looking confident with the ball at his feet and running at defenses as well as getting into positions for Juninho and... Just Juninho to provide him with top class service. What a ball from the little master and what composure in front of goal from Brosque to cut back inside and slot the ball home in traffic. Two home games in a row and two composed finishes from Sydney. What is going on??!!

Oh and Newcastle don't forget that 'we have jobs and money' and you have a 'fat fucking has been'. ;) Jardel was an absolute joke. Thats the only way to describe his fitness and ability to run and shoot. I don't care if you embarrass yourself but please don't embarrass the league. I hope you know what you are doing up there with this clown...

DANE