Queensland Roar 2 Sydney FC 1

Finally something to cheer about at Suncorp, as the Roar scored a facile victory over a very disappointing Sydney.

It won't be enough to save Bleiberg, I'm sure, as once again he changed tactics, this time to 433. This can be a great formation when the two wide forwards are attacking midfielders, who make five across the middle during the buildup and push up to join the middle man. Unfortunately, the Roar's interpretation had three men permanently up front, leaving them light in the middle, and unbalanced, as they played with a left winger but no one on the right. Baird, confused by the system, was never in position to act as the outlet that the midfield often needed. Astonishingly and inexplicably, Seo, the Roar's best player all season, was stuck at right back, clearly under orders not to get forward (a major disbenefit of Bleiberg's defensive mindset has been that when he plays with four at the back, the fullbacks simply don't cross halfway, and consequently cannot offer any width; still, that's better than when he plays with three at the back, when the "wing backs" are all too often found badly out of position).

Sydney were desperately poor, sitting back and looking to hit the Roar on the break. The neat football that they've often shown this season was missing, and those of their quality players that were on display (they fielded what looked to me like a weakened lineup) played badly: Carney was unrecognisable on the right and Yorke anonymous in the playmaker role (playing far too deep to be effective). Queensland hustled well in midfield, although their own tendency to play deep and pump the ball up to the front men meant that they weren't as constructive as they might have been.

Queensland had the run of it and could have scored a couple by half time. Reinaldo worked hard but left his shooting boots in his locker, missing two sitters. Brosque also put a lot of effort in. He's cruelly misused by being played as a target man, but he battled manfully and fully deserved the two goals he scored.

The biggest cheer of the evening was saved for the entrance of David Williams, the youngster who has been tipped to be Australia's biggest star this side of Harry Kewell. He is clearly talented: he used the ball intelligently when played out on the right, and when pushed up into the middle, his preferred position, his quick thinking, equally quick feet and good vision were in evidence. If he grows three or four inches (in Italy, he'd be on the growth hormone), I tip him for the Premiership. He didn't look completely fit, so it's hard to say whether he has the pace, but one dazzling run showed that he is able to get past players, a skill that is rare enough to take a young player places.

I know that Bleiberg just doesn't see what I see, and has pissed away the chances that a talented squad had to do something in this league, but I am crossing my fingers that he will start Williams this week and next. With Brosque on the left, Richter on the right, Seo and AN Other in the middle, Queensland would be tremendous at this level. Just play 442.

It's difficult not to pick Brosque as Queensland's best player but I think Murdocca had a wonderful game, while Brosque put the effort in to little effect until he scored. He showed far more intelligence than he has of late, running usefully and mixing it with a Sydney midfield that's not afraid to put the foot in. His passing was crisp and productive, more so as the game went on. Richter also had a good game, badly out of position on the left. He made several good runs but looked too often to cut inside onto his right foot. The first time he chanced it with his left, he ballooned a cross, but the second, he set up a goal. He does need a coach to work with him on his ball control but he's very promising.

Apparently, Queensland are leaking players because they won't talk contracts until the end of the season. Jordan Simpson is already gone and Baird is on his way too. Someone needs a word in Ribot's ear. This is a talented squad that has been poorly coached. It would be a good idea to sign most of these back up quick smart. It's depressing to read in the Courier-Mail that McLoughan is thinking about moving. He's about the best defender in the competition and would be difficult to replace.

I usually end my reports with a note about the referee. Let's just say that this one must have been born in Bondi and leave it at that. The standard of refereeing has been abysmal in this league.

posted by Dr Zen @ 10:31 am