Australian Open

Regular readers may have noticed that PM posts have been few and far between lately. Due to my work at Melbourne Park, spare time to write has been hard to come by lately. Apologies. PM will be up and running again soon enough. 

3 points on Brisbane 3-1 Victory

First off, Happy New Year to you all - hopefully your holiday hangovers are a distant and fuzzy memory. 

Brisbane returned back to winning form, halting a worrying run of five matches without a win, by easily disposing of a disorientated Victory. Mehmet Durakovic has his fair share of detractors, but this was easily his worst tactical performance against a title contending team yet. By contrast, Ange Postecoglou was masterful in the dug-out, completing bamboozling his counterpart, by tailoring his system to exploit key weaknesses. 

Heart 3-2 Victory: Match Analysis

This edition of the Melbourne Derby was a thrilling contest, fought between two clubs with contrasting approaches. Heart were able to emerge victorious, largely due to the shrewdness of Dutch manager John van't Schip. Having seen his initial theoretically sound tactical plan fail to contain the sparkling Victory trident of Hernandez, Kewell and Thompson, the former Ajax winger changed Heart's formation, and from then were in the ascendant. This match superbly illustrated the superiority of a collective 'system' over reliance on individual 'star power' in building a team. 

Melbourne Derby Preview

Bring on the blood and the thunder, for the Derby is at hand. This Friday, what has quickly become one of the most anticipated fixtures of Australian sport will play out at AAMI Park, when the Red and Whites host the Navy Blues.
(Press Play for Mood Music)

Delay

Due to Christmas related mishaps and various shenanigans, there will be a delay for all Round 11 Analysis. Apologies for the inconvenience, expect Brisbane vs Central Coast by Thursday, Friday at the latest.

It has been extremely heartening to see that PM has consistently reached 150 page views per day, even without new articles. I'd like to thank all of you for your support and encouragement.

Have a very Merry (and safe) Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Demographics

PM Readers may have noticed a few new polls on the sidebar. They're just an attempt to gauge the demographics of PM's readership, such as age, gender, frequency of visits etc. I would just like to reassure you that all information voluntarily submitted is completely confidential - there is simply no way for the poll data to be accessed beyond clicking on "View Results". All data submitted is much appreciated. 

4 points on Wellington 2-0 Brisbane

Brisbane's fall from grace continues unabated then, with a shocking two-nil defeat away against a resilient Wellington outfit. This was always going to be a tough fixture, especially with such an arduous travel schedule involved, but no one seriously expected such a definitive scoreline against the visitors. This match was notable in a tactical sense for the slight tweaks both managers made to their respective sides. 

Brisbane 1-2 Heart: Match Analysis

A clash of the titans. The two most innovative sides in the A-League era, Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Heart, fought for supremacy at Suncorp Stadium; if not quite a title deciding event, it will certainly be looked back upon, with far greater reverence, as a turning point in the evolution and growing sophistication of Australian football. The reigning champions Brisbane, reeling from the unexpected end of their record-setting 36-games unbeaten streak, were keen to demonstrate they are more than just a Thomas-Broich-and-Friends ensemble. Heart on the other hand, have been one of the most tactically fascinating teams in the the A-League. This was their chance to lay down a marker to the other clubs in the league, that they have finally realised their potential. 

Heart 1-0 Wellington: Match Analysis

This match was an open and exciting encounter between two clubs with very contrasting styles; Heart, with their 'total voetball' sensibilities  and Wellington, with a counter-attacking brief that emphasises speed and power. The first half was dominated by the hosts, who were able to create a handful of outright chances, without closing the deal. The Nix fought back in the second period, with renewed energy and aggressive substitutions. Credit to both managers for a game that served as a laudable example of and to Australian football. 

8 points on Sydney 2-0 Brisbane

It's almost like the sky is falling. After a record-setting unbeaten streak, the reigning champions tasted defeat for the first time in 3,240+ minutes of football, bending the knee to none other than...Sydney FC? How in blazes did Lavicka manage that? With clever use of pressing, a dawn sacrifice to the weather gods and more than a dollop of good fortune. 

Delay

Just a note for PM Readers, there is going to be a delay for all analysis of Round 9 this week. Brisbane v Sydney is a work in progress, hopefully there'll be time for the Victory v Galaxy friendly, and its unlikely but possible that Heart v Wellington will make an appearance. Earliest anything will be completed and posted will probably be Wednesday/Thursday. 

Apologies for the inconvenience.

6 points on Adelaide 0-4 Central Coast

Here are 6 tactical points on the Mariners ruthless four-goal shellacking of a hapless Adelaide. 

Before the start of the season, the Reds were tipped by many, including PM, to mount a serious title tilt, despite the departures of a host of key players. Coolen supervised a complete rebuild of the playing squad, presumably at great expense. Among his prized recruits were Vidosic, McKain, Levchenko and Slory. And although none of the new arrivals have particularly distinguished themselves, perhaps the most disappointing performance has been produced by the manager himself, who has consistently committed severe tactical mistakes. 

5 points on Victory 3-2 Gold Coast

Here are 5 tactical points on the Victory's desperate 3-2 triumph against Gold Coast. The match was highly unusual for a number of reasons. Firstly, the referee was probably more of an influence on the outcome of this match than any of the players, handing out a red card and two penalties to the home team, as well as a host of yellow cards. But both managers also bungled their tactics, which made for early modifications. 

Olyroos 0-0 Uzbekistan: HT Match Impressions

The Olyroos played out a goal-less draw against a 'familar' Uzbekistan. This is not a full match analysis, and is intended only to convey how the Olyroos were set out.

Central Coast 3-1 Heart: Match Analysis

A genuinely exhilarating tactical encounter was decided, undeservedly perhaps, by a foul on a keeper resulting in a stunning overhead kick and a mis-judged handball. Melbourne and the Central Coast have shaped up this season as genuine title contenders; the Red and Whites and the Mariners will be tussling for the silver and bronze medals come the business end of the season. John van't Schip and Graham Arnold renewed their reputations as among the finest tacticians in Australia.

6 points on Adelaide 0-0 Newcastle

Here is a 6 point tactical analysis on Adelaide's underwhelming nil-all draw with Newcastle. Don't forget to help spread the word about Pass and Move. 

Sydney 2-3 Central Coast: Match Analysis

Bling FC against the Little Club That Could; that would be the expected narrative in any derby involving the Harbour City and their more modest cousins. Except in recent times, it's the Sky Blues who have been in the doldrums and the Mariners in the ascendant. Central Coast triumphed at the SFS for the first time in four years, but it was Lavicka's confusing tactics and overly aggressive substitutions that largely decided the contest. 

Gold Coast 1-2 Heart: Match Analysis

This match was an intriguing tactical proposition and a prime example of why pure 4-4-2's, in its attacking incarnation, have become obsolete, and why striker-less 4-6-0's are the future. Gold Coast were completely overwhelmed in midfield, the classy Dutch pair of Beekmans and Jungschlager were overrun by Heart, who were able to deploy four players in central midfield, yet still field two wingers, by ditching a central striker. 

The pattern of play was established early, after Thompson pilfered an early goal. Heart dominated the rest of the first period, monopolising possession and chances. Gold Coast retained a threat through the predatory Rigters, whose direct and aggressive running very nearly undid Madaschi on the counter-attack, as well as dangerous deliveries by Jungschlager at set pieces. Bleiburg's tactical changes after the break allowed Gold Coast to get back into the contest, but their equaliser was then cancelled out by Germano's late goal.