Jackson and/or Johnny K will be fine. Probably more than fine.
They want to be professional footballers, so they need to put their big boy pants on at some point.
What's with all the negativity?
Second place and finals bound for the first time in 7 years and NOW you numpties start questioning Merricks lineup choices?
Pretty sure the man has earnt the right to say he knows how his squad will perform.
Further, his previous start to the Victory game was against Sydney in Round 14, when he put in another strong performance beside Topor-Stanley.
Lachie coming into the side is not the area of the pitch I am worried about. He's ready and won't let us down.
The Championship Chronicles - The Jetstream's review of the 2007/08 season. www.newcastlefootball.net/chronicles
The Championship Chronicles - The Jetstream's review of the 2007/08 season. www.newcastlefootball.net/chronicles
Ok time to fess up and eat a huge piece of humble pie. I have never ever been a fan of the Hoff and if you were to ask me prior to this season to make a short list of A League players who were state league level at best the Hoff would have featured quite high on that list.
Never let it be said i can't admit when i am wrong but the Hoff has been a stand out this season for us and i am really pleased for him and the club. I might add however most of that good stuff has been away from RB so perhaps i was right at least a little bit.
Go the Hoff, start him up front against the Reds this week Ernie.
Nope ,Sorry. But this season he has been a standout.
Late bloomer perhaps.
Anyone who says he wasn’t terrible before is just lying. It’s ok for a player to be shit and improve....
His re-signing didn't fill me with excitement and he didn't set the house on fire in that first season back but he knows what the club is about and we saw following the two wins on the coast just what it meant to Hoff.
I thought he was good last season and despite the collapse still showed some pride in the shirt.
He's been terrific this season.
The Championship Chronicles - The Jetstream's review of the 2007/08 season. www.newcastlefootball.net/chronicles
Yeh I’m gonna have to interrupt with facts.
As right back, Hoffman regularly ranks in the top 3 - 4 in the league with regards to tackles won (and percentage of tackles won) aerial duels won etc.
I’ve said it many times before, he isn’t a sexy footballer. Most of the stuff he does goes unnoticed (until he makes a mistake, then it’s all anyone sees for the most part)
His play with the ball though (which was previously lacklustre) has improved a lot this season. Not just in terms of bagging a few goals and playing further up the park. His crossing early in the season from fullback (while not perfect) was creating a lot of chances for us, and he has managed to link up relatively well with some more technically gifted teammates such as Dimi and Nabbout to create danger going forward.
Agree with you completely. His attacking as a fullback has improved sharply under the tutelage of Merrick.
Just saying he has consistently been an above average fullback in this league defensively for a number of years