Derby Delight and a Look Ahead

So first blood in the ‘distance derby’ goes to our Nix!

 

Some thoughts

The Phoenix’s first half thoroughly merited a goal or two lead. Bonevacia, McGilinchey and Krishna combined at speed. Chance creation and conversion must improve, however, when we’re on top. A second half lacking all this attacking play was illustrative.

Perth might also feel slightly robbed. While definitely outclassed in the first half, whatever Kenny Lowe said at half-time worked (or whatever Ernie said didn’t) and the Nix found openings hard to come by. Perth also did a much better job of marking Krishna out of the game. The Nix need to find more routes to goal than just the Fijian. Promisingly, Roly really stepped up in this game (as in last week) and looks good to chip in with five or six goals from midfield this season.

Corners. Perth identified the Nix’s Achilles heel within five minutes and every corner saw our box turn purple. Any team with Dino Djulbic is inevitably going to score set-piece goals more frequently but quicker reactions to second balls, where height is irrelevant, would have prevented Perth’s solitary goal.

 

This Week

Up next for the Nix is an in-form Roar. With all their pre-season issues, the Roar’s strong start has been quite impressive. John Aloisi, still the league’s best-dressed manager, may also turn out to be its best trouble-shooter as well. With all that said, we’re only two games in and this Roar is not the Postecoglou juggernaut of season seven. The Nix can win if they can defend crosses properly and, up against the 179 cm McClaren, this should be manageable. If the Nix do lose, however, it’ll probably be to the pace of Petratos and Borello. Playing a deeper defensive line would guard against this but, knowing Ernie’s favour for a high line and cavalier football, that isn’t going to happen. Admirable stuff but the one-paced Sigmund might be in for a rough afternoon.

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