1 min read
Going into the Open football competition, so much was expected from a talented squad but they appear to be playing well within themselves and with the handbrake on. It appears that something is not right.
Now we are in dire straits and knowing that desperate times call for desperate measures, I urge the management to pull out all the stops and play their strongest possible starting XI.
It is a given that the players have forked out thousands to be in Israel but I believe that the entire squad will be slated if they return empty-handed and without a win.
They seem to lack passion and direction and having been told before the competition that they would be playing a game based on ball retention and making good use of the flanks, I have been left scratching my head as to why the names on the teamsheet have not performed. Well against France, we over-used the long ball and failed to string two passes together.
Part of me feels that perhaps playing in the Maccabiah does not matter to them but I do not believe that for one minute. But the bottom line is that the boys looked very flat against France and ran out of ideas very quickly.
Now they have left themselves a mountain to climb as Brazil are no mugs and they are not the kind of team you should expect any favours from. Having beaten the same France team that beat GB, I believe we will do well to win.
I would like to see the manager put faith in the likes of Matt Stock, Craig Ellis and Ben Lauffer. For me, Mitch Hahn, who scored in each warm-up friendly, and Scott Shulton have just not done it. We need winners now, nothing else will do.
Stock has to start for me as he is the kind of player that will try to take the game to Brazil. He is quick, direct and exactly what we need. Ellis is a powerhouse while Lauffer was one of the standout performers at the last European Maccabi Games and I urge the manager to drop the big names and bring in the big match players.
I want to see sweat, I want to see passion. I just want to see our boys play I know the way they can. I want us to leave a man on the half way line when we are defending corners and I want to see Matt Stock given a licence to thrill.
It is time to stand up and be counted or get ready to pack your bags and go home.
To get more from opinion, click here to sign up for our free Editor's Picks newsletter.