From Our Friends In Australia

[JudgeRed]

http://www.newcastlefootball.net/forums/sh...369&page=10

Crystal Palace v Bristol City - Carle Watch

It was a pulsating game as Nick Carle's Bristol City took a big step towards Wembley and the world's most financially rewarding football game. I have only watched a few Championship games in the last twelve months but this game provided a glowing presentation of the quality of football that the Championship can produce, despite the very high stakes on the line and the criticism that the Championship copes, including from myself. Generally, in world football now days, as the stakes get higher, the quality of football on display gets lower.

Although neither Crystal Palace nor Bristol City went gun-ho at each other, you certainly couldn't accuse either side of seating back as both teams were willing to commit numbers forward. This attacking mentality was present throughout the game, even towards the end when I was expecting Bristol City to seat back on the favourable result. Both teams, Bristol City in particular, were also willing to play the ball out of defence rather than simply punting the ball long. In fact, Bristol City was punished for not properly clearing their lines as a defensive mix-up lead to a Palace penalty and equaliser which Ben Watson emphatically put away. Long balls did occur, but they were the exception to the rule. Generally, the football was fluent with the ball being played along the ground rather than through the air. It was a thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable game to watch.

Carle Factor

In the middle of all the drama was Nick Carle who provided the assists for both of City's goals. The first involved a set-piece with Carle playing the ball across the box after receiving it from a well worked training ground move. Defender Louis Carey lashed his shot into the net and as the commentator said, it was a world-class finish which Inzaghi would have been proud of. The second assist from Carle involved him actually using his head. He headed the ball David Noble before the former Arsenal junior whipped an unstoppable shot into the top corner. It was a sensational finish of the highest quality. To give you an idea of how attacking both teams were, Noble's goal was scored in injury time when most teams would have been playing the ball into the corners or otherwise wasting time with the score being a very acceptable one all in the away leg.

As for Carle's general performance, he was playing in his preferred position of central midfield this game and he played the whole 90 minutes. Carle was playing in a deeper role than I'm use to seeing as he was more of a defensive midfielder than an attacking one. He got front on occasions to support the attack but his duties were generally more defensive. While in the A-League, Carle is remembered for the flashy aspects of his game, a different aspect of Nick Carle was on display today. It was a real work-man like performance from the former Jets man as he pressured the opposition and covered the zone in front of the back four. Pim Verbeek, attention here please.

Carle's passing was also slick and generally accurate. He rarely gave the ball away and he made a few incisive passes. However, because of his deeper position, he was playing more simple short passes rather than killer through balls. Given that he provided two goals (although the scorers have to be given much of the credit for the quality of the strikes) and the fact that he stayed disciplined to the defensive tasks he was given, it was a very impressive performance from the Australian and one which should put pressure on Culina in particular for a central midfield berth for the Socceroos.

The next leg is on Tuesday, cannot wait.__________________