HFX Wanderers' 1-1 draw to Forge FC leaves head coach Patrice Gheisar with questions to answer

With season winding down, Wanderers need to log essential U-21 minutes while pushing for playoffs

The Halifax Wanderers' 2023 season will be defined on how head coach Patrice Gheisar solves the following equation: a four point gap from fifth to first, eight matches remaining and 909 U-21 minutes required.

Depending on your outlook, Saturday's away draw to Forge FC could be viewed as a roadmap to Halifax's playoff success; they led Bobby Smyrniotis' dynastic squad for much of the match and smothered Hamilton's attack with well organized lines and hustle. Through 65 minutes, Forge failed to register a single shot on net.

The word of the day for the Wanderers was intensity, something Gheisar mentioned post-match, and his players responded early, playing a calculated game of chess in midfield while exposing Hamilton's defenders with high through balls and diagonals.

Wesley Timoteo's 60-foot through ball in the 27th minute broke the stalemate and landed perfectly for striker Jordan Perruzza in the 18-yard box. Forge defender Manjrekar James was forced to foul Perruzza and Halifax was awarded a penalty.

Centre-back Daniel Nimick, Halifax's designated penalty kicker, scored his third of the season on the ensuing set piece.

The Wanderers ultimately left Hamilton with a precious point in hand.

"They are obviously a fantastic team who have had the longest tradition (of success) in this league. For us, we were happy with the way we earned the goal. We just have to manage moments," said Gheisar.

On the other side of the coin, you could argue the Wanderers left points on the table with a sloppy challenge which led to Forge's tying goal from Béni Badibanga. Suddenly tied, Halifax took time to reset and nearly lost control, a thread running throughout the season when they become unsettled.

And then there's the U-21 minutes to consider.

Tomas Giraldo started the match and Tiago Coimbra came in off the bench in the 72nd minute but together they didn't combine for nearly enough minutes. As of now, the Wanderers will have to earn 113 U-21 minutes per match or else face disqualification from the playoffs. What happens to those chances if Giraldo or Coimbra get hurt?

Regardless of your outlook, the table is set for an exciting few weeks as Gheisar and his coaching staff work to figure out optimizing their roster while striving for more U-21 minutes. Both the league title and playoffs hang in the balance.

Gheisar said he is still confident in his squad's depth and focus on competing down the stretch.

“I think our depth is going to give us a lot of energy that we need. Our guys have the highest level of desire to do something incredible, and make this a year for all of us to remember," he said.

With the most home fixtures left of anybody in a playoff position, the Wanderers like their odds at making a push and securing that all important post-season berth.

"I say we're in a good position," said Gheisar.

The Wanderers have an opportunity to scoop up three important points against Valour FC at home this coming Saturday.

And if they deliver, they'll be that much closer to solving Gheisar's math equation.

From the Notebook:

1. I can't help but feel the Wanderers deserved a better fate. Their first half was exemplary and the entirety of Gheisar's starting XI came to play. In particular, I thought Halifax's midfielders and defenders easily pushed Forge's attacks wide and forced Smyrniotis' men on the backfoot. Both Lorenzo Callegari and Mo Omar completed their role to the letter and pushed Forge captain Kyle Bekker deep. Smyrniotis even said post-match that he brought on Tristan Borges in the second half to try and re-balance the duel in midfield and get Bekker further forward to create. For 70 minutes, the Wanderers played like winners and more importantly, a club that can win in the playoffs.
2. But Halifax is still prone to mental lapses as they have been all season. Be it an ill-advised Cristian Campagna challenge earlier in the season or the collective lethargy following Massimo Ferrin's simulation call, the Wanderers can lose focus when it matters most. On Saturday, right-back Zachary Fernandez is supported by his midfielders while Kyle Bekker makes a run. Instead of trying to hold him up, Fernandez is over-zealous and ends up completely wiping out Bekker in a dangerous area. Badibanga then delivers a beautiful set piece goal. It's easy to criticize from my cozy office but the truth is Halifax has stumbled heading into halves and closing out matches at times. It comes down to maturity and knowing the moment when to step up and when to let things play out. Yann Fillion has mastered managing moments; his teammates are still learning.
3. A note on Forge: I don't think I've ever seen them so frustrated. Bekker, Badibanga and James were on a first name basis with the referee and continually reacted to any call that didn't go their way. This is a testament to Gheisar's tactics but also at the desperation of Forge's situation; had they lost outright, the Wanderers would have jumped them in the standings with a match in hand. Forge, as an organization, is not used to being in this position and they are fighting desperately to find their form. They expect more of themselves as past champions but are we seeing their downfall? The next few weeks will answer that question.
4. Which brings us to the Wanderers and how their expectations have evolved this season. If you had told the fanbase that the club would have matched last year's points total with eight matches left while playing exciting football, most would have been pleased as punch. I've long said we'd really see the truest form of Gheisar's philosophy next year, after the players have had time to steep. The club has blown their pre-season expectations out of the water as they are in a healthy position to make the playoffs and within striking distance of the regular season title. So is it fair to be disappointed if they don't make a title push? It boils down to context. Within the context of a season where the Wanderers hired a new coaching staff and brought in 18 new players, they are ahead of where many predicted them to be. But looking at the table, it's a realistic goal for the club to strive for. If they eliminate mistakes like the one they made against Forge, I believe anything is possible.
5. Gheisar said at the beginning of the season he felt he needed to get his young players up to speed before sending them onto the pitch in game situations. Specifically, he mentioned that once players like Coimbra or Giraldo made the starting XI, he expected them to stick and start to accumulate minutes. That hasn't really happened to the extent he maybe anticipated; both have had knocks with limited availability. Keeper Aiden Rushenas has yet to log a single minute, Armaan Wilson has been limited in his exposure while their only other option, 16-year old Yorgos Gavas, only recently signed a youth contract. By waiting to integrate his youth players, I believe Gheisar has taken away his ability to play his best roster down the stretch. The truth is he will have to make decisions based on meeting requirements versus merit and it could cost the Wanderers important points.
6. A note on Jordan Perruzza, who has somehow already been involved in three matches. I thought he played well Saturday and again showed football IQ and work ethic as the tip of the spear. His decision to go to ground when challenged by James was the right one, earning the Wanderers that all important penalty. Perruzza's work off the ball has also been good. What surprises me is his technical ability; his first touch, or lack thereof, means he's always trying to reel balls back in while in dangerous areas. If he manages to finesse passes a little bit more, there's no doubt in my mind he'll score his first CPL goal in short order. He's getting good service so it's only a matter of time.
7. Nimick's nerves of steel were once again on view as he beat Forge keeper Triston Henry for the second time this season on a penalty. Speaking post-match, Nimick mentioned he and his teammates had discussions about where to shoot should he be awarded a penalty and they all opted to go down the middle but to sell going left. Sure enough, going back to Nimick's penalty goal at the Wanderers Grounds, Henry also bit left. That's marks two occasions where Nimick has sold Henry a bill of goods and then got the better of him. There's a reason he's Halifax's anointed penalty taker.
8. Last but not least, both Nimick and Cale Loughrey were named to the league's Gatorade Team of the Week. Their partnership is probably one of the unsung successes for the Wanderers in so much as it's easy to take for granted: they make things look easy. Nimick wouldn't be able to step up into midfield or challenge attackers one-on-one without Loughrey ready to play sweeper behind him. They've played 17 of 20 matches together and bring size, defensive acumen and ball playing ability. There's a reason Doneil Henry is hyping them up on his Instagram: the kids are alright.

Cover Photo Credit: Canadian Premier League