Harrison

So am I. Strange to say but I hope it’s an injury. Could be that he’s going to start ahead of Leckie on Saturday.

Pretty poor game management. We had a chance to go 3-0 up and crumbled badly. I thought those days were behind us. Between Glover and Bos there was far too much inexperience. Stupid, stupid pass followed by a risky blind turn. Didn’t even look like Glover said ‘man on’ or anything either. I wonder if there was any talk. When we signed Glover I thought it curious that we were essentially going with two young keepers. It’s not the done thing in football. Glover isn’t a bad keeper but he’s got a lot to learn even at 24.

I think he backs in that Socceroo front three. They deserve another crack off a full week of rest. I’m confident they’ll be better this week.

Given that we counter-press and base our defensive system on work rate, it’s no real surprise that we dropped off badly. Better fitness will be important. Attacking-wise that front three looked ordinary but in time it will be close to unstoppable. Leckie was gassed, Maclaren couldn’t get near it and Nabbout was too selfish and wasteful. The offside call actually looks clear-cut to me. Brisbane player is closer to goal. Anyway. Three points and shake off the rust.

You know, if they didn’t serve it, my mate would never come to any games.

Only played 20 minutes and flew back straight away.

Glover Galloway Reis Good Jamieson Berenguer O’Neill Metcalfe Atkinson Maclaren Nabbout Or something very close to that.

We really do love making things hard for ourselves.

My only concern for Atkinson is that he’s going to be behind Leckie or Nabbout and maybe even Tilio for a forward spot and Galloway at RB. I think Galloway has earnt that spot for the time being. Of course, injuries, suspensions and form drops will give him minutes but he’s too good to be sitting on the bench and I hope he doesn’t spend too much time there. Metcalfe is a lock though.

It’s a cruel game sometimes. Right on the verge of a PL move too. Awful news.

Look at the XI we had for two of the periods on Friday. Midfield three of Berenguer, O’Neill and Metcalfe is almost a certainty.

I feel for the kid. It’s just been one bad thing after another since he left Australia years ago. The knee injury was bad but none of his moves have worked out. He’s at least been getting game time at Lommel but no goals or assists as a forward from 9 matches is telling. Nowhere near it. For a kid with all that natural ability with the ball at his feet, he just doesn’t seem to have the desire to improve on the other parts of his game. He’s still got time but will he ever become the rounded player he needs to be? Doesn’t look like it. Let’s hope Tilio has learnt from Arzani’s mistakes.

https://www.melbournecityfc.com.au/news/fixture-update-full-isuzu-ute-a-league-fixtures-revealed Christmas Derby back.

This is a strange take. Doesn’t the fact that him being the first or second pro footballer in the entire world to come out as a gay during his career show that we haven’t quite come far enough or as far as you think? Especially not in soccer. Soccer and sport generally are decades behind with accepting gay people. Only a few months ago was there a homophobic chant at a PL match. You’re right in saying that it shouldn’t be a big deal, and maybe in another decade or two it won’t, but don’t be so naive as to think this isn’t a significant moment or not news-worthy. Some of the best players in the world, and the Twitter accounts of most of the biggest clubs in the world, have retweeted this story. It’s huge news. And that’s because this sport is lagging behind.

By the sounds of things, Petrillo will be doing all he can to keep them here for another two seasons. I’m a broken record on this but it’s better for these guys to stay until around 23-24 before heading overseas. Get a 100+ senior appearances, become one of the best in the league in your position and then make the leap.

Agreed. Terrific podcast. Petrillo is a really good guest. Thanks for your work TC boys.

Gomulka and Bos called up. Good on them.

Well said @belaguttman I’ve appreciated and enjoyed reading your posts over the last few months. Always well-researched and argued.

Buckingham has left to go be the manager of sister club Mumbai City FC. Congratulations to him. Hope he succeeds over there. Two blokes have been promoted from within, so we’ve got two assistant coaches and Neil Young the goalkeeper coach. https://www.melbournecityfc.com.au/news/coaching-team-update

Happy for them. It definitely lifts the profile of their club and the league. I know European football fans who are talking a bit about the league on the back of this. Just on a related note, what is it with Perth and their fascination with over-30s players. Reddy, Jones, Ota, Lachman, Malik, Fornaroli, Keogh, Sturridge and Sardinero all over 30. Even Clisby is 29. They must have the oldest squad and best XI in the league once again.

I like the logo and I like the change. A-Leagues is a bit clunky and it will take a bit of time to get used to saying A-League Men and A-League Women and A-League Youth. But it is progress. I wonder if they will market it as ALM, ALW and ALY.

Yeah we’ve been blessed with three decent kits. The away and third kits are terrific. Home will grow on me like kits usually do. The gold logo is a nice touch.

This is my feeling as well. We ran over this when CFG acquired us. I think I speak for most when I say we are all conflicted. We would love for the UAE to change their ways and be more accepting of women and minorities, we'd love for their migrant workers to be treated and paid fairly. The reality is we had no say in whether the club was sold and who it was sold to, and even though many things have changed, it's still our club and we won't just walk away (some did and that's their choice). But what are we supposed to do? Draw up a petition? Cool. That'll definitely work.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CUMMjnzphQ8/ Nice of our owners to take an interest in the local sport. Bit weird though.

Love that away kit. Home kit is a little bland, the white sleeves are the issue. Can’t wait for the third kit.