Murfy1

The numbers sure enough show well Brattan is doing in attack and defence: 2nd most passes in the team with 51 attempted, with 46 completed (90% accuracy, very strong for a midfielder). By the way, Malik's distribution is increasingly solid and he pretty much matched Brattan with 44 passes complete out of 50 attempted (88% accuracy). Schenkeveld, Jakobsen, Brattan, Malik are starting to look like a very strong spine for the team. Also, in this game Brattan had an equal high number of interceptions with 4 (ties with Schenkeveld). It's pleasing to see Brattan live up to some of his great ability, which we all know he has, at our club.

Tremendous result! 5-0 win, and the team's biggest home win! With a scoreline like that any imperfections are just a footnote in history. Some great football surrounding the goals as well. Budzinski with a solid brace to put the team ahead, Vidosic showing his class--both with service (like for Budzinski's 2nd goal) and his 2 strikes--and the allegedly injured/unfit and lacking in training McCormack stepping up with a screamer. Arzani was seemingly the key source of excitement for the first part of the game. The team's first goal was created by his x-factor, and he seems to be developing more and more as a player every week. It's something great to watch. And Arzani completes a superb attack with McCormack, Vidosic, Arzani and Budzinski comprising the attack. They were all big leading lights in this game, and promise more together in future games. I echo the praise of Brattan and Malik. they are undoubtedly developing into a stellar midfield partnership, which enables the team's attack especially the flourish. Also, I'd highlight Schenkeveld and Jakobsen pairing and in particular their distribution, with only 1 of Schenkeveld's 41 passes going astray (97% passing accuracy) and only 3 of Jakobsen's 52 passes going astray (94% passing accuracy, and he completed the most passes). Two central defenders only giving away the ball 4 times over a whole game is very impressive, and if one or two Adelaide runs were checked by our defence then it would have been a pretty much flawless game from them all. Bouzanis nonetheless swept up those few defensive oversights, so plenty of kudos for him and no worries in the end. So that must be a big confidence-boosting win for all the players, everyone around the club, and I'd say the fans too. Big credit to Joyce too as well; the selections and the changes paid off handsomely in this game. That such big wins are possible with this team this season is cause enough to look forward to the remainder of the season (or at bare minimum silence doubting). And we still have Fornaroli to come back soon, imagine that!

$20 million striker Ross McCormack will stay at Melbourne City on one condition David Davutovic January 18, 2018 MELBOURNE City scoring machine Ross McCormack has overcome homesickness and declared that he wants to stay in Australia for the rest of the season. The Aston Villa striker has run amok since signing as an injury-replacement for Bruno Fornaroli netting 13 goals in 15 games, with his possible stay a massive boost for City’s title chances. McCormack, 31, revealed that the club has agreed to allow him to return to the UK to see his kids in February if they can negotiate a contract extension until the end of the season. “I said to the club (City) that I’d stay for the season. Now it’s up to the guys up above to do whatever they do and agree a deal with Aston Villa,’’ McCormack told the Herald Sun. “I’ve got two kids that live in London and it was always going to be tough around Christmas time. It’s the first time I’ve been away from the kids at Christmas. “But I’ve got a plan in place with Melbourne here that if I stay then I’ll be able to see the kids when we’ve got the free week in February. “Once that’s done then I’ll be here for the season. If not I’ll return (to England). “We’ve been in constant dialogue, I speak to the manager (Warren Joyce) a lot and (the officials) and my agent. Everyone knows that I’d like to stay. “Whether or not it’s possible with salary caps and (visa spots) and all these different rules in the A-League. If it’s possible it will get done, if it’s not possible then it won’t.” McCormack conceded that his future at promotion-chasing Villa was all but over under manager Steve Bruce. “If (a City deal can’t be sorted) then I’ll go back to Villa and probably have to look for another loan move as well,’’ he said. “It’s not my decision but I think it’s probably been made clear that I won’t be around the team there which is fine, that’s football, that’s what happens.” McCormack conceded he was feeling great ahead of Sunday’s AAMI Park clash with Adelaide United and was confident that City could come home strongly. “It’s just a timing thing, when you get in a rhythm, you feel like you’re going to score every game,’’ McCormack said. “Good signs (for City). Looking at the league, Sydney’s probably too far ahead. “We won’t stop trying to catch them until it’s mathematically impossible, but realistically if we’re going to get one over Sydney this season it will have to be the grand final if we can.” http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/football/a-league/teams/melbourne-city/20-million-striker-ross-mccormack-will-stay-at-melbourne-city-on-one-condition/news-story/855f88bc988499bce7dc93ee081308b2

Pretty good start to the year with Ross.. I agree with what others have said, if we had some more regular service then Ross would almost certainly be leading the golden boot ATM. Ross has missed some chances in open play in the first part of the season. However, that Ross gets into goal-scoring positions so often and so easily is a huge credit to his positioning and football smarts. Too often MCFC have had strikers that haven't been able to get on the end of plays, so to have a player like Ross who can be in "the right position at the right time"--who can make goal-scoring look easy--shows that he's a top quality striker. And that's also why teams everywhere would be very happy with a striker with Ross's strike-rate.

Socceroos fullback Aziz Behich could join Turkish giants Galatasaray in the January transfer window DAVID DAVUTOVIC January 16, 2018 6:30pm SOCCEROOS fullback Aziz Behich could join Turkish giants Galatasaray in the January transfer window. Galatasaray are understood to have tabled a $4.62 million (EURO 3 million) offer for the in-form Behich, but Turkish media is reporting that his current club Bursaspor are holding out for $6.16 million (EURO 4 million). Behich, 27, has had a breakthrough season for club and country, scoring five goals in 15 appearances for Bursa, while he flourished in the FIFA World Cup playoffs with standout performances against Syria and Honduras in place of injured Brad Smith. The former Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory player has amassed 124 games for Bursaspor in all competitions since joining in 2012. Trabzonspor are also making a late play for Behich. Galatasaray would be a dream move for Behich, who is of Turkish descent. The giants are coached by former Turkey national team coach Fatih Terim and trail local rivals Istanbul Basaksehir by one point. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/football/socceroos-fullback-aziz-behich-could-join-turkish-giants-galatasaray-in-the-january-transfer-window/news-story/7b6569c956c7cbf40942cdf18dda5d45

The Aston Villa youngsters that will be allowed to leave this month By Alex Dicken 12:41, 16 JAN 2018 UPDATED12:42, 16 JAN 2018 [...] Elsewhere, the club remain in negotiations with Melbourne City about extending Ross McCormack’s loan spell Down Under until the end of the A-League season. McCormack has scored 12 times in 14 appearances for City and Villa chiefs hope his form will see a permanent suitor come forward as they bid to recoup a chunk of the £12million they paid Fulham for him. http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/aston-villa-easah-suliman-callum-14145748

I think Dave Lewis got his erroneous ideas from Michael Lynch's article. Both of them clearly didn't spend the 1 minute required to Google and read the primary sources about these issues (like Melbourne City's statement about signing Carrusca). They are lucky they are not my students

City’s bid to extend hot-shot McCormack’s loan on a knife edge By Dave Lewis 16 JAN 2018 - 6:57 PM UPDATED 1 HOUR AGO [...] City, meanwhile, are confident they can keep boom youngster Daniel Arzani at the club, despite talk of a switch elsewhere in the A-League for the budding 19-year-old magician. Arzani has been linked with Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers, but City officials believe he will dig in and continue to develop under Joyce, with his career path far more likely to result in an eventual EPL move under the umbrella of the City Football Group. That trend was cemented by Aaron Mooy with his move to Manchester City, and eventual A$17 million sale to Huddersfield. And City are convinced Arzani, whose dancing feet have left a trail of bewildered defenders in recent weeks, sees the merit of inking a contract extension beyond June. Arzani is represented by one of football’s leading agencies, Base Soccer, which has on its books the likes of Ashley Young (Manchester United) Mohammed Elneny (Arsenal), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), and Danny Rose (Tottenham). It also brokered the recent deal which saw former Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou take charge at J.League club Yokohama F. Marinos. London-based Australian Frank Trimboli and former Socceroo turned player agent Vince Grella are part of the Base Soccer team. https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2018/01/16/citys-bid-extend-hot-shot-mccormacks-loan-knife-edge

City’s bid to extend hot-shot McCormack’s loan on a knife edge By Dave Lewis 16 JAN 2018 - 6:57 PM UPDATED 1 HOUR AGO Melbourne City’s hopes of retaining gun goalscorer Ross McCormack are “changing by the day” as high-level negotiations with parent club Aston Villa reach a critical point. The on-loan Scotland international has become the fastest player in A-League history to race to the 13-goal mark, from just 15 games, and coach Warren Joyce is salivating at the prospect of pairing him with soon-to-be-fit again Bruno Fornaroli in pursuit of a top-two finish and Asian Champions League qualification. Dead-ball impresario McCormack, 31, has produced the performances to put himself back on the radar of Villa coach Steve Bruce, even as a potential revenue earner with a January transfer window sale elsewhere. Hence the to-and-fro of talks aimed at keeping him in the A-League beyond the January 26 expiration of his loan agreement as an injury replacement for last season’s top scorer Fornaroli. “Ross wants to stay, we want him to stay, the question is can a way be found with Villa to make him stay?," a City insider explained. “It’s working out very well for him here and it’s probably in everybody’s interests to keep it going. But things are literally changing by the day.” The departure last week of Argentine Marcelo Carrusca to Western Sydney Wanderers frees up a visa spot to accommodate McCormack, who has scored five goals from set pieces, the highest tally from any player in a season. Fornaroli is close to returning to training after his knee reconstruction and the prospect of the Uruguayan forging a partnership with the Scotsman could spell serious trouble for A-League defenses, with McCormack’s tally representing two thirds of City’s 19-goal haul for the season. [...] https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2018/01/16/citys-bid-extend-hot-shot-mccormacks-loan-knife-edge

These are two good points. Overall, the foreign signings in the City era have significantly improved on Heart's such signings (Worm, Maycon, Meeuwis, Mifsud, Gray, Gerhardt, Migliorini, etc.). However, returning Socceroos has always been a weakness at this club. At successful A-League clubs it is a strength, and their core groups of players include a few Socceroos--Sydney FC with Alex Brosque, David Carney, Bernie Ibini (and a few more since last season), WSW with Topor-Stanley, Mitch Nichols and Mark Bridge, and the Visitors 2014-15 with Mark Milligan, Archie Thompson, Nathan Coe (Geria and Broxham had even had 1 cap each). So, all of these successful A-League sides had at least 3 former Socceroos who had been at their clubs for about 3 seasons or more. The only Socceroos Heart/City has had for 3 seasons or more were Simon Colosimo (26 caps, 3 seasons, then India and NPL), Clint Bolton (4 cap, 3 seasons, then retired), Matt Thompson (4 caps, 3 seasons, then in. rep. at SFC then NPL), David Williams (2 caps, 4 1/2 seasons, now Hungary), Patrick Kisnorbo (18 caps, 3 seasons, then retired). This club's list of unsuccessful or short term Socceroos is: Aloisi, Skoko, Beauchamp, Heffernan, Sarkies, Madaschi, Garcia, Grella, Reid, Kewell, Mooy (2 seasons), Paartalu (2 seasons), Kennedy, Zullo, Franjic, Wilkinson, Cahill. And the club's current former Socceroos are: Kilkenny, Jamieson, Galekovic. Overall, apart from Heart's first 3 seasons with Colosimo Bolton Thompson, the club has never had 3 former Socceroos together for more than 1 or 2 seasons. And I guess when that happened, the club lacked a good full list of foreigners, and didn't have more than a few players between 23 and 30 years of age. City has improved A) the foreign players, B), the ages of players between 23 and 30 is trending well, and C) arguably the young players are improving. But, Shahanga said well, our 1) marquees have mostly been poor, and as noted 2) we don't have our own "Brosques, Carneys, or Milligans" [a bunch of reliable former Socceroos we've had for more than 2 seasons] and 3) overall we haven't had very very few players for more than 2 seasons, and the players signed haven't often enough been in their prime between 23 and 30. It is January now, so the club has a few more weeks to push its recruitment track-record in the right direction.

Tim Cahill set to sign with former English club Millwall Dean Ritchie, The Daily Telegraph 39 minutes ago ENGLISH club Millwall is poised to announce the shock signing of Australian football superstar Tim Cahill. It would be a stunning return to England for the champion Socceroos striker, who became a cult hero with Millwall fans after his goals helped them reach the FA Cup final. The decision to rejoin Millwall would push Cahill toward football’s World Cup in Russia during June and July this year. It would be Cahill’s fourth World Cup. The Daily Telegraph understands Cahill left Australia for England last weekend. One source close to Cahill said: “He will be back at Millwall. Tim has already gone to England.” “It’s not a done-deal just yet but expect an announcement soon. “Only a last-minute hitch will complicate the signing. “His decision to go back to England will prolong his career and all but guarantee he will be on the plane to Russia.” Both parties are still working on the rich contract, each pulling in the same direction. Cahill does have options should the deal fall over late in negotiations. Should a deal be reached, Cahill would start playing with Millwall immediately. On Monday, Cahill posted on Twitter: “For now it’s about being focused and looking forward to the next chapter.” Cahill’s impending decision will delight fans of Millwall, a club based in East London who currently compete in The Championship, England’s second tier. At present, the Lions are running 16th, seven points above the relegation zone. It is hoped an official announcement will be made in England within the next week. Cahill, 38, left the A League after a fallout with Melbourne City manager Warren Joyce in December last year. A veteran of 104 caps for the Socceroos, Cahill is regarded as one of the greatest players in Australian history. He previously played for Millwall between 1998 and 2004, signing with the club as a youth player after leaving Sydney United in Australia. Cahill made 217 appearances for Millwall, scoring 52 goals. He made his Millwall debut on May 2, 1998, against Bournemouth at The Den, which his side lost 2-1. Cahill left Millwall for Everton in 2004. Clubs throughout the world discussed signing Cahill, a genuine Aussie sporting legend. Lack of game time with Melbourne City was believed to be the key reason why Cahill left the A-League club. As a child growing up in western Sydney, Cahill was encouraged to play football despite his passion for rugby league. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/football/tim-cahill-set-to-sign-with-former-english-club-millwall/news-story/80b19c6bd0cf79aee086a001d7802779

For the record, Budzinski previous (and first goal) was scored 315 minutes ago, that is 3 and a half full matches ago (in the first derby, of course). So credit to him for getting 2 useful goals that have helped City get 4 points, but he hasn't been prolific in front of goal. I'm sceptical about Budzinski's all around game as a midfielder, in particular his passing. I think this passing accuracy hasn't been great, and he doesn't pass the ball into useful areas. So I'm not sure that he helps our possession, arguably the main job of midfielders. Budzinski best attribute is seemingly his goal-scoring. Credit to him for popping up with another goal. I think he's earned more minutes, and maybe a start. However, I'm not going to get too excited and instead I'll wait and see with him.

Melbourne City keen to retain Ross McCormack to boost Champions League bid JANUARY 15 2018 Michael Lynch When he arrived in Australia in a hastily arranged loan deal as Bruno Fornaroli's injury replacement, Melbourne City striker Ross McCormack divided opinion almost immediately. But such has been the Scotsman's goalscoring record that City are now desperately trying to extend his loan beyond its late January expiry date. McCormack has now netted 13 times for City, and has scored two-thirds of the club's 19 A-League goals this season. He became the fastest man to score 13 goals in league history with his strike against Central Coast on Sunday, chalking up his total in just 15 games. Discussions are taking place between his agent and parent club, Aston Villa, to keep him in the A-League at least until the end of this season. "There have been discussions. Ross has done really well here and we would like to see him stay, and we are seeing if that can be made to happen," a City insider said on Monday. "There are a lot of things to be tied up, so we will have to see what happens." McCormack said he was enjoying his time at City. "It's been a great experience for me. It's a pleasure to be able to score goals regularly and to secure a record – but I'm more focused on the team playing well and getting results. "It's a great club, good players and professional environment. My focus is to keep working hard for my teammates." City were happy to let Argentine midfielder Marcelo Carrusca leave last week because it needed someone to go to create space on the roster for McCormack when Fornaroli returns. The fact that Carrusca was a visa player was another bonus, as the club now has the visa spot it needs to keep McCormack at Bundoora even when Fornaroli is back on the pitch, which, the club hopes, will be next month. Fornaroli, City's top scorer in recent seasons, has recovered from his knee reconstruction and is expected to start taking part in team ballwork sessions this week at training. The prospect of the Uruguayan linking up with McCormack is not surprisingly fanning excitement and expectation at City's Bundoora training base as the club looks to seal a top-three finish, which would give it the chance to qualify for the Asian Champions League for the first time. There was no doubt about McCormack's ability. He had scored 91 goals in 233 appearances for Fulham and Leeds, so he had proved his prowess in one of the most demanding leagues in the world, England's Championship. But his time at Villa had been turbulent, and he had fallen out with manager Steve Bruce. McCormack, according to the doubters, had an attitude problem, was unlikely to be committed to the A-League, and was thought to be carrying too much weight. But the striker proved his worth again in City's battling 2-2 draw with Central Coast at the weekend when they played for more than an hour with 10 men. He has, in a few short months, done plenty to prove the doubters had perhaps jumped to conclusions too soon. The Scot even confounded medical expectations: before Christmas he limped off the field with an injury that had Joyce and club officials fearing he would be out for the rest of the season with a knee reconstruction. He was playing shortly after, and still banging in the goals from trademark free kicks and penalties, emphasising his value. The early knock on McCormack was that he didn't score enough goals from open play, that his contribution was limited to spectacular strikes from long-range free kicks. But a goal from a free kick is worth as much as a goal involving a slaloming run past several defenders. And in recent games McCormack has started to get more involved and score from open play, where his anticipation, close control and ability to read the game and find space has seen him pop up with typical poacher's goals. Joyce was delighted with the mentality shown by his depleted team to come back from behind twice against the Mariners, and with the way McCormack took his goal. "Unfortunately that's the fourth time now we have been down to 10 men, but every single time we have driven the game and showed unbelievable levels of fitness. I thought we were the stronger team and were the team looking the most likely to win. "I think we had a bit more urgency and move the ball a bit shaper with 10 men, really. I thought Ross' chance was a good chance, was a good play, and I thought we had several other good opportunities to score goals in the first half." http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/melbourne-city-keen-to-retain-ross-mccormack-to-boost-champions-league-bid-20180115-h0ign6.html

My take: Our best (most effective/talented) signings: Fornaroli (27), Novillo (22), Schenkeveld (25), Fitzgerald (23), Brandan (26), Jakobsen (30), Wilkinson (30), Paartalu (28), Zullo (26), Brattan (26), Kilkenny (30), Sorensen (39). What jumps out is that all these players are between 22/23 to 30 (with the goalkeeper Sorensen being the outlier). Other trends/points about City's signings: - Despite CFG saying they wouldn’t sign “aging stars” from overseas, Koren (33), Duff (34), Hughes (35) and Sorensen (39) beg to differ. IMO our better Visa players have definitely been younger like Fornaroli, Novillo, Schenkeveld, Brandan, Jakobsen. I think CFG eventually realised this, and this season and the last (especially with regards to marquees) the club has moderated things and has signed much younger players. - The club has signed 11 Australian players 22 years old or younger, and many have barely played games for MC, and only a few have made a real impact on the senior team (I’d say Mauk, Kamau, and Chapman [all rather debatable]). Melbourne Heart young players played more, and probably performed better (e.g. Behich, Babalj, Good). Maybe things are finally turning with Atkinson and Arzani, but still over 4 seasons the record is that of a limited return from Australian players under 22 years of age. - The numbers aren’t explicitly revealed here, but I’d say that the club is definitely continuing its extremely high turnover rate, of 80% of players or more playing 2 seasons or less (and it’s usually less) for Melbourne City. I’d also pinpoint this lack of stability with the squad with contributing to limited success and inconsistent performances. - The older players, aged 34 or older, have also made a limited impact (and have, entirely predictably) effectively never played more than 1 or 2 seasons for the club. Too many young players, and too many old players, and not enough players at their best football ages (between 23 and 30) has definitely led to inconsistency and limited success IMO. All up, it can be seen that the high turnover rate of players, and either an obsession with young players (e.g. JVS season two) or an obsession with older players (e.g. Aloisi’s seasons) are IMO the 2 most constant factors in existence at Melbourne Heart and now Melbourne City, from the club’s creation in 2009 to now at the beginning of 2018. Other clubs provide an example of getting it right, for example Sydney FC (pretty much with Brosque, O’Neill, Ninkovic, Ryall, Dimitrijevic, Carney, and maybe a few others), and WSW (around 2015-16) and Victory (a few years ago) are other possible examples. If the club could recruit a core group of players between 23 and 30, who can go on to play at Melbourne City for 3 seasons or more, IMO that would lay the surest foundation for stability, consistency and success, and IMO would meaningfully reduce the incidence of flaky players, flaky performances and arguably a flaky culture. When you take a step back and look at it, Melbourne Heart and now City's track-record is hardly surprising when the fans following the club have been doing so for much much longer than the employees at Melbourne City have been working there (with fans supporting the club for up to 8 years, and players not being at the club for 2).

Here's a report from early November about Fabio (when Sydney FC tried to sign him for their ACL campaign): http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/aleague-champions-sydney-fc-looking-to-sign-portuguese-winger-fabio-ferreira-20171104-gzezwq.html

Fair comments. IMO our season has been very up and down. First, 4 wins (average 2 goals a game). Then, 2 wins over 9 games (average 1 goal a game). And now 2 wins against Wellington and Perth (2 goals each game). I'm just trying to guess how our attack will play, and what the performances will be like over the remaining 13 season games. Given the up and down nature of our season, I personally wouldn't bet a lot of money guessing how our team will play next.

EXCLUSIVE: Bristol City boss on his admiration for Australian players Aidan Ormond 11 Jan 2018 Bristol City boss Lee Johnson says he admires the “winning” mentality of Australian players as he’s keeps a close eye on the best Aussie talent in the Hyundai A-League. The City manager appointed Caltex Socceroo defender Bailey Wright as his captain this year, and his admiration for Australians goes back to his playing days with the club. “I’ve been fortunate to work with Australian players as a player and as a coach – Nick Carle and Bailey being just two," Johnson told www.a-league.com.au fresh from a 2-1 loss to Manchester City in Wednesday morning’s Carabao Cup first leg. Carle, a former Caltex Socceroo and Hyundai A-League player of the year, called City home in 2008, helping the club to a Championship play-off final at Wembley (only to lose to a Dean Windass goal). “I’ve always got my eye on the Australian national market because of the society and culture they are brought up in; a winning environment,” Johnson added. More recently, Johnson’s link with Manchester City – the club assisted his coaching development – has given him another window into the A-League. “Through links with Man City, at one time I was watching Melbourne City for most of their games. “I know it’s a good standard of football and we’ve seen with the likes of Aaron Mooy coming over and doing well at Huddersfield Town, via Man City, that there’s bound to be more [Australians] coming over in the future. “There are a couple of players in Australian national team who are really impressing at the moment.” Bristol City's link with Australian footballers goes back to the mid-1990s when Australian U23s striker David Seal plied his trade at Ashton Gate. And current Sydney FC right-back Luke Wilkshire forced his way into the 2006 Socceroos World Cup side on the back of over 100 appearances for the Ashton Gate club from 2003. Johnson is effusive in his praise for Wright, who made his name in England at Preston before signing with City a year ago. The defender having the armband has been part of a culture overhaul at Bristol City. And it’s working with City still in with an outside chance of making the Carabao Cup Final while they sit fifth in the Championship with a playoff spot for the Premier League very much in reach. “He’s been very important for us. We look to sign players who are great people and great footballers,” Johnson said of Wright. “He’s proved to be just that; he’s an honourable man and a fantastic footballer – the type of person we like to entice to Bristol City and build the team around. “We made him captain, which just shows how much we value his contribution, both on and off the pitch.” Asked to describe his Australian captain in three words, Johnson said: “Genuine, tough, talented.” Source: A-League website

With Carrusca's release, my question is: who is Melbourne City's 1st choice number 10 now? Indeed, do we even have any real number 10s left at the club? It's not like we have been a free-scoring team in open play this season. Actually, the last time we scored in open play (goal 2 against Wellington) Carrusca was involved in the build-up. So what will Melbourne city's creativity and chance creation be like now?

Some clubs are more informative, and some clubs are seemingly the same as City. WSW say the predicted injury length: Álvaro CEJUDO (calf – 1 week) , Jaushua SOTIRIO (injured – 1 week) . Sydney FC says Rhyan GRANT (knee – indefinite) , however Grant is there only injury and he has an ACL. Melbourne Victory's amount of disclosure is the same as Melbourne City's. Normally, it can be argued that it's not really an issue. However, I'd say that with multiple players leaving MCFC mid-season this season--Cahill, Brandan, Carrusca--then the issue is compounded, because it's not clear which players have reasonably been moved on (after not performing well enough for many weeks), and which players were moved on despite being injured for most or all of the time up until their release (hence they weren't really given a chance).

Was it ever definitely stated that Brandan was injured for the remainder of the season (in either a club statement or a media report)? I myself have only seen speculation that he had a long term injury, and therefore was not getting selected in extended squads. Carrusca seemingly had an injury until the Wellington game. So it seems that his lack of selection stemmed from injury, not performance. Anyway, I guess we’ll see how good Carrusca is now when he plays for WSW for the remainder of the season. By the way, a common denominator with both Brandan is and Carrusca is a serious lack of information about their injuries and their level of “fitness”. I know the club doesn’t like to announce strict date about when players will return from injuries, but ATM I think the club have swung too far in the opposite direction and are unusefully vague and unclear about MCFC players’ injuries, and if they are physically capable of playing or not. The main thing with Cahill, Brandan and now Carrusca is that our club’s squad is now reduced by 3 players. So I would expect at least 3 players to join the team (so far only Delridge and Vidosic have, the youth players like Arzani were already apart of the team). For what it’s worth I’m leaning towards being positive overall about the changes, however I still think we are at least 1 player away (and ideally a good player) from balancing our “outs” with our “ins” this January transfer window.

For every player like Tim Cahill, Fernando Brandan and Marcelo Carrusca that the club or Joyce decides to release, expectations are raised to expect equal or better players to replace them. I’ll reserve my judgments until the end of the month about whether these squad changes are good or not. However, at the moment, I believe we need a significant injection of talent to make up for the players that we have lost.

Source? Where is this talk about Oliver Bozanic (I assume that’s the name) coming from?

It's a fair point about selection. And definitely over the first 4 rounds (and arguably over the first 6 or 7 rounds), on selection perhaps no young players should have been picked on merit. However, since mid-November, and truer still by mid-December with Cahill and Brandan having departed, Carrusca being injured, and Malik and Muscat getting suspended, it's been less true that some more players (including young players) shouldn't be in the mix for game time. The point I was actually making was larger than selection: if Melbourne City wants to keep quality young players, then the club needs to do things to incentivise them to stay at Melbourne City. Often playing young players (and developing something of a reputation for doing so) is probably the most common way to encourage young players to stay. The risk of developing quality young players, to only have them leave and play for your A-League opposition next season is very real. So I'm hoping Melbourne City manages to get it just right, and takes a few effective steps to keep quality quality young players here (giving them a reasonable amount of game time is one good strategy, while maybe the club could do other smart things too. Leveraging the Man City connection, and having Arzani visit or trial Man City before he joined up with us seems like another smart idea too IMO).

Haha, I didn't actually think that everyone couldn't remember his games. The point being that whenever Budzinski plays more, like in our 3-1 home loss to Perth, our 3-1 away loss to Brisbane, and our 1-0 home loss to Sydney FC, we do worse. And Budzinski hasn't featured or has barely played in all of City's 7 wins this season. And he has sometimes played in midfield. So that's probably why Budzinski isn't getting game time. Why he is still making the bench ahead of Kilkenny is a mystery to me, though.