Michael Zullo

[hakz7]

1 minute ago, Jovan said:

We also need a quality cb. Really stretches things.

Yeah forgot about that. Good point.

[n i k o]

3 minutes ago, playmaker said:

Franjic Chapman Malik Muscat Clisby

We need a defensive leader and a DM.

We don't need Zullo.

Wow

[HeartOfCity]

Well i hope as much as i dont think zullo ever looked to be part of the team that CFG have some plan after cutting and loosing some descent players, im starting to wonder who is out there that is going to fill these positions/spot. I can only think there is a big coup about to happen.

[Jovan]

Very strange. We didn't offer him a new contract. Obviously they have someone lined up.

Very very strange. 

[playmaker]

8 minutes ago, n i k o said:

Wow

Considering we got our arses reamed consistently on the left side...... Wow indeed..... If you like that sort of stuff.

Now all we need is to piss off Harry and the dead wood is gone.

[belaguttman]

We either have some brilliant replacements coming ....

or we have the same recruiting 'genius' in charge as we've had in previous seasons. 

I'm in no rush to renew my season ticket

[jw1739]

Zullo was only with us because no-one else wanted him. He made it very clear that he was using us as a stop-gap in what he hoped was to get back to Europe.
It hasn't worked out that way but I'm not overly concerned that he didn't stay TBH.
All those panicking about next season - there's a long way to go yet.

[n i k o]

11 minutes ago, playmaker said:

Considering we got our arses reamed consistently on the left side...... Wow indeed..... If you like that sort of stuff.

Now all we need is to piss off Harry and the dead wood is gone.

Hey you said about your arse getting reamed, not me. It's funny, I thought the deadwood was gone after we got rid of all our heart players. 

I see in Zullo a talented player that has a very good work ethic. I wouldnt be suprised at all if Zullo is one of the best left backs in the league next season. 

[Thrillhouse]

what a grubby cunt, not worthy to use the germano rehab centre 

[playmaker]

13 minutes ago, n i k o said:

 

I see in Zullo a talented player that has a very good work ethic.

He may have talent when fit, but he is no LB. His position is LM as he is defensively weak. 

And because of this we got reamed down the left by the better teams

[Jozzy]

4 hours ago, Murfy1 said:

The only Australian fullbacks available now (i.e. out of contract in June) are:

- Luke Wilkshire (34, RB, plays for Terek Grozny in Russia)

- Shane Cansdell-Sherriff (33, LB, plays for Burton Albion in League One)

- Dylan Murnane (21, LB, melbourne victory)

- Callum Elder (21, LB, Leicester City U21)

 

Slim pickings.

 

 

It looks like JVS is continuing his proud traditions of having too many wingers and no left-back..... 

I think Elder is a great shout, even if it's on a loan deal.

Personally I can see Elrich signing and playing out of position at LB.

[silva10]

8 hours ago, Murfy1 said:

 

I'd agree that Clisby is slightly better defensively. However, Clisby is so often lost when he goes in the attacking half, and I'd say Melbourne City need full-backs who can offer support in attack, and because Zullo offers plenty going forward by a whisker I'd prefer him. Clisby's passing was 10% worse in the attacking half than in the defensive half last season (compared with only a 3% decrease with Garuccio and Franjic), and Garuccio and Franjic both had 3 and 4 assists respectively, compared with Clisby's 0, and created 2 to 3 times as many chances as him.

In short, I think Garuccio is only a tiny bit worse defensively than Clisby, and I back Garuccio more to improve defensively than I back Clisby to improve offensively. 

 

Right now it's going to be a hard slog to sign up more members for next season. Things just don't look good ATM. And unless CFG and Melbourne City really careful, by next season the club's membership base could shrink for a second season in a row.

I am sorry to disagree with you again Murfy. Clisby isn't slightly a better defender than Garuccio. He is miles ahead of him as a defender. Garuccio is a midfielder IMO. He doesn't know how to defend effectively. Clisby does use the ball well and his passing improved quite a bit this season. I don't go much for stats Murfy as they can be tailored to suit a certain opinion. Don't forget Garuccio and Franjic played much more games than Clisby.

Quite a few on here give Clisby shit, but I actually believe he is a good footballer, who with the right management can improve significantly. His biggest weakness is his positioning. Of course that is important for a defender and he needs to improve. However, that is something he can improve with work. I actually like his tenacity and the fact he gives everything during a game.

 

[mus-28]

No great loss. Novillo was better on the wing and Garuccio was better at full back. Maybe in a team that was more defensive minded Zullo would've been handy as a full back where his defensive flaws were protected, but we were the most gung ho side ever and he was easily exposed.

[HEARTinator]

2 hours ago, silva10 said:

I am sorry to disagree with you again Murfy. Clisby isn't slightly a better defender than Garuccio. He is miles ahead of him as a defender. Garuccio is a midfielder IMO. He doesn't know how to defend effectively. Clisby does use the ball well and his passing improved quite a bit this season. I don't go much for stats Murfy as they can be tailored to suit a certain opinion. Don't forget Garuccio and Franjic played much more games than Clisby.

Quite a few on here give Clisby shit, but I actually believe he is a good footballer, who with the right management can improve significantly. His biggest weakness is his positioning. Of course that is important for a defender and he needs to improve. However, that is something he can improve with work. I actually like his tenacity and the fact he gives everything during a game.

 

Clisby gets hammered because he hasn't learnt to stay calm under pressure and is just as likely to give away a penalty while defending with a two footed slide tackle in the box . That to me is his key weakness. It's in his head and yes he needs a lot of coaching and meditation to stay calm under pressure. Having said that, the guy bleeds for the team and he knows he's not a first choice player and just wants to go out and prove himself. A good squadie with plenty of upside.

[Shahanga]

11 hours ago, Jovan said:

We also need a quality cb. Really stretches things.

I know wrong thread but no way would I have signed Muscat. (Maybe as the 23rd signing on minimum but we clearly haven't done that, so he's just clogging the list).

Zullo's fitness record made him a problematic re- signing but I still don't see where we are getting a lb from. Jack is really just a useful squady.

[NewConvert]

45 minutes ago, Shahanga said:

I know wrong thread but no way would I have signed Muscat. (Maybe as the 23rd signing on minimum but we clearly haven't done that, so he's just clogging the list).

Zullo's fitness record made him a problematic re- signing but I still don't see where we are getting a lb from. Jack is really just a useful squady.

Clisby has come along way since he joined the club. I remain optimistic that he will continue to improve.

[Jovan]

For me we need our fullbacks have to be able to play both ways. That's why I was pretty chuffed signing Franjic and Zullo.

They obviously both had injuries issues which prevented from reaching their optimal peak but regardless they are both still quality attacking fullbacks.

Apart from injury the way we set up last season was also all over the shop. We went from a 433 to a period of 352 then we played with a 442 both flat and diamond veriation. And all with a transient back line.

It wasn't until Wilkinson and Kisnorbo paired together when our defence was stabilized and allowed our fullbacks the opportunity to play more pro actively.

Now we've lost Wilkinson Kisnorbo and Zullo. All for me bona-fide starting players.

Not offering Zullo a new contract is very bizarre. Muscat and Clisby are not and should not be regarded as starting players and Garrucio should only be considered at LB in certain set ups and not thought of as designated fullback.

Just don't like it. Not one bit.

[n i k o]

I think Clisby has improved quite a lot, but starting with Clisby in left back doesn't give us much going forward.  @playmaker can you provide me examples of Zullo being a liability on team this season? Something that is outside the tactics that he has been responsible for. It will be telling to see how he goes up in Sydney, especially if he's played in the left back position.

For the record my 'wow' comment was directed at the backline you posted. Franjic, Chapman, Malik, Muscat and Clisby. That is one of the shittest backlines ive seen. Franjic is a shadow of his former himself, Chapman is solid but ordinary in the air, Malik is an unknown at the back over a long period of time, Muscat was part of an ordinary Nix and Clisby has never been a consistent performer and has his shortfalls. Any one of these combinations with JVS at the helm will not end well for us.

[Deeming]

No point keeping Zullo and Garuccio - similar type of player left sided wing backs. I would have preferred keeping Zullo but not that upset.

Now we have a defensive LB = Clisby and an attacking LB = Garuccio that’s a better spread of players/positions when the squad numbers are limited.

[rass]

Interesting one this...

Clearly we didn't get to see the best of Zullo last season. Injuries obviously played a big part of that. 

The question then became would we get to see the best of him next season? Obviously the club think we won't, whether that's due to more injury or form concerns. It's a hard one to judge...

In any case, I'm not worrying atm what our defence will look like as there are still many decisions to be made around our squad. 

[n i k o]

16 minutes ago, Deeming said:

No point keeping Zullo and Garuccio - similar type of player left sided wing backs. I would have preferred keeping Zullo but not that upset.

Now we have a defensive LB = Clisby and an attacking LB = Garuccio that’s a better spread of players/positions when the squad numbers are limited.

Interesting you say that because I'm quite certain the Garruccio-Zullo combination (started about 4 games together) was our most successful, we beat Wellington, Brisbane, Adelaide (away). Not that that's an full indicator of them combining successfully but it wasn't that bad. I think our worst combination just from a results stand point was Clisby fullback-Zullo winger. 

Edited May 13, 2016 by n i k o

[Torn Asunder]

Zullo failed to live up to expectations. It's a shame it didn't work out but it didn't so no great loss.

Muscat, who will probably get far more game time than we all hope, could just end up being Hoffman Mark-II, but with a shitter name 

[Harrison]

2 hours ago, n i k o said:

Interesting you say that because I'm quite certain the Garruccio-Zullo combination (started about 4 games together) was our most successful.

Agree with this. From memory, the two worked pretty well together. They seemed to cover each other quite naturally when one went forward.

Zullo said something about us having the best set up in Australian football when he signed. He also said something about the club and he sharing the same goals. I wonder what changed.

Surely we still are the best club (as in facilities and being part of a global football empire) and probably have the highest expectations of any club. 

[Murfy1]

9 hours ago, silva10 said:

I am sorry to disagree with you again Murfy. Clisby isn't slightly a better defender than Garuccio. He is miles ahead of him as a defender. Garuccio is a midfielder IMO. He doesn't know how to defend effectively. Clisby does use the ball well and his passing improved quite a bit this season. I don't go much for stats Murfy as they can be tailored to suit a certain opinion. Don't forget Garuccio and Franjic played much more games than Clisby.

Quite a few on here give Clisby shit, but I actually believe he is a good footballer, who with the right management can improve significantly. His biggest weakness is his positioning. Of course that is important for a defender and he needs to improve. However, that is something he can improve with work. I actually like his tenacity and the fact he gives everything during a game.

 

 

For what it's worth I rate Clisby's defensive game rather highly, for A-League standards. And I certainly wouldn't say that I "give him shit". He's often been a reliable LB IMO.

On the stats point I won't get into it. Stats and data always need to be interpreted;  numbers don't explain themselves. But I'm weary of people who just theorise everything and never ground their opinions with stats/facts. You can argue for anything if you completely ignore stats and other evidence. 

 

Also, I just know that next season Melbourne City will play an attacking brand of football again, where the fullbacks are expected to regularly support the attack. Clisby's not perfect--no footballer is--and IMO he could improve the attacking side of his game. That's the main consideration IMO that tips things in Garuccio's favour--if the team played more defensively than Clisby would be the obvious starter.

Garuccio is a winger. I've said since was signed by Melbourne Heart that he should play as a winger. Garuccio himself has said in public that he prefers to play as a winger instead of a fullback. However I know JVS won't play Garuccio as a winger (as long as Novillo's fit), so he'll normally be in contention for the LB spot. IMO Garuccio became something of a scapegoat towards the end of last season, and I'd pushback against some of the criticisms of him. His defensive game is underrated IMO, and his massive engine helps him be pretty decent defensively. And he's a very young player still, and I don't doubt that he'll improve even more in the future. Funnily enough, if Clisby and Garuccio could be combined they'd be an excellent fullback for Melbourne City, given the tactics the team plays, IMO.

 

Overall though, by far my most preferred outcome would be for CFG to pull a quality LB out of somewhere that can be a regular starter, and thereby put this Clisby vs Garuccio discussion to bed. With the resources that Melbourne City has, the club should be able to sign a new and superior LB who we can all agree is worthy of being in the starting XI.

 

 

Edited May 13, 2016 by Murfy1

[Ruckoo]

Clisby is the most improved player on our roster, I rate the kid.

[raw10]

Confirmed .. gone to Shitney FC

http://www.sydneyfc.com/article/sydney-fc-sign-michael-zullo/8mhcvjlstwnt1ld4g84rp13xu

[CityWildcat]

1 hour ago, Ruckoo said:

Clisby is the most improved player on our roster, I rate the kid.

Totally agree.  Zullo no loss for me.

[kingofhearts]

Clisbys improved, but to think people would start him over zullo is madness. I like clisby as someone who can come off the bench but if he's our starting lb next season we're fucked

[Jovan]

14 minutes ago, kingofhearts said:

Clisbys improved, but to think people would start him over zullo is madness. I like clisby as someone who can come off the bench but if he's our starting lb next season we're fucked

Exactly this.

[belaguttman]

18 minutes ago, kingofhearts said:

Clisbys improved, but to think people would start him over zullo is madness. I like clisby as someone who can come off the bench but if he's our starting lb next season we're fucked

We won't be fucked but we won't win anything as usual. Clisby will be far from the biggest contributor to this failure of course

[silva10]

5 hours ago, Murfy1 said:

 

For what it's worth I rate Clisby's defensive game rather highly, for A-League standards. And I certainly wouldn't say that I "give him shit". He's often been a reliable LB IMO.

On the stats point I won't get into it. Stats and data always need to be interpreted;  numbers don't explain themselves. But I'm weary of people who just theorise everything and never ground their opinions with stats/facts. You can argue for anything if you completely ignore stats and other evidence. 

 

Also, I just know that next season Melbourne City will play an attacking brand of football again, where the fullbacks are expected to regularly support the attack. Clisby's not perfect--no footballer is--and IMO he could improve the attacking side of his game. That's the main consideration IMO that tips things in Garuccio's favour--if the team played more defensively than Clisby would be the obvious starter.

Garuccio is a winger. I've said since was signed by Melbourne Heart that he should play as a winger. Garuccio himself has said in public that he prefers to play as a winger instead of a fullback. However I know JVS won't play Garuccio as a winger (as long as Novillo's fit), so he'll normally be in contention for the LB spot. IMO Garuccio became something of a scapegoat towards the end of last season, and I'd pushback against some of the criticisms of him. His defensive game is underrated IMO, and his massive engine helps him be pretty decent defensively. And he's a very young player still, and I don't doubt that he'll improve even more in the future. Funnily enough, if Clisby and Garuccio could be combined they'd be an excellent fullback for Melbourne City, given the tactics the team plays, IMO.

 

Overall though, by far my most preferred outcome would be for CFG to pull a quality LB out of somewhere that can be a regular starter, and thereby put this Clisby vs Garuccio discussion to bed. With the resources that Melbourne City has, the club should be able to sign a new and superior LB who we can all agree is worthy of being in the starting XI.

 

 

I wasn't referring to you when saying people give him shit.

I know stats are used widely by football coaches. So I am not saying they aren't useful. However, I do believe people can over rely on them. When I have seen Clisby play this season, I have been impressed by his use of the ball and his ability to win tackles and get blocks in. Of course going forward he isn't as strong as Garuccio. My problem with Garuccio at left back is that he tries to anticipate the pass too much. There was several occasions when he went to ground and failed to cut out a pass, leaving the right hand side exposed.

I would be personally happy to see Clisby at left back next season. Maybe the club will bring someone better in. I guess we will have to wait and see.

[strider]

zullo is shit, gooch is shit

next 

[dr lime]

Fuck Zullo. Played 4 good games and was injured half the rest of the time. We seem to be disappointed about losing him based on his "potential" but to me he was another Gameiro-style punt that didn't really work out. I am concerned that we need a decent left back, but that's nothing new. As full backs Clisby makes a good centre back (his positioning is shit) and Zullo makes a good wide midfielder. Garrucio is not wonderful defensively either, so we are really no worse off than we were at the start of last season. Plenty of time to sign someone, I don't agree that there are "no left backs available" they aren't really "specialists" like number 10s, prolific goalscorers or goalkeepers, They can, in a sense, be "manufactured" from midfielders or quick centre backs. If Paolo Retre was a couple of yards quicker he'd be a better full back than Franjic so we need to recruit in other areas before we worry about full backs, e.g. finding a decent Wilko replacement.   

[johnno cpfc]

15 hours ago, dr lime said:

Fuck Zullo. Played 4 good games and was injured half the rest of the time. We seem to be disappointed about losing him based on his "potential" but to me he was another Gameiro-style punt that didn't really work out. I am concerned that we need a decent left back, but that's nothing new. As full backs Clisby makes a good centre back (his positioning is shit) and Zullo makes a good wide midfielder. Garrucio is not wonderful defensively either, so we are really no worse off than we were at the start of last season. Plenty of time to sign someone, I don't agree that there are "no left backs available" they aren't really "specialists" like number 10s, prolific goalscorers or goalkeepers, They can, in a sense, be "manufactured" from midfielders or quick centre backs. If Paolo Retre was a couple of yards quicker he'd be a better full back than Franjic so we need to recruit in other areas before we worry about full backs, e.g. finding a decent Wilko replacement.   

Not to mention a replacement for Kisnorbo who will be sadly missed.

 

[Torn Asunder]

Funny to see Zullo weigh in on the Sky Blue argument ...

Michael Zullo 

 

✔‎@MichaelZullo5

Best of luck to my new club @SydneyFC tonight!#SydneyIsSkyBlue

7:59 PM - 25 May 2016

Edited May 26, 2016 by Torn Asunder

[Thrillhouse]

lol didn't he say wanted to play champions league?