tommac

Melling also an option as the 3rd CB in a back 3. He showed potential in that role last year, and with a bit more experience there could be solid for mine.

Good signing- he's a very handy player and will do well in the A-league. Still a good age, and brings a lot of experience. Interesting to see what this means for the marquee we (surely) bring in. Malik definitely in the back 4.

Exactly! Good signs already

There was something in the air that night.. Looks a decent signing- quick, good technique, and super passionate by the vid. We know how our last random South American turned out, so a bit exciting really. Don't think he would be the marquee either which is also great.

Well- I've never seen/heard that- and if so, I stand corrected. Can't say I think he'd be any good there. It's a waste of his most useful attributes -ie being good in the air, making good anticipatory runs into the box. He's not a great tackler or passer either. So I don't see any reason to think about playing him as a defensive midfielder.

Uh? Cahill would be brilliant at 6...? Big call, as he has literally never played there..

From Ray Gatt Twitter: Josep Gombau will have significant role with FFA. Coaching Olyroos, as well as helping Paul Okon with Young Roos & some assistance 4 Ange.

Looks like he is a CB, rather than a DM as the wiki page suggests. Might be the visa CB most of us are hoping for.

CFG just get us Iniesta and be done with it

http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/premier-league/premier-league-players-released-or-retained-by-their-clubs/news-story/3bb2bf17f609620a276706ffa62ccb81 A few players in there worth a look, for the right money ( and dependent on other goings on with our current list of course): - Sessegnon, Stephen Fletcher, N'Zogbia, Steven Taylor, Flamini, Gaston Ramirez, Distin, Leon Osman, Jose Enrique, Kolo Toure. Plus Skapetis, the young Aussie striker released from Stoke who has done quite well in the youth leagues. And Demetriou, the young Aussie at Swansea too.

Great signing- Malik back to CB. Brattan allows us to stretch teams a lot more in attack, by dictating play and spreading the ball wide/ playing balls centrally into feet. Would be great if you guys took your political chat somewhere else. You're really not going to change anyone's political persuasions via a Luke Brattan thread, so kindly get bent.

Nah- I think we're talking about the ex- Victory Left back. Who would be a great signing for th right money. Aus citizen too from memory

Saw a Newcastle United ( UK) article mentioning 2 players being released: Sylvain Marveaux and Gabriel Obertan. Marveaux a bit injury prone but a quality playmaker/inside winger, and Obertan a big, ridiculously quick winger- who is inconsistent but would be pretty darn good in the A- league I think. Doubt Obertan would come here but Marveaux might be an option as a visa player ( non- marquee)

I reckon that article pretty much confirms Brattan is coming. Malik to play CB- his best position.

For what it's worth ( and it's not much really), I said out because I thought this was a thread asking whether we thought JVS should be in or out. Then I saw the results and was shocked- and looked again. My real answer would be IN

Does this mean we won't be able to sign Brattan? I wonder if CFG will sign guys from A league clubs-release them immediately, only for them to be snapped up by Melbourne City? That's what I'd do- mostly to piss people off

I've been hoping for that to happen since they announced Pellegini was leaving Man City. Hopefully nothing comes up in England and he wants to come to Australia!

I reckon we've already recruited our # 6 for next season: Luke Brattan.

As an Australian football fan- I'm not sure I like that idea. I think it's good for youth/young players in the league to be Australian's beginning their careers and using the A-league as a launching pad. 5 visa players is about right, so wouldn't really like seeing 5 + a young visa players, meaning potentially only 5 spots for Australian ( potential Socceroos) in each side.

Would absolutely take in some unrealistic deal that would see him come under the cap, after receiving an 'end of contract' payment from Man City before signing for us.

I'd probably prefer Brattan as a DM from what I've seen of them both. I think Holland would be asking for more $$ than what he is actually worth too, and would be wanting to stay in Europe

I'm not saying anything about anyone but Safuwan- and what I'm saying about him, is that he is not a good enough footballer to justify us using a visa spot to sign him. Anyways, this is a Bruno thread and its blasphemous to talk about average visa players in the hall of the King.

Far out that is some twisted logic to try and prove your own point. Thank god you have no say in our player recruitment.

Jeez people look back at Safuwan with rose coloured glasses. No way in hell is he worth a visa spot, and you're deluded if you think he is.

Hope and expect us to get Brattan- which will mean Malik will play at CB. That's a step in the right direction. Would keep Caceres if possible ( if not in too big $$)- we've seen his potential, and I reckon next season could be a breakout year for him. We need a top notch marquee replacement for Mooy. Would be good to bring in another visa at either CB or an adaptable winger/forward ( Cirio/Castro-esq). Hope we can keep Wilkinson as he has been great- again $$ dependent. He and Malik would be a good CB partnership.