mattyh001
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Posts posted by mattyh001
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as a quick question, at what stage of the season / how many weeks out from a particular away game do people start planning for away trips.
to give some perspective, I am pretty set on going to the two Sydney games in December (on the 7th we play WSW away and then Sydney FC away on the 15th) over the space of two rounds. part of it is that i've never been to Sydney before and so I can check off that trip along with going to a couple of away games.
as such, I am wondering if anyone else is looking at going / if it would be a good idea to start planning shit on the forum ?
EDIT:
Although do I take that's what the Match Day Planning is for?
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http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/a-league/news/1157522/Roar-adds-duo
Diogo Ferreira and Dimitri Petratos signed with Brisbane.
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I'm gonna be disappointed with anyone but Bray tbh.
Realistically though....what other quality australian keepers are available? Really hope this happens
Dean Bouzanis for one, and the other released Aussie keeper at Oldham (Liam Jacob) might be worth a look.
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Nothing against the guy but how would this malteser differ or be better than D-Mac?
being nearly a foot shorter, i'd imagine Misfud would offer the services of a player that is a lot better on the ball and a lot more versatile since very rarely do you see 5"5 players used as the target forward (but not guaranteed as a lot of this discussion is pure speculation and many wouldn't have seen Misfud play - being able to compare accurately is like apples and oranges).
That being said Misfud captains his country and has amassed over 90 caps - predominantly against European teams and in WC / Euro qualifiers. given the ranking systems and that Malta are usually ranked down the bottom in terms of seedings then Misfud normally would be playing against a better class of opponent (ie Italy, Germany, Bulgaria, Portugal and even Hungary). He has a decent scoring record for his country, thus pointing to the fact he must be alright if he can score against much better opposition than the the team he plays for on a regular basis.
Misfud has tasted success in a league that doesn't sit too far behind the Bosnian League in the UEFA coefficients - the same Bosnian league where Gerhardt had done well before joining Heart.
Given how many hoops those leagues have to jump through to even make the group stage for either Champions or Europa league then frankly part of their ranking is pure luck of the draw and thus Malta is probably closer to the standard of the Bosnian league than the other way around. The fact Misfud is the national team captain and has a good scoring record then chances are he actually is one of the better players in the Maltese league - thus pointing to the fact he may be similar to Gerhardt in regards to being a quality player for that league. remember too that Berisha had a poor record in Europe before coming over.
Macallister's record has nothing on him. the best goal scoring ratio Macallister has had was 1 to every 3 and that was at Wellington.
Nothing against the guy but how would this malteser differ or be better than D-Mac?
That being said Misfud captains his country and has amassed over 90 caps - predominantly against European teams and in WC / Euro qualifiers. given the ranking systems and that Malta are usually ranked down the bottom in terms of seedings then Misfud normally would be playing against a better class of opponent (ie Italy, Germany, Bulgaria, Portugal and even Hungary). He has a decent scoring record for his country, thus pointing to the fact he must be alright if he can score against much better opposition than the the team he plays for on a regular basis.
Shit teams he scored against:
Iceland, Canada, Jordan, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Faroe Islands, Liechtenstein, Austria,
Georgia, Macedonia, Central African Republic, Luxembourg, San Marino, Armenia.
Decent teams scored against:
Slovenia, Israel, Finland, Bulgaria, Bosnia, Norway, Greece, Croatia.
25 of 37 goals were scored in Mickey Mouse games. 5 against Liechtenstein.
Lets not get too excited. He's a legend in Malta.
Malta.
Not worth a visa spot. Nothing to see here.
by the same token then (and purely looking at Gerhardt prior to his many memorable performances last season for Heart) couldn't you have said the same Gerhardt prior to the start of last season? or Berisha when he was signed by Brisbane - it wasn't like he came in with that good a record?
Lets look at it; he was playing; he was playing in the Bosnian league (currently ranked 34th in Europe) and has only played twice for Libya (FIFA ranked 103, ELO ranked 122). While Libya are better than Malta (FIFA 156 and ELO 145), the difference is not that big when you consider they are separated by 100 ELO points (Libya are on 1347 so they have performed about 8% better). Even then, we are talking about the captain of Malta (and thus can be expected to be one of their better players) and one who has been largely off the radar.
With that lack of difference in mind then, surely Misfud is worth a look in. Maybe there are better options on offer out their (I and others have never otherwise) but to simply cast a player aside because he is from a lowly team (be it club or nation) seems short sighted.
EDIT:
As a side note, both John Hutchison and Manny Muscat have played for Malta (11 and 8 caps respectfully). Granted neither are star players and both haven't turned out for / agreed to represent Malta until much after Mifsud so they havent had the time to get a lot of caps, but they have both certainly been good enough for the A League over the last couple of years. As such doesnt that go to further boost the view that Malta arent as bad as you say?
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Nothing against the guy but how would this malteser differ or be better than D-Mac?
being nearly a foot shorter, i'd imagine Misfud would offer the services of a player that is a lot better on the ball and a lot more versatile since very rarely do you see 5"5 players used as the target forward (but not guaranteed as a lot of this discussion is pure speculation and many wouldn't have seen Misfud play - being able to compare accurately is like apples and oranges).
That being said Misfud captains his country and has amassed over 90 caps - predominantly against European teams and in WC / Euro qualifiers. given the ranking systems and that Malta are usually ranked down the bottom in terms of seedings then Misfud normally would be playing against a better class of opponent (ie Italy, Germany, Bulgaria, Portugal and even Hungary). He has a decent scoring record for his country, thus pointing to the fact he must be alright if he can score against much better opposition than the the team he plays for on a regular basis.
Misfud has tasted success in a league that doesn't sit too far behind the Bosnian League in the UEFA coefficients - the same Bosnian league where Gerhardt had done well before joining Heart. Given how many hoops those leagues have to jump through to even make the group stage for either Champions or Europa league then frankly part of their ranking is pure luck of the draw and thus Malta is probably closer to the standard of the Bosnian league than the other way around. The fact Misfud is the national team captain and has a good scoring record then chances are he actually is one of the better players in the Maltese league - thus pointing to the fact he may be similar to Gerhardt in regards to being a quality player for that league. remember too that Berisha had a poor record in Europe before coming over.
Macallister's record has nothing on him. the best goal scoring ratio Macallister has had was 1 to every 3 and that was at Wellington.
At 5' 5" he's not much shorter than Messi or Maradona
agreed, was just making the point that players of that height generally play a deeper or wider role
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Nothing against the guy but how would this malteser differ or be better than D-Mac?
being nearly a foot shorter, i'd imagine Misfud would offer the services of a player that is a lot better on the ball and a lot more versatile since very rarely do you see 5"5 players used as the target forward (but not guaranteed as a lot of this discussion is pure speculation and many wouldn't have seen Misfud play - being able to compare accurately is like apples and oranges).
That being said Misfud captains his country and has amassed over 90 caps - predominantly against European teams and in WC / Euro qualifiers. given the ranking systems and that Malta are usually ranked down the bottom in terms of seedings then Misfud normally would be playing against a better class of opponent (ie Italy, Germany, Bulgaria, Portugal and even Hungary). He has a decent scoring record for his country, thus pointing to the fact he must be alright if he can score against much better opposition than the the team he plays for on a regular basis.
Misfud has tasted success in a league that doesn't sit too far behind the Bosnian League in the UEFA coefficients - the same Bosnian league where Gerhardt had done well before joining Heart. Given how many hoops those leagues have to jump through to even make the group stage for either Champions or Europa league then frankly part of their ranking is pure luck of the draw and thus Malta is probably closer to the standard of the Bosnian league than the other way around. The fact Misfud is the national team captain and has a good scoring record then chances are he actually is one of the better players in the Maltese league - thus pointing to the fact he may be similar to Gerhardt in regards to being a quality player for that league. remember too that Berisha had a poor record in Europe before coming over.
Macallister's record has nothing on him. the best goal scoring ratio Macallister has had was 1 to every 3 and that was at Wellington.
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Valletta F.C. and Michael Mifsud have agreed to part company, two years into the player's five-year contract with the club.
Michael had expressed his desire to pursue playing opportunities abroad. An amicable settlement was reached following discussions between club and player. Michael Mifsud is now officially a free agent.
Valletta F.C. would like to thank Michael for his services to the club and wish him all the best for his personal and professional future.
http://www.vallettafc.net/news/-valletta-fc-release-michael-mifsud
Sign him up, Maltese footballing god.
At 5"5 he's not the tallest chap but would certainly be a very interesting and solid signing - although it's all rather pie in the sky. would be genuinely quite interested in seeing him signed.
As a foot note to it all, Valletta have won the league title both year's Mifsud was at the club, and as national team captain you would imagine he'd have had a massive influence.
The only real concern i'd have is that with his height and lack of goal scoring outside of Malta he might not be the type of forward that is (as per Thierry Henry's description a couple years back) a fox in the box.
Mind you, neither was Berisha when playing in Europe and he has turned out well so one can only hope ...
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1288 as of 9.30 am AEST - another 43 over the weekend.
outta curiousity, does anyone have the figures / count from early last season?
been going through last season's members thread and haven't seen anything yet.
Edit: the first number i've seen for last season was posted at the end of August 2012 (at 3650 on the facebook page).
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judging by the other comments i'm not the only who doesnt rate Ward.
too old to be a fringe player and with little to offer youngsters experience.
started only 9 times (with 14 off the bench) in a Perth team that where shite.
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as a quite reference point (and doesnt necessarily mean anything) both Sydney FC and WSW have contracts with both their keepers from last season. Dean Bouzanis is a Sydney boy and by all reports his brother is on the books at Sydney FC.
thus, I take it that Bouzanis is training there while staying with his family as opposed to training with a new club.
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i'll be interested to see how Weilart goes - http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/a-league/news/1155849/Wielaert-adds-to-Heart-strength
in comparison to Zwaanzijk, Wielart's pedigree doesnt seem as good - Zwaanzijk was regularly playing for a dutch club that was constantly pushing the top 4 spots. Wielart has been playing in teams a lot more middle table (although that might be a lot more to do with the performance / quality of teammates in either instance.)
Wielart's played for PSV, Ajak and Twente, ain't exactly middle table.
agreed and the time at Twente does stand him in good stead (and as per my post will be interested to see how goes) but considering he played only 30 times total between Ajax and PSV implies to me that you can't just look at the CV
i'll be interested to see how Weilart goes - http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/a-league/news/1155849/Wielaert-adds-to-Heart-strength
in comparison to Zwaanzijk, Wielart's pedigree doesnt seem as good - Zwaanzijk was regularly playing for a dutch club that was constantly pushing the top 4 spots. Wielart has been playing in teams a lot more middle table (although that might be a lot more to do with the performance / quality of teammates in either instance.)
Sorry lad, but while Zwaanswijk was regularly playing for a Dutch club that was 'pushing top 4', Wielaert was moving from the second best team in the country to the team that beat it
NAC Breda finished above 8th one time in all the seasons Zwaanswijk played there.Point taken and agreed upon although if you do then take a look at Roda over the last seasons where Wielaert's been based and as a main stay of the first team, they have been progressively getting worse (they almost got relegated last term and is eerily similar to the 2006-09 years where one Marcel Meeuwis dominated the Roda midfield).
By all means, I am not trying to imply the guy is going to be horrible - in all honesty I think that some very postive signals are there. Simply I'm not completely sold by his CV. Although in hindsight, Zwaanzijk's wasn't that flash either
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i'll be interested to see how Weilart goes - http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/a-league/news/1155849/Wielaert-adds-to-Heart-strength
in comparison to Zwaanzijk, Wielart's pedigree doesnt seem as good - Zwaanzijk was regularly playing for a dutch club that was constantly pushing the top 4 spots. Wielart has been playing in teams a lot more middle table (although that might be a lot more to do with the performance / quality of teammates in either instance.)
Wielart's played for PSV, Ajak and Twente, ain't exactly middle table.
agreed and the time at Twente does stand him in good stead (and as per my post will be interested to see how goes) but considering he played only 30 times total between Ajax and PSV implies to me that you can't just look at the CV
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i'll be interested to see how Weilart goes - http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/a-league/news/1155849/Wielaert-adds-to-Heart-strength
in comparison to Zwaanzijk, Wielart's pedigree doesnt seem as good - Zwaanzijk was regularly playing for a dutch club that was constantly pushing the top 4 spots. Wielart has been playing in teams a lot more middle table (although that might be a lot more to do with the performance / quality of teammates in either instance.)
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Other than the speculation on here that Garcia might go to Perth Glory, what other club is interested in him?
unless Perth start to cull some over aged players, I doubt that Garcia will be going there - they already have 17 senior players with another 8 on youth contracts. Plus they have a few visa spots open.
i suspect that Brisbane might be a good fit for him, although West Sydney or Wellington might be a bit left field but a good option too.
that is of course he doesnt get a good offer abroad.
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below is a list of all EPL players released this close season - before there are any questions all the first names on the right, last names on the left:
Some very very interesting names there.
Some were releases at the end of the contract to another club / have already gone to another club (ie Kolo Toure, Wayne Bridge) whilst others have retired (ie Jamie Carragher, Steve Harper).
Guys like Jermaine Pennant, Ian Harte, Rob Hurse, Tal Ben Haim, Roque Santa Cruz and Yossi Benayoun would be good to see in a Heart top (although some might be a little past it and others a little unrealistic - ie Santa Cruz and Benayoun).
No one from Tottenham listed although I know William Gallas has left on a free.
Edit: Add Corey Gameiro to that interesting list - didn't notice he was on the Fulham list. Surely he will be a number one target of a few A League teams.
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Plus it was our first home game and everyone still had high hopes after winning round 1.
i don't buy into it purely being the first round result plus being Heart's first home game for the 11k against Wellington. in season 2 Heart (for memory) had shown some very positive glimpses away to Newcastle and had gotten a poor refereeing decision in the 3-2 away loss before playing Perth in Heart's first home game - they only got 7.5k. They outplayed the visitors the next week but poor work in the final third left it at 0-0 (and subsequently got less than 6k at home to Sydney the next week). all after playing the visitors in front of nearly 40k - they would have seen Heart where the better team on the night and trumped a team with Kewell; something that should have then (by your argument) added a bit more faith.
Still think the derby is a bit wasted in round 1. The build up to the season is pretty big in itself, and having the derby a few weeks later just keeps the momentum building. There's enough interest in round 1 (new players, new tactics, new beginning etc.) to get people to the games without needing the derby.
here's the thing tho IF we do say it comes down to specifically that game at the start of last season; if the result and performance have such a big impact then doesn't it suggest that Heart are better off having an away derby first up and thus it goes against your original argument?
yes part of it will come down to getting results, but there is no shore fire way to guarantee that; just take a look at Sydney last term with del Pierro. in a competition, league and sport where for every winner there must be a loser, surely it makes a bigger impact to get the news right coming into round 1 than in round 5 on the hope that the team has gone extremely well.
with all the news and anticipation around Kewell's signature, that makes the first game an absolute buzz. Heart can only benefit from that. any signing that Heart make that sends up the visitors is going to trump the combination of multiple signings that sends up various other clubs around the league - ultimately that goes towards Heart playing Victory round 1.
You're massively omitting the VPL final.
tbh i didnt even know/realise there was a game afterwards and by all means it would go towards adding to the numbers that day (however it is something that may point to the fact that other Heart members/fans would have been in the same boat and thus the game had a reduced impact); is there a way we can verify their general crowds because while there would be an impact it would be interesting to see.
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to be frank, i love that the derby is round 1. its always gonna get a big crowd so the publicity will be there, and it tells football fans the season is on.
as a reminder from last season, the weekend after the derby Heart played to an 11,000 home crowd against .... wait for it .... Wellington!!! Since when would or could Heart expect that many against the Phoenix when the best we usually get to a Sydney game is between 6000 and 7500? Even then the previous season we only got 6,700 to the Phoenix game at AAMI.
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renewed membership and sooooo looking forward to the season.
given the amount of action on here since around 2 pm forum time (guessing from my post that's around 1 hour ahead of AEST) with the membership number freezing at 370 (and still is 2 hours later as at 3 pm AEST), I get the impression that there is a fairly strong membership base return !!!
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Has the club signed Patrick Kisnorbo because on wikipedia he is in our current squad...... and for his profile his current club is Melbourne Heart
Has the club signed Patrick Kisnorbo because on wikipedia he is in our current squad...... and for his profile his current club is Melbourne Heart
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Kisnorbo
Lol I don't think he has mate. Wiki is always full of shit
Has the club signed Patrick Kisnorbo because on wikipedia he is in our current squad...... and for his profile his current club is Melbourne Heart
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Kisnorbo
Welcome to Melbourne Patty K
Kisnorbo has plans that he might be signing with the Hyundai A-League club Melbourne Heart.
Thats vague even for a wikipedia page.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22402523
its the first i have heard of it but he has certainly be released so it would be an interesting and certainly possible pick up. given how injury prone Kisnorbo has been, i get that worried feeling that it could turn into another Grella situation.
from some of the posting on here and Heart announcements that apparently there are meant to be a few signings this week from overseas so maybe the cat has gotten out of the bag here early.
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seriously can't wait.
even began planning a couple of away games to boot.
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was having a bit of a look around on google / wiki / etc and as a bit of an off thought, could there be a chance that David Carney might be signed for next season?
as a disclaimer, I have never been a big fan of Carney. However, the guy has some serious experience overseas and for the Socceroos, and can fill a spot on the left as a bit of an utility. Yes, we have Ramsey and Williams for further up the park, but Mitchinson still has a bit of development - Carney would be an interesting choice for cover / squad competion. He can play at the back and it would mean Williams can then be used on the right where / when needed.
He left Bunyodkor at the end of last season and is yet to be signed by anyone so there is a chance (probably a decent chance) that he would come cheap(ish).
as I said this is an off thought. I couldn't see it being a long term deal, but would provide an interesting choice - plus he is only 29 (turns 30 in November).
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kewell wouldn't be included in that as it says the club is looking to fill those positions from the visa spots. I think harry is more of the 'icing on the cake' signing.
totally agree, i get the impression that Kewell was seen as a maybe option that would add icing on the cake. previously, Kewell has always seemed happy to stay in England to try and get a gig over there - only after the fall out over his injury replacement contract in the Middle East has things changed.
Holt would be a very intriguing signing. still quite capable of playing in the EPL and was Norwich's B&F for a few years in a row - seems unlikely to come given his age but maybe the lifestyle would suit him.
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I see this generally in a good light, but a little apprehensively.
Kewell is still one of Australia's best midfielders / forwards talent wise. I don't mean an instant walk up to the Socceroos, simply that Heart will struggle to find another player with the ability to turn games so easily without taking a visa spot. Take a look at the Victory v Roar game last time Kewell was here - he turned Adnan (Roar's best defender) inside out all game. Take a look at the fact he signed and played a three game contract with Al Gharafa - just because he wasn't retained doesn't mean squat. Simply put he was on an injury replacement contract for Bresciano who had returned to full fitness. You don't bring a foreigner in like that otherwise. Even with Meeuwis last season at Heart, was he any worse than (or even that bad that he was at the level of) Hoffman?
Like others have said, the upcoming World Cup forces Kewell's hands. He has to be playing (and playing well) to get in the squad (if we make it of course). If he signs, its because he wants a good crack at it. That can only be a good thing for us.
What worries me is the uptake from other fans in Melbourne. Most people have been there, seen that with Victory. Some will come across, but I don't think it will be massive. As such, I think the club needs to be careful with how they structure things. Kewell won't have the same drawing power. The club will see an increase in attendance, merchandise sales, etc., but certainly not like Kewell's last level when he came to the A League.
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As a supporter I'm not happy turning up to 3, 4, 5 or 6,000 fans in an elite stadium. I'm not happy to the incompetence of management in not building the club to be a success. I am not happy making bone head decisions and finishing second last.
As a supporter we have every right to question to going ons at the club we put time and effort and money into. Not everyone is happy to see rainbows and follow shitness.
If you demand the best in life you want to do something about it. I tried. I have a lot. Put more time into this club than I could afford to. But alas I know there are brick walls and have an understanding on what's the problem at the club and without change it won't improve.
This is why I want change. Board members, management and right through.
I think every season ticket holder should demand excellence. If that's not you and your happy to sit back and not worry good on you. That ain't me. I want excellence. Or a want to be the best. I just don't and have never seen it at this club.
Isn't it common sense to know if the club broke even, without the sales of players we would have run at a loss?
As I said, that doesn't have to be a bad thing to run at a loss but I am of the opinion our owners are not willing to keep investing. Well there's a problem with that isn't there? Something doesn't add up to me. We are looking around the world for investors, our owners are not wanting to lose anymore money, what picture does this paint? Our club won't be around as we know it. This South Melbourne offer is just the start. People can see what is happening.
At the last game and the weeks to follow the clear incompetence of the club was highlighted to me. Ignoring or glossing over mistakes wasn't going to cut it anymore for me. I want the Melbourne Heart to be a success.
Simple fact. We won't be with the current regime at the helm.
What you raise are some very valid considerations. The team has been very inconsistent on the park, which has not been helped by starting out with an experienced youth focused coach and moving to a guy with no experience and no real plan B. They need to sort out what they want and ensure they get it known / accepted in the stands.
As hard as it is to accept it with Victory, their early success (despite how shite it was to watch) helped grow them to being the only club to pass 15,000 members regularly. Melbourne wants a successful brand.
All that being said, how immediate do you want this? You really need to think about it - take some time. Part of the problem is that Victory have market domination. To purely chase success at any cost puts the clubs finances at risk. And while the money involved / being risked is that of the investors, they are the ones who get ultimate say. Sometimes we need to remember we pay memberships to watch football, not vote in elections and on club decisions.
Yes, walking away / not attending games as a united group of club fans can have an impact, but it no more than an ultimatum - something that only shows we have no real power over the key decisions. We are relying on too many people to do this as club members to have massive impact - ie scare the shite out of the board to make change.
Personally, the decisions of the club is largely attempting to set the club up financially and thus something I largely appreciate. An act of consolidation. The last thing I want is to see the team turn into a North Queensland Fury.
Harry Kewell
in Melbourne City
Posted
and where abouts is training this week for those incline to go and watch?