fensaddler

Thanks both. Wanted to make sure I was up the same end as our active support, and hence mostly with our support, rather than next to the Victory flogs getting condescended to and gassed by flares. Anyway we're in our usual spot in Block 14...

Are we in the south end or the north end? Assuming south?

Loved it. Nailed it.

We are inevitably going to pick up a few fair weather glory hunters now we are flavour of the month. I'm just hoping most of the people we attract put down deep enough roots that they stick with us through the bad seasons. It's weird for me, as I've never supported a popular or successful club before, and suddenly the little red and white also rans I chose have morphed into leviathan...

Well it's good to be wanted, but in my defence, I'd already decided not to do the etihad derby before going last night. It's just that having experienced the etihad it made me feel a bit better about the decision... And I shall see their poor, disappointed faces when we knock them out of the cup...

Not sure I buy all this negativity (which probably marks me out for suspicion on this board). For sure we have teams rattling around in grounds which are too big or the wrong shape. And we don't have enough teams or a governing body which appears to have a clear strategic plan. Alright, I do buy into some of the negativity (it's catching). But. Attendances are growing, and those stadiums are beginning to fill up (I know, not always). Soccer is definitely becoming more popular. And at last, issues of new teams and even promotion and relegation are being talked about. There is cause for a little optimism at least.

Realised tonight what an awful ground Etihad is for soccer. No wonder Victory fans are so chippy, having to put up with that vast, soulless bowl every week. I'll wait for the cup tie and watch the derby on TV, it'll be more fun.

Well I didn't get a scarf as well, so I would suggest that you're either special or lucky...

Clearly can't settle anywhere. He might regret leaving us.

He's a bloody good player to have on the bench...

Excellent.

Was just about to ask. Am bringing some friends along who haven't been to City before so hope it's a good one. Doing my bit encouraging new support...

If he can come back fit and strong he will be like adding a star signing to defence. Given our relative lack of strength there, his return could be critical.

We are two of those who have signed up to full membership this year for the first time, though technically three match passes in the past two seasons would have counted us amongst the membership stats. For us, the reasons are due to increasing engagement using the 3 match passes, to the point where full membership didn't seem that much of a stretch, the club making payment easy, and particularly the 'sexy football' of last season. Alright so Aaron and Harry are gone, but Bruno stayed, and we had faith that decent signings would be made, and that the quality of the football would continue. Also like many, though this is our first full membership, we've been around and attending sporadically since the 2011-12 season, when we first rocked up in Melbourne.

Many things will have helped. Despite the disappointment at the end, the fact that we played so much entertaining, attacking football last season will have been really important.

Fourth behind the noisy neighbours, WSW and Sydney. Not far behind Sydney, but the top two are in a different universe in terms of supporter numbers. Underlines what a success Western Sydney has been as a start up.

Because someone has to stop the oppo before they get near our defence!

You and Cloughie should recognise my avatar. Notts born an bred, played for Forest before an illustrious Walsall career... But possibly before your time?

Me too Cloughie. Works for Walsall fans too. Done both the City ground (3-3) and Meadow Lane (twice, both wins).

Typical. It's turned up...

Anyone got any insight into how long it usually takes sportsubs to deliver merchandise? I placed an order for clothing on 3rd Sept and it hasn't yet turned up. Normal?

I imagine he nuts blokes a foot taller than he is. You'd want him in your gang in a dark laneway.

A few random observations from last night. We have a lot of pace in this squad, and that in itself is forcing the opposition deeper. We are also going to win a lot of penalties because pace is going to beat defenders. In a team of whippets, Bruno actually looks slow, when we know he isn't. He looks as good as ever and could have had a hattrick last night. The disallowed goal was a harsh decision IMHO, and of course he was brought down when clean through on goal, which resulted in the penalty. Someone, and I didn't work out who, was knocking inch perfect passes up the wings all night, with the ball often dropping straight to Bruce's feet in space. Bruce himself looks a great player, pacey, hard working, always in space, and always likely to cause problems for the oppo defence. Jakobsen is the dogs bollocks. Looks really capable, the guy we will build our defence around. The rest of the defence still doesn't fill me with confidence, though Chapman looked solid playing full back. Malik is not a central defender and always looked capable of a major cock up. I'm glad our membership seats are in the home end, and not in the side stand. It was like a morgue in there for much of the first half. Thank you active support for your work, which was really important last night. I'm quite sure that Fernando heard the drums. We could be in for a hell of a season. Whatever, it's going to be huge fun, and we are going to see some fantastic matches. Enjoy.

One of several very promising performances last night. Built like another rather famous Argentinian midget, only looks about three times as hard. Looks psychotic, has pace to burn, lots of skill, works hard, tackles, afraid of nothing. Going to be a favourite in a team packed with talent.

First sight of Brandan. Like a cross between a troll and a very quick pit bull. Cracking side to watch, goal potential everywhere. And Jakobsen is a proper defender. Kamau causes havoc.