JMSTEP123

MLS are doing many good things and getting it right. Like Portland Timbers, I wish we had a tree cut for every tree scored inside the stadium. NRL on the weekend had flame throwers and fire works. Its all set up at AAMI for it. If it gets bums in seats, why are the FFA not considering it? Oh wait. Its the FFA.

Where did you hear this?

Wtf is going on with tickets???

Thats it man. I cannot wait to take my future kids to City games. Excited for the next 50 years before my life ends. Damn right passion is contagious. So lets spread it. Lets make this the best season yet.

The line to the sausage stand was short too. Do not think much of the beef rolls. Majority of City fans are great too. So many tossers at Victory games. But you always get a good smile and vibe at City. Good so many families feel they can attend. Many positives

One memory. FFA Cup Victory. 2 tiers open V sydney. 80% city fans. Final whistle. United in voice. Vision. Whatever "it" is, it was there. We now need to turn that potential into actuality. The reality will be what we build. I am fucking excited for this season and every season ahead.

To build on this: World cup/ Premier League followers and discrepancy between football followers and the minority for whom that translates to watching the game domestically - Our city has been noted to be "sporting capital". We are so acustom to prestige (AFL in abundance; dominant international cricket team over many years; best tennis stars attend Aus Open. Many examples) that we turn our nose up at anything less than that with which we feel we deserve. The A League is slower, far less technical, irritating and seen to be a joke in comparison to the other famous leagues with which the majority of football lovers follow religiously. To this I say two things 1. If you want to build the domestic league, then follow it for fucks sake. It wont build itself. And 2. You can enjoy football at any skill level. We are not a football country in comparison to other leagues, but we can be if more people start coming to the games and following the league. I follow Watford in the prem; Portland in MLS. I enjoy watchint La Liga games, and watching PSG and any championship game. My heart is with City. I follow the other clubs passionately, but I live for this one. I know others, if they got down from what they feel is owed to them (only the best), could feel the same about an A League club. And why wouldnt they? I see the passion and love for the clubs I follow. It fills me with hope thinking in our lifetime we could have the same type of thing here in Melbourne. At a guess, I feel the domestic league basketball may suffer from the same feel in comparison to NBA - and I know nothing about basketball. And other sports too? The downside of having the best sports in the world at our doorstep makes us intolerable of anything perceived as lesser.

In other news I went to see Melbourne Storm for something different today. 16 thousand in the stands. Dead and dull atmosphere. Made me proud of what we do with 8g in the stands. What needs to be done to grow support for the club? Its going to be very slow - probably generational. You chose City for a reason, if you feel those reasons are justified to stick with City, then stick to City, promote City, be present and be part of the foundations that (I Hope) are going to last for many generations to come. About culture: do not trivialise it. Culture grows, it is not manufactured. It will only grow if we feed it right. We live in a Victory dominant city. We are the lesser team. But not Forever. Keep the hope alive, keep supporting and project this passion another 5, 25 and 50 years into the future. Thats right son, I was there to see the Aaron Mooy. I witnessed the clubs greatest striker, Bruno Fornaroli. I was there when we won our first FFA cup. I was there when we won our first A League championship. I was there when we won in Asia. I was there... History is being written lads. We are part of it. Be proud.

I probed but was told only that I would find out in due course. Asked about McCormack but was told only that they wish he were back at the club. Obviously players were told to keep a lid on inside goss which is fair enough. In good news the boys all seem to really gell well. The old and younger players. Seems a good vibe down amongst the players and I think above all we are going to see a season shaped by culture. Some really good people down there. Maybe this is just my pervasive pre season optimism soon to be shattered, but I like this team. I think it is going to be nearly entertaining as our 15/16 season.

Word from players tonight that there are another 2-3 spots soon to be settled but they are confident with the team and raring to go. Fire up for the season fellas

I was thinking it looked like a back 3 with Malik and Griffits CDM with Malik dropping back for support

What a fkn joke. This is no friendly. We should play our best. Fkn over it. That is an appauling line up.

So where are we at then lads

The bloke must have said something about Wazzas shorts. Monsoon tropics and Wazza wearing a jacket. Blokes more out of touch than an Indian slum.

Spot on

Fornaroli more crowded than a domestic peak hour Indian train

Galekovic let that one through easier than a vindaloo poo

Vidosic snapped easier than a papadum

Is it not already? The gap between these teams is larger than between us and the Blasters the other night. And we won fkn 6-0

Fold the club.

Quality night out that one. Abuse recieved. Donuts consumed. Night of freezing Football.

Looks good!

Does he have a missus to punch? Jokes - Novillo was sweet. Lets just get him back. He made a promise to return.

Yes nothing better than a week of Delhi Belly. In some way I hope we take it seriously. The chance to play Girona is a good exercise for our squad. I do not think much of the other match up - good run for youth. Good for our squad to head overseas together too irrespective of location. I agree it is a branding exercise, but it seems to have taken place over the local friendlies we have been acustom to. I wonder had the same event been held in Aus whether we would be taking the whole squad. Time will tell I suppose! Also - surely we should not be cruising about the FFA cup. We won it 2 seasons back. Our effort last year was abysmal against Sydney, not that I was expecting to win. Surely we should be grabbing both these opportunities by the balls in order to hit the ground running once the season begins.

Given that the FFA cup is up soon after. And no other friendlies announced - do you really think they would not send a full squad? I thought it would be a given, at least against Girona.