moops

I see the point you're getting at. I'm not sure there's a real contradiction in the points I made, though. In my judgement any coach who took over from Aloisi was going too have it very tough due to difficult circumstances and constraints, namely one and a half seasons of sustained and thorough low achievement under JA (finishing 9th in 2012/13, and 10th and 10 points off 9th after 12 games under JA last season), and all the negatives that come with our players being in such bad form for so long, as well as some of our players probably not being good enough to begin with (who were signed by JA, and about 10 players he signed up were contracted for next season), and weaknesses and imbalances in so many parts of the squad. So with the difficult inheritance from JA, demands shouldn't be grand. And I distinguish between 'demands' and 'expectations'. I consider demands to be what an employee effectively must do (to avoid punishment or even the sack). And In JVS' case, I think the demands on him will be to make the top 6 next season, and if he does I think it's likely that he'll keep his job. I also think it is very likely that City would have sliding demands on JVS, so the season after next (2015/16) JVS could well be demanded to make the top 4 to keep his job. However, beyond the tougher category of demands, where there's repercussions for failing to meet targets, I think a fair expectation for JVS for next season would be to finish around 6th to 4th. And then I'm tipping JVS to exceed reasonable expectations and squeak into 3rd place (I think the team can just finish 3rd as much because of the limitations confronting other teams as because of the strengths behind our team, as I blabbed on about in the predictions thread). And as for the finals tip, I carefully said I just expect us to make the grand final, and not win the grand final. And to just get into the GF all we'd have to do is win 2 games, and the 1st finals game would be at home, so I don't think making the GF is that big a deal, and think pretty much anything could easily happen with the 6 finalists with the current A-League finals format. So I think we could see a lot of change at this club happen, and ample positive change, and quickly. Yes the circumstances are very bad, and I think Man City understand that, but I think the club will manage to get itself and the team on a good footing by next season. And I judge JVS and the team too slightly exceed reasonable expectations and to have overcome a lot of the club & squad difficulties that are mainly the legacy of JA by the end of next season. So I'm expecting a lot to happen over the next year, and I think the new owners will help a lot of positive growth happen quickly, and I think we'll have a good competitive side by the end of next season that'll prove it has respectable quality by finishing 3rd, and then I believe we'll be a surprise package in the finals and will make the GF. So I'd got a fair few thoughts over what will happen, but I don't think any explicitly contradict each other. I will put 2 cents in. I don't have any kind of expectation on where we finish at seasons end, in fact I wouldn't mind coming last if there was progress, in gameplay, mentality and confidence (which wouldn't happen if those three things improve). Everyone is impressed with Gombau not for the finishing place on the ladder, but for the style and great football he implemented and AU second half of the season where notable progress had been made. Therein is the difference and accounts for a lot more, as surely Adelaide will be better and by all accounts seem on track.

All good mate, it could be my memory, but I can't recall a time, so not having a go. I remember fb pushing up, or players running to a new position and having to play there for a bit, but not intended swapping. But it's a moot point and not entirely the whole. It was ineffectual, it made no difference to the defense who played either side, as they were essentially doing the same things.

Enlighten me, who swapped position? Yes well that was the main way of getting the ball forward I agree, but I do think our transition into attack was also more direct and quicker, as we looked to play on the counter.

Yeah Sory, I was pissed off and drunk by the time I wrote that. But I do think they have underestimated football in this country and what it takes to be successful Also why didn't they have a tight leash on things at the end of our season? I would have much preferred to have promoted from our NYL than re-signed some players they did.

I honestly don't think it's a problem that the club had a philosophy on how they want to play before ever playing a game, in fact I think it's the right way to do things because you have a clear vision and can build everything around that. However, it wasn't executed successfully and heads should have rolled sooner (and more of them). I agree, but Dutch football is called 'total football', but we have never really played total football ever. For the first time we saw two players swap positions in Dugandzic and Duff, though why I really don't know why? They offer nothing different to each other, than skill level. If you take Bayern Munchen for an extreme example (where under Jupp Hynkes played more total football) where Ribbery and Robben would swap, Ribbery is more likely to put in a cross or a cut back, where Robben is more likely to run into the box or cut inside. They offer a different game and would upset defences because of it and when they swapped would offer the defence different troubles. The only wing forward we have that is inclined to cut in and offer something different is Garuccio, otherwise all our wingers play the same and it makes it easier for defences to predict our play. The Hoff does and can cut in successfully, though only does it once a game and deosn't know what to do once he gets there, or no one has gone with him to offer a pass or a 1-2. If I was JVS, I would be having him do this a lot in training, so he knows what to do once he gets there and our midfield knows what movement would offer opportunity. I would like him to do this maybe three times each 45 mins to offer something different, drag a defender out of position etc. The FFA cup game there was a one two played for the first time, or in a very long time! From memory it was Gooch and Kalmar which saw Kalmar in space. Our midfield is so static it's not funny and has always been a big bugbear of mine. Adelaide are great to watch, creating triangles, diagonal passes and one two's. This is all about movement and creating multiple passing opportunities other than backwards, this is simple stuff that I learnt at 12 that was important. I have never seen the winger on the opposite side to where the ball is being played, slot in at the back post as a second striker, nor have I seen our AMC move in to the box to drag a defender out of position or offer another option. Likewise a central midfielder on the edge of the box for a cut back, knock on or poor clearance. We have never played total football and I only pointed out some simple attacking movement that we have always lacked and when I see our new shiny videos and see only ball handling drills I want to shout bloody Nora, train some tactical movement and transitions! I hear some say, well the FFA cup is early in pre-season, we're ruff around the edges. How much pre-season do clubs in Europe get? And yet they manage well enough, pre-season is about getting tactics right, if you can't handle a ball you shouldn't be in the first team anyway. The focus should be tactics and match fitness and I do not see any progress from last year. Compare AU with Gombau with us, or to their previous year, they were miles apart at the start of the season. I do have doubts about JVS because of the movement hasn't improved or transisions of play, nor the quickness (in fact Aloisi had us playing forward quicker and our transision into attack was quicker).

Sounds like a better game, albeit from weaker opposition. How was the movement? Did they play a 1-2 anywhere? Did ball possession go through the middle and flanks? Was there a cut back, or was there usually someone on the edge of the box presenting that option?

Sky Blues relieved to progress: Ibini Quote: Bernie Ibini admitted Sydney FC were relieved just to progress to the round of 16 of the Westfield FFA Cup after a scrappy 3-1 extra time victory over Melbourne City in Ballarat on Tuesday night. Ali Abbas scored twice from the penalty spot in the second half of extra time to give the Sky Blues victory on a chilly night in country Victoria. It also gave Sydney early bragging rights heading into the Hyundai A-League season opener at Allianz Stadium against John van't Schip's men. Earlier in the night, Corey Gameiro capitalised on a mistake by City keeper Andy Redmayne to give the visitors an early lead at Morshead Park. Nick Kalmar equalised in the second half for City to take the game into extra time. “It was a tough game, Melbourne City gave us a tough game and we’re just happy to get through to the next round,” Ibini, one of the Foxtel A-League All Stars against Juventus, said. “It wasn’t the most convincing game but it’s very early in the pre-season so hopefully we can get better by the next round.” An understrength Sydney outfit were missing a host of stars including marquee striker Marc Janko and Ibini admitted the Sky Blues still have plenty of improvement left to do. “Yeah definitely, there was quite a few players out. I played on Sunday [for the Foxtel A-League All Stars]... I had to backup on Tuesday so it was very tough for me,” said Sydney's new striker. “We’ve got a lot of players to come back so it will make it a lot tougher to fight for positions so we will be looking forward to that.”

ARNOLD DELIGHTED AFTER SYDNEY FC FFA CUP WIN Quote: Sydney FC has reached the last 16 of the Westfield FFA Cup after a 3-1 win over Melbourne City in their inaugural match in Australia’s newest sporting competition in Ballarat. Corey Gameiro continued his fine run of form to open the scoring for the Sky Blues in the first half before City’s Nick Kalmar equalised to send the game into extra time. Two penalties from Ali Abbas secured the win the in the second half of the extra 30 minutes, as Terry Antonis was twice brought down inside the box. A crowd of 2800 watched at Morshead Park while almost 7,000 people around the world tuned in as the match created a first for a competitive game between two Hyundai A-League clubs, being streamed live on sydneyfc.com. “I thought defensively we were outstanding and that’s what I want from the boys every week,” said Head Coach Graham Arnold. “Melbourne City only had one chance in the entire 120 minutes. That’s what we need to build our fortress on,” he continued. “I felt we were a two goal better team over the 90 minutes but it wasn’t to be, and the boys showed great character in extra time to get the job done.” Arnold handed starts to youngster Hagi Gligor and Sasa Ognenovski while Ali Abbas and Bernie Ibini were added to the starting line-up following their Foxtel All Stars efforts against Juventus two days earlier. The opening 20 minutes saw little in the way of chances for either side while former Sky Blue Iain Ramsay was booked for a foul on Sebastian Ryall. The game burst into life on 23 minutes when Gameiro latched onto a long through ball out of the Sydney FC defence which City goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne mis-read and came charging out of his box to clear. However Gameiro reached the ball first and was able to calmly slot the ball past the stranded keeper and into the net to put the Sky Blues 1-0 up. Gameiro’s strike made it seven goals in five games for the young striker and he almost made it eight in the 40th minute when he got free on the left hand side and flashed a shot across the face of goal. One minute of injury time followed the half and the Sky Blues went in at the break with the lead. Ibini made a good run early in the second half to find Abbas on the wing and his centre narrowly missed his fellow All Star who waited to pounce inside the six yard box. It was a chance they Sky Blues would rue when Kalmar drew City level in the 65th minute. Mooy crossed the ball from the left hand side into the six yard box and the City midfielder was on hand to head past Janjetovic. Sydney FC were back on the offensive five minutes later when a dangerous Petkovic free kick caused havoc in the Melbourne City defence, who eventually were able to clear with Gameiro lurking close by. Kisborno almost put through his own net in the 75th minute but saw his scuff bounce back off the post and five minutes later another dangerous Sydney FC corner was cleared inside the six yard box. Petkovic put a ball through for Gameiro on 82 minutes however Redmayne was quick to react and smothered at the striker's feet. The tension began to rise as the 90 minutes drew closer and Naumoff had a chance to win it in the final minute but his shot deflected over the bar and sent the game into extra time. Neither team made any headway in the first 15 minutes of the extra and the drama unfolded in the second period. Antonis went clean through on goal inside the penalty box but was brought down by Hoffman who received a red card in the 108th minute. It gave the Sky Blues the chance to take the lead and after a number of minutes of dispute following the sending off, Iraqi International Ali Abbas stepped up to slot the ball home. The Sky Blues sealed the win three minutes later when Antonis again broke into the box only for Wielaert to bring him down. Abbas again stepped up to convert from the spot and send Sydney FC into the last 16 of the competition. Sydney FC 3 (Gameiro 23’, Abbas 111’ pen, 115’ pen) d. Melbourne City FC 1 (Kalmar 65’) AET at Morshead Park, Ballarat Attendance: 2800 Referee: Shaun Evans SYDNEY FC: 20. Vedran JANJETOVIC, 2. Seb RYALL (4. Pedj BOJIC 95’), 3. Sasa OGNENOVSKI, 5. Matt JURMAN, 6. Nikola PETKOVIC, 7. Corey GAMEIRO, 11. Bernie IBINI (13. Alex GERSBACH 100’), 12. Hagi GLIGOR, 17. Terry ANTONIS, 19. Nick CARLE (16. Christopher NAUMOFF 77’), 22. Ali ABBAS. Subs not used: 1. Ivan NECEVSKI, 18. Peter TRIANTIS. Booked: GAMEIRO 72’ MELBOURNE CITY FC: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), 3. Robbie WIELAERT ©, 6. Aaron MOOY, 7. Iain RAMSAY, 8. Massimo MURDOCCA, 11. Damien DUFF, 15. David WILLIAMS, 17. Jason HOFFMAN, 22. Nicholas KALMAR (21. Stefan MAUK 90’), 23. Mate DUGANDZIC, 24. Patrick KISNORBO. Subs not used: 20. Tando VELAPHI (GK), 14. James BROWN, 19. Ben GARUCCIO, 26. Ross ARCHIBALD Booked: RAMSAY 20’, MOOY 84’ Red Card: Hoffmam 108 Garuccio and Brown came on Muppets.

He stood out, that's for sure.

Our attacking was predictable. Murdocca refused to shoot so would pass out wide, mooy got closed down very quickly and our wingers were always getting boxed into corners leading to dreadful crosses or turnovers and fast breaks since our fullbacks played so high. One think we did well was we were able to control the tempo of the game. I think this is a good spot to build and with important players to come in I would agree it's not all doom and gloom just yet, but its always frustrating to lose a game especially with our high expectations going in. Yes, the one thing we did well was control the tempo.

I am a bit wet behind the ears, drinking away the sorrow. But hey, I think he is a middling player. For example, if I were playing football manager he would be the guy who developed every stat evenly. He is not the only one. He is a jack of all trades, master of none and is less confident because of it. Let's face it, sport is a lot more about confidence than skill sometimes. He is scared to take a chance like Garuccio or Muak would and dithers a bit. He does not have the vision of a Mooy, just middling stuff really. Positionally he's not to good in either bpo or bp, though one could argue this is as much the coaches fault. He plays simple passes, with no great vision, he can tackle, but runs around like a headless chook sometimes. He doesn't fit anywhere really, he is half a package and needs a lot of work, he would be probably more suited to a fb role than Ramsay, but he still wouldn't be much chop. At his age we should release him, as blunt as I may, we would be better served with a youth who would offer the same, but will grow more.

He spent 16mil on chambers 12m on debuchy 35m on Sanchez.. I would clasify that as spending money haha now we will just have to win the league this yearI think you're in with a shot, between Arsenal, Man City and Chelski for me.For sure I can't wait for the season to kick off this weekend! Good luck! I only really follow the Bundesliga nowadays and keep tabs on my LUFC The rest just Aussies.

If anyone wants a ginger beer recipe that's easy as to make, in PET bottles, like used coke bottles etc, I'll post it. If you want to make spirits and what is involved, I'll post that as well. If you want some beer recipes, or want to know how to make your own, yep I'll post something about that too. Even grappa, or 'wild wines', eg strawberry wine or grape wine. I am no expert, but have been home brewing for a few years. I'm still to perfect an ouzo, but I think I'm getting there. Last and least, I know of two homebrew places in the sth east to get supplies from. Thank you, come again.

If so, he's even more of a dick! This is the inaugural FFA cup that has been four years in the making, if that's not important to him, fuck him. There's nothing wrong with Williams in this FFA cup game, he just never saw the ball unless he dropped deep, he was playing like a false 9 in the end, dropping ever deeper to get in the game. There is a lot organisational that was lacking and a lot more besides.

He spent 16mil on chambers 12m on debuchy 35m on Sanchez.. I would clasify that as spending money haha now we will just have to win the league this year I think you're in with a shot, between Arsenal, Man City and Chelski for me.

I must say the city group really have no idea about the A-LEAGUE and neither do the (coincidently) Storm. I think they underestimated football in this country and find it a bit offensive the treatment we have had bestowed upon us. I do not see any difference from years gone by, other than a trip overseas and a lick of paint. I don't think we are being taken seriously and are a bit of a backwater to these guys. It might have been better if they had not come, because at least we new we were the underdog, now it feels we're just a shit take to top it all off. I'm pissed off.

We could hardly get the ball to our striker

Redmayne, Velaphi, Ramsay, Kalmar, Murdocca, Weilaart, Hoff. Now watch as they play the most minutes of the season and remember our yoof policy while Garuccio and Mauk get subbed on for ten minutes and Retre and co play in the NYL before bossing it in the NPL where they'll end up.

I have serious doubts about this guy JVS, smoking too much chronic if you ask me. Tiki taki you need a very technical and creative team and has been shown up- strike that. 433 is just a formation, it's the movement and transision phases that are important. Gengen pressing you need a very fit team with tactical awareness, but it's where it's at at the moment. But I don't really see much in JVS but get the ball to the wings and a lot of running about and reactive play, rather than any type of plan. There is no filtering play to opponents weakness in ball opposition, there is no tactical/organised press, nor is there any other plan than get it wide.

I am seething after that game, JVS must have shares in rocketry, or he's taking the piss.

The positives: Garuccio, Mooy, Duff and Kisnorbo looked good. Negatives: Ramsey can't play lb and for a winger was deplorable with balls in the box. The Hoff is ok (stream cut out so I didn't see the penalty) and should be playing second fiddle for another fb, he offers nothing going forward unless he cuts in, which is very rare. Kalmar and Murdocca are very average at everything they do. We need a Gk. Brown did little. Weilaart is worn out, he needs to be second fiddle. From what I saw tonight, the team needs a shake up, because the same players keep underperforming. A new Gk ?? Chapman Kisnorbo ?? Mooy Mauk. Korin Duff. ?? Garuccio Mooy has to concede he is good at dictating play and he can defend (call him our Pirlo). We didn't see much of Williams as not much got to him unless he dropped deep, so I'm uncertain about him and he did well in the all stars. I don't think it's our year lads, still carrying a lot of mediocre who seem to get picked fucking constantly and it's maddening!

Sydney FC head coach Graham Arnold says he won’t risk his new marquee signing Marc Janko when the Sky Blues play Melbourne City in the FFA Cup tonight. The Austrian striker signed with Sydney on July 31 and has only been in Australia for two weeks. Arnold told FourFourTwo he won’t jeopardise any players susceptible to injury by giving them a run in the Cup. Bernie Ibini and Ali Abbas were in the All-Stars squad against Juventus and are also likely to miss the match. “It’s going to be a good test for us to see where we’re at, at the moment,” Arnold said with Alex Brosque also reportedly out. “Of course the Cup is important, but for us and the process we’re going through my eyes are on the (A-League). “I might risk players for important games, but for this one because we’re still two months out there’s no way.” “(Marc Janko) is coming along well but … he’s only been in the country for 10 days.” Arnold said it was the same for anyone carrying a slight injury. “Pre-season is immensely important for every player,” he said. “If they miss the pre-season then there’s a good chance that they’re behind the eight ball all season. “We’ve got to make sure the players that are available are fit and ready to go.” Arnold believes the Sky Blues will give a good account of themselves when they line-up against Melbourne City at Ballarat’s Morshead Park on Tuesday despite the hit to their attacking ranks. The two teams will also meet in round one of the new A-League season on October 11 at Allianz Stadium. “It gives us a great opportunity to see what they’ve got before the first game of the A-League,” Arnold said. “David Villa is not here now but he’s going to add a lot of strength to them in round one. “John van’t Schip is a great coach and brings a lot of experience to Melbourne City. “He knows the club inside out and with the extra financial clout no doubt they’re going to be an even stronger team this year from last year and the years before. “They’re leading the way in spending money at the moment in the A-League and that brings its own pressure as well. They’ve got a lot of youngsters and handling the pressure will be new to them.” Arnold joined Sydney FC in May after an unsuccessful stint in Japan. The former title-winning coach with the Central Coast Mariners is satisfied with how the Sky Blues pre-season is going. “I’m very happy with where we are at the moment,” Arnold said. “Obviously we’re still two months away from the start of the competition. “We’ve made some changes around the team, with new players coming in, but also some off-field stuff like the gymnasium and the training facility, trying to make it better than what it was before. “I’m very happy with the way the players have taken to what we’re trying to do and we’re definitely a work in progress. “We’re going to go through ups and downs but I’m very pleased with the way we’re going at the moment.”

Good lay off to finkler and almost put through hersi and berisha. 8am flight direct to Melbourne please. I agree he did alright unless he had to defend haha. At first I cringed seeing him on the wing, but he put some good balls in and that 1-2 he had should have been a goal.

One thing that gets me thinking is what direction the club will take in regards to our academy. With the FFA national curriculum (of which I only hear good things about), will the club be hiring coaches who have done the FFA youth badges, or go more in house? FFA stipulates that coaches from the premier league up (so I assume that includes HAL clubs) have a curtain level of coaching cirtificates, either FFA badges or equivalent. For me I hope they run with what the FFA has put in place with their NC, it has a clear path to our national teams and as I said earlier it sounds like it's doing the job. One coach said kids who are 12-13 are doing things the seniors can't and this is the age at where the NC is starting to reap rewards. It's a curiosity, as CFG will most likely want all teams playing the same, but I wonder if they will want to unify youth coaching, or if like in Australia they will conform with the FFA and maybe even learn from it?

Babalj might be over his injury problems, he got 68 mins in a friendly, no mention of him scoring though I really hope he has a good year http://footballcentral.com.au/saturday-wrap-29/#.U8xvFEERWkM NEC Nijmegen v AZ Alkmaar 0-0 (0-0) Eli Babalj played for AZ until the 68th minute.