Rocco Jones

Thompson has certainly struggled. I think he also suits coming off the bench due to his versatility. Could add a new phase to his career.

I think we aren't catering for the limited A-League bench. I really don't think it's a good idea to have either D-Mac who should only really replace Tadic or a pure CB.

Great idea. Some posters here will be negative no matter what. A-League Allstars will be good to generate extra interest across Australia +promote league OS. Great for MLS. When it comes to the kit, I would go with something simple with players wearing club badges. I like the MLS allstars kit.

4k and we are still charging $25. I don't mind paying the membership fee as I'm happy to have a fair chunk of it in the 'donation' to the club category but $25 for non-hardcores is really a lot.

I get the issues but the last few home games haven't been 'boring' IMO. 4-1 vs Roar= enough said 3-3 vs Jets= annoying for hardcores but I know a group of newbies who went (I couldn't go) who were really entertained 1-0 vs Glory= last min goal winner Not saying we are Barca but a bit harsh to go with boring.

I think Marrone is more suited to a flat back 3 if he is going to be a CB. Having Marrone and Thompson being able to fill in at CB means we shouldn't have a pure CB on the bench IMO. Sure if we had a 5 man bench but the A-League bench is (annoyingly) limited to 3 outfield players. You have to use them all or go with less subs. Trying to bring on a CB is disruptive, only suitable when a CB is injured/red carded as they don't really need rests. Mitchinson is another who can fill in at CB whilst offering LB which would mean we could move Behich into winger role. Macallister is another example of offering poor flexibility off the bench. Nothing against him, just that he doesn't suit playing alongside Tadic and Josip is ahead of him. Macallister should only really come on for Tadic. If Tadic is injured/playing poorly we can replace him in the middle with Williams or possibly Garcia, bring on GolGol on wings. I would go with a bench something like this... Redmayne as reserve GK obviously Thompson who can pretty much play anywhere- this sub role could perhaps add time to his carreer GolGol comes on for a winger or Tadic allowing for Williams/Garcia to move into CF J.Walker/Mitchinson- Walker can play as RB freeing up Marrone to play CB/DM or go on to wing. Mitchinson can go to LB freeing up Behich or CB

It was an ugly win but I will happily take it and the 4 points from 2 games without Garcia and Behich. I was thinking Marrone to DM with Walker at RB, perhaps not straight after returning from Socceroos duty though. Could Fred be playing within himself? Not trying to have a go, very understandable considering how often he has been getting injured.

Yep Hoffman is treated unfairly by fans who have made up their minds and aren't actually watching him anymore. Next week I'd go with... Bolton Marrone-Gerhardt-Colosimo-Behich Hoffman Fred-Garcia Kalmar-Tadic-Williams Bench- Redmayne, Merbarthu, Thompson, Mitchinson Nothing against Vrannakovic or Macallister, just feel our normal bench members do not provide versatility need in 3 outfield bench. Macallister doesn't suit Tadic, especially with Williams there. We can either leave Tadic or shift Williams or possibly Garcia in central role. Do not like having a bench member who really should only come on for one player. Also don't like having a pure CB there. I actually would prefer Vrannakovic over Colosimo but we know it won't happen, especially after 2 clean sheets. CBs don't need a rest and only need a change if injured/red carded. Mitchinson, Thompson or Marrone can go there if that happens while all offering something else.

Any direct info about Grella being fit to play? Last I heard he was meant to make his debut in derby, hope it's sooner though.

Obvously a very ordinary game but important to remember how many guys we have out. Garcia, Behich, Mate, Marrone, Grella and Germano. Not sure many A-League sides have the depth to cover that, certainly not us. Would probably take another draw next week. We are still very much in touch with the top 6. Need Garcia and Behich will be huge inclusions and hopefully Grella can get on the park in the next couple of years!

Worried about Hoff getting 2nd yellow (cue we are down to 10 with him anyway gags). Very poor 1st half by both sides. The type of half that would validate euro snobs.

Really looks like a game involving the bottom two teams.

------------------------Bolton------------------------- Thompson- Colosimo-Vrankovic-Mitchinson ----------------Hoffman-Gerhardt----------------- -------------------------Fred-------------------------- Williams-------------Tadic-------------Garrucio Bench: Redmayne, Macallister, Kalmar, Merbathu

The Young Socceroos are playing in a quarter final tonight. If they lose, we will get the duo back. I assume semis are mid-week, not sure if there is a 3rd place playoff. Behich should play. Wednesday to Saturday with an international trip is done by plenty in Euro etc. FWIW I walked past Fred Friday night and overheard him saying he is back next week.

I believe the negative feelings towards D-Mac have a lot to do with the Tadic/D-Mac combo being incompatible together. We got D-Mac on the cheap and think he offers good value off the bench/depth, just that he doesn't suit Tadic. The pairs issues playing together is increased with the limited A-League bench.

No. The Young Socceroos will be playing 3 games in Saudi Arabia over the week. The 4 man bench that comes with the A-League doesn't help but I think we really struggle with our changes. Each week we have a spot for a CB and a CF. Tadic/DMac are horrible together and unless a CB gets injured/red carded, it doesn't really help to have one coming on.

Bolton Marrone - Colosimo - Gray - Behich Garcia - Gerhardt - Thompson Dugandzic - Tadic - Williams Bench: Redmayne - Hoffman - Macallister - Kalmar

With the midfield outs I would definitely bring in Gray and move Gerhardt into midfield. Do not like prospect of having to play Hoff or Kalmar so hope Thompson is OK to start (that says more about our lack of quality ATM). Really hope we don't play DMac and Tadic together to bolster the numbers!

Such reactive comments on here. Marrone was arguably the best RB in the league last season and after two poor performances we want him out?

Just a few things. 1- I hate losing too but if you lived inside this thread you would think we 0 pts and a GD of -8. 2- Posters are bagging us signing Tadic and our apparent lack of success. We are run on a shoestring budget. Who would be paying their squad less? Not saying it is an excuse but it does make it more difficult to make quality signings when you can't throw around bucket loads of cash. ADP and Heskey didn't require great scouting!

Obviously Tadic has struggled so far but I think he suffers from having to play alongside D-Mac. I would like to see him directly replacing D-Mac instead of playing wide or whatever was the intention today.

The lack of defensive support from our midfielders was disgusting.

Looks like this rumour has no realy substance but for argument's sake... I know we have an inbalance with our mids but at A-League level I don't think you can knock back an opportunity to get a player like Valeri (unless the $$$ are huge but knowing our club, we wouldn't do that anyway). At day's end a player like Germano is on minimal salary so not killing us to have him as a squad player. Garcia, Gerhardt and Thompson are all versatile players, as is Fred to an extent. I do have a lot of faith in the club not making impulsive signings (if anything it's the opposite). As with anyone who cares about the Heart, I would love a good CB but if none are simply within our grasp, further enhancing our strengths is OK by me!

I know saying Smeltz out is huge for us but it's HUGE for us! 6 goals from 4 games against us last season. IMHO Kalmar is a bit overrated here and Hoffman a tiny bit harshly treated. I don't rate either to be honest but feel Hoffman offers us a little more through his intensity and ability to fill a gap in a few positions (I know not very well). Don't really care who gets the nod either way though as I see the difference as marginal. Hopefully with Germano, Gol Gol and of course Grella returning to fitness we don't have to worry about either. I like the look of Vrankovic and it will be interesting to see how patient Aloisi is with me. Right or wrong, JvS would give Vrankovic a starting spot ahead of Colosimo/Gerhardt for short term pain/long term gain.

As long as he isn't on massive coin and knowing how the club operates, he wouldn't be, it is a great signing. Some posters are talking about who we will have to play on the bench and that's the best thing about it IMO. It gives us cover/good options to bring on from the bench. I would actually play Thompson wing/forward and keep Garcia in midfield, possibly rotating the two. If Germano's form is better than Thompson's I'd bring him in and play Garcia up the pitch.