Murfy1

My point from the start was that Arzani should have been getting more minutes before Saturday's game. Another point I'll raise now is that Arzani is out of contract in June this year, which means that this month he can start talking with other A-League clubs about playing for them once this season is finished (actually, I think Arzani [and other players leaving contract at the end of this season] is entitled to do that now). So, the overall relationship between Joyce and Arzani is actually rather important. While I think that earlier report this month about Arzani's people talking with Sydney clubs was rubbish, and that Twitter post about Arzani being "happy" here is closer to the truth, Arzani's contract situation is nothing to be complacent about. And I reckon after Arzani plays another game like his match against Wellington we should get him to sign on the dotted line, and secure him at our club for the future. A final thing I'd say is that Melbourne City has certainly not been leading the league with regards to giving young players minutes this season (from a Windley piece on Saturday): Tongyik has made the bench 7 times and not played, Denis Genreau and Metcalfe haven't made the bench or played a minute this season, Najjarine has made the bench 1 time (3-1 loss against Brisbane) but didn't play, Crowley has played 16 minutes over 3 appearances, Arzani had 2 late substitution appearances (before the last game), while Atkinson is the young player who has played with most having started 3 games and having been subbed on 1 time (before the last game) [full current stats here]. So despite being Mr. Man United youth coach, Joyce doesn't have the runs on the board at our club for youth yet. With our strong youth side, which is going for it's 3rd Championship over 4 years in the Y-League/NYL this month, it would be good to see our younger players getting a few more minutes (especially on dry runs with 6 losses and 1 draw over 9 games), so it is never in doubt that young talents like Arzani will stay at the club for years to come.

People might be surprised to learn that Budzinski has played 371 minutes this season, and he's featured in 8 out of our 14 matches so far. I'll be impressed if anyone can name the 3 matches that Budzinski has played the most minutes in, or the 3 matches that he has started.

Kilkenny hasn't played since the 24th of November (when he was subbed on late for 11 minutes [he's played 70 minutes total this season]). Given that we're playing a game 72 hours after Saturday's match, It's pretty remarkable that Kilkenny isn't even around the bench for this game. It does look like he is being frozen out, hence there seems to be nothing he could do to force his way back in. The current situation doesn't seem to be helping Kilkenny professionally much at all.

This goes against Warren Joyce's own mantra that every player (from Cahill to Atkinson) is equal, which Joyce has repeated from the start of the season to now: https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2017/10/27/joyce-keeping-citys-big-names-grounded http://www.news.com.au/sport/football/a-league/whats-going-on-with-outoffavour-melbourne-city-marquee-marcin-budzinski/news-story/7eebeefe941ef0b60aafda4356db5d33 So, taking Joyce literally at his word, things of crucial importance for selection are: 1) A high level of fitness, and 2) being "absolutely flat out every day" at training, and everyone is "the same" (reputation, age, marquee status are all irrelevant). I personally think Joyce has been inconsistent with his own selection criteria (e.g. playing a not very fit McCormack, while never considering an allegedly not very fit Arzani). Also, I'd say Joyce has had his favourites this season, whose playing time has seemed unconnected to these suggested objective selection criteria. My preference is for a more pragmatic approach. Just play your best and most important players. I think that's better than stating all these criteria for selection in the media, and then maybe breaking your own rules every now and again.

More speculation that Ross is staying: Aston Villa forward Ross McCormack set to extend loan deal with A-League side Melbourne City · Ross McCormack is set to extend his loan deal at A-League side Melbourne City · McCormack joined the Australian side from Aston Villa in the summer window · The 31-year-old has been in impressive form, scoring 10 times in his 13 matches · He scored twice on Saturday as Melbourne beat Wellington to move up to third Simon Jones 8 January 2018 Aston Villa striker Ross McCormack is poised to extend his loan at Melbourne City. McCormack scored both goals as Melbourne beat Wellington Phoenix on Saturday to climb to third in the A-League table. It was a sixth win in a row for Warren Joyce's side, who are now 13 points behind league-leaders Sydney FC. McCormack has been enjoying life in Australia since moving in the summer transfer window. The Scottish forward is the league's second-top scorer with 10 goals from his 13 games. The 31-year-old is keen to stay with Melbourne and has asked Aston Villa if he can remain at the club until the end of the season and then weigh up his options in the summer. Villa have been doing just fine in McCormack's absence and are pushing for promotion in fifth position. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5243867/Aston-Villas-Ross-McCormack-extend-loan-Melbourne.html

Melbourne City teenager Daniel Arzani set for starting role David Davutovic January 8, 2018 MELBOURNE City teen Daniel Arzani looks set to be rewarded for his stunning impact role with a start in Tuesday’s away clash to struggling Perth Glory. Arzani flipped last Saturday’s game on its head just two days after his 19th birthday, coming on and pinning shellshocked Wellington back before setting up both Ross McCormack goals in the 2-1 win. City coach Warren Joyce revealed that teen midfielder Connor Metcalfe, 18, will “get minutes very shortly” though he resisted the lure of taking him west with the youth team playing on Monday. Joyce had no reservations about Arzani after his starring 37-minute Phoenix cameo. After nine substitute appearances totalling 137 minutes since his debut last season, the coach revealed that the X-factor player was pushing for a maiden A-League start. “I think he (Arzani) has got to be considered for that (a start). Obviously he did very well when he came on, did what we asked him to do,’’ Joyce said. “He’s a good, intelligent kid, he’s desperate to be a successful player and we’ve just got to keep his feet on the ground, keep working the right way and aim towards being a top player. “You chat to him all the time. There’s been demands on him from the first week of pre-season. You recognise talent and X-factor talent. Talent alone not used in the right way isn’t enough. I’ve seen that numerous times. “There’s young players that you’ve not seen yet that can play in the A-League, I see it on a daily basis. “You don’t want kids to just come in, play one game and disappear. You want them to turn one game into five, turn five into 20 and then their careers are up and running. “Young players are fearless as well, because they don’t know any different and it helps the competition.” Joyce, who has coached Manchester United’s youth team and Championship side Wigan Atheltic, was relishing the quick turnaround having become accustomed to England’s Saturday-Tuesday games. City’s only tactical session pre-Glory was on Monday night after landing in Perth, having spent Sunday in recovery mode. Joyce revealed that in-form striker McCormack, who took his season tally to 10, had pulled up well and was expected to start despite being nursed in recent weeks due to a knee injury. “He’s used to doing that in England – Saturday-Tuesday is the norm for him, that’s not the issue. The issue was if the knee was up to it,’’ he said. “He has pulled up okay. He’s better than he was after the last two games. We’re a bit more confident this weekend than the other two weekends.” http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/football/a-league/teams/melbourne-city/melbourne-city-teenager-daniel-arzani-set-for-starting-role/news-story/da0dbebd0b569f4e599bc2ac38e868c2

My thoughts on Brattan, Vidosic and Carrusca against Wellington. I fully agree that Brattan is an hugely frustrating figure. His last assist was on December 10th against CCM (and he's only clocked up one other assist, in the 3-1 loss against Brisbane in November). I think most of his "chances created" (passes leading to shots) this season have come from set pieces. And perhaps even more than his creativity, Brattan hasn't dictated the tempo of games, and hasn't helped give us slick ball circulation like he certainly can. All up I agree that Brattan this season has normally dwelled on ball and has taken too many touches. But last night Brattan lifted his performance IMO, and moved the ball much better (read: faster), and Brattan actually laid the groundwork for the first goal, starting the lovely build up play in a triangle with Vidosic and Arzani down the right that led to the cross and McCormack's first goal. Vidosic said post-match that he certainly still needs to get familiar with the runs and positioning of his teammates. Nonetheless, he provided "secondary assists" (the pass to the assisting player) for both of the goals, so not at all a bad first game IMO. And Carrusca played an excellent teasing forward pass that led to the second goal. Vidosic jumped on ball after a defensive header, then Vidosic laid it off to Arzani, and then Arzani to McCormack and goal (and ultimately win). Overall, we have an attack where most players (Brattan and Arzani, Arzani and Vidosic, Vidosic and Carrusca, and so on) have never played together before. This is in the context of pretty much every City player not playing to their full potential for several weeks (Brattan, Fitzgerald, Kamau, Mauk, Malik, Jakobsen, Bouzanis, Muscat, Jamieson, maybe McCormack). So I'm saying these players were good not great last night, and IMO no city players have been great for several weeks. IMO Vidosic, Carrusca, Brattan and others all have much more to give, and I'm hopeful that if we can get a few absolute basics right--midfielders in midfield, attacking players (not Brattan) like McCormack, Arzani, Vidosic and Carrusca in the front 4 positions, and less than 2 really silly goals gifted per game (of course, ideally 0)--then Melbourne City's quality players can show their stuff, and we can see some respectable performances going forward.

A longer version of Joyce's post-match comments about Arzani: The teenager, raised in Sydney and Iran, dazzled in his 38-minute cameo, the longest stretch of time he's been afforded in two seasons at City to date. Joyce said it had been a battle fitting Arzani into the side due to national team call-ups for both the under-23s and under-19s in the last six months. "He's been away twice with Australia this season already ... he went away didn't play much, come back in poor condition," he said. "He's a good player. I've seen his talent since I've been at the football club." Joyce now wants to make sure Arzani makes the most of that talent - something the Englishman has vast experience in doing, having managed Manchester United Reserves under Sir Alex Ferguson. "I've been around a lot of X-factor footballers in my coaching career and he's got that," he said. "If he trusts us to develop him, he could be a very good player. "If he listens to other people that have got a different agenda ... I've seen a lot of players the same as him fall by the wayside. "There's a lot of things he's got to work on in his game and he's got to be willing to listen to the people at the football club." https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2018/01/07/joyce-praises-city-young-gun-arzani I'm sure Arzani and Joyce at least have a functional relationship: Arzani can play under Joyce, and Joyce can coach a team with Arzani in it. However, I'm not entirely convinced that Arzani and Joyce have a very good relationship. It sounds a bit off to me. For starters, and I would be happy to be corrected, but the 2 Australian youth team camps that Arzani participated in were the U23 camp between July 10 and July 23 (Qual. AFC U23 Championship) and and the U20 camp between November 1 and November 8 (Qual. AFC U19 Championship). I find it hard to believe that Arzani was seriously unfit between the 8th of November and the 6th of January. Especially given that the team was in a dire run from the start of November until last night--with 6 losses, 1 draw and 2 wins over 9 games--I really doubt that Arzani was so unfit as to deserve next to no game-time for about 2 months until last night. Also given that McCormack walked straight into the team and played one week after signing, despite not playing competitive football for many months and having genuinely serious concerns surrounding his fitness, it shows that Joyce doesn't demand 100% high levels of fitness from every player. By the way, let me be clear, I'm happy that McCormack was picked to play. I believe the best and most useful players should normally be picked to play, unless there are some serious factors counting against them. And just as McCormarck was picked to play (despite the obvious fitness concerns), I believe that Arzani should have been given more game-time well before last night (even "if" he didn't have the highest of fitness levels).

Aston Villa transfers: The latest on Ross McCormack Down Under Gregg Evans Updated 10:10, 7 JAN 2018 Ross McCormack will consider extending his stay at Melbourne City after taking his goal tally into double figures this weekend. The 31-year-old Scot was due to leave on January 25 but discussions are in place to prolong his stay, McCormack was signed on an injury-replacement deal and can stay at the club until marquee signing Bruno Fornaroli is fit. The Uruguayan has suffered a setback in his recovery so Melbourne would welcome the presence of McCormack for an extended stay, especially as he bagged a brace this weekend. Speaking recently, McCormack said: “I am here as an injury replacement, so when Bruno comes back I am no longer a replacement. “But I knew that when I came here with my eyes open, looking to take it all on. “As it stands, I think the club are looking to see if they can get me to stay on; whether that’s possible or not I don’t know.” Villa would need to agree to any extension but it’s understood that there are no plans to recall him early and integrate him back into the squad anyway. A bid from another club could change the situation as Villa would be willing to cash in. At this stage, though, there has been no other interest. http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/aston-villa-transfers-latest-ross-14122833

Melbourne City's Daniel Arzani 'ready to start' through packed A-League schedule Anthony Colangelo JANUARY 7 2018 Melbourne City whiz kid Daniel Arzani says he is fit enough to start and play 90 minutes of soccer, fresh off his match-winning performance that helped start an arduous week for Melbourne's A-League clubs. City beat Wellington Phoenix 2-1 on Saturday night – the first of their three games in eight days – while Melbourne Victory drew 1-1 with Central Coast Mariners to kick off their run of three matches in seven days. Arzani came on for City in the 53rd minute with his side 1-0 down and assisted both of Ross McCormack's goals. The 19-year-old dazzled with his dribbling and attacking prowess. His introduction was a welcome injection of impetus for a City team that mostly laboured through a dull 90-minute performance. Coach Warren Joyce was pressed after the game on why Arzani didn't start and explained that he needed to build up fitness lost in the pre-season because of two Australian youth team camps. The Iranian-born Arzani told Fairfax Media on Sunday that early season illness also added to his lack of match condition, but said he was now primed for peak performance. "I am ready now," Arzani said. "I think my readiness to start has only come about recently just because my season, especially pre-season and beginning of the season, was really interrupted by two Australian camps (U20s and U23s). "Now I have reached a point where my levels are good enough to start. It took a lot of hard running." He added that City would not struggle physically through its packed schedule, which includes an away clash against Perth Glory on Tuesday and then a home match against the Mariners on Sunday. "Knowing the gaffer [coach] that we have, we are all very fit, we have very resilient bodies. Fitness shouldn't be an issue for us," Arzani said. "I doubt that will be an issue [three games in eight days]. That's a credit to the gaffer, he has taken us into the pre-season and he has absolutely hammered us and now it's paying dividends for us." Tim Cahill took Arzani under his wing during his time at Melbourne City. The 19-year-old has never started for City, appearing nine times off the bench since joining last season. Cahill still speaks to Arzani even though he left City and the winger also credits Joyce as being a big help in his development. "He [Joyce] is perfect with me," Arzani said. "He's quite strict on me and I think I need that as a player. He is always on my back and that helps me so much because growing up as a player – because I had a little bit of talent – I could get away with certain things. But in a professional environment you can't. "It's been the best thing for me. Bad habits, especially defensively. If I want to take my career further and play in Europe I really need to listen to the things Warren is saying." City's ugly win ended a torrid run of three consecutive losses. http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/melbourne-citys-daniel-arzani-ready-to-start-through-packed-aleague-schedule-20180107-h0emf6.html

Arzani

I have absolutely no idea. That comment seems completely unnecessary and not useful to me. However, I'll make 2 guesses: One: Joyce is saying that Arzani shouldn't listen to the public and others, who want Arzani to play in an attacking way and showcase his talent. Instead, Joyce wants him to "put in the hard yards", "do lots of hard-work and running", "do his defensive duties first", "always be disciplined", and overall play in a stodgy and defensive way (in my opinion, like the football cliches I mentioned). Two: Joyce is saying that Arzani shouldn't listen to Cahill. Joyce knows that Arzani and Cahill talked a lot and developed a bond after being teammates, and Joyce doesn't want Cahill to influence our young up-and-coming player Arzani (especially when Arzani is pretty much the biggest positive over the last 10 mostly unsuccessful games, it would be disastrous for Joyce personally if Arzani said things like he owes his good performances and ability to Cahill the most, and not Joyce). It could conceivably be something else, but I really can't think of anything else at all. So my moneys on one of the above 2 possibilities.

Always good to get 3 points. However, I guess the headline is that we finally snapped a losing and poor steak, but only did so by making hard work of it while playing at home against the bottom side Wellington. Changes were made to defence (Jakobsen back there), midfield (Vidosic) and attack (Atkinson). However, despite the changes City only increased their possession, which was very toothless, and still made another silly mistake in defence to concede a goal. So despite some seemingly valid player changes, the team under Joyce still looked flat, unmotivated and ineffective. Nonetheless, despite the team's overall performance, Joyce uncharacteristically made multiple substitutions, and these substitutions did what subs normally do: change the game. Every person and their dog can see that Arzani getting subbed on in the 53rd minute changed the game. Arzani showed great hunger, and equally pleasingly he showed great skill, and he was the main factor who changed the game. Joyce has to explain why it took 14 games into the season for Arzani to pretty much play his first game for City (especially given the lack of available attacking players we've had this season). I'd say a rejigged attack had a huge impact on the team. Finally, as the second half got going we looked like a team that could build up a play and get a shot on goal. I'd say it's no coincidence that both goals happened while Vidosic and Carrusca were also on the pitch. I believe that Vidosic passed the ball both times to Arzani before his assists. While Carrusca's smart runs and play can only be making some useful space for our other attackers. And finally McCormack thrived with a good attack full or capable attackers around him, and he deserves praise for getting a brace in open play to get City the win. All up, some promising individual moments, and maybe a glimpse of a competent team. Still, I agree that the good things about City in this game seemed to happen despite Joyce: Arzani and Carrusca finally getting game time, Kamau and Fitzgerald finally having competition for the winger positions 14 games into the season--and after 9 very unsuccessful games overall (also, Kamau joining the U23s really forced Joyce's decision here), and midfielders playing in midfield (and sure enough we stacked up a lot more possession with 69%, however our midfield trio will need more than 1 game together to show more fluency and sharpness). It's up to Joyce now to turn what should have been a gimme home win against bottom side Wellington into a good run of games, so we can deservedly finish 3rd or better by the end of the season, instead of fluking our way into 3rd halfway through the season.

I'm pretty sure other people want Arzani to play well. So I wonder what Joyce wants from him?

Melbourne City’s rising star Daniel Arzani produces compelling case for more minutes with starring role in Wellington win David Davutovic JANUARY 6, 2018 A DARING teenager provided the most compelling 37-minute case that it was time to release the shackles at Melbourne City. Forget his age amid widespread calls for kids to get more minutes, Daniel Arzani injected the spark and x-factor that’s been seriously lacking in City’s play this season. Arzani, who turned 19 on Thursday, came on and turned the game on its head, setting up both of Ross McCormack’s goals in a comeback win. The 72nd minute equaliser with a clever jinx and cross that poacher McCormack tapped in, the second eight minutes later a superb dipping, low cross that the Scot headed home — both crosses had zip and found McCormack at the back stick. Before his 53rd minute introduction for Manny Muscat, City did not look like scoring at all. Arzani possesses more weapons than most City players and he unleashed many of them, providing more on-field positivity than any other player. Inconsistency and mistakes will come with his youth, but that’s offset by his willingness to attack. He had played just 42 minutes in two A-League appearances this season and he’s never started a league game, yet every time Arzani got the ball, he looked forward and tried to play a forward pass, beat a Phoenix defender and break the lines. Arzani made mistakes taking risks, and rolling the dice is something the City team of 2017-18 has not done enough of. City coach Warren Joyce has favoured a pragmatic approach — pushing defender Michael Jakobsen into midfield is a classic example — which has translated into safe soccer. For a team laden with attacking talents, it doesn’t suit them. Last night Luke Brattan paired with Osama Malik, giving them more offensive impetus. But City’s advantage wasn’t exploited until Arzani’s ability to beat a players came into play. Several other players are capable of providing that attacking spark — Marcelo Carrusca, who came on after 65 minutes, Marcin Budzinski — his time in Poland certainly suggests so — and youth team player Ramy Najjarine. McCormack was the one who benefited most, and so too will Bruno Fornaroli when he eventually returns. Bottom-place Phoenix set out a classic backs against the wall formation away from home — a back five that morphed into a 3-5-2 when they counter attacked. While City dominated possession having fielded a fairly attacking side, their slow, deliberate build up lacked urgency and variation. Jakobsen, reverting to his preferred stopper’s position on a rare occasion in the absence of Iacopo La Rocca, lost his head just before the break. He attempted to head back to keeper Dean Bouzanis with Phoenix striker Roy Krishna on his hammer. The Fijian read him like a book and pounced. The section of the 5207 home crowd jeered when the halftime whistle sounded, having voiced their displeasure during an uneventful first half before the game sparked into life in the second. Among the chants from City’s supporters group was: “Why’s (Daniel) Arzani on the bench?” The City fans clearly have an eye for talent. http://www.news.com.au/sport/football/a-league/melbourne-city/melbourne-citys-rising-star-daniel-arzani-produces-compelling-case-for-more-minutes-with-starring-role-in-wellington-win/news-story/efcacb51a8f2986599fa2094477ab7d3

MCCORMACK: ARZANI IS A "WONDERKID" By Lucas Radbourne-Pugh Jan 6 2018 Ross McCormack at the double: the Scot's brace gave Melbourne City a come-from-behind win over Wellington Phoenix. Wellington raced to an early advantage through Roy Krishna, and then looked dangerous on the counter – Andrija Kaluderovic looking most likely – but couldn’t capitalise. City were disappointing for the majority of the match, but plugged away and eventually got their reward with "wonderkid" Daniel Arzani assisting McCormack for both goals. McCormack wasn't giving too much away after the match, especially on whether his future lies in Melbourne. However, he did single out Arzani for special praise. “I think, overall, it’s hard to say we deserved it but the final ball showed. It was a bit sloppy, but then we’ve got a wonderkid like Daniel who can put two on a plate,” McCormack said. “I think the club is talking to Aston Villa to see if I can stay, but you’ll have to ask the powers-at-be for when we'll know.” Warren Joyce was pleased with the result, but wasn't getting carried away with Arzani. “(Arzani) is a good player, he’s a talent, he’s got X factor talent and we had a plan for him to start the season," Joyce said. “He’s gone away with the young Australian team a couple of times and he’s come back in-no where-near as good a shape as I’d like him to be. “He has to listen to us and play the way we want him to, rather than a way that others may want for him.” https://www.fourfourtwo.com.au/news/mccormack-arzani-is-a-wonderkid-480619

Melbourne City v Wellington Phoenix at AAMI Park: Score, highlights, video, statistics January 6, 2018 by STAFF WRITERS WITH AAP TO say Melbourne City had a dire first half against the Phoenix would be an understatement. Warren Joyce’s side dominated possession but largely failed to do anything concrete in the final third. After Roy Krishna opened the scoring in the 42nd minute, things got even worse. City’s players were booed by their supporters as they came off the field — and according to former Socceroo Mark Bosnich, they deserved it. “I’ve stayed pretty strong in terms of the fact that Melbourne City have had an indifferent season, yes, but I thought that they had a way of playing at the start that although it wasn’t easy on the eye, it was still pretty successful,” he said on Fox Sports’ Matchday Saturday. “They’ve veered away from that and they’ve tried to veer back but it’s not really happening. “They had all the possession in the first half but they’re so predictable in that last third and something’s got to change and something’s got to change very, very fast.” Bosnich suggested making a quick substitution to bring on either Marcelo Carrusca or Daniel Arzani. “I think they need to try something different and Carrusca needs to come on immediately in my opinion… try that, maybe even try and bring on the young boy Arzani if that’s not working,” Bosnich said. “Dario Vidosic is a quality player, he’s new to the club, it’s going to take him a while to settle in and to understand the movements of players around him “Carrusca’s been there from the start, we know what he can do in the A-League, he offers you something different, and right at this moment in time they need something different in that last third. “It really is pedantic and it’s harrd to watch at the moment.” In the 53rd minute, Joyce made a change. And it proved to be the difference. Young gun Daniel Arzani took less than 20 minutes to make an impact after entering the play. From the moment he took the field, really, Arzani provided the spark and energy that had been missing from City’s front third. In the 72nd minute, the attacking midfielder whipped in a tantalising low cross, with Ross McCormack on hand to tap home an equaliser. “They needed a spark and it’s Arzani who proved it,” Robbie Slater sauid on Fox Sports. “What an impact from the bench for the young star Arzani.” VBut the young gun wasn’t done yet. In the 80th minute, Arzani zipped across to the left hand side, received the ball, cut inside and unleashed a beautiful, low, dipping ball to the far post, with McCormack again there to score. “The substitution has been an inspired one and Arzani has inspired his team,” former Socceroo Robbie Slater said on Fox Sports’ coverage. “He’s provided the spark and he’s provided importantly the two assists for the excellent Ross McCormack.” If McCormack had two goals on the scoresheet, he was more than happy to pass credit onto the young attacker. “We’ve got a wonder kid like Daniel coming on and putting two on my plate,” he said on Fox Sports’ coverage after the game. https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/a-league/melbourne-city-v-wellington-phoenix-at-aami-park-score-highlights-video-statistics/news-story/1797a97125becdc5dfe42aac0ca38bf5

Dario Vidosic slams Wellington Phoenix after he and his father were dragged ‘through the mud’ DAVID DAVUTOVIC January 5, 2018 NEW Melbourne City signing Dario Vidosic has lit the fuse for an explosive clash with Wellington Phoenix by slamming his former club for putting his family’s name through the mud. Vidosic and his dad, assistant coach Rado Vidosic were controversially ushered out of Wellington a fortnight ago amid reports in the New Zealand press that coach Darije Kalezic had been undermined. The attacker revealed they were blindsided, with his dad sacked via SMS after returning from road trips to Brisbane and Perth. “It threw Christmas into disarray. It was a stressful time trying to piece everything together,’’ Vidosic said. “It was a surprise for us both when it all happened coming back from a one-week trip. A few things were said in the media, undermining and players reacting to that in regards to my father and directed at myself too. “What was most disappointing was that our name was put through the mud. “We’re not those sort of people, my father didn’t raise me like that. We’re both football-loving people, hard workers. My father came to Australia with nothing and raised me to be in a certain way. “My father was texted and told that the coach said that they couldn’t work together. There’s a truth to that in that their playing philosophies were very different – (Kalezic) is very defensive, my father is more attacking. And that’s fine, they still worked together, were always in meetings together.’’ Vidosic Snr has forged a reputation as one of the A-League’s shrewdest lieutenants, serving under Ange Postecoglou, Graham Arnold and Kevin Muscat. Capped 23 times by the Socceroos, Vidosic fumed at reports that he wasn’t performing to his maximum. “It’s disappointing that my father’s been made out to be a scapegoat with a lack of results. I don’t want to turn it into a (slanging match), but if we look at the facts, if I was undermining I wouldn’t be performing the way I was,’’ he said. “Against the Roar I was named captain, which was an honour. I had a good performance. It’s not something a player who’s undermining the coach would do (play well). We didn’t come to Wellington to do that. “Mostly I feel for my father. He loves football, he’s worked with the best coaches, has great relationships.’’ Vidosic admits he’s got a point to prove, but was confident of making an impact. “I know there’s the whole thing about the changing of clubs and all these things that have gone along with my signing here,’’ Vidosic said. “For me it’s a bit of a blessing in disguise to come to a fantastic club, somewhere I can develop.” http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/football/a-league/teams/melbourne-city/dario-vidosic-slams-wellington-phoenix-after-he-and-his-father-were-dragged-through-the-mud/news-story/cefee1c3498d845dcd49e22c1c42be90

Warren Joyce says it’s time for Melbourne City to move past Olyroos drama DAVID DAVUTOVIC January 5, 2018 FRUSTRATED Melbourne City coach Warren Joyce said it was time to move on from the Olyroos row, which has left his club without key duo Stefan Mauk and Bruce Kamau. Joyce will unleash new signing Dario Vidosic for tonight’s clash with Wellington Phoenix at AAMI Park, just three weeks after playing his last game for the NZ club. Scottish poacher Ross McCormack, who could return to parent club Aston Villa at the end of the month, will start despite still feeling the effects of his knee injury. Vidosic, who’s netted four goals this season, will start on the wing or just behind McCormack, who took his season tally to eight goals after last week’s strike. “It’s another one (McCormack’s future) we’ll look at in the coming weeks. We’ve got to discuss that with Ross and Aston Villa and see what we can and can’t do,’’ Joyce said. “We’ve got to manage him through, 2-3 weeks ago we thought his season was over. So far so good, we’ve managed him in different ways. “He could’ve scored two last week in a game we planned to play him 60-70 (minutes). He’s not doing much in between trainings, he’s got strength and conditioning trainings in between to make sure there’s no relapses.” Defender Ruon Tongyik has joined Mauk and Kamau in China for the Asian U23 Championships. Only Kamau started last week as Mauk was benched for the first time this season, ensuring minimal changes for Phoenix. “We’ve got to get on with it with the players available. It opens doorways for people pushing to get into the team,’’ Joyce said. “We want young players to break through and play for Australia. It’s frustrating that Mauk and Kamau particularly, because they’ve played every game, have left. You’re still trying to build a side and a way of playing. And (develop) them as individuals.” https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/melbourne-city/warren-joyce-says-its-time-for-melbourne-city-to-move-past-olyroos-drama-ng-5c66b0f9395e4a649473c632bc439ef2

City set to unleash Cahill's protege Arzani 4 JAN 2018 Tim Cahill is weeks rather than days away from a new club but one of his proteges could be seeing regular A-League football soon. Cahill might have left Melbourne City but his legacy lives on at the club, helping to nurture the next generation of talent. Wonder-teen Daniel Arzani, in line to make the first start of his career, is being mentored by the Socceroos legend. The Iranian-born winger struck up a fast friendship which has continued past Cahill's departure. "He came to the club and took me under his wing. Tim's been a huge role model for me," Arzani told AAP. "The guy still keeps in contact with me now. We talk on the phone all the time. "I take any advice I can get for him because he's one of the best players Australia has ever had." While Arzani's career is about to take off, Cahill is yet to find a new club since leaving City. A source close to the 38-year-old told AAP a new deal was weeks rather than days away from being announced. Cahill left the A-League a month ago, citing a need to be playing regular football to prepare for the World Cup. For Arzani, regular football could be closer than ever. The departure of Stefan Mauk and Bruce Kamau to the under-23 Asian Championships has opened up places in City's team. And City could use a change-up after seeing their A-League stocks fall in recent weeks. After four straight wins to start the season, coach Warren Joyce has just two wins in nine matches. Perhaps Arzani could be one of the young guns to change City's fortunes. The 18-year-old impressed off the bench in their last-out loss to Western Sydney, coming on to relieve Ross McCormack up front. Against Wellington Phoenix on Saturday, Arzani is the lead candidate to replace Kamau in his favoured wide forward position. Arzani isn't counting his chickens but is hoping Joyce backs in another teenager; as he's done successfully with Nathaniel Atkinson in recent weeks. "City is one of the most advanced clubs in the way they think (about) young players. Whoever is performing at their best gets the chance to play," he said. "It's up to the coach. I've just got to make sure I work as hard as I can." https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2018/01/04/city-set-unleash-cahills-protege-arzani

My preferred starting XI: McCormack Vidosic Carrusca Fitzgerald Kilkenny Malik Jamieson Jakobsen Schenkeveld Atkinson Galekovic Bench: Bouzanis, Delbridge, Budzinski, Brattan, Arzani Omitted: La Rocca, Muscat - Jakobsen back into defence, of course (also the argument that La Rocca and Schenkeveld "simply can't be broken up" is patently untrue after the last 2 unsuccessful months) - Give Kilkenny a run. He'd noticeably improve the ball circulation in midfield - Carrusca, our classiest CAM. Maybe I'd choose Arzani to be the no 10 if Carrusca isn't fit enough to start - I would pick Galekovic because his record is 3L - 1D - 4W, while Bouzanis's is 3L - 2W (Galekovic picked up much more points before getting 3 losses) - I would just go with Fitzgerald and Atkinson over Atkinson and Muscat - I think Malik is fine (and maybe even a solid player) if there's quality around him in midfield, as there was with an in-form Brattan and in-form Mauk in midfield over the first few rounds

Yes, this is exactly my understanding. No journalists (as far as I recall) said that we couldn't sign another marquee after we released Koren, and many (like Davutovic) said that we definitely could sign a new marquee. So really, as far as I'm concerned, there should be much speculation about whether Budzinski could be replaced by a good player, and if replacing Budzinski could give us a chance of a top 3 finish, or a chance to mix it up in the finals.

Fair comments. And I fully agree about the attack. I just feel like I've seen this movie before. I've got a theory that players make more "individual errors" under sub-par coaches. If Joyce is right, then these players should soon enough return to their first-4-games form (nearly all of these players played over these 4 games), and the team should once against be a defensive wall that can grind out results.

Joyce's full interview: https://www.a-league.com.au/video/ffa010118postjoycefullpresser The key quotes: - “decision-making was poor, and the actual finishing was poor as well” - “the final pass was poor…sometimes we got in really good situations, and there ended up with not even a finish, with the poor selection of a final pass” - “tactically they [didn’t?] give us a great deal of problems, we solved that. We just give two goals away”. - “If it was confidence, you’re not able to come back and play like you did in the second half and drive the game, which we’ve done in all the last three games. The final pass or the final finish hasn’t been there”. - “You make subs if you think you can change the game. We tried to make a sub to change the game. We are driving the game at the time and trying to score goals. And I thought we looked like we were going to score a goal.” - [after being asked about the transfer window] “You’ve got no vacancies on any roster, just like any other team in the league” - [apart from decision-making, are there any other concerns?] “it’s decision-making. You know, with and without the ball as well…when we get comfortable start positions we look like a well organised, well-drilled team that’s hard to play through. There’s times where we lose that concentration, and then individuals, certain individuals, make mistakes, and do things that they’re not supposed to do, and it’s costing us" - “There’s a lot of goals coming from people not doing small details really well”. So pretty much everything that's gone wrong over the past three games or more can be explained away, in Joyce's mind, by "poor decision-making" and maybe "poor finishing"....that is all Joyce has to say about the team losing 6 games out of the last 9? Hmm, where have I seen a coach's first few games being his best, and then things getting worse and worse after that before? Also, why does "individual errors" and "poor finishing" sound like such a familiar explanation for a long and terrible run of football?

I'm starting to wonder if Joyce has a complex about players' performances at training being as important (or more important) than their match day performances. While in an ideal world, the best performers on match day would also "train the house down" in training session after training session. But in reality, I doubt that's the case. I don't know, maybe South Americans sometimes take it a little easier at training (and save their full flare and passion for match day), which would perhaps explain why Cacceras took a handful of bench appearances before he could even get a single minute under Joyce, and why Brandan never seemed to come into Joyce's calculations (even after his fitness improved). Also, I'm sure the more experienced star players (such as a mr Tim Cahill) aren't always sprinting like crazy at training (perhaps due to ego, or managing their aging bodies, or both). And sure enough Joyce had a falling out with Cahill as well. Could it be that skills suited for a youth team manager (of which demanding disciplined and strong training performances is probably one) don't translate into the job of being a senior team manager? Are some of Joyce's ingrained habits as a youth team coach holding him back with our senior team? And just on the Nathan Burns speculation. It seems doubtful to me that a recent Johnny Warren winner like him wouldn't improve our team overall (at very least he would certainly improve our attack). I don't know about the ins and outs of this speculated situation. But I am increasingly wondering if Joyce is measuring the value of his senior footballers in the most accurate way, and if he's treating the MCFC senior team all like youth team players, and then sure enough he isn't getting the most out of the MCFC senior team.