belaguttman

Don't get ahead of yourself, we have to win a game first. That means: scoring not conceding on a counter-attack after controlling possession controlling a game, not switching off

That continues our pre-season tradition against WU. We've played 2 A-League teams for our pre-season preparation to date; there's at least one other to come. We've lost them both: The first, a Cup game against Perth, saw us lose control of the game from a winning dominant position and then concede a succession of goals until we lost 4-5 The second, against WU, we lost in the usual fashion; dominate possession; unable to break down the opponent, concede on a counter-attack. Yes, it's pre-season, young players and all that, but the manner of the losses shows no progression from last season: the same frailties, conceding in the same manner. It'll be a long season.

Of dear, more Arnie-ball. I think that we actually have a better team this WC cycle, particularly when we get Leckie back, but, the coaching.... We play well against strong teams as Arnold's tactical management suits a counter-attacking style but we struggle when we play with the ball as there are just no movement patterns to break down deep defending teams, There's still time to change the coach

what is he saying? I'm avoiding X these days

We're in for the poverty season: a team of youngsters, and minimal investment. If any of the youngsters do well, they will be sold and we'll lose them. We are beginning a rebuild cycle after a wasted season last season, so 2-3 years before we get good results

Yeah that may have been the case, however at least to come off the bench would have been very handy. I'm assuming he left because he wanted a starting role, rather than a bench role

Presumably, we didn't keep him because the last demanded someone who was a starter. We rarely had the full 90 minutes last season. It's a shame though

It's pretty exhausting being seen as the enemy by ground security, Police and the APL; they are involved to have a good time

sure, give him an extension, based on his first year performance, but with performance criteria, definitely including no stupid red cards. If it could have provided him security and the team success, why not?

Good on him; he was promised things (possibly something as outrageous as a competitive team list at the start of pre-season rather than signings arriving unfit the week before the season starts), and they weren't provided, so he left. Presumably he had that option in his contract

I think it's a good choice. He has passion, he's vocal, he's a defender so he can see most of the field, he's a senior player, and he'll expect a high standard from his teammates. JMac had the personal passion, but he was quiet on the field and seemed to be burdened by the weight of the captaincy.

It's unclear where he will play, how we will use him, or how he fits into the team plan.

What we really need is a specialised DM that can offer what O'Neill gave us. I'm not6 sure how a utility defender adds to the team

My Melbourne home is in South Melbourne, but I was never attracted to shouting "Hellas" at South Melbourne games. It felt like there was no place for me in the NPL I feel more at home watching the Myrtleford Savoys in our local league

We have had a stream of young players, apart from Caputo, Mazzeo and to a certain extent, Hall, they've not played and have left