Torn Asunder

JW The song stuff is being run by the club based on feedback from the wider membership base. I get a feeling that the So Happy together song, although supported on this forum, is not necessarily set in stone in the eyes of the club (and maybe some of the players). At the Rep Group meeting, the club indicated that So Happy together is not necessarily popular with everyone, so if you, or anyone else has song ideas, especially if you support So Happy Together, make sure you email the club (don't just post on the forum). For information, the club is going to really make match day experience a focus this year... what this ultimately means, however, (i haven't been told solid details) is yet to be publiicised.

From the latest club e-mail .... FAN REPRESENTATIVE GROUP The Melbourne Heart FC Fan Representative Group met last night and commenced discussions on how the Club can enhance the Match Day experience for all fans. An update on the meeting from the perspective of the group will be available on our website next week. The background to the group's inauguration and progress can all be checked out here. http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/melbourneheart/news-display/Representative-Group-Newsletter/74341 CLUB SONGS A key part of making sure Melbourne Heart fans have the best match day experience is giving our members a say on what Club songs are played at AAMI Park. We are keen to select the right choice for everyone and this year Melbourne Heart FC players will also play a part in the process! We are looking for suggestions from members for the following music tracks for the 2013-14 season: 1. Player walk out track 2. Pre-match club song 2 minutes before kick-off (last year it was ‘So Happy together’) 3. Goal celebration track 4. End of Game (Win) Track Members can contribute to this important decision by emailing: membership@melbourneheartfc.com.au with ‘Club Song’ in the subject line with their suggestions. Once we receive a number of entries, we will garner feedback from our members through an online poll. It’s important to note that we will keep a bank of songs available for background music on match days so that fans can listen out for their chosen tunes! Additionally, you can send in links to your own music through soundcloud or on YouTube. A full match day update will be coming in the near future so watch this space!

Jw I think the email has now been updated to fans@melbourneheartfc.com.au

Just saw this tweet ... @lewieatlarge: Ex-Socceroos defender Patrick Kisborbo in talks with Melbourhe Heart .... story to come on SBS

Hey Murfy I posted about the Rep Group's Terms of Reference back on the 9th July ... ... here is the key relevant points of my post "...there was no official meeting in May with the club, however, members of the group (with the blessing of the club) have met and have been working independant from the club on a Terms of Reference, which as a DRAFT document has been sent off to the club and will be discussed at the next rep group meeting .... which just so happens to be tomorrow night. It was agreed by the majority in the group that a Terms of Reference was needed to give the group a proper purpose and to set terms on how the whole rep group process works. My understanding is that once a Terms of Reference is signed off and agreed to by the Rep group and the club, it will become a document accessible to Heart members and supporters." ------------------------- So if anyone has anything they want raised for consideration by the FRG, e-mail the club at fans@melbourneheart.com.au and your e-mail will be distributed to the FRG members for discussion at the meetings. I imagine that once the newsletter blog is distributed after a meeting (written by the FRG and distributed by the club), it will generate discussion on this forum, probably under this topic. As a memeber of the FRG, I will be happy to join in the discussion after the release of the blog and in the lead up to a meeting

The situation with Engelaar is terribly unfortunate and devastating for everyone associated with the club - especially for the player himself and his family. The nature of Football is that severe injuries will occur from time to time. Its just plain old bad luck for Heart that our first ever marquee will most probably not play at all this season. I believe after everything is said and done this situation can still end up as a positive. It certainly makes a good story and will forever remain part of the history of Heart FC. I hope that we are the type of club that will look after Orlando over the next few months and still make him feel part of the team. I hope that as soon as he is physically capable, he is allowed to get involved in training, tactics and match days. Lets face it, he has almost a full career of experience at the highest level. Surely he can help still in developing our players and I reckon even on one leg he is capable of putting the fear of god into our midfielders if they dont train or play well. Ultimately if he is made to feel part of the club and not a burden, and if he is able to recover from his injury, he will probably feel like he owes the club a debt of gratitude and I think that unless he retires, at 35 he will still be good value a season from now.

There has been some talk in the past about a potential club motto. Most of the big club's have one, e.g.: Manchester United - "Consilio et Labore", which basically translates to "Wisdom and Effort" Barcelona - Més que un club (More than a club). Tottenham - "Audere est Facere", which means "To Dare is To Do" Arsenal - Victoria Concordia Crescit which means that victory comes from harmony What are peoples thoughts - do we want a motto?? ... and if yes, any suggestions. Personnally I dont think necessarily that a motto needs to be in Latin, in fact I think something that is current / modern, but will not become dated, would be a winner. If a general consensus can be reached I will take this to the club for discussion. Note, the club has not asked for fans to come up with a motto at this stage, but previously at a Rep Group meeting, they have expressed some level of interest.

Make or break year for Kalmar. His blinder last year was fantastic but in that game I tend to recall that we had one extra midfielder, based on the formation of the opposing team and NK was not really closed down. The match after he was given very little time and space and he struggled. No doubt the club hold him in high regard given his appearance on the clubs promotional stuff, however I don't think he is a starter in our best 11. For Nicky to be around next season, when his chance comes he must take it and hold on like his life depends on it! I like the kid and I hope he does well

Scott Munn just tweeted... Scott Munn (@scott_munn) tweeted at 2:03 PM on Mon, Aug 12, 2013: Ange @johnvantschip7 is looking for you. Great burger!! http://t.co/sRQ2x005Mk (https://twitter.com/scott_munn/status/366771825235087360) looks like JVS is back

here is The Age article http://www.theage.com.au/sport/a-league/melbourne-heart-snares-orlando-engelaar-20130809-2rm16.html

very, very happy with the potential of this signing .... it goes to show that clearing the deck chairs to an extent is paying off and our squad is looking really promising. Now the pressure will be on JA to deliver

Agree with BG, would be good to re-sign. ...just had a premonition that the tards sign him up to spite us

Germano is a squad player of above average ability who can play in a number of positions and create chances, whilst also playing with dangerously warmed testicles. Just because there are better players for the positions he can play, he is still IMO of high value to the club. Given JA will have a number of options available to him for certain positions, I hope this season he is a little more adventurous week by week and during games, and that he switches players around, and subtely changes formations as required during the contest. Last season his coaching was generally one diemensional and predictable. If it ends up that one of our advantages over other clubs is a number of players who play in the one position, he should make the most of this, because it will be hard to coach against, even if he doesnt change his playing formation, which he has shown that he sticks with no matter what.

Some current free agents: Jamacian Ricardo Fuller (33) formely of Stoke / Charlton Athletic is a free agent. Could be of value. A player who after a year out with injury may still be worth a punt is Darius Vassell. Stephen Elliot (Irish International) just released by Coventry City

Just released Amon Amarth album Deceiver of the Gods.... The song - We Shall Destroy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSDuw7NsAHI This song has an awesome battle chant at about 3.00 minutes. Would work killer with the right drummer and would be unique ... maybe a bit like the Snoop chant that works so well. All are one And one is all Side by side The battle calls All are one And one is all Shield by shield We'll never fall

... Goodwin may also be a roughie as a LB at the WC

Curtis will be a chance if he can get some meaningful first team game time with Newcastle. With Duke and Juric having a good run at East Asia, and with Holger banging on about Duke being a 'good boy', Eli may have dropped back a few pegs.

On the East Asian cup, disappointing that we had no one there from our current squad, although we can obviously claim an assist for Goodwin ...especially given that clubs like Newcastle were so heavily represented. On a positive note Holger has said that he is pleased that Behich is back at Heart, which means he may still be a chance for the WC. LB is still up for grabs in my mind.

Thought i would create a topic where we can discuss Melbourne Heart Players (past and present) in the context of the Socceroos.

Velaphi has demonstrated that he can be a good keeper in the A-league. I rated him quite highly a few years ago before he got struck down with some injuries and since he moved from Perth he hasn't really had any meaningful opportunities. Good number two and we should support him rather than hate on him just because he has come from the tards. If he gets his chance and he is a dud, then let him know about it, but until then give the kid the benefit of the doubt.

Some info on Rashid http://mobile.news.com.au/sport/football/i-come-from-a-land-down-under/story-fndkzvnd-1226548757224

Can't recall one Heart reference from JA tonight on 7 mate for the Liverpool game. Saw plenty of opportunities where he could have snuck a sneaky Heart reference in...but alas. Bridges mentioned the Jets several times. Opportunity missed I guess

I wonder if the club makes use of recruitment tools such as this one ... http://www.prozonesports.com/service-player-recruitment.html Also, found this article on having a clear recruitment strategy... http://www.totalfootballmag.com/features/columnists/the-ben-smith-column-whats-your-teams-recruitment-strategy/ No doubt Heart is under resourced with respect to recruiting. It also appears that due to the worldwide infrastructure in place, 99.9% of kids with attributes to make them a star are identified very early and sent of to a European Acadamy, so short term, youth development, will be an ongoing challenge, although the club's track record is good in this regard. I think it will get harder in Australia, however, as quite a few A-league clubs now have a strong youth focus with programs in place. On recrutment, I really do get the impression that we are pretty much a one man band (JD). I have no idea how many scouts the club use?? With overseas players, I think our only choice is to keep targeting players at the PG level, and hope for the occasional oppurtunity to grab an aging star (HK), or a player looking to re-establish themself (RG). Although not absolutely ideal, I think that club needs to get cleverer about bringing in players short term as needed to the extent that Heart creates a niche as a team that uses short term high profile (quality) loan players (look at the success of Madaschi). Perhaps we could forge a relationship with some high profile O/S clubs and offer stars recovering from injury / fitness issues some game time. As discussed elsewhere, the Australian market is tough with respect to recruitment. The club needs to be as clever as possible and look to create a point of difference that sets us apart.

Mcdonald to Millwall http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/scott-mcdonald-signs-for-millwall-5170852

Unless Ang decides to dog us, he should get a run