Torn Asunder

http://m.442.com.au/News/Article.aspx?CIID=315015 More plaudits for the Jets youth development pathway. Based on what's been said by others in this topic about Newcastle NOT being the first club to do this, the other front running youth development teams must be spewing that they never received this level of press

Williams will have a blinder of a season..I have a vibe.... A spare central defender would be good as back up, but is generally only of use in the event of an injury. Last season when hamill was on the bench as a back up for Colosimo I remember some games where he didn't get a run and Jvs was hamstrung tactically for substitute options. That's one of the shitty a-league limitations with only being allowed 3 outfield subs. Again, that's why we should rotate some of our versatile players into different positions to create more playing options ... But what would I know, I certainly don't have your wisdom, cadete, and I'm sure you will enjoy correcting me ;-)

Agree... I would then incude an attacking bench of Williams / Golgol, Kalmar and Mcallister. The defenders could be covered if required by Thompson or Germano. I would also allow Gerhardt to switch into midfield for periods, dropping Thompson back. Behich could also go forward at times by dropping either Thompson or Germano into defence, with Garcia moving into central midfield.

Just reading through the latest 4-4-2 which has an A-League preview. Their verdict on Heart is that we have a weaker squad than last season and will do well to sneak into the finals..... Underdog status achieved. Bring on game 1

May have already been posted... http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/video/2276703598/New-look-Heart

http://m.smh.com.au/sport/football/best-of-both-worlds-jets-offer-vision-sky-blues-the-glitz-20120908-25l16.html Seems to be generating some good press for the Jets...

Is the Newcastle and CCM model appropriate for Heart?

Newcastle leading the way... http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/a-league/news/1119547/Jets-launch-junior-excellence-program

Maybe a 1st team call up not far away... http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/english-premier-league/news/1119583/Pardew-sweats-on-Coloccini-fitness

got a full game for the young socceroos after missing the 1st game.... http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1119511/Young-Socceroos-trounce-Vietnam

One or two games during the season could be OK. Maybe a game against Victory would bring on a few more punters. Also, perhaps a game before the derby. Would be good exposure for the Youth Team to play in front of a large crowd...

Those numbers are not good for the Exec's KPI.... Here is an abstract (slightly modified with elements left out that are no longer relevant to the discussion at hand) from the topic on increasing Membership No's, posted back in March. Still not sure exactly what the club's strategy is for new memberships (other than targeting former / last year's members, the brochure on the club website and the sign up a mate thingy). For the record, I have signed up again (along with 5 others - 2 new) for the season (and I didnt even receive an email from Fred) "Posted 16 March 2012 - 05:32 PM Memberships and Ticketing Members and memberships are to be highly valued, however the Club needs to do some serious work with regards to: Pricing & Membership / Ticketing Flexibility - i.e. some AFL clubs provide excellent packages and options for members that are aimed to catch as many supporters as possible. The Club could look at 3 games, 5 games, 7 games, etc memberships, Derby (and throw in Sydney) packages, value packages (i.e. Wellington / Perth / CCM, etc) Better Seating oppurtuinities and more Seating Flexibility Freebies and discounted tickets or memberships need to be considered carefully and with caution so as to not de-value the Melbourne Heart brand The Team & Match day Experience The team needs to be succesful & consideration should be given to signing a high profile marquee player to attract new fans (a Socceroo would be great!) When first timers or casual attendees come to a game, the whole experience (win / lose or draw) should on balance be an enjoyable and memorable experience that ultimately results in more members and casual attendees. Engagement The Club website and facebook page (social media) needs improvement & should be modern, fresh and engaging. The Club should look at oppurnistic engagment with: minority / target groups (i.e Asian & Greek communities) and ensure follow up non football groups like the Arts Universities Corporate The Club needs to determine if there is any benefit targeting members geographically. The Club needs to engage with as many Victorian soccer clubs as possible (without formal affiliation in the interest of not being tied to any particular club), whilst still building relationships with clubs at all levels. Marketing More advertising! Free to air TV / Foxtel / Radio and Print - Important, important, important!! Link offers / memberships / tickets, etc to Foxtel subscriptions or specific pay TV oppurtunities. Get more merchandise out and about. Get better reciprocation with regards to marketing / deals / cross promotion with major sponsors and tap into their markets, espically with regards to their employees. Pray that the FFA get an awesome TV deal in the coming years!! Members Provide a rewards program (even if it was just formal recognition) for members who: bring people to games (encourage, encourage, encourage!) get new members signed up Offer members the oppurtunity to run a promotional program or provide resources for: Local / junior clubs Corporate occasions Members through Yarraside / Red and White Unite to form a committe that is formally recognised by the Club to work with the Club on matchday and marketing ideas / campaigns to be undertaken by the Club and Yarraside / Red and White Unite (web, gorilla marketing, viral). Other Things Socceroos / World Cup - promote as much as possible through the Club and ensure that when the socceroos have a match in Melbourne, the Heart have a noticable presence A-League in general - the Club to push for better representation with respect to high level decisions for the A-League"

http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/249242,heart-youth-coach-has-world-of-experience.aspx

The current playing list is strong and allows for good formation options, with both an ultra attacking / possession based formation (built around Tadic), OR a more traditional defensive structure (built around Mcallister). The thing that irks me is the League's limitation on the number of substitutes (only 3 outfield players). Ideally, you have a defender, midfielder, winger and striker all sitting on the bench. With the need to potentially sub / rotate some of our ageing midfielders (in particular Fred / Garcia) to protect them from injury and to get the most out of them for the whole season, players selected as subs and the management of our substitutions will be a critical factor in terms of whether we have a successful season. In this regard, I think our most important players for the season will be those who can play multiple positions and can be either shifted positionally during the game either as a starting player OR as a substitute ... i.e. Patrick G (CB, RB, LB DM), Germano, (RM / LM, Mid, CB), Thompson (Mid, CB, LB), Behich, (LB, LM), etc. I would be interested to hear who people think our most servicable substitutes would be and also which players would be best suited to a poistional shift during a game.

Tadic showed some good signs last night against Adelaide, certainly has more ability than Mcallister. Had a few chances (nice footwork, turns and positioning) including a header (powerfully but errantly smacked) which was set up well by PG who also looked the goods

Article in The Age.. http://m.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/cautious-praise-for-ffa-chief-20120821-24ko7.html

Scott Munn to North Melbourne? http://m.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/roos-keen-on-buckley-20120821-24ko8.html

http://m.goal.com/s/en-au/news/3320627 As predicted

anyone recieved their memberships yet? Scott Munn tweeted that the practice match against Adelaide at Epping Stadium will be free entry (for members?) ...

Here is what some of the Newcastle fans are saying.... http://www.nufcblog.com/2012/07/31/curis-good-signs-six-year-deal-at-newcastle-its-official/ they seem to like him and reckon he will get some 1st team game time soon In terms of high profile, I reckon this is the most prestigous transfer out of the A-League in the competitions history

With coaching team finalised and Good gone to Newcastle: Head Coach - John Aloisi 1st Team Assistant Coach - Joey Didulica Youth Coach / 1st Team Assitant Coach - Hayden Foxe Part-time Assistant / Techincal Analyst & Scout - Ron Smith Goal Keeping Coach - Peter Zois -------------------- Tadij-------------------------- Williams-------------------------------Dugandzic -----------Thompson--------Fred----------------- ---------------------Gerhardt------------------------ Behich------Vrankovic--------Colosimo----Marrone ------------------ Bolton (GK)----------------- Bench: Gray, Mcallister, Germano, Redmayne (GK) Unused players - Hoffman, Kalmar, Mebrahtu OR if JA plays a 4-4-2 ------------------Tadic--------Williams------------------ Germano-----Thompson-----Fred------Dugandzic Behich--------Gerhart-------Colosimo----Marrone -----------------------Bolton (GK) ------------------------ Bench: Kalmar, Vrankovic, Mcallister, Redmayne (GK) Unused - Hoffman, Gray, Kalmar, Mebrahtu

Brillant! Good for Good, good for Newcastle, good for the A-League, good for the Socceroos and most of all, brillantly good for the reputation of Melbourne Heart ... now Curtis better deliver for his new club... actually, on reflection, I am strugling to think of a better or bigger transfer out of the A-league in its entire history....

im seeing a four, and another four, and a two ....

As of 24th July 2012, with the Tadjic on the books and the announced signings of Mcallister & Vrankovic AND the deparure of Hamill (noting Good has not officially left yet): Coach - John Aloisi Assistant Coach - ? Goal Keeping Coach - Peter Zois Youth Coach - ? -------------------- Tadij-------------------------- Williams-------------------------------Dugandzic -----------Thompson--------Fred----------------- ---------------------Gerhardt------------------------ Behich------Good--------Colosimo----Marrone ------------------ Bolton (GK)----------------- Bench: Vrankovic, Mcallister, Germano, Redmayne (GK) Unused players - Hoffman, Gray, Kalmar, Mebrahtu Looking forward to other peoples suggested starting 11's and formations

Not trying to take any credit for the signing but was this post in the "Defender Crisis" thread (by yours truly) some lucky crystal balling or what...