Murfy1 Posted November 1, 2013 Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 (edited) Murdocca: Heart veterans must cure travel sickness By Michael Huguenin 01/11/2013 A new arrival from Brisbane Roar but with years of experience, the combative midfielder says it is up to the senior players in John Aloisi's squad to ease the club's road woes Massimo Murdocca has argued Melbourne Heart's newly-acquired veterans must lead the way as the club attempt to break their 19-game winless record outside Victoria. Last week, Heart lost their first match outside their home state of the 2013-14 A-League season, going down 1-0 to Perth Glory and extending their abysmal record on the road, which stretches back to December 2011.Heart will have another chance to break their drought outside Victoria on Sunday when they take on Brisbane Roar.The concern for the Red and Whites, however, will be that they have only beaten the Roar in Brisbane once in their history - in their first trip to Suncorp Stadium.But with the likes of Robbie Wielaert (34), Michael Mifsud (32) and Harry Kewell (35) having all joined Heart this season, Murdocca reckons the injection of experience should help the team succeed away from home sooner rather than later."The new boys that have come in, myself and a few others, we're the ones that have to drive that," Murdocca said on Friday.The 29-year-old midfielder, who joined Heart from the Roar before this season, said the Red and Whites seemed mentally affected by their away form in their loss to Perth last week."I think a lot of the boys were thinking about that record, to be honest, that away record and that's something we've got to stamp out very quickly," Murdocca said. "This week gives us another opportunity to do that. "You know, it all comes down to the boys being positive and believing in themselves."Heart head coach John Aloisi denied his team are mentally fragile outside Victoria and preferred to focus on what went right at nib Stadium in Round 3 as his team continued their strong defensive start to the season."Even last week, we didn't perform as well as we would have liked and the chances that Perth created were off set-pieces and the goal they scored was a mistake that we made," Aloisi said. "So we know defensively we're strong, we just need to improve with the ball now."Aloisi added he will only take Kewell to Brisbane if he is ready to start Sunday's game as the attacking midfielder continues to recover from a whiplash injury suffered in the Melbourne derby, while Patrick Gerhardt will replace Patrick Kisnorbo (knee) in central defence."He (Kewell) trained the other day and we'll see how he pulls up (after Friday's session)," the 37-year-old coach said. "We won't risk it if there's a slight risk because we want to make sure that when he gets back he stays back. "So I think it's more of a 50-50 at the moment." http://www.goal.com/en-au/news/4021/a-league/2013/11/01/4374620/murdocca-heart-veterans-must-cure-travel-sickness Edited November 1, 2013 by Murfy1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murfy1 Posted November 1, 2013 Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murfy1 Posted November 1, 2013 Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 (edited) Michael 'The Mosquito' Mifsud primed for big performance for Melbourne Heart against Brisbane Roar Marco Monteverde The Courier-Mail November 02, 2013 THEY call him "The Mosquito" and theres no doubt Melbourne Heart striker Michael Mifsud will be buzzing around the Brisbane Roar defence on Sunday at Suncorp Stadium as he attempts to score his first A-League goal. Australia is the latest stop for the 32-year-old captain of the Maltese national captain, who has also played club football in Germany, England and Norway, where he was a teammate of injured Brisbane fullback Shane Stefanutto at Lillestrom. At just 165cm, the diminutive Mifsud’s speed has constantly troubled defences, including at international level, with the attacker having scored 38 goals in 101 appearances for Malta. National duty meant a delayed start to his A-League career, with Mifsud missing the Heart's opening two matches of the season. But having made his A-League debut in the Heart's 1-0 away loss to Perth Glory last Sunday, Mifsud is desperate for a run of games, even if it means missing out on Malta's friendly later this month against the Faroe Islands. "I know Malta have another international coming up, but I think I will skip that because we have important games here," Mifsud told The Courier-Mail. "It's always nice to play for the national team and it would be another cap and who knows, I might have scored another goal, but the club needs me here. "I was disappointed I missed the first two games of the season, and now hopefully I'll have a good run. "I just have to focus on my football here. Most important now is the A-League and the Heart." Mifsud has proved an instant hit with his teammates, according to the Heart's former Roar midfielder Massimo Murdocca. "The Mosquito is a great character and we get along well, and not just because we’re the same height," joked pocket rocket Murdocca. "He's full of energy, he's very bubbly and he's another leader." Mifsud admitted coming to the A-League was a huge decision for him and his family. "We're far away from our own family, but I have a contract till May and I will give all," he said. "The Heart make me feel very welcome. It's like I've been here for ages. "The A-League is completely different to European football and I still have to adapt myself to it, but I believe in my teammates, and I think we have a good team. "It's our aim to get into the top six and then go from there, but we have to work hard to get there." http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/football/michael-the-mosquito-misfud-primed-for-big-performance-for-melbourne-heart-against-brisbane-roar/story-fnk6pqhd-1226751581266 Edited November 1, 2013 by Murfy1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tesla Posted November 1, 2013 Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 (edited) What annoys me is if we lose, which we are likely to, JA still won't be sacked. And if we win, some idiot is going to make a post about how great JA is and people need to stop calling for his sacking etc. Either way it's shit. Edited November 1, 2013 by Tesla 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red or Dead Posted November 1, 2013 Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 Michael 'The Mosquito' Mifsud primed for big performance for Melbourne Heart against Brisbane Roar Marco Monteverde The Courier-Mail November 02, 2013 ... "It's our aim to get into the top six and then go from there, but we have to work hard to get there." http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/football/michael-the-mosquito-misfud-primed-for-big-performance-for-melbourne-heart-against-brisbane-roar/story-fnk6pqhd-1226751581266 FFS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DieHardRed Posted November 1, 2013 Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 What annoys me is if we lose, which we are likely to, JA still won't be sacked. And if we win, some idiot is going to make a post about how great JA is and people need to stop calling for his sacking etc. Either way it's shit. thats Football - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jw1739 Posted November 1, 2013 Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 Don't read too much into these supposed quotes from players. Most of the time IMO it's just journos cobbling together a "story" when they really haven't got one. Nevertheless it is frustrating when this "Finals" crap gets thrown around again. It would be a perfectly acceptable target for a newly-promoted Championship side to to finish mid-table in the EPL in their first season in the big-time. But it's not an acceptable target to finish sixth in the A-League. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate Posted November 1, 2013 Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 I do like that his focus is staying with us as opposed to playing another international for Malta, even if it is only against European powerhouse Faroe Islands. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartofmelbourne12 Posted November 2, 2013 Report Share Posted November 2, 2013 Kalmar definitely not playing tomorrow he's in the starting line up for our youth team today. Unless we have another kalmar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartofmelbourne12 Posted November 2, 2013 Report Share Posted November 2, 2013 As well as garrucio and mitchinson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deluka Posted November 2, 2013 Report Share Posted November 2, 2013 Sounds like Kewell will be playing then 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jestr Posted November 2, 2013 Report Share Posted November 2, 2013 If Brisbane were at full strength, this game could seriously end in tears. Roar 2:0 Heart I bloody hope I'm wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingofhearts Posted November 2, 2013 Report Share Posted November 2, 2013 Walker not in the youth team, where is he? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deluka Posted November 2, 2013 Report Share Posted November 2, 2013 Walker not in the youth team, where is he? I wish someone knew. If it carries on for too much longer, get the fans to make a banner/chant. We all want answers, but we're given nada. Do what Brisbane do with their B-R-I-S-B-A-N-E chant but instead to WE-WANT-WALKER. Such a loud and echoing chant, that'll really get the message across. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murfy1 Posted November 2, 2013 Report Share Posted November 2, 2013 Hmmm So 2 players of our 18 man preliminary squad have to be dropped, and 3 players from that 18 man squad (Garuccio, Kalmar, Mitchinson) are playing for the NYL team the day before Sunday's match. Since Kalmar is returning from injury, there's no chance he could feature, even on the bench, in tomorrow's squad. So Kewell must be in the squad that's playing tomorrow. And Aloisi said if Kewell travels to Brisbane he'll start, so I guess he must be starting tomorrow. Also, our squad will be 1 player short tomorrow, unless someone like Garuccio or Mitchinson plays in the youth team AND feature's in the senior's team's squad tomorrow. If either player was taken to Brisbane, that player would definitely start on the bench, but still it would be a pretty strange thing to expect a player to feature in 2 matches over 2 days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ontheball Posted November 2, 2013 Report Share Posted November 2, 2013 60 minutes for the youth team then sitting on the bench shouldn't be too much for most professional footballers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murfy1 Posted November 2, 2013 Report Share Posted November 2, 2013 60 minutes for the youth team then sitting on the bench shouldn't be too much for most professional footballers. Why not play Vrankovic in the NYL game and bring a fully fit Mitchinson to Brisbane, or vice versa? Or why not select Walker for the Brisbane game, and not include Garuccio in the preliminary squad in the first place (as we'll almost certainly have 2 wingers on the bench anyway). Puzzling choices IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jw1739 Posted November 2, 2013 Report Share Posted November 2, 2013 I agree that we seem to be all over the place with our match squad selections. Surely individual players, and the team, have a better chance of performing well when they can settle into some sort of rhythm or pattern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strider Posted November 2, 2013 Report Share Posted November 2, 2013 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schrecky Posted November 2, 2013 Report Share Posted November 2, 2013 a friend staying at the novatel in brissy told me kewell didnt checkin with the team.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Posted November 2, 2013 Report Share Posted November 2, 2013 I agree that we seem to be all over the place with our match squad selections. Surely individual players, and the team, have a better chance of performing well when they can settle into some sort of rhythm or pattern. I have drawn the conclusion it's because they don't know what they're doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartofmelbourne12 Posted November 2, 2013 Report Share Posted November 2, 2013 Doesn't look like kewell will play, neither mauk or retre played in the youth team today so it's out of them 2 and Williams for the number 10 role Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InMyHeart Posted November 2, 2013 Report Share Posted November 2, 2013 1-1 draw. we will go infront but concede very late Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntiScum Posted November 2, 2013 Report Share Posted November 2, 2013 I sense an upset and with the heart paying a lazy $6 ive chuck $50 on it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grimey Posted November 2, 2013 Report Share Posted November 2, 2013 I sense an upset and with the heart paying a lazy $6 ive chuck $50 on it That's fucked that we're shorter odds vs brisbane than adelaide were against wsw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mulhollanddrive Posted November 2, 2013 Report Share Posted November 2, 2013 If you could lose the next 24 games of the season, and finish in the same spot, that's a sign of resilience and character. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylan Posted November 2, 2013 Report Share Posted November 2, 2013 I wish I could be more positive. But I can't see anything from last weeks preformance that would suggest anything other than another away loss. Injuries or not Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strider Posted November 2, 2013 Report Share Posted November 2, 2013 I sense an upset and with the heart paying a lazy $6 ive chuck $50 on it 7 on sportsbet heart 3-0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toogood18 Posted November 2, 2013 Report Share Posted November 2, 2013 What is going on with Walker?!?!? This is beyond a joke the kid, if fully fit can't get a game ahead of Hoffman, who has been ok at best, but is no Walker defensively or going forward from RB. About time the boys pulled the finger out and got this win away, one win is all we need FFS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ontheball Posted November 2, 2013 Report Share Posted November 2, 2013 My guess is that he didn't play Youth yesterday because he is involved today. Time will tell! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HEARTinator Posted November 2, 2013 Report Share Posted November 2, 2013 Roar without Stefanutto, Miller and the Albanian Sharp Shooter means we're gonna win today 2:1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fastfly100 Posted November 2, 2013 Report Share Posted November 2, 2013 Harry to score the winner. Afterwards he shall reveal a message under his jersey saying To old To slow To Good 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caddy Posted November 2, 2013 Report Share Posted November 2, 2013 I just hope we play decent football, not the spineless insipid brand we did for 60 minutes v Perth. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jestr Posted November 2, 2013 Report Share Posted November 2, 2013 Harry to score the winner. Afterwards he shall reveal a message under his jersey saying To old To slow To Good Out of likes!!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LR9 Posted November 2, 2013 Report Share Posted November 2, 2013 Walker and Harry to play, Roar depleated... 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billyheart Posted November 3, 2013 Report Share Posted November 3, 2013 I don't know how the whiplash is going to hold up in this heat 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheepdog Posted November 3, 2013 Report Share Posted November 3, 2013 I have been watching that gif for 20 mins now. Classic!!! Herald sun says kewell didnt fly to brisbane, true or not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylan Posted November 3, 2013 Report Share Posted November 3, 2013 fucking williams as number 10 again. groooan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
possiblygeorge Posted November 3, 2013 Report Share Posted November 3, 2013 i have a good feeling we'll win today... i'm not sure why. Hence why i'm placing 20 on heart to win! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heart Posted November 3, 2013 Report Share Posted November 3, 2013 Soccer Stoppage Time @SocStoppageTime 1h Melb Heart news Hoffman out with groin tear and Walker coming in.#SST 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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