Round 10 - Sydney FC vs MHFC - Sunday 15 Dec 5pm

[KSK_47]

 

Oh how the landscape has changed and it is all based on the coach and nothing else!! a tight arse board

 

Fixed

[Dylan]

Id much rather have kewell end the game rather than start it. Bring him on at half time. Put willo on the wing

[Peter]

"Wing in the Willo" or should that be the other way around - sorry, it just came into head reading Dylan's post.

 

I can't help but wonder what has happened to our coach under pressure? A fifteen minute spell followed by the second lapse in defence which led to the third goal against Adelaide, and a gritty performance against WSW where we were lucky not to come away on the back of a 3-1 defeat seems to have let JA off the hook.

Nothing has changed and now it appears we are going to trundle on through the season with a "She'll be right" attitude. It's not right.

JA should still be under intense scrutiny, and the call for success should be loudly ringing out from the club without ceasing.

Come on you boys in red.

[belaguttman]

"Wing in the Willo" or should that be the other way around - sorry, it just came into head reading Dylan's post.

 

I can't help but wonder what has happened to our coach under pressure? A fifteen minute spell followed by the second lapse in defence which led to the third goal against Adelaide, and a gritty performance against WSW where we were lucky not to come away on the back of a 3-1 defeat seems to have let JA off the hook.

Nothing has changed and now it appears we are going to trundle on through the season with a "She'll be right" attitude. It's not right.

JA should still be under intense scrutiny, and the call for success should be loudly ringing out from the club without ceasing.

Come on you boys in red.

It just shows how low the board's expectations are, and the extent of their ambition is for the club. If they are really content to keep a coach who hasn't won an away game in 2 years and hasn't won any game in over 10 games, has never won a game after going behind...

 

Designed mediocrity.

[jw1739]

Adelaide's 4-0 win today heaps more pressure on us to win at least two out of the next three matches. The task of saving some respectability just gets harder with every draw or defeat.

[Jestr]

"Wing in the Willo" or should that be the other way around - sorry, it just came into head reading Dylan's post.

I can't help but wonder what has happened to our coach under pressure? A fifteen minute spell followed by the second lapse in defence which led to the third goal against Adelaide, and a gritty performance against WSW where we were lucky not to come away on the back of a 3-1 defeat seems to have let JA off the hook.

Nothing has changed and now it appears we are going to trundle on through the season with a "She'll be right" attitude. It's not right.

JA should still be under intense scrutiny, and the call for success should be loudly ringing out from the club without ceasing.

Come on you boys in red.

It just shows how low the board's expectations are, and the extent of their ambition is for the club. If they are really content to keep a coach who hasn't won an away game in 2 years and hasn't won any game in over 10 games, has never won a game after going behind...

Designed mediocrity. I think we are not fair to mediocrity.

Teams placed around mid table (6 to 8) are pedestrian and ordinary.

We are last!

That's not mediocre

That's pathetic.

Edited December 14, 2013 by Jestr

[belaguttman]

Adelaide's 4-0 win today heaps more pressure on us to win at least two out of the next three matches. The task of saving some respectability just gets harder with every draw or defeat.

I can't see any indication that the club even considers on-field performance in its measure of respectability.

[Peter]

Sort of wonder where football rates as a KPI at Melbourne Heart.

[InMyHeart]

need at least a point,

[ontheball]

Harry to start. Mauk didn't fly.

[Murfy1]

Sydney FC and Melbourne Heart refuse to buckle in their support for under-fire coaches

 

Richard Hinds   The Daily Telegraph   December 14, 2013

 

AT Allianz Stadium this on Sunday afternoon, two A-League teams who have defied everything we sports fans hold sacred will meet.

 

Two teams who have failed to listen to the howling voices in the grandstands and the venomous scrawls of the social media couch jockeys. Two teams who, in defiance of their game's rich traditions, have ­refused to do the indecent thing.

 

What have this stubborn, shameful pair, Sydney FC and Melbourne Heart, not done?

Neither club, despite periods of poor results, intense pressure and supporter unrest, has sacked the its coach.

 

The American college basketball coach Ken Loeffler coined the phrase that has ­become a truism for those who dare to put a whistle around their necks: "There are only two kinds of coaches - those who have been fired, and those who will be fired."

 

Yet, so far, Frank Farina and John Aloisi have not heard boardroom gunfire.

 

They have not been forced to appear at a stage-managed press conference and pretend to have ­resigned in order to collect their entitlements. They have not been asked to take full responsibility for self-satisfied veterans, undisciplined kids or wayward strikers who can't spell barn door, let alone hit it.

 

Instead, the powerbrokers at Sydney FC and Heart have bucked the trend in a game where, traditionally, the only coach that sees out a mediocre season is the one that takes the players to the game.

 

The outcome of this counterintuitive management? With Farina still in control, Sydney FC has risen to fourth on the back of a four-game winning streak ended by the talented Mariners.

 

This despite the inevitable injuries suffered by the 39-year-old Alessandro Del Piero and the fact that - if you were to believe the most bloodthirsty trolls - Farina couldn't coach a fish to swim.

 

Aloisi? They are not playing the music from <i>The Great ­Escape</i> yet. But the coach who lost his marquee signing, ­Orlando Engelaar, to a broken leg before the season, and has gotten just one and a bit games out of Harry Kewell has a lifeline after a brave 3-3 draw with Adelaide and holding the Wanderers to a 1-1 at Parramatta Stadium.

 

Which might have silenced the Melbourne Heart fans had they not ­already staged a silent protest during the Adelaide game. Presumably they were upset Aloisi had not run on in full Armani and knocked the many chances squandered by his players into the back of the net.

 

Recently, Australian sport has undergone a form of ethnic coach cleansing. Mickey ­Arthur, Robbie Deans and Holger Osieck were all ­replaced by "locals'', which ­allowed some parochial chest-thumping for those who ­believe there is an "Aussie way'' of doing things.

 

Never mind that Ange Postecoglou is of Greek heritage - and one of the most open-minded observers of all sports you could imagine, Darren Lehman spent long stints at Yorkshire and Ewen McKenzie hailed from Scotch College, Melbourne, well ­beyond the established boundaries of local rugby wisdom.

 

These changes were due. But is the supposed cure-all solution of sacking the coach ­always the way to go?

 

Earlier this year the CNN host Piers Morgan, a Colonel Blimp figure who litters the Twittersphere with his ill-informed opinions launched a campaign to have Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger sacked. Now, the #wenger out tweets have been replaced with self-aggrandising tosh about how Morgan's very personal attack prompted the French maestro to open his wallet and put the Gunners back on top.

 

Of course it was the patience and perseverance of the Arsenal owners, not the toxic bile of a frustrated fan, which resurrected the club's fortunes. Indeed, Morgan's latest campaign to have England captain Alastair Cook replaced by his buddy Kevin Pietersen is the best reason to believe Cook is still the man for the job.

 

Which is not to say coach sacking is always a bad thing. With the apparent exception of James Hird who continues to shirk responsibility for Essendon's ''black ops'' drug program, the buck stops in the coach's office.

 

Arthur for Lehman is now a change so obviously vindicated you hope the South African has banked his payout in case Cricket Australia demanded its money back. McKenzie is making progress, Postecoglou has been given a blank cheque until the 2015 Asian Championships because no one seriously expects much in Brazil.

 

But, at a lower level, there is a lot to like about how Sydney FC and Melbourne Heart have so far stood their ground. One club has already reaped some rewards, the other might well benefit in the long term.

 

Sport being what it is, whoever loses today will again feel a slight chill. That's the life of a coach.

Nerves on edge while you hope the backroom boys hold theirs.

 

 

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/football/sydney-fc-and-melbourne-heart-refuse-to-buckle-in-their-support-for-underfire-coaches/story-fni2fopz-1226783165531

Edited December 14, 2013 by Murfy1

[Murfy1]

Sydney FC v Melbourne Heart: The Lowdown

 

December 14, 2013

 

Sebastian Hassett

 

Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Kick-off: 5pm

TV: Live, FOX Sports 1

Radio: ABC radio online

 

Twitter: #SFCvMHT

Head to head: Heart 3, Sydney FC 2, drawn 5

 

FIVE TO WATCH

 

1. Alessandro Del Piero (Sydney)

So, Del Piero claims he doesn't want to leave Sydney. Well, now he has to show it. Walking off the field against Newcastle would have brought condemnation for a lesser player and now he owes the Sydney fans a big performance.

 

2. Harry Kewell (Heart)

It will be quite a sight when Kewell and DelPiero grace the pitch at the same time. After all, they were two of the biggest names in world football a decade or so ago. Kewell's run out last week showed he's still got the touch and poise to make a difference.

 

3. Sebastian Ryall (Sydney)

It's pretty clear that Ryall isn't a left-back, so we're still not sure why Frank Farina tried to play him there against Central Coast last week. He's much better suited to the middle, or at right-back, so it's only fair to think he'll move centrally this week and Ali Abbas will go left.

 

4. Andrew Redmayne (Heart)

It's not Redmayne's fault the Heart have leaked goals too easily this season but it doesn't reflect well on him either. He's been waiting so long to be a clear-cut No. 1 and now that it's his position, he needs to stamp his authority.

 

5. Brett Emerton (Sydney)

Emerton's received plenty of stick for not providing value for money but he's been playing better this season. Since shifting to the middle, he's been a calm, composed presence.

 

IN THE DUGOUT

 

Frank Farina (Sydney)

A flat performance against Central Coast was no way to end a four-game winning streak and he'll be looking for an instant reply. Heart are there for the taking and the fans will be expecting a comfortable win.

 

John Aloisi (Heart)

The pressure has eased just a fraction with two fighting draws in as many weeks, but Aloisi is walking the tightrope as his team is still without a win this season.

 

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/sydney-fc-v-melbourne-heart-the-lowdown-20131214-2zeb7.html

Edited December 14, 2013 by Murfy1

[wombegongal]

 

Sydney FC and Melbourne Heart refuse to buckle in their support for under-fire coaches

 

Richard Hinds   The Daily Telegraph   December 14, 2013

 

AT Allianz Stadium this on Sunday afternoon, two A-League teams who have defied everything we sports fans hold sacred will meet.

 

Two teams who have failed to listen to the howling voices in the grandstands and the venomous scrawls of the social media couch jockeys. Two teams who, in defiance of their game's rich traditions, have ­refused to do the indecent thing.

 

What have this stubborn, shameful pair, Sydney FC and Melbourne Heart, not done?

Neither club, despite periods of poor results, intense pressure and supporter unrest, has sacked the its coach.

 

The American college basketball coach Ken Loeffler coined the phrase that has ­become a truism for those who dare to put a whistle around their necks: "There are only two kinds of coaches - those who have been fired, and those who will be fired."

 

Yet, so far, Frank Farina and John Aloisi have not heard boardroom gunfire.

 

They have not been forced to appear at a stage-managed press conference and pretend to have ­resigned in order to collect their entitlements. They have not been asked to take full responsibility for self-satisfied veterans, undisciplined kids or wayward strikers who can't spell barn door, let alone hit it.

 

Instead, the powerbrokers at Sydney FC and Heart have bucked the trend in a game where, traditionally, the only coach that sees out a mediocre season is the one that takes the players to the game.

 

The outcome of this counterintuitive management? With Farina still in control, Sydney FC has risen to fourth on the back of a four-game winning streak ended by the talented Mariners.

 

This despite the inevitable injuries suffered by the 39-year-old Alessandro Del Piero and the fact that - if you were to believe the most bloodthirsty trolls - Farina couldn't coach a fish to swim.

 

Aloisi? They are not playing the music from <i>The Great ­Escape</i> yet. But the coach who lost his marquee signing, ­Orlando Engelaar, to a broken leg before the season, and has gotten just one and a bit games out of Harry Kewell has a lifeline after a brave 3-3 draw with Adelaide and holding the Wanderers to a 1-1 at Parramatta Stadium.

 

Which might have silenced the Melbourne Heart fans had they not ­already staged a silent protest during the Adelaide game. Presumably they were upset Aloisi had not run on in full Armani and knocked the many chances squandered by his players into the back of the net.

 

Recently, Australian sport has undergone a form of ethnic coach cleansing. Mickey ­Arthur, Robbie Deans and Holger Osieck were all ­replaced by "locals'', which ­allowed some parochial chest-thumping for those who ­believe there is an "Aussie way'' of doing things.

 

Never mind that Ange Postecoglou is of Greek heritage - and one of the most open-minded observers of all sports you could imagine, Darren Lehman spent long stints at Yorkshire and Ewen McKenzie hailed from Scotch College, Melbourne, well ­beyond the established boundaries of local rugby wisdom.

 

These changes were due. But is the supposed cure-all solution of sacking the coach ­always the way to go?

 

Earlier this year the CNN host Piers Morgan, a Colonel Blimp figure who litters the Twittersphere with his ill-informed opinions launched a campaign to have Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger sacked. Now, the #wenger out tweets have been replaced with self-aggrandising tosh about how Morgan's very personal attack prompted the French maestro to open his wallet and put the Gunners back on top.

 

Of course it was the patience and perseverance of the Arsenal owners, not the toxic bile of a frustrated fan, which resurrected the club's fortunes. Indeed, Morgan's latest campaign to have England captain Alastair Cook replaced by his buddy Kevin Pietersen is the best reason to believe Cook is still the man for the job.

 

Which is not to say coach sacking is always a bad thing. With the apparent exception of James Hird who continues to shirk responsibility for Essendon's ''black ops'' drug program, the buck stops in the coach's office.

 

Arthur for Lehman is now a change so obviously vindicated you hope the South African has banked his payout in case Cricket Australia demanded its money back. McKenzie is making progress, Postecoglou has been given a blank cheque until the 2015 Asian Championships because no one seriously expects much in Brazil.

 

But, at a lower level, there is a lot to like about how Sydney FC and Melbourne Heart have so far stood their ground. One club has already reaped some rewards, the other might well benefit in the long term.

 

Sport being what it is, whoever loses today will again feel a slight chill. That's the life of a coach.

Nerves on edge while you hope the backroom boys hold theirs.

 

 

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/football/sydney-fc-and-melbourne-heart-refuse-to-buckle-in-their-support-for-underfire-coaches/story-fni2fopz-1226783165531

 

 

 

Top to bottom one of the worst pieces I've writing I've ever read.

[Jestr]

Piece of garbage.

Comparing Arsen Wenger to aloisi ??

So I guess victory should have held onto mehmet too?

[HEARTinator]

"not the toxic bile of a frustrated fan"

I would have been less offended if Richo had qualified that comment in the following way "not the UNEDUCATED toxic bile of a frustrated fan" but hey, we're just suppose to sit back and enjoy the ride LOL

[KSK_47]

Periods of poor results? JA's entire senior coaching career has been a period of poor results. Honestly I don't understand how there is so much positive press under aloisi. Its not like he is a new coach that has not had a chance to prove himself yet. Last year his excuse was that he didn't have the squad he wanted. This year he has his squad along with several assistants so his excuse is now bad luck. His record is appalling at its obvious that he is not ready to be coaching at this level.

I dont see why its unreasonable to ask for a coach that is capable of doing a required job.

[belaguttman]

Periods of poor results? JA's entire senior coaching career has been a period of poor results. Honestly I don't understand how there is so much positive press under aloisi. Its not like he is a new coach that has not had a chance to prove himself yet. Last year his excuse was that he didn't have the squad he wanted. This year he has his squad along with several assistants so his excuse is now bad luck. His record is appalling at its obvious that he is not ready to be coaching at this level.

I dont see why its unreasonable to ask for a coach that is capable of doing a required job.

We've had one period of poor results under JA, It started when he took over and we are still in it. That Telegraph article shows just how observers understand our ambitions to be very very modest

[jw1739]

One of the biggest issues in Australian football is that the football clique is so small that it is loathe to adversely criticise and/or adversely act on one of it's own - whether it's coaches or players it's the same. We are seeing this daily at MHFC, not only with Aloisi but also with under-performing players.

 

I know that we've tended to focus on the coach so far, but when you start to look at individual Heart players IMO you will come to the conclusion that it's hard to find one who's improved since last season, or one performing regularly at their potential level. The media is reluctant to bag JA, the Board is reluctant to sack him, JA is reluctant to drop players, and even as fans we're more inclined to bag an overseas player rather than one of our own.

 

The whole MHFC organization needs to harden up if we are ever to be successful on the field.

[Red or Dead]

Gameday!! PUMPED!! See you at Allianz! 

[Pigs]

Gameday!! PUMPED!! See you at Allianz!

I wish bro

[Tonyboozeadams]

Mifsud to miss 4 easy goals. Adp will get a gift and Sydney to win 1-0

[Red or Dead]

Mifsud to miss 4 easy goals. Adp will get a gift and Sydney to win 1-0

ADP will get a gift from a penalty!

[Dylan]

Melbourne Heart FC ✔ @MelbourneHeart

Follow

STARTING XI | Redmayne (GK) - Behich, Wielaert, Kisnorbo, Hoffman - Murdocca, Migliorini, Kalmar - Ramsay, Mifsud, Williams #SYDvMHT

Melbourne Heart FC ‏@MelbourneHeart 6m

SUBS | Velaphi (GK), Gerhardt, Dugandzic, Kewell, Mebrahtu

Interesting seeing Kalmar start, unless JA puts him on the wing

Edited December 15, 2013 by Dylan

[Deluka]

Shame to see no Mauk, but I guess Kalmar has been training well and the coming of Kewell have seen him out of the match day squad.

Edited December 15, 2013 by Deluka

[Red or Dead]

Melbourne Heart FC ✔ @MelbourneHeart

STARTING XI | Redmayne (GK) - Behich, Wielaert, Kisnorbo, Hoffman - Murdocca, Migliorini, Kalmar - Ramsay, Mifsud, Williams #SYDvMHT

Melbourne Heart FC ‏@MelbourneHeart 6m

SUBS | Velaphi (GK), Gerhardt, Dugandzic, Kewell, Mebrahtu

Interesting seeing Kalmar start, unless JA puts him on the wing

Redmayne

Hoffman   -   Kisnorbo   -   Wieleart   -   Behich

Migliorini      -      Murdocca

Kalmar

Williams         -         Ramsay

Mifsud

[Deluka]

Sydney Line Up:

 

  Janjetovic

 

Bojic   Ryall   Petkovic    Abbas

 

Carle     Thompson

 

ADP

 

Garcia     Chianese

 

Despotovic

 

 

They're the players, just assuming the starting formation...

Edited December 15, 2013 by Deluka

[LR9]

Melbourne Heart FC ✔ @MelbourneHeart

STARTING XI | Redmayne (GK) - Behich, Wielaert, Kisnorbo, Hoffman - Murdocca, Migliorini, Kalmar - Ramsay, Mifsud, Williams #SYDvMHT

Melbourne Heart FC ‏@MelbourneHeart 6m

SUBS | Velaphi (GK), Gerhardt, Dugandzic, Kewell, Mebrahtu

Interesting seeing Kalmar start, unless JA puts him on the wing

Redmayne

Hoffman - Kisnorbo - Wieleart - Behich

Migliorini - Murdocca

Kalmar

Williams - Ramsay

Mifsud

Best 11 all season...

... probably coz Golgol isn't in there.

[Murfy1]

Unfortunate that JA dropped both Mauk and Garuccio, who were both in the extended match day squad. 

 

On paper, our starting XI and bench should be good enough to get the job done. I'll be especially pleased if Kalmar is the no 10 and Williams is on the wing.

 

Meanwhile, Sydney are much like us. They should have a team of 'good enough' individuals, but their tactics and ability to play together as a team are often poor.

 

So IMO this, like our last match against Sydney, is a big test for JA. He'll need to apply effective enough tactics, and he'll have to man manage our forwards well and get them to fire. I wish I could say I was confident that Aloisi will pass the test.

[Tonyboozeadams]

Seems like a good lineup. Hope Williams stays wide and kalmar/kewellcan find some space in the middle

[n i k o]

Disappointed in myself that I'm excited to watch boring counter productive counter attacking football. Hopefully the slightly improved form and confidence from last week will deliver a win and warrant putting my eyes through this game.

[Tonyboozeadams]

I'm keen to see how the side ppays with a bit of confidence. But a loss here will be the death knell of any optimism I could have for the season

[belaguttman]

I'm keen to see how the side ppays with a bit of confidence. But a loss here will be the death knell of any optimism I could have for the season

Unfortunately so will a win as it will convince the board that its modest expectations can be met and we'll be stuck with Aloisi and his long ball anti-youth football until his contract expires

[Southerner]

4-1 to MH (Garcia o.g. x3, Kewell, Del Piero for the scum) 

[Murfy1]

I'm gonna dare to say it. I think we have a real chance of winning this. Sydney is pretty much the team we've had the most success against, and we just about have all of our best players in the team, bar 1 and a half (Engelaar out and Kewell on the bench). I think we could be coached poorly and still scrape a win out of this.

 

I have no idea what result I want us to get, though. Conflicted as always, supporting Heart being coached by Aloisi.

 

I hope we don't sit back too much. Sydney have been especially weak IMO when they've been pressed and have given away the ball in their own half. I'm concerned we're going to sit too deep. But even that can work if our defenders are switched on and we counter with purpose.

 

I predict Kewell will get our midfield ticking, and predict Mifsud will finally get off the mark.

[MUTD/MLBHRT/ESSNDON]

What's the numbers look like for our traveling fans?

[HEARTinator]

Mark ADP out of the game and we win.

[Dylan]

C'mon you sluts!

[jw1739]

One thing's for certain. Aloisi won't be facing a Perth-style revolt by senior players for including too many young players...

[mstam]

If we defend any deeper we will be sitting in the Cove!!!!!!!

 

Anti-football = Melbourne Heart

[HEARTinator]

We seem to be doing everything possible to invite the smurfs into our penalty area LOL

Edited December 15, 2013 by HEARTinator