Start planning for 2016-17 now

[Baresi]

 

Agree, our CB stocks are looking solid with Kisnorbo, Wielaert, Chapman and Archibald all in the senior team. I wouldn't mind though if we got 1 more good CB to make the centre of our defence spectacular (which would allow for a pretty attacking 'FIFA style' midfield).

 

And really agree that we need to do something about our fullbacks. Hopefully the club have something in the works, as they released both Walker and Mitchinson.

 

 

Does anyone know when the summer transfer windows open BTW? I'm wondering if there will be more news about Heart recruiting players then, as Heart might be targeting players that are contracted in Europe, where JVS, Didulica and co seemingly still are ATM.

Madaschi would complete our centre back contingent.

 

Four centre-backs is more than enough.

Plus, two old CBs (Wielaert & Kisnorbo) is also enough.

If Madaschi was to be signed, I'd hope Wielaert gets released first.

Edited May 8, 2014 by Baresi

[The Aardvark]

Not sure why you (or many others) are so keen on a 4th A-league quality CB Murph? I fail to see why one would be necessary or a good use of our limited squad options.

 

Last season we used 3 Cb's for the season (Archibald's 5 minutes doesn't count), and only had a handful of weeks where only 2 of the 3 senior ones were actually available.

 

Chapman would not be signing with us if he wasn't promised what he would've gotten elsewhere, which is approx. at least half a season in the starting lineup. If we sign another CB of similar quality to Chapman, Kisnorbo and Wielaert then one of them has to miss out completely each week, and seeing as we rarely if ever sub a CB on that means every week two of them will not be playing. That's a big waste of a squad spot and what would be a decent salary (not min wage).

 

The only argument for having 4 is for depth in the case of injuries as it is a specialist position, but even then if one goes down we have two quality ones left, and if we need another JVS has shown he is happy to show faith in the youth at the club and I certainly felt we missed opportunities to play Vrankovic last season and wouldn't want to completely freeze our next young CB completely out of the side all season. If we do have multiple injuries we can just sign an injury replacement or something.

 

I just think that it would be a waste of a squad spot to use it on a position that we will be very strong in as is with 3 quality CB's. The only way I'd consider filling it with one would be if like Thwaite or Lowry they could play a full back position regularly.

[Tommykins]

James Meredith is out of contract and getting some interest from Championship clubs in England, would be worth a ring to his agent, I'd suggest. Would solve the left back spot pretty quick smart.

Edited May 8, 2014 by Tommykins

[Murfy1]

 

 

Agree, our CB stocks are looking solid with Kisnorbo, Wielaert, Chapman and Archibald all in the senior team. I wouldn't mind though if we got 1 more good CB to make the centre of our defence spectacular (which would allow for a pretty attacking 'FIFA style' midfield).

 

And really agree that we need to do something about our fullbacks. Hopefully the club have something in the works, as they released both Walker and Mitchinson.

 

 

Does anyone know when the summer transfer windows open BTW? I'm wondering if there will be more news about Heart recruiting players then, as Heart might be targeting players that are contracted in Europe, where JVS, Didulica and co seemingly still are ATM.

Madaschi would complete our centre back contingent.

 

Four centre-backs is more than enough.

Plus, two old CBs (Wielaert & Kisnorbo) is also enough.

If Madaschi was to be signed, I'd hope Wielaert gets released first.

 

 

It should be said that Archibald reportedly will be on a "youth-senior" contract (that is, 1 of the 3 NYL senior contracts I'm pretty certain), so he shouldn't take up one of the 23 squad spots. Which means with the addition of Chapman, we'd still only have 3 central defenders on the 23-man playing roster. So we could sign, say, Luke DeVere or Brendan Hamill or Adrian Madaschi and then have 4 CBs in our squad of 23, and 5 overall including Archibald.

 

 

There's multiple reasons why I think Heart could use another CB besides Chapman:

 

A). The centre of defence is rather unbalanced, as Heart will have 2 CBs in their 30s and 2 teenage CBs next season if things stay as is. My preference would be to bring in a defender in their early to mid 20s like DeVere or Hamill to balance things out.

B.). It would be something of a risk to rely on the youngsters Chapman or Hamill too much, given their age and the fact that neither have played for Heart's senior team before (not counting that cameo from Archibald).

C). Chapman only played 6 matches (531 minutes) last season. Sure, he probably wants game time, but that doesn't mean he should get it. He's only 19 and I don't think Chapman having to compete with Heart's other contracted CBs is necessarily a bad thing (indeed, it's arguably quite positive).

D). cover for injuries is important. When Heart lost Kisnorbo to injury last season and Gerhardt replaced him, Gerhardt was really out of sorts, and should have been replaced by a young defender (Vrankovic or Mitchinson) in games thereafter. I think having Chapman and Archibald in competition even if as depth would be good, and both would regularly get games in the NYL.

E). It should be thought that both Chapman and Archibald won't cut it in senior football. That's tough to think, but senior football is tough and many good young players don't make it. It is probably worthwhile to plan for the worst. So I don't think the club should bank on both of them to be future long term club prospects.

 

 

Like I said, I think this is a recipe for a spectacular central defence, which could maybe be the best in the league. And because of the concerns and arguments above, I think it's the way to go, and I've looked over the squad and think this is a reasonable and smart allocation of positions. I think another central defender would give more use than another midfielder or another forward, beyond the number of midfielders or forwards than we are likely to sign with the remaining 8-9 free squad spots.

Edited May 8, 2014 by Murfy1

[Nate]

 

 

 

Agree, our CB stocks are looking solid with Kisnorbo, Wielaert, Chapman and Archibald all in the senior team. I wouldn't mind though if we got 1 more good CB to make the centre of our defence spectacular (which would allow for a pretty attacking 'FIFA style' midfield).

 

And really agree that we need to do something about our fullbacks. Hopefully the club have something in the works, as they released both Walker and Mitchinson.

 

 

Does anyone know when the summer transfer windows open BTW? I'm wondering if there will be more news about Heart recruiting players then, as Heart might be targeting players that are contracted in Europe, where JVS, Didulica and co seemingly still are ATM.

Madaschi would complete our centre back contingent.

 

Four centre-backs is more than enough.

Plus, two old CBs (Wielaert & Kisnorbo) is also enough.

If Madaschi was to be signed, I'd hope Wielaert gets released first.

 

 

It should be said that Archibald reportedly will be on a "youth-senior" contract (that is, 1 of the 3 NYL senior contracts I'm pretty certain), so he shouldn't take up one of the 23 squad spots. Which means with the addition of Chapman, we'd still only have 3 central defenders on the 23-man playing roster. So we could sign, say, Luke DeVere or Brendan Hamill or Adrian Madaschi and then have 4 CBs in our squad of 23, and 5 overall including Archibald.

 

 

There's multiple reasons why I think Heart could use another CB besides Chapman:

 

A). The centre of defence is rather unbalanced, as Heart will have 2 CBs in their 30s and 2 teenage CBs next season if things stay as is. My preference would be to bring in a defender in their early to mid 20s like DeVere or Hamill to balance things out.

B.). It would be something of a risk to rely on the youngsters Chapman or Hamill too much, given their age and the fact that neither have played for Heart's senior team before (not counting that cameo from Archibald).

C). Chapman only played 6 matches (531 minutes) last season. Sure, he probably wants game time, but that doesn't mean he should get it. He's only 19 and I don't think Chapman having to compete with Heart's other contracted CBs is necessarily a bad thing (indeed, it's arguably quite positive).

D). cover for injuries is important. When Heart lost Kisnorbo to injury last season and Gerhardt replaced him, Gerhardt was really out of sorts, and should have been replaced by a young defender (Vrankovic or Mitchinson) in games thereafter. I think having Chapman and Archibald in competition even if as depth would be good, and both would regularly get games in the NYL.

E). It should be thought that both Chapman and Archibald won't cut it in senior football. That's tough to think, but senior football is tough and many good young players don't make it. It is probably worthwhile to plan for the worst. So I don't think the club should bank on both of them to be future long term club prospects.

 

 

Like I said, I think this is a recipe for a spectacular central defence, which could maybe be the best in the league. And because of the concerns and arguments above, I think it's the way to go, and I've looked over the squad and think this is a reasonable and smart allocation of positions. I think another central defender would give more use than another midfielder or another forward, beyond the number of midfielders or forwards than we are likely to sign with the remaining 8-9 free squad spots.

 

Nailed it Murf.

 

As I said before, a strong defence is one which wins titles and depth is paramount to achieving this.

[marn11]

We should look to sign a defensive midfielder, with size and strength, who can also cover a central defensive role if need be. As it stands, none of our midfielders have a physical presence, and if we are to give the title race a shake-up next season we can't go in to round 1 with a midfield trio of Mooy, marquee AM and Mauk.

[Nate]

We should look to sign a defensive midfielder, with size and strength, who can also cover a central defensive role if need be. As it stands, none of our midfielders have a physical presence, and if we are to give the title race a shake-up next season we can't go in to round 1 with a midfield trio of Mooy, marquee AM and Mauk.

Also agree

[Heart of Melbourne]

Weilhart is shocking. Cost us quite a few goals. Big no for me

[Murfy1]

Another report, stating that Connor Chapman is effectively a done deal, and that he should be released from Newcastle in the "coming days":

 

Mitchell, Brown and Gibbs are the first players to part company with Newcastle since the appointment of new coach Phil Stubbins on Tuesday, and they are expected to be joined in coming days by Young Socceroos defender Connor Chapman.

 

Chapman’s release to join Melbourne Heart is understood to be a fait accompli, although Jets chief executive Robbie Middleby declined to discuss the subject yesterday.

 

Middleby said Jets officials had moved promptly to tell players who would not be required because ‘‘they need a bit of clarity and we don’t want it to drag on’’.

 

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/2270164/jets-off-contract-players-josh-mitchell-james-brown-joey-gibbs-wont-be-retained/?cs=306

Edited May 8, 2014 by Murfy1

[gleek]

Derby as first game of the season should be huge!

[marteaux]

Payback for Goodwin?

[HEARTinator]

Another report, stating that Connor Chapman is effectively a done deal, and that he should be released from Newcastle in the "coming days":

 

Mitchell, Brown and Gibbs are the first players to part company with Newcastle since the appointment of new coach Phil Stubbins on Tuesday, and they are expected to be joined in coming days by Young Socceroos defender Connor Chapman.

 

Chapman’s release to join Melbourne Heart is understood to be a fait accompli, although Jets chief executive Robbie Middleby declined to discuss the subject yesterday.

 

Middleby said Jets officials had moved promptly to tell players who would not be required because ‘‘they need a bit of clarity and we don’t want it to drag on’’.

 

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/2270164/jets-off-contract-players-josh-mitchell-james-brown-joey-gibbs-wont-be-retained/?cs=306

from the article:

 

‘‘It’s always never hard to let sack people go, but as we need to look at what we have to strengthen for next season.’’

Edited May 9, 2014 by HEARTinator

[Dylan]

Jets have terminated chapmans contract. Posted it on twitter

Edited May 9, 2014 by Dylan

[Murfy1]

Yep:

 

Jets release Chapman

 

May 9 2014

 

 

The Newcastle Jets have agreed to mutually terminate the contract of central defender Connor Chapman, effective immediately.

 

Jets CEO Robbie Middleby said the decision was made based on Chapman’s desire for guaranteed first-team football.

“Connor is a young player who is seeking regular first team football,” Middleby said.

 

“As a Club, we were unable to guarantee him that opportunity at the Jets next season, so we have made the mutual decision for him to be released from his contract to pursue opportunities elsewhere.

 

“We thank Connor for efforts and wish him all the best.”

 

The Newcastle Jets will make further announcements regarding player recruitment and retention in due course.

 

http://m.footballaustralia.com.au/newcastle-jets-news-display/Jets-release-Chapman/90389/5

Edited May 9, 2014 by Murfy1

[Murfy1]

Interesting that the Jets' main message in the above statement was that Chapman is leaving to play more first team football.

 

Maybe Heart will only have Kisnorbo, Wielaert, Chapman and Archibald as central defenders for next season.

 

I'm not fully sure what I think of that idea. I was hoping that Heart would bring in more proven talent for next season (more players like Aaron Mooy), rather than very young players or players only noted for their potential and not their playing history (which is why I'm pretty against the idea of signing James Brown). Having a central defence that'll be so young and unproven, I'm not sure about (to be fair to Chapman though, he did play 17 games in 2012/13 [1381 minutes]).

 

However, Heart's most successful season was the club's second season, when JVS developed several very young players into good regular first team footballers. So I wouldn't back against the club doing that again, developing good young players into good senior footballers.

 

Also, If I were to pick 2 young Australian centre-backs to develop into quality CBs, I'd pick Chapman and Archibald (James Donachie is maybe the only other Australian CB prospect I'd rate equally as good as those 2). I know I said that preparing for worst might be the safer and the smarter option (which might be the case), but IMO Chapman and Archibald are a pretty safe bet to do well for us. If the club back them and play them regularly, like the club did with Good and Hamill, I reckon they'll probably come good, and play well for the team and develop as footballers quickly.

 

 

I can't help but wonder as well if the plan for next season is to turn Heart into something of a conveyor belt of young Australian footballers. The club has also been linked with Jacob Melling, who was released from Adelaide despite having 1 year left on his contract (presumably, he wouldn't have been released early unless he had a club he knew he was going to sign with). So it looks like Heart might be putting a lot of work into securing, and then possibly playing and developing, young footballers.

Now I've been a long time advocate of promoting youth at Heart, and I've respected the club when they've made youth promotion a value and have pursued it, but questions have to be asked: is that the surest way to obtain real success next season? And perhaps more importantly: now that Man City own Heart, are we developing youth for our sake, or for theirs? If Heart become a factory for talented young footballers, who does that serve foremost?

 

A fair bit of speculation and pondering on my part, largely based on the statement above (and who knows, perhaps it isn't quite true, and perhaps Heart haven't agreed with Chapman to guarantee him regular first team football), but I believe these are things worth thinking over.

Edited May 9, 2014 by Murfy1

[Murfy1]

Jets release Chapman

 

9 May 2014-SBS EXCLUSIVE with AAP

 

[...]

 

The World Game understands Chapman will pen a deal with Melbourne Heart, which is looking to strengthen the young talent in its squad.

 

 

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1188813/Jets-release-Chapman

Edited May 9, 2014 by Murfy1

[Dylan]

Interesting that the Jets' main message in the above statement was that Chapman is leaving to play more first team football.

Maybe Heart will only have Kisnorbo, Wielaert, Chapman and Archibald as central defenders for next season.

I'm not fully sure what I think of that idea. I was hoping that Heart would bring in more proven talent for next season (more players like Aaron Mooy), rather than very young players or players only noted for their potential and not their playing history (which is why I'm pretty against the idea of signing James Brown). Having a central defence that'll be so young and unproven, I'm not sure about (to be fair to Chapman though, he did play 17 games in 2012/13 [1381 minutes]).

However, Heart's most successful season was the club's second season, when JVS developed several very young players into good regular first team footballers. So I wouldn't back against the club doing that again, developing good young players into good senior footballers.

Also, If I were to pick 2 young Australian centre-backs to develop into quality CBs, I'd pick Chapman and Archibald (James Donachie is maybe the only other Australian CB prospect I'd rate equally as good as those 2). I know I said that preparing for worst might be the safer and the smarter option (which might be the case), but IMO Chapman and Archibald are a pretty safe bet to do well for us. If the club back them and play them regularly, like the club did with Good and Hamill, I reckon they'll probably come good, and play well for the team and develop as footballers quickly.

I can't help but wonder as well if the plan for next season is to turn Heart into something of a conveyor belt of young Australian footballers. The club has also been linked with Jacob Melling, who was released from Adelaide despite having 1 year left on his contract (presumably, he wouldn't have been released early unless he had a club he knew he was going to sign with). So it looks like Heart might be putting a lot of work into securing, and then possibly playing and developing, young footballers.

Now I've been a long time advocate of promoting youth at Heart, and I've respected the club when they've made youth promotion a value and have pursued it, but questions have to be asked: is that the surest way to obtain real success next season? And perhaps more importantly: now that Man City own Heart, are we developing youth for our sake, or for theirs? If Heart become a factory for talented young footballers, who does that serve foremost?

A fair bit of speculation and pondering on my part, largely based on the statement above (and who knows, perhaps it isn't quite true, and perhaps Heart haven't agreed with Chapman to guarantee him regular first team football), but I believe these are things worth thinking over.

In regards to the first team football comment by the jets, I think it's just a bit of spin. Although as you said JVS does throw the kids in

[mus-28]

Adrian Zahra released by Perth Glory. Was a favourite under JVS, very handy as a defensive winger away from home

[Nate]

Is Archibald really that good? Haven't seen much of him at all.

[Murfy1]

Is Archibald really that good? Haven't seen much of him at all.

 

Everything I've seen from him is pretty good, and Archibald has been well regarded by nearly all who have seen and coached him. Archibald won the NYL player of the season at Heart this season, of course, but he also won the NYL player of the season at Brisbane Roar during the 2012/13 season. He's versatile, and can play as both a defensive midfielder and a centre-back. Rado Vidosic thought rather highly of him and he trained with the Brisbane senior team for several months (when he would have been 17 or 18), and the Brisbane NYL coach was "extremely disappointed" when he didn't get a senior contract. So Archibald was an impressive signing to secure, and he's done well at Heart, and he trained with the Heart senior team since the NYL season ended, and with Archibald getting a derby debut (although a cameo) it looks like he's in JVS' plans for the future.

 

Perhaps it's because I also don't think much of the other young central defenders in the A-League, but for me I rate Archibald, Chapman and Donachie most highly out of the young CBs in the A-League.

Edited May 9, 2014 by Murfy1

[Shahanga]

Is Archibald really that good? Haven't seen much of him at all.

He looked pretty good in NYL, but the A League is a big step.  I hope he gets some game time but I couldn't see him as being in the top 2 central defenders - 3rd choice might be OK though.

[jw1739]

 

Is Archibald really that good? Haven't seen much of him at all.

 

Everything I've seen from him is pretty good, and Archibald has been well regarded by nearly all who have seen and coached him. Archibald won the NYL player of the season at Heart this season, of course, but he also won the NYL player of the season at Brisbane Roar during the 2012/13 season. He's versatile, and can play as both a defensive midfielder and a centre-back. Rado Vidosic thought rather highly of him and he trained with the Brisbane senior team for several months (when he would have been 17 or 18), and the Brisbane NYL coach was "extremely disappointed" when he didn't get a senior contract. So Archibald was an impressive signing to secure, and he's done well at Heart, and he trained with the Heart senior team since the NYL season ended, and with Archibald getting a derby debut (although a cameo) it looks like he's in JVS' plans for the future.

 

Perhaps it's because I also don't think much of the other young central defenders in the A-League, but for me I rate Archibald, Chapman and Donachie most highly out of the young CBs in the A-League.

 

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/football/melbourne-heart-throw-18-year-old-ross-archibald-a-lifeline/story-fnddhv0x-1226590241897

[NewConvert]

Interesting that the Jets' main message in the above statement was that Chapman is leaving to play more first team football.

 

Maybe Heart will only have Kisnorbo, Wielaert, Chapman and Archibald as central defenders for next season.

 

I'm not fully sure what I think of that idea. I was hoping that Heart would bring in more proven talent for next season (more players like Aaron Mooy), rather than very young players or players only noted for their potential and not their playing history (which is why I'm pretty against the idea of signing James Brown). Having a central defence that'll be so young and unproven, I'm not sure about (to be fair to Chapman though, he did play 17 games in 2012/13 [1381 minutes]).

 

However, Heart's most successful season was the club's second season, when JVS developed several very young players into good regular first team footballers. So I wouldn't back against the club doing that again, developing good young players into good senior footballers.

 

Also, If I were to pick 2 young Australian centre-backs to develop into quality CBs, I'd pick Chapman and Archibald (James Donachie is maybe the only other Australian CB prospect I'd rate equally as good as those 2). I know I said that preparing for worst might be the safer and the smarter option (which might be the case), but IMO Chapman and Archibald are a pretty safe bet to do well for us. If the club back them and play them regularly, like the club did with Good and Hamill, I reckon they'll probably come good, and play well for the team and develop as footballers quickly.

 

 

I can't help but wonder as well if the plan for next season is to turn Heart into something of a conveyor belt of young Australian footballers. The club has also been linked with Jacob Melling, who was released from Adelaide despite having 1 year left on his contract (presumably, he wouldn't have been released early unless he had a club he knew he was going to sign with). So it looks like Heart might be putting a lot of work into securing, and then possibly playing and developing, young footballers.

Now I've been a long time advocate of promoting youth at Heart, and I've respected the club when they've made youth promotion a value and have pursued it, but questions have to be asked: is that the surest way to obtain real success next season? And perhaps more importantly: now that Man City own Heart, are we developing youth for our sake, or for theirs? If Heart become a factory for talented young footballers, who does that serve foremost?

 

A fair bit of speculation and pondering on my part, largely based on the statement above (and who knows, perhaps it isn't quite true, and perhaps Heart haven't agreed with Chapman to guarantee him regular first team football), but I believe these are things worth thinking over.

 

I have mentioned in the past that Heart could indeed become a talent production factory or more likely a talent spotter/filter for other clubs. In this model the winning of championships is not a requirement as success is defined by the talents found and developed. Having said that there is also the possibility that the club feels it has more to gain by bringing in youth and see how far that will take the club - Bielsa did this at Athletic Bilbao and Ange did it at the Roar. The optimist in me says that it may be the latter.

[silva10]

Murfy, bringing in young Aussie players will benefit the Heart first and foremost. Secondly it will benefit Aussie football.

 

The A League is a long way off the EPL and I can imagine the CFG want to raise the standards within the A League.

 

This could then be beneficial to the CFG in 5, 10 or 15 years time.

 

So for me bringing in young players like Chapman can only benefit Heart.

Edited May 9, 2014 by silva10

[malloy]

Murfy, bringing in young Aussie players will benefit the Heart first and foremost. Secondly it will benefit Aussie football.

The A League is a long way off the EPL and I can imagine the CFG want to raise the standards within the AFL.

This could then be beneficial to the CFG in 5, 10 or 15 years time.

So for me bringing in young players like Chapman can only benefit Heart.

Lol.... AFL. Wrong sport pal. Unless CFG are planning on buying the demons too

[silva10]

Oh Sorry Malloy lol

 

Of course I meant the A League

[belaguttman]

Oh Sorry Malloy lol

 

Of course I meant the A League

They could certainly improve the AFL:

introduce a round ball

make the playing field square

use football goals

adopt FA rules.

 

CFG have a lot to offer the AFL

[malloy]

Oh Sorry Malloy lol

Of course I meant the A League

Tbh mistakes like that show how far the still game has to go in this country. I do think city will offer alot to football in Australia. Edited May 9, 2014 by malloy

[Murfy1]

Murfy, bringing in young Aussie players will benefit the Heart first and foremost. Secondly it will benefit Aussie football.

 

The A League is a long way off the EPL and I can imagine the CFG want to raise the standards within the AFL.

 

This could then be beneficial to the CFG in 5, 10 or 15 years time.

 

So for me bringing in young players like Chapman can only benefit Heart.

 

 

I should say that I think bringing in and developing some young players regularly will benefit Heart a lot, but still the question needed to be asked.

 

I think real success and youth promotion can both be achieved simultaneously, if the squad is good and balanced and youth development is approached in the right way (that is, not in the way that the Newcastle Jets tried a season or two ago, with very youth heavy senior teams, and arguably Heart's second season team was a bit unbalanced and favoured youth a bit too much as well).

 

More youth promotion, and especially youth academies, will definitely benefit Aussie football, I agree (indeed, going into next season the FFA will give each club $700,000 dollars, and require them to establish football youth academies at least down to the under 12 level. Link here). And I reckon Heart will be ahead of the curb when it comes to developing young footballers.

 

So I think there will be ample positives with Heart developing a lot talented youth.

 

And I'm not saying that Manchester City FC are after Connor Chapman, Stefan Mauk and all of Heart's young players.

 

 

But still, Heart have already sold a young player to an EPL club, Newcastle United, on a 6 year contract (Curtis Good, who will almost certainly represent Australia at the World Cup), and Eli Babalj to Serbian giants Red Star Belgrade (and then later to AZ Alkmaar on a 4 year deal) and Brendan Hamill to Seongnam FC, who had just won the Asian Champions League about a year earlier (and Hamill was signed to replace Australian defender Sasa Ognenovski, 2010 Asian Footballer of the year, giving Hamill his jersey number). And it only took Heart's first 2 very mixed (if not poor) seasons to produce these young players and sell them overseas. And Heart did so despite the fact that the club spent relatively little, even by A-League standards, on its football department, and it spent peanuts on youth development. 

 

So Heart could conceivably produce young football talent that could be acquired by Man City FC (and could definitely produce talent that could play at NYCFC, or any other new Man City clubs). And because football academies/feeder clubs are something of a jackpot system, Heart would only need to produce 1 very good player every 3 to 5 years to make the whole venture worthwhile (the time period is inexact. But the point is that Heart wouldn't have to churn out young players with high frequency to make the venture worthwhile).

 

 

Overall though, I don't think the cynical interpretation (that Man City is making Heart promote youth firstly and mainly to serve its interests) holds water. And I'm not overly fused if it's a win-win situation with Heart playing good football, winning and developing young players and selling them overseas. But still, I thought it worth examining all the interests that could be served in such a scenario. 

Edited May 9, 2014 by Murfy1

[silva10]

Murfy, I don't disagree with anything you have said.

 

The long term objectives of the CFG will be to produce players who can play at the highest level. By having more teams and the same philosophy, they can move players about within those teams rather than pay large transfer fees.

 

At the moment the EPL is the biggest league and therefore the end result will be trying to produce players for MCFC.

 

Who knows, in time the MLS may become the major attraction.

 

I am sure this drive for excellence will benefit all of the teams within the group.

[Pandev]

Brent McGrath - has been brought up many times already.  Presently with Bentleigh (NPL) side.  Anybody seen him play recently?  If decent, we could pick him up as a super cheap 3rd striker.  Still young and can develop....master his trade and learn from visa striker and our very own Williams.

 

in Summary:

• One Socceroo appearance
• 3 yrs with Brondby Denmark
• a spell with Adelaide united.
• was trialled by Victory
• 22 yrs old

Edited May 10, 2014 by Pandev

[jw1739]

Played half a pre-season game as part of his trial with us last pre-season. I was there and IMO he was not particularly impressive. He later had another trial with Adelaide and they passed him over as well.

 

He's just an ordinary player and surely we have enough of those? What we need is an injection of class. If we're running up against the salary cap then we're paying some of the other ordinary players far too much.

 

No.

[Pandev]

fair point, just read that he spent 7 years in Bondby and only made 3 goals over 43 appearances.  not good stats, guess he may not deserve to break out of NPL

[mus-28]

Milos Lujic and McGrath should both be looked at very seriously during the off-season, it was noticable in our last few games when Kewell was injured and Mifsud jettisoned that we didn't have a striker on the bench that could at least offer something different to Williams running around like a headless chook.

[Baresi]

McGrath was below average in his trials for us.
Not even 1/4 the player Hoff was when he first signed.

Edited May 10, 2014 by Baresi

[HeartMillsy29]

Shane Lowry has been released by Millwall. Would smash it up in the A-League and plays in the position we need to fill most importantly. Worth a shot?

[mus-28]

Lowry is a left-sided centre back who can play left back if needed, but isn't an attack minded full back who will offer much going forward.

[Nate]

Lowry is a left-sided centre back who can play left back if needed, but isn't an attack minded full back who will offer much going forward.

To be fair, I'd love to have a defensive-minded left back considering the amount of goals Aziz has conceded due to his positioning.

[belaguttman]

We've played with one attacking full back and one more defensive full back under JVS. Unless that changes it would mean a change from the Hoff (not a bad thing) and different roles for the wide players on both sides of the pitch. I'd personally prefer 2 attacking full backs with one DB dropping back into the last line of defence but I'm not the coach

[Koerner4]

Lowry has rejected the idea of coming to the A-League, saying there is interest from a number of other championship clubs. Article is on The World Game, if anyone can link it.