Tbitm Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 So, aside from the CCM game, have any other friendlies been 100% confirmed yet, or is it all conjecture? Also, is the story I heard about A-Leagues having to play two friendlies against other league clubs true, or is it nonsense? yep you can only play 2. I'm not sure if the ccm game counts since it's the 'Craig foster cup'. Iirc we played Adelaide and Perth in friendliest and Brisbane in the cfc last preseason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 (edited) So effectively you can have unlimited friendlies against other A-League teams as long as you buy a plastic trophy from the reject shop and have a presentation afterwards? Edited July 31, 2014 by Jimmy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tbitm Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 So effectively you can have unlimited friendlies against other A-League teams as long as you buy a plastic trophy from the reject shop and have a presentation afterwards? pretty much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billyheart Posted August 1, 2014 Report Share Posted August 1, 2014 So, aside from the CCM game, have any other friendlies been 100% confirmed yet, or is it all conjecture? Also, is the story I heard about A-Leagues having to play two friendlies against other league clubs true, or is it nonsense? I've seen on twatter that in only 3 weeks (aug 23) we're meant to play AU in the red centre. Add to that the Lismore trip and we're keeping Etihad nice n busy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted August 1, 2014 Report Share Posted August 1, 2014 So, aside from the CCM game, have any other friendlies been 100% confirmed yet, or is it all conjecture? Also, is the story I heard about A-Leagues having to play two friendlies against other league clubs true, or is it nonsense? yep you can only play 2. I'm not sure if the ccm game counts since it's the 'Craig foster cup'. Iirc we played Adelaide and Perth in friendliest and Brisbane in the cfc last preseason. Woah hang on, has fozzie put this "cup" comp together hence the name or is he being "honored" by having it named after him? Either way... O.o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mulhollanddrive Posted August 1, 2014 Report Share Posted August 1, 2014 We played CCM, and Barcelona won. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murfy1 Posted August 2, 2014 Report Share Posted August 2, 2014 (edited) Mark Lee, former footballer in the UK and Australia (with Perth Glory), and now a coach, sent this tweet implying that Tom King will play for Melbourne City: Great 1on1 with former @FootballWest State/NTC player and @FFA International @TomFredriKing he's looking sharp and ready for @MelbourneCity https://twitter.com/MarkLeeFC/status/495425594939543552 Edited August 2, 2014 by Murfy1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate Posted August 2, 2014 Report Share Posted August 2, 2014 Good stuff, I really don't want Ramsay or Garuccio as a makeshift starting left back. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jw1739 Posted August 2, 2014 Report Share Posted August 2, 2014 Still not convinced King is any better than Mitchinson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate Posted August 2, 2014 Report Share Posted August 2, 2014 Mitchinson was primarily a centre-back played out of position though and while I thought he was okay, I don't really think he did enough in the end to justify a senior contract. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jw1739 Posted August 2, 2014 Report Share Posted August 2, 2014 Well, I guess we'll see. King played, what, half a game for us and he gets a contract? As far as I can see he's played bugger all football in the past 12 months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate Posted August 2, 2014 Report Share Posted August 2, 2014 Well, I guess we'll see. King played, what, half a game for us and he gets a contract? As far as I can see he's played bugger all football in the past 12 months. I have no idea of his ability but I'm just glad the club seems to be looking for a legitimate left back solution rather than taking the lazy option by converting wingers. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shahanga Posted August 3, 2014 Report Share Posted August 3, 2014 Well, I guess we'll see. King played, what, half a game for us and he gets a contract? As far as I can see he's played bugger all football in the past 12 months. I have no idea of his ability but I'm just glad the club seems to be looking for a legitimate left back solution rather than taking the lazy option by converting wingers. I agree we need a genuine left back (and have posted more than once on this topic) but don't necessarily considered that converting left wingers is a "lazy" option. In the modern game, the left back role is similar to left wing, so the skill set you need is similar (good left cross, pace, ability to get your around your man, time your runs etc). If you look at some of the stand out left backs in Australia, such as Behich and Zullo, you'll see they are converted wingers, so its not a bad option, but it can be a lot of work. The reason for the extra work is that In addition to the above, the left back needs to be a good tackler, understand their positioning and be able to take the best option every time. For the left back, a particular challenge is the need to both cover the right winger and also be positioned so you can also support the centre back and/or cover the centre. To do that and get it right every time, you need to know the game well and be experienced at defending. Naturally, this is the area that the converted wingers seem to struggle with initially. My main concern is that of our 2 left wingers who seem targeted for conversion, Garuccio played half a dozen games at left back last year and looked totally lost when defending - if the goal is to make him a defender, its going to be a long term project. Ramsay on the other hand strikes me as more your "instinct" player than your "thinker". Need a thinker at left back, so he either needs to adapt his game style, or play somewhere else. The signing of an experienced left back therefore makes a lot of sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murfy1 Posted August 3, 2014 Report Share Posted August 3, 2014 I agree there's a significant amount of overlap between LBs and left wingers, especially with attacking teams that need an attacking LB. I'm still not overly keen on wingers converted to LBs though, as I don't think their tackling, defensive positioning and overall defending improves much, even after, say, a year (I'm not even sure they ever become as good as natural LBs), because the aforementioned defending skills and the defending mindset required can't be readily acquired by converted wingers. This is apart of my larger view that defending and defensive skills are generally under-appreciated (unsurprisingly, I was once a defender). I think we were fairly fortunate with Behich, who especially by Melbourne Heart's second season was a pretty accomplished left-back, at least by A-League standards. And I think for every Behich, there's another 3-4 makeshift fullbacks who effectively always look not too good in the fullback position. Garuccio and Ramsay aren't great prospects for converted LBs, I agree. Ramsay has just never looked like a very defensively capable player to me, and the fact that it was first John Aloisi that wanted to turn Ramsay into a fullback really makes me think there's poor judgement and faulty thinking behind the idea. As for Garuccio, I don't think he'll ever be a great full back per se, and reckon he'd always look like 'a winger trapped in a fullback's body', but I wouldn't really be against playing as a LB next season, if the alternative was he'd not play much next season (hopefully Garuccio as least gets some runs as a winger next season, but we all know how many wingers we've got). I'd rather Garuccio play as a winger, but if it's the only viable option to get him ample playing time next season, so be it. A final thing: look at the best 2 teams last season, Brisbane and WSW. Brisbane had Corey Brown play as their LB for more than half of last season, and I don't rate him. While WSW played Adam D'Apuzzo as their LB for effectively the whole of last season, and at the end of last season he quit football to take up accounting, and he's only 27! So having a not very good fullback is no impediment to success, which is another reason why overall I wouldn't be fussed if Garuccio or possibly Tom King was our LB for the next A-League season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murfy1 Posted August 3, 2014 Report Share Posted August 3, 2014 I think the club left the final Visa spot (Koren will be announced imminently IMO) open in case Lampard considered joining David Villa on loan at our club, so I think the club will now move to sign a player to our final Visa spot now that Lampard is confirmed to go to Man City. The question is, in what position should our final Visa signing play? Besides the Australian marquee spot, the final Visa spot is perhaps our only chance to sign up some quality with the space left on our teamsheet. Counting Koren (and Melling), we've signed 19 of our 23 players, and given that the remaining 2 odd spots will probably go to youth players (like Archibald and Retre), The Australian marquee spot and this remaining Visa spot seem like our only remaining chances to strengthen positions. Unless we somehow manage to re-sign Engelaar (who I think I'd personally prefer over Lampard, especially given he'd be around for the whole season), I think signing a striker in James Poole might be the way to go (Poole can also play as a no 10, it seems). He scored 7 goals in 15 starts in the 2011/12 season, so I reckon Poole would chip in with a respectable amount of goals if we signed him. So hopefully we can sign Poole or another decent Visa player striker like him IMO. And hopefully with Kennedy or another quality striker as our Australian marquee, we won't be lacking in goal-scoring prowess anytime soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tesla Posted August 3, 2014 Report Share Posted August 3, 2014 Still not convinced King is any better than Mitchinson.Mitchinson was primarily a centre-back played out of position though and while I thought he was okay, I don't really think he did enough in the end to justify a senior contract.Serious questions about this lads professionalism, definitely a good thing that we've gotten rid of him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heart_fan10 Posted August 3, 2014 Report Share Posted August 3, 2014 says Koren is the club's 19th player on the roster with 4 spots open i would like to see: - Left back (King?) - Aus marquee (Kennedy?) - Visa DM - Young left footed CB as cover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tbitm Posted August 3, 2014 Report Share Posted August 3, 2014 I'd like us to use our last visa spot on a lb. It's our weakest spot by far, let's just fix the problem right. None of this converted winger shit and king is too young to properly fill the spot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mus-28 Posted August 3, 2014 Report Share Posted August 3, 2014 says Koren is the club's 19th player on the roster with 4 spots open i would like to see: - Left back (King?) - Aus marquee (Kennedy?) - Visa DM - Young left footed CB as cover Milos Lujic. We have Kisnorbo, Chapman, Wielaert and Archibald on the books who are CB's and if King is signed he too can play CB. I'd rather another out and out striker should Williams or Kennedy (if signed) get injured then we have no genuine striking options available. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LR9 Posted August 3, 2014 Report Share Posted August 3, 2014 Jimmy Poole, lock him in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylan Posted August 3, 2014 Report Share Posted August 3, 2014 Jimmy Poole, lock him in. ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billyheart Posted August 3, 2014 Report Share Posted August 3, 2014 (edited) Jimmy Poole, lock him in. ? Edited August 3, 2014 by billyheart 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LR9 Posted August 3, 2014 Report Share Posted August 3, 2014 Was thinking more shoe in of the week... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylan Posted August 3, 2014 Report Share Posted August 3, 2014 Its going to be great having two attacking mids that actually have a crack from outside the box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torn Asunder Posted August 3, 2014 Report Share Posted August 3, 2014 SM indicated at the FRG meeting that the club may not fill all spots ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morphine Posted August 3, 2014 Report Share Posted August 3, 2014 (edited) Hope we sign this guy - Edited August 3, 2014 by morphine 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M13 Posted August 3, 2014 Report Share Posted August 3, 2014 Let us not forget that this season is all about improvement yes, but also about consolidation.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falastur Posted August 3, 2014 Report Share Posted August 3, 2014 (edited) Hope we sign this guy - James Poole was always considered one of the top talents of the MCFC academy when he was there. That said, he ended up being one of the casualties of the change of standards from "we want to raise kids who might get a handful of games for a first team challenging for Europe" to "now we're at the top of the table and we only want the best players in the world". Edited August 3, 2014 by Falastur 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n i k o Posted August 3, 2014 Report Share Posted August 3, 2014 Hope we sign this guy - Going by that he looks very good on the ball. Some great goals there as well and good to see he can score with his head as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LR9 Posted August 3, 2014 Report Share Posted August 3, 2014 (edited) Let us not forget that this season is all about improvement yes, but also about consolidation..Yeah, let's consolidate on last place lads. Edited August 3, 2014 by LR9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jw1739 Posted August 4, 2014 Report Share Posted August 4, 2014 Hope we sign this guy - James Poole was always considered one of the top talents of the MCFC academy when he was there. That said, he ended up being one of the casualties of the change of standards from "we want to raise kids who might get a handful of games for a first team challenging for Europe" to "now we're at the top of the table and we only want the best players in the world". Sign him up. Looks to have everything we need. Mooy, Duff, Koren, Villa and Poole...hell, yes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biancorosso7 Posted August 4, 2014 Report Share Posted August 4, 2014 Are they going to sign a visa striker that may take the bench and play second fiddle to Kennedy (and Villa)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belaguttman Posted August 4, 2014 Report Share Posted August 4, 2014 Are they going to sign a visa striker that may take the bench and play second fiddle to Kennedy (and Villa)? If it increases tactical flexibility then it's not a bad option. If any of those three players are spending the season sitting on the bench then we'll be travelling well. The concern that I have with Kennedy is his fitness, particularly for away games that involve long flights (Perth and Wellington) so it would be good to have an effective alternative for away games and home games for his inevitable back injuries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonyboozeadams Posted August 4, 2014 Report Share Posted August 4, 2014 Are they going to sign a visa striker that may take the bench and play second fiddle to Kennedy (and Villa)? If it increases tactical flexibility then it's not a bad option. If any of those three players are spending the season sitting on the bench then we'll be travelling well. The concern that I have with Kennedy is his fitness, particularly for away games that involve long flights (Perth and Wellington) so it would be good to have an effective alternative for away games and home games for his inevitable back injuries. It will also be nice to have a striking option that is different to Kennedy. Poole seems quick and good on the ball (and he isn't Willo) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jw1739 Posted August 4, 2014 Report Share Posted August 4, 2014 Are they going to sign a visa striker that may take the bench and play second fiddle to Kennedy (and Villa)? We need to build for the future. Villa will be gone by January, and Kennedy has serious injury concerns. Poole is quick and mobile and can put it in the onion bag with his head and his feet, and goes for the half-chance. He's exactly what we need, the right age and can give us plenty of service, and because he's been with Hartlepool no-one pays any attention to him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonyboozeadams Posted August 4, 2014 Report Share Posted August 4, 2014 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeartFc Posted August 4, 2014 Report Share Posted August 4, 2014 14 goals in 77 games in league 2... hrmm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaliMate Posted August 4, 2014 Report Share Posted August 4, 2014 14 goals in 77 games in league 2... hrmm Kennedy spent 9 years in Germany for 27 goals. Would much prefer someone with a bit of upside even if he hasn't scored for fun in a lower league. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Posted August 4, 2014 Report Share Posted August 4, 2014 14 goals in 77 games in league 2... hrmm Fair argument. Because he's quite young I'd be curious to see how many minutes he played across those 77 games. I wouldn't be surprised if he came on late or was subbed early in a lot of those games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjake1234 Posted August 4, 2014 Report Share Posted August 4, 2014 14 goals in 77 games in league 2... hrmm Fair argument. Because he's quite young I'd be curious to see how many minutes he played across those 77 games. I wouldn't be surprised if he came on late or was subbed early in a lot of those games. And it also depends on whether he has had players in the team who can feed the ball to him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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