Round 12: City vs Perth, Fri 26th Dec 5:30pm

[Jovan]

For me Brown needs 3 consecutive games of 70 plus minutes to truly see what he adds, problem is we are not in that position that we can experiment a position. Best he can hope for is 20 off the bench or the occasional start and then he must grab his chance and perform to his best. I am still undecided on him seems like potential but yet hasn't proved much.

[Kiro Kompiro]

In fact its every week, not just this week, or the next three, or whatever. It's the ingredient that's been missing ever since Heart was founded. You wouldn't tolerate someone in your team at work who only felt the need to extend themselves once in a while, would you? Nor should we in a football club. It's not exactly the most onerous of occupations.

 

 

Unless that person is me, and it often is, no I wouldn't.

[Kiro Kompiro]

IMO James Brown is seriously under-rated on here. I would actually play him in preference to both Williams and Dugandzic.

 

What's `he done to make you think that?

[jw1739]

I just think he reads the play better, has a better first touch, and is more versatile than either of the other two. Especially Dugandzic, who is too easily knocked off the ball and goes missing for long periods. Also Willo and Mate have missed too many one-on-ones IMO so Brown deserves a chance.

[Shahanga]

Expect the crowd to be up on the Sydney game, though I'm not sure what impact Boxing Day will have (parking likely to be a problem, for one).

I think everyone who was at the derby will be keen. Take my eldest daughter, pretty much zero interest normally but keen to go to the Perth match now.

[KD.]

Will be doing the Boxing Day test then making my way to AAMI park

[agoalie]

I see us lining up pretty much the same way we did in preseason against them with koren playing a false 9. Williams or Marino will then come on for him around the 60th minute.

[Murfy1]

KISNORBO RENEWS RIVALRY WITH KEOGH AS OLD PALS CLASH

 

22 DEC 2014

 

By David Lewis

 

 

Melbourne City skipper Patrick Kisnorbo is planning to use inside knowledge to keep gun striker Andy Keogh quiet when A-League leader Perth Gory visits AAMI Park on Boxing Day.

 

Kisnorbo’s database on the in-form Irishman stretches back to England where they were once adversaries, then teammates and now rivals again on the other side of the world.

 

The last time they faced each other, the combative Kisnorbo ended up with a red card for a foul on a player he later became pals with and he is all too aware the threat seven-goal Keogh will carry on Friday night.

 

"I played against him for Leicester when he was at (Wolverhampton) Wolves in the Championship and then we were teammates for six months at Leeds a couple of years later when he came on loan, so I know very well how good a player he is and how much we’ll need to keep him under control,” explained Kisnorbo, who led from the front as City grabbed a crucial 1-0 derby win over Melbourne Victory on Saturday to reignite its season.

 

"I remember getting sent off for a mistimed challenge on him when he was at Wolves … that’s how I remember him.  It wasn't anything malicious just one of those tackles you get wrong.

 

"I think that was the year Wolves went up to the Premier League. They beat us 2-1 and needed to win that game to make the top six and then they got promoted through the play offs.

 

"We survived relegation by about seven points – so there’s a bit of history there between us and we went on to became good friends at Leeds.

 

"He’s a natural goalscorer, has good movement, he is quick and can hold up the ball well and link well. He has a lot of qualities and is a big addition to the Perth squad."

 

The two antagonists were united at Elland Road in 2011 under then manager Simon Greyson when Keogh arrived for a six-moth loan spell.

 

"He’s a great guy and a top player and it’s no surprise to me how well he is doing at Perth and it’s a bit weird to think we are meeting again here in Australia," added Kisnorbo.

 

Though three points against Victory saw City jump into the top six, Kisnorbo is determined to make sure it is not a false dawn for John van’t Schip and his notoriously capricious team, adding: “Obviously that win came on the back of beating Brisbane also, but it's vital for us to make sure these results are not one-offs.

 

"We have to produce performances consistently, week-in week-out ... that's what makes a good team.

 

"It’s no good just doing it once or twice and then falling back again. Individual errors and lack of concentration in the team has cost us quite a few points this season but we havee been working hard to cut that out – and hopefully we're on our way to accomplishing that.

 

"There's a long way to go yet and a lot of of points to be won or lost. Yes, we enjoyed the win but on Monday we're back on the training to pitch to prepare for Perth.

 

"The boss made that point at recovery on Sunday and there's no looking back and congratulating ourselves too much on the win over Melbourne Victory.

 

"Perth have won nine of their 11 games and we know how tough it's going to be. They are playing with the confidence and belief that comes with winning matches.

 

"The whole team have individual qualities – it’s not just Andy Keogh."

 

Kisnorbo is hoping the emergence of injury-hit marquee signing Robert Koren off the bench against Victory for his A-League bow will add a missing dimension to the team.

 

"He has so much creativity and invention in his game – he can see that pass and create goals. He is slowly coming to full fitness and it's just great to have him available for selection.

 

"He has a lot to offer and hopefully we will see that in the coming weeks."

 

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2014/12/21/kisnorbo-renews-rivalry-keogh-old-pals-clash

[gunheart]

I'd bring Koren on for the last 30 mins. Duff maybe bring on late too. To see the same line-up would be good, hoping they are as intense as the derby match.

[erehe]

I'd be happy if we hold out for a draw on this one.

 

Though an 89th minute and 50-odd second winner wouldn't go astray...

[InMyHeart]

Willow gets too much slack, he's pressing, pace and consistent running makes us that much more a better team

[loriente]

This is going to be 90 minutes of dire football, I fear. Perth brings out the worst in us and vice versa.

 

Will be happy to sneak in a last minute winner ala gol gol a couple years back.

 

Quite frankly, these cunts are flying. Have forgotten how to lose. Would take a point, but we just knocked Victory down a peg; let's do the same to Perth.

[Kiro Kompiro]

What I've seen of Perth they play a very nice attacking game usually on the deck.  .  Its not the same old thuggish Perf.

 

They really have recruited better than anyone in the League.  Apparently they got Keough to play for a song, i mean like $150k.

 

We're a funny team- we get up for playing against the leading teams but can't beat the small ones.  On that basis i think we can pull a win.

[Murfy1]

I wouldn't rule out any outcome with this match.

 

 

Perth aren't impressive away from home. Against A-League opposition in pre-season, Perth lost 3 matches and drew 1 (and got no wins). In this season, all the points Perth have dropped have been away from home, with the team losing 1 and drawing 1 out of their 5 away games. And in the FFA cup away from home they won 1 and lost 1. So that it is a home game for us is a decent plus.

 

 

On Duff, I remember hearing somewhere that he was touch and go for the derby, but they erred on the side of caution to not feature him in the match-say squad. Also JVS said last week before the derby that Duff had done some training and that he was 'making very good progress for the Perth game'. So I wouldn't overly put any faith in the injury recovery times put on the club website when the extended squads are announced (just like how the 'Germano - 3 weeks' number was nearly always wrong). I can see Duff, reasonably, getting a significant amount of game time this Friday.

[loriente]

Perth aren't impressive away from home. Against A-League opposition in pre-season, Perth lost 3 matches and drew 1 (and got no wins). In this season, all the points Perth have dropped have been away from home, with the team losing 1 and drawing 1 out of their 5 away games. And in the FFA cup away from home they won 1 and lost 1. So that it is a home game for us is a decent plus.

 

So you're saying they've won 3/5 away games? When was our 3rd most recent away win, 2011?

 

Edit: Did the research. Ignoring Etihad derby win Round 1 12/13, our 3rd most recent away win was 4-0 against Sydney, Round 13 2011/12, 29 December 2011.

 

Most recent: 3-1 over Roar Round 5 14/15

2nd most recent: 5-0 over Phoenix Round 19 13/14

3rd most recent: 2-1 over Victory Round 1 12/13 (hardly a road trip)

4th most recent: 4-0 over Sydney, Round 13 11/12

Edited December 23, 2014 by loriente

[Thrillhouse]

Gotta keep winning our home games, stop keogh stop perth

[Murfy1]

 

Perth aren't impressive away from home. Against A-League opposition in pre-season, Perth lost 3 matches and drew 1 (and got no wins). In this season, all the points Perth have dropped have been away from home, with the team losing 1 and drawing 1 out of their 5 away games. And in the FFA cup away from home they won 1 and lost 1. So that it is a home game for us is a decent plus.

 

So you're saying they've won 3/5 away games? When was our 3rd most recent away win, 2011?

 

Edit: Did the research. Ignoring Etihad derby win Round 1 12/13, our 3rd most recent away win was 4-0 against Sydney, Round 13 2011/12, 29 December 2011.

 

Most recent: 3-1 over Roar Round 5 14/15

2nd most recent: 5-0 over Phoenix Round 19 13/14

3rd most recent: 2-1 over Victory Round 1 12/13 (hardly a road trip)

4th most recent: 4-0 over Sydney, Round 13 11/12

 

 

I'm not saying that we don't suck on the road.

 

But there's nothing contradictory about it being true that both Melbourne City and Perth Glory suck on the road.

 

 

If the match was in Perth, I'd be pretty pleased if we came away with 1 point. But given it's in Melbourne at AAMI, it wouldn't shock me if Perth were rather uninspired (like they were against Adelaide in Adelaide a week ago in the FFA Cup final IMO) and Melbourne City managed to get a good result.

[loriente]

 

 

Perth aren't impressive away from home. Against A-League opposition in pre-season, Perth lost 3 matches and drew 1 (and got no wins). In this season, all the points Perth have dropped have been away from home, with the team losing 1 and drawing 1 out of their 5 away games. And in the FFA cup away from home they won 1 and lost 1. So that it is a home game for us is a decent plus.

 

So you're saying they've won 3/5 away games? When was our 3rd most recent away win, 2011?

 

Edit: Did the research. Ignoring Etihad derby win Round 1 12/13, our 3rd most recent away win was 4-0 against Sydney, Round 13 2011/12, 29 December 2011.

 

Most recent: 3-1 over Roar Round 5 14/15

2nd most recent: 5-0 over Phoenix Round 19 13/14

3rd most recent: 2-1 over Victory Round 1 12/13 (hardly a road trip)

4th most recent: 4-0 over Sydney, Round 13 11/12

 

 

I'm not saying that we don't suck on the road.

 

But there's nothing contradictory about it being true that both Melbourne City and Perth Glory suck on the road.

 

 

If the match was in Perth, I'd be pretty pleased if we came away with 1 point. But given it's in Melbourne at AAMI, it wouldn't shock me if Perth were rather uninspired (like they were against Adelaide in Adelaide a week ago in the FFA Cup final IMO) and Melbourne City managed to get a good result.

 

 

How can you say Glory suck on the road when they've won more away games this season than we have in 3 years?!

[strider]

I said our streak was starting the night we beat Brisbane. We're gonna win the league

[kingofhearts]

I don't understand you people sometimes. You complain the club doesn't have a winning mentality yet most people on here are happy with a draw.

 

Any less then a 10-0 win and they should be booed off the pitch

[Murfy1]

How can you say Glory suck on the road when they've won more away games this season than we have in 3 years?!

 

Okay 'suck' is maybe a little too strong, but IMO Perth are certainly a different team when they are playing on the road compared with the team when they play in Perth at NIB. 

 

This season, across all competitions, they have won every game in Perth against A-League opposition. Outside of Perth, across all competitions (inc. pre-season), Perth have lost 5, drawn 2 and won 4. Very different from the all conquering side in Perth at NIB Stadium.

 

And on a performance level, when I've seen Perth play outside of WA, like against Adelaide in Adelaide last week, they aren't very impressive. Compare that with the Perth team that had a solid win against CCM last weekend, and it's clear IMO that performance-wise as well there is a real difference with Perth home and away.

 

It's not just my opinion either. It's a point that numerous A-League watchers have made over the seasons: that Perth doesn't travel well.

 

And Melbourne City's terrible terrible away form isn't really much of a good comparison or yardstick for anything IMO. Every team is awesome on the road compared with us over the past 2 years.

 

 

Don't get me wrong, I still think Perth is one of the more impressive sides in the A-League this season, and I respect the football they've been playing. All I'm saying is I'm glad that we're playing them in Melbourne at AAMI on Friday, and it's a factor in Melbourne City's favour, as exactly 3 months ago before this Boxing Day match, on the 26th of September, Melbourne City got a respectable 2-1 win against Perth in Melbourne at that very venue.

 

It'll be a tough game on Friday IMO, but I think the match would have been much much tougher if it were in Perth.

[interstatefan]

Pumped for this game, Boxing Day and all. As I read elsewhere we need to head into this game with the same intensity displayed against the victory. Shut down Keogh.

Keep the momentum going before trips to Newcastle and Gosford, two games I'll be attending

[Heart of Melbourne]

Fuck Perth 2-0 with. Pumped already. Mooy will score his first free kick. Booooooommmmm

[Peter]

Merry Christmas everyone.

Here's hoping it's onwards and upwards next year.

 

Peter.

[Murfy1]

[perthheart]

My first boxing Day test, then watch us beat Glory, followed by work at 8.30. Gunna be fucked by the end of the night.

[drewmelbcity]

My first boxing Day test, then watch us beat Glory, followed by work at 8.30. Gunna be fucked by the end of the night.

Long. Long day spewing I can't get to the cricket but I'll definitely be at the city game.

[[LIBBA]]

Cricket.

 

My equivalent to watching grass grow in slow motion

[rass]

Merry Christmas everyone.

Here's hoping it's onwards and upwards next year.

Peter.

Well said Peter... and the same to you and everyone else.

[carlings]

The cricket is merely 8 hours of pre drinks for the main show.

[drewmelbcity]

Cricket.

My equivalent to watching grass grow in slow motion

Rugby is my watching grass grow

[kingofhearts]

The cricket is merely 8 hours of pre drinks for the main show.

Spot on.

 

Unless you go and can only get tickets in the fucking dry area, then you leave and pre-drink somewhere else

[perthheart]

I honestly enjoy playing the game far more than watching it. But no self respecting cricketer can finish life without crossing a Boxing Day test off his list. Opposite with football, I don't enjoy playing the game as much but is far and away the best spectator sport. Probably more to do with my average football skills compared to cricket.

[ragga92]

Sinking piss at home watching the Lakers v Bulls at the same time as the cricket and then heading to the impy at 3 for more piss followed by ending the night with a huge City win against Perth.

 

Looking forward to it!

[Red or Dead]

Friday, 26 December 2014

 

Melbourne City FC v Perth Glory

AAMI Park, Melbourne

Kick-Off: 5:30 PM (Local) (5:30 PM AEDT)

Referee: Alan Milliner

 

Melbourne City FC Squad: 1.Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), 3.Robbie WIELAERT, 4.Connor CHAPMAN, 5.Erik PAARTALU, 6.Aaron MOOY, 7.Iain RAMSAY, 10.Robert KOREN, 11.Damien DUFF, 14.James BROWN, 15.David WILLIAMS, 17.Jason HOFFMAN, 19.Benjamin GARUCCIO, 20.Tando VELAPHI (GK), 21.Stefan MAUK, 23.Mate DUGANDZIC, 24.Patrick KISNORBO ©, 25.Jacob MELLING, 27.Ross ARCHIBALD

***two to be omitted***

 

Ins: 11.Damien DUFF (returns from injury), 27.Ross ARCHIBALD (promoted)

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: 8.Massimo MURDOCCA (ankle – 1-2 weeks)

 

No Germano - good to see.

[belaguttman]

By rights of course this is a game that Melbourne should win. Given that the past predicts the future, the safest bet will be a 1-2 loss for us.

[Dylan]

Friday, 26 December 2014

Melbourne City FC v Perth Glory

AAMI Park, Melbourne

Kick-Off: 5:30 PM (Local) (5:30 PM AEDT)

Referee: Alan Milliner

Melbourne City FC Squad: 1.Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), 3.Robbie WIELAERT, 4.Connor CHAPMAN, 5.Erik PAARTALU, 6.Aaron MOOY, 7.Iain RAMSAY, 10.Robert KOREN, 11.Damien DUFF, 14.James BROWN, 15.David WILLIAMS, 17.Jason HOFFMAN, 19.Benjamin GARUCCIO, 20.Tando VELAPHI (GK), 21.Stefan MAUK, 23.Mate DUGANDZIC, 24.Patrick KISNORBO ©, 25.Jacob MELLING, 27.Ross ARCHIBALD

***two to be omitted***

Ins: 11.Damien DUFF (returns from injury), 27.Ross ARCHIBALD (promoted)

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: 8.Massimo MURDOCCA (ankle – 1-2 weeks)

No Germano - good to see.

Due to him and miller not being on that list id say that almost confirms that they will be going in Jan

[jw1739]

Miller was signed only "until the end of the year."

 

Not sure that we can be definitive on the others - these lists are often inaccurate. The omissions that I can see are Kalmar, Germano, Retre and Marino.

[Tonyboozeadams]

I'd think about starting brown or Marino over Dave the super spud

[Tony999]

Cricket.

My equivalent to watching grass grow in slow motion

AFL.

My equivalent to watching grass grow in slow motion