Murfy1 Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 Melbourne City regain key men at the right time April 5 2015 Michael Lynch Injuries cut deepest at this time of year, with finals looming and a weekly scramble for points, but Melbourne City will get a boost from the return of three important players as they battle for the final spot in the top six. City have lost key players for long stretches of the season. Marquee man Robert Koren missed virtually all of the first half of the campaign through injury, only coming into the squad around Christmas. The former Premier League attacking midfielder is really only starting to have a consistent impact now. Other City players have suffered numerous injuries that have kept them out for weeks at a time: Mate Dugandzic missed a chunk of the season while Josh Kennedy, the tall Socceroo frontman, is a fragile player who has battled a back problem for a long time. It cost him a spot at the World Cup in Brazil when he was one of the last players cut before the deadline for squad announcements had to be made. The hapless James Brown, who made a comeback only a fortnight ago with the winning goal against Sydney in the 1-0 win that rekindled City's finals charge, has suffered another serious setback. Brown will miss the remainder of the season after injuring an ankle in the recent 1-0 win over Brisbane Roar at AAMI Park. But City finally have some good news on the illness, injury, suspension and absence front. As they battle for the last spot in the top six (assuming Perth Glory don't have 15 or more points deducted for salary cap infractions if they are proven later this week) they will benefit from the return of Connor Chapman, Safawan Baharudin and Jacob Melling for the final matches of the home and away season and the finals themselves. Chapman's absence was self-inflicted. Just under a month ago he was sent off in the 2-3 loss to Western Sydney Wanderers for manhandling the referee. It was a stupid error by the young centre-back who has missed the past four matches as a result – a sentence many thought light given the penalties handed down to the likes of current Perth Glory keeper Danny Vukovic. He missed the 2008 Olympics when he was punished for a similar offence while playing the grand final for Central Coast Mariners that year. Chapman was a regular first-teamer, but City have done pretty well without him, defeating Newcastle, Sydney and Brisbane and drawing away to the Wanderers last Friday night. Coach John van 't Schip shifted veteran Dutch international Kew Jaliens to centre-half alongside Patrick Kisnorbo, and brought in youngster Paulo Retre at right-back. Since then City have taken 10 points from a possible 12. Van 't Schip has warned Chapman that he is no walk-up start for an instant recall. Asked last week about Chapman's prospects, the Dutchman said the young defender had to learn from his mistake. "He got the penalty he deserved. It's a decision he has to learn from. I am happy he will be back [soon] but looking at the games he wasn't there we won three times so it's not a guarantee. It's not set that he will be coming back into the squad. The players did well without him and he has to work." Baharudin is now available, having been away with the Singaporean team on international duty, missing the past few games. The Asian utility has made a strong impression playing in a variety of roles since joining City after the Asian Cup and has even got himself on the scoresheet. He may well be considered for a spot in the starting line-up for Sunday's big game with Premiership-chasing Wellington Phoenix. A third player who is set to return to replenish City's stocks at this crucial part of the campaign is combative young midfielder Melling. The South Australian, who turned 20 on Saturday, has made a huge impression in the heart of the City side since he broke into the starting 11 earlier in the season. His work rate, tackling and aggression added some grit to a team that didn't always look as if it wanted to scrap in difficult circumstances. Melling had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in February and is expected to begin full training with the first team squad this week. It is unlikely he will be considered for a spot in the starting line-up against the Phoenix, but he could play some role off the bench. One win in their last three matches might be enough to secure a finals spot for City. Van 't Schip's side is six points clear of Brisbane, who have a game in hand. If City can beat either Wellington, Perth or Adelaide over the next three weeks Brisbane would have to win all four of their remaining games to catch and pass them. That's a tall order, given they face Melbourne Victory twice and also have to travel to Korea and China for Asian Champions League games over the next three weeks. http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/melbourne-city-regain-key-men-at-the-right-time-20150405-1meste.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellydrum Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 (edited) I think we have a better chance of winning this than we did WSW. Hope we can get a great result in our last home game. Edited April 5, 2015 by bellydrum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingofhearts Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 Put melling and Safuwan in the starting line-up for Koren and Retre. Would be confident in that starting 11 to be competitive against the nux. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HEARTinator Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 Chappy on the bench and Jaliens to keep his spot. Retre replaced by Noodles. Looking for a strong performance against a Nux that is falling a little flat at the wrong time of the season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisphantomfortress Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 Looking forward to this game a lot more now than I was two weeks ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haz Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 Hoffman and Retre to be omitted I'm guessing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony999 Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 Chapman, Melling and Safuwan??? 3-0 win! Next! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perthheart Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 Safuwan bench. Chapman cb and Jaliens rb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrillhouse Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 was hoping for a draw but after wellington have lost at home 3-0 2 times in a row, hoping for a win to seal a place in finals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silva10 Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 Safuwan bench. Chapman cb and Jaliens rb I believe Safuwan and Chapman will be brought back into the defence with Clisby dropping to the bench. It will be interesting to see if Melling is fit enough to start. If so a midfield three of Germano, Mooy and Melling would be my preferred choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewConvert Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 Safuwan bench. Chapman cb and Jaliens rb I believe Safuwan and Chapman will be brought back into the defence with Clisby dropping to the bench. It will be interesting to see if Melling is fit enough to start. If so a midfield three of Germano, Mooy and Melling would be my preferred choice. Although I am a big fan of Melling I would not start him and be doubtful of even putting him on the bench. We are close enough and I am confident that the team will play in the finals that I rather he does another week's worth of training, followed by a bench selection. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strider Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 We're ganna win this game! And the league! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silva10 Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 Safuwan bench. Chapman cb and Jaliens rb I believe Safuwan and Chapman will be brought back into the defence with Clisby dropping to the bench. It will be interesting to see if Melling is fit enough to start. If so a midfield three of Germano, Mooy and Melling would be my preferred choice. Although I am a big fan of Melling I would not start him and be doubtful of even putting him on the bench. We are close enough and I am confident that the team will play in the finals that I rather he does another week's worth of training, followed by a bench selection. The trouble is we have struggled to get forward and dominate in midfield the last two games. He brings so much energy to our midfield, he may be worth an hour from the start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shahanga Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 (edited) The JVS formula is that players returning from injury always come off the bench. I expect Melling will do the same. I'd be tempted to keep K&K in the centre and have Saf come into right back, with chappy on the bench. Edited April 6, 2015 by Shahanga 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jw1739 Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 We're really going to have to watch out for the pace of Wellington's attack. So noticeable watching a number of the other teams how quickly they transition from defence to attack - e.g. the Wellington-Victory match yesterday - and how slow we are by comparison. We were also caught out a number of times by the pace of WSW's attack in the recent draw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silva10 Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 We're really going to have to watch out for the pace of Wellington's attack. So noticeable watching a number of the other teams how quickly they transition from defence to attack - e.g. the Wellington-Victory match yesterday - and how slow we are by comparison. We were also caught out a number of times by the pace of WSW's attack in the recent draw. JW we seem to lack pace in key areas, and those who do possess pace in our team are the one's failing to deliver. What we have to be is compact to offset the pace of our opponents. This has been the tactic in the last few games. The downside is that we don't look like scoring too many goals. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHTIDALIVE Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 Parking is going to be difficult because those GAYFL kents are playing across the road at the CrapCG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fidrildid6 Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 First game all season I can't make kickoff for. Will get there at half time though. Our home record is incredible and Wellington are shit at the moment, so we'll lose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post theresonlyonebzamora Posted April 6, 2015 Popular Post Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 Parking is going to be difficult because those GAYFL kents are playing across the road at the CrapCG. It must have taken you a few hours to come up with this slice of wisdom. 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHTIDALIVE Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 Parking is going to be difficult because those GAYFL kents are playing across the road at the CrapCG. It must have taken you a few hours to come up with this slice of wisdom. Thank you for your kind words. It took me a whole day, but hey who is counting since we have an expert like you called theres only one b za moron 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylan Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 Parking is going to be difficult because those GAYFL kents are playing across the road at the CrapCG. It must have taken you a few hours to come up with this slice of wisdom. Thank you for your kind words. It took me a whole day, but hey who is counting since we have an expert like you called theres only one b za moron Zing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadete Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 (edited) Parking is going to be difficult because those GAYFL kents are playing across the road at the CrapCG. It must have taken you a few hours to come up with this slice of wisdom. Thank you for your kind words. It took me a whole day, but hey who is counting since we have an expert like you called theres only one b za moron Face the facts mate - You got slapped up fair and square by BZA... Just take it like a man and move on. Edited April 7, 2015 by cadete 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHTIDALIVE Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 Parking is going to be difficult because those GAYFL kents are playing across the road at the CrapCG. It must have taken you a few hours to come up with this slice of wisdom. Thank you for your kind words. It took me a whole day, but hey who is counting since we have an expert like you called theres only one b za moron Face the facts mate - You got slapped up fair and square by BZA... Just take it like a man and move on. I have moved on, i was pointing out the fact the AFL ruin everything Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingofhearts Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 AFL's the better sport though? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tesla Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 Parking is going to be difficult because those GAYFL kents are playing across the road at the CrapCG. It must have taken you a few hours to come up with this slice of wisdom. Thank you for your kind words. It took me a whole day, but hey who is counting since we have an expert like you called theres only one b za moron Face the facts mate - You got slapped up fair and square by BZA... Just take it like a man and move on. I'd be embarrassed if I got rolled by bza as well TBH, can't blame the guy for trying to save face. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewmac Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 Any sport(Afl) that rewards a player for missing the target isn't a good sport , imagine if we had points for missing the goal we would be top of the league now lol 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 Any sport(Afl) that rewards a player for missing the target isn't a good sport , imagine if we had points for missing the goal we would be top of the league now lol Aloisi would have been a successful coach 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadete Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 Parking is going to be difficult because those GAYFL kents are playing across the road at the CrapCG. It must have taken you a few hours to come up with this slice of wisdom. Thank you for your kind words. It took me a whole day, but hey who is counting since we have an expert like you called theres only one b za moron Face the facts mate - You got slapped up fair and square by BZA... Just take it like a man and move on. I have moved on, i was pointing out the fact the AFL ruin everything Yeah, it was so fucked up when the AFL broke up The Beatles and then had the nerve to break up The Clash as well. Any sport(Afl) that rewards a player for missing the target isn't a good sport , imagine if we had points for missing the goal we would be top of the league now lol There are actually a large number of sports where this occurs... for example one that PPL never shut up about ATM is Darts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedAndWhitePride Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 Parking is going to be difficult because those GAYFL kents are playing across the road at the CrapCG. What are you, Two Years Old? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drewmelbcity Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 Parking is going to be difficult because those GAYFL kents are playing across the road at the CrapCG. You are as big as a bigot as that Eddie McGuire is. It really disappointing that people feel the two codes can't co exist. It's fine if you don't like one of the two codes of football but to go out of your way to belittle a sport goes to show how little you know when it comes to athletes and dedication, I for one don't watch either form of rugby but I will not go out of my way to bad mouth just so I can feel better about my brand of football or any sporting code for that matter. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jw1739 Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 Come on, back on topic please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony999 Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 Parking is going to be difficult because those GAYFL kents are playing across the road at the CrapCG. You are as big as a bigot as that Eddie McGuire is. It really disappointing that people feel the two codes can't co exist. It's fine if you don't like one of the two codes of football but to go out of your way to belittle a sport goes to show how little you know when it comes to athletes and dedication, I for one don't watch either form of rugby but I will not go out of my way to bad mouth just so I can feel better about my brand of football or any sporting code for that matter. Eddie is a homosexual. The guy actually goes out of his way to bad mouth football. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melburnian Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 I love AFL 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingofhearts Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 Afl and soccer are both shit sports. Netball now that's a tough game.Would like to see how long some of you 'men' last playing that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shahanga Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 The comment about pace is an interesting one. Could be a reason to bring in Chappy who is quicker than Kew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 The comment about pace is an interesting one. Could be a reason to bring in Chappy who is quicker than Kew Suspended Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony999 Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 The comment about pace is an interesting one. Could be a reason to bring in Chappy who is quicker than Kew Suspended Still?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rass Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 The comment about pace is an interesting one. Could be a reason to bring in Chappy who is quicker than Kew Suspended Still?? No, he's back for this game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strider Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 Chappy to break Krishna's spine 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony999 Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 We're ganna win the league with Chapstick! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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