Shahanga Posted August 17, 2015 Report Share Posted August 17, 2015 As I mentioned in the Mate thread, this thread is an opportunity to compare the new vs old squads.my offering:Out: redmayne In: Sorrenson not confirmed but very likely. A big positive change, then again I reckon Redmayne is Heart's worst ever signing so perhaps I'm biased.Out: Weilart in: Hughesa positive change. For better or worse nice guy Robbie was well past it by the end. Hughes is still an International and should bring a lot more than Robbie.out: Ramsay in: zullo.a massive step forward. A clueless left back replaced by a gun.out: Hoffman In: Franjic.a hard working journeyman replaced by Australia's No 1. Big step forward.out: Dugandzic in: Gameiro.mate never really recovered from his injury (perhaps a poor attitude didn't help)& he has been replaced by Australia's brightest new talent. Big positive.out: Duff In: Novillo. For me a clear step down. The one time best winger in the EPL replaced by a player who needs to remember he's part of a team.out: Villa in: the tuna.A strange one. It should be clearly a step down, but the thumb printed Villa rocked up unfit and left almost immediately to be eventually replaced by a never fit Kennedy. Tuna is pretty much completely unknown. I'm calling this a straight swap.Now the strange ones:out: murdocca in: Kuzi. So if we didn't need another midfielder why did Mass play so many games? Kuzi might have talent but it's very early days. Step back. Out Germano In: Clisby. This should be a step down but the versatile Germano has had so much trouble getting on the field that replacing him with the workman like but durable Clisby seems fair.in: Dekker out: N/a. Dekker gets his chance but if we're relying on him we're in trouble. neutral.So all in all I see that the squad has improved substantially. Top 4 seems a real possibility, though for mine lack of depth in midfield and the absence of a proven goal scorer are the big challenges that will need to be overcome if we are to threaten the dunny seat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morphine Posted August 17, 2015 Report Share Posted August 17, 2015 I really dislike how you've segmented this analysis. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenSeater Posted August 17, 2015 Report Share Posted August 17, 2015 Kuzmanovski is a winger/forward not a CM like Murdocca so a poor comparison, but everything else is pretty right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shahanga Posted August 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2015 Kuzmanovski is a winger/forward not a CM like Murdocca so a poor comparison, but everything else is pretty right.of course. That was my point. there's no getting away from the fact we've dropped a midfielder and brought a winger in instead. That's why I mentioned it under the heading "strange ones". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drewmelbcity Posted August 17, 2015 Report Share Posted August 17, 2015 (edited) Duff was useless, how many goals did he score in the games he was with us? Novillo played less had more goals, attacked defenses and wasn't affraid to shoot. His pace is superior to Duffs also. The only thing really going for duff is that he could whip in a cross but even that wasn't significant enough to make him worth the money he was on. For me duff was a failure I thought we were much better after his season ending injury. Edited August 17, 2015 by drewmelbcity 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kinnibari Posted August 17, 2015 Report Share Posted August 17, 2015 We didn't really use Duff well. Maybe he and Kennedy would have gone ok together, who knows. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heart_fan10 Posted August 17, 2015 Report Share Posted August 17, 2015 Don't think it's fair to say tuna is the replacement for villa since he only played 4 games. Probably better off saying he's a replacement for Kennedy 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strider Posted August 17, 2015 Report Share Posted August 17, 2015 Novillo a step down from Duff?Novillo is quicker, younger, more aggressive and a lot more skillful. Not to mention his youthful arrogance - we need someone as selfish as him. Duff was proven but I feel like he struggled fitness-wise. Novillo is pretty much the best winger we've had (imo). 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tesla Posted August 17, 2015 Report Share Posted August 17, 2015 of course. That was my point. there's no getting away from the fact we've dropped a midfielder and brought a winger in instead. That's why I mentioned it under the heading "strange ones".Don't forget Mauk was injured for most the season, so he is like an addition in midfield. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shahanga Posted August 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2015 Don't think it's fair to say tuna is the replacement for villa since he only played 4 games. Probably better off saying he's a replacement for Kennedymy rationale is I'm comparing the squad at the season's start with the current squad, otherwise all the injury replacements come into it & who knows what will happen with injury replacements this year.i knew the Novillo fans would come out in force, but it's my post, so my opinion. Surprised the Germano fans haven't chipped in too.as to continuing players, yeah Tesla you are right, but the post was long enough already without debating who may be better or worse this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HEARTinator Posted August 17, 2015 Report Share Posted August 17, 2015 But the elephant in the room is JVS. Coaching statistics here compared to others who have coached in the HAL. For those who have coached over 100 games (that's a reasonable time to show what you've got), he is last in terms of points per game PPG.http://aleaguestats.com/ALeagueStats_9CoachingHistory.htmlArnold, Ange lead the way. Even Kosmina is ahead. Kudos to Merrick who has coached 246 games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jw1739 Posted August 17, 2015 Report Share Posted August 17, 2015 Don't think it's fair to say tuna is the replacement for villa since he only played 4 games. Probably better off saying he's a replacement for KennedyYes, surely a comparison with Villa would be valid only if we take on a new Guest Player? I see Tuna as a direct replacement for Kennedy, and as such he is a major improvement, mainly (without seeing Tuna play yet) because Kennedy was stuffed physically and could barely move around the field - he knew it and so did everyone inside AAMI Park.On Novillo, I don't see him as the match-winner that some do, but I do see him as a huge improvement on Duff. My opinion on Duff is likely to be unpopular, but I agree with Drew that he was a failure for us and never looked like a player who had come straight out of the EPL.Overall the assessment of the changes is not bad. But IMO there's still too much deadwood left in the squad, and I'd say several of our players are already lined up for release next May. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heart_fan10 Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 I think the best comparison would be the team we put out against MV in the semi-final to the team we put out in round one against Sydney this season. I can already think of major improvements especially to our defence Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loriente Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 Lotta people here overestimating the defensive abilities of Zullo. He's a machine getting forward but probably isn't much better than Clisby defensively.Hughes vs. Jaliens isn't all that clear cut either. Haven't seen enough of Hughes to judge, at least Jaliens was a known quantity. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jw1739 Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 Lotta people here overestimating the defensive abilities of Zullo. He's a machine getting forward but probably isn't much better than Clisby defensively.Hughes vs. Jaliens isn't all that clear cut either. Haven't seen enough of Hughes to judge, at least Jaliens was a known quantity.Agree. In fact, I can't see why we released Jaliens only to substitute Hughes for him. Unless Jaliens didn't want to stay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jovan Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 On paper the ins outweigh the outs. I think we can't compare until round 4 or 5. I'm hoping they are better but on paper we needed to add a few more in the out column but we have what we have so I guess we have less obvious holes as we did at round 1 but we still could have some big holes if the new players don't perform as hoped.My major concern is the injury status of the squad. I think we'll know much more next Wednesday on were we are at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torn Asunder Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 The squad is heaps better this season. Heaps. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kinnibari Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 On paper the ins outweigh the outs. I think we can't compare until round 4 or 5. I'm hoping they are better but on paper we needed to add a few more in the out column but we have what we have so I guess we have less obvious holes as we did at round 1 but we still could have some big holes if the new players don't perform as hoped.My major concern is the injury status of the squad. I think we'll know much more next Wednesday on were we are at.Agreed, injuries were a huge issue last season so I really hope they aren't this season. Have to say I'm more hopeful than expectant on that front. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadete Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 The best thing about this Season's squad compared to previous is obviously the depth we have down back and in the middle... not so much up forward.No more of having to see the Three Buzzkill Subs come on in: Kalmar, Hoff and Mass. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drewmelbcity Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 The best thing about this Season's squad compared to previous is obviously the depth we have down back and in the middle... not so much up forward.No more of having to see the Three Buzzkill Subs come on in: Kalmar, Hoff and Mass.I'm sure with JVS coaching and guidance he will create three more buzz kill subs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red or Dead Posted August 19, 2015 Report Share Posted August 19, 2015 But the elephant in the room is JVS. Coaching statistics here compared to others who have coached in the HAL. For those who have coached over 100 games (that's a reasonable time to show what you've got), he is last in terms of points per game PPG.http://aleaguestats.com/ALeagueStats_9CoachingHistory.htmlArnold, Ange lead the way. Even Kosmina is ahead. Kudos to Merrick who has coached 246 games.WOW!! Our two coaches are ranked 24th and 34th! Just look at the esteemed company they're amongst! 24 John van`t SchipMelbourne City FC1043433371351.29825 Phil MossCentral Coast Mariners54201024701.29626 Richard MoneyNewcastle Jets279810351.29627 Branko CulinaNewcastle Jets, Sydney FC903022381121.24428 David MitchellPerth Glory71241631881.23929 Ian FergusonNorth Qld Fury, Perth Glory993122461151.16230 Mehmet DurakovicMelbourne Victory14365151.07131 Ron SmithPerth Glory4391519420.97732 Jim MagiltonMelbourne Victory12255110.91733 Rado VidosicBrisbane Roar14338120.85734 John AloisiMelbourne Heart FC408725310.775 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torn Asunder Posted August 19, 2015 Report Share Posted August 19, 2015 If you look at last season as a stand alone, points per game is 1.296 (Played 27, Points 35) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattyh001 Posted August 23, 2015 Report Share Posted August 23, 2015 overall the squad looks much better but until i see use pick up 11+ points from the first 6 games i'll keep myself from getting too drawn in. seen the club's results turn to shit in the past despite a "good" list going into the seasonDuff was useless, how many goals did he score in the games he was with us? Novillo played less had more goals, attacked defenses and wasn't affraid to shoot. His pace is superior to Duffs also. The only thing really going for duff is that he could whip in a cross but even that wasn't significant enough to make him worth the money he was on. For me duff was a failure I thought we were much better after his season ending injury.IMO thats harsh on Duff. the team that started last season was shit. Duff was one of the few who could be excused. not saying he was perfect, but had to carry a lot of weight on his shoulders without the support around him to work off Duff's strengths. Duff was never really given a license to stay forward; Novillo was (or choose to support the team less in a defensive sense).pace wise i agree fully, and always thought the way JVS set Duff up with no real pace around him (Hoffman, Dugandzic, etc dont exactly set the grass ablaze with their pace) set Duff up to fail here. the crossing side of things came down to having a lack of targets in the box - not exactly something Duff can control.with the constant transition (particularly when one of the other spuds lost the ball needlessly), Duff was always gonna be a bit puffed by the end of games and never get consistent opportunities going forward.it was the same for ADP when he was at Sydney. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shahanga Posted August 23, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2015 Before he was injured Duff was topping the league for assists, that to me was a good return and yes before someone asks a goal from a corner is worth just as much as a goal in general play. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jw1739 Posted August 24, 2015 Report Share Posted August 24, 2015 IMO the problem with Duffy wasn't what he did, but what he didn't do. The stats tell us he created a few goals, but the problem for me was that even before his injury he just could not last more than 20 minutes or so. And with the squad limits we just cannot afford players like that. Having Germano was already an issue for us, then add Duff and then Kennedy and basically you've already got over 10% of the squad not able to run out a match.Let's not keep kidding ourselves, you can't win silverware that way.The squad looks stronger than last year. But IMO we are still short of cutting power up front. Williams, Brown, Dekker, Marino - none of them fit the requirements IMO, so we have four players occupying squad places when what we need(ed) was one decent striker... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shahanga Posted August 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2015 When I look at the squad improvements and I consider that we pretty much have some "dead money" tied up in Brown & Williams (both are no longer needed with the current squad), it seems clear to me we must have had some solid $ on some guys who weren't delivering.I agree with Jw re strikers. We are heavily reliant on a Uruguayan with a pretty poor track record, with back up of a couple of kids and 2 guys who seem to be yesterday's men. If koren plays like last year midfield will also be a problem ( though I seem to be a lone voice crying into the wind on that one). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewConvert Posted August 24, 2015 Report Share Posted August 24, 2015 When I look at the squad improvements and I consider that we pretty much have some "dead money" tied up in Brown & Williams (both are no longer needed with the current squad), it seems clear to me we must have had some solid $ on some guys who weren't delivering.I agree with Jw re strikers. We are heavily reliant on a Uruguayan with a pretty poor track record, with back up of a couple of kids and 2 guys who seem to be yesterday's men. If koren plays like last year midfield will also be a problem ( though I seem to be a lone voice crying into the wind on that one).You are not alone... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red or Dead Posted August 24, 2015 Report Share Posted August 24, 2015 I feel with our increased striker stock, Koren will play more in his natural position (and do well), next to Mooy.I can see Melling starting on the bench a lot of the time when both Mooy & Koren are available and will probably come on for Koren (if he continues to underperform) or for Paartalu if we're down in the second half to add some flare, unpredictability and mongrel into the team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Edmonds Posted August 31, 2015 Report Share Posted August 31, 2015 With the curren squad we have (day after Sorensen signs), this will most likely be our matchday team.SorensenFranjic - Chapman - Hughes - ZulloPaartalu - Mooy - KorenGameiro - Tuna - NovilloBench - Tando - Kisnorbo - Germano (considering gets Aus visa) Melling - Williams Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shahanga Posted August 31, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2015 Some pretty melodramatic posts in various threads about our new signings, but to me the boldest move this year is the retention of our marquee Robi Koren. To me all the other 4 visa Signings are on the premise that he will deliver this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CityHeart Posted September 1, 2015 Report Share Posted September 1, 2015 we also have to keep in mind our squad did get better as the season went on. Some injuries towards the end, but it start as a fairly ordinary squad. The started 11 in round 1 was:RedmayneWielaertRamsayArchibaldKisnorbo (c)MurdoccaPaartaluMooyDugandzicBrown Duff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heart_fan10 Posted September 1, 2015 Report Share Posted September 1, 2015 Wow that is a shit squad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loriente Posted September 1, 2015 Report Share Posted September 1, 2015 we also have to keep in mind our squad did get better as the season went on. Some injuries towards the end, but it start as a fairly ordinary squad. The started 11 in round 1 was:RedmayneWielaertRamsayArchibaldKisnorbo (c)MurdoccaPaartaluMooyDugandzicBrown DuffThat is an unspeakably shit starting 11 and yet we played Sydney off the park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonyboozeadams Posted September 1, 2015 Report Share Posted September 1, 2015 People on here claimed that, that was a squad that could win the league 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KSK_47 Posted September 1, 2015 Report Share Posted September 1, 2015 That is an unspeakably shit starting 11 and yet we played Sydney off the park.Are you talking about the game were David Villa had to save our asses and looked like the only one who had seen a football before? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n i k o Posted September 1, 2015 Report Share Posted September 1, 2015 In fairness to the rest of the team we played very well in the first half against Sydney Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Edmonds Posted September 1, 2015 Report Share Posted September 1, 2015 Are you talking about the game were David Villa had to save our asses and looked like the only one who had seen a football before?Actually that match we were dominant with that lineup, just unable to convert until Villa scored.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KSK_47 Posted September 1, 2015 Report Share Posted September 1, 2015 Actually that match we were dominant with that lineup, just unable to convert until Villa scored.. I honestly dont recall the match all that well, but I seem to remember us starting well and fading badly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shahanga Posted September 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2015 People on here claimed that, that was a squad that could win the leaguewho?in the nearest to the pin thread most thought we couldn't make the finals. I know I predicted 7th prior to Paartalu signing (but not in that thread). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Tesla Posted September 1, 2015 Popular Post Report Share Posted September 1, 2015 (edited) With the curren squad we have (day after Sorensen signs), this will most likely be our matchday team.SorensenFranjic - Chapman - Hughes - ZulloPaartalu - Mooy - KorenGameiro - Tuna - NovilloBench - Tando - Kisnorbo - Germano (considering gets Aus visa) Melling - WilliamsSo we have:The best player in the league (Mooy)A bloke who at the start of last season was the best player in the league on paper, and despite not performing last season looks like he will show his true ability this season (Koren)The two best fullbacks in the league.The best keeper in the league (at least on paper).The best backup keeper in the league.A bloke who looks like he could be the best signing in the league this season (Tuna).An A-League All Star on the bench (Williams).Two of the best young players in the league (Chapman and Melling).The most experienced defender in the league (Hughes).A multiple championship winner considered by many to be close to the best defensive midfielder in the league only a year or two ago (Paartalu).A bloke who was on the verge of destroying the league last season with his attacking ability before he was ruled out with injury (Gameiro).And probably the player with the most individual ability in the league (Novillo) (and before anyone comments about all my previous anti-Novillo sentiments, I've never questioned his individual ability, rather his selfishness and how he will integrate into the team). Can we please not have any comments about the squad not being good enough this season. Far worse squads than this have won the title. Edited September 1, 2015 by Tesla 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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