Popular Post AzureKingfisher Posted April 9, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted April 9, 2016 Last night, with a limp 2-0 defeat at home to Adelaide, we waved away our season and any genuine hope we had for silverware. What a difference two weeks makes in football. If there’s one big thing I’ve learnt about this club over the years it is this: never, EVER, believe the hype. We are the definition of flattering to deceive. It doesn’t matter how many excited City fans call up SEN in jubilation after a good home win. It doesn’t matter how many articles appear in the Age or the Herald Sun talking up our chances of silverware after we beat Wellington or the Central Coast. It doesn’t matter if we have a stretch of two or three weeks where we look virtually unbeatable, and our next game is season-defining. It won’t last. There is only one time I will ever, truly, believe in this club’s chances at the bottom of my heart. That moment is precisely when the final whistle has sounded in a grand final and we have secured a championship. Nothing short of that will convince me and doubtless many others of our long-suffering supporters that we are the real deal. I should have known better when I stared at the table with joy over coffee the Tuesday morning after the Wellington win eleven days ago. I should have reminded myself that we still have John Van’t Schip at the helm, that nothing is won in Round 25, and that we can and will always find a way to blow it. I feel like a fool. I’d suggest to all of our players – every single one – that they take this same advice: never believe the hype. When I saw every single Perth player last week winning every one-on-one battle, fighting tooth and nail for their manager, their fans, their club, their city and their state…I could only stand back and admire. Because no money, extensive scouting network, training facility, marquee fund or player CVs can buy that. Only a strong manager, a professional environment and a club culture of accountability and responsibility from the players to fight TOGETHER in every game can achieve this. I’d like to congratulate our fans and especially the Melburnians for their fantastic support and noise throughout the season. While we were pissing our season up a wall on the pitch, the fans put on a real display last night. If our players matched your passion for this club, things wouldn’t have turned out this way. All of this last week we were reminded by the players to show up in big numbers for this crucial game. That, we did. It’s a shame they forgot to. Still, I continue to dream. One day, I imagine us being a TEAM of fighters, as Adelaide and Perth are, together as one, ready to give their all for the badge. I imagine us with a real manager at the helm – someone with the ability to motivate a team to work as a unit, who will stand up when the chips are down, who will fight together with their players for the fans, and who will make us greater than the sum of our parts. One day, perhaps, our time will come, and we can look back over these lessons and wonder why it took so long. 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wombegongal Posted April 9, 2016 Report Share Posted April 9, 2016 I think plenty of players have put in over the course of the season but the manager has been plagued by troublesome players throughout both of his appointments. It's quite clear the manager is at fault. I suspect a few players need to be removed due to their attitude but by and large this isn't the issue. The fish is rotten at the head and is still trying to swim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murfy1 Posted April 9, 2016 Report Share Posted April 9, 2016 Very well said. Agree with every word. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylan Posted April 9, 2016 Report Share Posted April 9, 2016 build a team around Fornaroli, profit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonyboozeadams Posted April 9, 2016 Report Share Posted April 9, 2016 Where was retre last night? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torn Asunder Posted April 9, 2016 Report Share Posted April 9, 2016 So far as the season goes, the sheer joy of seeing some world class goals was simply erased by our home losses to Newcastle, WSW and last night to Adelaide, and our rubbish FFA semi final loss to Perth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mulhollanddrive Posted April 9, 2016 Report Share Posted April 9, 2016 Probably look back at our team on paper, and it'll be the amongst the best ever in the A-League, and yet if Perth win this week, we're away to Perth or WSW in a knock out final. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrillhouse Posted April 9, 2016 Report Share Posted April 9, 2016 pro's - scored plenty of goals got to watch the 2 best players in the league home derby, wsw and roar home wins con's - 1 of the worst defence's in the comp visa gk hughes visa jvs still here no guest no marquee replacement for koren (bruno wasn't used) 2 losses v newcastle, wellington,brisbane, wsw ffa cup embarrassment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deviant Posted April 9, 2016 Report Share Posted April 9, 2016 Reflections on the season... Can't see reflections while in the shadows of the 'lesser' clubs... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
japiedog Posted April 10, 2016 Report Share Posted April 10, 2016 we love you Smurfs, we do , we love you Smurfs, we do 2-0 up against Perth Hold on to give us a home final Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffplz Posted April 10, 2016 Report Share Posted April 10, 2016 1 minute ago, japiedog said: we love you Smurfs, we do , we love you Smurfs, we do 2-0 up against Perth Hold on to give us a home final We're still gonna get raped as long as Castro is on the field. Perhaps less likely since it'll be at home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
japiedog Posted April 10, 2016 Report Share Posted April 10, 2016 1 minute ago, jeffplz said: We're still gonna get raped as long as Castro is on the field. Perhaps less likely since it'll be at home true bru, but there is hope ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrillhouse Posted April 10, 2016 Report Share Posted April 10, 2016 13 minutes ago, jeffplz said: We're still gonna get raped as long as Castro is on the field. Perhaps less likely since it'll be at home cunts got nothing on tuna and mooy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deviant Posted April 11, 2016 Report Share Posted April 11, 2016 16 hours ago, Thrillhouse said: cunts got nothing on tuna and mooy fortunately for him, Mooy doesn't play on anyone and the fish plays on the other side of the pitch. Furthermore, Novillo doesn't defend. $3.20 is looking like good odds for perth to win. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SF33 Posted April 11, 2016 Report Share Posted April 11, 2016 We didn't get anything from our marquee international and another visa player, that is apparently good enough to play for a Euro 2016 team. Shore up those two spots (well, two visa spots in reality, since Fornaroli is automatically the marquee if he stays) and we're good. Having said that, with so much uncertainty surrounding the squad, including our two current Socceroos squad members, it might be a case of filling a hole, but losing the doughnut, if Mooy, Wilkinson and others (Fornaroli of course) depart. All up, I've said it in another thread, but the prevailing thought is what a waste of Tuna and Mooy, only managing a home elimination final through sheer luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jw1739 Posted April 11, 2016 Report Share Posted April 11, 2016 (edited) More or less agree with most of what has been said above. However, I don't think that the squad is nearly as good as some make out, even after the activities in the January transfer window. If we look at the listed forwards on the club web-site they are: Fornaroli, Gameiro, Novillo, Kuzmanovski, Dekker, Marino and Brown. From that group we have been carried this season by Fornaroli and to a lesser extent Novillo, the latter a "problem child" if ever there was one. Injuries to Gameiro, Dekker, Marino and Brown. In midfield the listed players are: Melling, Garuccio, Retre, Mooy, Trifiro, Fitzgerald and Caceres. Obviously the stand-out player there is Mooy, with lesser roles filled by Fitzgerald and Caceres, but the others look to me like square pegs in round holes, especially Garuccio. In the defence, well, what can you say. Franjic, Kisnorbo, Chapman, Clisby, Zullo, Hughes, Malik and Wilkinson. I've been very disappointed with Franjic and Zullo, and again the club signing injured players has backfired. Hughes - best say nothing, because that's been his contribution on the field. Chapman was injured for a significant period, and we've relied so much on the old warhorse himself, Kisnorbo. Goalkeepers: Sorensen and Bouzanis. I'm not against using a visa place on a GK, and although Sorensen has played well enough overall I've been less impressed as the season has gone on, and I'm not convinced that Tando would have been worse. Really the team has revolved around just a handful of players. As such I think that fourth place might even flatter us, despite the great football we have seen, the 63 goals, the sensational individual goals along the way, and the privilege of watching Mooy and Fornaroli in City shirts. We do at least have a home final, but the fragilities of Melbourne City are still there - signing injured players, poor use of visa places on the roster, and the tendency to choke when grit and determination are called for. Edited April 11, 2016 by jw1739 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony999 Posted April 11, 2016 Report Share Posted April 11, 2016 Don't be surprised if JVS pulls a rabbit out of his tanned arse and goes all the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jovan Posted April 11, 2016 Report Share Posted April 11, 2016 18 minutes ago, Tony999 said: Don't be surprised if JVS pulls a rabbit out of his tanned arse and goes all the way. For every rabbit he will use 3 ferrets. Chapman at LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexxxandro Posted April 11, 2016 Report Share Posted April 11, 2016 21 minutes ago, Tony999 said: Don't be surprised if JVS pulls a rabbit out of his tanned arse and goes all the way. Only takes three wins. Problem is that two of them will probably be away from AAMI with lots of pressure. I could see us winning one of those but two would be close to a miracle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rass Posted April 11, 2016 Report Share Posted April 11, 2016 44 minutes ago, jw1739 said: More or less agree with most of what has been said above. However, I don't think that the squad is nearly as good as some make out, even after the activities in the January transfer window. If we look at the listed forwards on the club web-site they are: Fornaroli, Gameiro, Novillo, Kuzmanovski, Dekker, Marino and Brown. From that group we have been carried this season by Fornaroli and to a lesser extent Novillo, the latter a "problem child" if ever there was one. Injuries to Gameiro, Dekker, Marino and Brown. In midfield the listed players are: Melling, Garuccio, Retre, Mooy, Trifiro, Fitzgerald and Caceres. Obviously the stand-out player there is Mooy, with lesser roles filled by Fitzgerald and Caceres, but the others look to me like square pegs in round holes, especially Garuccio.... JW, i totally agree with you. Whilst it may look star-studded in some areas, i think we really lack. The problem for mine has always been the midfield. Would have been a different story if Koren turned out to be a quarter of the player he was. I still cannot believe how he wasn't replaced in January. We often get hammered in the midfield, as our blokes are serviceable rather thsn great, with the exception of Mooy. Fuk off JVS, bring in 2 gun mids (1 if Mooy stays) and do everything to hold onto Tuna. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shahanga Posted April 11, 2016 Report Share Posted April 11, 2016 1 hour ago, Alexxxandro said: Only takes three wins. Just thinking about this. The stage is set for his renown JVS mini-runTM except this time it may actually be useful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexxxandro Posted April 11, 2016 Report Share Posted April 11, 2016 6 minutes ago, Shahanga said: JVS mini-runTM Out of likes unfortunately. They always end with a thud... the two last games were a pretty impressive way to end the last run. JVS does impress in his own way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AzureKingfisher Posted April 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2016 I guess the best thing about a home final is that we can't hide behind any lame excuses...going to Perth would have been met in the media by the typical "it's tough over there" statements in the paper and from JvS. If we lose it's entirely because we're damn well not good enough and deserved to, just like we did in Perth. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n i k o Posted April 12, 2016 Report Share Posted April 12, 2016 I posted it a while back in one of the threads but this season no matter where we finished would probably be the best based on so many records broken and performances on display. Had there ever been a team that finished 4th and put on such a display as we have this season. Big call but probably go down as the best fourth position in the history of the football. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post jw1739 Posted April 22, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted April 22, 2016 So, there we are. We finished better placed in the regular season than we have done before, but after the finals we finish fourth as per last season. There will be those who will criticise me for saying this, but in the end we weren't ever good enough to do better, and IMO the squad was consistently and repeatedly overrated. For starters, we carried two injuries into 2015-16 from the previous season - Brown and Novillo. Brown missed almost the entire season, and Novillo missed the first four matches and then four more (total 8 out of 29) from his own misdemeanours. We signed three players who were injured - Gameiro, Franjic and Zullo - and we know how those three ended up. We already had one visa passenger - Koren - and promptly signed another in Hughes. To make matter worse Marino, Chapman and finally Dekker suffered injuries that caused them to be absent for significant periods of time. We made the adjustments we could during the mid-season transfer window, but in summary IMO there were just a handful of players who carried us though the whole season. They were Sorensen, Kisnorbo, Mooy, and Fornaroli. That's it. You can't win silverware like that, and we didn't. IMO this season delivers City some very clear messages, if only we are prepared to listen. Get the visa player recruiting right. Don't sign players who are already injured. And don't sign ageing players on their reputations. On to 2016/17. 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hakz7 Posted April 22, 2016 Report Share Posted April 22, 2016 (edited) Just happy we got to see the best ever A-League striker dominate. Edited April 22, 2016 by hakz7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexxxandro Posted April 22, 2016 Report Share Posted April 22, 2016 6 minutes ago, jw1739 said: So, there we are. We finished better placed in the regular season than we have done before, So we were a tiny bit less shit than last year? Honestly finishing anywhere from 4th to 7th amounts to about the same thing. It means you were mediocre. The only way I would have said we clearly improved on last year was if we'd come 1st or 2nd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingofhearts Posted April 22, 2016 Report Share Posted April 22, 2016 17 minutes ago, hakz7 said: Just happy we got to see the best ever A-League striker dominate. Seriously? Who gives a fuck about seeing Bruno, idgaf about the golden boot or any of that individual shit. It's all worth nothing to me without team success All style no substance with this fucking club. JVS just fuck off you useless bastard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hakz7 Posted April 22, 2016 Report Share Posted April 22, 2016 21 minutes ago, kingofhearts said: Seriously? Who gives a fuck about seeing Bruno, idgaf about the golden boot or any of that individual shit. It's all worth nothing to me without team success All style no substance with this fucking club. JVS just fuck off you useless bastard I probably should have worded it better. I just meant, now that the season's finished, the thing we can actually look back on is Bruno's perormances. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingofhearts Posted April 22, 2016 Report Share Posted April 22, 2016 4 minutes ago, hakz7 said: I probably should have worded it better. I just meant, now that the season's finished, the thing we can actually look back on is Bruno's perormances. Yeah thats fair enough mate, sorrry, didn't want it to seem i was having a go at you. So many people at the pub tonight i over heard were saying shit like "at least we finished higher then victory, at least we got to see bruno score goals blah blah blah" just so many people just not seeing the bigger picture! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hakz7 Posted April 22, 2016 Report Share Posted April 22, 2016 1 minute ago, kingofhearts said: Yeah thats fair enough mate, sorrry, didn't want it to seem i was having a go at you. So many people at the pub tonight i over heard were saying shit like "at least we finished higher then victory, at least we got to see bruno score goals blah blah blah" just so many people just not seeing the bigger picture! Nah I'm not enough of an optimist to think like that. Even when we won last week, I wasn't that ecstatic. All I kept thinking was that we only finished 4th and that we have no chance of making the GF let alone winning it because it's so easy to see. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deeming Posted April 22, 2016 Report Share Posted April 22, 2016 Positives: Lots of goals scored Mooy Fornaroli Finishing above Victory Negatives: Lots of goals conceded Easy wins thrown away JvS Never knowing which City team would show-up Not winning anything after beating lots of A-League goal records Knowing it will be another 2 seasons minimum before we will win anything. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InMyHeart Posted April 22, 2016 Report Share Posted April 22, 2016 A terribly disappointing season again and I look at it this way. 2 years in a row we've failed to quality for the ACL at a minimum.. Never-mind the turnover of players during the off season, the in season turnover in both years has been outrageous and detrimental for the stability of the squad. JVS took the piss out of this club and took us, the loyal supporters who are hungry for success and silverware, for a ride in a shameful performance in Perth in the Semi of the FFA Cup. I always hear mentality this mentality that, our mentality will change when we get a proven winner at the top who will stop for nothing until we succeed and demand the highest of standards from every department at our club. So in the wash up, its time for change and a major shake up at our club, Starting and not finishing with JVS. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr lime Posted April 22, 2016 Report Share Posted April 22, 2016 (edited) 1 hour ago, kingofhearts said: Seriously? Who gives a fuck about seeing Bruno, idgaf about the golden boot or any of that individual shit. It's all worth nothing to me without team success All style no substance with this fucking club. JVS just fuck off you useless bastard I understand what you are getting at, but I would rather watch Bruno and finish fourth than have to put up with the dour shit that the likes of Sydney and Wanderers dish up and finish second or third. If you don;t win it (and only one club can) at least we can say we had some good memories and a bit of excitement through the season. Doesn't make up for the disappointments, but it could be worse.... could be a lot better also of course... like JVS going.... Edited April 22, 2016 by dr lime 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrillhouse Posted April 22, 2016 Report Share Posted April 22, 2016 Disaster of a season, score the most goals in a season while having the 2 best players in the league and still finish 4th. Didn't use the guest spot, didn't use the 2nd marquee spot after koren left and got weaker after the Jan window. 1st with 2 rounds to go and end up 4th (lucky not to be 5th) Wasted a visa of Hughes, injury prone players franjic and Zullo gone when we really needed them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeartFc Posted April 22, 2016 Report Share Posted April 22, 2016 2/10 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylan Posted April 22, 2016 Report Share Posted April 22, 2016 (edited) So the team set a new aleague goals scored record, a striker who smashed the total goals scored record with no penalites. Had a player who broke the assist record for the season. Yet we finish no better than last season and a manager who has never managed before wins the premiership and increasingly likely the double as well Edited April 22, 2016 by Dylan 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jovan Posted April 22, 2016 Report Share Posted April 22, 2016 I think my philosophy on soccer is wrong. That is you get the best striker midfielder and keeper in the league and your 95% on the way to winning everything. Wasted season and talent. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony999 Posted April 22, 2016 Report Share Posted April 22, 2016 5 minutes ago, Jovan said: I think my philosophy on soccer is wrong. That is you get the best striker midfielder and keeper in the league and your 95% on the way to winning everything. Wasted season and talent. Best defender too and still couldn't win squat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post GreenSeater Posted April 23, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted April 23, 2016 1 - SORENSON: After a shaky start he ended up being immense towards the back end of the season. His passion and professionalism is unquestionable and I love him for that. The question now is whether he is past it or not? Heart says no, head says probably. 2 - WILKINSON: Only came in halfway through the year, but was sensational in his short time at the club. A level-headed, smart, talented centre-half that we'd been craving since day 1 of Heart. Don't think he'll be with us next year which is a massive shame. 3 - HUGHES: Possibly the worst signing in club history. Sat on the bench wasting a visa spot all year long for no return whatsoever. Loved him in his Newcastle days, but is long passed it. See ya later. 4 - CHAPMAN: A frustrating year for Chappy. Missed long periods through injury and then lost his spot to Wilkinson. That being said he was solid when he dis play and I think he has a great future at the club. 5 - FRANJIC: What a disappointing season. Was hyped up big time when we signed him as he was a starting 11 Socceroo and had just returned from Europe. Injuries meant he missed most of the season and when he did play was very inconsistent. Hopefully we'll see better from him next year. 6 - PAARTALU: Was pretty poor for the first half of the season. Was dropped by JVS and eventually left for Korea. Was collossal last season, but I think Malik is a slight upgrade. 7 - GAMIERO: Started the season injured and finished it injured. Will be interesting to watch if he ever gets his body right as he has massive potential. 8 - MOOY: The king. Our best player ever. Took his brilliance to another level this year, and will be missed for a long time. Hope he dominates in Europe. 9 - NOVILLO: A real rollercoaster season. Missed the start of the year with injury and took a long time to get back to full fitenss. Once he did though he was phenomenal. His comination with Mooy and Fornaroli was incredible to watch. Then came the domestic incident. After that it all fell to shit. Will be interesting to see if he's back next year. I hope he is frankly because he has a lot of talent and passion and I would hate to see him at another club in the A League. 10 - KOREN: The worst marquee in A League history. Disgrace of a player. Terrible recruiting. At least we can all remember that Newcastle game. 11 - ZULLO: Spent more time on the physio table than the pitch. When he did play he was reasonable. Not great but not bad. I don't expect him back next year. 14 - BROWN: Never stood a chance. So long mate. 15 - WILLIAMS: As the clubs leading appearance maker and second highest goalscorer now, seeing him leave was sad, but definitely for the best. Was very poor this season before he went to Hungary. 16 - TRIFIRO: As a squaddie he was never going to be a world-beater, but he was still serviceable when called upon. 17 - DEKKER: A young kid with some talent. Great first game, but that's about it. Injured by Mauk, will be out of him and Marino for that young striker spot. 18 - RETRE: After a breakout last season, he was quite good when called upon to replace the ever-injured Franjic. Decent season. 19 - GARUCCIO: A very average year at left back. Moved to wing at the end of the year and failed to impress. Can see him joining Mauk at Adelaide next year. 20 - VELAPHI/BOUZANIS: Tando so unlucky not to get the number 1 after last season. Can't blame him for leaving, but will go downn as a cult hero for sure. Bouzanis played once and kept a clean sheet, so not bad. 21 - MAUK: Breakout year for Stefan, he was fantastic for us before being traded for Malik. Who got the better of the trade? Hard to say. But Mauk turned out to be a cunt so there you go. 22 - CLISBY: Probably our most improved player this term. Still has a long way to go, but has proved a handy squaddie who works his arse off. Definitely deserved his new contract. 23 - FORNAROLI: The best striker the league has ever seen. Far too good for us. Throw the cash at him for next year. Club legend. 24 - KISNORBO: Captain fantastic looked done and dusted at the start of the year, but showed his strength towards the back end of the season. Would love him to go one more year. 25 - MELLING: Spent a lot of time injured, and never reached the heights of his first season at the club. Deserved his new contract, and has a lot of potential and desire. 26 - MARINO: After spending most of the year injured he came back and showed some of his promise. Will be out of him and Dekker for that young striker spot. Personally think it should be Marino. 27 - FITZGERALD: Wasn't happy to sign him at first, but he proved me wrong and provided a lot of spark for us. His decision making and lack of confidence are his biggest downfalls. Think he should be retained. 28 - KUZMANOVSKI: Mr. Stepover himself. Talented at tricks, but just not a good footballer. Hopefully will be moved on. 29 - CACERES: Brought in half-way through the season, has shown a lot of potential, but I'm still not 100% sold on him tbh. 33 - MALIK: A step-up from Paartalu, showed a lot of steel defensively, but his passing let him down big time. Was he worth traded Mauk for? Time will tell I guess. JVS: That semi-final vs Perth in the cup should have been his last game as manager. No excuses for throwing away silverwear. Needs to be gone next year. Overall a waste of a season given the players we had. Big changes are needed next year. 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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