Mark Milligan to Arsenal?

Mark Milligan to Arsenal, according to Simon Hill on FoxSports tonight.

And the team went on to say Milligan could be replacing Matthew Flameni who is set to leave.

Well there is no doubting Milligan's class, although this season he struggled at times, but a move to Arsenal would surprise most of us.

And if he makes the starting eleven regularly before Christmas, maybe the Sydney FC fairweather fans need to start appreciating who they are watching each week!

Good luck Millsy, hope it works out.

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Total Football: Viduka can pick his games!

Total Football sporting a new sponsor, and its a big one, Qantas, discussed the Asian Champions League and should Mark Viduka be able to pick his games for the National team.

Asian Champions League

Great tournament, with a great name.

But two teams need to go through from each group to keep the tournament alive for teams, for longer.

And Simon Hill suggests they, the AFC, are thinking of changing the name to the Pro-League.

Forget it. The Asian Champions League works.

And the final needs to be a one-off game. Everyone knows that. In fact the European model works, why wouldn't it work in Asia?

Viduka can pick his games!

Paul Okon, Robbie Slater and Simon Hill seemed to agree. All thought the big Dukes should be able to play whenever he feels able.

But for how long?

Until the end of June, or for the next qualifiers which take place during the English season.

I think he should put up or shut up. He plays in June for as long as it takes and then he and Pim reassess again.

But if he doesn't play in June then goodbye Big Dukes.

Viduka needs to go gracefully. He's been a wonderful Australian player but I would like to see him go, or stay. But make a decision. A clear decision, and if he stays Pim decides when he plays or not.

Pim Verbeek has shown he respects his players, Viduka needs to respect Australia and Aussie Pim.And I guess Viduka will agree to Pim's request. Why else would they be meeting?

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Kossie on Total Football

John Kosmina always speaks his mind.

Except maybe when it comes to Mark Milligan. See earlier post today.

On Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka.
Has Harry Kewell got three more years football in him.
Kozzie says, "No, I think not."


It's not a nice thought, a nice thing to have to say, but Kozzie said what everyone is now thinking.

"He's missed a lot of football in the last three years and it's very hard to come back from there."

On Viduka:

"Mark Viduka needs to make a decision. Does he play in the June qualifiers and we have to leave Josh Kennedy out?"

Kozzie is right. Let's bring Dukes home for the Cameroon game and give him a wonderful Australian send-off.

Why play Dukes in June, if he can't play in the next Qualifiers? And let's face it if we do get to the World Cup, we do not want a 34 year old Mark Viduka leading the line.

Well you might, but I don't. He's too slow for top International football now, and the World Cup is beyond him.

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Winning and Youth

"Make no misunderstanding winning is part of Youth Development," says Technical Director Rob Baan discussing the future Youth A-League on Total Football last night.

Craig Foster might not agree. But make no mistake about football is about winning:)

Just in case you'd forgot that in the "let's play beautiful at all times," sentiment flying around the airwaves.

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Total Football on Fox Sports

Haven't got the Fox on, don't worry I'll fill you in.

Robbie Slater, when asked about the impact of John Aloisi signing for Sydney FC, just ranted about what Dwight Yorke would bring and how good he would be for Sydney on and off the field.

Host Andy Harper tried to get Robbie to focus on Aloisi but Robbie was having none of it. More Dwight than you could hope for unless Robbie was an agent. And Robbie did say he'd spoken to Dwight and he would play for a lot less than people think.

It was strange stuff.

Will Dwight be back?

Dwight wants a two year deal it would seem. He was slow last time he was here. Two years is a long long time for a 36 year old. Give Dwight a miss I say.

Too risky, and I know he is still playing in the Premier League.

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Pim Verbeek on Total Football..and Robbie still underwhelmed?

Pim Verbeek on Total Football last night.

And it was great, great TV.

Last week Robbie Slater was asked on the show what he thought of our new coach.

"Underwhelmed."

And guess what happened this week?

Show opens with Pim Verbeek sitting alongside Simon Hill and Robbie Slater. And Andy Harper starts the show by asking Robbie about his thoughts on the Coach and remembering he said "you were underwhelmed."

And Robbie was great. He handled it well answered honestly but was made to account for his previous comment. Great TV, and well-handled by Robbie.

And Simon Hill had to answer to similar sentiments with the new Coach alongside.

Pim Verbeek what of him?

Dignified, Dutch and way way to skilled for our football media. Shades of Guus I thought.

He spoke authoratively, confidently with pride in his appointment and the job. He knows what to expect, has a graps of the problems, and opportunities ahead.

If his first interview is anything to go by our future is in calm, safe hands. And once again like Guus, he will bring a language of football to our media, to our fans. About tactics, coaching and strategy. The likes of which we have rarely heard under Frank Farina, Terry Venables, Graham Arnold, Eddie Thompson and co.
And I suspect Robbie and Simon would have left slightly less concerned about the appointment. Has off to the Total Football team, and hats off to Pim Verbeek.Oh and it seems he will explore which players he can get back for the first World Cup game. Good to see no stone unturned.

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On Total Football last night...

Not much news last night, but AFC President Mr Bin Hamman talked of commercialising the Asian Champions League. Only 9 countries to be involved with maybe up to 4 Australian teams, come 2009.

And a Japanese, Australian and America team to play in a Pan-Pacific tournament in Hawaii. Sydney FC Director Antony LaPaglia thought it was a great idea. Prize money, TV Revenues, looks great, especially if The Beckham is involved. Imagine if Posh came as well!

And all A-League teams now have a Shirt Sponsor. With the Coffee Club with over 200 stores across Australia now staining the Shirts of Queensland Roar.

Slowly, but surely revenue increases for football across the country.

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So you don't have Fox, here's the bites from Total Football

Urawa win the Asian Champions League but what did their fans do to the trophy? The team took the trophy to the crowd and let a guy, a fan raise the trophy. Unbelievable.

Ange Postecoglou reckons the Socceroos game against Nigeria without a Coach is a wasted opportunity. He's right!

More from Mark Bosnich, Graham Arnold on the Olyroos game and Aurelio Vidmar on the ACL.

Mark Bosnich is on the Fox Sports team for the Socceroos game. He thinks Australia will walk over Nigeria. Robbie Slater thought we would as well.

You're joking boys. Remember Denmark in London? This Australian team has no Vinny Grella, Mark Viduka, and Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill may not play.

And you really think we'll win comfortably..I wish I was so confident.

Graham Arnold thinks it will be tough on Saturday in Gosford, The Olyroos have yet to concede a goal. Neither have Iraq. And 0-0 won't be enough will it?

Arnie said 69% of goals at the World Cup came from set plays. Yuk! So the team have been working on that.

Worryingly Arnie said we had 24 chances against Lebanon in Lebanon, but didn't score.

Unfortunately that is a recurring theme with Australian sides. Let's hope we score a few on Saturday.

And Aurelio Vidmar, the Adelaide United Coach looks excited about next years Asian Champions League. But he doesn't want to draw Urawa Reds until the final.

Thoughts of Melbourne and Adelaide playing in the Asian Champions League at the end of the A-League got my mouth-watering. Can't wait. Thank god for Asia!

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Friday Shorts

A-League player watch
Local Football
This week's games
Aussie dropped for a Kiwi!
Kossie back on fired-up already


Canberra's Kaz Patafta is left out of Melbourne Victory's 15 man squad for tonight's game against Perth. I'm not happy with that. I want to see more of Kaz.

Nikolai Topor-Stanley says, "the travel through Asia is taking a heavy toll on my body and fitness.But my aim was to play as much football as possible so I'm pleased with how things are going," and he added, "morale is low in the Glory camp, we're not winning games and it's depressing."

Woden Valley are sending a team to the former Matilda Ali Foreman run Dane Cup in Denmark next year. Former Tottenham physio Ed Hollis and former Socceroo George Kulscar are involved in coaching running the side.

As Nearpost takes over the world we're on the radio this week see podcasts below,and we're on www.channelvision.com.au later today. See me on the web...and no laughing. I've a face for a blog and radio...TV well I never asked for it..honest!

FoxSports Simon Hill will launch the Nearpost radio show in early December. We are delighted and excited by Simon's support. If you are in town and would like an invite drop me an email. It's going to be full by early indications so get in quick, young and old players and non-players.

Celtic dropped free-scoring Scott McDonald this week....for a Kiwi, Chris Killen. Celtic lost to Benfica 1-0. Hope you learnt from that Mr. Strachan.

John Kosmina is back. The promotion machine is on fire already. Talking on FoxSport last night, Kossie had the panel cringing, laughing, thinking. Love him or hate him (is that to strong) Kossie has strong views, and his teams take on a bit of his personality and my god Sydney need that.

I'm glad he's back and can't wait to enjoy the Sydney ride. It's going to be passionate, fiery and exciting. And that's just if they lose....can't wait.

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