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Showing posts with label Sydney FC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sydney FC. Show all posts

Saturday, 31 March 2012

Joel Chianese - a rare find but too late for cautious Vitaslav..nice guy bye bye

Have Sydney unearthed a gem? And why has it taken so long to develop and give this guy a run.

A few more games could have meant a few more points with Joel on the team. But no Vitaslav and his coaching team were too cautious, too predictable, too scared throughout the season to go for youth and pace. Pace!

A local with pace and that rare ability to find the back of the net. Another two last night to add to his two last week. And he's had chances many chances in many games.

Pity his seasons over for it looks, still looks, like he needs a big dose of self-belief and anyone scoring as many and varied goals as he is should be cocky, arrogant and full of it. He'd get more.

It's the style of his goals that interest me. Something Sydney have missed for years. His second goal Mark Bridge could never score and never has. Following the play, in with pace, a tap in looks easy.

Funny how few Sydney players have achieved such goals over recent years. I love the tap in!

Joel has pace, and an eye for goal. With Eli Babalj down in Melbourne, another young Aussie hitting the net with increasing interest maybe just maybe we've unearthed a couple of strikers.

About time!

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Monday, 6 February 2012

Mr Nice Guy: Why is Sydney's defence so poor this year?

There was a time under the soon to be booted nicest man in football when Sydney won 1-0 - boring but they won.

Then in season 2, they lost 1-0. More boring and more frustrating.

Now in Season 3 they lose, by 3, 4 or 5 and that's at home.

Mr Lavicka might be nice - but he's a pretty ordinary coach.

Sydney dumped him - and on Sydney the Jets showed why they have made the right decision.

He's a defensive expert coach - or so we're told - and yet look at his recruits and results in the defence this year.

Michael Beauchamp - poor recruit
Scott Jamieson - poor recruit
Liam Reddy - shocking recruit
Shannon Cole - intermittent performances.
Jamie Coyne - average
Pascal Bosschart - average

Simon Colosimo, Clint Bolton, Matt Jurman, Iain Ramsay (full back) Nikolai Topor-Stanley are just some who jumped ship - not all under Vitaslav's leadership but you have to wonder what is going on.

Most of the attacking players who have left scored against Sydney on the weekend!

If Gary Van Egmond can inspire his team to such performances how come Mr Nice Guy has not given Sydney fans one inspiring home performance in three years.

And I don't count finals football all late comebacks - they just get too much practice at late comebacks - one is bound to come off!

Only one Czech Coach of any note in Australia - and she's in Canberra.

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Meet the Billionaires throught football....Aussie football of course

The Indonesian based Bakrie group have taken ownership, 100%, of Brisbane Roar.

With Clive Palmer, Tony Sage, Nathan Tinkler and all the Billionaires in and around Sydney FC ownership it can't be too hard for the hard-nosed progressive Aussie businessmen to see how they might get an opportunity to meet and greet and get introduced to some very rich men.

That's a lot of wealth in A-League dressing rooms, grounds right now etc so this should be another stepping stone to enhancing and growing the code and with renewed focus from the FFA we should see the game further progress.

I love the FFA online registration system - 100% of football registrations across Australia in the FFA database eventually, all coaches registered under the new FFA scheme.

You'd have to think slowly but surely we can leverage more dollars into the game as we get more of our "grassroots community" hooked in. And that can only be good for the whole growth of the game.

The football is good right now, even Wellington - but we need further increase in crowds and sponsorship - but you wouldn't think you'd have too many problems selling corporate packages these days would you!

And if we could just get Sydney to put two or three seasons of decent football together we might have further media coverage. After all Sydney loves a winner.

Interesting to see what happens with the Roar in coming years.

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Saturday, 4 February 2012

Sydney FC: That was nice...but bloody boring!

Viteslea Lavicka is leaving!

Well is he leaving or was he dumped? Guess it doesn't matter.

Has a manager in Australia, in Sydney, ever been given such an easy ride.

The media in Australia all write and tweet about the guy being a lovely bloke but what about his coaching, how will he remembered?

Like Pierre Littbarski he won a Championship - unlike Littbarski's one year era I can't say Vitaslav had an attacking bone in his body. Terry McFlynn v Dwight Yorke. Who would you prefer to pull the strings in midfield?

The year Sydney won the title, albeit on penalties, his defence was the key. The next year he lost half his defence including his goalkeeper and since then they've been pretty poor at best, rubbish at worst.

As an attacking team they produced little of interest in the three years...some good signs this year....but then their defence/keeper has thrown away easy points.

But the reality is Mr Nice Guy was given three years, three years and he still has a shadow of an attacking team.

For Sydney FC it's been a disaster. Poor crowds, woeful football.

Don't believe me? Do you turn on Fox just dying to watch Sydney FC?

As your answer is no - I must be right.

Glad to see the nice guy gets to go home.

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Sunday, 8 January 2012

Sydney FC: Only good enough to beat Brisbane? And look how many they lost since then.....

The Coach of Sydney FC is a very nice man...or so we're told over and over but after close to three years in charge the team from the biggest city in Australia flatters to deceive.....no-one.

Season 1: Won the Championship. Fantastic, but they were the most boring team ever to win the A-League under Vitaslav. Maybe the guy over-achieved!

Still we expected this to be built on in Season Two when he could shape his team a little more. A clear out of Clint Bolton and Simon Colosimo to Melbourne to be replaced by Liam Reddy and Scott Jamieson among others.

As the team went from Championship highs to the lowest of lows in one season, maybe one week. No pace, no defence and a poor keeper. The fans disappeared in droves.

And so to season 3.

Back came Karol Kisel, Nicky Carle and Brett Emerton and a blossoming Terry Antonis. And the flair returned intially especially on the break away from home.

Liam Reddy spilled the first against Brisbane in the first real test of the season and Sydney have never really settled again.

The win over Brisbane to end the Roar's great unbeaten run flattered everyone.

The team struggles in defence, not least it's keeper, and in attack it lacks the real pace in the front line or out wide to really test opposing teams, especially at home.

In Terry Antonis, Brett Emerton and Nicky Carle there is enough pace and creativity to surely threaten any team over the 90 - but if your defence concedes, very very soft goals, as it did again against the Central Coast Mariners the team from the biggest city is doomed.

Sydney are a little more consistent this year, a little better at retaining the ball as the midfield quality as player quality improved, but are they paying for Vitalav's forward recruitment policy or lack thereof.

Sydney need an adventurous team - think Man United at home, Celtic at home, Melbourne Victory at home. Pacy, threatening, aggressive and dominant - even if they lose.

If the team reflects the manager - Sydney are slow, thoughtful and ponderous. Too nice.

He's been here three years but good football, exciting football is still to be seen from Sydney FC.

Has Vitaslav ever produced an exciting team?

If he has funds to buy some forwards, perhaps replace Terry McFlynn and of course replace Reddy a strong A-League team could evolve.

But would Vitaslav know a good forward if he saw one?

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Friday, 6 January 2012

Happy New Year:Melbourne Victory....watch out Sydney you are next

Is Mehmet worse than Vitaslav?

Arguably they are about the same - although Mem hasn't had a lot of time to work his magic, I'd argue his appointment from Feb should have shown us some better football, better structure than what we've seen.

Should he be sacked?

Who knows but the Board gave him his chance, also Francis Awaritefe....and now they are both gone. Says more about the board than Mem and Francis in my view.

Also clearly going from Youth League to A-League is a big big risk.

Vitaslav is clearly under threat. Mr Nice Guy has almost three years and still Clint Bolton plays for Melbourne Heart - and Liam Reddy for Sydney FC.

Ten goals in three games is ugly. At least Sydney are much improved on last season - they can attack but not through Vitaslav's signings. Scott Jamieson and Shannon Cole have been at best inconsistent - his forwards have been slow and cumbersome - Mark Bridge never scores.

And Liam Reddy must have given at least 9 points away this season on his own. Simply not good enough. Who signed him?

And that leaves the rocks. Michael Beauchamp! Has hardly inpsired.

Terry Antonis, Ryan Grant, Brett Emerton have all done good.

Vitaslav signed none - had them foisted or developed for him.

Sydney could be good - just not under Vitaslav?

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Monday, 21 November 2011

Mariners magic? Sydney can't fire without Antonis?

They missed beating the greatest team in Australian football by four minutes in the Grand Final last year - and even with a few Olyroos missing they still comfortably accounted for an in-form Sydney FC.

Bernie Ibini-Isei has lifted the Mariners. Younger than McBreen more skilled than Matt Simon he's a forward with an increasing goal threat. And he's young.

Sydney are supposed to be super fit this year, but the Mariners had them on toast.

Sydney took, like Melbourne Victory, way too long to move the ball in attacking areas. Too many touches and Terry McFlynn was clearly wanting to get out of this game early. His tackles, even after being booked were pathetic.

Sydney had the ball plenty in the first half, but don't have a goal threat at the pointy end. Mark Bridge is not a goal threat. He missed again - and how Sydney need a strikers goal early.

Not fast to transition in attack and despite an improved midfield Sydney can't produce an effective final ball. Then again Bridge the sole striker is no Archie Thompson or Shane Smeltz. He's not fast and doesnt run off the shoulder. In short he's not looking to score is he?

Terry Antonis looked exhausted and Sydney had little to excite.

Vitaslav has never produced exciting teams - Champion winning but never exciting. And he seems to be working hard on slowing down the attacking opportunities in this team.

Michael Beauchamp did a Liam Reddy - and was punished. Sydney conceded three - you can't win if you do that can you?

How Vitaslav must have looked longingly at the battering ram style and running of the Mariners strikers. Not to mention the skill of Bernie.

No Oliver Bozanic, no Matt Ryan and Musti Amini coming off the bench - I'd rather be Arnie than Vitaslav on this form.

Then again Sydney have a style of play suitable for away days - and when Terry Antonis fires Sydney will still win this year - just not at home!

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Sunday, 13 November 2011

Stop the press - Mark Bridge scores! sssh...Sydney FC have a team - second now.

Nicky Carle created the match winner and Mark Bridge scored his first goal for ages - won't do his confidence any harm - and Carle if he ain't scoring the match decider he's setting them up.

Brett Emerton to return and Sydney FC already in Second place - winning away from home, winning at the death, coming back from behind.

Sydney FC finally have a team - Terry Antonis anyone, anyone?

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Friday, 4 November 2011

Sydney FC on Sunday. Football at it's best - watch and learn with Terry Antonis

Sydney FC are playing decent football - hooray.

Strong defence - a key to their Championship win under Lavicka - and now a feature in Season 7. Jamie Coyne...who would have thought. Liam Reddy - surely he won't survive on the form of last season.

But wait - we love attacking football and Sydney have oodles of it just now. Nicky Carle scoring - that means he's much further forward these days, Brett Emerton starting to motor, And Terry Antonis.

When did you last see an 18 year old in Australia with such touch such skill such a complete game, such an attacking instinct.

I'd walk a million miles to watch Terry Antonis this year. Fantastic football at Sydney this season.

And they still have livewire Demi Petratos off the bench.

Mark Bridge or Bruno Cazarine - under this team I'd take Bruno. Lavicka seems to prefer Bridge for now!

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Monday, 31 October 2011

Sydney FC: Exciting times in the final third - finally.

Any midfield that has Terry Antonis, Nicky Carle, Brett Emerton and Karol Kisel in it's line-up is going to entertain.

Terry Antonis is all energy and all skill. And can only get better. His performances this season have been outstanding and Sydney FC obviously realise this kids abilities.

After Captain and holding midfielder Terry McFlynn went off, it was young Antonis asked to come back and hold the fort.

At 18 that's some responsibility - some capability to switch from exciting, dynamic number 10 to defensive mid. Thing is he missed not a trick.

And with the mobile Emerton, tricky Nicky, crafty Karol I'm loving the rebirth of Sydney FC.

Away from home - they will rarely get beat. Improved defence and now pace and creativity on the break.

Can they produce the performances required at home? I think they can.

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Sunday, 23 October 2011

All hail Terry Antonis - Aussie football's brightest 17 year old?

Every Sydney resident who loves football should get down to the SFS to watch Terry Antonis this year.

He's 17 and when he has the ball at his feet he's wonderful to watch.

Won't be long before he's heading overseas at this rate, but if you love football, Australians, players with skill, a great attitude and wonderful craft - do yourself a favour.

Go and watch Terry Antonis.

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Sydney FC worth watching in 2011 - hooray for that!

Sydney are stronger this season - both in defence crucial to their Championship winning year under Vitaslev and in attack.

Last year they lacked the mobility, pace and craft to hurt any team and always conceded- eventually.

This year, anyone who saw their Brisbane performance will know that they were able to dominate the Roar and should have been in the lead by half-time. The Roar's patient game plus a shocker from Liam Reddy destroyed Sydney's chances.

And it's away games where Sydney with a strong defence, can do damage.

Brett Emerton, Terry Antonis, Karol Kisel and Demi Petratos mean Sydney have a completely different, more pace, more craft and more attacking options thann last year.

And so it showed last night.

They met a confident Reds, fresh from a home win over Victory - albeit influenced by Adrian Leijer's sending off - and they done them with style.

Bruno Cazarine was influential throughout - Brett Emerton and co showed their increased mobility and Terry Antonis at just 17 is a star. He is lighting up the league.

Sydney are on the march - if they can sort out their home performances they'll be worth watching this year - finally.

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Wednesday, 28 September 2011

Vitaslev on his last warning - fans want excitement.

Takes a special coach to turn people away from watching Sydney FC.

John Kosmina tried, Terry Butcher was very successful and now Championship winner Vitaslev Lavicka has topped the lot.

Crowds last year were way down - and no football follower I know was surprised.

How could a Championship winning side so dramatically reduce their crowds.

Ask the Coach.

Hailed by Fozzie for his first season effort. Great play out from the back - beautiful passing at times around the midfield only to bore the pants off us in attack.

Sure John Aloisi, Mark Bridge and co tried. And won the Championship it should be noted - but they never excited did they?

And last year they were worse, much worse.

The passing game can be beautiful, a la Barca, and it should always be played a la Spain. But give me Barca over Spain any day. In Messi, Barca are exciting in the final third. Spain although Cup Winners can bore you to death with their beautifully crafted 1-0 win. Their possession always deserves so much more.

And so it is with boring boring Sydney FC.

Pass, pass, lose, pass, pass tackle.

Vitaslev has had two seasons to mould a team. Now in his third it better be better. And with signs of real growth.

In Terry Antonis and Demi Petratos he may have two, just two, junior from the whole of Sydney; after 7 years of trying these guys could be strong performers. Exciting.

In Brett Emerton and Nicky Carle there is class.

But too many of the rest are squad men, not star men.

Still little pace around the attack and a defence, a new defence needs to be proven. After two or more seasons you'd think the Coach would have solved the defence, the need for speed and of course don't mention the keeper.

For a team from Australia's biggest city leaving the job in the hands of Vistaslev is a big big risk.

Sydney don't just need a winning team - a la Melbourne down the years - no Sydney need an exciting team a la Adelaide

Imagine the SFS with an Adelaide inspired Flores, or Melbourne inspired Archie leading a Sydney team. How much easier to fill the stands if you attack a la Adelaide each home game, or have pace down the years in the form of Archie or Fred from Season 3.

It's not always about the star or pace but it helps.

Vitaslev better entertain in the final third this season - and I'd don't think he has the pace to - or else he's the first coach gone.

Yes, even before Fergie!

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Tuesday, 2 August 2011

Lavicka: "We will entertain" Well that'll be a first won't it!

Sydney FC's build up to the pre-season has been Lavicka-esque.

Dull and duller.

Apart from the Harry talk - even that is subdued compared to Melbourne - what is there to reignite the place.

The club needs excitement off the field, all year. And what have we got? Jamie Coyne!

Perth Glory play Celtic and are off to South Africa and sign a heap of names.
Melbourne Victory play Celtic and have a few players to interest in the mix - plus they are Melbourne, membership, fanbase etc.
Heart are on the move. David Williams could excite alone.

Adelaide United, Central Coast Boatshed and Newcastle Jets - all are setting a cracking pace with months to go.

Celtic even came to Sydney and played.....the Mariners - sort of like going to Glasgow and playing Motherwell, or Manchester and playing Wigan I guess

Vistalav Lavicka never excited in the year Sydney won the title - NEVER and last year they proved what sort of team and coach they had. Dull at best.

Tactical, methodical but had not a creative idea over the halfway line or strategy in his head.

Terry Antonis and Demi Petratos may excite a little upon their return. Could be fun. Jamie Coyne, excuse me, does not.

Only Harry can save Sydney FC.

With the present squad, expect nothing - no excitement, no hype and no fans.

What is it with Sydney FC and our Czech Coach?

Maybe they like a November start!

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Tuesday, 11 January 2011

Plan to save the game - let's meet in.....er Sydney!

How come all the organisers of football, the media, the FFA, the whole lot of em run everything out of Sydney...or so it seems.

So tonights plan to "Save the Game" or some other such football fanfest, while of course an interesting intiative - but we hold it in Sydney.

Reckon Adelaide would have been better - at least they'd get a few fans!

Lugt will take part in a panel discussion with Craig Foster (SBS), Mark Bosnich (Fox Sports), Sebastian Hassett (SMH), Andy Jackson (442) and Spencer Prior (former EPL player) before the panel then takes questions from the floor.

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Thursday, 2 December 2010

Sydney young bloods!

Sydney won, just. If Paul Ifill had finished his chance, and he should have done, just before Mark Bridge scored his first goal of the season Sydney would never have won.

"Are Sydney back on track," asked Mark Rudan Fox Sports

"We'll see," said Sydney striker Bridge.

No-one is fooled.

But interestingly Terry Antonis made the second goal. Another young, very young Aussie.

And if Sydney had kept Iain Ramsay, and a few others who knows Sydney might have had some pace and flair in the final third all season.

Stephan Kellar wasn't missed, Hayden Foxe had a strong game with the younger faster Seb Ryall alongside. Maybe Sydney have a pairing at last. And they only conceded one.

Nicky Carle, Bruno Cazarine are still to return which will strengthem the squad options.

Byun should be ditched leaving Scott Jamieson at left-back and Brendan Gan, Rhyan Grant, Terry Antonis among others to provide some pace in the midfield - at least for part of a game - Sydney badly need pace and movement in the front six. Slow to pass the ball, slow movement from the players.

Is it a team lacking confidence, or just a team incapable.

Lavicka sets the tone. It wasn't fast last year, or exciting. This year its worse.

But a few good results have now been achieved. If Sydney are to have any momentum this season, now is the time.

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Monday, 22 November 2010

Sydney FC : Your Coach is boring boring boring

Yes the A-League is better this year, much better, but that doesn't mean that Sydney and Perth are any good does it?

So it was hot, it was a "new" pitch for both teams in Parramatta, but it was incredibly boring.

Sydney FC changed half their team this year and got what?

And Mike Cockerill SMH's No 1 Football Writer keeps talking up Alex Brosque, as you know says Mike, "Holger likes him."

Does he?

Why did he give him a few measly minutes against Paraguay, and less against Egypt - yes he didn't even take him.

Broquey ain't going to the Asia Cup Mike. Aim to get Sasa in that's as much as you can do. Alex ain't that fast, that fantastic or else he would have turned Sydney's season around by now.

Dreadful, slow football and not dis-similar to the turgid stuff they produced last season. This time same patterns, much much slower.

Vitaslev you might be foreign, you might even have won a championship on penalties last year but your teams are boring boring boring and this season they have less quality, even less pace all over the park. What Coach could produce such rubbish in his second year?

Fozzie likes teams to pass it etc etc don't we all, but when a poor team tries to play that style - Sydney FC is what you get. It was so bad at half-time I'd had enough.

And don't get me started on the Michael Baird inspired Perth Glory. They are worse!

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Monday, 4 October 2010

Sydney FC: Best bottom team in the World?

Sydney FC lost again to Adelaide United.

This time it was 2-1 and the winning goal came from, wouldn't you know it, former Sydney FC Youth Captain Iain Ramsey......in the very last minute.

For the record that's three games decided with goals in the last minute this weekend! It doesn't get much more exciting than that in any league, in any sport- unless you're from the Harbour City.


But Sydney continue to improve and despite the Fox Sports inexperienced commentator Michael Zappone claiming time and time again that Sydney's season was on the line, it wasn't and isn't.

Someone should tell Zappa that you only have to make the top six and anyone can win from there. In fact if Sydney make it and they can based on the form of their last three games, well arguably they'd go into it an improved side with much more confidence, and that's all they are really missing.

Mark Bridge still miss fires, and maybe Nicky Carle, remember him, can unleah the Sydney forwards and who knows that second goal in any game could be all they need.

They've had keepers save with their faces, shots hit the posts, bizarre own goals in the last three home games, nine points would not have been unworthy given their performances, but they got just two.

Sydney FC have to be the best bottom placed team in the World, making the A-League one of the leagues worth watching, not just the top games, but all games.

Sydney fans need to hold their breadth as do their owners. Sydney FC may not be champions this year, but if they can get a couple of wins, and they can, come finals time not too many teams will want to play them.

Having said that next up it's Melbourne away, followed by Perth.

Just quietly, what did Liam Reddy save today?

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Sunday, 5 September 2010

Sydney FC copy Gold Coast

Atmosphere? Sydney FC have had plenty over the year

But with costs spiralling as crowds plummet Sydney are aiming at copying the Gold Coast Franchise as soon as possible.

Away fans always add a little colour behind the goals at the Sydney Football Stadium but not anymore.

Sydney has moved them, but where to? Hidden away from camera leaving a completely empty stand.

Great for TV isn't it; but who thought of this wise plan. Promote them I say.

With more planning like this Sydney should be able to shut three sides of the stadium in just 2501 less fans time.

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Thursday, 19 August 2010

More Payne for Sydney FC

John Aloisi, Mark Bridge, Alex Brosque and Chris Payne all scored important goals for Sydney last season. They were all, yes all four were strikers in the Champions squad.

This year Chris Payne left alongside John Aloisi and now Mark Bridge and Alex Brosque are injured for the Roar game on the weekend.

So what would you do with no recognised striker in the squad?

Bring in a Young guy from the Youth team, a team which hasn't started yet?
Play that extra man in midfield, yes lets make it five midfielders with Nicky only slightly advanced? Guaranteed defeat...again.
Or resort to last years bizarre tactic...put the Foxe on upfront. Well he must have been good he got another contract!

Kofi Danning will surely start, Brendan Gan could play wide right and of course the man for all seasons Terry McFlynn could play as a striker....he's played everywhere else.

Foxe to play upfront with Danning and Nicky just behind! Surely not!

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